“Rosy? Good Lord girl, it’s been a minute. You’ve grown,” Mr. Jenner said and laughed. He opened the door and the old door squeaked loudly in protest.
“Yes sir, it has been a bit. We were in Huntsville when everything went to hell in a handbasket. My friends and I came here but we were too late,” she said softly.
“I sure am sorry. This here is my boys, Larry, Howard, and Ronny. We’re out seein’ what’s what. Some folk been sayin’ there’s a wolf or animal in the area. We’re huntin’ it,” Mr. Jenner said and Ethan felt a cold chill wash over him.
“Oh, we seen that wolf,” Reggie said, a wide smile on his face.
“Mr. Jenner, this is Reggie, that’s Ethan and they are Mike, Luke and Lauren,” Rose said and she looked to Reggie. He nodded slightly.
“Yes, we saw the wolf a few miles from here. It was killing those zombies. The creature seemed to hate them. We just left it alone,” Ethan now spoke up. The men looked toward him and he wondered if it were his norther accent.
“He’s right. It was a thing of beauty. That wolf just tore through them zombies like they was paper. It saw me and Ethan and heck, was about thirty feet away but didn’t seem to want to bother with us,” Reggie said.
“We saw the wolf,” Mike and Luke chimed in and Ethan’s heart froze in his chest. Would the kids divulge the secret?
“I saw the wolf here,” Lauren said, her hands on the boys’ shoulders and Ethan saw her squeeze. The boys shut their mouths.
“You did? Were you afraid, young lady?” Mr. Jenner asked.
“No sir. I saw it was out in the back field. There was two of those zombies back there. It tore them apart. The wolf came close and I let it sniff me. I petted it,” she said, a sweet smile on her face. The four men in the truck looked stunned.
“Well, sounds like that wolf is a good thing to have around maybe,” Larry said from atop the truck, his brother Howard, standing beside him nodded.
“Yeap. It seems this wolf creature hates the zombies and is tearing through them. Maybe let folks around these parts know that if they see a wolf creature, to let it be. It might clear up our zombie problem,” Reggie suggested.
“You don’t think it might try to get our livestock?” Ronny said from the truck, his large hands on the steering wheel.
“We were at the next property over and saw the wolf in the horses’ pasture. There were zombies in there and they’d killed one of the horses. The other two horses were trying to keep away from the zombies. That wolf killed the zombies and left the horses alone. Our cow and goats haven’t been bothered. I’d say the animals are safe enough, it’s just the zombies that have to worry about getting torn to pieces.” Ethan took a drink of water. He was sweating hard but not from the heat. He really didn’t want to get shot in wolf form. He knew from Xander that he would heal, but still.
“Alright then. That’ll save us on ammo. We been killin’ them things right and left. Be nice not to have to waste a bullet when we got somethin’ that’s takin’ care of the problem,” Mr. Jenner said rubbing his jaw.
“That’s a good idea with the fence,” Ronny said and nodded to the wire and the solar set up for the electric fence.
“Thanks, we’re hopin’ to discourage the zombies should they wander down this way,” Reggie said.
“Got that right. My boys moved in with me and their momma. Brought grandkids too. The house if full but they’re all safe and that’s what’s important. Our place is ten miles due east of here, over on Ducklet Road. Big farm so it’s nice to have the extra hands,” Mr. Jenner said and grinned up at his sons. Ethan smiled. They had neighbors of a sort.
“Rachel Abila, over west of us is alone. Zombies got her family. Reggie and Ethan have been checkin’ on her and she’s doin’ okay. Maybe y’all could swing by?” Rose suggested.
“Well sure, we can do that. Y’all need anything, just swing on by. You’re welcome anytime and I’ll spread the word ta leave any dogs, wolves or foxes alone. Whatever is out there killing zombies will help in the long run,” Mr. Jenner said and lifted a hand in farewell. He got back in his truck and the men waved. The dust rose around them and they watched as the vehicle turned around a curve and disappeared.
“Think I’ll be okay?” Ethan asked cautiously.
“I think so. If they think the wolf is workin’ for them, I’m pretty sure they’ll leave you alone. You also know where they live now. Just stay away from that area,” Rose said.
“Maybe I’ll keep my patrols to a five-mile radius. I don’t think I need to go any farther than that.”
“Good idea. I know Xander said you’d heal, but I don’t think I’d want to test that theory,” Rose said and picked up the tray off the wire bundle.
“Thanks again for the tea, Miss Rose,” Reggie said and put his work gloves back on.
“Lunch will be in about an hour. Make sure you wash up,” she called over her shoulder. The twins were running ahead of her to the house. She now wore a holster around her waist. It held her uncle’s .38 special. They would be teaching Lauren how to handle a weapon and start practice. Once the boys were a little older, they too would be taught weapons safety and handling. It was a new world and even children had to know how to defend themselves.
“I think I had ten years just scared off my life,” Ethan
