Seeking Sanctuary (Walkers) (18 page)

             
“Hey, JD, I found a hallway back there that goes all the way down to the kitchen.  It runs the whole length of the fort and there's doors to all the rooms.  It's really cool, you should come look.” He finally noticed I wasn't doing so good and leaned forwards staring at me. “You okay, JD?  You don't look so good.  Maybe I should go get Joe.”

             
“No, that's okay, I'm just tired and a bit...well...tired.”  I waved him to the couch as I sat hard in the dinette chair.  This day has turned into the weirdest one I've had in sometime.  I'd almost lost count of the weird days I've had in the past, what, two years?  I took a big swig from my water bottle and looked over at Kevin.  He was sitting patiently on the couch, waiting to see what I was going to do next.  Poor kid.  I had no idea what I was going to do next, and I was the adult.

             
“You want me to go get Howard?  He's strong and everything.”  I had no idea what 'everything' meant and had no intentions of finding out.  So I shook my head, grabbed his rifle and headed into the hallway, Kevin right on my rear.  He was right about the hallway running the length of the fort.  It was like the catwalks around the top of the wall but was inclosed with a lot of windows stretching all the way to the end.  I was walking along admiring the view when Lacy jumped out of a doorway.  We both screamed at the same time, flattening ourselves against the wall.

             
“Damn, JD do you have to sneak around all the time?”

             
“I'll have you know I just found this hallway coming from my room and I was not sneaking.”

             
“I'm the one that found it JD.  You were in the bathroom.”  Kevin was all excited about finding the hallway so I'd let him take the credit.  My heart couldn't stand any more stress or so I thought until Jill stepped into the hallway too.

             
“Hey, guys, there's a hallway back here.”  She said oblivious to the fact that we already knew.  “I can't wait to tell Sarah.”  She waved and went back to her room leaving the door open for the light. 

             
“This is great, now we don't have to brave the weather to go to the dining room.  I just found the door to the second floor a few minutes ago.  It was hidden behind a big clothes closet.  Don't you think that was strange?”

             
“Yeah, and I think we need to stop the others from opening those doors until they are cleared.  No telling...”  A loud scream reverberated through the hallway, we each turned a different direction trying to locate the direction it came from.  It came again and sounded like Sarah so we headed for the end of the hallway.  The door was locked again, and while I was trying to decide what to do, Kevin ran into the back of me, nearly knocking me out with the rifle.  When did he get the rifle? I thought.  I could hear a lot of bangs and thumps coming from the other side but they were faint so I decided to go downstairs.  We tried two of the doors until we found one open then ran down the stairs into the cabin below, and bounced into the front door.  I finally go it unlocked and slung  it away and using the doorjamb I swung myself in the right direction and ran towards the dining room and smoke coming from the open doorway.

             
It was crazy inside.  Tables and chairs were laying around in various stages of destruction.  A walker completely engulfed in flames staggered around in front of the counter separating the kitchen from the dining room. Sarah was on the other side, spraying the walker with Pam to keep him lit I guess.  The blazing walker was lighting napkins on fire and Nevada throwing the napkin dispensers at the walker wasn't helping.  Suddenly remembering I had a weapon I brought it up, sighted it in and pulled the trigger.  Kevin ran for the fire extinguisher and managed to put out the fire.  The smell was unbelievable.

             
Lacy ran to the swinging doors of the kitchen, grabbed Sarah and Nevada and pulled them close.

             
“Was anyone bit?'  I asked.  But no one was paying attention to me.  Lacy started checking the two for bites, while I went around stomping napkin fires out.  Duke came flying in the door and when he saw Sarah, he ran to her, losing the ball cap that was his signature.  I picked it up before it could catch fire and went outside to get some fresh air.  I would be so glad when the guys get back. 

             
We managed to set things to right and get rid of the body.  There were little scorch marks on the floor from the napkin fires and the furniture wasn't that bad off, it had just looked like it.  When they finally returned it was nearly dark.  It took nearly all of us to get those damned heavy gates open so they could drive the trucks and trailers into the courtyard.  I let them fight the danged things closed.

