Surviving The Aftermath (Book 1): The Dead Linger (30 page)

“We’ll just give him a mild sedative.” Beth fed him and shortly thereafter he was a sleep.

Trapped in the truck, zombies crawled in through the side window, reaching down for him. He looked all around, his legs were pinned, his arm busted, he couldn’t move. He stretched for his gun that was just out of reach. He screamed as he felt the ripping pressure of teeth tearing into his forearm, he lunged up to push it away.

“Hey hey hey, it’s ok, you’re ok.” Jill put a reassuring hand on Casey’s chest as he lay back down. “It was just a nightmare, your safe, everyone is back.”

“I was back in that car.” Casey closed his eyes taking shuddering breath. “And they got me.”

“They didn’t get you. You’re here. Maybe a little banged up, but alive.”

“So what’s the damage?”

“Well according to Nurse Beth, you have some broken ribs, possible sprained ankle, and a bunch of lacerations she thinks is from you lying on all the broken glass. And a possible concussion.”

“So I’m good then.” He chuckled. Jill stroked his head as he closed his eyes again, they stayed like that in silence for a few minutes till Casey started swinging his legs over the side.

“Where are you going?” Jill stood up to greet him.

“Got work. We have all those new supplies and we had to leave vehicles behind. We lost Lucy and Vic.” He tried to rise up, wincing and grabbing his ribs in pain.

“Yeah you’re really getting places.” She started laying him back down. “Beth has put you on the inactive list, so here you stay for a couple of days and then it’s the apartment if you want, but no work.”

“Will you stay here with me?” He asked reaching for her hand. “Of course I will.” He held her hand relaxing some more. “Hey, where’s your sling?” He asked just noticing she had the use of both arms.

“Beth said I’ve been such a good girl I don’t have to wear it anymore.”

“Really?” He asked shock that she’d managed to heal in the last 4 plus weeks since the injury.

“Well it’s still sore, I can’t lift 10lbs yet, but she has me a pretty good rehab program and I’ve been listening to her for a change.” She answered with some sass.

“I’m so happy for that. Anything exciting happen while I was away?” Jill brought him up to speed of the gossip, who was hooking up with who, the new thoughts on weapons, plans for winter, the normal stuff. “Oh and we were talking about farming again. Current thoughts are to try something off site or here. But tomorrow were going to do some recon and see what can be done.”

“That could be good. Who knows how long our canned food and little green house will hold up for.”

“Yeah, Kurt and I shouldn’t be gone too long.”

“What?!” He looked at her with shocked wide eyes. “No, you’re staying here.” He gripped her hand and dragged her up against the bed.

“Casey calm down please.” She tried to get his grip to ease. “I need some circulation in my hand honey.” She tried stroking his face and bringing her voice to a whisper.

He shook his head, and seemed to remember himself. Just then Beth came bustling into the room.

“How’s the patient doing?”

“Just fine.”

“No. He’s cranky and sore, I can tell.” Jill added.

“Well you either have fractured ribs or broken. Without some sort of MRI, CT or bone scan I can only go off of an external exam. And I’d say you’re busted up pretty bad. Six weeks should heal you up.” She gave him some pain medication and an anti-inflammatory. She rolled back the blank to check his breathing and poke at the ribs she believed injured. She went down to the foot of the bed where he had a leg propped up with an ACE bandage, one think they absolutely had plenty of.

“The swelling in your toes is going down, but the bruising is coming out nicely. I’ll get you an ice pack to help with that. Aside from that I’d say you’re not as bad off as we first thought. You need to stay here few days I think and then we’ll try walking you around.” Beth smiled her lovely smile, and left the room.

“How is she so cheery?

“The mighty Casey has struck out.”

“What?”

“You, the iron man, never gets hurt, sick or faints, has been injured. You’re human after all.” Jill rose and tucked the blankets up back around him. “Plus I think she likes taking care of you, especially since you seem to do so much for people around here.”

“Back on point, what were we talking about?”

