~Zombie Land~

Chapter 80- Just Feels Right​

Denver was still toying around with the rusted pick up when the others started to wake up and run around. Chicago came around the corner and found him under the dash in a tangle of wires. "You know, we can get you a ride in town," she said. He looked out at her.

"You look nice this evening," he said. She smiled.

"Right, because bloodstains and scorch marks are always becoming," she said. He laughed.

"If you don't mind taking me a little further, I guess I'll take you up on it," he said getting out. "I think this one flat lined a while ago," he added.

"We need to make a few stops in town anyway," she said. "Tal, how are we looking?" she asked over her shoulder. He and Columbus were still sorting through the bags laying out all the things they needed on the ground. All of their junk almost filled up the whole lot.

"Good to go on guns, holsters and ammo. We need some lighters, flashlights batteries, maybe some water bottles, what else?" he asked looking at Columbus.

"Maps? Compasses? Maybe some better phones," he said.

"Good luck finding those out here in the boonies," Wichita said as she sat on the hood of the Caddy eating a granola bar.

"You shouldn't load yourselves down with so much," Denver said quietly. Chicago looked at him. "That was the problem with being in the army. We were the shit kickers of freedom. Dropped in the middle of hell and we had to carry two hundred pounds of crap we didn't need. Keep it light. Nothing that can't fit on your belt would be my rule," he said.

"Hand out the guns now, we'll figure the rest out later," Wichita said chewing.

Phoenix pulled on his shirt hoping to slip outside without waking Summer who was still naked under the sheets. He pulled on his shoes and snuck outside. The door gently clicked shut after he gave her one last fond look.

She was motionless listening to him leave. She scarcely breathed for fear he would realize she was awake. When the door clicked shut she opened her eyes and let out a sigh. Complication had just tripled in her life.

"What happening?" Phoenix asked pulling on his jacket. The light was so dim in the parking lot he could barely see his friends moving around.

"We're going to have a look around town, see if we can find Denver a car," Tallahassee replied putting the bags back in the trucks. Columbus looked at Phoenix for a long moment.

"Did you bunk with Summer last night?" he asked. Phoenix tried to play it cool.

"Yeah, I had the honor of sleeping on the floor," he lied. Columbus nodded. Summer followed along not long after. She didn't speak to anyone as she dug around and fished out a granola bar. She sat in the driver's seat of the truck, eating and smoking silently.

Rita brought the girls out shortly after. "Whole gangs here," Tallahassee whispered into Chicago's ear. She smiled and looked at him.

"One big fucked up family," she replied.

"All right, load up and lets get the hell out of here," Tallahassee called to the others. Summer started the truck tiredly and sighs when she watches the fuel needle rise slightly above the big red E.

"Problem here chief. We're almost out of gas," she said flicking away her cigarette.

"Really? I thought, I'd just filled that," Columbus muttered.

"We'll pick it up in town, now lets go," Tallahassee repeated getting behind the wheel of the Caddy. No one argued the point and everyone loaded up.

The town was eerily quiet when they pulled into the gas station. "Chicago Wichita, batteries. Me and Little Rock will grab the food and water. Rest of you fill the tanks and keep watch," Tallahassee said when they climbed out of the vehicles.

Chicago marveled at the man's ability to take control when he wanted to. He rarely was as clean and efficient about things. Their little 'kid' conversation must have scared him pretty bad the night before.

Phoenix put the nozzle into the gas hole and started the pump. When Summer came around the back of the car he started to get a bad feeling about the way she was looking at him. "Hey," he said casually.

"Hey," she replied softly.

"Is your shoulder better?" he asked.

"Cut it Phoenix," she said. He looked at her nervously. She brushed her hair back from her face refusing to look him in the eyes. "So, uh…. About last night," she said stumbling for words.

"Look, Summer I think," he began to talk but she held up her hand making him flinch.

"No, Phoenix, you listen to me," she shook her head a little. "A good fuck will keep a person sane you know? I don't think we should get serious or anything…. Just you know… be friends," she said less than poetically. He wasn't sure how to respond. All the women he had dealt with before had always wanted major commitment after a night of love, he'd always been the one running away. To have Summer backing out from any form of commitment was completely new. "Friends- friends with perks," she added. He nodded dumbly.

"Yeah- yeah I totally get that…. We uh… we got other things to focus on- so we'll just uh, play it by ear you know- keep it light, fun," he managed to say.

"Don't count on it happening again," she sighed as she walked away. Phoenix couldn't help but feel a bit dejected by that. She had been killer in bed. His perverted thoughts were quickly interrupted though by Nana pressing her face up against the car window and making funny expressions at him.

Phoenix waved back half heartedly as the two halves of his personality warred. He liked being a good moral family-man cop, while at the same time he liked being the badass jaded rolling stone bounty hunter. He sighed and removed the nozzle from the tank.

"Hey, how's Columbus holding up?" Chicago asked as she helped Wichita clear out the shelf of batteries in the store. "He seemed pretty composed this morning," she added.

"I think he's okay… I told him about our little scare last night," Wichita admitted quietly. Chicago decided not to question the timing.

"How'd he take it?" she asked.

"He seemed a little freaked, but okay with it… I don't know… I think Denver said something to him," Wichita shrugged. Chicago paused.

"What do you make of Denver?" she asked.

"He seems nice," the younger woman replied.

"Twinkies!" Tallahassee exclaimed on the next isle over. Chicago just smiled as Wichita gave her a 'I can't believe you love him' sort of look.

"My man," Chicago said fondly.

"Do you trust him?" Wichita asked.

"Oh just enough to sleep with him," Chicago replied.

"No, I mean do you trust Denver?" Wichita asked. Chicago paused again.

"Yeah, there's something I like about him," she said putting the sack full of batteries over her shoulder.

"What about Phoenix and Nana?" Wichita asked.

"Frankly, if they aren't zombies and aren't shooting at me, I'll like just about anyone," Chicago replied. She turned to leave and Wichita stopped her.

"Hey," she said. "I don't know why I feel happy all of a sudden. I know I shouldn't because of Dad, but something just feels right all of a sudden," Wichita said. Chicago smiled.

"I think things are going to get better now," she said. Behind them Tallahassee was still going on about his twinkies. Chicago smiled. "After all… we still got love," she said. "Life's just a big road trip."

The cars horns started to blow and everyone ran outside. "Lets go! Lets go!" Phoenix shouted as a couple zombies rushed him. He pulled out his sword and killed them easily.

"Coming?" Chicago asked looking at Denver.

"Cars are shit here anyway," he said hopping in the Caddy.

They jumped in the cars and took off laughing at the zombies as they gave chase.

The tiny town faded out behind them as they dove into the endless darkness of the desert and Chicago felt so free in the seat beside Tallahassee. They rolled down the windows and opened up the skylight.

Warm desert air filled the cabs and she felt her blood rush as the cars cruised along side each other. It was as if they were the only ones on earth and it had always been that way. She fiddled with the radio until a station came through clearly. There couldn't have been a more appropriate song playing. Breath blasted through the speakers and she started to belt it out along with Michelle Branch.

The girls in the other car started to join in. Tallahassee and Denver laughed as Chicago danced in her seat. "What's got you in such a good mood?" Tallahassee asked.

"I don't know," she smiled bordering on giddy. "Hey slow down for a moment, I want to try something," she said un-strapping. They watched as she crawled out the sunroof and laid flat on the roof. "Okay, go!" she exclaimed. Tal rolled his eyes and floored it.

"You maniac!" he exclaimed as she whooped on the roof.

"That's why you love me babe!" she yelled over the wind.

"She always this crazy?" Denver asked.

"Yeah," Tallahassee murmured. The crew in the other car honked and laughed cheering Chicago on.

"You guys gotta try this! I always wanted to do this!" she laughed.

"She's insane," Phoenix murmured watching out his window.

"I want to try that," Little Rock said pressing her face against the glass.

"Absolutely not," Wichita smiled. Summer crawled past Denver and moved through the roof. Chicago helped the other girl get set up before they both let go and threw their hands up. The rush of the wind earned a rare smile from Summer who started to laugh. Denver leaned up looking through the roof.

"Whoa," he said, "it's like a goddamn rap video." Tallahassee laughed and turned up the radio, glancing up now and again to watch his girlfriend look amazing.

"We're just living the dream, brother," he said. Denver relaxed back in the seat and looked over just in time to see the other truck fall behind when their breaks lock.

"Ho! Whoa! We just lost the other truck!" he exclaimed. Tallahassee looked at the other vehicle in the mirror.

"Girls! Parties over," Tal said flipping the radio off. Summer came in off the roof.

"What?" she asked.

"The other truck stopped," he said. "Chicago, U-turn coming up."

"Go for it!" she said flattening down against the roof. When he made the sharp turn she laughed as she clung to the runners. "This is amazing!" she exclaimed. "You have no idea how long I've wanted to do this!"

"Babe you are getting sexier by the minute," Tal muttered. They pulled up alongside the other truck and came to a gentle stop. "What the fuck are you guys doing?" he exclaimed.

"Shut up!" Little Rock hissed. They all listened to the radio in the truck.

"This is an emergency broadcast by the US army. Any survivors may seek shelter at the New Jersey refuge," the announcer said. "I repeat, all survivors are encouraged to seek shelter in the New Jersey refuge." The broadcast ended and everyone was very quiet.

"Whoa," Tallahassee finally said. Chicago slipped in off the roof. She looked into the backseat and her stomach lurched when she saw Denver doubled over in his seat.

"You okay?" she asked. He sat up with a smile on his face and a tear on his cheek.

"That's where my daughter is," he said. He smiled. "She's alive, I know it," he said. "I hadn't dared to hope until now," he said. She smiled and gave his hand a squeeze.

The trucks rolled on through the night. In the early morning hours when light was making the world grey Denver and Tallahassee were the only awake while the girls slept. They drove past an old farmhouse with a barn out back. "Whoa!" Denver exclaimed.

"What?" Tallahassee asked.

"Did you see that?" Denver asked looking back at the house. Tallahassee backed up the car. "Garden," Denver said pointing to a lush patch of green in back of the house. The other truck pulled up along side them.

"Are we stopping?" Phoenix asked.

"Yeah," Tallahassee replied. The trucks pulled into the driveway and they woke up the girls. Chicago sat up rubbing her eyes.

"Wow… nice digs," she groaned.

"Fully stocked too," he said getting out. Armed to the teeth the group moved up to the porch. Chicago knocked on the door.

"Is anyone home?" she called receiving no reply. The others peeked through the windows.

"Looks empty," Wichita said.