             
“Damn, we need to do something about those gates.”  Mason said, as he wiped the sweat from his brow. 

             
“You'll have plenty of time to do that tomorrow.  Did you have any trouble?”  I asked.

             
“Nope, not a lick.  It was as easy as taking candy from a baby.  You do anything exciting today?”  He took my arm and we headed to the mess hall.  I contemplated about whether to tell him or let someone else.  I had it taken from my hands when Abby came running out. “You should've seen the walker Sarah set on fire.  It stunk something awful, I got to find Flynn.”  We watched her run away, then Mason frowned at me and asked, “What walker?” 

             
Crap on a cracker!

                                                        Chapter 16

              “Well...”  I started.

             
“I can't leave you alone for five minutes.”

             
“Now, wait a minute.”

             
“I mean it JD, you find more trouble to get into than anyone I know.”

             
“What do you mean 'find' more trouble.  I didn't find anything.  Well, okay, maybe the door behind the armoire...”

             
“What armoire?”

             
“The one in the cabin, our cabin.  I moved the armoire and there was a door behind it and....”

             
“You couldn't wait for me to get back to snoop?”

             
“Look, caveman, I don't have to wait for you to do anything.  I was doing just fine on my own.”  I turned to go to said cabin when he grabbed me, whirled me around and into his arms for a tight squeeze.

             
“Don't you yell at JD.  I was here to help her.  We don't need to you to protect her.”                Oh no, now what?  I could feel Mason staring at Kevin over my shoulder.  He was being thoughtful, trying to figure out how to talk to Kevin without making him any madder or hurting his feelings.  I just stood there and let him because I was well and truly pissed off.  I had no intentions of helping him out of the hole he'd just dug.  He finally loosened his hold on me which allowed me to turn in his arms to look at Kevin.  He was standing with his feet apart, fists on hips and a mad scowl on his face.  I'd never seen him look so angry and confrontational before.  He was ready to fight for me and I had no idea how to react.  Mason did.

             
“You're right, Kevin.  I shouldn't yell at JD when she is perfectly capable of handling herself.  Especially when she has you to protect her.  It's just that I love her so much that I forget all that when I hear she's been in danger.  I apologize to you both for doubting you and I thank you Kevin for being there for her.”

             
Kevin relaxed and started to smile and I knew Mason had done right.  Then the little brat nodded his head.  “Yeah, I know she can get into trouble all right.  Look at the time Mikey shot her.”  Ugh, men,  I thought and spun out of Masons arms and stomped into the dining room.  I could hear Mason and Kevin's voices outside the door so I walked to the counter and sat down.  I was growling like an old bear.  Besides it wasn't me that found the walker, it was Sarah.  I just found the door behind the damned armoire. 

             
“Please don't be mad, Brat.  I love you and don't want you to get hurt.”  He put his arms around me from behind, his chin on my shoulder.  “I had to say something to  diffuse the situation with Kevin.  It seems you have a champion and I didn't want to alienate him.  He cares about you.  I don't know sweetie, but it seems I no sooner leave you behind and something happens.  You got to admit, this happens an  awful lot.”

             
He was right.  I always get into some trouble or another when he leaves me alone.  It wasn't anyone's fault, just something that seemed to happen, a lot.  I deflated like the balloon outside.  “I know, it's just my life.”

             
“What IS that smell in here?”

             
“Oh, that's just the walker that Sarah set on fire.  Stinks doesn't it.  Maybe we should have a barbeque outside tonight.  Did you bring back  anything we could cook outside on a grill?”

             
“No. But we talked on the way back about going out to see if we could get a deer.  That would be pretty good on the grill.  You want to come?”

             
“Hell, yes!  I'll change my shoes.  I've been wanted to try those new boots we got in New Mexico.  I'll be right back.”  I jumped down from the stool and started for the door when Mason grabbed me again.  The momentum I had started spun me around and into Masons chest.  I looked up at him to cuss him out when his mouth closed over mine.  I lost track of time.  My arms closed around his neck and I melted against his body his tongue sending fire throughout my body.  Damn, that man could kiss.  I swear my toes curled.  Someone from behind us cleared their throat and I felt Masons lips move up into a grin.  He pulled back from me and his blue, blue eyes crinkled at the edges telling me how happy he was.  I sighed.  Back to the real world.