“Kurt and I are heading out.”

“No. Absolutely not.” Jill just cocked her head to the side with a try and stop me look. “I’m sorry. It’s just dangerous out there and obviously I don’t want you to go. Please let someone else go.”

“There is always danger with those things out there.” She continued to stroke his head to ease his fears. “You forget how long I was out there on my own, no vehicle, no fortress to keep me safe. When my time is up it’s up.” They were both quiet. “I was so worried when you were gone, but I had to accept it, I might not have liked it, but I dealt. I can’t stop living or helping out around here because of those things.”

Casey kept his eyes shut. “I just can’t lose another person I love.” He looked at her when her hand stilled in mid stroke, Jill couldn’t hide her emotions. She was elated, scared, shocked, so many emotions crossed her face and she was very easy to read.

“Say something.” Their gaze still connected.

“I want to say it, but I’m nervous.” Her hand shook slightly, he reached up for it, before careful as the arm was still healing and just laid it on his chest. Jill could feel the warmth, and his heart beating.

“I guess I’ll just have to hang around until you’re not so nervous anymore.” They stayed liked that until both fell asleep later that night.

Jill was ready. As was Kurt, Joe and Ryan, the two local farmers. Joe actually had a degree in agriculture and seemed to know his stuff when it came to growing more food and raising animals. The hope was to actually find some animals alive. After an emotional goodbye, Casey finally relented on Jill going out on this excursion. Being stuck in a bed wasn’t helping his sunny disposition any, he was becoming moody and almost surly. Jill and he had a nice fight before he accepted that she was going. At least they made up, nothing would be worse to have a fight and not return.

“Let’s hit the road guys.” Jill was actually driving, she hadn’t forgotten the freedom you can feel behind the wheel of a car.

“You want to continue in this north east direction for about 20miles.” Joe instructed. The car fell into a comfortable silence. It was about noon when they reached one of the farms, it was just on the out skirts of a small unincorporated town. They drove up the long gravel driveway. “Park over here.” Joe said pointing to a spot close to the house. Everyone exited with caution, guns drawn, eyes focused and sharp.

“I locked up when we left, I don’t see why the place wouldn’t be still locked down.” He reached for the door, still locked, a good sign. Using his key they gained entrance and were hit by the powerful odor of spoiled food, mixed with stale musty air. Quickly and with caution everyone cracked some windows.

“Upstairs in my office I have security cameras for the barn and equipment sheds, also around the house. Years ago there were so many break-ins around the farms out here, Maisey was worried we’d be hit, so I did some security stuff.” They went upstairs to look at his set up. It all appeared as if he’d just stepped away from the desk moments before. Except for the layer of dust on everything and a few spider webs, the place had potential. Joe talked over logistics with Kurt and Ryan, Jill wandered downstairs. She saw pictures of his kids growing up through the years, and realized Joe was missing two daughters, she didn’t want to ask. Slowly making her way from the very large kitchen, to the very large living room, something caught her eye, a blurb of color outside. She un-holstered her gun and went automatically to the front door. She shouted up the stairs. “Movement out front.” And she darted outside to see 2 people climbing into their SUV. 

“Don’t move!” Jill shouted with some force and authority, her gun raised and pointing at the back of the taller man’s head. He froze and turned around. Eyes met, recognition shown on Jill’s face immediately.

“Tom?”

“Jill?” She kept her gun raised, last time they saw each other, he’d threatened to kill her.

“You going to shoot me?” He asked closing the car door.

“Do I have reason too?” She said taking a step back

“No.” Simple as that, Jill lowered her hands. The other 3 men came hustling out of the house with weapons ready.

“Kurt?” Tom said. “What are you guys doing here?”

“This is my farm.” Joe announced. “What are you doing here?” Tom looked over and indicated to Brian, “We escaped.”