"Phoenix Rita, check the barn," Chicago said. "Summer, the lock?" she asked stepping away. With a cigarette hanging from her lips Summer came forward and started to work the lock. Chicago had discovered the girls knack for locks back when they had gone Christmas shopping together. It took Summer no time at all to open up the door. Chicago went in first, closely followed by Tallahassee and Denver.

She looked around at the clean interior. Nothing looked out of place or disturbed. She moved into the kitchen and put her gun down on the counter flicking on the lights. To her pleasure they worked. Columbus narrowed his eyes. "How are they on? There are no wires… and I don't hear a genny," he said.

"Solar panels," Wichita suggested.

"Spread out, search the house," Tallahassee said. Ten minutes later the place was clear. Phoenix and Rita reported the same for the barn. Chicago sighed tiredly.

"Welcome home then I guess," she said. "At least for a while," she smiled.

"I'm going to go put the trucks in the barn. Someone check the garden, see if anything is still good," Tallahassee said. "Come help me spit fuck," he added pulling Columbus along. Rita and Denver went out back into the garden and cheered when the found an untouched crop.

Chicago stayed in the kitchen looking out the window at the pink sky. "Something feels right about this," she said to Wichita who was testing the sink.

"I know, I feel it too," Wichita smiled.

 

Chapter 81- Care To Dance ​

For a while Chicago felt like they were just arriving at a hotel. Everyone bringing in their bags, claiming bedrooms and exploring the house. She liked the feeling of living on the run sometimes. Every stop was new and fresh.

Nana and Little Rock made short work of ripping apart the house in search of entertainment as the adults unpacked the essentials from the trucks. Rita and Denver got a meal together using the fresh vegetables from the garden.

Chicago just wanted to sit still and watch life happen around her. There was no sight than that of seeing her friends all together. She helped set the table, listening to Denver tell Rita where he had gotten his recipes. Both the girls laughed at his outlandish tales of travel in the military.

"Next I suppose you'll tell us you strapped yourself to a pair of sea turtles," Chicago smiled. He laughed.

"I loved that movie," he said. "Here taste," he added holding out the wooden spoon.

"You just earned ten points in my book," Chicago smiled before sipping the stew from the spoon. "Good," she purred.

"Thank you," he grunted as he lifted the heavy pot off the stove.

"And here?" Rita said shoving a sliced cucumber wedge at him. He took it chewing happily. Rita shoved another at Chicago, who almost choked as a spicy kick warred with the coolness of the crunchy meat.

"What's on it?" she managed to ask.

"Columbian secret, do you like it?" Rita winked.

"It's very good," Denver said convincingly. Rita turned her back and he looked at Chicago whose eyes were wide and watery. 'Are you serious?' she asked with her face. He shrugged smiling.

"I'll be right back," Chicago said stepping out of the room as she carried an armload of plates into the dining room. The house was gorgeous all on it's own. Everything was wood and it looked just rustic enough to be homey without looking decrepit. Slatted shutters hung from all the windows, their tan paint cracking like an old oil painting.

Quickly she set all the places. "Dinner guys!" she shouted. The rest of the family piled in around the table. They had rammed a couple of card tables against the ends of the dining table to make enough room for everyone.

The dinner was absolutely perfect. There wasn't a lot of variety in the goods, but the company made up for the world going to shit. Chicago almost felt guilty that she was so happy. Denver continued with his stories prompting Tallahassee to get involved. Soon they were in a competition to one up each other.

About the time Tallahassee was describing how he had single handedly wrestled a bear into submission Chicago called time. Everyone else around the table was in tears with laughter. "What? What? I swear to god I did," he chuckled.

"I can't beat that man," Denver nodded holding up his glass. "Except for that time with the sharks down in Brazil," he added. Chicago smiled wiping her mouth on a napkin.

"Okay guys," she panted catching her breath after laughing so hard. "I propose a toast," she said holding up her glass. "To a new home and good company," she said.

"To a new home and good company," everyone repeated clinking their various cups together.

"I haven't been this well off for a while," Phoenix said chewing on a carrot.

"Me either, back with Anarchy food was rationed out into teaspoons of liquefied bread," Summer said in an unusually cheery manner.

"Anarchy?" Denver asked. Chicago folded her napkin on her lap again.

"A group of savages. Came out with the zombies. Still human, but ruthless," Phoenix explained.

"They kill everyone they come across, most times," Summer shrugged.

"You've had a run in with them I assume then?" Denver asked. Tallahassee nodded.

"I have the scar to prove it," he said. Denver's brow furrowed.

"You don't think they would cause trouble with the camps do you?" he asked.

"The 'refuges' you mean?" Summer asked. He nodded. She scoffed a little. "Those rinky-dink government camps are shit anyway. We knocked them over just for fun," she said.

"I'm sure Jersey will be fine," Chicago said knowing exactly what he was thinking.

"Are you serious about going man?" Tallahassee asked.

"Yeah, I have to," he said quietly. Chicago didn't like the way thins were going. She noticed that everyone had finished eating and stood up.

"Columbus, help me clear the table?" she asked collecting her plate.

"Sure," he said jumping to help.

"Just leave them in the sink I'll wash them," Rita said. Chicago piled the plates into the boys arm and sent him off.

"I'm gonna have a smoke," Summer sighed standing up.

"Wish you wouldn't," Little Rock said. Summer looked back.

"How old are you? You sound like my mother," she said.

"I'm just the twelve year old who knows that it is a BAD thing to fill your lungs with tar," Little Rock replied. Summer rolled her eyes and left.

"And you find that attractive?" Tallahassee asked leaning over to Phoenix.

"What? No!" he exclaimed.

"Don't lie to me. I saw the goo goo eyes you make at her," Tallahassee smiled.

"You think I could love a bitch who almost blew us up?" Phoenix asked gathering Nana up.

"Honestly?" Tallahassee asked. "Yes." Phoenix stormed out of the room and Denver laughed.

"Polar opposites, always a good mix," he sighed.

"Well… the three of us all share the common knowledge of how to get a woman to leave us," Tallahassee shrugged.

"Yeah, work hard, tell them you love them and forfeit all things you enjoy for them. It seems the only way to drive a relationship into the ground," Denver replied sarcastically.

"Yeah, that's the thing I never understood. Fellas like us bust our nuts to make a lady happy and she takes off. Guys who beat on their girls, never are alone for a second… just can't figure it," Tallahassee replied leaning back in his chair.

"Maybe you were smothering them," Rita said coming back out for a second load of dishes. Both of the guys looked over their shoulders startled by her comment. "Women don't like it when guys hang on them. You gotta let us have our space to breath," she continued.

"Well then why are you always wanting to spend more time with us?" Tallahassee asked. Rita paused.

"Ladies are a little like cats, they will do what they want when they want," she said before disappearing back in the kitchen.

"Not to sound gay, but I like dogs better," Denver said resting his elbows on the table.

"Amen," Tallahassee nodded. He stood up then. "Well, I'm going to go make a few adjustments," he said heading for the back door. Denver sat at the table for a few moments before he took a deep breath and leaned his head back.

The family spent the rest of the day cycling through the shower. By the time evening fell they were all clean, the house was sufficiently fortified, and everyone was settled in.

Chicago finished tucking in Nana and Little Rock in an upstairs bedroom and closed the door gently. "Goodnight," she said as Columbus and Wichita passed her.

"Night," Wichita replied before slipping into the bedroom.

"Goodnight… Oh! I left my computer on charge in the kitchen, can you unplug it before you go to bed?" Columbus asked.

"Sure," she replied. They closed the door softly and she wondered down the hall. "Tal?" she called pressing up against the door to the bathroom.

"I'm in the shower," he replied.

"Oh, okay," she said before continuing down the hall. Behind the next closed door she could hear Rita and Phoenix chattering back and forth in Spanish. She smiled only understanding a few words of what they said.

Slowly she made her way down the creaky stairs. Summer had claimed the basement as her own and forbid anyone from going down there. Chicago had half a mind to wonder down to the cellar just to annoy the smoking delinquent, but she refrained.

She found Denver looking through a collection of records in the living room. "Jesus, vinyl?" she asked. He turned holding up one of the huge disks.

"When was the last time you saw one of these?" he asked.

"At a garage sale like a million years ago," she smiled coming down the stairs and looking through the box with him. "Wow… this one is older than me," she said.

"Oh, come on, now you're going to make me feel old," he laughed looking at the worn out covers. She smiled as he put on one of Fleetwood Mac's records. Songbird started to play through the worn out old speakers and Chicago giggled. "What?" he asked.

"I can't imagine having music you could actually touch. Now a days you never even hold it, everything is digital," she said.

"No school like the old school," he replied. She sighed listening to the soft song. "Care to dance?" he asked suddenly. She looked up and bit her lip surprising a crooked smile.

"Yeah," she replied. He pushed aside the coffee table and they assumed the position. One of her hands rested in his while her other arm went around his shoulder. His free hand rested just above the small of her back. They swayed back and forth shifting around to the music.

"I know it sounds awful, but I'm really glad to be here now," he said in a soft voice because of their proximity.

"What do you mean?" she asked.

"Well, the company is infinitely better than what it was with Kicker," he clarified. She laughed a little.

"I'm glad you're glad," she said. For a moment Chicago felt awkward being so close to him, but with time she relaxed. "Does that mean you've reconsidered leaving us?" she asked changing positions and putting both arms on his shoulders. He rested his other hand on her back.

"No, I still have to go," he said.

"Your daughter?" Chicago asked.

"Yeah," he replied. Chicago watched his eyes as their faces hovered just inches apart.

"How long has it been since you've seen her?" she asked.

"Years," he sighed.

"You know, we could help you find her," Chicago suggested.

"I thought you guys were going to head north?" he replied. Chicago gave him a puzzled look.

"What?" she asked.

"That's what Tallahassee seemed to think," he said.

"Does he now," she sighed.

"Not what you were thinking?" he asked.

"I don't know… Sometimes our communication is lax," she smiled.

"How long have you two been together?" Denver asked.

"I don't know really. We met after the outbreak," she shrugged. He smiled.

"He's a lucky man," he said. She blushed a little.

"I'm a lucky girl. He's pretty good to me," she said. Denver was quiet for a few moments studying her.

"You remind me of my daughter," he said softly.

"Really?" Chicago asked.

"Yeah, you two both have the independent determination that will drive a guy mad," he said.

"A guy as in a boy or a guy as in a father?" she chuckled.

"Both I'd imagine," he said. "I had her for one summer after my wife left," he said with a sigh. "The word 'no' meant absolutely nothing. If she thought it was the right thing then by god she would do it," he said. "It's good quality," he added. "But only in intelligent people."

