~Zombie Land~

Chapter 39- Inner Teenagers
​

Chicago woke up the next morning facedown on top of Tallahassee. Her cheek was pressed against the middle of his chest and one of his hands was resting against the small of her back. She raised her head trying to figure out what was going on. They were on the couch in the den and by the amount of sunlight streaming in through the windows it was getting late in the morning. She rubbed her eyes hearing the television in the next room over.

Chicago's movement disturbed Tallahassee enough to make him open his eyes. Her head was pounding and she tried to remember how many beers she had downed. "What time is it?" he groaned taking a deep breath that lifted her a couple inches. She found the clock on the wall despite her blurry vision.

"Almost ten," she replied.

"Too early babe, go back to sleep," he sighed closing his eyes again. Before she could say anything he was asleep again. Envying his ability to sleep like a log anywhere anytime she rested her head against his warm bare skin again. The steady thump of his heart accompanied by the muted whoosh of his breathing was strong in her ear.

She closed her eyes listening and feeling because to see was too painful. She curled her toes plying with the fraying hem of her jeans as the smell of hot tub water became apparent. Her hair was stiff and messy from not being washed. She was wearing Tallahassee's t-shirt, but it was pushed up plenty far exposing her back and stomach.

Dozing on and off Chicago relaxed feeling safe in this house in his arms. She tried to replay the events of the previous night, but it was pretty smeared. She remembered Columbus walking in, and lots of drinking, and awkwardness as they attempted to get out in a semi graceful manner. She smiled to herself as she realized that she didn't regret anything though. She loved this man in a way that was completely different than any other sort of love she had ever felt. Not to say stronger, but it was just different, probably because he was so different.

She snapped awake again when she heard dishes clatter in the kitchen. He drew another deep breath prompting her to raise up again. "Boy we really tied one on didn't we?" he sighed. She smiled.

"Good morning to you too," she said. He closed his eyes moving his hand up her back. "I should get up," she yawned.

"Why?" he mumbled.

"Because we're lying on the couch together and you're half naked," she laughed.

"So?" he smiled. She rolled her eyes.

"You know we need to stop this bullshit," she said shaking her head. He gave a very lost look. "Sleeping together, drinking, kissing, this is bull that's going to make life difficult for everyone," she sighed.

"Oh really?" he asked sounding bored.

"Yeah, and what will the others think?" she added framing up her biggest concern.

"Do I look like I give a fuck what they think?" he replied easily. She laughed.

"Okay, no," she smiled. He chuckled.

"In fact, I'd prefer to have the old man thinking we're banging, just because it seems to bug him," Tallahassee said. Chicago blushed.

"But we're not," she added cautiously.

"Oh no of course not," he said playing the gentleman. She sighed resting her head against his chest again and he ran his hand through her hair. "Anyway, it's not like we've been overly discreet with what we're doing," he smiled. She looked up and narrowed her eyes.

"What are we doing?" she asked with a sly smile.

"We're living it up because we could die tomorrow," he shrugged with a carefree smile.

"Really?" she asked.

"Well yeah, we have just survived the zombie apocalypse, I refuse to play by any rules but my own at this point," he smiled.

"Not even mine?" she asked innocently. He shifted his jaw.

"I don't know," he drew the words out. "If I like them," he shrugged.

"Rule one: no rules," she laughed.

"We'll play it your way," he smiled. She giggled feeling like a teenager again.

"And when one of us gets eaten?" she asked light heartedly.

"Easy, we don't let that happen. Chicago I am very intent on having fun right up until the second I stop breathing. You can plan ahead if you want, but I think it's more fun to just see where life takes us," he smiled charmingly. Chicago laughed out loud. Yes, they were definitely teenagers again. She gave a crooked smiled and slithered up so she could kiss him.

"We'll deal with all the shit life throws at us one day at a time huh?" she asked as he begged for more.

"Now, you're talking," he nodded pulling her close again. Chicago drug her nails across his chest lightly and his hand snuck lower and lower down her back. She didn't care because she was too busy exploring the inside of his mouth. Her heart was pounding out of her chest as his hands started working their way under her clothes.

When the door connecting to the family room opened Chicago almost screamed. Tallahassee took his hands off of her like she was a hot stove. Realizing there was absolutely no way to cover up what they had been caught doing she sat up pretty much straddling him and didn't even attempt to smooth it over.

Columbus was in the doorway looking amused. "If you two are done, we got a problem," he said smiling still. Chicago brushed her hair back out of her face trying to get under control again

"Okay, before you start hitting me with problems, coffee," she said breathlessly as she got up less than gracefully and headed for the kitchen. Tallahassee sighed more than disappointed,

"Who's the cockblock now spit fuck?" he asked annoyed.

"Hey, you want privacy lock the door," Columbus laughed remembering what one of his collage buddies had said. Tallahassee growled sitting up.

They entered the kitchen just in time to see Chicago throw the coffee pot across the room where it shattered against the wall. "Powers out?" she snapped.

"Yeah that's the problem," Columbus said putting his hands in his pocket. Tallahassee was in no mood to deal with little problems like this one so he moseyed over to the fridge and found a diet coke. Chicago rubbed her temples. "About five minutes ago. The grid must finally be dead," he shrugged.

Tallahassee sat down at the table. "What if we get a 'genny'," Chicago suggested.

"I already thought about it, problem is where are we going to get one?" Columbus asked.

"They are all over the place. When the plague hit everyone rushed and fought to get one," she sighed.

"But that means searching multiple private homes," he shook his head.

"Like that's a problem," Tallahassee laughed.

"Well option two will be moving on, and option three is doing without," Chicago shrugged trying to work the problem.

"Nah, nah, nah," Tallahassee said raising his hand in objection. "If we take the risk of staying in one place it's got to have electricity," he said firmly.

"I second that," Wichita said entering the room. "It's not the fuses," she added. Everyone sighed collectively and were silent.

"Where are the other?" Chicago asked finally.

"Mom and Little Rock are working a puzzle and I don't give a fuck where dad is," Columbus replied.

"Whoa," Tallahassee said not realizing Columbus could be set off so easily.

"I know," Columbus replied pacing. Chicago couldn't help but laugh.

"So we get a 'genny' and life goes on agreed?" Tallahassee asked.

"Seems to make sense," Wichita replied. Columbus was about to speak again when a clatter came from outside. All of them rushed out onto the patio to see what was happening. Dad had slipped on the beer bottles that littered the entire deck and floated in both the pool and hot tub. Chicago laughed understanding why her head was pounding so much. He yelled angrily scrambling to get back up. Tallahassee was doubled over in laughter and Wichita was snickering a little.

Columbus moved forward and offered his hand to his father, who took it reluctantly. When he was back on his feet he approached Chicago and Tallahassee who had only just regained control. "Are you two hooligans going to clean all this mess up?" he demanded.

"No, pops, we aren't!" Tallahassee said trying not to laugh.

"Look, you and your little slut cannot just run amuck like this!" Dad shouted angrily. It was a poor choice of words and Tallahassee wasn't going to stand for insults like that. Chicago sensed what was going to happen and looped her arm through Tallahassee's just in time. He lifted her off the ground as he started to swing, but her intervention had stopped.

"Just walk away! Walk away babe," Chicago said putting herself between Tallahassee and Dad. He was grinding his teeth but did as she said still fuming mad. Chicago turned around intent on protecting her own honor.

"Pretty harsh words," she said coolly. He kept a stony face. "Especially for a man whose son looks nothing like him," she smiled. His jaw dropped. Chicago winked at Columbus who only gave a crooked smile.

"What are you saying?" he snapped.

"I was just saying, are you sure he's yours?" she asked raising her eyebrows. He looked like he wanted to hit her. "Okay, now that that's squared away, lets examine the hooligan remark. I do not think that drinking while we were naked in your hot tub constitutes us being hooligans," she said. His jaw dropped again and he looked truly repulsed. "However," she said holding up her index fingers, "I do think that a hooligan would do this." She shoved him in the chest knocking him back into the pool. He resurfaced floundering around and looking completely shocked. "Am I correct?" she asked bending over the pool.

Chicago tuned her back and looked very satisfied. Tallahassee was laughing again and Wichita had covered her face with her hands. Columbus just shook his head. Unable to walk away Chicago turned back. "Oh, and one more thing," she said. "We are only tolerating you okay? In an emergency situation I will trip you so we can get away," she smiled. He looked a little shaken by the last statement. "Get Little Rock, and let's load up," Chicago said suddenly feeling a burst of energy.

"Yeah, lets go get our 'genny'," Tallahassee smiled as they all left dad in to pool.

 

Chapter 40- Stranger Danger ​

Chicago was the first to admit it had been a bad idea. 'Lets draw 'em out with this,' Tallahassee had said. No one objected because no one with any common sense was present. Columbus and Wichita had made their way into the house next door while Little Rock, Tallahassee and Chicago debated on how to search their own.

He lit the firework that they had found in the house before. It was just a little fountain and he'd used road flares to draw zombies before, so it wasn't going to be a big deal. Chicago watched as the thing sparkled to life in a show of brilliant colors then promptly emitted an ear shattering screech. "Fuck!" he exclaimed.

"Damn it!" Chicago added.

"Oh shit!" Little Rock shouted. Maternal and paternal instincts kicked in briefly causing both Tallahassee and Chicago to scold the kid, but any concern for a potty mouth was short lived as the whole neighborhood came at them.

Little Rock ran for the truck and jumped up on the hood then the roof getting the higher ground over the horde. Chicago put her gun in it's holder in exchange for her katana. Tallahassee ran over and kicked the firework into the mob. He aimed and fired hitting it as hit was kicked about under the feet of the undead and making a nice mess of things.

Chicago planted the blade in one skull after another hacking away furiously with no form at all. She kicked one in the face sending it's jaw flying away. Panic traveled through her body as a hand came down on her hair. She couldn't do anything to stop the inevitable and closed her eyes.

Tallahassee grabbed the offending zombie by the hair and cut its head off with his own knife. Chicago breathed a sigh of relief as the hand holding her hair went limp. Tallahassee put his back to hers. "Thanks," she said pulling out her pistols and opening fire.

"No problem," he replied doing the same. They both looked when Little Rock screamed. A zombie had jumped up with her knocking her off the truck.

"No!" they screamed in unison. Little Rock rolled under the truck to get what cover she could. Together Chicago and Tallahassee became an unstoppable force. They moved like they were choreographed and took down everything between them and the girl. Tallahassee got Little Rock from under the truck holding her in one arm while he shot with the other. Chicago filled in the gap.

"Time to go," he said.

"What about the others?" she asked.

"I dunno," he replied opening the car door and putting Little Rock inside.

"For your information we're right here! What did you guys do?" Wichita exclaimed running up.

"Later, now we run!" Chicago said pushing the kids in the car. Tallahassee took the drivers seat while she opened the passenger side and jumped up onto the running board. "Go go!" she shouted trying to get him to move. He floored it while she shot the mob that followed them. She got in shutting the door.

"Everyone okay?" Columbus asked.

"Little Rock?" Chicago asked.

"I'm fine," the girl replied looking shaken. Chicago breathed a sigh of relief as everyone looked at everyone else. Tallahassee was the first to start laughing and the others joined.

"Damn we're good!" he exclaimed. Chicago leaned over and kissed him on the cheek.

"We still don't have a generator yet," Wichita said.

"I say we forget it," Columbus panted still shaking from the fight.

"Yeah, it really won't do us much good," Chicago shrugged. "The little portable kind aren't that powerful. I suppose we could run a tv or a coffee maker, but we can't power the whole house," she added.

"And why didn't we think this through before we got out here?" Little Rock asked. Chicago shrugged. Tallahassee hit the breaks hard and Chicago slammed against the dash.

"Damn babe!" she exclaimed. He pointed and she followed his line of sight to a couple of people carrying a box.

"Zombies don't loot," he said watching them. He drove up nice and slow and the people stopped what they were doing standing at attention. "Wait here," he said opening his door. Chicago wasn't going to listen to that and followed quickly.

"Be right back," Columbus said followed the other. Wichita slid into the front seat taking count of the strangers. Three men one female all armed to the teeth.

"Hey there!" Tallahassee said sounding friendly. The people didn't answer they just eyed him cautiously. Chicago stopped walking forward feeling uneasy. She put her hand out stopping Columbus while Tallahassee continued forward at an easy pace. "You guys okay?" he asked. They definitely didn't look like zombies. "We aren't infected," he said holding out his hands.

Chicago didn't have time to react as the female stranger pulled a gun and shot Tallahassee who crumpled instantly. "No!" she shouted. The strangers turned their attention to Chicago and Columbus. She pushed him down onto the pavement and ran forward narrowly escaping their fire. Putting their truck between herself and the guns she pulled out her pistol. One of the men rounded the truck and she didn't hesitate to pull the trigger.

Columbus got up just in time to get hit by the female stranger. He hit the pavement again as she leveled the gun at him. Instinctively he kicked her legs throwing her off balance. He kicked again and got lucky knocking the gun away. She pounced in him drawing a knife. He grabbed her wrist but she was deceptively strong despite her slim frame.

The second man went for the girls in the truck. Wichita tried to get a gun in time, but the strap became caught. "Shit!" she shouted as he ripped the door open. He moved like lightening and seized Wichita dragging her out of the car. "Run! Run!" she shouted to her little sister. Little Rock scrambled to get away.

Chicago looked around for the third man, but couldn't find him. She started to move to help Columbus, but something grabbed her from under the truck. She hit the pavement hard skinning her hands that had only just started to heal.

Columbus looked around for help as he continued to grapple with the lady on his chest. Wichita was underneath her own opponent, Tallahassee was still motionless on the ground and he couldn't see Chicago or Little Rock. The shiny knife blade was getting very close to his neck so in a last ditch attempt to live he spat her in the face. She screamed as his spit hit her in the eyes and he wrestled the knife away. Kicking her in the face she fell away and was motionless.

Wichita screamed and struggled as the man wrapped a piece of cord around her hands, but the real panic hit when he started to rip her pants down. "No! No! Columbus!" she screamed at the top of her lungs. If the others didn't save her the zombies might.

Columbus staggered to his feet spitting out blood. He heard the scream from his nightmares and was immediately running blindly for Wichita. The man didn't know what hit him as Columbus smashed his fist against the side of his head. Columbus shook his hand not realizing that a hit could hurt that bad. The man was far from down and stood up looming over Columbus. He drew a gun and Columbus froze. "I love you Wichita," he said breathlessly.

Little Rock came to the rescue. She'd crawled under the truck and put her pistol to the stranger's knee. Squeezing the trigger the man went down hard holding the injury. Columbus kicked him in the face rather ruthlessly. He started to cut Wichita free.

Chicago lost her gun on the way down and all too soon was underneath the man. His hands were around her throat and as she tried to get away she realized it was over. Desperately she reached for her gun but it was too far away. As her vision started to blur she gasped for breath with no luck. Her head felt like it was going to explode and she kicked feebly trying to call out.

"Come here fucker!" Tallahassee growled grabbing the man by the collar and punching him in the face hard. Chicago gasped and coughed breathing hard as her body tried to get it together. She couldn't believe her eyes when she realized Tallahassee was fighting the man despite all the blood drenching him.

He slammed the stranger against the car door knocking him stupid. Tal didn't hesitate ignoring everything his body was telling him he ripped the door open and put the man's head in. After slamming it a couple times with shattering force the body went limp. Dead or out cold Tallahassee couldn't care less. He turned around panting and leaned against the truck.

Chicago was getting to her feet as the female stranger jumped on Tallahassee. He toppled to the ground after using all his energy on the last guy. She caught him with a cheap shot to the face before Chicago could drag the bitch off of him. She wasn't fooling around anymore. Grabbing the pistol off the pavement Chicago shoved it into the lady's mouth and pulled the trigger.

"There, all done," she panted dropping the gun and relaxing. It took her a second to crawl over to Tallahassee who had propped himself up against the truck. He was holding his side where all the blood was coming from. "Ah shit!" she said putting her hand on it trying to gauge how bad it was.

"Chicago?" he said, but she wasn't paying attention. "Chicago!" he said louder catching her attention.

"What?" she snapped. He could see the fear in her eyes.

"We need to go," he suggested.

"Yeah," she said shaking her head trying to think clearly. She helped him up but he refused to be helped as they walked to the car. He held his side and she opened the door. Getting in the back with a muffled grunt she saw him clinch his teeth hard. She got in beside him as the kids took their own seat.

"Guess we'll settle for candlelight tonight," he joked. She was slightly relieved that he was cracking jokes. She took his hand off of the wound and pushed his t-shirt up so she could look at it. She bit her lip a little. "How bad is it?" he asked.

"Shouldn't you know that?" she asked trying to keep the mood light.

"Babe I'm on high and I can't feel a thing," he replied.

"It doesn't look that bad," she said touching his side very gently. He winced.

"Hey, kido, you wanna hand me my uh," he pointed at the bottle and Little Rock handed it over. He took a long drink.

"I think it's just a graze, but I dunno, fuck I could be looking at fucking death sentence. I'm not a doctor," she said.

"Hey can you please calm down and just get it to stop bleeding?" he said sharply. Little Rock pulled the first aid kit out from under the seat and handed a thick gauze pad to Chicago who pressed it against the tear in his flesh. "Ah fuck!" he exclaimed before hastily taking another big hit from his bottle. His knuckles turned white as he gripped the door.

"Okay, new rule," Columbus said keeping his eyes on the road. "Stranger danger."

"Oh I swear if I didn't have a hole in me I would hit you so hard right now," Tallahassee growled.

 

Chapter 41- I Won't Let You Fall Apart​

The car ride home seemed like an eternity. Chicago tried her best to stop the bleeding, but blood continued to ooze from between her fingers. Tallahassee got quiet making everyone nervous. "Hey, keep talking," Chicago said trying to keep him alert.

"I've never been shot before," he said sounding pretty loopy.

"Hey, explain who Gandhi is," Little Rock said deciding she could do a better job of keeping him talking.

"Gandhi?" he asked trying to put things together.

"Yeah, or Willie Nelson. I don't care," she replied.

"You aren't making any sense kido," he replied.

"Maybe it's the whiskey talking," Columbus suggested hopefully.

"That ain't drunk talk," Chicago replied.

"Why the fuck is the house moving?" Tallahassee asked putting a hand against the window.

"He's gone," Wichita sighed.

"What's gone?" Tallahassee asked. Chicago was having a small panic attack and tried to get her own breathing under control. "Hey you know what is horrible? I think life's Twinkie Gauge is empty," he said sounding upset.

"Maybe he's in shock," Columbus stammered.

"No shit!" Chicago snapped swapping out for a new gauze pad. It was the last one and she bit her lip as it quickly turned red.

They pulled into the driveway on two wheels and a prayer. Chicago and Columbus did their best to get Tallahassee up the steps and through the door. By the time they reached the couch in the den they were practically dragging him. Dad and Mom entered making everything about a hundred times worse.

"What happened?" she exclaimed seeing the bloodied team and half dead Tallahassee.

"Is he bit? He can't stay here!" Dad exclaimed and Chicago eased Tal down onto the couch.

"He's not bit, he's shot!" She replied. Columbus ran off to get what medical supplies he could while Wichita pushed Little Rock and Mom into the next room.

"He's bleeding all over the couch!" Dad said. Chicago felt her blood boil and she pulled her pistol out cocking it as she pointed it at him.

"Look you filthy old fucker! You have exactly two seconds to get out of my sight before I repaint the walls with your brains!" she shouted. It was quit clear she wasn't kidding and Dad made a fast retreat. Chicago returned her full attention to Tallahassee who was completely unconscious. "Bad, bad, bad," she muttered under her breath as she cut his shirt away.

Columbus came back with a rather large medical kit. "How bad is it?" he asked. Chicago shook her head feeling more helpless by the second.

"I don't…" she trailed off realizing how deep she was in over her head.

"Where's dad?" Columbus asked.

"I made him leave," she said gritting her teeth as she put pressure back on the wound.

"You don't associate with very bright people son," Dad said from the door way. Chicago looked up ready to kill the man, but she paused when she saw he was pulling on white plastic gloves. He pushed her aside and looked at the wound in Tallahassee's side. She tried to formulate a question, but couldn't. "I served two tours in the war. When I got home I swore I'd never practice medicine again, went into business management," he said as he casually worked.

Chicago felt like she was going to be sick. Columbus seemed unsurprised. Dad sighed looking at the wound very closely through his bifocals. "Lucky man this one," he said at last as he dug into the medical kit with his clean hand.

"Will he live?" Chicago asked.

"It's what I would call a graze, a bad one, but he doesn't have any internal damage. See there? Two wounds. It went right through him," he said as he started to clean away the blood.

