Chapter Thirty-nine
Tammy
October 31, 9:45 AM
Tammy woke up to find that it was already light outside. She was slightly surprised and embarrassed when she saw that Breanne and Steve were already awake and up. She had slept in.
I can’t believe that I slept through the night! I guess I’m getting used to the occasional gunshot. She lay in her cot for a few more seconds gathering her thoughts.
Huh. Today is Halloween. Our third day at this camp already. To go along with three nights of hell.
Their first night was awful. They had awoken half a dozen times at least, by sounds of gunshots.
That next morning, she found out that one of those gunshots had ended Collins’ suffering. Tammy wondered if it was Garcia or Brown who had taken care of their comrade. The two soldiers were stoic about it, but Tammy could see that they were hurting.
Collins. ... Robert was his name. ... Rest in peace, Robert.
“Morning.” Breanne had noticed her stirring.
Tammy sat up on the edge of her cot and stretched.
“Garcia dropped of some more MREs this morning. He also included some more of those eggs and bacon MREs.” Breanne said with a miniature happy dance. Tammy smiled despite herself. The stocky woman continued her one-man dance to the table and picked up a package. “Want some?”
Tammy decided that she did. Over breakfast Steve and Breanne told her of Garcia’s visit. They had left early that morning for another mission. Just like the day before, and the one before that.
The last two days had been very routine, which was disturbing, considering that the world was going to shit around them. The threesome would venture out during the day, when most soldiers were gone, and stayed in their tents when the soldiers were back. The only visitors they had were Brown, Garcia, and Mike and his team.
From them, they learned that whatever was left of the army was systematically trying to clear out the undead from major infrastructure ‘assets’. They had cleared the train station yesterday. Apparently, the station was now sealed up and ready for...
Ready for what? Tammy asked herself.
Just how many people are still alive out there? Why are they going to need a train? They’d be better off clearing some farms. Or a big bunker.
That triggered another line of thinking.
Why not go back to the safe zone? Surely there would have been some other survivors stuck in the camp?! It still bothered her. Shaw didn’t seem the least interested in saving human lives.
Tammy stopped her musings when Breanne put her breakfast on the table. “Get it while its hot! It’s not going to get better, that’s for sure!” Breanne stated with a smirk.
After Tammy had finished breakfast, the three companions went for their daily walk through the nearly deserted camp. They saw only about a dozen soldiers. Most of them were busy moving around body bags. They had made several circuits of the military camp but saw nothing new.
The conspicuous tent was still there. So were the two guards posted at the door.
Tammy remembered that first morning. Walking past that place. That gunshot ringing out from inside.
“I guess that’s where they...” Breanne trailed off, nevertheless giving voice to the thought they all had.
That’s where they kill the sick. Before they can turn.
Tammy wanted to see what was going on inside that tent. Curiosity won out yesterday, and she got brave and approached. She put on her most winning smile but was quickly deterred from looking inside the tent by the stern looks those two guards gave her.
Their best discovery also occurred yesterday, when they found a supply tent, manned by a very friendly young corporal and a burly but equally friendly private.
They ended up leaving that tent with military issue jackets, t-shirts and trousers, spare socks and underwear, a case of MRE’s and three survival kits – which were more of a curiosity than anything else – but the corporal had insisted that they take one each.
They went back to the supply tent this morning and once again picked up a good haul. This time they got some actual military gear. Helmets, proper boots, as well as some cool looking tactical knee and elbow pads.
Breanne decided that it was lunch time ‘or near enough’, after depositing the gear in their tent. So, she prepared them each a meal. Tammy had the chicken fajita, which sounded decent, but tasted anything but.
Tammy and Breanne relaxed in the tent for a while after that. The silence and perceived safety of the camp was such a sharp contrast to the constant nervousness at the old safe zone, that the two women felt like they were crashing from an adrenalin rush.
Steve was restless and watching the two women nod off in their cots was just not entertaining. After half an hour the boy took the opportunity to sneak out of the tent and go exploring.
IT WAS ABOUT ANOTHER hour later when Steve got back to the tent. The two women were still groggy when he started talking.
“I saw a couple of soldiers at the far fence – you know, the outside fence? Well I just happened to be watching them, and suddenly one of them kind of jerks, like he saw something. He talked into his radio, while the other guy raised his gun and shot ... whatever it was.”
Tammy and Breanne looked at the boy.
“I watched them for about ten minutes, and they did that another two times!”
The blank stares continued.
“I think there are zombies out there! I think they’re coming to this camp! But how did they track us to this location?” His eyes were wide.
“Steve, calm down.” Breanne ordered. She got up from her cot and walked over to the boy.
“But–” He started, but Breanne interrupted. “Listen, kid. I have no idea what you saw. Maybe it was zombies – I don’t know.” She hesitated for