"You're a good father going so far to find her," Chicago smiled letting her voice fall into a hushed tone. Tallahassee cleared his throat from the staircase. Chicago and Denver both jumped a little. Only as they broke apart did Chicago realize how close they were to each other. Denver reached over and took the needle off the record. "Tal," Chicago said already seeing that there was something wrong in his eyes.

"Not interrupting am I?" he asked.

"No just having a little dance," Chicago replied.

"Uh-huh," he grunted eyeing Denver. "I just came down to see if you were coming to bed," he said in an even tone.

"yeah, I'll be right up," she said. With another hard glance Tallahassee went back up the stairs and disappeared. Chicago turned back to Denver. "Well, goodnight," she said.

"Goodnight," he said taking her hand and kissing it. "By the way," he said as she reached the staircase. "You are an excellent dancer," he smiled.

"Yeah, well, slow dances are easy. You just kinda sway in a circle," she chuckled. He nodded. "Goodnight," she said again.

"Goodnight," he replied and she climbed the stairs. Chicago dreaded opening the door to her bedroom because she knew that Tallahassee was going to be a bear, but she did it with a smile anyway.

 

Chapter 82- Passion Not Romance​

"Tal?" She whispered. He was in bed with the covers pulled up and his back to the door. "Tal, come on," she sighed closing the door. He didn't reply. "I know you're not asleep," she said sitting down on the bed. "Because you were awake thirty seconds ago," she added.

"So what was that about?" he asked finally.

"What was what about?" she asked playing dumb.

"What I just saw," he replied.

"Oh for fucks sake what the hell are you mad at now?" she sighed.

"What do you think?" he rolled his eyes.

"We were dancing," she said flatly.

"Dancing? A bit strange don't you think?" he replied.

"No, you and I have done it," she countered.

"Not like that!" he exclaimed. "Pardon me for not liking seeing you in the arms of another guy with your lips just about this far apart," Tallahassee said holding up his fingers with a tiny distance between them. "Tell me, if I'd let you two have a few more minutes would you have been necking by the time I got there?" he asked.

"Tal!" she snapped. "Oh Jesus," she couldn't help but laugh. "You think I'm hot for Denver?" she asked.

"I don't know, do you have a thing for older guys?" he countered.

"I cannot believe you," she smiled truly amazed at the jealousy Tallahassee was showing. "You. Are. So. Jealous," she said wrapping her arms around him.

"I am not," he shook his head remaining cold to her.

"You are too," she laughed. Chicago pecked him on the cheek. "Be secure in your masculinity my love, because I am with you all the way," she said putting on an air of nobility. He finally cracked a smile and hooked his hands around her hips.

"I'm sorry," he said then added, "So we're even now, we've both had a freak out."

"Right baby," she smiled before kissing him again. "Just remember, I love my cowboy."

"And I love my city girl," he smiled. She grabbed his hat off the bedpost and put it on.

"Save a horse, ride a cowboy," she winked.

"No cowboy here, only Big Chief," he said in a horrible Indian impression.

"Oh, okay, Big Chief," she laughed then licked her lips seductively. "You gonna make me your little white woman?" she asked.

"See if you can stop Big Chief," he replied. She giggled as she jumped from the bed while he lunged for her.

"What the fuck are they doing in there?" Phoenix muttered passing the bedroom that he though Tallahassee and Chicago were sleeping in. Ignoring the ruckus he continued down the stairs and crept past Denver who was stretched out on the couch. Phoenix was almost to the kitchen when Denver's easygoing voice spoke.

"There are some roses in the garden," he said. Phoenix jumped spinning around. Denver had his arm resting across his eyes, but still he had known.

"What?" Phoenix replied dumbly.

"You should never call on a lady without flowers," Denver sighed.

"I'm getting a drink of water," Phoenix said.

"Uh-huh," Denver grunted less than convinced. "Trust me boy, you have that girl on the brain."

"Goodnight Denver," Phoenix replied going on his way.

"Your secrets safe with me," Denver chuckled. Against all rationality though Phoenix did go out to the garden. Sure enough, in the shade of the barn there was a single rose bush with four small flowers. He picked one carefully avoiding the thorns. With all care he peeled open the petals and went back inside.

The tap was so faint Summer was unsure she had even heard it, but regardless she snuffed out the joint she had stolen from Tallahassee's jacket put it behind her ear and climbed the stairs. Her gun felt cool in the back of her pants and she ignored putting her shirt back on as she opened the door a crack.

"What?" she snapped. Phoenix leaned against the frame holding the rose between his teeth. "No," she said starting to close the door. He held it open with one hand.

"What?" he asked.

"I'm busy," she replied disappearing down the stairs.

"Doing what?" he asked closing the door after himself.

"None, of your damn business, now fuck off because I'm not in the mood," she snapped.

"Someone is grouchy," he said in a singsong voice. "And after I brought you a pretty flower," he added mocking a hurt voice.

"I don't like being interrupted when I'm working out," she replied then looked back at him. "And I don't like flowers."

"Noted," he said quietly as he went down the stairs. She ignored him as she removed the joint from her ear and lit it again. He smirked. "This is working out?" he asked. She gave him a hateful glare before jumping up and grabbing a pipe that ran across the ceiling. "Oh," he cocked his head watching her start to do pull ups.

"Do you need something?" she grunted.

"I just through," he shrugged losing what to say after that.

"You just thought you'd come down here and fuck me again," she half laughed. He walked around so he was facing her front. Phoenix was doing his best not to be distracted by her bra and breasts, but he was failing.

"You know, I've seen some weird shit, but I have never seen someone smoke pot while they exercise," he commented trying to steer the conversation away from sex despite the fact that it was the primary thing on his mind.

"Yeah, well, you know," she replied. The smoke came out from her nose falling down to the floor in clouds.

"Probably tougher on you, for lack of oxygen I imagine," he shrugged. She dropped down off the pipe and removed the joint from her lips.

"Seriously, what do you want?" she asked dangerously. He shrugged shaking his head.

"Nothing," he replied quickly and started to retreat towards the staircase leaving the lone rose on the mattress that Summer had pulled down into the cellar. She sighed wiping a bead of sweat from her forehead.

"Hey," she said sharply. Phoenix hated not being able to tell when she was pissed and when she was just addressing him. For some reason the tone seemed to have a consistent flavor of hate, even when she was saying civil things.

"Yeah?" he replied looking over his shoulder. She brushed her hair back out of her face.

"I don't want to burn out you know? Fuck the same person for to long and it gets boring," she said. "That's why marriage doesn't work." He smirked.

"I can think of some ways to keep it interesting," he said. She crossed her arms.

"Yeah?" she asked.

"Baby you have obviously never dated a Latin guy before," he said taking a step forward. She held out her hand stopping him with a rough jab in the chest. Her face had gone serious.

"Well you just broke the rule there… we're not dating. Stress relief okay? Passion not romance," she said sharply. He looked at her a little unsure if he liked that take. "Got it?" she snapped. He couldn't tear his eyes out of hers and he slipped his hands around her waist pulling her close. Their faces were less than an inch from each other and he could feel himself breathing the same air as her.

"Yeah, I got it loud and clear," he whispered before pressing his mouth up against hers. She didn't resist and he put one of his hands behind her head deepening the kiss. Her hands worked his belt, and they both fell onto the mattress on the floor next to the water pump. Indeed it was Passion, not romance.

 

Chapter 83- Like A Movie​

The sunlight filtered through the single half window that touched the ceiling in the corner of the cellar. Phoenix woke up first. He rolled over and looked at Summer who was curled beside him. The white sheets were carelessly strewn about, it was warm though, so they only covered about half of her. Only the good parts in Phoenix's opinion.

She looked so peaceful while she slept, so unlike the hurt person she was when she was awake. Her face was like a porcelain doll, smooth and relaxed. He watched her chest rise and fall against the sheets and wondered what she was dreaming about.

For a moment instinct told him to wrap himself around her and cuddle close, but then the reality that she probably wouldn't like such a friendly gesture from the man she was sharing her body with hit him. As smoothly as he could manage he got up and pulled on his pants.

Summer woke up as the sheets moved. She didn't open her eyes though. She stayed still trying to decide if she should wait until he was gone. Against all her instincts and past experience she opened her eyes and took a deep breath.

Phoenix continued to dress trying to not be phased by her awakening. She rolled onto her stomach and sighed. He picked up the pace pulling on his shoes. Mentally Phoenix was chastising himself for the undeniable feeling of guilt and love that had settled on him. Guilt for agreeing to a relationship where there was to be no love and love for the very person who wanted it to be that way.

"You just can't stand it can you?" she smiled. He looked over his shoulder.

"Hmm?" he grunted lacing up his boot.

"You can't stand not being the moral cop," she clarified. He straightened up looking at her with a blank expression.

"You think you're the only one who has lived hard?" he asked. She kept her cool gaze fixed on him. "Well, guess what baby, I have too. While I was chasing down people I did plenty of shit I shouldn't have. I walked on the darker side of the tracks okay," he sighed.

"But deep down you're good," she said softly though not weakly. He furrowed his brows.

"You say that because?" he said bending over to lace up his second boot.

"You just are, don't ask me why…. I know it isn't natural for you to do something like this," she said.

"Oh, I don't know, if I leave some money on the dresser everyday it might be," he attempted to joke.

"Not funny," she replied. "All I'm saying is that I know… how hard it is when you have to change and fit into something you're not… but I think this is good for both of us," she shrugged. He didn't reply for lack of things to say. "And you know, I think that it's important you be the good fatherly guy…. During the day or whatever… but when you're with me, you're not… because like I said I'm not looking to be mommy, or tame down, or whatever it is you wish we could be," she said

Phoenix picked up his shirt from the floor. "Just stop," he said holding up a hand. "Just stop, because you're the one looking like an asshole here," he said deciding that he needed to play hardball. She looked shocked for a mille second before regaining her mask. "I know the rules, I know what you want and I am okay with it or I wouldn't be here," he finished before pulling on his shirt.

"Okay then," she replied coldly as he went for the stairs.

"Oh, and I'm not wishing for anything from you. Fuck changing. We're the last ones in the world… It's the one time we can be our own fucked up selves, you know?" he added before going up the stairs. She didn't bother to reply as the stairs creaked and he disappeared.

Phoenix grumbled to himself as he climbed the stairs and opened the door. He almost fell backwards when Denver was poised in knocking position on the other side. "Whoa!" Phoenix exclaimed in a muffled shout. Denver took a step back.

"I was just coming to get you, Chicago wants everyone in the living room," Denver said.

