The Living Dead Boy (The Living Dead Boy #1)(14)

Troy looked close to crying at being included.

“Okay, Dad,” Josh replied, again feeling helpless.

Jamie took the time to move to Corina’s seat and kiss Drake. “I’ll be back, little man.”

“I’m the baby.”

“Okay. I’ll be back, little baby.” Jamie lightly patted Corina’s cheek. “Thank you for taking care of him.”

“It’s okay, Mr. Rondell. I don’t mind helping,” she replied.

“Sir?” the soldier called out.

“I’m coming.”

Jamie briskly descended the steps, and Derrick shut the door behind him.

Josh and Troy flattened their faces against the window to see what was happening. Jamie walked into the mist with the soldiers and vanished.





Chapter 9


For about fifteen minutes after Jamie Rondell departed, the passengers debated among themselves about what might be happening with Jamie and the soldiers before they finally lapsed into nervous silence. It was a relief when the heated discussion stopped. Josh was tired of all the complaining. Every time one of the adults got upset, it only made him feel more helpless and scared.

Nose mashed to the glass, Josh strained to see. He could make out some figures moving a few vehicles ahead, but wasn’t sure if his father was among them.

Drake lifted his tear-stained face and declared, “I’m hungry.”

“I’ve got half a protein bar left. I’ll get it, Drake.” Savannah hurried to reclaim her bag from under the seat. After a second, her head popped back up. “My bag is gone. Has anyone seen it?

An uncomfortable quiet was the only answer.

“I’ll look for it!” Yessica offered, and promptly started to crawl on the floor.

“No, honey. Get up. The floor is dirty.” Savannah stretched out her hands to help the girl up.

“It’s okay! I can see under the seats,” Yessica answered.

Blowing her messy bangs out of her eyes, Savannah said, “Okay. I guess we’re all dirty anyway.”

An uncomfortable silence filled the bus as Savannah looked for her bag with Yessica.

Corina leaned forward and whispered, “This isn’t good.”

“Yeah, if someone took it...” Josh faltered realizing there was nothing he could do to set a wrong right. He was just a kid. The adults would have to deal with the thief.

Though Savannah kept her lips tightly pressed together, it was clear she believed someone had taken it. Most of the passengers avoided looking at her.

“Found it.” Yessica grabbed the battered bag from the floor near the rear door.

“Thanks, honey.” Savannah took it and hurried to where Drake was still sniffling. The bag was already unzipped and she stared into it with a furious look on her face. “Which one of you as–” she cut the word off, shot a look at the kids around her, and took a breath. “Which one of you selfish jerks stole the protein bar I had in here?”

“If you had food, you should’ve shared it,” Ron said in a surly voice. He had yet to return to his seat.

“I was sharing. With the children.” Savannah tossed the bag down. “Whoever stole that protein bar took food out of the mouth of a child.” With a frustrated sound, she sat across from Corina. She ran a shaking hand across her eyes to wipe away angry tears.

“I’m hungry, Sanah,” Drake whined.

“I know, baby. I’ll find you food. Somehow,” Savannah vowed.

Maybe too tired to keep wailing, Drake sobbed softly while sucking on his fingers. Corina rested her head against the window, her breath steaming the glass. She looked tired and defeated.

“That was low,” Troy whispered. “Stealing.”

“Yeah, but not everyone is nice like Savannah.”

“Josh, I don’t like how this feels. I felt safer in the treehouse.” Troy sighed. “We had food, water, and the zombies couldn’t get us.”

“I know, but we’d eventually have run out of food and water. This is where we need to be. The convoy will get us to a FEMA camp and it’ll be okay.”

“You really think so?”

Josh hesitated before answering, carefully pondering if he did believe the words he said. “Yeah. I do.”

The doors to the bus opened and Jamie stepped on board with a different soldier at his back. “Listen up. I need anyone with military, law enforcement, and security experience to come with me. ROTC in high school and college is fine, too.”

“Why? What’s going on?” Ron demanded.

“We’re organizing our defenses,” Jamie answered.

“But what about the soldiers?” Rachel asked, yawning as she straightened in her seat.

“They’re helping organize us,” Jamie answered.

Josh detected the evasive tone his father used when he didn’t want to give a complete answer. He shot an alarmed look at Troy, but his friend didn’t seem to notice and watched the scene in front of him with interest.

Jamie continued: “As far as I know I’m the only one armed with a firearm on this bus, right?”

Silence was his answer.

“If you know how to handle a gun safely,” Jamie looked at Josh, who was already perking up in his seat, “and are an adult, then I need you, too.”