Chapter 11

It had been announced that the search team was coming back with survivors, everyone always seemed to be very excited when that happened. So even though Tom dreaded not knowing what kind of reception he’d get, he was very happy to see his wife and daughter standing out by the doors when they pulled in. Brian reluctantly got out first, and was greeted with numerous handshakes and a bottle of water which he chugged in 6 seconds flat. Tom was hesitant, nervous, actually scared. He took a deep breath and slide out of the back seat. Sporting longer hair, a beard and being very dirty, nobody noticed who he was right away. But he looked over at his wife and he could see her mouth open in shock and surprise. Others started recognizing Tom, and seeing Vikki’s reaction a hush slowly fell over everyone. Vikki walked over to Tom assertively and stood in front of him. Neither spoke, the silence was killing Tom. Not sure what to do or say he let his words fly.

“Hi baby.” Thwack. Vikki struck Tom’s left cheek.

“You’ve been gone for months. Deserted us, could have cared less about us, and that’s all you have to say to me?” He looked around at everyone watching him, he didn’t know what to do or say.

“Vikki please . .” He started to say. She raised her hand to silence him.

“No. You left us, Susie and me. Just walked away like we were nothing. We needed you, so bad. We were grieving too, don’t you think I wanted to run away and forget.”

“Please just let me explain  . . .” She cut him off again. She had a defeated look on her face, and with a shake of her head said “Fuck you.” And walked away, grabbing Susie’s hand as they head for inside the store. Most the others were dispersing when Brian came to stand by Tom with Kurt and Jill following. Oscar, Andy and Mike approached the group too. Oscar started talking to Brian, asked if he wanted some food, to get washed up. They all wanted to hear the story of where they’d been. Tom noticed Brian had hard time answering, so he nudged him a bit.

“It’s ok. You’re safe here.” Everyone’s voice became a dull buzz in Tom’s ears as he saw Jill slip away from the group and walk off.

Walking into the small hospital area Jill saw Casey propped up on some pillows with Meghan helping him eat and Jack talking his ear off.

“I was like if we angle the catapults at like a 75 degree angle we’d have gravity helping us give natural speed to the falling object. Do you know what I mean?” Jack was looking up waiting for an answer from Casey. Jill just smiled and rolled her eyes, sometimes Jack was such a nerd.

“Hi guys.” Jill came in cheery and with a wave. Casey made eye contact with her, eyes pleading for help.

“Why don’t we let the injured get some rest? We have visitors.” She scooted them out and sat down back next to the bed.

“I love that kid but when he gets excited about something he just doesn’t shut up.” Jill wasn’t sure how to break the news about Tom’s arrival to Casey, she just decided to go with a direct approach.

“So how was the trip?”

“Tom’s back.” She answered. He was blank and stared for a moment.

“What?”

“We found him and a boy out at the farm, it looks like they’ve had a hell of a time out there.” She chuckled nervously. “Tom has a beard and long hair.” Casey wasn’t laughing. Jill went on. “Anywho, they both look dehydrated and malnutrition. I think Tom has dropped some weight, the boy must weigh only 90lbs.”

“Why did you bring them here?” He quietly asked. She looked confused by this.

“We couldn’t leave them. They’d obviously been through a fight, Tom’s shirt has blood all over it. The boy is barely speaking.” Casey was still quiet.

“I want to see him.” He started to rise. She pushed him down again. This seemed to be a reoccurring theme at the moment.

“No you stay here. Do you really want to talk to Tom?”

He thought for a moment. “Yes, I do.”

“I’ll bring him to you, you’re in no shape to walk yet, let alone stand.” She stood up to go.

“No wait, not like this. Later. I don’t want him to see me beat up like this.” Jill came and sat back down, taking Casey’s hand.

“I don’t think it would matter.”

“He’ll think I’m weak. Let’s wait till I can move around better.”

“This place isn’t that big, he’s bound to stop by.”

“I don’t even know what I’d say to him.” He stopped and contemplated. “I use to imagine for a while he’d come back either begging to be let in or apologizing and what I’d say and do, and now. . . .  I just don’t know.”