Breathless Bodies (6 page)

"We almost had the bear finished when walkers came. I guess they smelled the blood. There was 5 of them. If Ragnar hadn't been on lookout, we wouldn't have made it. They're up there finishing the bear. No one was hurt."

"Ya know, I think that's the most I have ever heard you speak at one time." Malcolm remarked. He got up for a rag to wipe his face. "So why are you covered in blood?" he asked while cleaning off the ravioli sauce. Kato turned and gave him a blank look that spoke volumes.

"We were skinning a bear. It is a big creature, lots of blood."

"Alright boys, let's just get up there and finish cleaning it so we can have some fresh meat. Malcolm, can you go find Steven and Liz? Since we're going up there anyway they might as well hook up the solar panels." Malcolm nodded to me and went off in search of the two love birds. I looked back to Kato and he had a pained look on his face as he gazed off in the direction Malcolm went.

"Are you ok?" I ask him worriedly. He stood up quickly and schooled his expression into a blank mask. His eyes still held a look of... what is that? Despondence?

"I'm fine. We must go." He set a quick pace to the elevator as if expecting me to follow.

"But what about the others? Don't you think we should wait?" He threw a curt look over his shoulder, his black Mohawk flowing behind him.

"No." It was a short word, a tiny sentence, but it gave a feeling of so much more. What that was, I didn't quite know. I hopped in the elevator with him and we went up to the surface, all in stiff silence. What was going on in that mind of his?

We reached the surface just as the sun was going down. I stopped and looked out over the horizon. The sun had turned the mountains into a black silhouette while the sky was a fiery red being chased by the soft twilight. The few clouds in the sky looked like cotton candy, waiting to be eaten. A lone owl called in the distance, waiting for a reply. I thought that one would never come. In the stillness, I heard it. Far off and faint, but a reply that said 'I'm here, come to me. We don't have to be alone.' With only the sound of a moving branch, the owl took off to find the other. Stupid birds, making me tear up.

"It is hard to be alone. Especially when we are in love." Kato spoke from beside me, the loneliness in his voice matching the call of the owl. I looked at him and I understood. He was in love with Malcolm. I gaped at him for a moment before composing myself. He turned to me and I saw the raw emotion in his whole body. The way he stood with his hands loose and shoulders slumped, his face so heartbroken it hurt me. I did the only thing I could think of doing. I hugged him. He tensed at first, then hesitantly put his hands on my shoulders. Before I knew it he was wrapped around me and shaking in silent tears. What in the world has this man gone through to make his heart hurt so bad? Then I thought about how Sean and I used to be, completely in love and totally devoted to each other. We weren't like that anymore; we barely spoke kindly to each other. I wanted so badly to love him but too much had happened. I held Kato tighter as I mourned for lost love.

After a few minutes he stood up, the tears still wet on his face. All he did was look at me and nod, but that's all that was needed. We heard a commotion coming from the direction of the bunker and I turned. Kato quickly wiped his face and turned to walk towards where the bear was.

"We've been waiting on you to finish up. He looked like he needed that. Thank you." Said Malcolm when he got close enough. "He's been needing someone to lean on and I don't want to lead him on if I can help it. I mean, I like the guy, but I don't like the guy. Does that make sense?" He looked genuinely confused so I patted him on the arm and told him what I believed.

"Sometimes people just need to vent. He's hurting. I think he's in love with someone he can never be with. It will kill him inside, a little more each day. Eventually though, he'll learn to live with it and let it go." That seemed to make sense to Malcolm as he just smiled and nodded. We started off towards the bear.

With the meat, cut and stored in the bunker, we decided that fresh steaks were in order. It had been a hell of a day and all any of us really wanted to do was relax and unwind. Glancing in on the kids, they were both blissfully asleep which left me feeling very relieved. Back in the kitchen with the smell of cooking bear and mom's fresh bottle of whiskey, Steven rounded up some glasses and we cheered to each other coming together in this insane world.

That night was as though we hadn't had encountered death, we sat laughing and talking. Steven brought out his music player and we danced and sang. For a while we were just people having fun and enjoying each other's company. We drank and ate and remembered that we were alive while everything else was uncertain. We remembered that no matter what else, we had each other. We remembered we were still human.

Chapter 9

T
he next day,
we didn't do much of anything. We were all kind of hurting. Mom was the only one that didn't have at least a small hangover, and that meant she got to take care of the rest of us.

"Damn big babies, you shouldn't have been up so late drinking and whatnot. Well at least you have a walking punishment!" She shouted the last words and we all cringed a bit. I decided to go up to B deck and call Sean.