"Tell her to want in one hand and shit in the other," Phoenix replied starting to move past Denver. The older man put out his hand catching Phoenix.

"Whoa!" he snapped though keeping his voice in the same rather quiet level he always did. "Show a little respect," he nearly growled. Phoenix locked eyes with Denver and for a moment they were locked in a silent battle of will. He finally broke down under Denver.

"Tell her I'll be right there, Summer is still… not ready," he stumbled over very nearly uttering the word naked. Although he knew Denver knew about the relationship, he also wanted to keep it away from open conversation. Denver nodded, not needing to say anything more.

Phoenix trudged into the living room where everyone was already gathered. Chicago and Tallahassee were cuddled on the couch whispering to each other and Columbus and Wichita mirrored them by the windowsill. Rita was audible in the kitchen conversing with Denver. Even the children were paired, coloring together, in the corner. Phoenix felt Summer brush past him and sweep into the room. She pushed opened a window without a word and lit her cigarette.

Denver and Rita came in from the kitchen and caused Chicago to stand up. "Okay guys, we need to have a serious work day," she said. "Columbus, we need phones for everyone," she said looking at him first. "Who knows cars?" she then asked.

"I know how to steal them," Summer said flatly.

"Denver?" Columbus asked.

"I don't particularly feel like frying myself today, and that's about the extent of my power," Denver replied.

"I'm not talking a mechanic here, just you know… Check the oil and stuff," Chicago shrugged.

"Nobody touches my Caddy," Tallahassee interjected.

"Fine, then Tal, take Phoenix and Denver, go check the cars. Once you're done we can clean out the bags again," she said. "Girls?" Chicago turned to the children and Wichita. "Rip up the house. Anything useful you find, gather it together," she said. "And lastly, Rita, please grab any food the kitchen has."

"I think it would be wise to take a car and find the next town," Columbus said.

"Why?" Tal grunted.

"Because, we should know where the nearest place with shelter and supplies is," Columbus said. Tallahassee rolled his eyes.

"We have two full tanks of gas," he replied.

"Well, I just think-" Columbus started to say but Tallahassee held up a hand.

"Spit fuck, who is in charge here?" he asked. Columbus sighed and his shoulders sagged.

"No one really," he said.

"Okay, between you and me who can hit harder?" Tallahassee rephrased the question. Columbus rolled his eyes.

"You," he said softly.

"Damn straight," Tallahassee smiled getting up. He pulled up his pants a little. "So, lets get to work," he sighed.

"Whoa!" Summer exclaimed making everyone stop. "We have a problem," she said keeping her eyes firmly fixed on a point in the distance. Everyone crowded the windows looking for whatever she was seeing. Chicago squinted in the light.

"Oh no," Nana whimpered holding Phoenix's hand. There was a line of black figures.

"Get the bincoula-" Chicago began to say, but before she could finish Denver ad pressed them into her hand. "Oh, thank you," she said a bit thrown by his response time. He nodded. She put the binoculars to her eyes and gazed out at the strangers. "One two three for five six seven eight nine… damn there are a lot of them," she said giving up al together on counting the approaching horde.

"Should I get the cars?" Denver asked. Chicago sighed looking away from the window.

"Yeah, lets go," she said.

"No!" Wichita snapped.

"What?" Columbus jumped.

"We are not running!" Wichita clarified. "This place is great, and I refuse to let those things have it," she said firmly. "We should stay and fight." Wichita looked around the room.

"I'm in," Summer said throwing her cigarette out the window and hopping outside.

"Whoa, no way! Wichita it's too dangerous," Columbus protested.

"Baby, we need this place," she replied begging him with her eyes. He sighed.

"Get the guns in here," Tallahassee said.

"Denver, would you take the girls up to the roof and get set to snipe? The rest of us will hit them from the ground," Chicago said checking her side arm. "Columbus, go with them," she added as an afterthought.

"What is she doing?" Phoenix breathed looking out the window to see Summer walking towards the horde.

"Summer?" Chicago called joining him. The zombies had begun to run.

"Oh shit!" he exclaimed. "Chicago watch Nana!" he shouted jumping out the window and sprinting out towards the impending nightmare.

"Goddamn it! We're not ready!" Chicago shouted. Nana was starting to sniffle.

"Miguel!" Rita shouted.

"What?" Chicago's world came to a screeching halt.

"Go get him! He'll be hurt!" Rita said frantically as she watched her brother hurdle the fence.

"They're going to get themselves killed," Denver said tensely as he watched Phoenix run like the wind. Chicago shepherded Nana away from the window and up against Rita.

"Stay here," she instructed then looked at Tallahassee who was busy with Columbus and Wichita trying to get the guns ready. Chicago shoved a couple knives in her belt, then she grabbed the first two that were loaded and followed the others out the window.

"Shit! Chicago!" Tallahassee muttered. "Here, give 'em some cover," he said handing Denver a rifle. The older man nodded and went upstairs.

Phoenix knew he wasn't going to get there in time. "Summer! Summer!" he shouted running as fast as his legs would take him. She was still walking at a leisurely pace, despite the zombies being all too close.

They reached her before he did and the fight started. She kicked one back into the crowd and four others grabbed her. She shot them in an extremely cool manner and knocked the next one in the head with the butt of the gun. Everything she did was streamline and fluent. She never stopped, just kept flowing from one hit to the next.

He got there and took two down with his sword. Immediately they were in sync. One of them would hit a zombie and the other would take the next or the killing blow. She didn't say anything to him, she didn't even look at him, but he could tell that she knew he had her back, and he trusted her just the same.

Chicago had to stop and pause for a moment. They were like dancers. The fight was brutal and gory and both her friends were becoming covered on all manner of 'unwanted fluids' as Columbus would have said, yet there was something absolutely beautiful about it. They worked like one person in a flurry of movement. Both striking where the other wasn't looking. They never faltered.

When she heard the first shot from the upstairs window Chicago snapped out of it and ran to help her friends. She dropped several zombies with her guns before taking to the knives in her belt.

"Go! Go!" she heard Phoenix shout. Chicago looked over her shoulder to see him pulling Summer to her feet. She was clutching her leg as blood ran through her fingers. He held a big zombie at bay until Summer was on her feet and sprinting, despite her wound, back to the house.

Tallahassee passed Summer as she retreated at full speed, but he didn't stop. The axe in his hand was just begging to be put in someone's skull and he couldn't deny the wish. Chicago ducked as he swung it and knocked a zombie's head clean off. "One!" he shouted.

"Five!" Chicago replied downing another.

"You cheated!" he exclaimed as he hit another with the axe.

"There are too many!" Chicago shouted at Phoenix as he put his blade through one's skull as it writhed on the ground.

"I know!" he replied. Chicago and Tallahassee focused on the excited mob of zombies for what seemed like an eternity before Phoenix flew by them. "Run!" he exclaimed.

"What?" Chicago asked turning around to watch him flee. He was nothing but a dust outline practically. Then she spotted Summer standing with a lit Molotov cocktail. "Whoa!" she shouted grabbing Tallahassee's sleeve and starting to run.

Summer waited for them to get past her before she through the bottle. It landed next to the one she had thrown before. "There you go you fuckers," she breathed. The bottled exploded and she pulled out another.

"Those are damn big for cocktails," Wichita observed.

Summer lit the rag then pulled out a cigarette and lit it off of the bomb. She rolled it out towards the stragglers of the horde and turned her back. The others watched from safety as the explosion happened behind Summer.

"That looked like a fucking movie," Chicago panted watching Summer move as the flames dissipated behind her. Once she was inside the fence she started to limp noticeably.

"What the fuck was that about?" Phoenix snapped.

"Ya'll okay?" Denver asked from above.

"We're good," Phoenix replied.

"No we're not," Tallahassee replied. Chicago's heart skipped a beat.

"No?" she asked.

"No," he replied pulling out his pistol. He leveled it at Summers head. "You're bit," he said.

"Whoa! Whoa! Whoa!" Phoenix put his hands up and tried to slide himself between the gun and Summer.

"Phoenix, step aside, she needs to be dealt with," Tallahassee replied

"Hey, fuck stick, I'm not bit," Summer said.

"Whoa! What did you just call me?" Tallahassee snapped.

"I said back off motherfucker," she shouted. He looked dangerously close to shooting her. The kids and Denver arrived at the windows to see the altercation.

"Tal, put the gun down," Chicago said softly.

"If she's infected we have to put her down," he said.

"She's not bit!" Phoenix said.

"Her legs bleeding," Tallahassee said with a stoic calm.

"One of them shot me," Summer explain motioning to the uneasy group inside the house. Tallahassee looked sideways at the kids giving Summer just the moment she needed to lunch out take the gun from him and knock Tal down. She ejected the clip and tossed the gun. "It's a graze, and next time I talk you should listen," she said coldly before walking away. Tallahassee stayed on the ground, stunned by her attack.

"Hey that better not have been my whiskey you blew up!" he called after her.

"It wasn't!" she replied. He looked a bit relieved as Chicago pulled him back to his feet. "It was the gas from your fucking Cadillac!"

 

Chapter 84-Snakes In The Dark​

"So then, Donny grabbed the stupid thing by the horns," Denver could barely speak for how hard he was laughing, "and he was hanging on for dear life while me and Luo were watching from behind the fence. We had no damn clue what to do and so Lou got the bright idea to jump the fence run across he paddock and tick the bull into following us into the pen."

"Did it work?" Little Rock asked.

"Well," Denver drew out the word and shrugged his shoulders. "For a moment it did, then we learned the bull could run faster than we could with all out gear on," he laughed.

Chicago chuckled. They'd been doing this all evening. After the fight with the horde, the crew had hauled the bodies away and burnt them a few miles away. Too tired to do any other work they started a fire in the back yard and vegged out. Around the flames they had laughed and ate and enjoyed each others company.

"How'd you get away?" Nana asked softly. She'd been speaking more and more freely to the group and Denver's story had kept her completely enthralled.

"The bull went after Lou and not me," Denver smiled sheepishly. Everyone laughed. "So I managed to get myself into the pen and grabbed a blanket… given it was yellow, but it worked all the same. The bull ran in, I hopped the fence, Lou shut the gate and Donny dropped out onto the platform," Denver said.

"And you were fucking with the Bull in the first place?" Tallahassee chuckled.

"Well, it seemed like a good idea at the time," Denver shrugged taking another drink of his soda. Chicago leaned against Tal as the air started to cool.

