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  I watched in horror as the little girl reached the sleeping bag and dropped to her knees.

  “Go aw...” was all the woman in the sack could get out before her voice turned into screams of agony.

  Those screams were my way out. The two dead men below turned away and stumbled to where the little girl attacked the homeless woman. Through the shrill screams I could hear flesh being ripped apart. It made a sloppy sort of tearing noise, unlike anything I had ever heard before. Shaking and on the verge of losing it, I slid down from the dumpster and landed on my feet as softly as I could. I shimmied with my back along the brick wall, praying I would go unnoticed by the cruel beings that were killing the woman. I nearly screamed when a warm hand closed around my mouth.

  “Stay quiet,” someone whispered into my ear.

  I held onto the arm that encircled me, not trying to get away but rather trying to ground myself and hopefully not pee my pants.

  “Walk backward with me until I tell you to run. Understand?”

  Mike. It was Hazel’s other brother. I nodded the best I could. I moved backward, with his hand remaining over my mouth. I tasted salt and realized tears were streaming down my face. The homeless woman stopped screaming, but the noise of the sloppy flesh-feast continued.

  “We need to get back to the RV. I’ll tell you how much of a bitch move that was later, and how you’re only still alive because Ellis made me come get you,” he whispered. “I’m gonna take my hand away, and you’re gonna keep quiet, turn around, and run. Got it?”

  Again, I nodded into his hand.

  “Okay. Go,” he said, his tone seething.

  His hand fell from my face and he moved from behind me. I looked at him briefly and saw hate in his eyes. Hate for me or for what he’d just seen, I wasn’t sure. I turned, and on shaky legs sprinted back toward the RV. Half way there, I heard a series of five gunshots that stopped me on a dime. The feral sounds ceased and were replaced by another set of footfalls that I knew had to be Mike.

  “Run!” yelled Hazel from the RV doorway. “Get in!”

  I picked up my pace and within seconds reached the vehicle door.

  “Mike!” screamed Hazel. “Mike, watch out!”

  The man looked to his right, stopped and aimed his pistol at a figure that was moving quickly toward us. He fired and missed. I watched in horror as the figure got closer to Mike. He appeared to be trying to fire again, unsuccessfully.

  “Fuck, his gun’s jammed,” said Ellis as he jumped down the stairs and joined me outside. “Get inside!” he barked.

  Mike took two steps backward, still struggling to unjam his pistol. I watched in terror as he lost his balance and fell to the ground, dropping his gun, and scooting backward away from the creature that pursued him.

  “Get down!” yelled Ellis.

  He raised his arms, one holding his own pistol and the other steadying his arm. His first shot hit the creature in the shoulder, the impact spraying blood and flesh outward. The hit only threw it off balance momentarily, at which point it turned toward Ellis and growled. It was a guttural and inhuman sound. I stepped backward, not taking my eyes off the scene before me. My calves painfully hit the steps to the RV, and Hazel reached down and grabbed hold of the back of my shirt, pulling me upward. We stood there together, both watching. Ellis fired another shot, this time hitting his target in the chest. The creature barely flinched and continued forward.

  “We have to help them,” I said, exasperated, and practically unhinged at the horror.

  Hazel still held onto the fabric of my shirt, but I attempted to step back outside anyway. As my foot hit the bottom step, another shot rang out, causing the creature’s head to partially explode. It happened so fast that all I saw was a streak of red, followed by a lump of pink on the ground.

  Ellis ran to Mike, who was quickly clambering upright. He stumbled with Ellis back to the RV just as more of the evil things were closing in. I quickly climbed back up the three metal steps and Hazel and I backed away to make room for her brothers.

  “Get in the back,” said Ellis, who glared at me.

  Mike slammed the door shut behind him and rushed to the driver’s seat.

  “We need to get the hell out of here before that bitch kills us all,” he said in a very angered tone.

  “Mike, don’t start,” Hazel scolded.

  “We should leave her damned sorry ass here,” he continued.

  “I’m sorry...” I began.

