Charlotte Hoaks. . . .(C. A. Hoaks)

“There may be a few places that we’ll have to portage, but that’s the best option right now. Between the blown bridges and infected blocking roads, we have no choice.” Brian argued. “Besides, the city has been widening the creek for storm drainage the last couple years. We have to chance it.”

Bill grinned. “We could paddle board out. I always wanted to try that.”

Brian frowned. “I’m hoping for a ten or twelve-foot inflatable boat. Maybe two, if we’re lucky. We’ll float down the creek and right past the infected.”

Leon stepped closer to Brian and whispered. “You think it’s going to be that easy, boss?”

Brian shrugged as he pulled a crowbar from behind the seat. “Let’s get in and get the show on the road. Billy, Leon you’re with me. We get the boat. The rest of you, get food, clothes, weapons and whatever you can find useful. Dale, stay by the truck and warn us if anything comes up.”

Everyone, but Dale headed for the door. Brian popped a side door open and turned to the others. “Wait.”

He stepped inside the building and listened. He heard nothing. He studied the shadows of the warehouse lit by battery powered emergency lighting. Finally, he flicked on a LED light and fanned the beam across the room for a better look. He saw nothing. He sniffed. The only smell was dust, rubber and plastics. It was the smell of trade goods, not the smell of the dead. After one more pass of the light across the interior he walked to the overhead door and examined the system. He pulled the release cord hanging overhead. The lock released and Brian used the handle to roll up the door.

Light spilled into the room. Immediately, he saw four twelve foot flat-bottom Jon Boats on a rack, and two different inflatable rafts, two canoes and kayaks of multiple sizes. There were pallets of goods spread around the back room organized by departments.

Everyone stood staring. “Where do we start?” Paula asked.

Billy pointed to the boats. “Which one sir?”

Brian drug his hand across the top of his head cringing at the dirt and grim imbedded in in the stubble. He took a deep breath and frowned at his own body odor. He wondered if any of them would ever have a bath and feel clean again.

“Juan and Leon, check out the storefront. If it’s empty, take the ladies and gather, food, clothes, camping shit and anything you think will be useful. Billy and I’ll take care of getting three boats, trolling motors and GPS.”

“Three boats?” Juan asked. “Do we need three?”

“These flat-bottom boats have a shallow draft. Only problem is they also have a maximum weight limit of four to five hundred pounds. We’ll divide the weight between the three boats. We’ll only be able to carry an extra sixty to seventy pounds in supplies so be selective.”

“What’s priority?” Leon asked.

“Get emergency food, back packer’s meals in pouches, batteries, a few clothes and water. If you have time find and fill up camel backs for each of us.” Brian answered. “You have twenty minutes.” He turned to Billy. “Let’s get busy.”

Billy walked to the boat rack. “How are we doing this?”

“Fuck if I know.” Brian answered as walked to the opened overhead door. He looked at the back bumper of the truck and sighed when he didn’t see an adjustable trailer hitch. “Well, fuck. That limits our options. Come on.”

Brian grabbed the end of the first fiberglass boat. “We stacked them in the back of the truck, one on top of the other. Then we find trolling motors, half a dozen batteries and tarps.”

“Tarps?” Billy asked.

“Hopefully, if the infected can’t see us, maybe we can slip by unnoticed.”

“What happens if we do make it to the river?”

“Who in the hell knows.” Brian answered. “Stay on the water or walk until we get wheels.”

Brian and Billie loaded three Jon boats by the time the others came back from deeper in the store. Juan threw both men wet towels.

“There was a water dispenser in the break room. Thought you might like to cool off. This shit’s supposed to stay cool.”

Brian recognized the blue cloth. “It can’t hurt. Have we got everything?” He ran the cloth over his face and draped it around his neck.

Leon stepped up. “We found backpacks and filled one for each of us, trail food, extra water, batteries, and first aid supplies.” He nodded toward the women who now wore cargo pants and t-shirts. “We got extra socks for everyone, ammo, knives, camp supplies, and water purification.”

Billy stacked two more cases of water next to three cases of bagged meals in the truck bed. “That’s it, sir.”

