Walkers (Book 3): The Survivors Read online

"No," Frank said, "the city is the last place we need to be in the winter. There isn't any way to stay warm and we can't guarantee the food situation."

  "Well, what's your idea then." The ideas flew around that room like the no-see-ums at the river. Find another cabin, supply it, or a trailer park, or etc. etc.

  "We don't have time to do any of that. Winters here can begin in September as easy as any other time. We have no security, weapons, heat, food or anything else. Whatever we have to do we have to do it soon, like tomorrow." Alice said.

  "I agree with Alice," I said, " and the only way I can see us making it through the winter is to go south."

  "South? How far south?" asked John, Valley East's mechanic.

  "Well, I was thinking somewhere warm in January...Southern Texas, New Mexico, Mexico. I don't know."

  "How do we get there?" asked Alice. "We have six four wheelers."

  I smiled at that then looked over at Lacy. She said, "When JD and I left Florida it was in a stolen pickup. It died in Eastern Texas and we were going to replace it when we spied the prettiest RV you've ever seen. It had a solar panel on top and three pull outs. The shower was heaven and a double oven in the kitchen made us very happy campers. All we have to do is find a RV dealership and pick out a motor home. Let me tell you, having a toilet within arms reach was the best part." She sat back and watched as minds began to whirl. After a few minutes of everyone talking at once, I stood and faced them.

  "Most of us here came clear across the United States in buses, RV's and semi's. We did it once so I see no problem with doing it again. I don't want to, Lord knows, but it's something we have no choice about. We have to go south. Now, does anyone have a place in mind? Running water would be nice. We could pick up RV's and spend the winter in those."

  "What about that place in Utah? The one that put Lacy on top of the bathroom stalls?" asked Randy, which earned him a glare from Lacy.

  "Nope, too far north. The Arches National Park is beautiful but we need to go farther south." Alice perked up and said, "How about a hot springs. The water can be piped right into the campers."

  "Where is it?

  "It's called Gila Hot Springs in south central New Mexico. My family used to spend the summer there every year but I know it's open year round."

  "That means it's warm enough. Anyone else have any ideas?" When no one else said anything I continued, "Well, let us know if everyone is okay with it. Sleep on it and we'll decide in the morning. We have to do something by morning though. We need supplies so we can set up security."

  "I'll take first watch, Riley." Mason said. "I'm too keyed up to sleep right now. Me and JD will sleep later." He took my hand and led me outside. He was man enough to let me go up the ladder first but I know it was so he could watch my butt. We relived Frank, who looked wiped out, took one of the folding chairs and moved it back a bit from the edge of the roof. Before we began our shift, Mason held me a long time, trying to reassure me it would be okay and for just a bit, I believed him. I had to. Hope is a terrible thing to lose.

  CHAPTER 2

  "I hope you know what you're doing, Ken. Striking out on your own is dangerous and winter is right around the corner. I wish you'd reconsider." I was concerned Ken may have jumped into this without thinking.

  "Gosh, JD, I was own my own living in a damned tree house before I came here. I'll do okay. I'll look around until I find somewhere we can all live and when you return in the spring you'll have someplace to go. It'll be easier for a smaller group to survive since there won't be as many mouths to feed. It's a win win kind of thing."

  "Since I'm going to watch his back, I won't have to worry about him." Jill said as she stood next to him with her arm around his waist.

  "Crap, I just remembered those four people that are supposed to meet us at the lodge in a few days. I'll have Duke call them and tell them not to come. Maybe you could pick them up somewhere."

  "I'll talk to Duke."

  "What if someone gets hurt?"

  "Guess that's why I'm going along." answered Don, Valley East's medic. "You'll have Joe and Sandy who's had some experience with children. You won't need two medics. And before you ask all the other questions you have stored away, let me answer them for you. Liz is good with explosives and a hell of a cook so she'll be an asset. John being a good mechanic will help if we have that kind of problem. Frank is good with weapons and built like an ox so he'll help out a lot and Alice has learned a lot from Duke on the electronic end of things and should have a decent security system set up when you come back. We're all aware of the danger, are good with guns and have our heads screwed on tight. We're staying and that is all there is to it."