"Will he live?" she asked again watching helplessly.

"I never like to speculate until I'm done. You know, never count the chickens before the eggs hatch?" he said as he worked looking focused. She bit her lip and sat back resolving to let him work. Columbus handed his father supplies on command and slowly the wound started to look better.

"This one will need stitches," he said pointing to the larger exit wound.

"Can you do that?" she asked nervously.

"Only in my sleep," he replied sounding sure of himself. She looked away as he began to prove his claim firsthand. Agonizing minutes ticked by until at last Dad put a final wrap in the wounds. He sat back from being hunched over and pulled the gloves off.

The kids lit candles around the house as Chicago stepped into the kitchen and used bottled water to scrub the blood off of her hands. She only began to realize how much pain she was in as the adrenaline high started to go away. "Here," Dad said handing her a bottle of antiseptic for the scrapes on her hands. She cleaned them out then turned to face him.

"Thank you," she said. He nodded.

"I only wish you hadn't put him on the couch," he said. She gritted her teeth, even when she was trying to be civil he was criticizing, but she let it slide in light of what he had just done.

"Sorry," she said half heartedly. "Do you think he'll be okay?" she asked hopefully.

"I'm not sure… He lost a lot of blood. I'd say if he makes it through the night his chances are okay," he replied. She wasn't relieved. "I've seen this over and over dear. Don't worry yourself with the 'what if's' because he's in gods hands now," he said putting his hand on her shoulder.

"Would blood help him?" she asked ignoring her speech.

"More than likely, but we don't have that option," he sighed.

"Tell me what you need and I'll make it happen," she replied.

"Well blood of his type for one," he said.

"I don't know his type," she shook her head.

"Listen, if he makes it through the night, we can start thinking about this, but for right now it'll have to wait. You can't go out in the dark and even if you could I have no idea where you would get the supplies short of a hospital," he said trying to firm, but not harsh.

"I will knock down a hospital if I have to and I can go in the dark," she said defiantly. "Can't you take blood from one of us and give it to him?" she asked.

"It's possible, but I need his blood type and a suitable donor and the tubes and the needle, none of which we have," he sighed getting tired.

"You had stuff to sew him up!" she argued.

"Well I don't have equipment for a transfusion so it's a moot point anyway isn't it? Chicago I understand how hard it is for you to just sit and wait, but the body is a resilient thing. I've seen people way worse than him pull through all on their own. Let's focus on getting through tonight and in the morning we can reassess what the best thing for him will be," he said. Chicago felt like she was talking to a real doctor at that point instead of Columbus's dad.

"Okay," she sighed realizing she had to follow his rules. Columbus entered the room looking just as tired as Chicago and his father.

"I'll make dinner tonight," he said. Chicago didn't hear him she was already moving back into the den. She sat down taking Tallahassee's hat off of the corner of the couch and twirled it in her hand. She needed something to keep busy with. Columbus brought her a sandwich later, but she couldn't bring herself to eat. Instead she just sat twirling his hat while she watched the candles melt away. For a long time she wondered where they went, how they just seemed to disappear.

She put the hat down and stood up moving to the window. She parted the drapes and leaned her head against the chilly glass. Outside was nothing but blackness and she started to imagine shadows moving, upon closer examination however it was nothing. She watched and watched until her eyes glazed over and she was no longer seeing what she was looking at. Chicago was asleep on her feet more or less.

She felt numb all over and when she moved from the glass she slumped down beside the couch. It was so tempting to offer him a Twinkie in exchange for his recovery. Chicago took his hand and held it between her own trying to get it to warm up again, but his skin was chilly.

"Why does the whole fucking world revolve around the lack of time?" she whispered. "You know? There's never enough time… I just need a little while longer," she said as her eyes began to burn. It wasn't right to see him so still. "I never had enough time to be a kid… I never had enough time to spend with Michael… and now I'll be damned if our times up," she shuddered. "The whole fucking word is out of time," she barely whispered as tears started to roll.

She released his hand again and stood up pacing the room trying to stop crying. She wasn't ready to lose someone again. She wasn't done. Chicago crumpled where she stood and curled into a fetal ball. The candles cast evil shadows against the walls and demons crept up on her.

The idea of being so insignificant in the outcome of things was destroying her. All her life she had struggled to keep in control of everything. She'd always had a handle on how things ended and now her say was gone. Chicago couldn't manipulate life and death. She couldn't use her head to hold sway over the zombies. She was at the hands of fate and knew that now was the moment she had been dreading. After teetering on the edge of an endless abyss of darkness she was going to be pushed one way or another.

Tallahassee had been there to catch her hand and pull her back to safety the first time. He had smacked the gun out of her hand and given her purpose back. Now the harsh reality she had outrun for so long was catching up. She'd never been in control. Her life fell apart just like everyone else's and she had rebuilt it just like everyone else. She'd struggled along with the rest of the world against the mundane everyday and fooled herself into thinking she'd been special. Now in the face of true crisis she wasn't ready to cope.

Dragging herself back to her chair she crawled up and pulled her knee's to her chest. She wasn't going to fall apart this time. If she let Zombieland beat her and gave up her place in hell should be in the deepest circle. She owed these people and she loved them more with each passing day. There was no escape from the horde outside except to cling to the moments of happiness her new family provided.

All of her muddled thoughts came to a head as an epiphany struck her. Heaven hell and earth had blurred. She had the instructions that most people spent their entire lives wishing for. Her reason to be around was clear. She couldn't fix all of the bad that had befallen earth, but she could sure as hell try. She could hold onto what she had been given and spit in the face of Satan himself as she clung tight refusing to let the pilot light of hope die.

Tallahassee stirred on the couch making her scramble to his side. "Hey," he murmured.

"Hey," she said taking his hand.

"Wha happened?" he asked weakly.

"Dad stitched you up," she replied smiling despite tears that betrayed her.

"S'at bad?" he asked.

"No, just a couple stitched. You'll be okay in a couple days," she said gently. He closed his eyes again.

"Chicago?" he asked.

"Yeah?" she said trying to keep back sobs. He opened her eyes again.

"We 'ad each other's back huh?" he asked. She smiled laughing slightly.

"Yeah, we make a good team," she replied. He smiled a little and sighed going back to sleep. Chicago spent the rest of the night beside him holding his hand.

 

Chapter 42- First Time For Everything​

Morning was rough. They ate cold food as everyone remained silent. Chicago looked like hell with dark circles under her eyes. She hadn't slept a wink for fear he would die if she closed her eyes.

Tallahassee remained asleep most of the morning while the others licked their own wounds from the fight. Dad took Tallahassee's pulse occasionally nodding or making a disapproving grunt each time. Chicago napped fitfully during the afternoon while the others were awake to watch over Tal. All too soon however the evening hours were closing and after another light dinner they decided to go to bed. Chicago sat beside him again and held his hand afraid to let go.

Upstairs Columbus was stretched out on his bed. His hands rested on his stomach and his legs were crossed at the ankles. Staring straight at the ceiling he mulled over all the problems that were keeping him up at night. Wichita finished brushing her hair before the mirror and crawled up beside him.

"You okay?" she asked. He put his arm around her as she rested her head on his shoulder.

"Hmm? Yeah I'm fine," he replied still distracted.

"We'll get through this," she said reassuringly.

"Yeah I know," he nodded again.

"He's tough, and so is she," Wichita added.

"I know," he repeated.

"Is that all you can say?" she asked,

"No," he replied. She sighed and rolled over onto her stomach taking his face in her hands and forcing him to look at her.

"What are you thinking?" she asked. He looked at her like he'd just been smacked.

"We can't stay here much longer. They are gonna find us and when they do we're screwed. Not only do we have my parents to drag, but Tallahassee's gonna be dead weight too. I don't think you, me, Little Rock and Chicago will be enough especially since she's half dead too," he said in a very fast burst of worry. Wichita took a deep breath prompting him to do the same.

"I know I already thought it out. You and I will get Tallahassee, Little Rock will handle your parents. I already told her what to do. Chicago I'm sure will kick major ass in order to protect all of us no matter how worn down she is. It'll be okay," Wichita said smiling. Columbus felt a wash of relief and thanked god for the Wichita's ever calm and collected presence.

"What would I do without you?" he smiled softly. She grinned.

"You'd be in a lot of trouble," she joked. He laughed a little.

"You know, in a way zombieland has been a good thing," he sighed as she rested her head against his shoulder again.

"Yeah?" she replied closing her eyes.

"If it weren't for all this I never would have met you," he said stroking her hair lightly. She smiled.

"Wow, not many girls can hear their man say he would trade the world for them and know that he means it," she said. His mouth twitched into a smile.

"I love you more than life itself Krista," he said savoring the feel of her real name on his tongue.

"I love you too Will," she said snuggling closer to him. He stayed awake as she drifted off and was content to feel her breath next to him. He replayed the night she had asked him his name.

**Flashback**

Two days after they had cleared the gates of Pacific Playland Tallahassee and Little Rock were already asleep in the bank vault while he was sitting at one of the teller stations with his shotgun rested across his lap.

"Need some company?" Wichita had asked. He looked over lazily as she sat down on the counter.

"Always," he sighed. She traced a picture in the dust on the tabletop with her index finger before very bluntly asking him.

"I don't think it's very fair that you know my name and I don't know yours," she had purred the words more than spoke them.

"You-you wanna know my name?" he asked. She looked at him with a humorous 'of course' look. "It's not very good," he shrugged.

"Don't get cold feet now," she smirked.

"Okay, uh…" he took a deep breath, "William."

"Will?" she asked.

"Yep," he nodded.

"I like it," she replied. He laughed nervously. "Well Will, you think we can make a run of this?" she asked batting her eyes. He swallowed hard completely out of his element.

"I do," he replied as his voice cracked making her laugh.

**End Flashback**

Wichita rolled over in the bed making Columbus return to reality. He took a deep breath and rolled over burying his face in the pillows.

In the next room over Little Rock was sitting on the edge of her bed. She'd tried to sleep, but gave up after tangling the covers horribly from tossing and turning. Sighing she looked around the room. Ugly floral pattern ran along the edge of the ceiling and trickled down the wall paper in evenly spaced intervals. Everything about the room screamed conservative and it was about to drive her completely insane.

She stood up and went to the window. Nothing but the shadowy forest to look at. Closing her eyes she sighed again. Tearing open the backpack that mom had given to her she sifted through all the 'toys' from Columbus's childhood. A pencil box full of markers and colored pencils was at the bottom. She lit a candle and stretched out on the floor on her belly. Taking a pencil lightly to her limited supply of paper she spent hours making sure that each line was perfect before she allowed a dot of color to touch it. As she sketched and colored she thought back to when Krista had bought her an art set. It had been the only thing in the world to her and she had found her calling that day. She had always been meant to be an artist.

As the candle burnt down and her eyelids got heavy she finished and blew the flame out. Creeping down the stairs she suspected everyone would be asleep as she began sifting through the kitchen in search of tape. Carefully she kept her flashlight beam pointed into the drawers.

"What are you doing out of bed?" Chicago asked. Little Rock jumped almost dropping the light. Chicago smirked a little despite how tired she felt.

"I need tape," Little Rock said.

"Tape? What for?" Chicago asked skeptically.

"I just need it," Little Rock replied as she continued to rifle through drawers. Chicago folded her arms and watched as the kid became more and more frustrated. After a few moments Chicago glanced over her shoulder and made sure Tallahassee was fine before she entered the kitchen and reached down into one of the lower drawers.

"Here," she said handing Little Rock a roll of scotch tape from the depths of the junk drawer.

"How did you know where it was?" she asked in an annoyed voice.

"The other day when I was looking around here I found it. Junk drawers, every home in America has one," Chicago smiled. Little Rock laughed slightly before passing Chicago and running back upstairs. She watched as the girl disappeared before sitting back down beside the couch.

Tallahassee took a deep breath nearly an hour later causing Chicago to sit up becoming even more alert. He groaned shifting a little. "Hey babe," she said making sure he knew she was there. He let out a long pained sigh.

"Ah, I feel like shit," he grunted.

"Well you did just get shot," she said. He clumsily struggled to sit up. Seeing that protest would be pointless she helped him into a sitting position. He took a moment to get acclimated to his upright position and for a second she was afraid he would black out.

"Damn," he said leaning his head back for a bit. "Can you get me a bottle?" he asked.

"What?" Chicago asked not sure if he was talking straight.

"A bottle, you know, with a wide neck preferably?" he repeated himself.

"Oh, yeah," she replied as her face flushed a little. Rummaging around in the trash she found a Gatorade bottle that she assumed should be suitable. Handing it to him she left allowing him some privacy.

Climbing the stairs Chicago rubbed her eyes as she looked in on Little Rock. The girl was asleep on the floor with a pillow and some markers. The walls were covered with drawings that had been taped up. It was too dark to see any details, but on the nearest one that hung beside the light switch she could make out herself and Tallahassee posing with guns in hand.

She took the picture and closed the door again. Returning to the den Tallahassee was still sitting up. "You need to see this," Chicago said. He looked over at her lazily.

"What is it?" he asked.

"Little Rock drew it," Chicago said handing the paper over. He looked at the drawing in the candle light and sighed.

"She's a talented little one," he sighed handing the paper back as if it was too holy to be seen. Chicago took another moment to admire the amazing detail. She could still tell it was a twelve year olds drawing here and there, but for the most part it was incredibly advanced. "Can you hand me my jacket?" he asked.

Chicago tossed him his black jacket and he promptly dug into a hidden inside pocket. Pulling out a joint he held it up. "Care to join me?" he asked with as much charm as he could muster. Chicago put Little Rock's picture down.

"You're unbelievable," she said shaking her head.

"Maybe," he said lighting it on a candle.

"I've never touched the stuff," she sighed sitting down beside him.

"First time for everything," he said taking a hit and holding it out to her. She took

it and surveyed it carefully.

"Where-" she asked.

"Bill Murray," he replied not giving her a chance to finish her question. She put it to her lips and inhaled, but choked almost immediately and handed it back to him coughing. "Good stuff right?" he smiled a little before taking another hit.

"Not sure," she said in-between strangled coughs.

"All I know is my side hurts and this will make a damn fine painkiller," he sighed taking another drag. She stopped coughing as he let out puffs of smoke. He offered it to her again and she gave him a crooked smile before taking it and trying again. She inhaled managing to keep control and not go into a hacking fit. "See?" he asked as she exhaled slowly.

"You are a bed influence on me," she laughed a little feeling dizzy from the smoke.

"You're a writer, you're supposed to be into this. It should give you some good shit," he chuckled taking it back.

"And when Little Rock comes downstairs and we have to explain why we're high?" she asked.

"This one little joint ain't gonna get the both of us high," he replied. She nodded approvingly before looking over at him.

"How many you got?" she asked with a sly smile.

"We gotta make 'em last and seriously babe I'm hurting bad," he said sounding mellow. She nodded.

"Chapter twelve, my first toke," she laughed a little.

"There you go," he said raising the joint in salute.

"By the way I am still so against drugs," she said as he handed it back to her.

 

Chapter 43- Enjoy It Now​

The next morning Chicago woke up on the floor. Tallahassee was on the couch snoring with his jacket held close. She sat up trying to rub the imprint that the carpet had left out of her cheek. She could hear others milling about the house so she stood and took his jacket from his hands.

Hanging it on a hook she went to the kitchen where Little Rock Columbus and Wichita were sitting around the table. "Morning," she said as she poured a glass of water from the pitcher on the counter.

"Morning," they grumbled in reply. Little Rock was too busy coloring to even look up.

"Have a restful sleep did we?" she asked sarcastically.

"We gotta get out of here before I go insane," Columbus sighed rubbing the back of his neck.

"Agreed," Little Rock added focusing intensly.

"How's Florida?" Wichita asked. Chicago smirked hoping the kids couldn't smell the smoke on her.

"I think he'll make a full recovery," she said.

"Damn straight," Tallahassee's familiar drawl came from behind her. He placed his hands on her shoulders from behind and pecked her on the cheek. As he moved stiffly to his seat at the table Chicago held her breath praying he could make it that far. Amazingly he did and gently eased himself into the chair though she could tell it wasn't a painless task by the sound he made.

"See?" she smiled as she took a seat beside him. Looking around the table Chicago could see relief wash over the kids who until this point had been trying to mask their concern.

"What do we have left to eat?" he asked shifting around as he tried to find a comfortable position.

"Anything in a can. The stuff in the fridge is wasted," Wichita replied. Chicago sorted through a box of cans until she found a fruit cocktail. Opening it and dumping it in a bowl she handed it to him with a spoon.

"What's the plan of action?" she asked reseating herself.

"I vote we head east," Columbus said.

"Nah, we need to keep in the west, if we stay in the desert there won't be as many zombies," Wichita argued.

"Colorado," Tallahassee said as he chewed some papaya.

"Colorado?" Chicago asked.

"I went on a camping trip with a friend once. We went up in the mountains and stuff… really it's nice and secluded. I bet we could make a decent base there," he said. Chicago looked around the table.

"All in favor of the mountains?" she asked. Little Rock's hand shot into the air, Tallahassee raised his spoon. Wichita looked at Columbus who shrugged and held up his hand. "Alright then," Chicago smiled as she leaned back in her seat.

"Do we get a vote? Or are we second class?" Dad asked as he entered the kitchen with Mom.

"Do you object to going west to the mountains?" Wichita asked.

"That sounds lovely," Mom said. Dad gave a cold shrug.

"Didn't expect you to be moving around this soon," he said eyeing Tallahassee who looked at him with a full mouth and just raised his eyebrows shrugging it off. "On a scale of one to ten how bad is your pain?"

"If I say ten will you dope me up?" Tallahassee asked pushing the fruit into his cheek.

"No I'll tell you to suck it up," Dad replied deciding that if the man was well enough to be wise he wasn't in that much pain. "So Colorado?" he asked.

"A lake up in the mountains more specifically," Tallahassee said picking the fruit out of his teeth.

"How will you handle power?" Dad asked.

"We can get a 'genny' along the way I bet," Chicago said.

"Look how that turned our last time," Dad said folding his arms.

"We'll be a little more careful this time," Wichita smiled. Tallahassee rolled his eyes.

"Besides we can't stay here much longer, with all the racket we cause driving in and out it's only a matter of time," Columbus added. Dad sighed realizing his son was right.

"We can't all fit in your truck," he said sitting down.

"You two can take your car and follow us," Chicago said without hesitation.

"We can use these to keep in contact," Little Rock said holding up a couple of walkie-talkies she dug out of her backpack.

"Toys?" Tallahassee asked.

"Mom you kept those!" Columbus exclaimed.

"Of course sweetie!" she said fawning over her son. Chicago smiled at the sweetness of the moment.

"Aww man these were great! Seriously they worked really well!" Columbus said examining his long lost treasures.

"How far?" Wichita asked.

"Me and Sam sat on opposite sides of a football field and still had perfect reception," he said setting the channels.

"Opposite sidelines?" She asked clarifying.

"Opposite goal lines," he smiled. She nodded as he handed her one.

"Any other immediate problems we should deal with then?" Wichita asked.

"Nope, let's load up," Tallahassee said pushing away his bowl.

"Tomorrow, but for right now you're in no condition to travel," Dad said clinically. Tallahassee didn't like being told what to do.

"I can move when I say I can. I feel fine," he said arguing the point.

"Lift your left arm over your head," Dad said knowingly. Tallahassee gritted his teeth and started to try, but Chicago stopped him gently pushing his arm back down.

"You can just rest today, we'll pack up, get a good night sleep and then we can leave tomorrow," she said acting as the fire extinguisher to the flames. Tallahassee muttered something under his breath, probably foul.

"Then we better get busy," Mom said in her normal peppy manner. Everyone in the room collectively groaned. Little Rock was the main target of her enthusiasm though. Something about the child was just irresistible. Chicago smirked as the kid was drug off. She definitely felt bad, but didn't feel like putting herself in the path of the maternal monster.

The others slowly filed off to do their own packing while Chicago remained with Tallahassee in the kitchen. She leaned against the counter watching as he fiddled with the spoon. "Relax," she said finally. He looked up somberly. "Soon as you're all healed up you can get back to being the impulsive macho man, but until then enjoy being babied," she purred. His mouth twitched into a smile.

"What kind of perks come with that?" he asked. She moved over and started rubbing his shoulders. He shuddered it felt so good.

"Yeah enjoy it now, 'cause when you are in good health you better be giving me the backrubs," she whispered into his ear. He chuckled a little as she nuzzled against him.

"Now why would I do something like that?" he joked. She raised an eyebrow and let go of him.