Quiet...dark...that's what I needed. The deck was silent except the sound of my breathing. I placed my head on the desk with the phone and would have fallen asleep, but it rang.

"Ghuuuu! Why?" I asked the table. It gave me no answer. "Dumb table." I answered the phone. "Hello?"
"Good morning. How are things going?" I told him about everything that happened yesterday. The bear, Kaylin, the three newcomers, Ragnar and Niobe. He was silent for a while, then he finally spoke.

"So... these three saved your life and stitched up Lin. Are they staying in the group?"

"Well I can't force them to but I think it would be wise. There are so few of us and our family can't do it all on our own. Besides, Ragnar has a thing for the chick and she likes him right back. I'm happy to see him have someone."

"Look, just keep a knife on you. You know, you don't know these people and they may just want the bunker. Who's to say they won't slit your throat in the middle of the night?"

"I know baby, I know." We discussed where we should meet and decided on the Cheyenne Mountain Complex, provided it wasn't already occupied by the government.

"Alright Sean, we'll leave the first day of April. If we can make it there in the truck, it should only take a day, two at most. I'm going to go into town with Ragnar and Malcolm for a travel trailer. We have too many people to fit into the truck."

"Just be safe Alex. I miss you, and I can't wait to see you and the kids again."

We said our goodbyes and hung up. Just then, Steven comes banging into the room. Oooow! My head! Go away! I thought this to myself, knowing it would come out quite as pleasant if I were to speak.

"We have a problem Alex. There's no more water." he said. His voice was tense. Ok, big breath in, big breath out. Stand up, come on, you're in charge. Gotta fix this.

"Okay, then we are leaving today. Tell everyone to pack their belongings because we are outta here." I called Sean back and told him the change of plans then went off to help with the packing. This was going to be a long day.

While most everyone else was packing the essentials, I sat at the table with Ragnar and Kato to discuss the plan. We were going to try and stay out of the more populated places but it was almost all going to be on the freeway, but going through major cities, things might get interesting.

"Maybe instead of getting a trailer, we should get an R.V. What do you guys think?" Ragnar suggested.

"Hey that's not a bad idea! It's bigger, more stable, we could all stay together instead of being divided. The kids would be more comfortable as well." Malcolm said. "We wouldn't have to do much reinforcing cause they're like tanks to begin with. Hell, we could even get a boat to tow!" The boys went off on the subject. The idea had merit, especially when it came to the kids. It would be better than being cooped up in car seats the whole time. That and naps would be easier.

Leaving them discussing the pros and cons, I went to find the children. They were in the living room packing movies. Well, Kaylin was packing them and Kendrick was throwing them into the box. I picked up my little man and plopped on the couch. Lin snuggled up next to me and I held them both.

"Mom, where are we going?" She asked me in her tiny voice.

"We're going to go on an adventure sweetie. We're going to get a house on wheels and save daddy from the evil people! Graah!" I pretended like I was going to eat her and she screamed at the top if her lungs, jumping behind the couch. I thought she was playing until I heard her crying. I set Kenny down and peeked behind the couch. She shrank away, cowering.

"No! Please mommy!! Please don't eat me!" She screamed, sobbing, rocking back and forth. I didn't know what to do. I tried to reach for her but she shrank back, not wanting me to touch her. My heart broke seeing her cower from me.

"Lin, I'm not a zombie! I was just playing with you, trying to get you to laugh! Please, come here. I promise I won't eat you, I would have eaten your brother first." I tried to get her to smile, but she just looked at me with tear filled eyes.

"You won't eat me?" She asked, her voice small and afraid.

"I promise. Zombies can't talk, remember?" That seemed to hit a switch for her because all of a sudden she was flying from the behind the couch, tackling me to the floor.

"Well I'm going to eat you!" She yelled, then started to licking my face. Kenny screamed and joined in, his little baby tongue stuck straight in my eye.

"Oh no! Not a baby zombie! Someone help! I'm going to be licked to death!" Lin's little body was lifted off of me all of a sudden, making us both stop laughing. Kato had her by the back of her pants, holding her suspended in midair. He turned her so she was facing him. He had no expression as he brought her face close to his, after a tense few seconds, he did something I would have never expected: holding her face with his free hand, licked her from chin to forehead. Her face was in complete shock when he was done, she couldn't believe he had done that.

"Ha! Now you are my little zombie!" He laughed, his face filling with a childlike joy.

"Oh yea?" Said Lin. She grabbed his ears and tried to lick as much of his face as she could, which was quite a lot considering her size.

"Gaaaa! No!" Kato clutched his face and pretended to die, gently lowering Lin to the floor. When he was a crumpled heap, Kenny toddled over to him and poked him in the eye.

