According to George, most of them had written me off as soon as the zombies surrounded the control room. But despite the insanity of my scheme, I’d still managed to survive—and save my traveling companions—thanks to my own determination, plus a little help from my friends.
Turning away from the people and cars, I gazed at the forest alongside the river.
“So, we’re headed…”
“All the way to Louisville,” Sal assured me. “Speaking of… I’d better get back to my post. Why don’t you and your friends take a load off for a while? I’d say you’ve earned it.”
A relieved grin spread across my face.
Fucking-A.
Clare stepped beside me and squeezed my hand. Surely, she was relieved, too. Both of us were thoroughly exhausted, and sadly, we had barely traveled more than a hundred and fifty miles from Baton Rouge. If we hadn’t stopped in Hazlehurst, discovered Jess in that dumpster, and hitched a ride on the Stargazer, how much longer could we have sustained traveling the highways and byways of the zombie-infested Deep South?
Usually, I didn’t relish depending on the kindness of strangers. Always the chance their helpfulness was a facade for more sinister intentions. But as with George and Casey, I had a good feeling about Sal and Jess.
Besides, traversing the Mighty Mississippi via ferryboat offered us the opportunity to recharge ourselves and cover more miles in less time.
For the first moment since the undead mayhem had struck New Orleans on Halloween night, I actually believed we might survive this mess. If no zombies, marauders, or other obstacles hindered us along the river, perhaps we had a decent chance of reaching northern Michigan safely. Of seeing my brothers again. Maybe even my folks as well.
Perhaps we’d finally be able to take advantage of all the prep work I’d done for this clusterfuck of death and destruction. Just maybe, we’d live long enough to forge a new life in the undead world.
“Uh, Mr. Joe,” Jess asked from a few feet behind me. “What was that creature?”
Thanks, kid. Couldn’t even let me have a moment.
I looked over my shoulder. Captain Sal had left, presumably headed to the helm, and most of the spectators had dissipated. But George, Casey, and Jess had yet to leave.
“Not really sure. A couple of voodoo sisters I know call them ‘wildlings,’ so I’ve just been going with that. As to where they come from…” I shrugged. “Who knows? All that matters is that they’re smarter than the zombies and not as easy to kill.”
Jess’s brow crinkled with concern.
Reluctant to freak the girl out more than she already was, I tried to soothe her as much as my fatigue-induced delirium would allow. “Look, kid, try not to worry about them. I’ve never seen more than one at a time, and so far, they haven’t seemed all that fond of water.”
Casey stepped forward to hand me my weapons, then turned to Jess. “Come on, let’s grab some breakfast.”
Numbly, the girl nodded, and Casey guided her through a nearby door, which presumably led to the on-board kitchen.
George, still holding the two rifles—hers as well as one from my arsenal—decided to take her leave as well. “Think I might go get some food, too. I’m starving.” She nodded toward the door. “Want me to bring you two back anything?”
I shook my head. “No, thanks. I know I should eat, but all I really wanna do is sleep.”
George chuckled. “I’ll bet. After all the shit you’ve pulled, I’m surprised you’re still standing upright.”
I laughed, too. “You and me both.”
“Sal’s right, though. You’ve both earned some rest. Why don’t you sleep for a while? Casey and I’ll give you some space.”
“What about you, though?” Clare asked. “There’s plenty of room in the van.”
“Oddly enough, I’m feeling pretty wired right now. I can grab some sleep later, on one of Sal’s cots.”
Clare frowned. “You sure?”
I chuckled. “Obviously, George knows I’m a loud snorer. She’s just too polite to say so.”
George smiled. “No, I just think you two deserve some privacy.”
“Thanks,” I said. “For that, and for everything else.”
“You don’t have to thank me, Joe. I’d say it’s been a pretty even trade so far.” She turned to my wife, her smile fading. “And Clare, I know I’ve already told you this, but it bears repeating… I’m really sorry about your mom. Casey is, too.”
Clare’s eyes watered, but she didn’t cry. “Thanks, George. I know you are.”
Once Clare and I were alone again, we turned back toward the shore. For a moment, we simply held hands and watched the brown water rushing by as the boat wound her way northward along the serpentine river between Louisiana and Mississippi.
“Feels good to have a break,” I finally said. “But weird, too. I keep waiting for another wildling to find me.”
Clare squeezed my hand. “Don’t worry about that now. Just enjoy the victory.”
I smiled, calmed by her presence, and kissed her forehead.
“But,” she continued, smiling sweetly, “if you ever pull another stunt like that, I’m gonna kill you.”
Facetiously, I placed my hand over my heart. “Never again,” I promised. “No more stupid stunts.”
Yeah, right.
She squinted, detecting the fib. “I realize you’re just telling me what I want to hear, but seriously, Joe, I hate when you put yourself in such danger.”
I cocked an eyebrow. “You mean, like you did when you delayed getting on the ferry?”
She blushed. “You noticed that? I didn’t think you could see me from the tower.”
“I couldn’t see the van, but I could see the boat, so I knew it took you longer than it should’ve to go aboard.”
She bit her lower lip. “What can I say? I didn’t want to leave without you.”
I hugged her. “I know. I would’ve done the same thing.”
She returned the embrace, then pushed me gently away. “But back to you.
