He laughed, “No, he’s always been this way to an extent. Daniel can’t stand the guy, thinks he’s no good for his sister, which is partly the truth. But you can’t always make people see that.”
“No, you can’t,” I agreed remembering all too well how a lot of my friends thought Adam wasn’t good enough for me. Even Cate mentioned it once or twice. I never listened though, thinking my heart knew best. The logic turned out to be wrong on my part. There was no point in dwelling on it now, he was dead and I probably wouldn’t be far behind.
“So what are you doing out here?” he asked.
“I was trying to get to the Navy base. One of my friends said they would have ships taking people out. I was hoping to get to Arizona to my sister, though it is a long shot.”
“They weren’t sending out any planes?”
“They were. The one they sent crashed because one of the passengers had the virus and turned during the flight. They decided not to take the risk of sending out any more flights.”
He nodded, “are they going to continue sending out ships then?”
“I don’t know. Believe me; I know how stupid it is to be doing this.”
“Not stupid, we all got to do what we feel is right. There’s no guide map to this situation, we’re all just going along blind.”
I smiled, “yeah, I guess you’re right.”
“Well, it’s good to have you along. Even if it’s just for a little while.”
Robert began to pack up all the plates and the camp cooking gear that he had out.
I worked on finishing my eggs when Jamie sat down next to me.
“Hi,” she said with a little smile. “I just wanted to say how sorry I am about Freddie. He doesn’t like things changing what he had set up in his mind. He’s very set in his ways. I’m sure he’ll warm once he gets to know you.”
“Thanks, but you don’t need to be sorry. You did nothing wrong but I appreciate your kind words.”
She smiled. “Are you good with that?” she asked pointing to the .45 in my holster.
“I’m a fair shot. Not great but I hit what I’m aiming for eighty percent of the time.”
“Cool, I can’t use a gun for shit. I’m just here for decoration anyway. That’s what Freddie always says. You’re going to make it through this,” she stated.
“Well, I’m in your group so I guess that means you’re going to make it too.”
She shook her head, “no, I don’t count on it. I just hope whatever happens to me is quick. Daniel is good at this, he’ll make it but I don’t have my hopes up too high.” She stood up then, “It’s good to have you.” She walked over to get her stuff put away.
What she said left me feeling raw in the pit of my stomach. It was sad to think someone so young had themselves marked for death. She didn’t even hope to make it. I was trying to accept that death was highly likely but I didn’t want to just give into it either. She actually had something to live for, while I was just alone in the dark.
I finished my food though it was hard to enjoy after talking to Jamie. I know she didn’t mean it that way. I wanted to punch Freddie for telling her she was just decoration. I got the feeling that wasn’t something new he had told her. He wanted her to feel useless so she wouldn’t think she could take care of herself. And if you hear something often enough, you tend to believe it after a while.
After I finished, I helped Robert get stuff put away. I’d been there about an hour and half when everyone was ready to go.
Daniel was the leader of the group it seemed. Everyone followed him. Phoebe and Robert walked hand in hand behind him, and Jamie and Freddie were third in line though not nearly as affectionate. I took up the rear which I wasn’t comfortable with but I didn’t say anything. I didn’t want to complain.
After the zombie coming up behind me at the car, I was terrified of one managing to sneak up behind me again. I kept looking behind me every few seconds, checking to see if I was about to become a zombie’s lunch but nothing was ever there.
In fact, we came across nothing at the start that would be a threat. It was almost peaceful. Almost because the longer we didn’t come across something, the more concerned I got. The last twenty-four hours had kicked peaceful to the curb, so where were the undead creatures that wanted to tear us each apart and eat us as bar-b-que? Why would they shut down the base if there wasn’t an immediate threat?
My mind wouldn’t stop racing. I was losing it. Too much had happened and I was beginning to be overcome by fear. No one was really talking in the group so that made it worse. I was surrounded by silence except for the sound of my own thoughts that would not leave me be.
Chapter 9
The heat was beginning to get overbearing. It was only in the seventies but it was a tropical island and the humidity was a nightmare. I drank sips of water periodically, careful not to drink too much. I just drank enough not to be overcome by dehydration but I didn’t want to use all of it because I didn’t know how easy it would be to find more if it came down to it. It was terrible to be surrounded by water, trapped by it if I was honest, but all that water couldn’t save you if you needed it.
Though it would be just as bad if not worse in the desert. Which