"Ow! That's not part of the game!" exclaimed Kato. The kids giggled and ran off, looking for some other trouble to cause. I looked at Kato from where I knelt on the floor. He was rubbing his eye and smiling to himself. He looked over to me and said,

"You've got some really cute kids. Your little girl is a hoot." He stood up and offered me his hand. I took it and he helped me to my feet.

"Well thank you." I said. This man was confusing.

"We're all packed up and ready to go. We just have to work out the seating situation. We're going to start heading up to the welcome deck. See you up there?" Mom announced as she came into the living room from the kitchen.

"Yea, we're right behind you." I said. She turned and headed to the elevator calling for the kids. I turned to Kato.

"Are you guys going to be coming with us? I mean, you're more than welcome to stay here if you want." I hoped they were coming. It would make things so much easier having more hands around.

"I would like to go with you. I believe the others would as well, but I will not speak for them. Let's join them and I will discuss it with my companions." He started to walk to the elevator. I grabbed the box of movies and followed.

"I'm the largest person here so I have to sit in the front." I heard Ragnar say.

"We could always put you in the bed. You would get to play with the big gun then."

"Your idea has merit. Let's talk to Alex, we'll see what she says."

Ragnar and Malcolm had been talking about the seating situation I assumed. Why did everyone need to talk to me? When did I become the leader? Everyone was standing around the truck in the midday sun. The kids were already in the truck, the windows open so we could hear them chattering. Ragnar and Niobe were standing next to each other, close enough to be holding hands if they weren't holding their weapons. Malcolm stood to Ragnar's right, Kato going to stand next to him. Mom was on the other side of Niobe, my brother and Liz to her right. Our little group had grown into a small village. They all looked to me for answers, though it seemed simple -- even obvious.

"Okay, mom and Liz are going to ride in the cab with me and the kids. Ragnar, you man the machine gun, Kato and Malcolm, you guys take flank and keep us clear. Steve, you work on a portable solar station for those radios. Niobe, you take the tail. Everyone okay with that?" Everyone seemed agreeable, so we loaded up and headed down the mountain.

At the bottom of the mountain, I remembered my cell phone. I tried Sean, but it went straight to voicemail, a quick text and then backed up messages from others. The in-laws, a few friends, and a few people I hadn't talked to in forever. We had gotten out of there in such a rush, I hadn't talked to anyone since we left. The first person I called was my mother in-law.

"Oh my god, we thought you had died! Where have you been? Where's Sean?" My mother in law, Beatrice or Momma Bea, answered.

"No we're okay, Sean is okay." I told her everything that had happened in the last few weeks. I was completely surprised they had survived for this long. Then again, Bea is an avid bulk shopper so they were amply supplied. It was still a relief to hear her voice.

"I'm glad to hear you guys are still alive. Are you still at home?"

"Oh goodness no! When Charles from up the street tried to attack me on my morning walk, we figured it was time to leave. Luckily he doesn't move that fast without his walker. We're up here at Sandia peak. Ernest thought this would be the closest and safest place to hide out." Ernest was my father-in-law.

"That was good thinking. Is there anyone else with you?" I hoped there was.

"Yes, there are three high schoolers that Ernest worked with. James, Scott, and Daniel. They came over to help us redo the front yard when we were packing up to go. They have been a great help. Daniel is a great marksman so we don't waste to many bullets and James used to live in the mountains with his dad so were well stocked on rabbits. Do you have potatoes?"

"What? Do I have potatoes?" I asked.

"Yes, potatoes. I want to make a nice rabbit stew but I don't have any potatoes." I couldn't believe I was having this conversation. We're all likely to die from being eaten and she asked me if I had potatoes?

"No, I don't have potatoes."

"Well darn. oh well, that's okay. So, when are you coming to pick us up?" That made me pause, I didn't know how the others would react to having the plan change. Ya know what, screw them, this is family.

"Well now that I know that you are all alive, I'll be there tomorrow."

"Great! We'll see you then" she said, and promptly hung up. My mom looked at me with wide eyes and a shocked face. Apparently she thought that conversation was as bizarre as I did. Before I said anything to her, I pulled over at a gas station. Rolling down the windows, I got out and positioned myself so everyone could hear me.

"So, just got off the phone with the in-laws and they're still alive. They want us to come get them. Does anyone have a problem with that?" Everyone shook their heads.

"Okay then. Niobe, see if there is any gas that can be siphoned. Ragnar, please go inside and get some grub. Take Steven with you and get plenty of energy drinks. It's a long drive to New Mexico."