of the horde and it took that long to clean up the ones that were left. We’d have been cashed if it weren’t for you two.” Harlan held out his hand. “I’m obliged to you for saving my town.”
I shook his hand, then Charlie did the same. “You’re very welcome Sheriff,” Charlie said.
Sheriff Harlan turned around and belted out orders to the townsfolk. “We got cleanup to do! Get your shovels and your gear! We’re burning tonight!” Harlan moved off to get people moving, leaving us alone.
I turned to Tommy. “What about the rest outside the fence?”
Tommy shook his head. “There’s a bunch, but these folks can handle it. They got baptized by fire today and they’ll be a whole lot stronger for it.”
“We lose anybody?” I asked.
Tommy nodded. “There’s eight that got bit, one that got overwhelmed. Overall, it could have been worse.”
I agreed. “It is worse. Martin and Casey are dead. Casey got dragged off the fence and Martin went after her. I had to shoot Martin myself.”
Tommy’s eyes got wide, then he turned his head down. This was a cost we hadn’t been expecting to bear. I told him what had happened and his response was similar to the anger Charlie and I had expressed. “What the hell was he thinking?” Tommy asked to no one in particular.
I changed the subject. “You got any pistol ammo? I’m out and I don’t like being empty.”
Tommy checked his pack and handed me a handful of cartridges. I reloaded the SIG and had enough for half of a spare magazine. I would load up if we ever got back to the cars we left behind. But for now it would do.
“How come you’re loading up?” Charlie asked.
“I’m going to see Sarah now. You might want to do the same.”
Tommy nodded. “They both saw you draw away that horde and watched the whole fight from the upstairs windows. But they couldn’t see you two climb up, so when the zombies swarmed the platform, it probably looked like you had been overwhelmed.” Tommy pointed to the second story windows.
Charlie looked up for a second, then walked over to Jason to see if he had any ammo for his Glock.
15
Once we were able to defend ourselves, we walked over to the town hall, shedding zombified clothing as we went. I took off my balaclava, my gloves, and my shirt, leaving me carrying a pile of clothing and a rifle with nothing on but my pants and a t-shirt. We walked around the cars and the piles of dead bodies, the noon day sun not helping with the cleanup efforts. I stepped up to the big oak doors and stopped. I could still hear moans of the dead as they carried over the water from the fence. “I wonder if we should head over there,” I mused.
Charlie laughed out loud and pushed me towards the doors. “You didn’t hesitate to take on hundreds of Z’s, yet you’re scared of one woman?”
“If you’re so brave, give me your Glock before you go see Rebecca,” I retorted.
“Not a chance,” Charlie said.
“That’s what I thought.”
We went inside as people were gathering their things and heading back to their homes. Tommy had told me Jason and a crew of men were checking the town over for strays and would personally check each house before the owners went back. Many people thanked us for what we did and I generally just smiled and said they were welcome, and that I was glad to help. Charlie took my cue and replied in the same manner, staying modest and unassuming. Several women gave us hugs and some of the older tots wanted to touch our weapons, but for the most part people were just glad it was over.
I went up the big marble staircase to the second floor, then went down the hall to the big office on the end. Charlie saw Rebecca in another office and veered off. I stepped to the door and knocked gently.
“Come in.” The voice was soft and inviting and I hoped for the best. I opened the door and saw Sarah standing by the window, watching the cleanup efforts. My M1A was cradled in her arms and for a brief moment I considered drawing my SIG for comfort.
“Hey,” I said.
Sarah turned around and saw me. She put down the rifle and flew into my arms. I held her tightly for several long moments, then kissed her fiercely for several more. When we finally came up for air she rested her head on my shoulder.
“When we couldn’t see you or Charlie anymore, we thought the worst. Then when you came out of the gazebo, I thought my heart would explode.” Sarah raised a tear-streaked face to mine. “Please don’t do that again.”
“Can’t promise that sweetheart, you know I can’t. I have to do what I need to make sure people survive.”
“I know. Doesn’t mean I have to like it.” Sarah snuggled against my chest.
I gently disengaged myself from her. “I need to clean up. I’m covered in zombie.”
Sarah smiled. “Give me your clothes. I’ll make sure they get washed.”
I stripped down and passed her my clothes as I changed into spare clothing from my pack. I used water from the bathroom to clean up and bumped in to Charlie on the way back to the office.
“You too?” Charlie asked.
“Yep.”
I went back to the office and Sarah gathered up my stained clothing. “Get some rest. You’ve earned it.”
I didn’t think I was tired until I laid down on the couch in the office. Then exhaustion caught up with me and I fell deeply asleep.
I awoke alone to a dimming sky. I had a pain in my side where my SIG had poked me and I ached in several places, but as my dad always said, “Pain is nature’s way of letting you know you ain’t dead yet.” Wish I had known the old man was a prophet.
I found my clothes on the desk and packed them into my bag. I didn’t see my AR, so I figured Sarah had taken it. I shouldered my M1A and headed downstairs.
I was met in the lobby of the town hall by Tommy and Jason and together the three of us went out in search of the rest of our team.
We didn’t have far to go. Charlie and Rebecca were out on the meeting area in front of the building, talking with Sarah.
“Hey, sleepyhead!” Sarah said when she saw me, coming over to give me a hug. “How was your nap?”
“Pretty good,” I replied. “How long was I out?”
“You and Charlie slept for about four hours,” Rebecca said.
“Really?” I said. “Guess I was tired.”
“You ought to be,” Sarah said, punching me in the ribs, “after spending a night in a cargo container, then killing zombies all morning.”
I decided not to say a word at that point, figuring I would be incriminating myself even worse.
“What’s the next move?” Tommy asked.
I looked around. The bodies of all the zombies had been removed, and there was a glow off to the east that I was pretty sure was a burn pile going full force. People were moving around and checking on each other and I could see some looks cast our way. We were the outsiders here, no matter what we had done for the town. They had a balance and me and mine would eventually upset that balance. We had shared a hardship and had both lost people, but we needed to be gone while the feelings were good on both sides.
“We’re going to head out. I’ve heard from Sheriff Harlan that there may be some surviving towns farther south along the rail lines. Charlie, Tommy and I are going to take one of the Railroad trucks that Sheriff Harlan has offered and we’re going to do a quick run to see if there is anyone out there. If there is and they need to settle some place, we’ll direct them back here.” I waited for the outburst and was surprised there was none.
“Sounds good,” Sarah said.
“Sure does,” Rebecca said.
Charlie and I exchanged glances. This was not what I expected. I gave Sarah a look and she squeezed my