"Go get some rest," she smiled turning to leave. He took a slow deep breath hoisting himself up again. As his side protested he moved to the den and lowered himself back onto the bloodstained couch wrestling with the covers until he was comfortable.

 

Chapter 44- My Mother​

The day drug on forever and Chicago found herself downstairs completely dead to the world. She slept deeply for the first time since Tallahassee had been hurt. When she woke she was sprawled across the fold out mattress. Pulling on her shirt that she had carelessly tossed aside she stumbled back up the stairs to see what was happening.

The whole family was gathered in the den and she leaned against the door frame taking a moment to drink in the sight of the people who comprised her whole world. Dad was reading another book. Mom was knitting, Chicago choked on the sight. 'Of course she knits,' she thought. Columbus and Wichita were looking over road maps together. Little Rock was stretched out on the floor next to Tallahassee explaining that to draw something realistically you had to start with basic shapes. He had his arm resting across his eyes, but gave interested grunts every now and again.

Chicago bit her lip. This was home. Wherever this was happening was where she belonged. In that instant any doubts she had left were gone. All the pain in the world was worth being able to witness moments like this.

She entered sitting down beside Little Rock where she could hold Tallahassee's hand and watch as the kid drew her pictures. He sighed wrapping his rough hand around her soft delicate one. She smiled realizing by the feel of his palm how different they really were. She'd always been an intellectual and never had done a day of really hard work in her life. He'd made a life out of it. She looked around the room contemplating how different everyone was. In the real world before all hell broke lose these people would have never fallen into step beside each other, now however, they were closer than people of the same type would be.

"Daisy?" Chicago asked watching Little Rock craft the horse. The child nodded. Tallahassee played with the ring on Chicago's finger. "Looks good," she said softly.

"I told Tallahassee I want to get a camera, so I won't have to work from memory all the time," she replied turning her head as she sketched.

"Yeah? What did he say?" Chicago asked smiling sweetly.

"I said as soon as I can move without searing pain I'll get right on it, top of my to-do list," he sighed.

"Maybe you can illustrate my book yeah?" Chicago suggested and watched Little Rock's face light up.

"If I learn to paint in anything other than blood," she joked.

"Nothing wrong with a little blood, need something to paint your face with afterwards," Tallahassee smiled.

"No you don't," Columbus chimed in. Chicago laughed.

"Okay guys seriously let's not start this agai-" the chirp of breakers blowing cut her off. "What the hell was that?" she asked.

"The power's back on," Columbus said looking confused.

"How is that possible?" Wichita asked.

"Maybe the city had a backup?" he shrugged.

"That kicks on automatically days after the initial failure? I don't think so," Tallahassee said.

"Then there has to be survivors," Little Rock said hopefully.

"Great," Tallahassee mumbled.

"Probably," Chicago sighed. She stood up freeing her hand from Tallahassee's grip. "I'm going to go have a look-see ," she said.

"Whoa! No," Tallahassee said grabbing her leg as best he could. She blushed realizing how far his hand was up her thigh.

"I'll be back in a bit. I promise I'll be super careful," she said brushing him off.

"Columbus will you grab her?" Tallahassee said as he sat up slowly. Chicago was already suiting up by the door.

"He's right maybe this isn't a good idea," Columbus said. Chicago looked over her shoulder.

"The suns almost about to go down, that'll give me some cover. I'll keep a low profile," she said. They didn't look convinced. "If I stay in here one more moment I'll go insane," she added.

"Can I come?" Little Rock asked.

"No," Wichita replied immediately. Little Rock looked discouraged. Chicago moved into the kitchen finding her jacket. Little Rock followed taking advantage of the running water by washing the pencil smudges off her hands.

"Hey, if you hide in the back of the truck that's not my fault," Chicago whispered into her ear. The kid looked at her skeptically and she just shrugged smiling. Moving back into the foyer to collect her bag Chicago sighed. "Alright, I'm taking the car. I'll see you guys in a bit," she said. Tallahassee looked pale. "Relax," she said kissing him on the forehead. He gave a frustrated sigh and relaxed leaning back.

She didn't waste time getting to the garage where Little Rock was sitting in the passenger seat. "Wichita will kill me when she finds out you're gone," Chicago smirked.

"So why are you letting me come?" the girl asked.

"Because I think you're going stir crazy too," Chicago shrugged pulling her seatbelt down. "And we haven't had a day of just us," she replied.

"What do you mean just us?" Little Rock smirked.

"A day where we don't have to listen to Columbus panic or your sister mother you or Tallahassee… be Tallahassee," she said slowing down to figure out exactly what he did.

"Yeah?" she asked hopefully as Chicago put the car in reverse.

"Yeah, you and me just need to get out and chill for a bit," she smiled.

"Chicago!" Wichita shouted coming out the front door. Both Little Rock and Chicago looked over their shoulder. She floored it spitting gravel as they flew down the drive. Little Rock cackled sitting back in her seat. Chicago smiled feeling freed somehow.

"Tonight we play by our rules," she smiled feeling more like a best friend than a mother to the twelve year old. Little Rock leaned forward and turned on the car stereo. Static was on most channels, but a few automated ones were still working. As a steam of mainstream pop poured into the car Chicago cranked it up. She really felt like a kid as she began to sing the boy band stuff with Little Rock, but it made her feel happy.

When they got into the city the sun was sinking low enough to cast serious shadows. Chicago drove around for forty five minutes before she found a radio shack in a crummy strip mall. "Shall we?" She asked.

"I thought we were looking for survivors?" Little Rock asked.

"And later we will, but right now I see a shop full of cameras that we should loot," she said opening her door. Little Rock followed. They entered the store and to not to Chicago's surprise the place was deserted and untouched. "This is why I picked radio shack and not Best Buy," she smirked.

While Little Rock browsed through the limited selection of cameras Chicago took a look at the phones. She doubted that they would work without all the bullshit that cell phone salesmen usually put her through, but gathered up bunch of prepaid cheap phones chargers and holders anyway.

Little Rock grabbed the best camera and accessories she could find before swiping every camera battery in the store. Satisfied that they had picked the place clean the headed back for the car. Chicago however noted that a horde of about ten was waiting at the front of the store.

"How did they know?" Little Rock asked sounding tired.

"Dunno," Chicago shrugged as the glass front broke allowing the zombies to come inside. She drew her katana and ran the first couple through while Little Rock used a handgun to dispatch her own. After a moment they had laid waste to all pf the zombies and continued to the car. "Is it wrong that that doesn't even phase us now?" Chicago asked as they got back in the car.

"Oh, not really," Little Rock replied as she looked in the back adhering to Columbus's rules.

"I would have never been as cool with a zombie apocalypse as you are when I was your age," Chicago said starting the car.

"You think there's an art outlet around here?" Little Rock asked no longer paying attention to Chicago.

"We'll see," she replied flooring it as a zombie came towards the car. The radio came on, but Little Rock turned it down.

"So you and Tallahassee are a couple now?" she asked. Chicago tensed up.

"Yeah," she replied hoping things weren't going to get awkward.

"Have you two had sex yet?" the twelve year old asked. Chicago almost stomped on the breaks.

"Whoa!" she exclaimed as the awkwardness slapped her in the face.

"It was just a question," Little Rock shrugged.

"You're twelve!" Chicago couldn't help but laugh.

"So? Twelve's the new twenty," she replied.

"Yeah, but still, do you even know what that is?" Chicago asked feeling her cheeks flush.

"Of course I know, I watch TV don't I?" Little Rock replied as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.

"And you feel like you need to ask this because?" Chicago asked fishing around.

"Just pieces of the puzzle," the kid shrugged pulling out a camera.

"I can't believe a twelve year old is trying to figure me out," Chicago laughed biting her lip.

"I'm almost thirteen, my birthday is next month approximately," Little Rock replied loading some batteries into the camera. Chicago rolled her eyes unable to even conjure up what month that might be. Time had lost all value in Zombieland. "I'm just asking because intercourse can complicate things," she added. Chicago hit the breaks and spun in her seat to face the kid.

"Okay, please for my sake never use that word again," she said feeling her cheeks go red.

"Fine. Sleeping with people changes shit between them," Little Rock said rolling her eyes. Chicago shook her head feeling like she was talking to an adult rather than a child. "I know what you're thinking, and yeah this is how I think," Little Rock said.

"Actually I'm not sure what I'm thinking…. You just seem so much older than you are," she replied.

"Growing up is hard… For a long time it's just been me and my sister, I had to be this way. Really there's a bonus to learning early that everyday you have to play the role necessary for your situation," she said. Chicago struggled to keep up.

"I'm not following," she sighed.

"It's like… I dunno, when I'm around Tallahassee and Mom, I tone stuff down, 'cause I know they need a kid. With you not so much. I know I can just talk and you won't care. Life's about playing a role for the people around you. He lost his son… I've never had a dad, but I can feel that he acts like one around me sometimes," she said. Chicago closed her mouth realizing how incredibly smart Little Rock was.

"That's amazing," she said at last.

"Not really, I just got used to playing someone else for so long… some days it's hard to just be me…" she sighed.

"I think you should be you all the time. Screw what other's think. Don't tame yourself down for anyone. You're a kid, you shouldn't be worrying about what the others need, they should be doing that for you," Chicago said sensing Little Rock was completely serious. "Besides, Tallahassee is going to act the same towards you no matter what," Chicago smiled.

"I know, I just don't want to let anyone down now, especially my sister," the kid replied looking out her window. Chicago started to drive again.

"I don't think you can. Your sister loves you, that's not a passing thing, and for the record I like this version of you better than your tame version," Chicago smiled. Little Rock cracked a smile.

"You know you never answered my question," she said. Chicago laughed.

"No, we have not. What are you my mother?"

"Are you uncomfortable talking about this?" Little Rock grinned evilly.

"No, but only if you swear on your life that you won't ever discuss what we speak about…. Your sister would REALLY kill me if she knew."

 

Chapter 45- Anarchy​

"I'm going to kill both of them when they get back," Wichita growled still watching out the front window. Columbus had been sitting quietly so as not to upset her fragile mood.

"Relax, she's with Chicago. Couldn't be more safe," Tallahassee said.

"Save for if she was with you," Columbus sighed.

"Well obviously," the older man sighed. Columbus laughed. Tallahassee had a hole clean through him and still was so full of himself it bordered on ridiculous.

"No, really, I'm going to beat both of them," Wichita repeated for the millionth time, each with more resolve. Columbus rolled his eyes and slouched back in his chair.

"Whoa!" Chicago exclaimed as she punched the breaks. Little Rock looked up from her pile of swag that she had looted from Bert's Art Supply Store.

"Caravan," she whispered as Chicago shut the car off turning the lights out.

"Seven… eight, nine… ten, eleven, twelve… twelve cars… that means at least twelve people, most likely more, and a shit load of swag," Chicago said whispering despite the fact that the cars were a good half mile away.

"Where are they going?" Little Rock asked as she started snapping pictures.

"Heading east," Chicago said looking at the cheap compass that was attached to the dash.

"You think they actually have colonies out there? Maybe this is a scouting party," Little Rock said.

"I don't think so… I mean, can't be, there are no safe zones they're just rumors," she said shaking her head.

"Then who are they?" Little Rock asked. The lights on the caravan were getting smaller and smaller as Chicago watched.

"Can I tell you a secret?" Chicago asked.

"Of course," Little Rock replied, but not in a giddy way.

"And it won't scare you?" Chicago asked trying to decide if it was really worth telling Little Rock.

"I'm living in a world full of undead, I think we're way past the point of scaring me," the kid replied dryly.

"Back in the beginning, in LA… there was a group of people who lost it, because of what they saw I guess. They aren't human, but they aren't zombies either. I heard stories that people like that turned up all over the country… I think those people who attacked us where a part of that group… they're just animals," Chicago said.

"How do you know it's true?" Little Rock asked. Chicago sighed.

"At the very start I stayed in a safe house with some of my buddies. It was a good strong house and we boarded it up tight… you know, just hoping the craziness would blow over. Few weeks passed and out supplies were running out, so me and another guy went out to restock… when we came back six hours later the house was trashed. Part of it was on fire, all the goods we had were gone… and I won't tell you what the bodies looked like… zombies don't do that. They don't calculate a strike like that… on the front door in blood someone had drawn the anarchy symbol… after that I started to see it everywhere… always drawn in blood," Chicago said. Little Rock was quiet digesting the new information.

"Why didn't you tell us?" she finally asked.

"I didn't want to scare you guys… and I thought maybe they would keep to the west. Maybe they weren't going to be a problem… but I don't think that's the case anymore…" Chicago sighed.

"We'll fight them just like we fight the zombies then," the kid replied evenly.

"We can't… they work in packs, but they use guns too… they don't just charge at you blindly… they sneak up and catch you by surprise. They're just smart enough to be really dangerous," she sighed.

The rev of an engine interrupted the conversation and lights hit the car. Chicago didn't have time to react before the other car hit theirs full on in the driver's side door. She blacked out, but it couldn't have been for long because when she came too Little Rock was still in the seat next to her and the other car was just starting to let out it's contents.

A single female hopped out. Chicago pulled her gun at the same time that the stranger did and they both fired. Chicago hit her mark in the leg, the stranger missed completely before crumpling. "You okay?" Chicago panted.

"Fine, you?" Little Rock replied freeing herself. Chicago took inventory of herself. Cuts and bruises coated most of her left side, but as far as she could tell nothing was broken. Little Rock forced her door open and got out grabbing her stuff as she went. Chicago crawled out through the passenger side, flopping onto the pavement as her shoulder protested. "You sure you're okay?" Little Rock asked.

"Not really," Chicago groaned as she got to her feet. They surveyed the immediate area. "We better go, someone will have heard that," she sighed. The stranger was crawling towards them. Little Rock took advantage of the moment and dished out a serious kick to the face leaving the woman unconscious.

"We should bring her with us. We could find out about the Anarchy group," she said.

"Tie her up and throw her in the trunk? The other's won't like that," Chicago said rotating her shoulder. She looked at the truck that had rammed them. It wasn't very damaged and seemed to be in working order.

"Too bad," Little Rock laughed. Chicago watched as the kid took off her belt and tied up the woman's hands. Shrugging Chicago helped put the woman into the trunk of her own car. Zombies started to appear as they loaded up and took the new vehicle.

"Take the long way in case someone tried to follow us yeah?" Chicago suggested as Little Rock got onto the highway.

"Yeah I know," the kid replied.

"You have a pretty good memory to be able to find home at night don't you?" Chicago asked as she tried to get a cut on her temple to stop bleeding.

"I've always had a good memory. I used to pass tests at school by getting up to go to the bathroom or pencil sharpener and peeking at other kids tests then I'd write the answers down when I got back," Little Rock smiled seeming proud.

"My life would have been so much easier if I had thought of that," Chicago said feeling dumb compared to the kid. Little Rock just shrugged laughing.

 

Chapter 46- A Scolding and a Shiver Shot​

"Chicago, come in," Columbus sighed holding down the button on his radio.

"Forget it spit fuck, they aren't in range. That things a fucking toy anyway," Tallahassee sighed. Columbus looked over tiredly

"Little Rock, pick up the radio," Columbus said trying again.

"What the fuck was that?" Chicago said jumping in her seat. Little Rock pulled over in en empty gas station lot. Little Rock took out the radio tuning it a little.

"Say it again?" she asked holding down the button.

"Little Rock?" Columbus's voice was full of static, but audible over the walkie-talkie.

"Yeah, we read you," she replied.

"Where are you?" he asked.

"In the lot of a gas station," she replied. A zombie slammed itself against Chicago's window. "Oh shit! Two seconds," Little Rock snapped into the radio. Chicago pushed the door open sending the zombie backwards. Once again her trusty katana made a flashy appearance. Columbus frantically talked over the radio as the girls dispatched the undead that appeared.

After the bloodshed was over they got back in the truck. "What do you say we get some candy?" Little Rock grinned looking at the gas station convenience store.

"Are you guys okay?" Columbus asked frantically.

"Answer him before he starts his period early from all the stress," Chicago sighed cleaning the blood off of her sword.

"Yeah we're here," Little Rock laughed into the radio.

"Thank god! What's happening?" he asked.

"I'm gonna put Chicago on now," Little Rock said having no desire to talk to him.

"Chicago here," Chicago said holding down the button.

"Are you two okay?" he asked.

"We're fine," she replied watching Little Rock slide a new clip into her handgun.

"Where are you?" he asked.

"A gas station along the highway," she replied humoring him.

"When will you be back?" he asked.

"In a while, we're just picking up a few necessaries you know… only the essentials," Chicago said as she followed Little Rock into the store. The kid gunned down a zombie under Chicago's watchful eye before beginning to gather armloads of junk food and candy in a basket. "Hey is Tallahassee awake?" Chicago asked.

"Yeah, I'll put him one, but one more thing. Wichita is really mad at you. I suggest you enter with extreme caution, maybe bring her a Payday, they're her favorite," he said.

"I'm already way ahead of you," Little Rock laughed as she took the whole box of Paydays off the shelf.

"Consider it done," Chicago sighed strolling though the isles. Columbus put Tallahassee on.

"Hello?" he asked.

"Hey babe, how's it?" she smiled.

"Oh, you know, you left me all alone in a house full of highly annoying people," he sighed.

"I'll bring home something special for you," she laughed.

"I'd be very appreciative… so what did you find?" he asked becoming more serious. Chicago looked at Little Rock who shrugged in a 'it's your call' fashion.

"We didn't find much, but uh… well we're bringing a bit of a surprise," Chicago said biting her lip.

"Will I like this surprise?" he asked sounding tired.

"Maybe," she drew the word out trying to figure out how to reply.

"That didn't sound very convincing," he sighed.

"Yeah, don't worry about it. Anyway we're fine and we'll be home in a half hour to forty five minutes," Chicago said.

"Watch your ass out there," he said. She laughed putting the radio in her pocket and stopping in the alcohol section. Picking up some cheap shot glasses and a big bottle of tequila she looked around for Twinkies to no avail.

"Anything else you can think of?" She asked as Little Rock came around the corner with three baskets of crap.

"Toilet paper," she replied.

"Good call," Chicago said grabbing a couple four roll packs. They returned to the car putting it in the back seat with all the other swag from the day. Chicago yawned as she hoisted herself into the driver's seat. "Is our friend still napping?" she asked. Little Rock looked cautiously in the back and nodded in confirmation. Chicago yawned again. "Good," she said as yet another yawn struck her. "God, it's gotta be past midnight," she sighed putting the car in drive.

"Would you like a nap too?" Little Rock asked.

"Don't get smart with me," Chicago laughed.

"Whatever… how are we going to play this anyway? We're coming home with a hostage and news that not only zombies are hunting us, but humans as well. I don't think tequila and Paydays are going to cover that," she sighed settling into the passenger seat.

"I know… I guess I'll tell Wichita and Columbus first, then I'll get Tallahassee drunk and tell him… and we'll just skip letting mom and dad know," Chicago shrugged.

"Won't they ask why we have a girl tied up in the garage?" she asked blowing a hole in Chicago's plan.

"We will interrogate her learn what we need then release her into the wild accordingly," she offered.

"What if they hear her?" she asked.

"We gag her and tie her up… how hard can it be? I've only seen it done a hundred times in movies?" Chicago smirked.

"How are you going to break the news of Anarchy?" Little Rock asked.

"Very carefully," Chicago sighed. "And probably not tonight… in fact I don't plan to tell anyone anything tonight. We're just going to act casual. Once things are settled and your sister gets done beating the two of us we can sneak back and tie miss murder back there up," she added.

"Deal," Little Rock nodded.

As they pulled into the garage they took a final minute to run through the plan before Wichita descended upon them. The insanely angry woman took Little Rock by the shoulder and actually forced her to go to bed yelling the whole time. Chicago cowered when it came her time to be yelled at.

"What the fuck do you think you're doing!" she shouted. Chicago acted like a fish out of water stuttering trying to defend herself. "When I say my sister can't do something I mean it! I know you wouldn't ever mean to let anything happen to her, but I don't want her to be where I can't protect her! What if something had happened to you? She would have been all on her own! Don't ever do that again!" she shouted becoming more violent.

"Okay in my defense, we were never in any danger that stands out from what we normally encounter," Chicago was foolish enough to argue. Wichita hit the counter with her palm.

"You totaled a car! Look at you! You're all beat up! What if you guys had gotten hurt in the crash?" she shouted. Chicago was quiet. They had said that a zombie had caused them to swerve off the road. "Zombies are fucking everywhere! You act like it's nothing, but so help me I would kill you if she had gotten bit! She's twelve! She's not a zombie killing machine like you or Tallahassee and I think you forget that!" Wichita shouted pacing around.

"Wichita," Columbus said weakly trying to calm his girlfriend down.

