The First Days (As the World Dies #1)(13)

A few miles down the road they saw two vehicles pulled over onto the shoulder. Bodies surrounded both of the cars. Young and old were strewn about, bullet holes torn through them. A few had obviously run for it, but hadn't made it to safety. As the white truck passed the tragic scene, Jenni recognized the girl from the convenience store still in her gas station smock.

Half her head had been blown away.

Katie didn't say a word as she turned onto an even narrower back road.

"I guess," Jenni said after a moment, "one of them was bitten."





Chapter 3





1. The Truth of Things Yet to Come





Katie was tired of the sun blazing through the windshield and the steady hum of the road. It was nearly one o'clock in the afternoon and they had been slowly winding deeper into the Texas wilds.

Some of the roads were so narrow that two cars passing would have to hug the shoulder and slow down considerably. Herds of cows, peach groves, and empty fields were all they saw for miles. Occasionally there was a house in the distance, but they didn't even consider trying to pull off the road. Out in the country, people were barricading themselves in as the cities went to hell.

"What do you think is going on?" Jenni's voice sounded raw.

To preserve their gas the best they could, they had finally turned off the air conditioner. The wind blowing through the cab was warm, not hot, but the dust caught in their noses and throats.

"Where?"

"Out there? Austin, Houston, Fort Worth…" Jenni asked.

Katie thought about the morning and all that had happened to them. "It was spreading so fast, I don't think it’s going too well. Maybe the army can get a handle on it. I don't know. I know yesterday there was that commuter plane crash in Chicago they were blaming on someone going crazy and attacking everyone and a race riot in Philadelphia. But now I have to wonder."

"I didn't see the news. The kids were watching Disney movies when Lloyd got back. Some bum bit him on the hand when Lloyd had rolled down the window to hand him some coins." Jenni laughed. "He was such an * to his family, but always generous to everyone else."

"He used to hurt you, didn't he?"

Katie's voice was gentle, but she knew her words stung.

"Better me than the boys," Jenni admitted.

"I got into the habit of not listening to the news until I got to work.

Lydia and I had a strict policy of making our mornings as peaceful as possible. It made the rest of the day just easier if we could relax, drink coffee, have breakfast, watch the sun come up…” Katie faltered as the tranquil memories of the morning came back to her.

Lydia had been wearing a long, dark dress with stylish ethnic jewelry around her neck and wrists. Her short, spunky hairdo had looked rather retro and cute. They had spoken about their weekend plans and Lydia's plans for the summer garden. It had been a lovely morning. She could still remember how cool and soft Lydia's hand had been in hers when they had kissed one last time before the world had fallen into chaos.

Jenni's hand on her wrist brought her out of her reverie and she could feel tears on her cheeks.

"Maybe if we had paid attention to the news," Katie said with a slight sob in her voice.

"There is a lot of bad stuff in the world. Sometimes it was just better to shut it out."

Katie nodded briskly and tried to pull herself together. She had to concentrate on the here and now and get them to a safe place. Where that was, she wasn't sure, but they had to keep moving.

As the truck sped around a curve in the road an old station wagon came into view. A middle-aged man, wiry and sunburned, stood next to it waving desperately. Katie automatically began to slow down and Jenni gripped her arm hard.

"Maybe we shouldn't stop," Jenni said fearfully.

Katie considered her words, then shook her head. "If we can save someone, we should." She slowed the truck down to a stop and listened to the hot engine tick and rumble.

The man walked briskly over to them and gripped the edge of the window frame with trembling hands. "Good thing you gals came along. My wife isn't doing so hot. We broke down about two hours ago."

"What's wrong with your wife?" Katie asked though she knew the answer.

"Got some crazy shit going down on the highway. People grabbing other people out of cars and doing all sorts of just-” He shook his head. "I can't even explain it. It was just insane. Wife had her window down and some little kid bit her arm. I didn't think it was that bad, but she's not doing too good right now. I was heading back home, avoiding the highway, when we broke down. Now I think she needs a doctor."

Katie sighed softly. The man had a very earnest face and kind eyes. His skin was weathered from the Texan sun and beads of sweet trailed down his long nose. For a moment, she just wanted to hug him and comfort him, but he wouldn't understand. He didn't understand. Not yet.

The passenger door creaked open and Jenni slipped out. Jack started to follow, but she shut the door on him and he woofed at her.

"Lady, we need your help bad," the man said, obviously unnerved by Katie's silence.

"There isn't any help for her," Katie said finally. "Anyone bit is…doomed."

"What the hell are you talking about?"