"Hey, Little Rock, Nana, come see what I found with the picnic stuff," Columbus said motioning for the girls to gather around him. He pulled out several long black tubes. It was hard to see in the firelight, but Chicago could here him tearing the tubes open. She smiled looking at Tallahassee as he wrapped his arms around her. "There you go," Columbus said as he handed Nana a glow stick necklace. The girl grinned like mad and Little Rock joined her shortly.

"I wish there was just one thing in this world that makes me as happy as a kid with a glow stick," Phoenix smirked.

"Guys, don't get outside the fence, stay where we can see you," Wichita sounded like a little mother as she nagged the girls.

"Look at this," Columbus said fixing a glow stick to a Frisbee.

"Oh, Columbus no, someone's going to turn an ankle," Wichita said.

"Wow… total reversal of roles, spooky," Tallahassee grinned.

"Yeah, normally Columbus is the wet blanket," Chicago chimed in. Columbus tossed the glowing disk to the girls. It really was beautiful, like a flying saucer of all colors against the black sky. Chicago sighed and leaned into Tallahassee a little more. "I love you," she whispered watching the kids play. He kissed her on the top of the head and gave her a little squeeze.

"Maybe we should have another," he whispered. She looked up at him, the stars reflected in her eyes.

"Really?" she asked.

"I was just thinking about it, I want you to be happy, and if that means kids, so be it," he replied. She bit her lip.

"What if I'm one of those girls who wants a hundred babies?" she asked.

"If you want a hundred then we'll have a hundred," he replied. She laughed.

"Good thing I only want one, maybe two," she said with a wink. He was about to come back with a smart comment about the unflattering effects of childbearing when Denver jumped up at the same time as Phoenix.

"What?" Tallahassee exclaimed.

"Girls freeze!" Phoenix ordered his voice echoes across the empty desert. The playful laughter and chatter of the girls went quiet.

"Denver, what?" Chicago whispered, but he didn't need to answer her, the ominous little rattle replied.

"No one move," Phoenix said. He very carefully picked up a flashlight and started to scan the ground. Following the sound of the rattle until at last the beam fell on a snake. "Nana, listen to me, back up very very slowly okay. Just move away from it," Phoenix said. The girl whimpered, but followed his instruction and got away from the snake. "Okay, time to go in," Phoenix grunted as he picked Nana up in one arm while keeping the snake in view with the other.

"Agreed," Wichita said keeping her hand on Little Rock's shoulder. Denver and Chicago kicked the dirt over the fire and grabbed anything that couldn't be left outside.

"Goodnight," Columbus said before he climbed the stairs with Wichita.

"Goodnight," Chicago replied.

"I'm gonna tuck Nana in," Phoenix said as he took the girl upstairs.

"Is everyone done in the kitchen?" Rita asked.

"Hold on I'm not," Tallahassee said going off to further stuff his face. Chicago put her hands down deep in her pockets and looked at the pile of junk they had pulled in.

"Clean this up in the morning?" Denver sighed.

"Yeah, lets," she replied. There was a moment of fleeting silence before she sighed and looked at him. "Can I ask you a favor?" she said.

"You know you can," he replied.

"Go check on Summer? I haven't seen her since she put Tal on his ass… we should probably make sure she didn't bleed to death," Chicago said.

"I'll take care of it," he nodded.

"Thank you," she replied. "I'd do it, but she doesn't exactly like me."

"Why is that?" he asked.

"First time we met I shot her," Chicago shrugged.

"Oh," he nodded as if that explained everything.

"Chicago, get in here, I just found a can full of cherry pie filling!" Tallahassee exclaimed form the next room. Her face flushed and she looked at Denver with a smirk.

"Don't eat that!" Rita snapped.

"I should go defuse that," Chicago sighed with a smile. He just chuckled. "Tal, please don't eat the whole thing," she called as she went in the kitchen.

"This would be great one Twinkies!" he said disregarding the girls. Denver laughed as both of the ladies started to harp against him. Slowly he slipped around the chaos in the kitchen picked up the medical bag and went downstairs.

"Summer?" he called.

"What?" she groaned. It was pitch black in the basement and all he could see was the glowing tip of a cigarette.

"I'm turning on the lights," he said feeling the switch to his left. A single dim bulb dared to light after the click and he could see Summer sprawled on the mattress. "How you doing?" he asked.

"Just fine for being shot," she sighed. He looked at the bloody shirt she had wrapper her leg in.

"You gonna leave it like that?" he asked.

"It'll heal," she replied taking a long drag.

"It'll get infected. May I?" he asked. She shrugged and he lowered himself with a grunt to the floor. "Little old for this don't you think?" she added.

"I haven't outlived my usefulness yet, when I do, please put me down," he said.

"Deal," she replied coldly. He gave her a shot glance of annoyance then unwrapped her leg. He didn't speak as he cleaned it and rewrapped it. "You were pretty lucky," he said getting to his feet.

"You were the one who shot me," she replied coldly.

"Well if you hadn't run off and gotten your ass out of line, nothing would have happened," he replied. She was taken aback that he would be so harsh. "And Columbus was the one who shot you by the way. If you'd gotten in my way, you'd be dead right now," he added. She rolled here eyes. "You know, I'm not just trying to be the old guy who knows everything, because I'm not, but you are damn lucky," he said seriously.

"How do you figure?" she asked keeping her apathetic tone.

"You had someone charging out into danger to bail you out of your stupid decision," Denver said packing up the bag. She was silent. "When I was in the war, you could always tell when a soldier was liked," he said zipping the bag up.

"Oh really?" she sighed sounding disinterested.

"Yeah, the ones that weren't came home in body bags… don't moan and complain like nothing is going on for you, because for someone with your disposition you are doing pretty damn good," he said then climbed the stairs and shut the door behind himself. The bulb flickered and died leaving Summer in the dark as soon as the door closed.

"Of course."

 

Chapter 85- Paradise Lost ​

It had been a wonderful week since the group arrived at the little farmhouse. The garden still had a supple supply and everyone was enjoying the respite. The illusion that home had finally been found was starting to become more and more a reality.

Storm clouds blew in during the late afternoon and Chicago couldn't help but marvel at the beauty of an impending storm. The sky was black, but from somewhere light came through from the sun and the colors of the earth popped.

Phoenix and Rita were washing clothes, hanging them out on a line to dry in the increasing wind. The kids had found a bat and a few balls the day before and with the help of some paper plates nailed to the ground were playing baseball in the open space beside the house. Summer was sprawled in the sunlight tanning while Denver watched the game from the porch, relaxing in the comfort of an armchair.

Chicago was in the barn with Tallahassee. He busily worked on painting the number three on the doors of his Caddy. "Why three?" she asked.

"It's my family's number. My daddy wore it, I wore it, and Buck wore it," he said as he sat with his nose inches from the door and painted the straightest line he could. She smiled.

"Oh," she replied. "Do you need anything?" she asked.

"Yeah, could you get me drink?" he asked never looking from his work.

"Yeah," she said turning and going out of the barn. When she stepped through the threshold the wind whipped her hair around violently. The sound of the kids laughing carried on the wind like music. Chicago passed under the hanging clothes and went to the porch.

"He was safe!" Denver yelled.

"Winds really picking up," she observed pausing beside him.

"I know," he nodded, "it's going to be a bad one. Looks like it could cut loose anytime." Chicago looked up at the black lumpy sky. Her heart skipped a beat when she saw the dreaded shape.

"Denver?" she said placing a hand on his shoulder. He looked away from the game. "Do you see that?" she asked. He looked at the sky standing up slowly.

"I do," he said looking at the funnel cloud. For a moment neither spoke. "Never saw a twister without lightning," he said watching the spiraling cloud. The first clap of thunder came shortly after and Chicago knew the storm was upon them.

"Denver get the kids inside," she commanded sprinting back for the barn. When she flung open the door Tallahassee jumped.

"Goddamn it! You made me mess up," he muttered.

"Tal there's a tornado. Help me get the bags," she said ripping the back doors of the truck open.

"What?" he asked a little slow to catch what she had said.

"Help me get the fucking bags so we don't lose our shit if this thing hits!" she shouted loading a bag on each shoulder and in each hand. She took off again running for the house. "Phoenix, Rita get the stuff in the house! There's a tornado!" Chicago called over the wind. Both of them jumped up from their leisurely washing and grabbed the majority of the clothes.

Denver had the kids in the house by the time Chicago arrived through the door. She threw down the bags. "Take these get down in the basement and stay there," she said before running back out the door. Tallahassee passed her on the way bringing more. He went back catching her loading her arms again. "Last trip," she said handing over a couple bags. Together they made one last sprint for the house. She tossed down the bags and looked around. "Did you get the ammo?" she asked.

"Shit! I set it on the workbench out there when I was painting," he said. She turned to go and he caught her arm. "Just leave it!" he exclaimed.

"No! What good are guns without bullets?" she said pulling free and running back out into the storm. It was raining and the water soaked her through quickly. She ran into the barn and looked around frantically. The bag was sitting right where he had said it would be and she took it over her shoulder.

She looked back out into the storm and her heart pounded as she saw the twister set down on the ground. A vicious cyclone of dust and debris that scared her more than anything she had ever seen before. Knowing she had to get back to the house she ran as fast as her feet would carry her. Tallahassee was waiting anxiously at the door and closed it as she came inside.

Neither of them could hear anything above the wind and for a moment it was hard to move the whole world was shaking beneath them. "Bathtub!" he shouted. She nodded and they ran to the nearest bathroom.

Chicago found herself down in the porcelain shell with Tallahassee resting protectively over her. The room shook and sound blocked all of her senses. She wasn't sure how long it was before the worst of it passed and they deemed it safe to sit up.

"Holy shit," he breathed as it quieted to an eerie still. She looked at him for a moment then shook her head.

"I can't believe that just happened," she said breathing hard. He nodded feeling a little stunned. "What are the fucking odds," she grunted getting up. Slowly she opened the bathroom door and revealed the destruction.

All of the windows had blown out. The kitchen was a wreck with shattered plates and scattered old food. The living room wasn't much better. It was as if someone had picked up the house and shook it.

"Hey guys?" Chicago called out. She heard the door to the basement open and the rest of her family come out.

"Is everyone okay?" Denver asked.

"No! No! NO! NO!" Tallahassee shouted. Everyone turned to see him run outside. They followed and arrived in time to see him fall to his knees. "Not my brand new Caddy!" he cried pounding the ground with his fist.

"Once again… what are the fucking odds?" Chicago couldn't help but smile upon seeing the overturned Cadillac. The twister had missed the house by such a small margin Chicago could hardly believe it. It had went right through the barn. The roof was scattered to the wind and the vehicles were covered in debris.

