Phase One: Identify (Territory of the Dead) (9 page)

Kellan nodded, but he wasn't convinced. “If you get in, realize I won't be taking your word for it. I will expect to check you myself. If you've got any bite at all, back out the door you will go. Do I make myself clear?” His tone didn't leave any room for argument.

Her eyes narrowed at him. “Clear as crystal.”

“
Good,” he replied. “Get in the very back and make it quick.”

She ran around to the rear of the vehicle and opened the door, before jumping in. She slammed it shut and settled in against the wall, trembling with reaction. Nobody said a word, and really there was nothing left to say.

With a squeal of the tires, Kellan took off.

Epilogue

Coming through a thick forest, well away from the main road, I gasped at my first sight of his home. Home wasn't a grand enough word for it. A better one would be fortress or mansion.

I was dazed, completely exhausted by the time we made it there. It wasn't that it was far away. The truth was, it was only ten minutes or so out of town. I was exhausted by the events of the night though, and the life I suddenly found myself living. 

His home was a completely unexpected surprise. He was correct in his description. You couldn't ask for a safer place. It was covered on three sides with the lake. Unless zombies could swim, they wouldn't be coming in that way. There was only one way in or out, and it was through the front.

It was lit up outside, revealing a sturdy looking, eight-foot high chain link fence completely surrounding the house. In the front it was gated, automatically it would seem, opening smoothly when he clicked the button on the controller he held.

“
This is your home?” James squeaked out, stunned by the luxury in front of him. He was a man impressed by money, the more the better. The house was at least three stories high, far surpassing the lavishness of his own home. I rolled my eyes. Next thing you knew he'd be requesting Kellan to join the country club, at least if it ever reopened again. 

Kellan nodded coolly, pulling through the gates and stopping as he pushed his button again to close it back up. His eyes never left the rear view mirror until it was completely secured. I watched it all attentively. Kellan was a man that knew how to cover his own rear-end. He was watching and waiting, making sure no zombies managed to come in before it locked in place.

Within seconds, we roared down the driveway to the front of his house. I waited with baited breath as he pulled to the door and stopped. Come what may, we'd survived the first day and night of a world gone straight to Hell. I wanted to get out of this cramped vehicle and into someplace that death hadn't touched. 

He shut the Suburban off and got out. We immediately jumped out as well. Slamming the door, he walked straight to the steps, his voice carrying back to us as he spoke. “Consider my home your home, as long as you are here. The basement and third floor are completely off-limits. Divide the rooms on the second floor however you see fit. Each room has it's own bathroom.”

He stopped at the front door and turned around to look at us. His cool eyes and calm expression gave nothing away. I'm sure we looked terrible. We were all bloody and exhausted, unlikely survivors fighting against death itself.

After a moment he continued, his voice deep and curt. “I'm sure all of you need some time to collect yourselves, and your thoughts. We'll meet in the kitchen in exactly one hour. You can get something to eat then.”

His eyes narrowed on the new arrival. He pointed at her, his tone turning low and demanding. “You,” he said, as we all looked at her. “Shower, but don't bother getting dressed. I'll meet with you in half an hour.”

She shivered, but I wasn't sure if it was from fear or excitement. I felt by face growing hot at the thought. I wondered if I should envy or pity her. There was something dark and extremely sexual about him that just made me feel funny, but not in a bad way. From the redness of her cheeks, she was experiencing the same thoughts I was.

Nobody said anything, though, even Dad. It wouldn't do any good. Kellan was determined to see for himself if she was bitten or not, although I doubted she was. She just didn't act like someone turning into a dead person.

He unlocked the door and went in, leaving it wide open for us to follow. I was the last one up the steps. Call it fanciful, but I knew once I stepped through that doorway, my life would never be the same again.

I didn't know how or why I felt that way, I just did. Stopping at the top, I turned and looked back in the direction of town. With the miles of thick forest separating us, there was no way I could ever see it, but I looked anyhow. Back there was where I'd spent my entire existence.

Everything good or bad in my life had started and ended within the limits of that town. It was over now, though, and a new chapter was beginning. Nothing would ever be the same as it had been before. I just hoped this chapter wouldn't be the final one in the book.

With a long sigh, I turned and stepped across the threshold. Standing outside wouldn't delay my fate. No matter what the future held, I was determined to meet it bravely, if not embrace it. Anything less than that wouldn't be called living, and I'd be as dead as the ones walking the streets. 

At least I was still alive, and with that came hope for what was left to come.

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