I wished Ian was with me. He’d know what to do. Or Shelly, Shelly would have been the best person to speak to about how to proceed. I decided to make that decision when it came down to the wire.
I stepped over the bodies of the two men on my entry floor and went out the front door. I didn’t dare turn on a flashlight as I didn’t want to bring attention to myself. Instead I waited until my eyes got used to the moon light.
Once they did, I made my way over to the next door. There were no neighbors below us or next door so I shouldn’t be heard. However, I didn’t know if there were ears listening in other nearby places and that concerned me.
I knocked lightly at first and waited a beat. There was no answer so I knocked again but a little louder. I heard the lock and the door opened slowly as Natalie shined a light in my eyes.
“Cate?” She asked confused.
“Pack,” I said.
“What?” She asked even more confused.
“You need to pack and quickly. We need to leave and leave fast. I’ll be back for you in ten. If it’s been too long go to the Mustang in number 123. Do not use a flashlight, get used to the moonlight before going. Also, keep a weapon on you at all times, in the apartment or out.”
“Cate, what’s going on?”
“There isn’t time now,” I said.
“Please, give me something. The gist, so I’m not scared,” She stated.
I sighed, “I fear telling you will make you more scared.”
I saw her shrug, “Try me.”
I looked at her and shook my head out of exasperation but I decided to give her the run down. “I was attacked by a zombie…in my apartment.”
“How?” She asked before I could continue.
“Because Aaron sent people to kill me and make it look like a random attack. Tom, the guy who did the run with Ian, killed him. And in a few weeks,” I stopped not wanting to continue.
“They were going to kill me because they really didn’t want me here.”
I nodded, “I made a mistake in bringing you back here Natalie. I really thought it was the safest thing to do for you but I was wrong and for that I am sorry. But I swear I will get you out of here safely.”
“Why is he doing this? That Aaron guy?” She asked.
“It’s not just him, it’s his mother too. And I don’t know why. Some people should not be leaders; they go mad with power if they have too much.”
“Or maybe they’ve been sadist jack holes the whole time but gained everyone’s trust until they could show their true colors.”
I looked at her astounded by her theory as it was good but very cynical. “Maybe. Get ready.”
I walked back into my apartment and shut the door behind me. I managed to find my way to the lantern and turn it on. I made quick work of packing my bag with clothes and a bit of food. I let Milo out of the closet and put his leash on.
“We got to be quiet boy,” I said to him petting is head.
I grabbed my phone out of the kitchen and threw it in the bag.
I got out a piece of paper and was going to write Emma a note as to why I left. I still didn’t know if it was the right thing but I didn’t want to bring Aaron’s attention to us leaving until I was long gone.
I had just scrawled the words “Dear Emma” when the walkie talkie went off.
“Eric, it’s Cougar. Is it done? Report,” Aaron’s voice filled my apartment.
I snapped the pen in my hand in half I was so angry. I decided not to respond. I got another pen and continued to write when it went off again.
“Eric, seriously. I told you I don’t want to have to get my hands dirty. Don’t make me come down there and take care of it myself. REPORT!” He screamed into the walkie talkie.
I took a deep breath and said a prayer that somehow if I couldn’t get out of this, Natalie could.
I walked over to Eric’s body and picked up the walkie talkie.
I pushed the button and spoke, “Tell me Aaron, how would you take care of it? Would you be a coward and shoot me in the back or sic a zombie on me? Or would you be a man about it?”
“Cate?” He said into the walkie talkie. “Where are Todd and Eric?”
“Indisposed,” I said grabbing Milo and my bag as I headed out the door.
Natalie was just leaving her apartment.
“Thank God,” She said.
That’s when the walkie talkie went off again. “What does that mean Cate?”
Natalie look scared, I motioned for her to follow me as I headed down the stairs. We had just rounded the building when the walkie talkie went off again.
“Cate, I’m coming to you. We need to talk over some things.”
“Run to the car,” I told Natalie.
We both sprinted for the car, the doors were already unlocked. I let Milo in the backseat and sat in the driver seat.
“Seat belt,” I said.
Natalie obliged.
The walkie talkie went off again.
“I know you’re trying to leave bitch but see that’s not going to happen and I’m sure you see why by now,” he said.
I did see it. Laura was walking down the road in a night gown with a shot gun. I started the engine.
I picked up the walkie talkie, “You