  “Poppy, go to the back, ok?” Ellis said, his voice harsh. “Mike, shut the fuck up and just drive.”

  I walked to the back of the motorhome, where I sat on the small bed and tried to collect my emotions. The smell of death was thick inside my nose, and likely clinging to my clothes.

  “I’ll go check on her,” I heard Hazel say.

  “Thanks. I need to change my fucking bloody shirt,” replied Ellis. “Mike, there’s too many of those damned things heading this way. We need to find somewhere else to hole up, otherwise we’ll end up trapped in there.”

  “I’m on it.”

  The motorhome swayed suddenly as it moved forward. A speed bump jarred me, and a second jolt nearly threw me to the floor.

  “Jesus, Michael! Watch it!”

  “Sorry, but there’s too many of them to drive around. Hold on to something!” he shouted as a larger impact rocked the vehicle.

  A pile of paperback books fell from the cabinet above the bed, nearly landing on me. I pulled my feet up and scooted back, hoping the cabinets above would offer protection. My head still ached, and another hit couldn’t be a good thing. The swaying of the RV, combined with the gruesome images still in my mind of Karly, the homeless woman, and the creatures made my stomach churn.

  I looked up when someone joined me in the small space. Expecting Hazel, I was surprised to see Ellis looking down at me. His tone had been so harsh, I looked away in shame.

  “Are you okay?” he asked, catching me off guard. His tone was much calmer.

  “Not really.”

  “Did they hurt you?”

  I shook my head side-to-side. “No. I don’t think so. But they tore that woman apart...”

  “Mike told me.”

  “I’m...God...I’m sorry. I thought I could help.”

  He sat on the edge of the bed and hung his head.

  “That was really close. Both for you and Mike. You can’t make decisions like that anymore, or you could get us all killed. We need to work together.”

  The gravity of the situation hit me, causing me to lose any composure I had remaining. I sucked in a jagged breath and began shivering while fresh tears spilled down my face. “I...” I tried to apologize again.

  Ellis looked back at me and shook his head.

  “I’d tell you to not cry but I’m guessing after all of this you need to let it out. From your friend and the accident to...just all of it.”

  “I didn’t mean to almost get him killed I was just trying to help. Someone needed to do something,” I sniffled.

  “I know. We’re all tired. He’ll get over it.”

  I pulled my knees up to my chest and wrapped my arms around them.

  “Next time we stop just stay away from him, okay?”

  I nodded and rested my head on my knees, looking away from him. The movement of the RV finally calmed. He placed a hand on my back as if offering a proverbial olive branch, but I kept my head facing away and closed my eyes.

  “Try to get some rest. I’ll check on you in an hour or so.”

  I heard the pull of the curtain that hung in the narrow doorway that led to the front of the RV, so assumed he had left. I cried softly, my head still on my knees. A deep sigh clued me in; Ellis was still nearby. When I heard the curtain rustle and his footfalls lead away, I settled on the bed, facing the wall, and cried myself to sleep.

  Chapter Six

  When I woke the RV was still and filled with silence. I sat up, instantly on edge and concerned. I remained quiet and listened intently, hoping to at least hear the voices of my companions. After several seconds, I swung my legs out from under the blanket and onto the floor. I gingerly stood, making sure I wasn’t dizzy from my concussion. Making my way to the front of the motorhome, I noted that full daylight crept in through the windows. I walked toward the sink in the small kitchen area and turned the cold water on. It squealed for a moment and produced a weak stream. Using my hands, I cupped the water and drank lightly.

  “Use it sparingly,” came a voice from behind me, startling me.

  I turned the faucet off and turned around to find Mike at the open door.

  “Where is everyone?” I asked, not getting a good read on the man’s current mood or state of mind.

  “Outside stretching. If you want to head out and get some air, now’s a good time.”

  “Where are we?”

  “Somewhere east of Olympia. Roads aren’t too bad, thankfully. Oddly there’s not many cars on the road.”

  “How long was I asleep?”

  “Uh. Maybe an hour. You’d have to ask Ellis. He’s the one who’s been sitting watching you sleep. He’s behind the RV taking a piss.”

