As people began to move toward the exit, Nick added, “One moment. The last thing we need right now is to spread panic and discontent. Please try and keep the populace calm and optimistic. If you hear of anyone stirring trouble, please report them to me. Meeting adjourned.”
Dylan watched as the people filed out of the room until only the chosen few remained. “What about me?”
“Could you speak to Amy for me,” Alex asked. “I’m afraid she’ll be scared if she hears this stuff from other people.”
Nick nodded. “Go ahead. You and I can talk later.”
“Alright. See you tonight.” As Dylan left the room, she reflected on how much Nick had grown into his role. He’s a true leader now—an inspiration to us all.
Chapter 12 - Tamara
Petersburg, Virginia; 11:48 am
Tamara lay low across the handlebars, her right hand gunning the throttle as she gained speed down the highway. She’d finally left the horde behind. After days spent circling around them, she rejoined the I95 just before Petersburg. Now, the open road beckoned, and she wasted no time putting distance between her and the undead. She wasn’t sure where she was headed. She only knew she had to get away. Maybe I can live in the mountains, or on a boat. An island. Anywhere without zombies.
Her thoughts winged back to her time spent hiding in the dumpster, and she grimaced. It was hands-down the worst experience of her life. She’d spent two days lying in filth, unable to move or make a sound. She could neither eat nor drink and had to empty her bladder right where she lay. Never again.
The tail end of her shirt flapped in the wind, sticking out from underneath her leather jacket. A strand of hair stuck to her visor and teased her nostrils. It didn’t matter. She relished the feeling of absolute freedom.
Thick stands of trees streamed past on either side, and the blue sky stretched far ahead into the distance. Wispy clouds spoke of warm summer days to come, and the temperature was mild, minus the icy touch of before. It was hard not to feel optimistic.
It wasn’t long before she spotted a car in front of her. It wasn’t the first. The roads were the busiest she’d ever seen them since the dead rose to munch on people-burgers. They all had the same idea she did. Run.
Without slowing down, she leaned to the side and zipped past the blue sedan. A couple of faces stared at her through the windows, but she ignored them. She wasn’t in the business of making friends. All she wanted to do was to find a nice, safe, secluded spot to mind her own business in. She’d had enough of people to last a lifetime.
With the car in her rearview mirror, she focused on the road ahead. The sensation of speed was a pleasant one, and a smile lingered on her lips. The powerful bike had been a lucky find. In mint condition, it even had the keys in the ignition and the helmet on the tank.
The feeling of joy remained until she hit an invisible ditch hidden by a patch of gravel, and her front wheel wobbled like crazy. Desperately, she fought for control, but it was a losing battle. Her back tire spun out, and she kicked off seconds before the bike became airborne.
Tamara flew across the tar, instinctively tucking her arms and legs into a ball. She hit the road with terrific force and rolled across the asphalt, coming to a rough stop on a stretch of dirt.
The bike continued flipping across the ground, pieces of the fairing splintering off with each hit. Soon, only a mangled wreck remained, one tire spinning in the air as it came to rest against a tree trunk.
Tamara coughed, dirt and slime coating her lips. Her vision grew fuzzy, and a chainsaw buzzed in her ears. She tried to move, but her body wouldn’t cooperate. A trickle of blood ran down the side of her head, warm and sticky. At last, she gave up and sagged into the dust, every muscle in her body on fire.
A set of wheels rolled to a stop next to her—a blue sedan. The car door opened, and Tamara blinked at the approaching set of boots with rising hope. “Help…help me, please.”
Instead, rough hands tugged at her leather jacket until it came free of her body, not caring about the pain they inflicted. Next, the same hands removed her boots, and the belt slung around her hips. With it went her only weapons: a knife and a pistol with a couple of shots left in the magazine.
“N…no,” Tamara pleaded as the boots climbed back into the car, leaving her alone, hurt, and vulnerable.
With a screech of rubber, the sedan spun away. Rocks and gravel peppered her body, and she was thankful she still wore the helmet. At least, the robber had left her that much. It didn’t matter, though. She was as good as dead. Left in the open, covered in blood, and with no means of defending herself, she was a sitting duck.
“Y…you fucker. I’ll get you…someday. Whoever you are,” Tamara swore. It was a hollow threat, though. She wasn’t going anywhere. The darkness that lurked in the corners of her vision swooped in, and she sagged into the dirt with a rattling sigh.
Chapter 13 - Rikke
Petersburg, Virginia; 12:23 pm
Rikke clung to the steering wheel of the RV with both hands. The vehicle was somewhat clumsy and a lot bigger than she was used to driving. Even so, it proved to be a lifesaver. Not only was she able to get away from the horde after they passed by, but they were able to live inside it while making their way north. It provided them with a secure place to live and sleep while on the road.
“Here you
