“Okay. Earlier you said Kalispell is about a hundred and fifty miles. Let’s go. What will we do,” JR asked, “if we get to Idaho and the zombies have already taken over? I mean if humans are extinct in the area and zombies are running rampant can we kill all of them?”
Sam became exasperated with JR’s continual insistence that he have an answer to the unknowns ahead of them. “You’re asking things I don’t have an answer for. I’m taking this one step at a time because I don’t know what the hell’s ahead anymore than you do. Don’t expect me to have an answer for every possible scenario. I’m just as lost in this as you are.”
“Damnit Sam, you’re the guy who followed these zombies as they took over the rest of the world. If you don’t know what the hell’s going on, we’re lost.”
“So shoot me. I don’t know what to expect next either. Idaho might be a piss poor choice when we get there. Every day I make decisions based on what happens that day. If you don’t like it find someone else who knows more tha—”
“God damnit Sam, I’m scared out of my fucking mind. All around us is death and destruction. I want it to end.”
Smokey raised his head at the loud words; his head swiveled from one raised voice to the other.
Sam tightened his jaw and focused straight ahead at the road.
JR put her face in the crook of her right elbow against the glass and sulked as tears leaked down her cheeks.
They drove through Ovando on Route 200 and were twenty miles northeast of Missoula, as a crow flies, when a trucker on Interstate Highway 90 made a CB broadcast. “Anybody out there with their ears on listen up.” JR reached for the volume knob and turned it up. “I just went through Missoula, Montana, heading east. Zombies are everywhere, didn’t see a living soul. From what I saw, they've taken over the entire town and surrounding area. To get through town, I had to run over at least forty or fifty of the creatures. Whatever direction you’re heading, give Missoula a wide berth unless you’re driving a zombie crusher like mine. I’m heading east to Iowa to get home to my family. Good luck to anybody listening. Jocko Mason over and out.”
“Jocko this is JR Johns. If you ran over that many zombies, you surely have their guts and gunk splattered on your truck. Don’t get that crap on your skin because it can cause humans to turn. We had to put a young girl down because she was covered in it. A few days later she started turning. God speed, good luck, and be careful. JR Johns out.”
“Thanks for the warning JR. I’ll be praying for a heavy rainstorm. Jocko out.”
As Jr turned the CB volume down, Sam turned right onto Highway 83 toward Seeley Lake, Montana.
They entered Seeley Lake fifteen minutes later and saw a local Sheriff's deputy backing away from seven zombies closing on him. Sam said, “Grab the M21 rifles and shoot from here. The deputy is firing at the zombie's chests.” In minutes, the zombies were all down and the deputy turned and thanked them.” The young man was confused and upset. “Man, I can’t believe this shit. The majority of those things were people I knew from town. I grew up with a lot of them. My parents and sisters live in Missoula and I’m afraid of what’s happening to them.”
“It’s not good,” JR put her arm around his shoulder and pulled him close. “We just had a CB call from a trucker leaving Missoula. He said zombies took over the whole town. You’d best not go there, or you’ll be lost too. And if you head for the border be careful there too. The Canadians aren’t letting anyone cross and they’re shooting people trying to hike across to get around the official crossings. Sorry, but we have to go, good luck” She turned back to him. “Remember, head shots, only head shots to the brain, or you’ll just waste your ammo and be overrun.”
As the truck pulled away, JR mused, “I wonder what will become of that deputy. He doesn’t appear to have anywhere or anyone to escape to. I’m afraid when he run’s out of ammo his life will end at the hands of zombies.”
Sam nodded but stayed silent.
“Power is off throughout the town,” JR noted as they drove through. “I hope Idaho isn’t like this.”
“Be prepared for anything. The zombies might be there too. Without national newscast or websites to let us know what’s happening, we’re going in blind. Think positive and hope for the best. But be prepared mentally to fight man or beast when we get there.”
JR exhaled, shook her head, and sat with a glum expression as she stroked Smokey.
Sam continued, “One other option depends on what happens in Canada. The last report we heard about the zombie migration inward from both coasts was the undead were advancing steadily there too. Maybe in six months or a year it will be safe to cross the border and go further north. Then we’ll only have the zombies to contend with instead of them and humans.”
“That is an option. I guess if the Canadians guarding the border
