“I don’t even know if crushing the undead flat with a tank stops them. I guess it would if the brain was crushed and destroyed or the body was absolutely dismembered. They don’t need to eat, drink, rest, or sleep. I don’t know if heat or cold impacts them, and they surely don’t get the flu or a common cold or develop cancer or have heart attacks.
“If we can travel through Canada and reach the far north, it’s going to be damned crowded if millions of us invade the Yukon and Alaska. That alone could be an ecological disaster. Then there’s the rogue human element we just saw. I feel strongly there will be some who will take advantage of others just as some business owners are using a world calamity to enrich themselves by raising prices on depleting goods. And for what? The fools haven’t figured out that the paper money or credit card payments they’re hoarding will shortly be worthless. The county’s entire financial system is collapsing by the hour.” Sam quieted and sat with a dejected pout.
JR glared at him harshly and spoke loudly. “Get your ass out of this funky mood you’re in, Ilesh. I need your positive attitude to boost my normally negative personality. I’m depending on you to make sane decisions and get us someplace safe where we at least have an even chance of living. I admit I can’t do it alone, so you have to lead. Damn it, don’t you wimp out on me now. I won’t let you. And don’t go thinking you’re the only one who had goals and ambitions ahead of you. I planned on a normal life too damn it. I get pissed whenever these damned zombies invade my thoughts and my personal space. I didn’t want to chase after a fabulous career. I’d settle for a decent guy I could love and have some kids with. I didn’t aspire to be a millionaire, but I did look forward to a life as good as or better than the way my parents raised me and my sisters. Now that’s all shot to shit and I’m totally lost in this screwed up world I’ve been dumped into. I don’t like it, but like you keep saying, it’s what we’ve got.”
JR calmed herself, then drove with her left hand and grabbed the CB radio handset. “Ha good buddies, this is JR Johns. What can you tell me about what’s going on out there?” The silence was unnerving for at least a full minute. JR glanced at Sam expectantly, then shrugged questioningly.
Finally, a male voice, “Good afternoon JR, Ragin Cajun here. If you ain’t heard the latest, it’s bad and gettin’ worse. Ain’t many trucks on the road cause most suppliers and warehouses are undermanned or shut down. I’ve got a load of produce to deliver to Chicago; then I’m running flat out south to Louisiana. From what I gathered in the last two days from drivers crisscrossin’ the country people are dyin’ by the millions. The army can’t even stop these damned stinkin’ things. I’m sure that ain’t what you was wantin’ to hear, but it’s the God’s truth and looks like it’s just goin’ to get worse. I hear most folks tryin to get away from these undead things are headin North to Canada. Me and my family are heading deep into the Louisiana swamp to escape these cursed things. Out there we’ll be in our element and have a fighting chance. Good luck to ya JR. Cajun out.”
Immediately, another voice came on. “JR, this is Ms. Ratchet Jaw. I’m coming east from Wyoming headed home to Michigan. Fuel supplies are shrinking fast, but most restaurants are still open if they have local suppliers. But those are going to be depleted in the next week. Traffic gets worse every day and drivers are acting like damn fools. Everything I’ve heard about the zombies mirrors what Ragin Cajun said. Like him I’m trying to get to my family so we can survive. Good luck girl, and may God watch over you. Ms. Ratchet Jaw out.”
JR and Sam’s eyes met. “Well, you called it pretty much right on. This is developing like you thought it would.”
“I only hit it right because I’ve been following the zombies overseas progress for months. Governments are too slow to make decisions and act forcefully. Bad things get out of hand fast while the politicians argue about what to do and which party gets credit or blame for any action. We’ve seen other instances of politician’s incompetence during virus pandemics and racial riots. The administration in power does what its advisors think is right while the opposition throws rocks and refuses to help. It’s amazing voters keep the same fools in office until they die even when they accomplish so little. I’ve always wondered if there really is a god; if there is, could this be its way of showing distain for the mess humans have made of earth?”
“Boy, you are really into some deep shit today, aren’t you? My mom was a lifelong Baptist; she really believed what the preacher said. Dad just popped a tab and scoffed at the idea of a spirit in spirit land watching over us and keeping a good place for those he judged as deserving. We girls were dragged to church
