Zombie Games: Road Kill Part 11

"If you knew what was good for you," muttered Henry. "You wouldn't call Wild a broad and you'd stay away from her."

I frowned. "Hey, I'm also not crazy."

Henry ignored me. "Looks like you've overstayed your welcome, Dwayne. Now, you need to get your friend and high-tail it on out of here."

He scowled. "I don't think that's your decision. Besides, this is a church. A place of G.o.d. He doesn't turn anyone away."

"Once you turn him away," said Sister Theresa, stepping around the corner of the building. "There is only darkness."

"And an exit door with your name on it," said Henry.

I just couldn't resist. "That' shouldn't be too difficult for him to find. Dwayne is no stranger to the 'exit door'."

He shot me a scathing look and I was relieved that Henry was the one holding the shotgun.

"I'm not sure what's going on out here," said Sister Theresa, her face solemn. "But this is a sacred church and we don't condone any immoral behavior. Now, for the protection of the children and our other guests, I suggest that you, and your friend Travis, leave without giving us anymore trouble."

"You people are all nuts," said Dwayne, shaking his head. "I haven't done anything but receive a few lucky kicks from this crazy chick."

"They were deliberate, not lucky," I snapped, putting my hands on my hips. "And you were lucky that Henry saved your a.s.s or I would have handed it back to you on a platter."

"Right," snorted Dwayne.

"Here's the other one," hollered Nora, clutching an ax as she followed Travis, who clearly did not look happy. "Kallie told us what happened and so I woke this one, too."

"What did you do?" snarled Travis, getting into Dwayne's face.

Dwayne's face paled. "Nothing."

"He was trying to have his way with young Wild, here," said Henry. "I'd say that was something."

"I told you to behave here," snapped Travis, grabbing the larger man by the front of the s.h.i.+rt. "To keep your s.h.i.+t in check."

"Please. I wasn't going to do anything," replied Dwayne, with real terror in his eyes.

Henry and I glanced at each other in surprise. Although Dwayne was much bigger than Travis, it was obvious as to who was in charge.

Travis's shoulders relaxed. He released Dwayne and then turned to me. "I'm sorry, kid. If I would have known he was pulling that s.h.i.+t, I would have kept a better eye on him. We'll be on our way."

I didn't say anything. Although Travis appeared sincere, something in his eyes told me that he was much more dangerous than Dwayne.

"We'd appreciate that," said Henry.

Travis nodded and then smiled at me. "You're a brave girl," he said, his eyes so black, they were unsettling. "I'm sure your parents would have been proud of you. If they would have survived."

"Well, I'd hope so," I said, wondering how he knew they were both dead. Of course, with the current zombie apocalypse going down, it was an easy a.s.sumption.

He studied me intently and then said, "Something tells me that we're going to meet again."

For some reason, I knew he was right and the hair on the back of my neck stood up. "Oh?"

"Yes. Definitely. Now, don't lose that courage," he said, turning away. "If you want to survive for a time in this war. I'm sure they're going to need all the help they can get."

I was confused. "War?"

He motioned towards Dwayne who nodded and then glanced back at me one last time. "You do amuse me, child. You really do. You and your antics. Unfortunately, sides have been chosen and yours is," he wrinkled his nose. "nauseatingly obvious. So, without further adieu, I'm going to leave all of you with a parting gift, or rather, a message...for him."

"For me?" asked Henry.

Travis smiled darkly. "Oh, Henry. It's not always about you. Although I do appreciate your vanity, yes I do. No, this message is for he who creates such false hopes amongst his children. The one who thinks he can still destroy my master. He has no clue, however. No clue as to the powers that Apollyon possesses."

"Apolly-who? What in the h.e.l.l are you talking about, psychopath?" snapped Nora.

Instead of getting angry, he laughed. "Exactly. We are living in pure h.e.l.l right now, aren't we? You'd better all get used to it, because it's only going to get worse."

Before any of us could respond, he raised his hand and a ball of fire appeared.

"Lord, G.o.d, Almighty, help us," said Sister Theresa, clutching her cross. "And have mercy on this man's soul."

"His mercy isn't welcome, here," smirked Travis, his eyes now glowing the same color as the flames.

Her eyes widened and she held out her cross. "Be gone, Demon!"

We all watched in shock as he raised his other hand and began spinning the fire until it was the size of a large beach ball. Then he turned towards the church and cast it into the air.

"No!" I screamed, as the fireball hit the church.

He looked back at us and his smile chilled me to the bone. "Well, good luck with all of that." Then he left, his laughter echoing through the darkness.

Chapter Ten.

After leaving the disturbing scene at the lake, they quickly found the street leading to Ca.s.sie and Allie's grandparent's home.

"There's the house," said Kristie, pointing to a small cedar home nestled halfway up the block.

"Looks pretty quiet around here," murmured Tiny. "I don't know if that's a good sign or a really bad one."

"Not a lot of zombies lurking around is definitely good for us," said Bryce, getting out of the SUV.

The rest of them got out of the vehicle and splashed through the new puddles until they reached the front porch.