"Other car looks okay," Columbus said. Summer sighed and pulled out her cigarettes.

"Why God? Why do you take the Caddy and not the fucking Honda? Why?" Tallahassee carried on. Chicago put on a sad face and knelt beside him.

"Baby, we can get you another Cadillac, just be glad you still have your own ass" she said patting his back.

"Not like that one!" he shook his head and she would have sworn his eyes were teary. "I just got the seats the way I like them!" The group behind her started to snicker and even Chicago couldn't help but laugh a little. Tallahassee got to his feet. "So is everyone else okay?" he asked miserably.

"Man, that thing missed us by a hair," Denver mumbled looking at the destruction. Nana whimpered holding onto Phoenix.

"It's okay baby, it wont come back," he said patting her head. "The worst is over. We're safe."

"We can't stay here," Summer said causing everyone to look at her. "It's not safe," she said contradicting her man. "If we're attacked it'll be the death of us," she elaborated.

"You know, she's probably right," Columbus said. Chicago smirked when she saw he was still shaking from all the excitement. Tallahassee wasn't too engaged; his eyes were still firmly fixed on his Caddy. Chicago drew near to him and whispered into his ear sharply.

"Tal, I promise, I will make love to you in the back of a Cadillac sometime, but for right now can you focus?" she asked. He snapped out of his daze.

"Okay, well, lets get the hell out of here. Someone check the truck, everyone else help me with the bags," he said authoritatively. He leaned over to Chicago. "I'll hold you to your promise," he whispered.

"I got the truck," Rita said going forward. The others all started towards the house. Summer lazily took the cigarette from her mouth.

"Put that thing out and come help us," Chicago said. Summer rolled her eyes and flicked the cigarette away. It landed still smoldering on the floor just inside where the barn door would have been. She turned and started to walk away. Rita put her hand on the handle of the truck.

The fire engulfed the entire barn in a fraction of a second. Summer was knocked down by the force of the explosion. The rest of the crew turned around trying to catch up with the happening. They caught the tail end of the fire before it vanished just as suddenly as it had happened.

"Rita!" Phoenix screamed putting Nana down and charging towards the barn where only a few pieces of wood remained smoldering. "Rita!" he shouted finding his sister on the ground. He picked her up and took her outside.

Once he was a safe distance from the barn he put her down gently. "Rita! Rita come on wake up! Come on look at me," He shouted trying to rouse her. Frantically he checked her for a pulse. The others drew a bit nearer watching with concern.

Summer picked herself up off the ground slowly approaching the group. "Shit I can't find her pulse! She's not breathing," Phoenix hissed. He put his mouth on hers, filling her lungs. "Come on come on," he muttered as he began CPR. "Come on please Rita!" he exclaimed before putting his mouth against hers again. "Don't do this to me!" he shouted as he more frantically compressed her chest.

Chicago watched helplessly. She slipped her hand inside of Tallahassee's holding him tight. "Please! Goddamn it Rita! Don't do this!" Phoenix shouted again. The longer it became the more panicked his attempts to save his sister were. "Don't do this! Don't do this!" he panted as he gave a few final compressions to his sister. Cold reality took him though as he stopped.

Rita wasn't burned. She was just as pristine as ever. He reached out and touched her face as he began to cry. The others bowed their heads as he scooped her body into his arms and gave into sobbing. Chicago felt Nana take hold of her waist burying her face.

Phoenix started to speak in Spanish as he cried. "What happened?" Wichita finally managed to whisper. Tallahassee looked towards the barn.

"Flash fire… we had this happen on site once… I lost two men," he said slowly.

"Rita, oh god my sister!" Phoenix cried sitting in the dust rocking the corpse back and forth.

"How?" Little Rock asked keeping the volume down.

"We had some gas leak on the ground… the machines stirred up the dust, then a spark set it all off," Tallahassee shook his head.

"She's not burnt though," Denver whispered watching Phoenix with a grieved face.

"It burns the lungs… you never have a chance if you breathe," Tallahassee replied bowing his head and removing his hat.

Phoenix's uncontrollable sobs started to slow until finally he regained enough composure to let Rita go and place her back on the ground. He leaned over placing a slow kiss on her forehead whispering a last goodbye. He stood up turning to the group.

"What the hell happened?" he asked looking around.

"Flash fire," Tallahassee replied.

"How?" he demanded.

"I don't know, the gas must have leaked… twister stirred it up in the air," he replied. Phoenix didn't say anything more. He just walked with his eyes fixated on the barn. He seemed like he was in a daze as he stood in the ruined structure.

"So what set it off?" Chicago asked. Phoenix bent over and scooped up the cigarette that had taken his sisters life. He felt an uncontrollable rage well up inside of his body.

"Phoenix," Summer said placing her hand on his shoulder. She felt it was her job to comfort him for some reason. She wasn't expecting him to turn around and grab her.

"You fucker!" he screamed pinning her up against the pitiful remains of a wall. "You fucker! It was your fucking cigarette! My sister is dead because of you!" he screamed slamming her up against the wall repeatedly. Summer was so stunned she couldn't respond.

"Hey!" Chicago shouted.

"Cut it out!" Denver snapped at the same time. Both rushed to pull Phoenix off of Summer.

"You! You killed her! You killed her! You killed my sister! I loved you! I loved you and you killed her!" Phoenix screamed completely insane with sorrow. Chicago and Denver managed to tear him away from Summer. As they pulled him away she just stood completely shocked and hurt. His words hurt her worse than anything she had ever been hit with before.

"Phoenix! Phoenix! Calm down!" Chicago shouted holding him back. He seemed to regain some sense and stopped struggling. Denver and Chicago cautiously let him go and he stood panting. Columbus came forward.

"Phoenix, man, it wasn't anyone's fault," he said gently. Phoenix looked at Columbus with tear stained eyes for a moment before he turned and walked deliberately towards the house.

"Phoenix? Where are you going?" Nana sniffled from where she had been crying. He didn't answer. Phoenix just went inside, grabbed a backpack and dumped its contents on the floor.

"Phoenix what are you doing?" Chicago asked chasing after him.

"I'm out," he said as he started to fill the bag with water and food.

"What do you mean you're out?" she asked trying to be patient. Everyone else stood outside watching through the windows and doors.

"I'm gone," he replied zipping the bag.

"Phoenix, you can't just leave!" she exclaimed following him as he moved about.

"Well that's too bad, I'm fucking out!" he repeated heading for the door. He was down the steps when Nana threw herself on him.

"Daddy please don't leave!" she cried. The whole world seemed to stop turning. Phoenix took a staggering step backwards. Chicago watched his eyes express true fear. He held out his hands as if to keep Nana at bay.

"Look I'm not your father," he said. She drew in a shuddering breath shaking her head. The girl looked crushed. "I'm not your father," he repeated looking at her with petrified eyes. He turned and left without anymore discussion.

"Hey hold up!" Tallahassee shouted. Phoenix broke into a sprint. He ran down the road leaving behind the whole crew to watch him disappear into the desert. Nana sobbed burying her face in Wichita.

Summer was the only one who didn't see him go. She was still out by the barn sitting in the dust with her head in her hands. She couldn't help herself and started to cry.

Tallahassee looked around at the shattered remains of existence and then looked at Chicago who was still watching Phoenix run. "Come on, let's pick up the pieces."

"Daddy!" Nana began to scream. Wichita and Columbus tried to quiet her. Chicago sighed looking away from the shrinking Phoenix.

"Denver, see if you can find a shovel, we need to bury Rita," she sighed. He nodded and moved off. "Kids, try and gather up the stuff in the bags will you? Tal, the car?" she said each as a very gentle order. "Nana come here," she said taking the girl. The others left and she took the girls shoulders kneeling beside her. "Nana, I know this is hard for you, but I need you to be a big girl right now okay? I need you to be brave. Can you do that?" Chicago asked.

"He said he would take care of me," she sniffled. Chicago's heart broke.

"I know, I know he did, but he… he needs some time to sort himself out okay? I'll take care of you I promise," Chicago said looking the girl deep in the eyes.

"Will he come back?" she asked. Chicago swallowed hard.

"I don't know," she said shaking her head. "I don't know, he might, and if he does you should show him that you can handle yourself and be a good girl while he's away."

"Are we all gonna die?" Nana asked as a tear rolled down her cheek.

"No. No we are not," Chicago said firmly. "Now come on, lets go help the others okay?" she said taking Nana's hand.

 

Chapter 86- I Could Not Stop For Death ​

He didn't stop. He didn't stop even though he felt his heart might come out of his chest and his lungs begged him to slow. The pain was good, overwhelming, but good.

Phoenix had never run so far so hard. He'd always been the one chasing. He'd never been the one running away. He couldn't stop no matter how much he needed to.

God only knew how long it had been since he had left. At last his legs gave out and he crashed to the pavement of the road. He got up again less than steadily and started to jog. His legs refused and he slowed to a walk. He dropped the backpack and took a couple more wobbly steps before collapsing to his knees.

His chest heaved as he held still on his hands and knees. Then he knew. He knew he would die in that very spot. "Let it be quick god," he rasped as things went black. Phoenix felt himself fall over from very far away.

Everyone stood around solemnly looking at the heaped pile of earth. "Should someone say something?" Columbus asked. His face was still streaked with dirt from where he's helped Tallahassee dig the grave. Everyone looked around waiting to see who would speak.

"Because I could not stop for Death, He kindly stopped for me. The Carriage held but just ourselves And Immortality… Emily Dickinson," Chicago said softly. Things went still again and the wind blew across the open space in the gathering dusk.

"No one has anything more to say?" Wichita asked. Denver folded his hands behind his back. He'd been to too many funerals.

"We're gathered here to recognize yet another tragedy… in an endless string that started when we first walked this earth and will not stop until man is gone from the world… and it's so easy to let them lose meaning, because of that… we think 'oh it's just one life' or 'better him than me,' but God we could not be farther from the truth. The world has fallen apart around us… yet we're all standing here, mourning the death of one of our own. That's what makes it matter, that's what makes this one instance in the infinity of time significant. Rita now embodies everything that's good about us. Mortality and love. Our birth is always only the beginning of our death. That's the way it needs to be, it gives us a reason to get up everyday. To make the most of the time we have, so that when our friends and friends of our friends are standing around our grave they look down and say 'she'll be missed.' That's how we know it was a life well lived," Denver took a long breath sounding like he might break down. He bowed his head. "So Rita, you'll be missed," he said looking up again.

"May your soul rest in peace," Chicago said concluding the service.

"Amen," the rest of the group said in unison. The door to the house opened causing everyone to look over at Summer as she came down the porch steps. A cigarette hung on her lips and a bag was slung over her shoulder.