             
“Yes, Melody?”  Mason asked behind my back.  I turned in his arms and smiled at her.  She blushed, then I blushed.  Then I said, “Got boots to change into.”  Then out the door I ran.  Our camper was just inside the gates so I had to ran a ways.  I had a hell of a time finding the boots since this was actually Lacy and Randy's camper and they put things where they want them.  Mason and I used the big truck to sleep in.  Aw, there they were.  It didn't take me long to get changed so I headed for Howard's house to see if he had a rifle I could use.  I had the little sleeve gun and my crossbow but I wanted a big gun for this.  An elk would be great, I thought as I walked back to the mess hall.  I had to detour when I saw Mason in the park, pushing Sally in the swing.

             
Soon Clint, Flynn, Riley and Andy joined us and I waved bye to everyone as we exited the gate.  I waited patiently while they huffed and puffed to close it. 

             
“Seems to me if we plan to go in and out that thing we need to put a small door in the gate.  Just saying.”

             
They looked at me like I had snakes coming out my ears.  Aw, they hadn't thought of a door evidently.  I smiled really big and watched at they looked at each other, then said, “We going hunting or are ya going to stand around looking cute all day?”

             
They jumped like one of those snakes got them and we went around the corner of the fort to the woods beyond.  I trooped along beside them, so danged happy I could just sing.  I knew better cause I was really wanting that elk so I walked softly and grinned like a Cheshire cat. I found the going easy and didn't get out of breath like usual.  My asthma must be settling down and I'm glad about that.  I don't think there was an inhaler around that hadn't expired so it was a really good thing.  I'd behave though, so we wouldn't have to worry about it.

             
You smile any bigger, the light reflecting from your teeth are gonna chase all the animals away.
Mason thought.

             
I'm happy. So there.
  And stuck my tongue out at him.  Childish I knew but it made him chuckle and drew nasty looks from the others. 

             
Brat.
  He thought.  I smiled even bigger.

             
It felt like we must of walked 20 miles following a deer trail when we finally spotted the small herd of mule deer.  My heart began to race as we studied them from atop a small rise.  Using hand signals we indicated which one each would shoot and almost as one we did just that. Me, Mason, Andy, and Riley got a nice doe while Clint killed a buck.  We quickly field dressed them then unwound the plastic sleds we had packed into Clint's backpack to drag them back to the fort on.   Going back took longer so I was able to admire my surroundings.  There were eagles nests in the tops of the trees and some of them were playing in the slight breeze.  Multi-colored butterflies darted to and fro in the high grass while birds twittered to each other in the trees.  Two sand hill cranes squawked as they flew over, nearly giving Andy a heart attack while a cloud of no see-ums swarmed over head.

             
We must have taken a wrong turn because we found ourselves standing in front of a cave.  We discussed it for a few minutes then decided to come back another day.  The meat needed to be cooled soon or it would spoil. But we kept the location of the cave in our minds as we turned to go back to the fork that we'd missed the first time.  I spotted a small lake to our right and told Mason about it. Then he spotted the UFO hovering over the lake.  We stared at it for a minute then continued on our way.  Nothing we could do about it, so why waste time and energy staring at it.   We decided we would check the lake out later.  A mess of fish would be great. After we got back to the right path, Mason marked it with two or three rocks stacked together so we wouldn't miss it the next time.  It was getting late in the afternoon when we finally saw the fort and by the time we got to the gates, I was as hot and sweaty as the guys. 

             
Everyone descended upon us with a lot excitement.  Sarah and Lacy took over the meat detail while the rest of us went to our cabins to clean up.  Abby and Nevada helped keep the kids rounded up while Melody and Mercy fixed up stuff to go with the meal.  Howard was getting the grills ready.  We needed several to cook all the meat and Howard was busy making like a chef, his big overalls and black felt cowboy hat jumping back and forth between the grills.