“Let’s get moving.” Brian announced. “Everyone in the truck.”

Brian steered the truck through a maze of vehicles abandoned along the roadway. Billy pulled out a map, studied the multi-colored lines and plotted a route to a west bound state road.

“Next right.” Billy directed. “Then down two lights, we should hit an industrial area with a lot less traffic and fewer chances of infected people.”

“Where are we going?” Paula asked.

“To the Air Force Base.” Brian announced. “I’ve heard aircraft coming from that direction, I think they’re evacuating from the base. I want to get us there before the place is overrun or closed down.”

“What about my family?” She fired back.

“What about them?” Brian glanced at her. “I’m not running a bus service. My only goal is to get the hell outta the city. You got a better idea, let’s have it.” When she didn’t answer, he continued. “If any of you want to go off on your own, we’ll help you find a vehicle and you can head out.”

Paula looked at Billy and he answered. “Don’t look at me. The man saved my life. My family is out of state and I’m stickin’ with him.”

Paula folder her arms across her chest and adopted a stubborn pout.

“You saw what we saw Paula, don’t be stupid.” Billy interrupted. “You wouldn’t last an hour on your own.”

Brian sighed. “Where was your family? Here in town?”

“No. Houston.” Paula answered.

“They evacuated Houston two days after the attack. All we can do is get to safety and then try to contact the Red Cross. They’ll be setting up some kind of a registration system.” Brian answered. “Your family would want you to be safe. In the meantime, we stay safe and pray our families are as well.”

Paula raised her chin and answered softly. “I guess you’re probably right.”

“Hang on back there!” Brian called out as he slowed the truck to maneuver around yet another accident. Dozens of infected spilled from the store fronts mid-block.

Juan slapped his hand on the roof of the cab. “Got company coming, man!”

“Got it. Hang on back there. Don’t let anything get close.” Brian answered.

“We’ll manage. Just keep moving and get us to the air field.” Leon added.

Brian steered the truck to the edge of the street and rolled over multiple torn and battered bodies of the infected. The brush guard hit flesh and they fell under the massive wheels. The truck rolled down the hill, over a curb into a yard then back into the street again.

More and more of the infected were drawn to the sound of the motor revving. A few of the infected tried to reach over the edge of the bed but the moving vehicles slipped from their grasp. Others stumbled into the side of the truck, only to fall under the huge wheels. Brian steered the truck past the last of the vehicles that blocked the access to the main road heading toward the Kelly Field.

Slowly Brian brought the truck to a stop at the top a hill overlooking the bas. They studied Lackland Airforce Base and Kelly Field in the distance. Hundreds of vehicles had been pushed to the sides of the streets around the air field creating massive barricades around Kelly field leaving only a few streets with access to the base. Those had been closed off and were currently under siege by masses of the infected.

Behind the barrier, the airfield was a beehive of activity. Even from the distance they could see the main entrance was a canyon of abandoned cars parked end to end. A second level of cars had been added to the barrier only upside down creating a barrier that was twice as high and unmovable. At some point, concrete barriers had been brought in to line either side. It was a formidable effort, but it was failing.

The infected were massing on either side of the barrier. They moved between buildings to be drawn toward the sound of the helicopters and aircraft staging on the runways. Thousands of infected pushed against the barrier only held back by piles of bodies created by the constant barrage of gunfire from the men on several tripod guard posts around the field.

It was obvious this was a concentrated effort to evacuate the remaining survivors from the city. Access to the field was closed off and a collection of uniformed and civilian defenders were attempting to hold the line until the surviving people within the compound could be evacuated.

“We have to get in there now or we’re fucked.” Dale announced though the back window.

Ignoring the comment, Billy asked. “How are we going to get in there?”

“We’re not. No way to get to the field before it’s overrun.” Brian pointed to a distant tower as it fell when the stacked cars nearby toppled over. “Hold on! We need to get moving while the mob is focused on the airfield.”

They weaved through congested streets for thirty minutes then Brian stopped at a loading dock behind a strip mall. He backed up to an overhead door. Across the back was painted the name of a camping and hunting supply store.