"Where are you going?" Chicago sighed. Summer looked at her with her apathetic mask.

"I told you, I'd only stay as long as it suited me… I don't need this," she said.

"Summer I'm not in the mood to put up with your fucking drama, now stop playing around," Chicago snapped. Summer glared at her before walking on. She went down the road in the opposite direction of the way Phoenix had gone. "Summer!" Chicago shouted.

"Catch you around," Summer shouted back.

"Good riddance," Little Rock muttered. Chicago sighed.

"We're better off without her," Tallahassee said.

"Yeah," Chicago nodded her head.

"What now?" Denver asked.

"We'll stay here tonight, take turns keeping watch… in the morning we can hoof it back to town hopefully," she said.

"Bad to walk in the sun, we should travel at night," Tallahassee said.

"We can fight heat stroke, we can't fight snakes and spiders," she replied.

"We don't know which way to go," Columbus sighed.

"You have a fully functioning laptop in the house. Get on fucking Google maps or something," she said in a deadpan tone. He looked embarrassed.

"Oh yeah," he said.

"Come one," she grunted lifting Nana into her arms. "We've had a full day, let's get some good sleep," she sighed.

"I'll keep watch," Columbus said watching Summer shrink away.

"Tal? You coming?" Chicago asked looking back when she realized Tallahassee wasn't moving.

"Yeah, yeah, I just need a moment to say goodbye," he said. For a moment she was smitten by how sensitive he was, then she realized he wasn't referring to Rita. Instead the cowboy wondered back towards his trashed Cadillac. Chicago and Wichita both shook their heads while Denver rolled his eyes. Columbus had been with Tallahassee longest and was consequently the one who most easily accepted Tallahassee's immaturity.

"Take your time," Columbus said.

Summer flicked open her phone. She dialed knowing the number by heart. "I need a pick up," she said without waiting for an answer on the other end.

"Where have you been Summer?" the voice on the other end was suspicious.

"I was captured by some civilians… I managed to get away. Do you have a caravan in the area?" she asked.

"No, you better just come to us," the voice replied. Summer sighed.

"Yes ma'am," she growled and hung up the phone.

 

Chapter 87- Second Hand Smoke ​

Chicago put the kids to bed and added extra blankets to their bed so that the cold night air that would come through the broken windows wouldn't freeze them. "I'm right across the hall," she said.

"Goodnight," Little Rock sighed. Chicago faked a smile and closed the door. She leaned back against the wall and sighed.

"More bad news," Denver said from the top of the stairs.

"What?" she asked.

"The pump just gave out. We have no water," he said. She closed her eyes.

"How much water do we have laid back?" she asked.

"You got a couple cases of bottles, but I dunno if we're gonna make it on that," he shrugged a little.

"Find out how far we have to go from Columbus…. If it's too far, we'll only send one to get a car and come back…. If not we'll all go together," she said. He nodded.

"Okay," he said.

"Hey," she called. He looked back. "What you said today was beautiful," she said. He shifted on his feet looking thoughtful.

"I been to too many funerals… It never gets any easier to talk like that," he said. She softened letting her shoulders sag.

"You made it look easy," she said. He shook his head avoiding her eyes as she stepped closed.

"Not to pile on the problems… but we're kind of falling apart here," he said. She nodded solemnly.

"I know… but we'll be okay… people die in zombieland… it's just the way it is," she said.

"No, no, I know, I just mean, the living part of your crew is falling apart," he said. She nodded again.

"That happens in zombieland too… we bounce back… We always do," she said. Tallahassee came up the stairs holding onto the insignia from his Cadillac. "We got no water Tal," she said putting her hands on her hips. He cocked his head.

"Of course," he sighed.

"Maybe Phoenix made it to town. If we call him he might come back for us in a car," she suggested.

"I already tried. He wouldn't answer," Denver said. Chicago sighed and rubbed her hands through her hair. "I think it's best we assume Phoenix and Summer are both off the grid," he added.

"I wouldn't count on the little bitch anyway," Tallahassee muttered.

"Then we'll stick to the plan. Once we know how far a walk it is... we'll just decide who goes," Chicago shrugged.

"Okay," Denver nodded. "Goodnight," he said before going downstairs. Chicago and Tallahassee went down the hall and crawled into bed after clearing all the debris and glass from the covers.

He just stripped down to his boxers and tossed his clothes in a heap while she took more care. She folded her jeans and shirt placing them next to the bed with her pistol resting on top.

With a long breathy sigh she slid into bed beside him and cuddled up close. "What is it about the undead that makes me so tired?" she whispered as he wrapped his arm around her.

"I don't know," he replied. "Maybe it's the constant fear of being eaten… or spontaneously combusting, or being eaten or being caught in a tornado or being eaten… wait did I say that already?" he smiled a little.

"Yeah, you did. Maybe that's it, or maybe we're just getting old," she sighed.

"Yeah, what happened to those younger, sexier people?" he asked.

"I don't know… I remember them though… very vaguely," she smiled as he rested against her.

"Yeah, they were here just last month," he sighed.

"I think they're still here, they're just really tired," she said closing her eyes.

"Do getting back to the issue of children," he said nonchalantly. She burst out laughing.

"You're still thinking about that?" she asked.

"Yeah, I have a hard time getting around it," he smirked.

"Well, don't worry, we have a baby to take care of now. Nana will be a big enough handful," she smiled. He grinned and kissed her. She looked throughtfully into his eyes holding his gaze for a very long time.

"What?" he asked finally.

"This is why I love you," she said. "I lost three of my friends today… but you can still make me happy." Chicago was in a state of bliss. He took a deep breath and kissed her neck.

"Things are going to be okay," he whispered. "I promise… no matter what… you and I are going to survive."

Summer got into town as day broke. She had walked the whole night at a brisk pace and her legs were killing her, especially the one with the graze. She grabbed the first car with keys and took off. East. She had to go east and get away from all the craziness she had sunk herself into. She rolled down the window and let the air kick her hair all over the place.

"Fuck yourself over with him… a man is never the answer," she sighed. "Because he'd get old… and mean and be a drunk and beat the shit out of you every night," she said looking at herself in the mirror.

"Summer!" his voice echoed in her head.

"You had someone charging into danger to bail you out," Denver had said.

"Or he'd die… don't need that," she muttered to herself. She reached down for a cigarette and instead found an empty box. "Great," she hissed.

A hundred miles passed before she found a stop to pull over at. She loaded her gun and entered the store. Treading softly she jumped the counter and grabbed four or five packs. In the parking lot she pumped a tank full of gas and started on her way again.

The tip of the stick glowed in the darkness. She knew second hand smoke was bad and had always felt mildly guilty about it, but the fact that she had triggered an explosion was really making her feel like shit.

Summers goal had never been to hurt any of them. They'd treated her well enough. Chicago had saved her life. Phoenix had fallen in love with her. Neither were good moves on their part, but it all worked out well for Summer.

"I loved you! I loved you and you killed her!" he had shouted. Summer couldn't get his shouts out of her head. He LOVED her… it was something she couldn't wrap her head around. Summer wasn't sure she had ever really had anyone love her.

She flicked the cigarette out the window. He'd used the pass tense though. How could he love her now? It was her fault and she couldn't deny that. Maybe it was for the best. She wasn't sure she loved him back. True enough there probably would have been better ways to completely snuff out the relationship, but this one had been plenty effective.

Bones along the road made summer cringe. He was probably dead now at any rate. No one could survive in the desert the way he'd been running. He probably wore himself out and died.

She tried to stop thinking about him, but she kept replaying the nights they had spent together in her head. She was no virgin; in fact she couldn't remember a time when she was. Fucking was just a part of life. People did it like animals because it felt good, that was just the way it was…but the way he had treated her… she shook her head hard.

"A heart is nothing special," she said taking a deep breath. It was the only piece of advice her mother had ever given her. She lit another cigarette. Summer knew she needed to get back to her plan. She had to survive and come out on top.

Chicago went downstairs leaving Tallahassee in a tangle of sheets. She pulled on her shirt and jeans as she went down the stairs. Privacy in zombieland seemed like a joke. "Morning," she said to Columbus who was looking very tired. "Didn't you sleep at all?" she asked.

"Yeah, I got a few hours in… I just kept waking up," he sighed. Denver came around the corner chewing on a carrot.

"We're all packed. It's fifty mile to the next town the way that Phoenix went," he said. Chicago sighed shaking her head.

"Then I'll go. We can't drag the girls that far… and not in the sun… we'll never make it," she said. Columbus stood up.

"No I'll go," he said. She gave him a sweet smile.

"You need to stay here with Wichita," she said.

"You gonna tell Tallahassee?" Denver asked. She smirked.

"He'll kill me, but no. Fifty miles will take a while. Probably a day, so the less people we have out in the sun the better," she said.

"This is a bad idea," Columbus said.

"Well the situation isn't going to improve on it's own," Chicago replied as she started to pack her things.

"No, Tallahassee is going to be really pissed if he wakes up and you're not here," Columbus reiterated what he had said before.

"Well deal with him," she sighed.

"How did you feel when you woke up and he had gone?" Columbus said crossing his arms.

"That was different. He left for a fucking tree. I'm leaving so we don't all die," she said putting her hands on her hips.

"You know he'll only come after you," the boy sighed.

"Who will go after her?" Tallahassee asked as he came down the staircase. Columbus breathed a sigh of relief.

"Tal, it's fifty miles to town. We can't take the girls that far. I'm going to walk I and bring back a car," Chicago said.

"Okay, just a second. I'll get my boots," he grumbled looking groggy.

"Tal, you're staying her," she said. That woke him up.

"Excuse me?" he said.

"We can't both go. I have the best chance of making it," she said authoritatively.

"I thought we were partners?" he said keeping a very non-aggressive tone.

"We are and that's why you're going to stay here with the kids and I'll go pick up the car," she said. He rolled his shoulders.

"Why don't you stay and I'll go?" he asked.

"Because I'm a woman and therefore need less water than you," she said. He cocked his head. "It's science babe," she smiled. Tallahassee looked at Columbus.

"She lying?" he asked.

"Nope," Columbus shrugged. Tallahassee shrugged.

"Fifty miles will take a while," he sighed.

"I know. I promise, I'll be back by tomorrow," she said. He looked at Columbus then Denver who both avoided his gaze. "Please, don't make this any harder than it already is," she sighed. His shoulders sagged.

"Okay," he said. Chicago's eyes lit up.

"What?" she asked.

"I said okay," he repeated. She smiled. "What?" he asked.

