The Deepest Red (40 page)

“Well, I best be getting a thicker jacket.”

Bryan turns and vanishes into the old church, reappearing minutes later with a hiker’s backpack and wool coat.

“Nice,” I say with a smile. Bryan gives me a cheerful wink.

“You don’t hike here all the way from Newnan and not pick up a few gifts along the way,” he says.

We walk for hours in the morning sun, making good time. I stay in the middle of our group, my weapons at the ready. I carry a supply bag strapped to my back and a water canteen attached to it. My hair is braided and neatly hidden inside my beret leaving my neck bare. I shiver from the cold breeze and tighten my grip on my crimson axe. We continue our hike across the rolling fields. The cleared pathway once having been used as a road, now only has small sections of pavement remaining.

It isn’t until after our first rest that we discover an infected. The decayed corpse is an overweight man, his exposed belly sliced left to right. Dark brown stains cover his jeans.

“Just a little closer,” Jay says, aiming his bow and arrow.

The man unsteadily hobbles toward us, arms reaching. The arrow is quick to strike into the creature’s forehead, stunning him momentarily. I follow swiftly behind Jay as he retrieves his arrow slicing the decomposing head complete off.

“I’d almost forgotten how horrible these things are, almost,” I say, staring down at it’s non existent lips and cheeks.

“Or how they smell,” Jay comments, wiping off his blade.

We decide to make camp underneath a water tower. I secure my weapons and scale the metal fence that encircles the structure. Landing gracefully on the ground, I give a little laugh. The training with Connor and Clover over the past month and a half did wonders for my balance. We make camp setting up one tent. I take note of the fact it’s five other guys and one girl on this mission. I begin to arrange rocks in a circle for our fire. Bryan hands me some sticks and dead leaves he gathered from outside the fence.

“You aren't going to freak out about me sleeping inside a tent with a bunch of guys?” I ask.       

“I’m afraid I don’t have a Bible verse for you in this situation.”

He hands me a few thick branches.

“Well, that’s a shame. I’m rather fond of your verses,” I say, snapping one of the longer pieces of wood in half.

He smiles.

“Just know I brought my sleeping bag and will be out by the fire.”

I shake my head smiling.

“Of course,” I say.

Suddenly, an infected woman slams her body up against the surrounding fence. Her skin sags off of her face, her mouth chomping at the metal.  Jay jams the pointed end of his arrow into her eye socket holding her in place. Daniel who is already outside the water tower's border takes his knife and in one motion detaches her head. The body drops as he slings her head into the heavy woods. He swiftly climbs the fence throwing himself over and landing in a roll.

“No more leaving the protected area,” he says as he stands, dusting himself off.

Carter stares at the dismantled body as he unfolds his arms from his chest. The wood in Bryan’s hand shakes.

“Why don’t you put that down and get settled,” I say and remove the stick from his hand. “The fence will keep us safe.”

Bryan tears his gaze away from the infected’s body.

“If you appear too comfy I might be stealing your sleeping bag while you’re on watch tonight,” I joke.

“Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth. Ephesians verse 4, chapter 28.”

I smile helping him place the needed firewood and timber on the ground. As he walks away I call out.

“Could’ve just said, Thou shalt not steal.”

He turns to me, his feature a little more relaxed.

“That would’ve been too easy.”

I snort.

When night finally arrives, we take turns keeping guard and remain quiet. Bryan gives up his sleeping bag to spare me from sleeping so closely with the other guys. I’m grateful. The night goes by uneventful. I take my turn scanning the surrounding trees and lean back against the cool surface of the tower’s support beams. The sky is clear giving a wonderful view of all the stars. I catch myself wondering about Connor and if he is looking up at the same sky. I berate myself for acting like a hopeless romantic. I had read many stories involving romance and after learning about my father and mother, I needed to come to terms with the fact that those kinds of romantic tales no longer exist, not in this world, anyway. I retrieve Old Tom’s pocket knife from my belt. My finger runs along the engraved picture of a centipede.

“Sometimes, I don’t believe he’s gone,” Lonnie says from above me.

He sits and leans up against the other side of the tower’s support beam.

“You know, him and Elizabeth were a thing.” He turns to look up at the sky. “They just never broadcasted the news to everyone.”

“I figured. I’m guessing she told you,” I say and hesitate before throwing a piece of kindling into the fire.

“About them?” He’s quiet for a moment. “Yeah, among other things,” he replies. “I don’t know what the letter said but I know she gave it to you.”

Silence stretches out between us.

“I don’t want to talk about the letter,” I say.

He shifts.

“I get that.”

He lets the subject drop and draws closer to the warmth of the flames.

“You know I know things myself,” I say.

Lonnie tilts his head, holding my gaze.

“Do you now?” he asks.

A slight smile lifts the edges of his mouth.

“I like Evie,” I say causally.

He gives me a surprised expression but quickly tries to disguise it.

“Who all knows?” He questions.

“Me and Connor,” I admit.

“Good,” he says.

Another long moment passed between us.

“You know I think Connor is a dick, right?” he remarks.

I stifle a laugh.

“Yeah.”

Lonnie studies the night sky again.

“But I’m glad he’s around. I’m glad he’s here for you.”

I gaze at the moon letting once again my thoughts drift to Connor.

“Wait here a sec,” Lonnie says and stands.

“Where do you think I’ll go?” I say, sarcastically.

A few minutes later he returns with Jay. I recognize the sleepiness in Jay’s face as he sits down in a huff.

“Follow me,” Lonnie orders, motioning toward the ladder.

I shake my head and ask, “Are you stupid?”