             
Randy and Duke went to Hazels to see if she wanted to eat with us while chairs and small tables were brought out so we could relax in style.  It was a good day.  No one had seen any ghosts and we'd killed one walker and several deer.  Yep a good day for sure. Of course, the day wasn't over yet and anything could happen and it usually did but I was being optimistic.  I couldn't help it.  Deer steaks were on the grill and the smell was pure heaven.

             
“They're back.”  Andy yelled from the catwalk near the front of the fort.  Nevada got a chair and put a cushion in it, then hung a small blanket over the back for Hazel.  She'd quickly became our favorite person and more so for Duke and Nevada.  I'm not sure why but she was likeable even if she was a bit rough around the edges.  Hazel had a crowd of kids around her as they escorted her to her chair.

             
The deer was wonderful, the company better.  We were sitting around the compound watching the children play when I heard a trail whistle.

             
“What's that?”  I asked and immediately everyone glared at me.  I realized I had parroted Mandy's saying but it was out and there was nothing I could do about it.  I shrugged then repeated it, “Well, what is that?”

             
“Sounds like a train whistle but I can't tell from which direction.  It seems to be bouncing all over the valley.”  Flynn said, as Randy ran to the catwalk with his binoculars.

             
“The train tracks run from Whitefish to Libby but has to go north then back south because of the mountains.  I think, however, we aren't more than about two miles south of them.”  Hazel said.  “Someone should tell them to stop blowing that horn or every walker in the area will be on them like ugly on an ape.”  As she drank her tea, the rest of us just stared at each other.  Where does she come up with that stuff?

             
“I'll get my helicopter if someone wants to write a short note I can fly it to the train and tell them to shut up.”  Duke said, then he was gone.  He'd picked up the remote controlled helicopter in New Mexico and installed a small camera on the bottom of it so we could see 'around corners' as he put it.  I didn't know the radius but I guess we're about to find out.

             
I grabbed a napkin off the table and wrote, 'stop blowing the horn, walkers are drawn to the noise, be quiet and someone will come for you.  Write a note back to let us know how many of you there are' and signed it Fort Majestic.  I folded the napkin and was ready when Duke and Mandy came out with the helicopter.  I think it was called a Chinook cause it was long like a bus and grayish brown.  It had a small compartment inside so I placed the napkin there.  When all was ready, Clint held it up in the air while Duke ran the controls.  Mandy came back out with a laptop and we watched as it flew between trees and over meadows in the general direction Hazel had pointed out.  At some points I got dizzy as it zig-zagged through the valleys to the train. 

             
We found the tracks first.  We weren't sure which way to go from there so we turned right.  After watching the train ties zip by at an amazing speed, I turned away and caught Hazel watching me.  “I can't stand it either,” she said and smiled. 

             
“So where's Baby?”  I asked as Duke made weird noises as he flew the copter. 

             
“Oh, he decided he would guard the house.  He does that so well, don't you think?” 

             
“Yes, I think he makes a wonderful guard.  I can't imagine what else he could do.”

             
“Oh, well, he makes a great companion.  I don't know what I would have done without him to talk to.  At first he got excited every time one of the walkers would make a noise, then I'd have to quiet him.  It was a hell of time there for a while.”  I saw Flynn over her shoulder mouth, 'what a mouth'.  I tried not to grin since she smacked him on the head for cussing a few days beforehand.  She became interested in the laptop so I looked also.

             
The helicopter was coming upon the train.  I had no idea where he was going to land the thing since there were only a caboose and two train cars attached to the engine.  Duke hovered above the front windshield of the engine until the fool saw the copter and stopped blaring the damned horn.  We saw several walkers on the steps and outside the door so he wouldn't be able to get to the helicopter.  He pointed to his right and when Duke flew that direction we saw a window that had been slid open.  It looked like it would be wide enough to fly the helicopter inside, so Duke very carefully maneuvered the helicopter through the window and set it gently in the man's hands.  He just stared at it for a moment then held it up and stared at the camera.  His nose hair needed trimmed. I looked away.