The Living Dead Boy (The Living Dead Boy #1)(16)

There were audible gasps, and Zoey started to loudly sob again.

Jamie continued: “Houston and Austin are overrun. Dallas and Fort Worth are being evacuated. There’s a massive airlift at DFW, but things are not looking too good right now for those cities. The Army unit that has been traveling with us has been recalled to the Battle of San Antonio. There’s a real shot at reclaiming that city from the zombies.”

Panic seized Josh, and he found it hard to breathe. The rest of the passengers reacted immediately with gasps and panicked sobs.

Several started yelling.

“They can’t abandon us!”

“You can’t let them do this!”

The voices overlapped with each other.

“Pardon me, Sergeant Rondell, but who will protect us?” Rachel asked, clearly frightened.

“The departing unit has provided us with as much weaponry as they can spare to protect ourselves until we meet up with the National Guard outside of San Angelo. I have a detailed plan on how to get us there, and I need all of you to listen carefully to my directions. This is the only way we all survive to a safe zone.”

Complaints filled the air. The anger and hostility in the tone of some of the passengers surprised Josh. Others tried to shush the complainers. Josh noticed that most of the people on the bus seemed willing to do whatever was asked of them, but the smaller group of disgruntled people in the back was the loudest.

Troy covered his ears to block out the noise. Drake and Oscar burst into frightened tears. Corina tried to calm them, but her expression was one of despair. Yessica remained under her seat with her arms over her head.

Sam looked around in confusion. “Why are you people being so dumb? He’s going to rescue us!”

Savannah turned about in her seat and shouted, “Listen to Sergeant Rondell and stop complaining! It’s obvious he’s trying to save all of us!”

“I need your attention. Now!” Jamie said in a tone Josh hardly ever heard. It was the voice of a man in command. “If you want to survive, I need you to pay attention to what I have to say!”

The clamoring voices tapered off.

“I know you’re scared, but we’re not defenseless.” Jamie gripped the poles on either side of him and stared at each face on the bus one by one. The quiet grew. “The Army is leaving, but we still have many capable people who will keep this convoy safe. Men and women that are willing to step up and put their lives on the line to protect you.”

“What about food for the kids? And going to the bathroom?” Savannah asked. “We can’t keep going like this.”

Jamie nodded. “We got that covered, too. We’re ten miles from a truck stop. The area has been secured by the county sheriff department and the highway patrol. We’re going to gas up and get supplies. As each vehicle is refueled, the passengers will to go inside, use the facilities and grab two drinks and two items to eat. Don’t worry about paying. Just get your business done and grab supplies. Do not dawdle.”

Josh bristled a little, feeling his father’s gaze on him. He had no intention of dragging his heels like he usually did on trips. His bladder was about to explode and he was dying of thirst and hunger.

“Once the convoy is refueled, we are heading to San Angelo, where there is a massive airlift underway. There are some areas of high infection along the route. We will keep moving at all times. We won’t be slowing down. We’re not taking on new passengers. We’ve got to get as far away from the cities as we can.” Jamie crossed his arms and stared at those in the back. “I’ve heard the complaints about being stuck on the bus with the kids. I’ve arranged for the children on the other buses without chaperones to be moved to this one, along with a few of the elderly and disabled. Those of you who want to move will be escorted now to one of the other buses. I’d like a few volunteers to help with the kids. I got three teachers on the other bus ready to assist with taking care of them.”

“I’ll stay,” Savannah said swiftly.

Rachel lifted her hand. “I can try to help. Bonnie is good with children.”

“Mama?” Oscar called out.

“I’m staying here with you and the other kids, Oscar,” Melissa replied.

Joe, the other bus driver, eased into the aisle to move to the front. “I’m sticking with this bus until we get to the safe zone.”

“Same here. I’m not leaving.” Derrick looked toward Rachel in that special way people do when they like someone. Josh wondered if it was the same expression he wore when he gazed at Corina.

Staring at the adults gathering their few possessions, Jamie said nothing. It was clear most in the back were ready to abandon the bus.

“They expect us to die,” Troy muttered.

“Yeah. They think we’re dumb kids.” Josh didn’t like the ugly feeling he had in his chest. He wanted to prove the adults wrong.

Outside, Ron knocked on the rear door. Behind him were a police officer and a man dressed in hunting gear.

“Open the doors, Derrick. Their escort is here,” Jamie instructed.

The rear doors yawned open, and Ron stepped inside. “Okay, everyone coming with me get out here. We gotta move fast.”

Zoey leaped from her seat, bounded down the stairs, and slammed into Ron, knocking him off his feet. They sprawled onto the shoulder of the road.