Juan jumped from the bed of the truck with Leon close on his heels.

“Are we spending the night?” Leon asked.

“No. We’re getting in here to stock up. There’s no way to get out of the city now. Leon Creek goes south all the way to the Medina River. We’ll take it to get out of the city. ”

Brian stood at the front of truck with a rifle resting across his arm. Paula and Margo disappeared behind a small stand of bushes. Both returned with a look of relief on their faces. Back at the truck Juan started handing out water and packets of snacks.

Dale leaned against a barrier at the side of the building. He took a long draw on the bottle. “We can’t keep eating this shit. I need some real food.”

Everyone turned toward the sound of a distant boom. After a brief silence, there was another explosion, then another, and yet another. Each one followed by several smaller booms. White smoke and dust billowed up toward the gathering storm clouds overhead.

“You hear that? The city is lost.” Brian nodded. “We need to get out of the city. The military is taking out the last of the bridges. It’s too late, but they’re trying to quarantine the infected. No one else will be leaving the city, at least by the roadways. You saw the air field. It’ll be overrun within the next hour.”

“They’re trapping people in the city with those monsters.” Dale lamented.

“Hey, don’t shoot the messenger. I’m just telling you what I think. It was a matter of the greater good. They are trying to save the rest of the state.”

“Then there’s no way out.” Paula gasped. “We’re dead!”

“That’s why we’re here. We’re going to get rafts or canoes, whatever we can find and go down the creek until it runs into the Medina River.”

“It’s a fucking creek.” Dale protested.

They drove deserted vehicles and abandoned stores. They passed a cluster of buildings in the distance but no one seemed to want to explore it. When Zack pointed toward the ranch, Steve frowned. “Too close to the road. Too many abandoned vehicles. There could be infected around.”

The pickup weaved around yet another abandoned vehicle while the light quickly began to fade as the sun dipped below the rim of a distant tree-covered ridge. A glimmer of light flashed against glass in the distance and they saw a small cabin on a high ridge. They neared a gravel road that turned to the right and disappeared into the trees.

Zack stopped the truck. “Well, what do you think?”

“It would be off the beaten path, for sure.” Steve answered. “Let’s try it.”

They turned onto the gravel road heading up trees. The path climbed the side of a hill. The further they drove, the steeper the slope at the side of the road and the narrower the path grew.

Della sat up in the seat and whispered to Steve. “Are you sure about this?”

“No but there’s no place to turn around right, now.” Steve answered. “Keep going, Zack.”

They drove another mile over deep ruts and washes then the path widened at a cattle pen and shed.

Zack eased the truck to a stop. “What now? It looks like the wrong road.”

“No. I see the cabin through those trees. I think the road loops around the shed. Wait here.” He stepped out of the truck and followed the path to the back of the shed. He disappeared for a few moments then came back to announce. “We’re still going in the right direction. I can see a cabin. It looks pretty narrow ahead, but if we get beyond there the cabin is right ahead. Let me check it out.”

Steve retraced the narrow path to the back of the shed and then around a stand of trees. Ahead he could see the hunting cabin. It was a narrow trail that looked to be used by four wheeled ATVs in the past, but nothing recently. He limped farther down the track and saw an open yard in front of the cabin. He made his way back to the truck and climbed inside. On the way back he rolled half a dozen large rocks to the side of the trail.

Steve limped back to the truck and announced. “It’s doable.” He climbed in the truck. “Around the back of the shed, head up the trail.”

Zack did as directed. When he pulled around the shed, he slammed on the breaks. “That’s not wide enough!” He stared at the narrow trail with the rough drop off to the left and the steep rise of dirt and brush o the right. “I can’t do this. We’ll go over.”

Steve placed his hand on Zack’s shoulder. “You can do this. Just keep your left tire on the trail. The slope on the inside is gentle enough that you can drive on it. It’ll tilt the truck, but the tires are big enough to climb over a few rocks at the side of the road. The trail is wider around just beyond there.”

“You can do this Zack.” Della echoed.

Zack chuckled nervously. “Okay, at least ya’ll get out, just in case.”