"What?" she snapped. He shook his head backing out of the argument submissively. Wichita looked back at Chicago glaring with a gaze that could cut stone. "Do not ever do that again," she said coldly.

"You know I would never let anything happen to her," Chicago said sympathetically.

"I know… and I know you care about her… but there isn't any possible way you can love her like I do. She is my little sister. When all else fails she's my world," Wichita said bringing her voice back down to a speaking level. Chicago nodded and Wichita left the room promptly.

"Here," Chicago sighed tossing Columbus a few Paydays. "Go settle her back down and get some sleep," she smiled. He laughed nervously and did as she said. Chicago took a deep breath before returning to the garage and taking care of their guest. It took no time at all for her to bind the girl's hands and feet then gag her with a rag. "Sleep tight," she whispered.

Entering the kitchen again Chicago pulled off her over shirt rotating her shoulder that was still stiff from the car crash. She sighed moving around the dark kitchen in her jeans and tank top removing her boots. "What are you doing?" Tallahassee asked from the doorway. Chicago jumped before regaining her calm.

"You know you would heal a lot faster if you would just lay down and rest," she sighed. He moved stiffly to the counter and leaned against it gently.

"I've been on my back all day long," he replied. She sighed and moved around the table. "Did you have fun?" he asked.

"Yeah," she replied. "And like I promised I got something special just for us," she smiled sitting the tequila out. He grinned and chuckled.

"Aww, you know I like alcohol," he smiled.

"Indeed I do, but you have to share this with me," she said opening the shot glasses. He watched her in the low light. Her hair hung down around her bare shoulders and as she leaned over to grab the bottle her shirt lifted letting him see the lowest part of her back. Biting his lip he smiled a little.

"You ever done a shiver shot?" he asked. She looked over her shoulder.

"No, what's a shiver shot?" she asked.

"Can't explain it I have to show you," he said taking the few steps to close the distance between himself and her. "Okay so it's real simple," he said collecting the saltshaker from the counter. "All you need is a partner, salt, a shot, and preferably a lime wedge, but we'll make due," he said taking the shot glass. "So this," he said holding up the glass as she smiled. "Goes right here," he smiled placing the glass in her cleavage expertly. She blushed, but let him continue. "Now you get the shiver," he said before licking her neck quickly. He salted Chicago's damp skin and then licked her again causing her to get the promised shiver. "And I get the shot," he added before bending over and collecting the glass from her breasts with his mouth.

Chicago shivered again and he downed the shot dropping the glass from his mouth into his hand. "Then I would take the lime from your mouth, but we'll just have to improvise," he smiled as he leaned in and kissed her. She put her arms around his shoulders gently so as not to hurt him and kissed back. When they finally came to a stop he took a step back. "And that's the shiver shot," he smiled. She chuckled.

"You want another?" she asked. He grinned charmingly, but answered with a very self-indulgent nod as he kept his eyes glued to her. She smiled loving how young and wild he made her feel. He made her feel like the only thing wrong in the world could be the possibility of running out of tequila.

 

Chapter 47- Summer ​

Chicago woke up the next morning on the couch beside Tallahassee. It was a tight fit for both of them on the little sofa and she couldn't feel an inch of herself that wasn't pressed against him, making her feel warm and safe.

Looking at the clock she saw the hands hovering around nine thirty. "Why do I wake up so damn early after drinking?" she groaned to herself. He took a deep breath waking up a little. "Good morning," she purred resting her forehead against his.

"Mornin' Darlin'," he replied.

"Last night was fun," she said resting against him lazily.

"You know I think I like being babied after all," he said as she kissed him lightly.

"Oh yes, because I would never do this if you weren't hurt," she smirked. Their lips met again and again lightly before locking for a serious kiss. His left hand slid down her side and came to rest on her hip. She kept her eyes closed after they stopped and rested her forehead against his again savoring the closeness. Chicago moved her foot along his leg trying to get a rise out of him. When Tallahassee shuddered she smiled. "Made you shiver," she whispered.

"Can't believe you never did a shiver shot before," he smiled.

"Well generally I don't like waking up sticky and salty the next morning," she shrugged sarcastically.

"Sorry," he chuckled as he drug his fingers up and down her side. She smiled, by the end of the night Tallahassee hadn't been as articulate in removing the shot glass from her cleavage and spilled a good bit onto her skin. "Wonder if you still taste like tequila," he said softly testing how far Chicago would really let him go.

"Do not," she laughed as he wiggled awkwardly to position himself correctly.

"Please," he said giving her the puppy eyes.

"No," she repeated laughing, "my lips are up here." He chuckled moving again to reposition himself more on top of her as their kissing became more passionate and consequently rougher. He grunted as the stitches in his side pulled sending pain shooting through him.

"Ah! God damn it!" he hissed.

"You okay?" she asked regaining control and realizing he shouldn't be doing this at the moment.

"Yeah fine," he said trying to play it off as he leaned in for another kiss. She stopped his lips with her finger.

"You should take it easy cowboy," she whispered. Tallahassee's romantic intentions deflated as if she had popped a hole in a balloon. She squirmed out from under him and gave him one last peck on the nose. As she started to get up he grabbed her and pulled her back down kissing her full on the lips again. She didn't want to hurt him by struggling and also didn't mind what was happening so Chicago kissed back.

When a hellish racket rang through the house however Chicago jumped. "Oh shit!" she exclaimed realizing immediately what it was.

"What the fuck was that?" he asked lazily.

"Nothing!" she snapped getting up hurriedly. "Be right back," she said as she practically ran for the garage. Little Rock met her halfway and they entered together hoping their captive hadn't gotten loose.

The girl was still bound up, but had regained consciousness. Chicago shut the door to the house and grabbed a pistol that Little Rock offered. "You better settle down," she hissed. The girl on the floor went still. "I won't kill you unless I have to, but if the people inside the house find you, you will be shot," Chicago explained very sharply. The girl panted through the gag. "Watch her," she said handing Little Rock the pistol. "I'll go see if the other's are onto us," she added opening the door to find both Tallahassee and Wichita on the other side. Immediately she shut the door again. "Yeah, fuck, they know," she sighed as they began to knock on the door.

"We have to tell them sometime," Little Rock said leaning against the trucks bumper.

"True, but your sister is still ticked and Tallahassee isn't smashed," Chicago argued.

"Open the door Chicago," Tallahassee said. Chicago turned around and opened the door a crack.

"Okay babe, you know the surprise that I said I was bringing?" she smiled trying to appeal to Tallahassee first.

"What is it? A zombie?" he asked in a very deadpan tone.

"No, it's not a zombie per say," Chicago said blocking their entry.

"What have you done?" Wichita asked in an accusing tone.

"Before I let you come in I want you to promise not to be mad," she said biting her lip. Wichita pushed open the door and Chicago stood aside as they entered. "Yeah, okay, come on in," she muttered to herself. Tallahassee took one look at the girl tied up on the floor then back to Chicago.

"Okay start talking because I really hope my initial impression is wrong," he said looking very confused.

"You found survivors?" Wichita asked. Chicago shut the door again and took a very long breath before explaining in full everything she knew about the Anarchy Group. Tallahassee and Wichita listened intently as Chicago spoke then sat quietly mulling over what she said.

"And you didn't tell us this sooner because?" Wichita asked at last.

"I didn't want to spook you until I was sure," Chicago said.

"Whatever, you can deal with this. I wash my hands of it," Wichita sighed before returning to the house.

"I'll go talk to her," Little Rock said running after her sister. Chicago looked at Tallahassee who had his arms folded over his chest looking intense.

"I'm sorry… I know I should have told you," she said. He shrugged.

"Don't worry about it. I meant what I said. My only intention is to take this bullshit one day at a time," he said standing up. "Do your thing. We'll keep it between us. No need to stir up the spit fuck family," he said. She grinned. "What?" he asked. She grabbed him and kissed him hard.

"I like you," she said.

"I like you too," he replied before leaving her to her work. She turned around looking at the girl on the floor.

Chicago bent down pressing the barrel of her pistol against her captives temple. "Okay, listen to me. I don't want to kill you, but so help me I will blow you away and call you a zombie if you cause any trouble. Now, I'm going to take the gag off and you're not going to make any noise. All I need to know is how many of you there are and where you are stationed, so I can keep out of your way," she said staring the girl down. Slowly she removed the gag and the girl was quiet. She just looked at Chicago.

A chill ran down her spine as the girl stared at her. She had huge eyes and stringy brown hair. Her face was thing and her frame bordered on emaciated. "I won't tell you anything," the girl said finally.

"No?" Chicago asked.

"I won't deal with a lesser species… and it doesn't matter anyway. They'll hunt you down and we'll kill you," she spat.

"Lesser species?" Chicago asked.

"Yeah, you aren't evolved like we are," the girl smiled seeming completely insane.

"I don't understand," Chicago said hoping to coax more information out.

"You think this happened by mistake? No! This is evolution. It's not an accident. God did this so the best of us would live while the others die off. You're kind and the zombies wont live through this. It's judgment. The leaders say so," the girl quivered.

"Who are the leaders?" Chicago asked. The girl shut up and Chicago sighed. Spotting a necklace around the girls neck Chicago took it. She looked at the dog tags. "Your names Summer?" Chicago asked. The girl laughed.

"You're pathetic," she said.

"Summer I'm just trying to keep clear of you. I don't want any trouble. Tell me where your group stays. How many of you are there?" she asked again patiently.

"You can't stay clear you have to die!" Summer shouted. Chicago jumped a little at the outburst.

"Settle down," she snapped pointing the gun at Summer again. "Okay, We'll die, but I want to know what makes you evolved," she said softly.

"We're stronger than you. We don't feel fear, or sadness, or love, only loyalty to the matriarch and she's led us this far. God sent her," Summer said. Chicago sighed loving how many times god had come up.

"The matriarch told you about all this?" she asked realizing how fucked up Summer was in the head. The girl nodded. "Summer I need to know how many people are 'evolved' like you," Chicago said trying one more time.

"In my camp alone there are hundreds," she laughed.

"How many camps?" Chicago asked cautiously. Summer kept chuckling.

"I can't tell you, but you know we number in the thousands," she smiled.

"Is that so?" Chicago asked feeling extremely uneasy.

"You know the test was so easy to pass. You have to prove that you're evolved by killing… I killed my mom and my dad and my brothers and I didn't even flinch," she smiled. Chicago kept a stony face but on the inside she was in complete panic.

"Did you now? So all of the evolved people are working together?" she asked as if speaking to a child.

"Yeah, we'll cleanse the earth. It's god's will," she said. Chicago swallowed hard and nodded. She couldn't sit and listen anymore.

"Okay," she said getting up and going inside. The others were gathered around the table. She leaned against the garage door staring blankly down at the floor as she internally tried to get things sorted out.

"Well?" Tallahassee asked.

"That was unsettling," Chicago replied dryly.

"What did she say?" Little Rock asked.

"She's a total head case… so, everything I say from here on out is based on my own speculation, but from what she says… there are thousands of them, they live in camps. They have some twisted form of hierarchy, and they don't feel emotions anymore. They think that they are evolved and that we are lesser species along with the zombies," Chicago sighed trying to be brief.

"So they're just insane? How can they be coordinated if they are insane?" Wichita asked folding her arms.

"She kept talking about a matriarch that they believe is sent from god… maybe someone is pulling the strings," Chicago shrugged.

"That would make sense… yeah," Wichita said sounding excited. "The disease strikes and all of a sudden people turn to god for comfort, then when things get bad they start to lose their sanity. That is like a big neon sign saying 'take advantage of me.' Someone with sharper instincts would have immediately taken control. One lucid puppeteer for hundreds of insane puppets," she said.

"You've lost me," Tallahassee grumbled.

"Trust me. That has to be it. Someone took advantage of the disease to gain power," Wichita said.

"How's you put that together?" Chicago asked. Wichita grinned.

"Trust me. I know people. Whoever this 'matriarch' is does too. It was easy to manipulate people before z-land. I can only imagine how easy it was after," she said. Chicago hooked it together that Wichita and Little Rock would be experts in people since they seemed to have lived by manipulating them.

"Whatever, is there any immediate problem this could cause?" Tallahassee asked. Chicago smiled, his vision for the larger scope of things worked well with the others eyes for detail.

"She said they would hunt us down," Chicago said.

"Don't you think they would have done it by now?" he asked seeming unfazed by the threat.

"Not worth the risk, we should pack up and get out of here," Wichita argued.

"But unless we know where the 'camps' are we're flying blind to keep out of trouble. Give me a little more time to work Summer over," Chicago objected.

"Summer?" Wichita asked.

"That's the girls name. She had dog tags," Chicago sighed.

"Military?" Little Rock asked.

"No they looked like… I dunno, just not military," Chicago shook her head. Tallahassee looked up biting his lip.

"I don't think we should worry until we're sure she isn't just crazy," he added.

"There's too much proof to back it up babe. Like it or not these people are organized," Chicago sighed.

"We don't even know for sure that the caravan you saw was an Anarchy group," Wichita added.

"Yeah we do," Little Rock said. She pulled the digital camera out of her pocket and showed it to her sister. "If I blow this up and brighten the image… there, painted on the door," she said pointing at the screen. Wichita squinted and saw the symbol.

"Well… they were leaving right? And there was no way for them to track you. By the time they found out she was gone you guys were probably back here already," Wichita sighed trying to reason that they were relatively safe.

"That's what I was thinking," Chicago nodded. Everyone was quiet for a little bit then she took a big breath standing up straighter. "Okay, so how about this? We pack the trucks and have things all ready to go, that way we can run if we have to. We'll stay here long as we can since we have food water and lights," she said.

"And a pool," Tallahassee added.

"Right," she said ignoring him. "I'll see what else we can get out of our guest. Once we're done with her, and hopefully you're healed enough to be mobile again, we take off for Colorado if it's still supposedly safe," Chicago finished looking around for approval.

"And the others?" Wichita asked.

"I'll leave it up to you. If you want to tell them go ahead, if not," she shrugged, "we'll keep it to ourselves." Wichita bit her lip a little.

"Let's hold off for a bit," she sighed. Chicago nodded. "It'd only scare him," she added sounding like she was still trying to convince herself.

"How many survivors do you think there are? Really?" Tallahassee asked. Chicago sighed shaking her head.

"Counting the Anarchy group? I have no fucking idea. I liked it better when it was just us against the zombies. At least then it was simple," she shrugged.

"Earth is an awful big place," Wichita said.

"What going on?" Columbus asked entering the kitchen. Everyone made a poor attempt at looking natural.

"We were talking about communication," Chicago said.

"What I wouldn't give for cell phones," Little Rock added.

"Ha, what I wouldn't give for working cell phones," Chicago said grabbing her bag and dumping the contents on the table.

"Where did you get these?" Columbus asked excitedly.

"A Radio Shack," she replied. He started sifting through the phones.

"Give me a couple hours and I can have a phone for each of us," he smiled.

"How?" Tallahassee asked seeming skeptical.

"I worked at a cell phone outlet in Austin," he said.

"You're shitting me," Tallahassee smiled.

"Nope, all I need is a computer and I can hack the server," he said.

"You sound like you've done this before," Wichita smiled putting her hand on his shoulder.

"Well… I was short on money so I cut my cell expenses for a few months," he smiled.

"Oh! Call the sheriff we have a criminal here," Tallahassee said sarcastically as he moved into the den. Chicago rolled her eyes as Columbus's face flushed. "Better string him up for stealing cell phone coverage!" Tallahassee continued to rattle on as he settled onto the couch.

"Just do your thing man," she sighed touching him on the shoulder.

A couple hours later when Columbus handed out the phones Wichita wrapped her arms around him and kissed him on the cheek. "Good work babe," she whispered into his ear.

 

Chapter 48- History of the Tracks ​

Summer didn't make a peep during the morning, but Chicago held her breath all the same. After lunch she slipped away to the garage while the others covered for her. "Hey there," she said trying to sound friendly. Summer was propped up against the tool bench where Chicago had tied her. She looked lazily over at Chicago.

"Are you here to kill me?" she asked sounding less than afraid. Chicago dropped what she was carrying.

"Not really," she sighed. Summer just gave an amused smile. Chicago opened a water bottle and stuck a straw in it. "Thirsty?" she asked offering it to Summer who licked her dry lips but shook her head. "You won't last long if you don't drink," Chicago said. Summer looked at her coldly as if deciding what was worse. Chicago scooted closer and held the bottle where Summer could take the straw in her mouth. The girl closed her lips tight. "Please just drink the fucking water," Chicago sighed becoming tired of the game. "Look! It's safe," she snapped drinking from the bottle. Summer watched and licked her lips again. When Chicago offered the bottle back she took the straw and drained it. "See? Not so hard now was it?" Chicago muttered. Summer wouldn't answer.

She took a deep breath and sorted through the collection of medical supplies she had brought. "I need to take a look at your leg," Chicago said.

"It'll be fine on it's own. We don't heal like you," she said. Chicago laughed as she cut away the girls dirty jeans.

"Sure," she huffed. Immediately she was wishing she hadn't let the wound sit overnight because it looked pretty bad. When she touched it Summer jumped practically growling. "Looks like you do feel pain huh?" Chicago asked as she started to clean away the dried blood. Summer just glared at her. "Chatty aren't you?" she laughed.

"Why don't you just kill me?" Summer asked.

"Because I'm just a lesser species that still has its respect for human life," Chicago replied dryly. Summer cocked her head. "You know, I'm not your mother, but you should probably think about who you're getting into bed with before you do it. If these people killed their own families to get into the club, how long do you think it will be before they start killing and eating each other? Bet no one would think twice about killing you," Chicago said thinking out loud.

"A risk like any other," Summer said. Chicago looked up immediately because the girl's tone almost sounded civil and lucid.

"But why take it when you could cut back?" Chicago asked.

"Have you actually ever been out in the real world? This isn't new. Join the people in power to survive," Summer replied. Chicago nodded and continued to work.

"So then there are two types of you. The ones who are actually so insane they buy into the bullshit and those of you playing along to survive?" she offered. Summer didn't answer. "And I'm still not sure which one you are," she added.

"You and me both," Summer said. Chicago decided this girl had problems but definitely wasn't as crazy as she initially thought. "I sold my soul so I could survive. Thought it would be easy," she said smiling through the pain. Chicago watched as Summer completely transformed.

"Nothing is ever as it seems," Chicago said softly as she bandaged the girl's leg.

"I never was close to them and they hated me and I thought it would be easy to just kill them to save myself… I was wrong," she shrugged as tears cut through the dirt on her face. Chicago gritted her teeth wondering if it was all a trick, but the performance was awful convincing to be a ploy.

"Well what's done is done," she said falling on the tried and true statement. Summer took a deep breath swallowing her tears before she brought her knees to her chest trying to get away from Chicago's touch. "Are you hungry?" she asked. Summer shook her head. "Maybe I can get you some clean clothes," she offered. The girl shook her head again. Chicago was about to give up and retreat for a little while when she spotted a good cut on Summers upper arm. "At least let me clean that," she sighed trying to get a better look as Summer struggled to get away.

"No!" she objected, but it was too lat and Chicago's eyes went wide as she saw the track marks on her arm. Summer quit struggling as Chicago stared. "Yeah," she said as if to confirm all the questions that were running amuck in Chicago's head. "It's amazing how fast and easy it is to fuck your life up," she smiled as Chicago tore her eyes away.

"Heroin?" she asked.

"Morphine actually," Summer replied coolly.

"I take it that's why you weren't so close to your parents," Chicago asked as she started cleaning the cut.

"Well… it was complicated," Summer replied.

"You seem pretty…" Chicago looked for the words.

"I went through my withdrawal already… I've been clean for almost a month… still feels like I have a big chunk missing though," she said. Chicago wrapped the wound.

"So are you confirming a stereotype here?" she asked. Summer laughed sadly.

"Not really. I grew up in this shit. Mom and dad were junkies, my brothers were always in and out of jail… I wasn't one of those girls who got into collage and went crazy doing drugs… I grew up on the streets doing whatever came my way. That's why this dog eat dog shit that's happening now hasn't been that much of a loop for me," she said looking Chicago straight on in the eyes.

"And you're cool with that? You're not looking for anything more?" Chicago asked.

"No," she replied.

"Then why not just give up?" the older woman asked.

"I've tried to kill myself before," Summer said showing scars on her wrists. "Didn't really work out. I figure now I have a chance at least. I'm going to survive and maybe I'll come out on top. Live life fast and hard you know?" she shrugged.

"And if I dangled a shot of morphine in front of you?" Chicago asked.

"Don't think I'm saying I'm reformed. I'm not. If I could get the stuff I would shoot up until I overdosed, but I've tried and I can't get my hands on any," she shook her head. Chicago bit her lip. "So you're looking down on me now right?" Summer asked.