  I didn’t like this crude man.

  He stepped farther into the vehicle and toward the front seats. We looked at each other, without speaking, for an uncomfortable moment. Finally, I turned and walked to the door. As I stepped down, one foot on the top step and the other still inside, Mike spoke words that chilled my spine.

  “They come first, Hazel and Ellis. They’ll always come first. If you ever risk their lives again I’ll kill you myself.”

  I forced myself to take the final two steps without looking back. I didn’t want him to see any weakness in me. I turned to my right to find the others. They were both leaning against the back bump
er, Ellis with his arm around his sister. She was visibly tired with bags under her eyes. She’d taken her long brown hair out of its ponytail and had swept it to one side. They only took notice of me when I cleared my throat.

  “Poppy,” Ellis greeted me.

  “Mike said we’re east of Olympia?” I asked.

  “Yeah. Still trying to figure out a good place to settle down for a few hours and try to figure out our next step. We need to find the most direct route to our family camp since gas is limited.”

  Hazel shrugged out of Ellis’ arm and walked to me. I was surprised when she hugged me gently.

  “Mind if I use the bed for a bit?” she asked.

  “No, of course not. Go ahead.”

  “Thanks,” she said as she walked back to the motorhome.

  “Feeling any better?” Ellis asked.

  “My head feels better.”

  “You should try to eat something. There’s crackers and jam in the kitchen cabinets. Just don’t eat too many. We need to ration.”

  “I shouldn’t. It’s your food, and if Mike sees me he’ll shit himself.”

  He stood upright and stretched. “There’s enough for now, and as far as I’m concerned you’re a part of this messed up family now. I’ll deal with Mike.”

  I was a bit taken aback by his words. My expression must have showed as much.

  “It’s not like we’re going to leave you at the side of the road,” he said.

  “Mike would.”

  “Mike can be a jerk. He’ll get over it. Just keep clear of him as much as possible.

  I looked down at my feet and nodded. I wasn’t in the mood for conversation.

  “Hazel and Mike are going to sleep for a bit. Want to ride up front with me?” he asked.

  “Sure.”

  “Let’s head back in, then,” he said.

  “Can I have a couple minutes?” I asked.

  “Yeah. Stay close to the RV, and just be quick. Please.” he added.

  He turned and walked back to the motorhome. Once he was out of sight, I walked to the edge of the gravel road. Shadows were long, and it smelled dank and lightly of decomposing plant matter. I looked up at the sky. The canopy of trees only opened enough to see directly above. The chill of morning was gone and by the feel of it the day would be hot. I found a tree that was large enough to pee behind, and quickly took care of my private needs. As I was fastening my pants, my skin turned cold and the hairs on my arms stood on end. I froze out of rudimentary fear. A twig snapped behind me, and I whipped around.

  “Hey there,” said a man wearing camouflage and a fluorescent yellow safety vest. He held a rifle at his side and wore at least two days’ worth of dirt. “That your RV?” he asked.

  “N..n..no,” I said, surprised by the man’s appearance and reluctant to answer any questions.

  “Nuh, nuh, no?” he repeated, mocking me.

  “It’s not mine.”

  “Pretty girl like you shouldn’t be out here all alone,” he said after spitting chew on the ground not far from me.

  “I’m not alone,” I said, truly grateful that it was true.

  “It sure looks like you’re alone,” he said as a creepy smile spread across his face. His teeth were yellow and his several-inch-long dark-brown-and-gray beard was glistening with spit where his chew-drool had landed. I watched in horror as he began to unbuckle his belt.

  I took a step backward until my back was against the fir tree behind me. The man sneered.

  “There’s nowhere to go, Sugar” he said quietly. “Run off into the woods? Those monsters will eat you. Best just stay put and I’ll take real good care of you,” he said with a stern look. “I’ll make you feel really good too,” he sneered.

  “Stay away,” I said, my words barely audible.

  He finished with his belt and began working at his button-fly.

  “C’mon now baby, you’ll like it,” he said.