  They stood there nodding their screwed on heads while the rest of us just stared at them. I didn't like it but I've found in the past few months it doesn't matter what I like, this kind of thing just keeps happening. They'd be an asset here in Montana and I'd miss them a lot.

  "Okay, I give up. You do what you have to do, just find a nice warm, safe place to live in the meantime. You should at least stay till we get to Bozeman so you can supply up and we can part ways then."

  "We thought that would be a good idea as well." Then Ken gave me a nice hug before leaving with several guys to go to the interstate to find transportation.

  We needed a semi to haul the trailer and at the very least a bus since there were 26 of us with the three kids, not counting the dog. I'd be happy with a couple of vans at least until we got to Bozeman and could go shopping for RV's.

  Several of the guys left with the gator that could carry six, leaving the mule with us. We sat around the table trying to figure out the best route from Bozeman to New Mexico. I was still the one that did the routing although I don't like it. So many things can go wrong, like bridges being washed out, traffic jams that are impenetrable and rock slides.

  "Why don't we go back the way we came from Flagstaff? It was clear, wasn't it?" asked George.

  "Well, no dear it wasn't. Remember the bridge that was out after we left the warehouse? The one where we found Alan? We did more backtracking than I ever want to do again. We have the problem of finding a fuel tanker too since we got the last one on that stretch of highway. We have to go a different route. I think through Billings and then south to Cheyenne then maybe east, where the land is flatter. I'll pick up some maps when we get to Bozeman."

  "Did you say we can pick out our own RV's? I'd really like that." asked Melody.

  "Yep, but everywhere we go has to be cleared first. That's why a RV is so nice. Waiting for someone to clear a restroom when you really have to go is a pain in the butt. Having a RV provides us with a toilet, shower, air conditioning and a fridge. Duke will set up solar panels so we don't have to run the RV all the time and still have air and fridge. We have to black out the windows on the lower half, reinforce the doors and windows, that kind of thing."

  "Wow, I hadn't realized there was so much to it."

  "Yeah, and I think before the guys get back, we need to get what we'll need from the trailer, like a set of clothes, personal items, shoes, diapers etc. We can pick up more in town, but I like to be ready. We'll box them and put them in one of the vehicles when they get back. Take an extra bottle of water and keep it near you all the time. We'll have to help get the supplies and there's a method which I'll explain later."

  Everyone moved with a purpose then. Supplies were readied and placed near the front door. The guards were relieved so they could get what they needed from the trailer, then we waited. The day was a warm one. It was August, I think, so we still had some hot days left but not many. The trees were already turning from the low temps at night and because of the lack of rain some of the green leaves had fallen.

  I heard a knock on the side of the house telling us someone was coming. We watched as a blue mini van pulled up, followed by a cargo van and a small bus. The gator pulled up and parked next to the garage. It'd served it's purpose. We greeted the returning men like they'd come back from battle, hugging and kissi
ng. They laughed and began to load the supplies in the cargo van. Mason took me aside and told me the semi was on its way so we needed to clear everyone from around the trailer. I told him if there was anything he wanted from it now was the time.

  "If there was a tee shirt and jeans in there I'd be there in a second but as it is I'll have to wait for Bozeman. We all look like refugees from a mental hospital dressed in gray sweats." I looked around and saw he was right and started laughing. It lightened the air around the place and we proceeded to get everyone out of the way of the trailer so Howard could hook up to it. Then after a massive run on the bathroom, we loaded up and left the road house behind. I tried not to look behind me as we pulled away. It was just a house, right?