His gaze stays on me, amusement shining in his eyes.

“All you have to do is climb a ladder. If you can’t do that then we need to rethink your training.”

He begins to ascend up. I take a deep breath, calming my nerves.

“Well, Jay it’s been nice knowing you,” I say to the hunched over back.

He grunts in response as I follow behind Lonnie.

“We should’ve tied a rope to each other,” I remark, attempting not to peek at the distant ground.

“Wow, that would’ve been an excellent idea.” He pauses, “We’ll do that next time.”

The wind picks up the higher we go. My grip tightens firmly with each metal rod I clasp. When we finally reach the top I have to hold on to the railings to keep my legs from shaking. The cold crisp air whips across my face, stinging my cheeks.

“Is there a reason why we decided to die young?” I ask, looking out into the darkness.

“I thought you might enjoy something so freeing.” He closes his eyes, lifting his arms above his shoulders. “Try it,” he says.

I imitate his movements, peaking over to him from under my lashes. He doesn’t move. An adrenaline rush ignites as I feel the wind thrashing around my body. I smile.

“If anyone saw us right now they would laugh,” I say.

Wiggling my outstretched fingers, I breath in deep.

“Shut up,” he clips bluntly.

We stand together arms wide enjoying the fantasy of flying and each other’s company. My thoughts turn to Connor and the wish that he could somehow be here to share in this moment. I open my eyes to scan the distance horizon, a flicker of color catching my attention.

“What’s that?” I ask.

Lowering my arms, I walk unsteadily to Lonnie. He’s suddenly alert.

“What?” he questions, searching the darkness.

“That.”

I point out beside him to speckles of light. They’re like small beacons in the remote landscape.

“Bonfires, a lot of them,” Lonnie calls out above the wind.

“How far away would you say they are from the prison?” I ask, not being able to recognize anything familiar.

“Not sure maybe only a few miles.”

“Do you think that is-” my words fail me.

“Yeah, I do,” Lonnie says.

Everyone knew about the cult due to Connor’s interrogation when they arrived at the prison. My eyes close again but this time it isn’t to enjoy a freeing sensation. The image of the masked man resurfaces. Sweat breaks out across my forehead. I hadn’t forgotten about the mysterious cult; I’d just hoped I was wrong and would never have to see those crow faces in person.

“This is bad,” I comment. “This is very bad.”

Lonnie nods his head still staring out into the distance.

“We need to keep alert. There could be more of them near Barnesville.”

“We’re about to head into the worst area of the infected according to Connor’s map. Let’s hope they figured out how dangerous it is and will stay away,” I reply.

Lonnie’s hands release the rusty railing.

“We need to tell the others.” His eyes beam into mine, a countenance of determination on his face. “This is going to have to be the fastest trip to Barnesville we’ve ever made.”

              We pack up camp in the early morning hours before the sun rises, everyone moving as quickly as possible. After giving the group another two hours of sleep, it hadn’t took long for Lonnie to explain the situation and for their reactions. Carter’s face is troubled as he leaves the safety of the small fenced in area. We walk in pairs down the broken road, my butterfly axe weighing heavy in my hand.

“Should we be going this way?” Carter questions after an hour of walking. “I mean, if this cult has a map like ours then they know about this road.”

Jay who is leading the way with Lonnie beside him, turns and glares at Carter.

“This is the most direct route without a large horde of infected. In another hour we’ll be at the airplane and after we’ll walk all through the night to get home,” he says.

“Why go at all?” Carter says incredulity.

“Coward,” Jay mumbles under his breath.

Carter having heard the insult, loudly protests, “I’m not a coward.” I watch as his back tenses. “I just don’t see the point in putting ourselves in danger.” 

Jay shakes his head in irritation.

“It’s our job. We were in danger before the cult and we will be at risk until all the infected are gone,” I say, searching the surrounding trees.

“You might as well get used to your life being in peril,” Bryan speaks up from beside me. “Fear not, for I’m with you; be not dismayed, for I’m your God; I’ll strengthen you, I’ll help you, I’ll uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

“Amen,” I finish.

Bryan chuckles, “Amen.”

“Preacher needs to give it a rest,” Daniel says.

“Watch it,” I sneer at the back of his head.

He continues to walk in front of me, unfazed. After a long awkward moment, Bryan snickers. I glance at him curiously.

“What?” he replies. “That’s pretty funny coming from a guy named Daniel.”

I vaguely remember the story of Daniel in the Lion’s Den that Dad had read to me when I was little.

“I wouldn’t know,” I say, turning away.

“You’ve never read the Bible?” he ask, his eyes widening.

“Not all. I couldn’t understand the language it was written so I never finished.”

Bryan nods his head in understanding, “I’ll find you a copy a little easier to read.”

We fall back into silence as we continue to be on guard. Every time my attention falters, Connor’s voice scolds me in my head, telling me to stay focus. We walk past many dilapidated homes. Some are rotten with gaping holes in their roofs, others are marked with red slashes. An odd sensation creeps across my chest. I feel eyes on me. My walking slows until I’m standing still. Bryan stops by my side.

“What is it?” he asks, turning the guys ahead of us around.

“Something isn’t right,” I reply, looking around the battered homes.

I hear the crunching of leaves. I’m not the only one experiencing the crisp fear because Lonnie appears ahead, sniffing the air.

“Come on. There’s a barn,” he says.

Without any questions, we all run full speed to a rickety structure. We enter easily, closing the single door behind us. Carter is loud as he tries to catch his breath. He bends over breathing through his nose and out through his mouth.  Jay stares at him coldly.