"No," Chicago replied. "But I have no tolerance for this shit. Summer I'll only say it once. You have an out. Stick with us and we can survive," Chicago said before fully thinking out the implications of what she was saying.

"Not likely. I know my people. Sooner or later you'll have to face them and you'll just be another notch on someone's knife," Summer replied.

"I suppose it's good that you said that because in truth I can't trust you. My family comes first," Chicago said deciding to give a little emotional jab at the girl before she returned to the house.

Inside she sat down at the table and put her head in her hands. "Can't save everyone," she whispered to herself. After collecting her thoughts she moved into the den where Tallahassee was struggling to change into his favorite purple shirt. She walked up behind him and helped pulling it down over his head gently.

"Thanks babe," he said as she moved around and plopped into a recliner. "What's wrong?" he asked seeing the expression she wore.

"She's not insane," Chicago sighed rubbing her temple.

"To what degree?" he asked.

"She's just not… She was with Anarchy to stay alive… not because she's buying into all their religious bullshit," Chicago replied throwing up her hands.

"Is there a problem with this?" he asked not realizing what Chicago was wrestling with.

"A very big one! What will we do with her? We can't just send her back to that they'll kill her," Chicago said.

"Oh no! We are not keeping that crazy little bitch!" Tallahassee said realizing what was happening finally.

"Then what?" she asked standing up and pacing around the room.

"I don't know, but… Chicago we can't save everyone we come across," he said not aiming to be cross, but fully wanting to make his point.

"I know!" she snapped grabbing the mantle of the fireplace. "I know," she repeated getting her voice under control again. "I just… Life is so precious… and we're strong and she's not and she needs us," Chicago said slowly. Tallahassee took a deep breath scrubbing his hand over his face.

"Okay," he said finally. Chicago turned around looking at him.

"What?" she asked.

"I said okay," he sighed.

"Okay what?" she asked unable to grasp what was happening.

"Okay you can try to get this girl back on her feet… do whatever you want. We're already dragging a bunch of dead weight how bad could it be?" he shrugged.

"No Tal… I just don't know what to do with her. I mean I don't even know if she's not playing me. If I untie her she might kill us all," Chicago sighed walking over and sitting down on his lap. He put his hands around her waist as she rested her head against his neck.

"I trust your judgment," he said. She looked at him. "Whatever you want to do I'll back you up," he smiled gently.

"You just saying that?" she asked.

"No, I mean it," he replied.

"You just know the golden rule don't you?" she smiled.

"What rule is that?" he asked playing dumb.

"Always listen to your girl," she whispered in his ear. He gave a winning smile.

"Seriously, whatever you want to do is fine by me and do you know why?" he asked before pecking her on the cheek.

"Why?" she asked.

"Because if you handle the business side of things I have nothing to worry about except kicking ass and finding the GD Twinkies," he smiled. She laughed and kissed him again.

"Then we do make good partners," she smiled.

 

Chapter 49- Incentive Part One ​

When Chicago finally got herself together enough to face the horror that was being kept in the garage she took a pile of clothes and tossed them down beside Summer. "So help me I will put a hole through you if you try anything," she sighed as she cut the girl loose. Summer just looked up at her. "Go on get changed," Chicago said keeping her gun pointed at her.

Summer reluctantly changed into new jeans and a t-shirt. Chicago re-tied her hands and feet afterwards. "Are you hungry?" she asked.

"What are you planning on doing?" Summer asked offhandedly. Chicago gave her a confused look. "Because we both know it's gonna end one of two ways. You either have to kill me, or let me go," she said.

"What if there was a door number three?" Chicago asked.

"How can you take it? How do you know I won't kill you?" Summer asked reading Chicago perfectly.

"I don't," she replied. "But I can't see why you would," Chicago added.

"I don't see a reason not to. You put a hole in me and tied me up," Summer said.

"After you rammed your truck into us," Chicago argued.

"Sure, but still," Summer shrugged.

"I think you might not kill us because you'll be smart enough to realize your chances with us are a lot better than with anyone else," Chicago said. Summer was quiet reflecting on the idea. "Take your time to mull it over," Chicago added walking away again.

"I could think it over a lot better if I had a shower," Summer said making Chicago turn around. The girl smiled slyly.

"I'll let you take a bath in trade for the locations of the nearest camps," Chicago said.

"How do you know I won't lie?" Summer asked.

"Will you lie?" Chicago asked aiming the gun at her.

"You won't use that thing," Summer smiled.

"So this is now just a stand off huh? Both of us thinking the other is a liar," Chicago said.

"It's a problem because neither one of us have any incentive to believe the other," Summer smiled in a manner that screamed how amusing she found the situation. Chicago spun the pistol and put it in the back of her jeans.

"True enough," she nodded.

"I could do it you know?" Summer sighed. Chicago looked at her saying 'what?' with her eyes. "I would kill you first, then the injured one, by that time the older girl would come around the corner and I'd shoot her. The kid next, and I assume there are several others, but from what you guys say they are the 'weak links'," she said. Chicago shifted on her feet. For some reason the way Summer spoke wasn't unsettling even though she was depicting death of everyone that Chicago loved.

"Yeah? Does this mean I should shoot you now?" Chicago asked. Summer shook her head.

"It's not worth it," she sighed. "If I kill you now I'm loosing an asset."

"When did we become assets?" Chicago asked becoming lost.

"That's for me to know," Summer smiled.

"Do you want a shower or not?" Chicago asked. Summer nodded. "Then tell me where the camps are," Chicago repeated. Summer sighed.

"I don't know where most of them are, but I came from the one in New York," she said.

"You came all the way from New York?" she asked.

"We've been migrating capital to capital until the matriarch finds someplace she wants to settle," Summer replied. Chicago bent over and untied her.

"The bathroom is upstairs, but we have to be very discreet because some of my friends still don't know you're here," Chicago sighed. Summer nodded and allowed herself to be led out of the garage and to the stairs. Dashing up and into the bathroom Chicago shut the door and locked it. "Make it fast," she said.

Summer wasn't modest and stripped naked in a matter of seconds. She got in the shower and drew the curtain letting the water run over her skin. When she was done Chicago marveled at how different the girl looked. Trying not to stare she still couldn't help but notice some of the scars that Summer had on her body. "You want to know what my favorite one is?" Summer asked.

"Favorite what?" Chicago asked.

"This one right here," Summer said pointing to a pink line that ran down the side of her ribs. "I had a boyfriend who thought it would be fun to go to this hardcore Latino bar. I played along and before the night was out I was in the emergency room. He didn't even live through the night. I took down seven guys before I passed out," she smiled remembering the night fondly.

"You're pretty good looking for living a life like that," Chicago said.

"Yeah, well… I played a lot smarter than most of the skank you would see in my 'hood," she replied dressing herself again. Chicago took great care getting Summer back to the garage without detection and after tying her up again she went back in the house.

"Everyone in the kitchen please," she called. The family gathered. "We have to tell them," she said addressing Wichita. Everyone was thoroughly confused by Chicago's decision, but helped explain the ins and outs of Anarchy as best they could. Columbus took the news like anything else, with excessive worry, while his parents seemed pretty much unfazed.

After all was said and done Chicago brought Summer into the house and allowed her to eat at the table much to the disapproval of Wichita and Dad. Chicago appeased them by keeping summers hands tied, but she knew on the inside a knot wouldn't be enough to hold the girl should she want to get loose. Summer didn't speak a word, but did eat two cans of soup without pause.

The meal was more than tense and afterwards Chicago took Summer back to the garage. "I think that went well," she said as she tied Summer to the tool cabinet again. "A good first impression."

"I don' want to impress them. Get it straight I'm not going to be a part of your little family. Got it?" she sighed. Chicago stood and shrugged.

"Whatever. Goodnight," she said closing the door. Chicago was so disheartened by the ending note of the day she went downstairs and after changing into some pajama pants sprawled out on the bed face down.

Tallahassee rolled over unable to look at the same spot on the den ceiling any longer. He got up and made his way to the stairs leading down into the dark basement. He crept down them silently and approached the bed.

Chicago raised her head as he sat down on the bed. "Hey babe," she sighed.

"Hey," he replied. She put her face back into the pillow folding her arms above her head. "Still worrying about the girl?" he asked. She didn't respond and he sighed. He looked at her for a long time. Her black sports bra covered the space around her shoulder blades, but the rest of her back was bare and the loose pajama pants hung just above her butt.

He reached out running the heel of his hand from the small of her back up to her neck. "Oh god!" she gasped into the pillow. He scooted closer and continued massaging her back. "Don't stop," she breathed as he worked to relax her muscles.

"You're pretty tense," he said.

"Need I remind you there are zombies everywhere?" she chuckled. He laughed in response and continued to run his hands over her skin. She shuddered when his lips picked up where his hands had left off. Tallahassee worked his way up until he was kissing her neck and she rolled over kissing him back. It always surprised Chicago how incredibly gentle he could be.

She wrapped her arms around him enjoying the comfort that his touch brought and as the kiss deepened she found herself starting to relax. "It will be okay," he whispered into her ear.

"I wish it was just us again. No parents, no Anarchy, no Summer. Just you, me, and the kids," she sighed.

"I could go for just you and me," he chuckled.

"Mmm-s'that so?" she purred.

"Maybe we can get a few days of you and me," he said. She smiled as he held her close. "You know? Just get a nice little house or something and lay around for a few days. Just the two of us," he smiled. She took a deep breath as he kissed the side of her neck causing chills to cascade through her.

"You're a good sweet talker," she smiled.

"I try," he whispered. She settled down beside him and slept easily that night. He didn't have much trouble sleeping either with her resting peacefully at his side. They only woke up when the disturbing ring of Chicago's cell phone shattered the silence.

 

Chapter 50- Incentive Part 2​

Little Rock was moving around her room drawing as she paced the floor. No matter how hard she tried she couldn't capture the action scene she had stuck in her head. Eventually she gave up tossing the sketchbook and pencil onto her bed. She moved to the window and parted the curtains resting her forehead against the glass like always.

Her stomach dropped to the floor when she spotted a figure standing in the side yard. Stone still the shadowy form didn't move. She didn't move either and stood motionless watching and waiting, hoping perhaps she had fallen asleep, but then at last the figure moved. Slowly it shambled around to face the house.

Fearing being spotted Little Rock slowly closed the curtains again and reached for her phone.

"Hello?" Chicago asked flipping open the phone.

"There's a zombie in the side yard," Little Rock hissed into her phone.

"What!" Chicago snapped sitting straight up in bed. Tallahassee rolled around searching for his boots beside the bed.

"A Zombie! In the side yard! I don't think it knows we're in here yet. It's just standing there," Little Rock hissed.

"Okay, stay calm! Don't turn any lights on. Wake the others up and gather your things. No lights no sounds, do you understand me?" Chicago ordered jumping out of bed.

"Yeah I'm way ahead of you," Little Rock replied before shutting her phone.

"How many?" Tallahassee asked.

"Just one, but where there's one there's sure to be more," Chicago replied pulling on her clothes.

"So we're leaving?" he asked getting up.

"Not outside the realm of possibility is it?" she smiled throwing on her belt that held her katana. "Get everyone in the cars I'll go check it out," she said before dashing up the stairs.

On the second floor Chicago could hear the scurry of the others. She made her way to the patio slipping through the glass door silently. On hyper alert she crept through the dark of night until she spotted the rogue zombie. It made muffled gurgles as it stood fixated on some unseen point. Chicago looked around deciding it was alone. She slowly slowly pulled her sword out and prepared to charge, but as she stepped forward a stick cracked beneath her boot.

The zombie spun around and charged making a horrible racket. She couldn't believe the blinding speed of the creature. Using the things own momentum she held the blade firm and allowed him to run himself through. She twisted and pulled sideways spilling it's insides onto the grass. Another chop took its head from its shoulders, but everything had happened too late and the woods were spilling zombies into the haven that the house had been.

Screams from the inside of the house attracted Chicago's attention and she sprinted back. "No! Little Rock!" she shouted praying she wouldn't be too late. The kid was cornered in the kitchen by three zombies. Chicago shot the first two knowing she couldn't get there in time. As she pulled the trigger a third time the gun jammed and she felt her heart sink. There was no time to bargain with fate and she was powerless as the zombie hurtled towards Little Rock.

Tallahassee grabbed the offending zombie by the back of its neck while his other hand grabbed the zombie's tattered clothes. He hoisted the monster ripping it back and flipping it over the kitchen table. The zombie's neck made a gruesome and very audible crack while Tallahassee made a very audible shout of pain. His hand went to his side as he gripped the table for support.

Chicago run up shooting another zombie that attempted to come in from the den after fixing her gun. "You both okay?" She panted. Little Rock grabbed a rifle from under the counter and shot another zombie.

"I'm okay," she replied picking up her bag again. Tallahassee grunted too crippled by pain to answer. Chicago came to his side completely lost in concern.

"Babe?" she asked putting a hand around him.

"Fine, get the others," he grunted. Chicago spun around but the others were coming to them along with a horde following behind. Her heart was beating out of her chest and her mind was racing ahead to figure out the next step. "Cars now!" Tallahassee said standing up through the pain.

Chicago spun around and shot a zombie that was between them and the door to the garage. She kicked the door open and immediately started shooting at the zombies that had found their way in through a window. Summer was on the floor screaming. Chicago saw the girl kick the zombies back and fight with amazing success despite being tied up.

Chicago and Little Rock cleared the room with a few well aimed shots. Columbus was busy with his parents while Tallahassee and Wichita closed the door trying to barricade it as more and more zombies slammed against it.

Little Rock threw her bags into the truck and jumped into the drivers seat starting the car. Chicago ran back to the door trying to help hold the horde off. Wichita moved away helping Columbus. All of them moved in a manner that could only be choreographed by panic. She jumped into the truck with her sister while Columbus took the wheel of his parents car.

"Go get in I'll hold this," Chicago grunted to Tallahassee who didn't argue and got in the back of the truck with the girls. Chicago at that moment realized how screwed she really was. With one hand she shot at the window where zombies were streaming in. With the other she was holding the doorknob while she put her full weight on the door to keep it closed. However, the zombies on the other side were far too strong and were starting to push it open little by little.

"When I open the doors they'll be all over us!" she shouted to the cars thinking about the garage doors that were starting to rattle.

"Hey what about me!" Summer shouted.

"Leave her! Hit the button and lets go!" Tallahassee said keeping his door open. Chicago glanced around and her gun ran out of ammo.

"Go!" She shouted to Little Rock.

"Do not read without her!" Tallahassee barked.

"Go now!" Chicago screamed before hitting the button that would lift the garage door. Little Rock trusted that Chicago new what she was doing and threw the car into reverse. Tallahassee pulled his door shut just in time to keep it from being ripped off as both of the cars sped off.

Chicago stuffed a wooden doorstop under the door knowing it would only buy her a couple seconds. The vehicles cleared some of the zombies away giving her enough time to cut Summer lose and pull the girl to her feet. "Do you have enough incentive to trust me now?" she snapped.

"Later!" Summer hissed assessing all three of their possible exits. All three had zombies, but the door back to the house had the fewest. Chicago pulled out her katana and started to clear a path. Summer grabbed a crowbar and promptly put it through a nearby zombies eye socket. "Hey!" she shouted to Chicago who looked back only briefly. "Lets go up!" she shouted jumping up and grabbing a cord that hung from a door in the ceiling. As the creaky wooden ladder to the attic descended Chicago was convinced Summer was on her side at least for now.

They climbed the ladder and began running across the rafters only to discover that there were no windows or other doors. Summer let out a long steam of profanities because the zombies were starting to enter after them. "Come on!" Chicago shouted pushing Summer off the rafter and onto the weak plaster below. They fell completely through into the room below. Together they stood up and ran for the window. "After you," Chicago said looking at the drop down to the deck of the pool. Summer rolled her eyes and gave Chicago a shove sending her out the window and onto the wood.

In too much of a hurry to be concerned if she was hurt or not Chicago got back to her feet as Summer landed beside her. They both had their heads on a swivel looking for trouble. Chicago pulled out her phone as she started to run, but it was knocked from her hand as a zombie tackled her. She flailed her arms but nothing was there to grab and she fell backwards into the pool with the zombie on top of her. Summer picked up the phone and placed it on a table as she watched Chicago struggle in the water with the monster.

Chicago couldn't see anything but a blur of bubbles that were fast escaping her lungs, but managed to grab the zombie's throat and keep the teeth at bay. Summer watched nervously pacing back and forth along the side of the pool. "Come on!" she panted hoping Chicago would kill it.

Under the water Chicago was struggling. She couldn't get back to the surface with the thrashing zombie on top of her, despite being in the shallow end, and in the water she couldn't generate enough force for a decent hit. Closing her mouth and eyes she focused on not sharing any fluids with the zombie.

"Come on!" Summer hissed for the last time before diving in and dragging the zombie off of Chicago. She twisted its head until its neck snapped then reached back into the water and pulled Chicago to the surface. "No no no!" she hissed realizing Chicago wasn't moving anymore. Pulling Chicago onto the wooden deck Summer rubbed her back trying to rouse her. "Come on Chicago!" she hissed trying to get the older woman back. As Chicago started to cough and move around Summer jumped up flipping her wet hair out of her face and kicked a zombie back into the water.

Chicago rolled onto her hands and knees trying to get up as she coughed and sputtered. "Come on get up we have to go," Summer said grabbing her around the waist and making her get up. She pressed the cell phone into Chicago's hands before pulling her along into the woods.

They ran and ran until the sounds of zombies had faded completely away. Only then would Summer stop. "Catch your breath," she panted to Chicago who was still seeing stars from the pool incident.

"You could have let me drown," she panted putting her hands on her knees.

"And you could have left me tied up. We're even," Summer replied. Chicago shivered realizing how cold it was. "We need to get to a road so the others can pick you up," she added looking around at the woods that seemed to be the same in every direction. Chicago chose to ignore the problem of what would happen when they reached a road.

Trying to pick a direction and just go straight they eventually stumbled out of the woods onto a highway. Chicago dialed the phone hoping it wasn't too wet to work. Tallahassee answered on the first ring. "Chicago?" he asked.

"We're alright," she replied.

"Where are you?" he asked.

"Standing on highway three somewhere," she said looking at a road sign.

"We'll be there as soon as we can," he replied.

"We're going to keep moving. If we find a mile marker I'll call you back," she said.

"Okay," he said before she hung up the phone. Summer was busy looking for a weapon amongst the wreckage that was littering the road. After finding a short metal bar she looked at Chicago.

"Ready?" she asked. Chicago smiled and pulled out her katana resting it on her shoulder.

"After you."

 

Chapter 51- Mommy ​

It had taken a while, but Chicago at last heard the sound of approaching trucks. Ignoring the possibility that it could be Anarchy and not her friends she waiting until the trucks were in sight.

Tallahassee didn't even wait for the truck to be at a complete stop before he had the door open. "Let's go," he said. Chicago put her sword away and moved to get into the truck. She looked back over her shoulder at Summer.

"Well come on," she said. Summer didn't move and looked past Chicago to Tallahassee. Chicago looked back to see what the issue was. He was still undecided at the time, but as soon as he saw that Summer was looking to him for approval he sighed.

"Oh, fine," he said rolling his eyes and scooting over in the seat so she would have a place to sit. Chicago leaned over and kissed him. As he readjusted his hat he shot a smile. Summer shut the door and the trucks hit the road.

Somewhere near the border of Missouri they pulled over and everyone staggered from the car stiff from travel. "Why don't you guys go blow off some steam," Tallahassee said giving Little Rock a small push towards the unsuspecting tourist stand. Columbus and Wichita took Summer along as they followed the kid, while his parents sat in the car fighting about some old folded road map.

He looked at her dead on and folded his arms across his chest as she pumped gas. "Chicago I won't lie I really don't like this," he said. She turned around looking at him. "We are now members of a party of eight…Eight," he said for emphasis.

"Is there a problem with that number?" she asked. Tallahassee took his hat off scratching his head.

"Octopus," he said putting his hat back on his head. She looked at him and nodded beginning to think what sanity the cowboy had held onto finally just wriggled away. "You want to know why people eat octopus? It's because they have so many damn legs! There all wiggly and clumsy and it's because they have eight… eight neurotic, homicidal, short legs," he said gesturing to the different members of their party. Chicago cracked a smile loving Tallahassee's on the fly reasoning. She took the gas nozzle out of the car and put it away. As she put the gas cap back on and closed the little flap she formulated all the argument she would need.

Turning to him Chicago put her hands on her hips and looked at him with her best smile. "What leg am I?" she asked. He took a deep breath shrugging.