“Good idea. Della, you four get out. I’ll ride with Zack.” Stave answered. “We’ll pick you up on the other side.”

The three women and child stepped out of the truck and waited as the vehicle pulled ahead. They watched as the massive vehicle rolled toward the narrowing of the trail. Zack shifted into low gear and the sound of the engine growled.

The tires rolled forward with Steve urging Zack to guide the truck toward the upper slope. Zack turned the steering wheel to the right. The front tire climbed up the incline while the left tires rolled along-side the drop-off at the side of the trek. Zack’s brow glistened with perspiration.

“Am I good?” He asked. “I can’t see the road.”

“You’re doing fine.” Steve leaned out the window judging the distance. “To the right. More to the right. The tire can roll up the rocks at the side. Slow and steady, now.”

Zack struggled against the steering wheel forcing the front tire up the incline. The truck moved forward. The cab tilted at a steep angle. Gravel and dirt slid down the canyon wall.

The women followed. All the while, Millie spoke of cooking on a wood stove. She spoke of cooking grits, collard greens and smoke-cured meat. When Della gasped, Millie grabbed her arm and insisted she be supported demanding her attention.

“Della girl. I need your help. I ain’t as strong as I used to be.” Millie insisted.

Darlene continued to watch as Millie forced Della to ignore the truck rolling past the wash and pay attention to the old woman. She frowned knowing full well Millie was trying to keep her mind off Steve and Zack. She turned to look at the edge of the road and her heart quickened when she saw the sheer drop off mere inches from the tires of the truck.

Steve hung out the passenger window waving his arm and encouraging Zack to hold the right wheels straight as the vehicle rolled over the rockslide at the side of the trail. Suddenly, the back wheel bounced off the last bolder and the truck settled flat on the trail again. Zack let the truck roll forward another ten feet where the road widened and slammed the big truck into park.

“Fuck!” Zack cursed as he jerked open the truck door and jumped to the road. He bent over taking several deep breaths. Finally, he stood up, his eyes still wide with fright.

He looked back at the narrow pass. “That was really screwed up.”

Steve wiped the moisture from his face and forced a laugh. “You’re the man. Let’s get moving.”

After retrieving a bottle of water and taking a long drink, Zack opened the back door of the extended cab. He made an exaggerated bow and hustled Della, Darlene, Penny and Millie inside. “I will be doing some road work on the trail before we come out of here.” He announced as he settled behind the wheel.

Steve laughed. “Might be a good idea.”

Della sighed. “I don’t think my heart could watch you do that again.”

Millie chuckled. “I wasn’t worried.”

Liz kneeled next to Harry and unlaced his boot. Liz pulled an elastic wrap from her bag and began wrapping his ankle. Harry cringed when she tore off the end and jerked his foot.

“Is it too tight?” Liz asked as she slipped his boot back on his foot.

“No. It’s fine.” Harry responded as he leaned down and tucked the laces into the top of the boot. “How are YOU doing? Are you okay? The baby?” He sat up and studied the scratches on her arm.

“We’re fine. Why did they do that?” Liz asked.

John held his side while he gulped water from a plastic bottle. “They probably wanted our supplies. They probably weren’t expecting someone on a bike. If they had been they would have put the cable neck high. That would have been ugly.” He chuckled. “It didn’t do much good with all those glass jars. My bike is useless I heard the fork crack when I hit the barricade.”

He spilled water over a red handkerchief and dabbed at the abrasion on his arm. He wiped at his hands, then dried them on his pants leg.

“It’s a miracle none of us ended up with broken bones.” Harry picked up his bag. “Let’s find a place to hunker down.”

Liz rose and brushed gravel from her pants then pointed at a distant sign mounted on a structure. “There, behind that fence.”

Both men stood and looked to where she pointed. Dozens of luxury campers were parked on a massive parking lot.”

“Happy Holiday Camper Extravaganza?” John asked.

“Why not? We’re at least four miles from the assholes that ambushed us. They have no way of knowing which direction we’ve been going and besides that, it’s late enough they won’t follow us if they’re smart. They’ll clean out what they can and get back to their hidey hole.” Harry answered. “Maybe we’ll find a vehicle with enough gas in the tank to get the fuck outa here.”