"Should we knock?" asked Tiny cupping his hands around his eyes as he tried looking through a large bay window.

"Why not? It'll draw the attention of any zombies in the house and we'll know what we're dealing with," said Kristie, rapping on the door.

"Ring the doorbell too, in case someone is in the back of the house," said Bryce.

After ringing and knocking several times, they walked around the back to the three-season porch. Fortunately the backdoor wasn't locked.

"Let's just go inside," said Kristie, pus.h.i.+ng the door open. When they entered the living room, she sighed. "Hate to say this, but something tells me we're all alone in here."

"Keep going," said Paige. "Maybe they're downstairs or in one of the other rooms."

"Maybe."

They walked towards the back of the house until they reached the kitchen.

"Check this out," said Bryce, picking up a piece of paper. "They left a note."

To our loved ones, If you're reading this then our prayers have been answered, and you're alive! As you can see, we are not at the house but have taken refuge with Ted and Linda on their yacht (Her Escape) on the Saint Croix River. We have stock-piled some supplies and have anch.o.r.ed near the Stillwater Bridge, so if you can join us, please do, because we miss and love you so very much!

Hugs and Kisses, Us Bryce sighed. "Great. Well, I guess we have some more driving to do."

"Hmm... It's going to be dark soon and I think we should wait around here a little longer," said Kristie. "In case Kylie and Allie show up."

"Or, Bryce and I could drive to Stillwater right now and look for the yacht, while the rest of you hold tight here," said Billie.

Tiny shook his head. "I don't think it's a good idea to split up. What if something bad happens or if one of you get hurt? Then you guys would be missing, too."

"If we sit around here, we're wasting more time," said Bryce. "Billie and I should leave right now, in case Ca.s.sie and Nora have already headed out to Stillwater and need help. We wait too long, and we may miss them totally."

"He's right," said Kristie. "Knowing Ca.s.sie, once she knows her grandparents are safe, she'll head back to Atlanta. You forget, she doesn't even know about the girls missing."

"Maybe they've already reunited," said Tiny.

"No," replied Bryce. "I doubt the kids made it to Minnesota before we did."

"You've convinced me," said Tiny, throwing the keys to Bryce. "Leave us some food and water before you take off, though."

"Sure," said Bryce.

"I'm coming with you guys," said Paige.

"Absolutely not, young lady," said Kristie.

She rolled her eyes. "For G.o.d's sake, mom! I'm not sitting here, watching you two play kissy-face while these guys go off to find Ca.s.sie. Besides, like I said earlier, I'm an adult now and should have the right to make my own decisions."

"You're still my kid. Look, it's too dangerous out there. You're staying here with us and that's final," said Kristie.

Paige's face fell. "You never let me do anything. I mean, come on, haven't I proved that I can protect myself against the zombies?"

"Listen, it's not just the zombies that I'm worried about, Paige. Look at what happened to you and Ca.s.sie in Atlanta. There are some dangerous people out there and I'm not taking any chances of you getting hurt. I mean, h.e.l.l, we don't even know where your sister is! I'm not about to lose you out there, too. So just chill out here with us and stop trying to take on everything."

Paige stared at her for a minute and then nodded. "Fine."

Kristie walked over and pulled her into her arms. "Thank you. Now, why don't you help Tiny gather some food from the SUV before these two take off. Then, if I were you, I'd try and get some rest. I can't even remember the last time you slept."

"Okay. I am kind of tired."

"I bet. I'm going to see if there are any candles around," said Kristie, opening drawers in the kitchen. "It's going to be dark soon and we'll be walking into walls."

Tiny handed her a flashlight. "Take this and check the laundry room, too," said Tiny. "That's where I usually kept my candles."

Paige followed the guys back out to the SUV where they grabbed a jug of water, some beef jerky, and a bag of popcorn.

"At least the rain stopped," said Bryce, staring up into the sky.

"For now," said Paige.

"So, we should be back in a couple of hours," said Billie, getting into pa.s.senger side of the SUV. "I would think all of that food would tide you guys over until then."

"I'd use the bathroom here, if I were you, two," said Paige, leaning into the window. "Stillwater is almost an hour away."

Billie sighed and then got back out of the SUV. "Probably a good idea."

"She's right," said Bryce. He smiled. "For once."

"You're a barrel of laughs, Mr. Miyagi," she said, with a smirk.

"Didn't your mother tell you to go take a nap or something?"

"Yes she did and for once, I'm not going to argue."

"Amazing," he said, getting back out of the SUV.

When they walked back into the house, Paige told Kristie that she was going to lie down in one of the bedrooms.

"Okay, honey. I'll wake you up if I hear anything."

She kissed her mom on the cheek. "Love you, mom."

Kristie smiled. "I love you too, Paige."

Fifty minutes later, as Bryce maneuvered the SUV around a group of zombies in downtown Stillwater, Kristie brought a candle into the bedroom Paige had disappeared into, only to find it empty.

"Paige?" she hollered, checking the other rooms in the house. "Paige!"

"What's wrong?" asked Tiny, chewing on a piece of dried beef.

She rubbed her forehead in frustration. "I think that Paige took off with the boys."