"You're whatever part of the brain that tells the octopus it's a good idea to keep growing legs," he said. Chicago couldn't hold back a laugh.

"Okay, and what leg are you?" she asked. Tallahassee looked at her with a vacant stare.

"I won't lie. I know you're fishing, but I have not idea what you want me to say," he sighed. She laughed again and put her arms around his shoulder.

"You are the big tough arm," she smiled.

"Babe I feel we are venturing away from the issue at hand," he said putting his arms around her waist.

"Look I know you're scared and nervous, but I think that's just completely natural for people in our position," she said honestly.

"What position is that?" he asked seriously lost.

"Well you know… you and me… just having a relationship of sorts," she shrugged finding it weird how awkward it was getting.

"Yeah, but darlin' this isn't like we're starting a little family of our own you know? I did not sign up for this. We haven't known each other that long and, all be it that we've gone through some weird shit together all ready we definitely wouldn't be starting a family this soon if, you know," he said so fast Chicago wasn't sure he breathed during the spiel.

"This is very true and I think you make a valid point that we definitely are not ready to be committed to each other or anything," she said nodding. "However, this is bigger than us." He sighed again having been afraid she would say something like that.

"Bigger than us?" he asked. She nodded. "Chicago not so long ago I was free as the wind, then I made the mistake of picking up the little spit fuck, next thing I know I'm saddled with the girls, then you, and his parents and this girl…. I just am really," he shook his head. She let go of him.

"Saddled?' she asked becoming angry at the word.

"Well… not with you, just… them," he shook his head in an attempt to back pedal.

"I gave you a chance to walk away so you wouldn't be saddled anymore," she snapped.

"Look babe, I didn't mean that. I just feel… a little, you know, weird having all of this dropped into my lap," he said. Her jaw dropped in shock that he could continue to fuck up like this.

"I cannot believe you," she said.

"No no no! I mean-" he tried again but she held up her hand.

"Just stop," she hissed before getting in the drivers seat. Like a dog who had been beaten he got in the passenger seat as the kids returned from destroying the station. Chicago didn't speak the rest of the evening. Tallahassee just grumbled short answers when one of the girls in the back dared to break the silence.

Chicago pulled over eventually having no clue where they were and pointed at the pawn shop across the road. "Pawn shops mean guns," she said putting the car in park. "Go clear it out, take Columbus with you," she sighed making it clear that the girls needed to leave her and Tallahassee alone. They didn't argue. After the doors were shut she unclipped her seatbelt and sighed. "I'm sorry," she said looking over at him.

Tallahassee was taken completely by surprise. He had expected she was still mad. "For what?" he asked dumbly.

"I shouldn't have snapped at you earlier… or said any of what I did," she sighed. "I keep wanting to push shit on you and it's not fair. Really, you're the one keeping a level head and I'm just… progressively getting more and more carried away," she said. He ran his tongue along his cheek.

"S'ok," he shrugged.

"No it's not," she insisted. "I just… I am so afraid of being alone again and I love all of you so much. I would do anything to make us a family and I know that I've been pushing that on all of you when it's not my place. I know that getting attached to people in zombieland is just asking for trouble, but I don't care, because I'm not so afraid of losing something that I won't try to have it," she said. He nodded slowly. "But I realize that you and the kids might not feel that way and I shouldn't be trying to make us into something we're not and I'm sorry," she said spilling her guts into the car. He was just about to say something as she began to talk again. "And as far as the way I feel about you and you feel about me I know that really we can't be-"

"Now hold on there," he said interrupting her. "Before you continue to yammer on about how you're making a mistake at every turn let me clear a couple things up. One: I suffer no illusions that I am not a part of some bizarre family and to be honest I like it for the most part, but don't tell Columbo that I said that. Two: you aren't pushing anything on anyone. Three: As far as the way we feel about each other," he placed a hand on her cheek, "there are no rules to what we can and can't do, so don't even start that bull." She smiled.

"So you're not mad that I was being a bitch?" she asked leaning into his hand.

"I've been in with bigger bitches," he smirked good naturedly.

"And you don't feel like I'm chaining you down?" she asked.

"If you're worried that I'm seeing other women you can relax," he smiled. She laughed before leaning over to kiss him. "Besides where else in the world would I go besides where you and the kids are?" he asked. She grinned knowing all at once that although he would never admit it he needed company just like anyone else.

As he kissed her again pulling her closed she shivered. "You need to stop taking everything so seriously anyway," he said. She licked her lips. "No one gets out alive in the end," he smiled. She kissed him again but harder.

Of course as they started to get into it the kids came back and forced them apart. "Gross," Little Rock said.

"Nothing wrong with a little peck," Tallahassee replied.

"I think you were the one chewing gum when we got out of the car though," Summer said in a very deadpan voice as she packed away the new guns. Chicago froze embarrassed that Summer noticed and contemplated swallowing the gum. Little Rock looked ill while Wichita laughed so hard she thought she might pee. Tallahassee just fumbled around until her found the package of gum.

"I think we should stay the night here. The place is a fortress and it even has a garage," Columbus said as he leaned against driver side door. Chicago looked to Tallahassee for approval.

"I could care less. No where is comfortable," Tallahassee shrugged. Chicago looked back at the other.

"Okay get the ca-Columbus watch it!" she shouted spotting the zombie heading for the other car. Columbus jumped unprepared for a fight, but began moving.

"Mom!" he shouted getting around the car. She was panicking already as the undead slammed against her side of the car. There were only a handful of zombies, but the threat was real as they broke the window without trouble. Chicago, Wichita and Summer got out of their car.

Mom was screaming and Dad was shouting and Columbus shot his double barrel twice missing both times. Not taking time to reload he dropped the gun and ran forward without a plan. The girls were on his heels. Chicago and Wichita both stopped a safe distance away and began shooting at the zombies. Summer ran forward content to attack the zombies up close with the weapons nature had given her. She grabbed Columbus pulling him out of harms way. "Get the other side open!" she ordered. Columbus scrambled around the hood. Unfortunately the trucks doors wouldn't lock and unlock properly after Summer had rammed Chicago and Little Rock a few days prior.

Summer grabbed a zombie and beat its head against the trucks side as she kicked one of its partners down. Chicago and Wichita shot the zombies as Summer downed them until finally the last one was still. She panted and brushed her hair out of her face as more screeching came from the buildings along the street. She gritted her teeth and ran towards the onslaught.

"Hold on," Tallahassee said as he slid into the driver's seat. Little Rock crawled into the passenger seat and buckled up. He slammed the accelerator making a U-turn and aimed for the zombies. "Double points if I can roll 'em on the hood," he laughed.

Chicago and Wichita reloaded chasing after Summer who had gotten herself surrounded. They watched as the horde fell one at a time to the girl who kicked and hit and grabbed and tossed each zombie as if it were nothing. "Streets raised her," Chicago shrugged.

"Mom! Mom!" Columbus's voice was filled with panic making both the girls turn.

"Oh no," Wichita breathed. Columbus had his mother in his arms on the ground beside the truck. He was in tears and his father was standing beside the mess with his head in his hands. Chicago's stomach dropped when she saw all the blood coating Mom.

"Shit," she panted as they both jogged over.

"Mom! Mom please! No!" Columbus cried rocking back and forth gently. Wichita and Chicago bowed their head because it was all too clear by how still Mom was that she would never open her eyes again.

Wichita stooped beside Columbus in an attempt to be of comfort while Chicago turned her back unable to see the people around her in such pain. Summer was still fighting while Tallahassee and Little Rock picked the zombies off in the truck. The sky was grey with threatening rain clouds and as she looked up as if on cue it started to rain.

Summer Tallahassee and Little Rock polished off the zombies and turned their attention towards the other. Each was silent and respectful watching Columbus cry for his mother. Dad beat his fist against the trucks hood in frustration. Chicago sighed as the rain soaked everyone through. Tallahassee got out of the truck and instinctively slipped his hand around her waist as he watched the younger mans display of heartbreak. Little Rock came to Chicago's other side and took her hand. Chicago pulled the child close as she cried.

"We need to go, it's not safe here," Summer said eventually. Her voice wasn't laden with emotion, but something in her eyes told Chicago that she felt bad for what had happened.

"We have to bury her," Columbus said hoarsely. Chicago looked at Tallahassee knowing that they both were thinking the same thing.

"Columbus, we don't have time. It's raining, its getting dark, we have no idea where we are," she sighed wishing she could agree with him.

"We can't just leave her out in the street!" he shouted still clutching his mother's corpse. Dad for once said nothing. He just walked along away from his family and got into the other truck closing the door behind himself.

"I got a better idea," Tallahassee said. Chicago looked at him still holding Little Rock. "Little one, get the boom out of the truck. Rest of you get whatever dry wood you can find, anything that can burn," he said. Tallahassee moved forward still walking stiffly from his own juries and knelt beside Columbus. "Viking used to burn their dead," he said softly folding the corpse's hands across her stomach. Columbus's eyes were red as he looked at his older companion. "What do you say we send her off with a bang?" Tallahassee asked.

Half an hour later they were in the car. Chicago lit the fuse next to the pyre and ran back to the truck hopping in as they drove away. Little Rock along with everyone else counted the seconds until at last a large explosion happened. The car was dead silent. No prayers were said. The only words Chicago thought she heard were whispered by Columbus from where he sat in the very back of the truck next to the supplies. "Goodbye Mommy."

 

Chapter 52- Tear Stone ​

Eventually when they stopped the truck at a nice house in a quiet neighborhood everyone clamored out of the vehicle like clowns from a clown car, but there was no cheer. Chicago Wichita Summer and Little Rock went inside to clear the house leaving the mostly useless men outside. When they cleared all of the rooms and deemed the house safe work began on fortifying their stronghold. Bolting the doors and boarding up the windows didn't take too long and before she knew it Chicago was watching her flock settle in to sleep.

Summer took to the couch aiming herself at the door where she sat motionless and unblinking. Chicago started to suspect the girl was sleeping with her eyes open before she moves shifting slightly. Dad had disappeared into a bedroom almost as soon as the house was locked down. Wichita was curled up in the next room with Little Rock. As Chicago stood outside of the room she could hear the quiet sniffles of the child and her heart broke.

Tallahassee put a hand on her shoulder gently and she turned to him putting her own hand up to touch his. "I'll take watch tonight," she said looking for a topic that wasn't painful.

"She'll be okay," he said in a hushed voice proving he wasn't afraid of what needed to be said. Chicago nodded knowing that the child was resilient enough to recover.

"I'm more worried about Columbus," she replied. Tallahassee looked at his feet and she saw a glint of softness in his eyes.

"He'll find a way to deal with it," he sighed. She crossed her arms trying to hold herself.

"But we have to give him time," she said to assure herself that Tallahassee was thinking the same thing as her.

"I know. Chicago, the kid isn't a quitter. He's a peppy little coward, but when it comes time he nuts up," Tallahassee said rubbing the back of his neck. She smiled weakly.

"I figured. Why else would you stick with him this long?" she whispered. Tallahassee nodded before kissing her on the cheek.

"Goodnight babe," he said before moving past her to the last bedroom. As the door clicked shut she turned and went back to the living room.

"Where is he?" she asked. Summer was stone still.

"I think he went out the window in the kitchen," she replied without moving. Chicago sighed and went to investigate. Sure enough the kitchen window was ajar. She climbed out landing on the soft grass with a muffled curse. As she got to her feet she looked for him, but saw no trace of the young man.

Chicago was motionless listening. The thing that made zombieland most eerie was the stillness of the whole world. There were no cars or train in the distance. No TV set up too loud in the next house over. The lack of human sounds made the air feel stagnant every second of everyday.

When at last she heard the sound she's been waiting for it baffled her because it wasn't coming from any particular direction. It sounded like it was straight up. She followed it until at last she could see the shape of Columbus. A smile graced her lips against her will when she saw him in the hammock. It was a good five or six feet in the air tied between to trees. How he had managed it she didn't know.

"Columbus?" she said gently. Chicago heard him wipe his sleeve across his face trying to hide his tears.

"Yeah?" he said trying to act normal, but still sounding clogged up.

"I was just checking on you," she shrugged. He didn't reply. "Do you need some company?" she asked after a long pause.

"Sure," he replied less than convincingly. She climbed up in the tree and clambered into the netted hammock beside him. Columbus maintained a distance from her becoming as stiff and distant as he had the night they arrived at his house.

"I'm really sorry Columbus, you know if we could have done anything we would have," she sighed allowing herself to gravitate towards the center of the hammock. He sank in a little too.

"I know," he replied sounding broken. She flinched when she saw the pistol in his hand, but said nothing. After her own attempt she had realized nothing felt worse than when others don't trust you with your own life.

"I want you to have this," she said removing the golden chain from around her neck. She pressed it into his hand. "It's a tear stone," she said in a voice not above a whisper. He turned the smooth pendant over in his hands. "Michael's family had a lot of Native American ancestry. They had a tradition that when someone died someone close to them would take the necklace and wear it. You're supposed to put all your sorrow into it. Then when the person with the necklace dies someone close to them takes it and does the same, so on and so forth. Michael got it from his grandmother and she got it from her mother and her mother got it from her great grandmother," she said thinking about all the history in the little stone.

"I can't take this," he shook his head. "It means more to you than to me," he added. She pressed it back into his hand.

"I insist," she said softly. He sighed and slipped it in his pocket. She rested her head against him. He sighed again looking up at the stars.

"I almost killed her when I was born," he said suddenly. "She was so sick, and the doctors said she could never have another kid. Being the only child I was… everything to her, and in hindsight I think that's what screwed us," he said as the situation turned dark. Chicago folded her arms fighting against the cold. "She was so afraid of loosing me… did everything she could to protect me. Dad was always working so he didn't have much hand in it… She took care of me and I couldn't protect her," he sighed.

"It wasn't your fault… zombies just… they find a way," she shook her head. Columbus played with the gun in his hand. "I know that there's nothing I can say that will be of comfort, so I'm not going to batter you with a bunch of lame cliché speeches… just know that the only one who blames you is you," she said softly. He shook his head.

"Tell that to my dad," he said.

"Oh, Columbus, your father doesn't blame you," she replied.

"I'd love to believe you," he sighed, "but somehow I doubt it. He'll find a way to make it my fault."

"Columbus, I love you and I refuse to let that asshole, despite the fact he's your father, hurt you. It's tough enough to lose someone, you don't need anyone making it worse," she said. He gave a small smile.

"I love him but he's difficult," he replied. She sighed realizing that they were squished against each other.

"Focus on keeping your own head above water. I promise the rest of use will be here to back you up," she said feeling like the conversation had gone cold. He just nodded and relaxed sinking into the netting of the hammock.

"Sure," he sighed. Chicago closed her eyes beginning to fall asleep. "That's what families do," he whispered. She smiled and laced her fingers though his.

"That's it," she whispered.

 

Chapter 53- We All Got Our Problems ​

Chicago took a moment to figure out why she was pressed against Columbus the next morning then slowly she remembered the night before. He was asleep snoring softly with the pistol still in his hand. She shifted looking at the ground below and smiled a little, happy that nothing had come along and eaten them during the night.

"Columbus," she said moving him gently. The boy woke up with a start, but realized it was only her and closed his eyes again. "We need to get back inside," she whispered trying not to desecrate the morning silence. He groaned trying to wake the rest of his body up.

"Dumb idea to sleep in the cold," he sighed.

"Yeah," she replied with a smile. Together they tried to get out of the hammock in a graceful fashion, but failed. Chicago felt their balance go and made a flailing grab grasping a tree branch. Columbus toppled to the ground and landed with a muffled thump.

"Ow," he grumbled getting up. She let go of the branch and dropped into a crouching position.

"You okay?" she asked. He nodded and they both clamored back in through the kitchen window. Little Rock and Wichita were sitting at the table as they came in. Both the girls looked sleepy and didn't say a thing as they came through the window. "Morning," Chicago sighed.

"Morning," Little Rock replied resting her elbow on the table.

"What's breakfast look like?" Chicago asked hopefully. Wichita shrugged.

"Biohazard in the fridge and slim pickings everywhere else," she sighed. Tallahassee joined them still yawning from his sleep.

"Morning," he grumbled. Chicago smiled as he shuffled around looking for something to eat. His muttering curses got louder as every cabinet come up empty until he slammed one and turned around. "Is there anything in the fucking place to eat?" he snapped.

"Wichita says no," Chicago replied. A box of saltines hit the table and all eyes turned to Summer who had tossed them there. She was dressed in new black skinny jeans and a tight fitting t-shirt covered by a leather jacket. A bag hung loosely from her shoulder and in her hand the last of a lit cigarette was giving off a trail of smoke. "Can you not do that in the house," Chicago sighed detesting the smell of smoke.

Summer took the last drag of it before tossing it to the floor and rubbing it out with her foot. "Why? Not like we're going to be here that long," she sighed limping over to the counter where she propped herself up. "Eat up," she said digging through the bag. Chicago sighed. Tallahassee gave the girl a dirty look, but slowly started to move towards the crackers on the table.

"Where did you get this stuff?" Wichita asked.

"I went out last night," Summer replied as she pulled out a bottle of wine. Chicago had to fight to keep from letting her jaw drop as the girl opened the bottle and started to drink.

"Sweet tooth?" she asked as the girl gave her a 'what?' glance.

"Forgive me," Summer chuckled. Tallahassee tried to open the box of crackers without making a crinkling noise. "So we leave in a little bit yeah?"

"Chicago I'm tired… we should rest here for a little while," Columbus said folding his arms.

"That's not a good idea," Summer said coldly. Everyone looked at her as she chugged a little more from the bottle, making the normally elegant wine bottle look cheap.

"When did you become leader of this little group?" Tallahassee growled still not liking the girl.

"I'm not saying I am, but I'm trying to help you keep in one piece. Should you think about it for two seconds you'd realize you are in state to fight right now," she said sweetly then pointed at him. "You and I are torn up. Chicago and Wichita can fight. Little Rock is pretty badass for a kid, but if everyone would look at the sorry excuse for father and son over there," she looked coolly at Dad who had just entered the kitchen. "There one big happy family," she said with a smirk before looking back at Tallahassee. "You have to pick your battles," she said as if she was superior. "Fight when you can, but don't be afraid to run."

"Listen you!" he started but Chicago intervened.

"Cut it out!" she snapped. "You," she pointed at Summer, "stop instigating and you," she pointed at Tallahassee, "stop instigating her instigating." He looked like a puppy that had been beaten. "Now… we do need to get our shit together," Chicago sighed trying to smooth things over.

"We have to keep moving," Summer insisted. Chicago bit her lip.

"I know," she sighed.

"Whoa whoa whoa!" Tallahassee objected raising a hand. "Why are we trusting this little bitch?" he asked. Summer smiled slyly.

"I think Chicago has a little incentive to trust me," she said.

"Chicago?" Tallahassee asked trying to verify what was happening.

"She could have let me die. She saved my life," Chicago said.

"How do we know it's not a ploy?" Wichita asked.

"Oh right, you're the player of this group. I knew that from the first time I saw you," Summer smiled pointing at Wichita. Chicago watched the strange messed up girl. She seemed so sly and slick, really like she trusted nothing and knew everything. "But you know what? Despite the way you may think we've been playing the same game, you and I, we haven't," she said seriously. Wichita narrowed her eyes. "You always kept it above the belt because," she pointed at Little Rock, " you had her to look out for. You ran a cleaner game than I have. I never had any rules, and as far as I'm concerned I was always living in zombieland. Dog eat dog, kill or be killed," she said.

"That's no incentive for us to trust you. All we know is that you're a smoking drinking little druggie," Dad sighed sitting down. She gave a sly smile.

"Ha! Right I'm the one with all the problems. Take a good look in the mirror bub, you all aren't so hot right now. You," she pointed back at Tallahassee who had a mouth full of crackers, "were smoking weed last night, you," she pointed at Wichita and Little Rock, "were crying like babes." She brushed her hair out of her face and took another drink. "You two were cuddling out in a swing," she said looking at Columbus and Chicago. "My personal favorite though was you," she said pointing at Dad.

"Hey," Chicago said stepping in.

"No, I don't care that he just lost his wife. Why don't you show them the lovely little gun you have in your pocket? Tell me if I'm wrong, but Russian roulette is a little dangerous don't you think?" she asked limping over and pulling out a revolving barrel pistol. She put it out on the table as everyone stared. "Damn that survivors guilt," she almost chuckled as she perched on the counter again.

"You're point?" Chicago asked trying to move the conversation forward.

"My point," Summer said pulling out a box of smokes. "Is that you all have your weaknesses too," she smiled putting one in-between her lips. "So don't look down on me too much."