  I cleared my throat, summoning courage. “Not likely.”

  He stepped forward, his fly now undone, and his pants pulled down toward his thighs. I didn’t try to run. I didn’t scream. Instead, I forced myself to stand tall and look him in the eyes as he came to within arm’s reach of me.

  “That’s a good girl,” he said.

  I kept my hands in fists at my side and remained silent until he reached up to touch my face.

  “You know you have a small dick, right?” I said as his palm touched my cheek.

  He instantly looked infuriated and drew his hand back, swinging it forward. His fist met my left jaw, knocking me off balance. In trying to right myself, my ankle rolled, and I went down hard, my elbow landing painfully on something sharp. The man stepped over me, looking angry and ready to seriously hurt me. I took advantage of his position and his bare genitals hanging out. I kicked upward with my uninjured foot. The impact sent him reeling, and as soon as he could draw a deep enough breath he screamed in agony. Taking advantage of his distraction, I scooted back and away from him. As I struggled to stand, Hazel grabbed me from behind and helped me upright. At the same time, Ellis walked toward the man with his pistol raised.

  “Hazel, get Mike,” he said. “Tell him to bring his gun. Keep yours handy, too.”

  I didn’t look back at Hazel but heard her walk away. I hadn’t heard either of them approach.

  The man I’d kicked in the crotch still looked pained, but he stood tall and kept a hand on the rifle at his side, his pants still down past his hips. Ellis kept his pistol aimed at the man.

  “Poppy, did this mother fucker hurt you?” Ellis asked me.

  “He punched me in the face,” I exclaimed, breathlessly. “And tried to rape me.”

  “Son of a bitch,” Ellis said under his breath. “What the fuck do you think gives you the right to put your hands on a woman?”

  “I didn’t know she was yours,” said the man.

  “She’s not mine, she’s her own person,” said Ellis with venom in his voice.

  “Understood,” the man said. “I’ll just be on my way, then.”

  “Hold it right there,” said Mike, followed by the cocking of a gun.

  The man stopped. I looked to my right to find Mike standing with his feet apart, his gun also trained on the stranger.

  “What’s going on, Ellis?” he asked.

  “He put his hands on Poppy. Knocked her in the face.”

  “That true?” asked Mike, addressing the man.

  “I didn’t mean any harm,” the man insisted.

  “Did this man touch you?” asked Mike, addressing me directly.

  “He did. He hit me and tried to force himself on me.” My heart was pounding, adrenaline pulsing through my veins.

  “Hazel go back to the RV with her,” Mike instructed.

  I didn’t move a muscle.

  “Goddammit, I said go back to the RV!” yelled Mike, causing me to flinch. I turned and took a step toward the motorhome but didn’t make it far. My ankle was twisted worse than I thought.

  “My ankle’s messed up,” I admitted.

  “Ellis, get her inside. I’ll deal with this cocksucker.”

  “Seriously. I’ll just be on my way,” said the man.

  “Shut the fuck up!” snapped Mike.

  “Put your rifle on the ground,” said Ellis, who now stood beside me.

  “Just get her inside. She doesn’t need to see this,” insisted Mike.

  “Hang onto my arm,” Ellis whispered to me.

  “What’s he going to do?” I asked.

  “Mike’s got it, don’t worry,” was all he said.

  As he helped me hobble back to the RV, we heard Mike shout “stop!” It was followed by two gunshots. I stopped, my core going numb. Ellis lifted me off the ground and hustled with me back to the RV. Mike was on our heels, and as soon as we got inside Mike engaged the lock.

  “What happened?” asked Hazel.

  “He tried to shoot me,” was all Mike said in reply.

  “We need to leave,” said Ellis as he sat me down. “The gunfire might attract others.”

  “I’ll drive,” offered Hazel.

  “Better get the fucking lead out,” exclaimed Mike, his voice traveling from the back of the vehicle.

  “What’s up?” asked Ellis.

  “There’s infected coming our way.”

  “There’s a couple in front of us, too,” said Hazel as she ducked down into the driver’s seat. “Hold on.”