“What I was thinking.” Liz answered with a shrug.

Harry got to his feet and picked up his pack. “It’s more of a plan then we had before. Let’s go.”

Harry led John and Liz down an alley, across a blacktop to the gate of the Happy Holiday Camper yard. When John reached for the lock, Harry pulled his hand back. He pointed to a pickup sitting at the side of the hurricane fence.

“We go over the fence. If anyone comes sniffing around the gates will be intact. Hopefully, they won’t figure there’s a reason to come inside.”

Harry climbed into the bed of the truck. He reached down and picked up a rubber mat from the bed of the truck. He threw the mat over the barbed wire strands at the top of the eight foot fencing. Pulling down at the edges, he nodded at John. “You first.”

John climbed to the top of the cab, grabbed at the top of the mat and pulled himself to the top of the fence with a loud grunt. After hovering there for a second, he swung a leg over, found a foothold, and then swung his other leg to the inside of the fence. He dropped to the ground, landing hard. He pulled himself back to his feet groaning.

Harry nudged Liz. “Let’s go. We’re pretty exposed here.”

Liz quickly duplicated John’s maneuver then landed on the ground with a lot more. She turned to John to give a smug nod and noticed moisture glistened on John’s face.

“Are you alright?”

John whispered. “Might have a couple cracked ribs.”

Liz and John reached up and grabbed at the mat and held it in place while Harry duplicated their maneuver. When they all three stood at the base of the fence, Harry pulled the mat off the fence and pulled it behind a camper. He pointed toward the front of the parking lot and a massive building. Three vehicles had been parked near the front door. Each had the name of Happy Holiday Camper Extravaganza stenciled on the sides.

“You think any people are in the building?” Liz whispered.

“I think we have to check it out. We don’t have much in the way of food. We can see if there’s a snack machine inside and try to find keys to the vehicles. We can check them out then get into one of the units at the back of the lot. Watch the lot numbers and let’s get an idea of their numbering system.”

John readied his gun. “We might be able to siphon gas from vehicles.”

Harry limped toward the building with John and Liz following. He got to the building and looked in the glass windows across the front. They could see through the gloom into multiple cubicles. Everything seemed to be in order. No walking corpses, no blood or evidence of struggle.

Harry turned to the others. “Let’s go around the building and find a better place to get in. Breaking glass will let someone know we’re here.”

He led the way to the side of the building. There he walked to a side door and tried the door knob. It was locked. Harry moved on but nodded toward two sets of head-high windows with glass louvers.

“That might be an option.”

He followed the building around to the back where a repair shop was located. Garage doors included glass panels so they got a good look inside. Nothing moved. They completed the circle of the building.

“Looks good.” Harry announced. “Let’s go to the bathroom windows.

“The bathroom?” Liz whispered.

“Louvered windows. Only thing it can be. Head high.” Harry grinned. “Venting.”

They hurried back around the building to the window. Harry reached up and pulled at one of the glass slats. It wiggled but remained in place. He reached for his hand gun, turned it around and tapped gently at the edge. The glass moved. He slid his hand to the opposite side and did the same. A moment later, he slid the glass from the guides. He repeated the process until the glass sat in a stack at his feet.

John nudged Harry. “Give me a hand.” He held up a foot.

“That’s not going to work.” Liz chuckled. “Even if you could get up to the window, you’ll never get through the opening. Give me a boost.”

John looked to Harry. He shrugged after he looked at Liz and then back at the narrow opening.

“You be careful.” He passed Liz a LED light. “Make damned sure the bathroom is empty before you climb in there. No looking around on your own, just get to this door and get it open.  Understood?”

“Yes, worry-wart.” She quipped. “I’ll be careful.”

Liz nodded and John laced his fingers under her boot. She grabbed the sides of the window and flicked the light and shinned the beam around the inside of the bathroom. It was a men’s bathroom and smelled faintly of urine and bathroom cleaner.

“It’s good.” Liz called over her shoulder as she pulled herself onto the window sill.