"I really don't care right now. Please don't smoke around us," Chicago said. Summer lit the thing and blew smoke in her face.

"Can't kill every demon can we?" she smiled. Chicago rolled her eyes.

"Okay so we all got problems, is this new news to anyone?" Columbus sighed. No one replied. "Good. Next step is to figure out where we're going," he said still sounding miserable, but considerably stronger.

"Colorado," Tallahassee said.

"Why Colorado?" Summer asked.

"Because I know a place that is nice and secluded. We can lick our wounds and rest for a bit," he said. She nodded.

"Okay," she said.

"Okay? Okay? We still haven't gotten a decent reason to trust you," he said slamming the box of crackers down.

"Because Chicago was right," Summer said easily. "I have a lot better shot with you than I do with Anarchy," she said raising the bottle again. Everyone seemed puzzled so she kept talking. " Colorado is pretty safe. New York is a hotspot. They have a camp somewhere in the Deep South too, but I don't know where exactly, and I know there is one out west on the coast," she said.

Wichita nodded slightly. "Answer why you want to survive and I'll trust you," she said. Summer smiled and took a long drag.

"I'm gonna come out on top. I spent my life so far just surviving, now I'm gonna run the show," she smiled.

"How do you plan on swinging that?" Tallahassee chuckled.

"You leave that to me," she replied. "But I'll tell you this much, I like you all, but if we get in a jam I'm grabbing a truck and running. I'm not gonna bail your asses out, so anyone who wants to live better keep up," she smiled slyly. Chicago looked her over.

"Then as long as it is of benefit you'll hang with us?" she asked. Summer took another absurdly long drag.

"That's the plan," she nodded releasing the smoke again.

"Anyone have a problem with it?" Chicago asked realizing they needed a real and honest weigh in. No one spoke. "Okay then. Lets clean up and hit the road," she said feeling like she needed to lead everyone through the morning. Everyone filed out and Tallahassee took the cracker box with him.

"Do they trust me?" Summer asked rubbing out the cigarette.

"Trust is something you'll just have to earn," Chicago replied. Summer took another hit from the wine bottle. "It's pretty early, you should probably ease up on that." Summer smiled.

"When you've measured your life in joints, syringes, and shot glasses, a little wine isn't going to do much damage," Summer replied. Chicago reached out and put a hand on the younger woman's shoulder.

"I like you Summer, I really do, but let me tell you," she began but Summer held up a hand.

"I was just testing the waters. Believe me I have no interest in being leader of your little gang. Just listen to me when I know what I'm talking about and I'll help you as much as I can," she said as if reading Chicago's mind. "You guys aren't stupid or you wouldn't have made it this far, and I respect that," she added before limping out of the room.

Chicago let out a breath she felt like she'd been holding the whole time. Summer was a liability and an asset, that much was clear. The girl had disassembled a horde on her own while injured. Clearly she was capable. Chicago chewed her lip for a moment. She'd run with her gut before and it had worked out. Now it was telling her to trust Summer. "Okay," she sighed.

 

Chapter 54- IHOP​

They loaded up and rolled out not long after. Wichita took the wheel while Tallahassee occupied the seat beside her. Dad Columbus and Chicago took the back seat. Summer was slouched in the very back sleeping amongst the luggage. Little Rock was lying on top of Tallahassee's large duffle bag beside the older girl.

Chicago looked over her shoulder at the sleeping girls and silently thanked god for the size of the Chevy Suburban. It was a bit on the cramped side, but not nearly as bad as it could have been.

Summer seemed to be sleeping deeply because they hit a pothole and she flopped around limply. "I guess she's sleeping off her shopping trip last night," Chicago smirked.

"It'll be good for to have someone who doesn't sleep at night. You know reversed sleep cycles. She can keep watch," Columbus said quietly.

"I still don't trust the little bitch," Tallahassee grumbled.

"Will you stop calling her that," Chicago sighed.

"It's okay, I've been called worse," Summer said. Chicago looked back surprised to see the girl awake. She moved her injured leg gingerly into a more comfortable position. Chicago watched and gave a puzzled look.

"You killed almost a whole horde on your own the other, while you were injured," she observed. Thinking back when the fight took place it didn't seem like Summer was hurt at all. "How?" she asked.

"Adrenaline is the sweetest drug of all," she smiled. Chicago cocked her head as the girl settled back against a box of canned goods to sleep some more. In the front seat Tallahassee fidgeted digging around in the empty box of crackers. He rolled down the window and tossed it out.

"I'm starving," he complained.

"Me too," Little Rock sighed. Half a box of crackers had done little to calm her growling stomach.

"I know I'm looking," Wichita replied. Chicago tried to take her mind of the emptiness in her own stomach and looked at Dad who hadn't said a single word all morning except for the crack he had made at Summer. He sat motionless staring out the car window and she wondered what was happening in his head.

Wichita finally pulled over at an IHOP and everyone got out. "Hopefully the freezer is still running," she said. The big glass entrance doors had been busted out so they moved in over the glass looking around the deserted restaurant.

"Not a very good spot… too much glass," Summer observes putting a cigarette in-between her lips. It seemed more of a cautious assessment instead of a knock against the others.

"Here," Columbus said moving towards the metal swing doors that lead to the kitchen. He kicked it in and jumped forward at the ready to fire, but it too was empty. "It's all clear," he said. Chicago smiled when she saw that nothing had changed in the boy because he was shaking like always.

Wichita and Little Rock quickly started to ransack the area looking for food. In no time they collected some frozen meat and a pan to cook it in. Meeting everyone's prayers the gas grills did work. Summer stood at the metal doors looking out through the round windows. Her cigarette melted away slowly as she kept watch.

Tallahassee sat on a table in the middle of the kitchen watching life happen around him. Dad finally got out of his little corner where he had stood the whole time and sighed. "We should change your dressing," he said. Tallahassee didn't resist as the older man attacked him with sanitizers and gauze after fetching them from the car.

Chicago walked back and forth as the bacon fired and Tallahassee complained about Dads cold hands. She moved to the doors where Summer was still keeping watch. "Do you ever blink?" she asked the girl who hadn't moved her gaze even once.

"Sometimes," she replied blinking for the first time that Chicago had seen. The girl took the cigarette from her lips. "We're vulnerable here," she sighed.

"We're fine," Chicago sighed looking out at the still dead surroundings. Summer looked at her.

"It makes me nervous to not have a back way out," she said sounding genuinely edgy.

"We're fine," Chicago repeated.

"I think we can take these out," Dad said poking at Tallahassee's side again. The cowboy jumped a little when the older man clipped the stitches and pulled them out. He gripped the table.

"Ow! Goddamn it!" he hissed.

"There all done," Dad said taping some gauze over the wound,

"Little warning next time," Tallahassee snapped. Chicago smiled as he pulled his shirt on and grabbed his hat still giving Dad a dirty look.

The bacon finished frying and everyone ate hungrily save for Summer, who still refused to move from her place at the door. She didn't budge even when Columbus offered to keep watch for a little while. "I got it," she said rubbing out the cigarette stub on the door. He shrugged and ate the rest of his meal.

Chicago ate slowly as the rest of them gobbled and talked. A couple times everyone laughed, even Dad and Summer. Chicago then had hope that maybe the group had a chance.

They were just about done when Summer drew a pistol from the back of her pants. "Shit!" she snapped. Everyone went on his alert. She held her finger to her lips asking for silence as they moved getting ready.

"How many?" Chicago lipped soundlessly. Summer held up four fingers. Chicago nodded and looked at the others.

"We can make a run for the truck," Columbus whispered. Chicago nodded. Summer shook her head and held up five fingers twice. Chicago rolled her eyes. "Head for the truck," she said standing up and striding forward.

She kicked the doors open and sprinted. The zombies caught sight of her and followed leaving the way clear for the others. Summer went after the zombies while Tallahassee and the others went for the truck.

Chicago turned on her heels and shot five of the zombies before they got close. Only one escaped the fire from Summer and her. She grabbed the mans outstretched hand and twisted making him stumble. She planted her boot on his neck and pressed down until he stopped moving.

She ran back to the truck and jumped in as zombies from the surrounding area started to come for them. "Go! Go!" she shouted as a zombie reached the bumper. Little Rock opened the back door and sent him tumbling down. Tallahassee adjusted his hat.

"What a rush," he smiled. Chicago was still panting. She looked at Summer.

"Thanks," she said.

"No problem," Summer replied filling the empty clip back up.

"Adrenaline is the sweetest drug," Chicago added with a mischievous smile.

"Finally," Tallahassee said. Chicago spun around not knowing what he meant. "I'm happy to leave the Midwest. The sun hasn't shone since we got here," he said. She noticed that the sun was out from behind a cloud. Instantly she felt happier. With the sunshine came new hope. They had another good fighter in their team, and for some reason she could feel the family bond strengthening around her.

She leaned up and kissed Tallahassee on the cheek, just happy to be alive and with him.

 

Chapter 55- Milestone ​

Chicago was sleeping soundly when Tallahassee moved. His arm had been around her waist and he took ultimate care removing himself from the bed. Slowly he tried to slip out from under the sheets, but she stirred and looked over her shoulder groggily. "Where you going?" she asked.

"Just a cramp, go back to sleep babe," he whispered before leaning over and kissing her. She sighed and snuggled back down as he wrapped the covers around her and moved out of the bedroom. He moved down the hallway of the house ignoring the muted speaking coming from Columbus and Wichita's room and joined Summer on the couch. She offered him a half gone bottle of wine. "What kind of disease will I catch if I do?" he asked taking it.

"I am smarter than that," she said lacing her words with venom. He took a drink with a half smile. "Besides when I want you dead you'll know it," she added. He almost spit it back out and she started laughing.

Chicago heard the door open to the bedroom, but kept still. When the bed moved she rolled over and grabbed Tallahassee pulling him down for a kiss, however hit a snag when she realized that something wasn't right. Either Tallahassee had shrunk into a nice petite body or it was Wichita.

"Chicago!" the younger girl hissed fighting off her hands.

"Sorry!" Chicago exclaimed trying to get away. They both flailed around until finally she managed to flick on the light. "What are you doing in here?" she snapped trying to calm back down.

"I need your help," Wichita said.

"What?" Chicago asked still disoriented.

"What were you doing anyway?" she asked.

"I thought you were someone else, but that's beside the point what do you want?" Chicago asked. Wichita clamped her hand over the older girls mouth.

"Shhh! Keep your voice down. I need your help," Wichita said. Chicago felt a little lurch in her stomach.

"Why? What's wrong?" she asked whispering again. Wichita bit her lip.

"If I tell you, you can't say anything. You have to promise," she said. Chicago sighed.

"This can't be good news," she sighed. "Okay I promise." Wichita looked back at the door.

"I think I might be pregnant," she whispered. Chicago felt like she just got punched.

"What!" she snapped. "Are you sure?" she asked trying to keep calm.

"No I'm not sure, but I'm really afraid," Wichita replied. Chicago took a deep breath.

"Okay, well just keep calm. Did you tell Columbus?" she asked. Wichita shook her head.

"I wouldn't have even told you if I didn't need your help," she said.

"Like what could I do about this?" Chicago couldn't help but laugh nervously.

"I need you to grab some tests when we go into town next time. I'd do it myself, but I don't think I'd be able to get them without Little Rock or him noticing," she said. Chicago sighed.

"Okay, yeah. I'll try," she said wishing that Wichita hadn't come to her for help. Problems were so much easier to deal with when they are just ignored.

"Thank you," Wichita said leaning in and giving Chicago an unexpected hug. Chicago gave her a reassuring squeeze.

"It'll be okay," she said realizing how afraid Wichita had to be. The younger girl slipped out and Chicago turned out the light again, but couldn't find sleep again. Tallahassee slipped in later and she rolled over. "Where you been?" she asked.

"I'm sure I was contracting some sort of disease," he mumbled stumbling over to the bed.

"What?" she asked completely unable to piece together what he was saying.

"Nuthin'," he replied crawling onto his side. H settled in with a sigh and closed his eyes. Chicago rolled onto her stomach and looked at the clock on her phone. "Something wrong?" he asked.

"No," she replied. He rolled onto his side and propped himself up.

"The longer I'm around you the worse you lie," he said. She gave him a smug smile.

"Uh oh, when you're able to tell when someone is lying it's a milestone in the relationship," she said. He gave a little laugh.

"I'm okay with that," he nodded. She couldn't help but kiss him after he said that. She sighed as he ran his hand along the side of her face. "So what's wrong?" he asked.

"Nothing," she said smiling sincerely. She rested her forehead against his and sighed swallowing a lump in her throat. "Shit got complicated fast didn't it?" she asked fondly. He kissed her nose.

"I think that's just life," he said. She hugged them and their cheeks brushed. He kissed her neck making her tingle. Chicago felt her heart beat a little faster and knew all at once she had the perfect moments to say the words that she had been thinking about for too long.

"I'm in love with you," she whispered. Tallahassee felt his heart skip a beat and she kissed him a little rougher. His mind raced looking for words and as he opened his mouth to stammer a reply that probably wouldn't make her happy the door flew open.

Little Rock was bawling as she jumped into the bed. Tallahassee had been through the motions before and he moved just in time to avoid getting kneed as the girl crawled into the space between the adults.

"Sweetie what's wrong?" Chicago asked not really sure what to do.

"I had a bad dream," Little Rock said. "Can I sleep with you?" she asked as she sniffled. Chicago looked at Tallahassee who didn't seem shaken at all.

"Sure darlin'," he sighed. Little Rock crawled under the covers.

"What was your dream?" Chicago asked brushing Little Rocks hair out of her face. The girl shook her head and leaned against Chicago.

"I couldn't find you guys. They were just everywhere," she said and Chicago felt warm tears soak through her shirt. She felt a little awkward comforting the child, but then was suddenly reminded that she was just a child. Despite all of her maturity and insight into matters way beyond her years at heart Little Rock was only twelve. Chicago wrapped an arm around the girl and gave her some reassuring pats.

"It's okay, we're right here," she said softly. Little Rock was starting to calm down. Chicago looked over at Tallahassee again. He wouldn't meet her gaze, instead he just played with the fringe of the blanket. She wondered what he was thinking, but after Little Rock fell asleep she couldn't keep her eyes open much longer.

Tallahassee waited until both the girls were asleep before he looked over at them. It had definitely been a hell of a night. As he watched them sleeping like mother and child he knew there was no way to get out from under the fact that they were a family. He couldn't sat he wanted to though. As scary as it was to realize that that Chicago loved him and the kids needed him a little part of him wanted it.

He sat up all night listening to the two beside him. Many nights before he had wished that someone had been in the bed with him to quiet a frightened child. He'd wanted it for so long, while at the same time he refused to fall into a pattern. The last thing he wanted to do was settle down. The idea of a routine was what scared him most with the situation.

He didn't want to move and wake the girls, but Tallahassee could feel the night slipping past at a creeping pace. When the faintest glow became apparent outside the window he couldn't bear it anymore and got up. Neither of the girls stirred as he slipped out.

"Still awake are you?" Summer asked as he rounded the corner. She was reclined on the couch next to the empty bottle.

"Hard to sleep around all of you," he said shrugging. Without anymore chatter he moved into the kitchen and went to the sink. He patted some cold water on his face trying t remember how long it had been since he had shaven. Out of the corner of his eye he saw something sitting on the table.

"Feel free to use that," Summer said when she saw him move towards the table through the kitchen door. He looked at the twisted pile of metal before realizing that it was one of those things that he's seen advertised on television. Curious he picked it up and attached it to the doorway. In the commercials people could do pull ups on the dumb looking things. He leaned on it expecting it to break, but it held. He took his feet off the ground letting it carry his full weight, but it didn't even flex.

Tallahassee gritted his teeth and pulled himself up. He could feel his side sting a little because of the movement, but the pain was bearable and the release of energy was absolutely amazing. He repeated the motion again and again until his arms started to burn and beads of sweat formed on his brow. He felt much better as he let go and his feet hit the floor. All the tension had dissipated.

"You know that's probably not the best thing for you right now," Chicago sighed leaning against the doorframe. Tallahassee turned around mopping the sweat off of his face with his t-shirt.

"If I didn't move I was going to die babe," he said. She just gave an amused smile.

"Pretty macho though," she added. He grinned like a little boy and she rolled her eyes. "Hit the shower," she said shaking her head. He moved past her and she jumped a little as he gave her butt a little smack on his way out.

She fixed a skimpy breakfast of dry cereal and some frozen sausage patties. The rest of the family came out and ate leisurely. Wichita clearly hadn't slept and Columbus seemed a bit tense because she was acting so odd. Little Rock looked better, but didn't mention that she had gotten into bed with Tallahassee and Chicago the night before. Summer looked ready to go to sleep and Chicago thought that she might face plant into her food several times. Dad retained his streak of relative silence. Chicago felt bad because she preferred him in mourning silence to his normal annoying self.

Not bothering to clean the table after the meal she wondered down the hall to the bathroom. The door was cracked open so she pushed her way in. Tallahassee's face was foamy and he was in the middle of shaving. "You know you didn't seem to phased by last night," she said leaning against the door frame. He looked at her in the mirror.

"Well, this isn't my first rodeo," he said. She smiled a little.

"But still… I don't know," she shook her head not sure why she was having the conversation anymore.

"You did nicely by the way," he added as he ran the razor under his chin. She folded her arms and gave a self-conscious laugh.

"You know what this means?" she asked. He rinsed the extra foam from his face and toweled off.

"Don't say it," he shook his head smiling as he held up a finger as if trying to stop her. She laughed a little and pushed his hand down resting her palm against his chest as she smiled. He shook his head and she laughed.

"They are our babies," she said giddily as he tried to stop her.

"Aww come on don't say that," he said good naturedly. She laughed and they kissed.

"Is it that bad?" she asked keeping her face inches from his. He looked her in the eyes lovingly before giving her another kiss.

"Like I told you last night, I'm okay with that," he said. Chicago felt like she might float away as they kissed again. She knew she was in love completely.

 

Chapter 57- In The Clear ​

When the first window broke Tallahassee took care of the intruder with a mallet used to tenderize meat. When the next five windows broke the group scurried outside into the car. Chicago and Dad carried the unconscious man while the others jumped in. Summer took the wheel against Tallahassee's wishes and soon they left the house far behind.

Chicago sat in the very back making sure that the wrapping on the strangers neck didn't need attention. Little Rock settled down on Tallahassee's duffle like always while Dad and Columbus sat with Wichita in-between them. Neither spoke and Chicago made a mental not that after she smoothed things out with Tallahassee and made sure Wichita wasn't pregnant and figured out what the hell she was going to do with the guy next to her she would try to get the father and son on speaking terms again.

"We need to find a place to stop," Summer said.

"No, we just got off, if you're tired let me drive," Tallahassee objected.

"Hey, we need to stop at a store really fast," Wichita added.

"What? We have plenty of supplies," Columbus said.

"Cut it out we're not stopping," Tallahassee raised his voice.

"Well the guy in the back needs a place to lay down. Anymore of these fucking pot holes and he's going to bleed out," Summer said swerving around a zombie.

"We're not stopping," Tallahassee said raising his voice one step louder than everyone else.

"Guys no I really need to stop at a store," Wichita said. The argument continued to get louder and louder until the whole car was filled with shouts.

"Hey! Hey!" Chicago screamed overtop of everyone else. They settled down. "Look, first we're going to pull over at a store and let everyone have a little break. Then we're going to drive until we find a motel or something, got it?" she snapped. Tallahassee didn't look happy but no one argued the point.

She sighed and eventually Summer pulled over. "I'll stay and watch our guest," Dad grunted getting out.

"Thank you," Chicago nodded slinging her bag over her shoulder and heading for the small store where Tallahassee was already opening the doors with Little Rock on his heels. Inside there were a couple of zombies, but Chicago didn't even blink because they were prey to Tallahassee and the twelve year old in no time at all. "Wichita, Columbus why don't you two go get some more water," Chicago suggested wanting to direct the young couple away. Wichita winked as she followed her boyfriend away to the grocery section. Tallahassee and Little Rock were searching the snack food isle for Twinkies as Chicago slunk away to the toiletry section. On the next isle over just beside the pharmacy she found what she was looking for.

Not wanting to smuggle the whole box out she grabbed a few of the tests and shoved them into her jacket pockets. Moving down the isle fast she grabbed a box full of condoms and shoved it into her bag. Next she opened the door to the pharmacy and went inside. It didn't take her long to find the morning after pills. She knew exactly what to look for because once her mother had made her get some as a teenager. The situation had been so embarrassing and scarring every detail was ingrained into Chicago's mind.

