"Checkersville. What do Ralph's notes say?"
Jenni immediately grew serious and studied the map. "Ralph made a note that it’s got a small population. It's Emorton we need to worry about. It's a lot bigger. "
Katie sighed, noting that according to the road sign they were ten miles out of Emorton. "Okay, get ready. "
Jenni dutifully drew her gun and snapped off the safety.
They hit the small town at seventy miles per hour. It was two blocks long in both directions and appeared completely deserted. The truck cleared the first block and Katie expertly swung it around a car stalled in the middle of the intersection.
"So far so good," Jenni said with relief.
"Don't curse it," Katie chided her and the truck started down the second block.
A man broke free of a building ahead of them, running fast, and screaming. It was not a zombie scream, but "Stop! Stop!"
The truck sailed past him in a flash and Katie slammed on the brakes and shifted into reverse.
"Get ready to open the door, Jenni. "
Jenni whipped around in her seat as Jack raised his head blearily, curious as to the drama.
The man ran toward the stopped truck, sobbing, and clutching one of his arms. It was a mangled mess.
"Go. " Jenni said softly.
"What?"
"He's infected. "
Katie looked into the review mirror, saw the man's arm and slammed her fists hard against the steering wheel. "Fuckfuckfuckfuckfuck. "
The man drew near the truck, waving his good arm, looking relieved.
Behind him three battered, torn, and running figures appeared.
"Just go," Jenni sighed.
Katie glanced into the rear view mirror as Jack began to bark at the approaching zombies. "Sorry," she whispered and shifted gears and truck lurched forward as more zombies, slower ones, shuffled into view.
"No," the man shouted. His voice was full of disbelief, despair and terror. "No! Don't leave me here!"
Jenni considered shooting him. But leaning out the window and actually hitting him in the head or anywhere vital enough to kill him instantly seemed just impossible. She tried not to look behind her, but her eyes strayed to the side mirror. She winced as she watched him be caught by the faster zombies and dragged down. Her hand lashed out and grabbed Katie's. Katie held it tightly and they both sat in silence as the town vanished behind them.
After a few miles, Katie withdrew her hand and put it back on the wheel as they drew near Emorton.
"Ralph advised that we go down this side road. It will help us avoid the main part of town. FM 1342. "
Katie nodded. "Okay. Got it. "
Jenni looked at Katie again and thought of Katie's words last night. They did share a bond. She felt it. Yes, she had been a little confused about it last night, but not anymore. She understood now. And she felt comfortable now with the warmth in her heart when she looked at Katie. She had a new friend, a sister, a comrade and she could love her and not be afraid of being used or hurt.
Katie turned onto the farm road and they both sat tensely in the moving truck, both aware that the larger towns were deathtraps. Jack softly woofed from the back seat and Jenni turned to see he was staring straight ahead with a very serious look on his face.
Three large buildings loomed ahead. Emorton Elementary, Junior High and High school all in one row. The parking lot was crammed with cars and high gates surrounded the building. But the gates were down in one section.
Two cars evidently had rammed into it and the car doors were open. No one was inside, but the doors were smeared with blood.
"Not good," Katie said softly.