She pulled her left leg through the opening, eased the rest of herself into the bathroom, where she found footing on the cabinet at the side of the sink. She eased her right foot down from the window and stood on the sink listening. Finally, she stuck her head out the window.

“Going in. Be ready.”

Liz slid to the floor, crossed the room and reached for the door knob. Her heart raced. She pressed her ear to the door. She had to wait until her heart rate slowed before she realized the only sound was the dripping of the faucet behind her.

She took a deep breath and turned the door knob. She looked through the narrow opening and saw a row of empty cubicles to the right. Enough light shown in from the front windows to assure her it was empty. She opened the bathroom door enough to a step through and out into the hall.

It was so quiet she heard only her own breath and the dripping faucet. She crossed the ten feet to the side door and shined the light on the door. She pushed at the bar and the door eased open.

John slid the last glass panel back in the window then followed Harry into the building. They stepped pulled the door closed behind them. “Don’t shine the light toward the front windows. We don’t want anyone catching a flash of light and coming to investigate.”

“Got it.” Liz answered.

Harry moved toward the front of the building. “We clear it, get what we can, find some keys then find a place to hunker down for the night.”

They rounded a corner and saw an infected man standing inside a glass enclosure. The man slammed bloodied hands against the glass of the teller window. John started for the door, but Harry grabbed his arm.

“No. Leave him. We leave it as it is.”

“There’s half a case of water on the counter and a handful of food in there.”

“Not enough there to take a chance on getting hurt.” Harry answered. “Let’s check out the rest of the building, first.”

They cleared the offices then the repair shop. They were alone except for the infected man in the small teller’s office. In the shop they found a hand siphon pump and hoses. They found keys to all three vehicles in one of the offices.

When they were finished, Harry turned to John and winked. “While we decide which vehicle to take, Liz can gather supplies from the break room?”

“Fine, give the woman the stinky job.” Liz complained.

Harry raised an eye brow. “Who us? You think we’re being sexist?”

Liz smirked. “Of course,you are two of the most politically incorrect people I’ve ever met. But since the world has gone to shit and I know nothing about what you might need, I guess I’ll see what I can get out of the break room that’s salvageable.”

John clutched at his side and gave Harry a lopsided smile. “Did she insult us?” He whispered.

“Probably.” Harry laughed and turned back to Liz. “Stack it by the side door. We’ll pull one of the vehicles around to load up.”

“Got it.” She answered.

Liz walked into the snack room and the array of machines. The smell was noxious from the spoiled food. She found four cases of water. When she opened a supply closet, she found boxes of snacks including meat jerky, pasta and soup cups, dried fruits, crackers and cheese, and boxes of candies and chips.

They found keys for campers and a map of parking assignments. On a wall in an office they found a board listing campers scheduled for service and pick-up. Next to each entry on the status board hung a keyring with vehicle and door keys. After an extended debate they chose a camper scheduled for pick-up the day of the attack hoping they would find full tanks of water and gas. Ten minutes later the truck was loaded and the trio drove toward the back of the parking lot.

By the time they got to the camper, John’s breathing had been reduced to shallow puffs with every jolt of the truck.

“There. That one.” Liz announced.

“Good.” Harry commented. “We check it out, if it works, you take John inside and I’ll off load the supplies then take the truck back up front.”

The unit was a class C motor home. The cab-over vehicle on a truck chassis was only eighteen feet in length. The white over tan unit was covered in a thin layer of dust. Harry pulled the pickup next to the camper door.

“Do you think we should be left with only the camper for transportation?” Liz asked.

Harry nodded. “I think it’s worth it to keep anyone from noticing activity here.”

Liz led John to the camper. She pulled the keys from her pocket and opened the camper door.  and to a bench seat. She guided John to a bench seat then walked to the driver’s seat and turned the ignition on. All the gages came to life. Harry sat a case of water on the dinette table and turned to look over Liz’s shoulder to read the gages. He glanced at a second panel and tapped the panel.

“Well?” Liz turned and asked.

“We’re even better than good. It’s great.” Harry announced.

“I’ll help you get the supplies in. Then we need to look at John’s ribs. He looks bad.” Liz answered as she turned the ignition key.