***
Nick glanced at the road sign that flashed by. Lexington. 5 miles.
He stifled a yawn and glanced at his watch. They’d been driving for hours now, and he was feeling the burn. Missy was fast asleep in the back while Richard still stared at the countryside. His expression was stony, and Nick wondered what he was thinking. It couldn’t be anything good.
Dylan glanced at him, chewing on a thumbnail. “Do you want me to spell you?”
“Nah, I’m okay,” Nick said.
“Are you sure? You look pretty tired to me.”
Nick shook his head. “No. I’m fine.”
Dylan stared at him for a long moment. “You don’t have to be so stubborn.”
“I’m not being”
“Shut up, both of you, and look ahead,” Richard interrupted.
Nick squinted at the road, and he soon spotted what Richard had. Two vehicles headed their way. He slowed to a crawl and pulled to the side before stopping. “Look lively, everyone. We’ve got company.”
They each opened their windows a crack and held their weapons ready to shoot. It wasn’t long before the two vehicles reached them, and the front runner stopped next Nick’s window.
A large man with a bald head called out, “Are you army?”
“Who wants to know?” Nick shouted back.
“The name is Big Joe, and we’re not looking for trouble, but we can and will fight if need be.”
“Calm down. We’re only looking for information,” Nick said.
“What kind of information?” Big Joe asked.
Nick hesitated. The man before him was a complete stranger. “How do I know I can trust you?”
Big Joe shrugged. “Your call. I’m more than willing to keep riding.”
Nick studied the two vehicles. The first, a Ford double-cab truck, carried four people. Two of them looked quite young, especially the blonde girl who hung over Big Joe’s shoulder. The second car, a neat little compact with a roof rack, carried only two passengers. All stared at him with wide eyes, though he counted a couple of rifle barrels.
Finally, Nick turned toward his group. “What do you think, guys?”
Dylan still held her gun ready to use if need be, but her expression was relaxed. “They don’t look like a bunch of murderers to me. Let’s hear what they have to say.”
“I agree,” Missy said.
Richard grunted his assent. “We can always shoot them after.”
Nick rolled his eyes before turning to Big Joe again. He explained about their trip to the south but paused when Big Joe shook his head.
“You might as well turn around. You’re wasting your time,” Big Joe said. “Those places are gone. Destroyed. If nobody is answering you, it’s because there isn’t anyone left to talk.”
Shock fizzed through Nick’s veins. “What do you mean destroyed?”
“There is a horde of zombies pushing up the continent from the south. They chased us off our farm in Tyler, Texas, and we’ve been running ever since.” Joe jerked a thumb at the car behind him. “We met up with Tom and Wanda along the way. They’re heading for Canada.”
“Canada? Why Canada?” Nick asked.
“It’s cold. They’re hoping it’s zombie-free,” Joe said.
“Zombie-free?” Nick shook his head. “It’s not. From the few reports I’ve heard, there are less infected, but the ones there are have seemingly adapted to the climate. They’re just as active as ours except during the coldest of months.”
“Damn. Wanda will be sad to hear that. How about you? Are you with the army?” Big Joe asked.
“Yes, I’m Sergeant Dean and in charge of Fort Detrick.”
Hope filled Big Joe’s face. “A Fort? Is it safe?”
“It has been until now, but that all depends on the information you give me,” Nick asked. “How big is this horde?”
“Thousands, maybe even tens-of-thousands,” Big Joe said.
Nick paled. “That many?”
Big Joe nodded. “Would you be able to stand against so many?”
Nick glanced at Dylan. “We’ll have to. The Fort is our home, and I’m not abandoning it or the thousands of souls under my care.”
“Thousands?” Big Joe repeated, looking impressed. “I didn’t know there were so many of us left.”
“You’d be surprised,” Nick replied.
“So, what now?” Big Joe asked.
“Hold on. Let me talk to my friends,” Nick said, twisting around in his seat. “Well?”
“We need more details,” Richard immediately said. “How far away is this horde? What route are they taking? When will they get here? Plus, more.”
“I agree, but given the size of this horde, I don’t think we are the ones to gather that information,” Nick said. “We could get bogged down or run into trouble, and the base would be none the wiser.”
“They’d be sitting ducks,” Dylan said. “I say we go back and send out new teams. Teams that are fast and prepared.”
“Besides, the Fort will need your guidance to prepare for this threat,” Richard added.
“Why not invite these people back to the fort?” Missy asked. “They could tell us everything they know in exchange for asylum. Or, if they don’t want to stay, some supplies.”
“That’s a good idea. We’ll need to recall Saul’s team and warn the other communities that are close to us,” Nick said.
“They might even want to join us,” Dylan said.
“The more firepower, the better,” Richard added.
Nick turned back in his seat, and silence fell as he thought things over. Finally, he looked at Big Joe. “Listen. Our base isn’t far from here, and we’d be willing to take you in for more detailed information.”
“I don’t know,” Big Joe said, clearly hesitant.
“Look, we’re good people. Not murderers or robbers. And if you want to move on, we’ll give you some supplies to speed you on your way. It’s your choice,” Nick said.
“I can’t speak for Wanda and Tom,” Big Joe said. “Give us a minute to discuss your offer.”
“Go ahead, but time is running out.” Nick waited with growing impatience while the two groups discussed their options. After several long minutes, Big Joe and the woman he assumed was Wanda approached.
“Do we
