Running To Escape: A Sam & JR Zombie Thriller

to their underwear and washed using minimal water. J.R. washed and then dried Sam's back, then tossed the towel over her shoulder and continued to caress him. He took the hint to turn and embrace, and they shared their first lover’s kiss. She moved the food to the fire’s edge and put a lid on the cast iron skillet to deter Smokey before they retreated hurriedly to the camper. Smokey whined at being locked outside and then listened attentively to murmurs and cries of ecstasy coming from the camper. He crawled under the pickup, put his head on his paws, and pouted. Well after dark the lovebirds left the camper and had dinner by firelight and moonbeams. Smokey stayed close to JR and practically swallowed his piece of steak like a glutton. As soon as they ate and left the dishes to soak, the lovers disappeared back inside the camper till well after dawn the next morning. Smokey was again relegated to fend for himself outside.

At breakfast the following morning, Sam was attentive but pensive. With apprehension, he disclosed two issues he’d withheld since meeting JR. “Since I guess we’re now a couple, there are some things I need to tell you. Hidden in the trailer are two hundred 1/4 oz. gold coins I paid $60,000 for.”

“Damn, you did have a ton of money . . . quarter-ounce? I thought gold came in one ounce coins.”

“For investment they mainly do. But I learned online the smaller weight coins would be much better to barter with. You stand a better chance of getting a more equitable deal with the smaller size and don’t have to buy things you don’t want or need to get the full value of a larger coin. When I bought gold, the price was roughly twelve hundred dollars per ounce, so these were worth about three hundred each. It’s unknown what value will be placed on gold now and in the future, but it’s thought to be the most valuable and stable bartering commodity. I waited to tell you until I was certain our relationship was solid, and I could trust you. Now that I know you better and we’re in a relationship, I feel comfortable with you.”

“Thank you. I understand why you waited. I also appreciate you thinking enough of me now to share it with me.” She hugged him and they kissed a short spell.

Sam leaned away. “There’s more. I also have ten thousand rounds of .22 caliber bullets; they are thought by survivalist to be the next most valuable commodity because they are used to shoot small  game for food.

JR nodded as she thought intently.

He frowned as he took a deep breath then exhaled slowly. “Also, I wasn’t truthful when I said I hadn’t been involved in a serious relationship. I had a girlfriend for a year, and I was deeply and foolishly in love. We met at a party when she was home from Texas A&M. Her name was Ari, and I planned to marry her. Fortunately, I learned the relationship was one sided. Last year before Christmas, she left me and Oklahoma for New York City and a man she met four months previously. She was double timing me during that period and let me continue thinking we were solid until she had him roped and hogtied. She dumped me from New York over the phone. She said David, her fiancé, was the son of a wealthy business tycoon and had a highly successful career ahead of him in his father’s business. He was an only child and would one day become the CEO of the business. She didn’t even call to apologize; she simply wanted me to stop calling her. In other words, she had no confidence in me and was jumping ship for a more secure and glamorous future. Then I realized she was just a damned gold digger for sale at the highest price.” He wiped the moisture from his eyes before continuing. “It just didn’t feel right or important to discuss that part of my life with a stranger when we met.” His eyes were downcast toward the fire’s dying embers.

JR nodded as she laid her palm on his forearm and smirked. “I’m truly sorry you were hurt, but it’s just one more way in which we are so much alike. Remember the starting quarterback for the Wolverines? Jeremy Darr? I replaced him when his knee was busted. He was the captain of the football team and we dated for six months, thirteen days and nine hours. Not like I was counting or anything. He left late August after graduation for college at Michigan State. Like you, I was blinded by love and made the affair into more than it was. He was a smooth talker. No more than he’d left, I started getting calls from guys on the football team wanting to date me. I refused because Jeremy and I were a couple. I wouldn’t cheat on him. A few of the callers got abusive, and I hung up. Several weeks after he left, another team member I considered a good guy told me why the other guys were hitting on me. Asshole Jeremy spread the word that he was done with me and they could have me. He said I was an easy lay and would spread my legs for a few beers with an ‘I love you’ thrown in. I was hurt and thoroughly pissed.” JR grinned as she relived what was forthcoming.

“Two weeks later I got to show him how pissed I was. He was in town to visit his parents, and I ran into him Saturday night at a party. He’d had too much to drink and laughed when he admitted saying what I’d been told. He thought it was funny. I cussed him, then kneed him in the nuts. And it was a good, solid hit. When he doubled over in pain and