“It’s not going to be safe for you guys to stay.”
Tammy contemplated Garcia’s words. Breanne looked ready to fight, her fists clenching and unclenching. Steve had blanched and looked ready to run.
“So, what do we do?” Tammy’s face betrayed little of her anxiety. The reporter in her had resurfaced. Either that, or she takes shelter in the newscaster persona.
A shot sounded somewhere in camp, followed by a yell and two more shots in quick succession.
The newscaster persona cracked briefly then, showing a flicker of fear underneath the brave mask. Tammy quickly recovered though. “How do we get out of here, Esteban.” She asked.
Garcia hadn’t thought that far ahead. He grimaced as an apparent cramp lanced through his chest. Then shook his head.
“If we can get you guys to the motor pool, then you should be good to go. Any of you drove a Humvee before?” He met blank stares but grinned back.
“It’s pretty much the same as driving any car. Heck, you don’t even need a key.” He reached into his pocket and dangled a key on a small chain from his hand.
“I thought you just said we don’t need a key...” Breanne said with a frown.
“Y’all will need a key to open the fence.” He said with some of the bravado he had displayed the nights before. He cracked a smile and winked at Steve. “I still got my street skills.”
“Ok but how do we get to this Humvee?” Breanne asked.
“Disguise.” Steve offered. He had walked over to the supplies and lifted an army jacket.
The plan came together quickly. They would get changed into army gear and put their own clothes and supplies in the duffle bags. Then when it got dark, they would simply walk out. Garcia left but promised to return by sundown.
From the sounds around them, things were already starting to get chaotic.
TAMMY, BREANNE AND Steve had kept a low profile. They stayed in the tent and even kept the lamps unlit. And it had worked, as groups of soldiers passed by their tent without anybody thinking of checking inside. They did have a scare, when a single silhouette walked up to the side of their tent. The person stood facing the tent, rocking drunkenly from one side to the other. Much to Tammy’s relief, she heard him unzip his pants and saw the wet stain of piss darken the tent.
It wasn’t until an hour later, that their plan fell apart. All three occupants froze and looked at each other with panicked expressions as several people had gathered at their tent entrance. Tammy could tell that it was not Garcia. She felt herself stiffening up and her eyes widen as the first person pushed through the doorway. The first figure stepped into the tent, as others pushed through the entrance behind him. His features became visible.
It was BB. With Abby and Mike. Tammy let the breath go that she didn’t realize she had held.
“Are you guys ok?” The concern was visible on Mike’s face, despite the dim interior of the tent.
“No, we’re not ok. I just about shit my pants! Close the flap.” Breanne ordered as she put down a folding chair.
Breanne was ready for a fight. Tammy realized.
I need to be ready. Next time.
Breanne quickly recapped their conversation with Garcia and the subsequent plan to the three radiomen. They all nodded their approval.
“You guys are right. Things are getting crazy out there. Maybe we can help.” Mike stated.
“Come with us.” Steve said softly.
“What?” He turned to the youngster.
“Why don’t you guys come with us?” Steve asked, more forcefully this time.
“Uh. I don’t think we can, Steve. We got a job t–” BB started but was interrupted by Abi.
“Fuck that! I say we saddle up with these guys and get the fuck out of here!”
“Abby.” The disapproval in Mike’s voice was enough for Abby to lower her head.
“Don’t use that kind of language in front of the boy. Also, I agree with you.”
“Huh?” Both Abby and BB looked surprised.
“Guys. Here are the facts. Things are out-of-control out there.” He lifted his index finger for all to see. As if to emphasize his point, several weapons were discharged somewhere in the camp, followed by yelling. Somebody was losing his shit out there.
“Everybody is infected and knows it. They know what’s coming. Maybe even tonight.” He raised his middle finger, putting the two together like he was about to take an oath.
“Also, did you guys not notice the number of undead coming this way? Like they know we’re here or something. We’d be sitting in a trap.” The thumb came up to make the shape of a gun. He twitched his thumb a couple of times, making ‘phew-phew’ sounds.
“And the three of us seem to be immune.” Abi added.
Mike’s eyebrows raised in surprise. He frowned as he thought about it, then he slowly nodded. He cast a sideways glance at BB, who also nodded his head.
“BB Any objections?”
“No boss. I’m with you and Abby. All the way.” BB replied.
They sat tight for the next hour as the sun crept lower towards the treetops along the horizon. The wind blew through the camp, carrying sounds with it. They were blinded to whatever was happening outside of their tent, but they could hear things. Some of these things were deeply disturbing. They heard music coming from at least a couple of locations, which would not be disturbing if it wasn’t accompanied by the yelling of people, the sounds of fighting, the grunts and sighs of pleasure as soldiers were copulating, and the occasional scream of fear or pain.
Tammy pushed to the edge of her seat when she suddenly heard a woman screaming repeatedly, accompanied by the sounds of several men hooting and hollering. Out of the corner of her eye she saw both Mike and Abi rise up from their chairs in alarm. They had heard it too. They all knew what was happening to some poor woman out there... After