  Sometimes you get so wrapped up in the bad things you don't see the good. The scenery was some of the good stuff. I always wondered how a towering pine tree could live on the side of a rock cliff, but they do. Early in the mornings the temps sat around 60 degrees and the smell of pine thick in the air. Since we have no pollution, the air is crisp and clear and wraps around you like a good friend. The birds dance on the wind currents created by the canyons and valleys, playing like kids in the clouds. Sometimes you can't see much farther than several feet because of the mountains then you come around a curve and can see for miles, the land spread out before you like a gift. Yea, that's the good stuff.

  It didn't take as long as I thought it would to reach Bozeman. A rest area near town gave us a place to park while the guys went shopping. As soon as the bus stopped, Alice jumped out and made a bee line for the rest room. Frank grabbed her before she opened the door and when she whirled around to sock him, she caught sight of me.

  "You don't listen too well, do you, Alice?" I said, as I walked up to the couple.

  "I have to go." She said, pulling against Frank's hold on her arm.

  "Dumb bitch, you don't know how many walkers are in there. You was told to wait till everything was cleared." Frank said, not letting up on his grip.

  "Yes, and not to go anywhere alone. You just broke two of the rules. I don't know how you managed before, but you get anyone killed by your stupidity and you're on your own." I watched as Mason cleared the restrooms. He nodded at Frank who released Alice's' arm. Her face had turned a not so flattering purple as she did the pee pee dance and rubbed her arm at the same time.

  "Come on, it's clear now. Once we get a RV you can use the bathroom in it, but until then, it's this way or the highway. That's just all there is too it. We aren't doing things this way to make you life uncomfortable, we do it because we have no choice."

  We finished up and when we left, I made sure the door was firmly closed. I walked around to the other side and found a huge map of the area with "you are here" clearly marked. As I approached the group, I saw Duke on top of the cargo van keeping watch as the men below were quietly discussing who would go where. I motioned them over to the map and after several minutes of talking they finally decided the ones who were splintering off would go with the more experienced, to make sure they knew what they were doing. I thought that was an excellent idea. There was a method to it.

  They needed weapons first, then night vision goggles and food. I had a feeling Mason would have a new change of clothes when he returned and couldn't blame him. As the day warmed, these sweats were going to be very uncomfortable. I found a shady spot but I was already hot. I didn't think it was even 80 yet so it was probably just me. As I sat and watched the men, the women milling about and the kids and dog running around, I hoped we could make it to where we needed to be in one piece. I just wanted to survive. That word has taken on a new meaning for me. The lodge was security to me and although one part of my brain told me it was gone, my heart wouldn't hear of it. I could still see it sitting in that valley, looking welcoming and proud. I would always see it that way, not a large, charred hole in the ground surrounded by debris and bodies.

  The men took the vans and when they had what they needed they'd go back and shop for RV's. I thought the ladies should take part in that little shopping experience. Before the virus, I would never have been able to buy a RV so the fact that you can just walk around until you found the one you liked and then drive it away was exhilarating. I had a checkbook I used to carried and loved to write a check for a couple hundred thousand dollars and leave it behind with a nice thank you note. The fact you didn't have a salesman dogging your every step was almost funny. Although, one dealership I went to had a salesman who was a walker and they still dogged you. Not funny I know.

  I sat on a rock and kept watch of the highway leading east out of town. I could see a real traffic jam in the narrow part of the road between two mountains that looked like it might be a problem but I needed a set of binoculars before I could be sure.

  Sarah wandered over to sit beside me. She didn't say anything for quite a while, then sighed. "I can't believe it's only been 48 hours since we went berry picking. It's like a horrible nightmare I can't seem to wake up from. What's so weird is I keep wondering what happened to all those berries. With everything else that's going on I'm worried about berries. Now we have to be on the road again, heading God knows where and watching our backs again I can't seem to get my priorities straight."