She found them and took them from the packages filling unmarked orange prescription bottles with the pills. After shoving the bottles into her bag she went back out. It sounded like the others were finishing up with the rest of the store and she moved down the toiletry isle again.

"What are you looking for babe?" Tallahassee asked. She jumped having not seen him.

"Tampons," she replied slickly. He smiled smugly.

"So that's why you were such a bitch in the car," he laughed. She rolled her eyes wanting to punch him, but shrugged instead and gave a forced smile as he went on his way.

As they left the store Chicago gave Wichita a discreet nod letting the younger girl know that the mission was a success. Almost four hours passed before they found a small town and stopped at a two story Victorian house that seemed out of place amongst the modern ranch style houses.

Almost an hour passed before they finished barricading all of the doors and windows. Summer was passed out in the couch while Little Rock and Dad played Scrabble at the table. Tallahassee was watching some old cowboy movie he had found with Columbus. Chicago was sitting next to the window in a bedroom on the top floor. It had been a pain to haul the unconscious man up the stairs, but all of the rooms with beds were on the second story. She looked over at him now and again, but he remained motionless except for the rise and fall of his chest.

The door swung open late in the evening and Chicago looked over to see Wichita. "We're in the clear," she said.

"Good," Chicago replied. "I left a bag of supplies on your bed. I want you to take one of the pills from the bottle every morning after you… you know," she said. Wichita gave a charming smile.

"Thank you," she said.

"No problem," Chicago replied.

"How is he?" Wichita asked looking at the man on the bed.

"I have no idea, but he's still breathing," Chicago shrugged.

"So is Tallahassee mad at you?" the younger woman asked.

"Oh… a little probably… and he should be. He's right after all. I am begging for trouble with Summer and this guy…" Chicago sighed putting her head in her hands.

"Don't be so hard on yourself," Wichita shook her head.

"People like them are dead weight, but I just can't let them die… I mean, there aren't many humans left… we have to look out for each other," she said.

"I will admit you're a bit of a softie Chicago," Wichita said taking a step into the room. "And it brings trouble… but it's an admirable quality that takes strength to have," she added. "I gave up caring about strangers a long time ago because I just… couldn't afford to… and now I look back and I regret a lot of things I did to keep me and Little Rock afloat… things we didn't have to do."

"But the stakes are a lot higher now. I don't want to put you kids in danger, but I don't want to let people like him die and I can't do both… I don't know," Chicago sighed.

"Don't worry. We are fine. Summer can fight, so that means that it's just Dad and this guy that are liabilities," Wichita said.

"Summer's a liability in her own way," Chicago said looking at Wichita.

"I think as long as you are sure about what you're doing Tallahassee and Columbus will play along," Wichita said. Chicago gave a small smile.

"What about you?" she asked. Wichita shrugged and smiled.

"You already have my trust… I know I chewed you out a couple of times before, but I do trust you… just as much as I trust Columbus," she said. "I can tell that you would die before you let anything happen to us. I know it and I respect it and I trust it… We've never had anyone we could rely on before Chicago… but I tell you I know now. I know I can trust you and the boys."

"Thank you," Chicago said taking Wichita's hand.

"So don't second guess yourself okay?" Wichita added smiling.

"Okay," Chicago replied.

"Goodnight," Wichita said before slipping from the room leaving Chicago to watch over the man in the bed and think about what had been said.

 

Chapter 58- Phoenix ​

Chicago was writing when the man woke up. He sat up and flung the covers off rolling out of the bed and attempting to get to his feet. "Hey!" Chicago snapped trying to calm him down.

"¿Dónde la cogida estoy yo?" he snapped. Chicago sighed.

"I don't speak Spanish, do you speak English?" she asked trying to look friendly.

"Who the fuck are you?" he said without any accent. She felt pretty relieved knowing that they would be able to communicate.

"My names Chicago. Please calm down, you're safe here," she said sitting back down hoping to earn his trust. He looked at her for a moment then tried to get up again to no avail. "You got hurt pretty bad, you shouldn't move," she said gently moving to help him.

"Hey! You just stay the fuck back!" he snapped trying to get up again. By some miracle he managed to get to his feet, but stumbled. Chicago moved and caught him. She let him steady himself against her and she could see the look in his eyes representing his acknowledgment that he had to trust her for a second.

"You need to rest you lost a lot of blood," she said as she guided him to the bed and eased him down into a sitting position.

"Where am I?" he asked panting.

"You're guess is as good as mine, I don't pay much attention to maps anymore," she said honestly. He kept panting looking very pale. "You need to lay back," she said. He didn't object and she helped him back against the pillows. His hand went to the bandages around his neck.

"¿Qué es?" he asked. Chicago was confused but pieced together what he had just asked.

"Your throat was cut when we found you. We wrapped it up," she said slowly. She pulled his hand away from it. "You're safe here, you need to sleep, we can talk tomorrow" she said. He shook his head slightly.

"Can't sleep with those things out there," he said. Chicago started to pick up a New York accent on him.

"They're always out there," she said. "That's why I'm here. I'm keeping watch," she added pulling the covers up over him. He didn't look convinced and she saw his eyes flick down to the gun on her belt. She took it out and offered it to him. "If it'll help you sleep better," she said. He took it looking grateful and slipped it under the pillows.

"Thank you," he said sounding weaker. She nodded and went back to her chair near the window. He fell asleep shortly after.

The stranger didn't wake up for two days after that. Everyone was fairly content to stay put in the house and the zombie population outside didn't give any trouble. Tallahassee and Summer sat around still healing from their own injuries. Dad stayed in his room for the most part coming out to check on his patients occasionally. The kids kept themselves busy with games and activities.

Chicago didn't leave the room very much except for bathroom breaks and to eat with the family. She wrote page after page while he slept. She watched zombies shamble past the house and not even seem to pay attention to their presence. When he woke again it was with shouts from a nightmare.

"Easy," she soothed coming to his side. He panted sitting up in the bed.

"Water," he rasped. She handed him a bottle. Dad had told her that the man needed fluids. He downed it and she handed him another. After four bottles of water he was looking a little better. He wiped his mouth with the back of his hand and rubbed his eyes.

"You okay?" she asked.

"Do I look okay?" he replied. She smirked.

"Well you sound okay," she replied. He laughed weakly.

"What did you say your name was?" he asked.

"Chicago. We don't use names here, we use out home towns," she replied. He took a moment.

"Phoenix, I guess… I've never really had a home but that was my favorite city," he said slowly.

"You sound like a New Yorker," she observed.

"I was raised in Queens," he said. He scrubbed his hands over his face. "Was there anyone else in the house?" he asked. Chicago looked puzzled. "My sister," he said in explanation. Chicago felt a pang of grief. She didn't know the man, but she didn't want to have to tell him that his sister was probably dead.

"I don't know. My friend found you and drug you back, not me," she shrugged. He leaned back.

"Can you find out?" he asked.

"Yeah I'll talk to her, or you can," she said shrugging. His hand went to his neck and he gingerly explored his wound.

"I'm not an idiot though," he sighed. "I know you're not keeping me alive out of good will," he added. Chicago looked at him. Blood loss or no he was on top of things.

"What can you tell me about the people who did this?" she asked deciding not to waste time.

"Group of bandits they'd been running around for a while," he said. "They had left us alone until that last day and then… I shot a couple, but they must have gotten ahold of me and done this," he said shaking his head.

"That's all you know?" Chicago asked. He nodded.

"Why? Are you fishing for something?" he asked. She shook her head.

"They're a group called Anarchy. Real whack jobs. Half human half zombie essentially. We're just trying to get a handle on them," Chicago explained. He nodded in understanding.

"Do they take prisoners?" he asked. Chicago looked at him. She could see that he was trying to keep his cool, but there was a pool of desperation behind his eyes.

"I don't know. It's possible. Summer used to be a member before she hooked up with us. She's the one that found you," Chicago said going to the door. "Summer get your ass up here," she shouted down the stairs before looking back to him. He was looking at her, instead he was watching out the window. Summer poked her head into the room.

"You bellowed?" she sighed.

"Phoenix has some questions for you," Chicago said. Summers eyes flicked to the man in the bed.

"What?" she asked.

"Was there anyone else in the house?" he asked seriously. Summer glanced back at Chicago.

"No. I searched the house. It was clean, you were the only one there," she replied.

"Does Anarchy take prisoners?" he asked not hesitating.

"Sometimes, who are we talking about?" she asked.

"My sister," he replied. Summer shifted on her feet and nodded a little.

"Yeah, considering that there wasn't any trace of her in the house they had to have taken her hostage," she added. Chicago watched the man's face fill with determination.

"Where?" he asked barely above a whisper.

"That I don't know," Summer replied standing attention.

"You have to know where, she said you were with that crew," he said becoming a little agitated.

"Peons don't get to know much," Summer replied calmly.

"Well do you have a guess?" he persisted to ask. Summer looked at Chicago

"No," Summer replied becoming a little cold. Chicago watched Phoenix's jaw set.

"Look, we'll see what we can find out," Cihcago said intervening. She quickly followed Summer into the hall and shut the door. "What aren't you telling him?" she asked.

"The chances of finding his sister are slim to none. They take girls as prisoners and use them… life means very little if the person in question isn't a member you know?" she sighed.

"So if she becomes a member?" Chicago asked hopefully.

"If she showed skill it might happen… but few prisoners like that make it all the way back to the big camps…. That's why I have no idea where to start looking," Summer said reaching for a cigarette. Chicago stopped her.

"Don't tell him," she sighed.

"Didn't plan on it," Summer replied. The younger girl went down the hall and Chicago looked back in on Phoenix. He was staring at the gun in his hand.

"What are you thinking man?" she asked.

"You take me back to my place I'll make it worth your time," he said.

"It's been days. You won't be able to track them," Chicago sighed wanting to be realistic.

"You underestimate my ability to track," he replied. She cocked her head. He stood up with a grunt and swayed a little before steadying himself. "I was a cop, but I turned bounty hunter when I got tired of staying in one place." Chicago watched as he pulled off his shirt with some difficulty.

"So that's why you said you didn't have a home," she nodded. He gave a crooked smile.

"Born in Columbia, raised in Queens, and tied to nowhere and nobody. I moved up into the house where you found me after the outbreak to look after my sister," he said. Chicago took a count of his many tattoos. He eased himself back into the bed. "So is it a deal or no?" he asked.

"I'll ask the others," she replied. He nodded and closed his eyes.

"Hey Chicago," He called as she started to leave. "Thank you."

"No problem," she sighed and closed the door.

Downstairs almost everyone was gathered in the living room. Summer had preemptively gotten them all in one place and Chicago smiled.

"So what's the deal?" Tallahassee sighed.

"He wants us to take him back to where we found him," Chicago said honestly. Tallahassee shook his head. "He says he can make it worth our while," she added. The fact captured his interest.

"How?" Wichita was first to ask.

"He didn't say," Chicago sighed.

"He doesn't have anything to offer. The house was cleaned out I checked," Summer said pacing around behind the couch.

"Why would he want to go back?" Columbus asked.

"His sister was taken my Anarchy," Chicago replied. The group had a moment of silence.

"Well has anyone told him that she's done then?" Tallahassee sighed. Chicago gave him a stern look and he sighed. "Whatever, you guys figure it out because frankly I don't care," he sighed getting up. Chicago knew he was mad because she hadn't come to bed for the past two nights. He pecked her on the cheek and climbed the stairs.

"What will it hurt I guess," Columbus shrugged. Chicago looked around. Wichita nodded and Summer seemed indifferent.

"Thank you guys," Chicago said. "I better go settle big daddy down huh?" she chuckled.

"Goodnight," Columbus said as Chicago climbed the stairs and went to the bedroom where Tallahassee was.

"Room for one more?" she asked closing the door behind herself.

"Well who are you stranger?" he sighed. She jumped on the bed.

"Oh god. Don't be jealous," she said getting on top of him in an attempt to make him smile. It didn't work so she just sat there.

"Jealous of who?" he asked playing dumb.

"Of Phoenix. You're upset that I sat up with him for the last couple nights," she smiled Tallahassee shook his head.

"Untrue I'm just tired," he sighed.

"Well go to sleep," she said dragging her finger around his face.

"I would but I have a girl on my chest," he sighed with a hint of humor in his voice. She smiled knowing he was about to crack.

"What are you gonna do about it?" she asked. He smirked and grabbed her arms flipping her onto her back. He chuckled a little. "Good," she said before wriggling out from under him. Tallahassee struggled to keep ahold of her as they grappled around on the bed.

"You're pretty slippery," he said. She grabbed him and pinned him again.

"Pretty strong too," she smirked.

"Maybe I let you pin me so I could get you onto of me again," he laughed.

"DId you?" she asked playfully. He shrugged a little and knocked her off again.

"No," he grunted working to pin her down. They rolled around laughing and grappling and grunting. They got tangled up in the sheets and fell off the bed in a heap. She ended up in his arms. Their lips met an she put an arm around his shoulder.

"Not angry anymore?" she purred.

"I wasn't angry, annoyed and exasperated perhaps, but not angry," he sighed. She kissed him again.

"I have that effect on people," she shrugged. He kissed her again and pulled her close hugging her.

"Chicago?" he whispered.

"What?"

"I let you pin me."

 

Chapter 59- Stereotypes ​

Summer sat up from where she had been sitting on the couch dozing. The rattle came again and she was on her feet. Something was moving in the kitchen and the others had gone to bed hours earlier. With her pistol ready she went around the corner. "Hello?" she whispered loudly. When no one answered she rounded the corner and took aim on the first moving thing you saw.

"You gonna shoot me?" Phoenix asked standing up from where he had been bent down beside the fridge door.

"Why the fuck didn't you answer me?" she snapped lowering her gun.

"I wanted to see how trigger happy you are," he sighed opening the Mt. Dew in his hand. She rolled her eyes and put the pistol in the back of her pants.

"Did you loose too much blood to your brain or are you just naturally stupid?" she asked. He sighed and sat down at the table shrugging.

"Don't know baby," he said.

"Do not call me baby or I will shoot you," she growled. He smirked. "You shouldn't be down here," she added standing across the table from him.

"I was going stir crazy," he said taking a sip. She cocked her head trying to figure him out. Phoenix felt uneasy under her gaze and shifted a little. "When I was small I broke my leg and had to stay in bed a whole summer. When I got out and I felt the park grass again I promised myself I'd never be down again," he explained. She kept her cold gaze firmly fixed on him. He raised his eyebrows. "What?"

"Nothing," she shook her head. He took another drink and gave a long sigh.

"Okay, so this is where we size each other up right?" he said sounding all too knowing for Summer's taste.

"You tell me," she said coldly. He looked at her thoughtfully for a moment.

"Okay, you're wiry and probably just using these people. From the looks of you you've had a hard life. Scar just under the left side of your jaw. Probably from assault from behind. The scars on your arms suggest drug abuse… frankly I'm surprised you've been resilient enough to make it this far," he said clinically. Summer felt a little intimidated. She didn't like being studied.

"So you can look at me and deduce a little history. I don't think that puts you ahead very far," she said calmly.

"As far as character I can tell you plenty because frankly I know your type," he smirked taking another drink. "Streets, the bottom rung of society, thats where people like you fall. I think you've been hopping from team to team trying to find some people that can watch your back, but if they needed you and it was an inconvenience I wouldn't trust you to help baby," he took a drink, " I know I sound like a bastard for making such an attack on your character, and correct me if I'm wrong… but I don't think I am."

Summers mouth hung open very slightly. "Who the fuck do you think you are?" she asked. He shrugged a little looking unconcerned. "So, you've got an idea about me, and I have an idea about you," she said narrowing her eyes. He looked very attentive waiting for her to go on. "From your power of observation I'd peg you for a cop, you look the type," she said.

"Ha, you deduce from my deductions," he smirked finishing off the soda. She didn't smile.

"Full of shit, self righteous, and always trying to fight for the greater good," she almost spat. His good natured smile faded. Phoenix was just trying to be friendly, but he wouldn't stand for insults against cops.

"Is that what you think cops are?" he asked.

"I know. Just like you've tangled with my type I've tangled with yours," she said.

"Why does that not shock me?" he sighed getting up. Her frown deepened.

"See? You think you're better than me," she snapped. He looked at her and tossed the can into the trash. He stepped up until his face was inches from hers.

"No I don't. I think we're both human and that makes us equal. I do however think you should watch your step. Cops put everything on the line so scumbags like you and yours can enjoy the fucking pleasures you do," he said in a controlled voice.

"You're in Zombieland now man, get over your title," she replied. He stared her down.

"I was a bounty hunter after I was a cop," he said. "I got sick of dealing with people like you. I got sick of wondering how all of you could stand to live in slums and kill yourselves."

"Yeah? Well I got sick of you guys real fast too. Throwing your weight around. Telling us what we can and can't do. If I wanted to sit in a hole and kill myself with a needle I should be able to," she said. He looked away and moved back to the table.

"I'm not going to argue the law with you… especially since the world we came from doesn't exist anymore," he said. "For the last couple months we've taken a dip into hell."

"Bullshit. We're free now," she said pulling out her cigarettes. He watched her place a cancer stick in her mouth and gave a small shake of his head.

"Right, and freedom is where people can murder and steal without consequence," he sighed.

"A lot of people were doing that before," she shrugged.

"But cops and courts put a damper on it," he muttered.

"Whatever," she sighed lighting up. "We came from the same world, I know that," she said blowing a fog into the room. "So lets just keep out of each others way, because like cats and dogs, we don't mix," she said.

"I'd be glad to never speak again after you tell me where to find my sister," he said evenly.

"I already told you I don't know," she sighed.

"And you know that I can tell you're holding something back," he said.

"Yeah, but its nothing you need to know," she said. He got back in her face.

"I'll decide that," he said lowly. She didn't answer but instead gave him a defiant stare. Phoenix wasn't about to screw with her so he cut to the chase. Summer was caught off guard when he grabbed her and threw her up against the wall roughly. He shoved the pistol Chicago had given him up under the girls jaw. "I'm only going to ask one more time," he said.

"Then what? You shoot me and the others will shoot you," she said trying to hold her ground.

"I won't kill you, and I don't have to have them. It would be nice, but not essential. Whatever you know I need to know," he said pressing hard. She winced.

"Have it your way," she spat. "What I'm not telling you is that your sister has next to zero chance of living. People in Anarchy have no consideration for life. They rape and murder any girl who can't hold her own. If she makes it back to one of the main camps I would be amazed. That's why I don't have a place for you to look. I don't know where the small camps are so I have no idea where you could locate your sister's body," Summer spat. Phoenix tried to hid his alarm as he let her go.

"How did you survive?" he asked attempting to sound as collected as he had been before Summer had opened pandora's box for him.

"I killed my own family after I killed one of their own," Summer replied. Phoenix shook his head feeling like he had been punched in the gut. His sister wasn't a killer, but she might be able to if it was in defense. He sat down fearing that he might collapse. Summer took another drag from her cigarette. She didn't like him. One cop is the same as another and deep down she knew having him around would just be a constant reminder of the world she wanted to escape. Summer could see a bit of pain on his face though and it didn't fall on a heart of stone. "I'm sorry," she said after a lengthy silence.

"No, I asked and I need to deal with the answer," he said.

"No, I'm sorry about your sister not my presentation you deserved that," Summer said quickly. He looked up at her with an almost unbelieving expression. "Was she strong? If she could fight I guess she has a chance," she added. He nodded slowly.

"Yeah… she wasn't helpless, maybe she's… regardless of anything I'm going after her," he said with a renewed sound of determination.

"You're a good big brother then,"she said before leaving the room finding it too hard to deal with him.

Phoenix sat at the table trying to sort out what he could do. Eventually his thoughts wondered to Summer though. She was a problem. The world looked down on stereotypes, but they existed all the same. She was proof of it, and so was he. They were two breeds of people that the rest of the world would pick out and laugh at. The gritty jaded cop and the streetwise slum girl.

Phoenix ran his hand over his throat gently. She'd saved him though, so he owed her in some way. He sighed looking around the kitchen. She was right, they were cats and dogs, though he couldn't understand why. They had been on opposite sides of the law true enough, but not anymore. There were no laws in Zombieland, except kill or be killed.

Then it occurred to him that they didn't like one another because they both knew the others ones type. They both had the others faults memorized. Summer had been concerned that he was looking down on her. In a world where the dead had returned to life all she was concerned about was all she had ever been worried about. What others thought. She was the stereotypical insecure girl. He didn't want to think about what he looked like, the bitter cop, it was just too sickening.

Zombieland had been a get away free card from all of that until this chick showed up. Summer was going to force him to turn and face his demons. Phoenix didn't like the fact, so he decided to focus on his sister first. Her safety and survival, as it always had been, was his top priority.