  "I know, kiddo, believe me I'm having the same problems you are. I saw the lodge or what was left of it but in my mind it's still like it was before. I won't ever see it any other way. But even with losing the lodge, I have to remember it gave us refuge and we made it into a home. But when it comes to berries, I don't know how long it will be before I even 'want' to pick them"

  "I agree, JD, I guess I just needed to know you thought the same way. I expect we'll be here a day or so. It'll take that long to secure the RV's and get Duke's bus just the way he wants it."

  I gave her a look and she laughed. "Believe me he WILL get another school bus and outfit it just the way the other one was. I look forward to my sewing machine and the sound it made as I worked the treadle. Something restful in that sound."

  We heard the motors and turned as a large school bus pulled into the rest area. Me and Sarah broke into laughter when we saw it. Randy was driving it and when Duke saw it he pumped his fist into the air and yelled. It looked to be a 56 passenger bus, bright yellow of course and Duke was in seventh heaven. Don climbed atop the cargo van to keep watch while Duke drooled over his new toy. There was even a tool box in the back, so Duke started right then and there removing seats. The back area of the bus would be for supplies while the middle part a place for two beds and Sarah's sewing machine. A place behind the drivers seat would be made for a table to put all his computers and monitors on. He had a method that seemed to work for him so we left him to mumble and fuss.

  The men started removing boxes from the back of the van, and the women were opening them to find weapons and night vision goggles. Since there was no electricity in the buildings they were needed to be able to see the walkers. I'd had a pair that I hung around my neck, as it seemed most of the time I was hurrying into a building and didn't have time to stop, dig it out of my backpack and put it on. Nearly had my head taken off once and that's when I got inventive. I noticed Mason hanging his around his neck and he must of felt me looking cause he paused long enough to look at me and wink. I smiled back then went back to opening boxes.

  By the time we had things ready for the men to go RV shopping it was nearly noon so we stopped to fix something to eat. It consisted of spam which I managed to gag down after drowning it in mustard. It filled the stomach but I was having visions of Sara's fried chicken that kept me hungry the rest of the afternoon.

  Melody and a couple of the other women got to go shopping for their RV's. We figured they might as well learn the way to do it now rather than later. You never know when you might find yourself on your own and some things aren't common sense. It's so easy to walk up to a door and just open it not thinking about whether there is someone on the other side ready to make a meal of you. These women had had things done for them for so long the
y still expected it. It was time to teach them how to take care of themselves.

  I wasn't going to worry about a RV this time, since I planned to ride with Mason in the semi that was pulling the tanker. That would give us two semis. One to pull the supply trailer and one for the tanker. Randy and Lacy will have a RV while Riley and George will pull the supply trailer. There would be two buses because we decided to make one into a clinic so Sandy and Joe would take charge of it. The other team that was staying would make a bus into a clinic/computer station, plus have a semi to pull a tanker and a RV for the rest of them.

  By the time the sun set the rest area was full of semis, buses and RV's. The Montana team had lucked out and found a band tour bus that had several bunks in it and a large kitchen. We all took turns filling up the water tanks, then we started blacking out the windows and reinforcing the doors, while some of the guys helped with removing seats from the buses and getting things ready to leave the next day. We still had no security in the area except for people on roof tops but at least they had night vision and infra red cameras with the back up of motion sensors. The next day, we'd start looking for food, medicine, clothes and personal items. We worked till almost midnight and then collapsed into our beds. Before Mason turned in for the night, he opened the skylight in the semi bunk, then climbed in beside me.

  "We should be ready to go by noon tomorrow. I know Ken and Jill will be okay here, he's got her to back him up."

  I smiled at the sky, thinking about when I caught Mason cleaning the skylight just before dark. I acted like I hadn't seen him while he worked to get it just right. The truck was brand new, they all were. The dealership was about two blocks away and they'd thought, why not? Since we planned to work them pretty hard it was nice they were new. Ours was a real pretty red one while George's was blue. We still had to find Howard's tow truck because just any old truck wouldn't do. It had to have a bunk with room for Bubba and a fridge. The two truck stops were going to get a going over tomorrow. Howard needed tools.