"You just submitted without a horrible macho man fight!" she exclaimed throwing her arms around him. "I am more in love with you every second." Tallahassee looked at Denver and Columbus again who both gave thumbs up.

"I love you too," he replied patting her back uncertainly. She kissed him full on the lips then the next thing he knew she was walking down the road. He watched until she had shrunk from sight, which took a while in the desert.

"She'll be fine man," Columbus said patting Tallahassee's shoulder before feeling awkward and going back in the house.

"She better be."

 

Chapter 88- Spider Web
​

Phoenix opened his eyes. He could see the sky move in front of his face. He was dead. He was dead and he didn't want to see hell so he closed his eyes again.

Phoenix opened his eyes and saw a digital clock flashing. He sat up and squinted. He was in a bed with jersey knit sheets. Kicking the covers away he threw his legs off the edge of the bed. There were three glasses of water sitting on the bed stand. He drank each one in a gulp before staggering from the little room.

He pushed the blanket that served as a door out of the way and moved down the hall. "Hello?" he called. The place was a wreck. Boxes stacked on top of boxes, each labeled with Latin as far as Phoenix could tell, lined the walls.

"Well look who's alive after all," a voice made him spin. A large black man came from the opposite end of the hall.

"Where am I?" Phoenix asked.

"My research post. I didn't think you were going to make it for a while," the man replied. Phoenix moved his tongue across the roof of his mouth.

"You have anything besides water?" he asked. The man tossed him a can.

"Cherry Coke," he said as he disappeared behind another blanket door. Phoenix opened the coke and chugged it before following the guy. "Your things are on the table. Pardon the mess by the way. I don't get visitors often," he said. Phoenix spotted his stuff.

"Thanks," he said.

"What were you doing out here anyway?" the man asked. Phoenix crushed the can feeling some of his strength returning.

"Trying to get away," he replied.

"From the zombies?" the man asked. Phoenix took a deep breath.

"Yeah…" he said slowly as he put on his belt and checked his sword.

"Is that your friends stiffing up trouble in the desert?" the man asked. Phoenix couldn't help but snap his head in the direction of the man who had saved him.

"Yeah," he answered dumbly.

"I saw the twister," he added.

"Yeah that was bad," Phoenix replied.

"You got a name?" the man asked.

"Phoenix," he replied.

"What kind of name is that?" the man laughed.

"We don't use names anymore. We use our cities… it helps us not get too attached," Phoenix said.

"Well, I like my name. I'm Leon," he said offering his hand to Phoenix, who shook it firmly and continued to make ready to leave. "You don't look well," Leon observed.

"I'm fine," Phoenix shrugged.

"You're lucky to be alive," Leon said.

"That's debatable," Phoenix said as he went for the door. "I hate to sleep and run, but I'm in a hurry," he said walking outside.

"No problem that path there will take you right back to the main road we're not too far from the town. Good luck," Leon shrugged. Phoenix took off. "Hey friend," Leon called. Phoenix paused looking back. "Live up to your name. A Phoenix always rises from the ashes," he said. Phoenix sighed looking forward again.

"My names Michael," he said.

"So you're an angel… whatever happened to you man… you should shape up," Leon said leaning against the porch post. Phoenix sighed again looking around in the light of dawn. There was a jeep parked by the house, and a bus covered by tarps.

"You got some mouth on you," he snorted.

"I could say the same to you. I saved your life," Leon said.

"You don't know me," Phoenix shot back.

"I don't have to. Anyone running away from a group of non cannibals is an idiot," Leon laughed. "Especially a family as happy as yours," he added.

"You been spying on us? Now you're starting to creep me out man," Phoenix said.

"Hey you guys are tress passing on my property," Leon said.

"What?" Phoenix asked dropping his bag.

"The house you moved into was mine," Leon said. "I moved out here after my family passed… I didn't need that much space," he said. Phoenix felt a pang of guilt, however in a world where everyone was losing their whole family it wasn't as strong.

"I'm sorry," he muttered.

"Don't be. Fate has it's ways. Just show a little respect," Leon said. Phoenix kicked at the ground. "Was that your daughter I saw you with?" Leon asked. Phoenix shook his head.

"No… an orphan," he said.

"And the older one?" Leon asked.

"My sister," Phoenix said.

"Then why are you here?" the man knew exactly what questions he needed to ask.

"Ones dead and the other doesn't need me," Phoenix sighed. Leon cocked his head.

"How do you figure?" he asked. Phoenix picked his bag back up.

"The others will take good care of her," he said.

"Kindness of strangers huh?" Leon replied. Phoenix nodded. "You now that only works if you give back too you know," he added. "Do you believe in karma?"

"No," Phoenix replied.

"I do," Leon smiled.

"Good for you," Phoenix sighed.

"You'll die out there," Leon said.

"I'll take my chances," Phoenix said. "Thanks for the help," he added turning his back again. He walked down the path and reached the road after a while. His phone rang in his pocket and he pulled it out instinctively. Chicago was calling. He put it back away.

"Hey dip shit turn around," she called. Phoenix spun on his heels. She spooked him standing in the middle of the road like a freaking maniac.

"Hi, Chicago," he sighed. She walked up to him.

"Didn't think I'd see you again," she said.

"Sorry to disappoint," he said avoiding her eyes.

"Do you have any water?" she asked. He tossed her his bottle and she drained it.

"What are you doing out here?" he asked.

"I need to get into town and grab a car," she said moving past him.

"Were are the others?" he asked.

"At the house. I wasn't going to drag the kids through the desert in the heat, not to mention the snakes last night," she sighed. "Fucking spiders were everywhere. One of them actually got me." He didn't move.

"Surprised Tallahassee isn't with you," he replied.

"He needed to stay and protect the kids," Chicago sighed exhausted by her walk.

"Like Summer Denver and Wichita couldn't?" Phoenix said matching her pace.

"Summers gone. She left after we buried Rita," Chicago said coldly. Phoenix froze. Chicago stopped and looked at him for a moment. "What? Which part of that sentence surprises you? Summer has a heart under all the tar in her lungs, and the rest of us take care of shit," she spat.

"You okay?" Phoenix asked noting that Chicago looked feverish.

"Fine, I'm tired. I've been walking for a very long time," she sighed. "Have fun on your own," she added then turned her back.

"Chicago… how's Nana?" he couldn't help but ask.

"Oh great, totally destroyed that you ran off and left her… all those times you said you were a bad father… you were right," Chicago panted. Phoenix was hurt by her words, but snapped to when Chicago wobbled and started to fall. He caught her and eased her to the ground.

"Chicago?" he asked. She was out. "Goddamn it," he muttered before hoisting her up onto his shoulders and walking back towards Leon's.

"Okay. I have some major Karma points for you here man," Phoenix said carrying Chicago into Leon's house. Leon stood up from the table where he was cataloging something. "She's worth saving," Phoenix added.

"What happened?" Leon asked.

"She got bit by something last night. I have no clue," Phoenix replied carrying Chicago back to the bedroom and putting her down.

"Where?" Leon asked.

"I have no idea, I'd assume the leg?" he shrugged.

"Get her pants off," Leon said as he left the room again.

"Okay, that sounds weird," Phoenix muttered undoing Chicago's belt and pulling her jeans off. Sure enough there was a bite on her calf. Leon cam back in and looked at it.

"Bad," he sighed.

"Can you save her?" Phoenix asked.

"I can try, but without knowing what she got bit by… It's a shot in the dark," Leon said examining Chicago.

"Just do what you can… please," Phoenix said. Leon forced Phoenix away for a while, shouting at him when he got in the way. Leon gave Chicago several injections and covered the bite with multiple creams.

"Now we wait," he said at last. Phoenix sighed.

"I'm gonna step out and make a call… How long before we know?" he asked.

"Hard to say," Leon replied. Phoenix nodded and went outside.

"Hello?" Tallahassee said as he picked up the phone.

"Tal, it's Phoenix…" Phoenix said pacing back and forth across the porch. He was unsure of how to tell the cowboy.

"Phoenix?" Tallahassee repeated.

"yeah, listen… I met up with Chicago a while ago… She got bit by something last night," he said.

"What?" Tallahassee exclaimed.

"She's unconscious right now, but I brought her to this guy who knows how to treat it and she's going to be okay," Phoenix said quickly to calm the other man.

"Where are you? I'm coming," Tallahassee said.

"No! You'll never make it… Look Tal… I'll take care of her. As soon as she's good we'll come get you guys," he said. Tallahassee sighed. "Are you okay on water?" Phoenix asked.

"We have enough for another day or two as long as we are careful… Denver and I were tinkering with the pump too," Tallahassee said.

"Okay… then, I'll be in touch," Phoenix said preparing to hand up.

"Hey," Tallahassee stopped him. "You're coming back?" he asked.

"I'll bring Chicago back to you," Phoenix said.

"You better," Tallahassee said. They hung up and Phoenix returned to the bedroom.

"Keep the cloth on her head cold. We have to bring her fever down," Leon said. Phoenix sat down beside Chicago's bed.

"Boy we're just fucked for life aren't we?" he sighed. "Can't catch a break."

Summer turned off the engine and walked up to the prison. Snipers eyed her from the towers. She kept her emotionless mask as one of the guards stopped her at the gate. "Summer?" he asked.

"Yeah, what of it?" she asked.

"The Matriarch wants to see you," he said. She rolled her eyes.

"I'm really tired," she said.

"And I really don't care," he said. "Lets go," he took her by the arm and led her back to the car.

"So the stuck up bitch still refuses to live with her subjects huh?" Summer sighed as the guard drove her towards the barbwire electrified fence that surrounded the Matriarch's mansion. He reached out and smacked her hard across the face.

"Shut up. If you know what's good for you, you won't be so insolent towards the prophet," he said. Summer smirked despite the sting in her cheek. She'd almost forgotten the god nuts. Anarchy seemed so distant to her after being with Chicago and the crew for a while.

The guard took her inside and led her through the large house to the office. "Thanks very much," Summer said smartly as he waited outside.

"Welcome back," the Matriarch said as Summer stepped into the office.

"It's been a while Matriarch. You've been well I hope?" Summer said submissively.

"Cut the shit. Where were you Summer?" the Matriarch's cold eyes bore into Summer.

"I was with some civilians. They took me captive on my last caravan mission. I managed to escape during a fight with some zombies," Summer said.

"That was a very long time for them to keep you without you giving some sort of service," the Matriarch replied crossing her arms. Summer looked at her feet avoiding the cold gaze of the woman behind the desk.

"To keep myself alive I helped them forage, but they kept me guarded so I couldn't run," she sighed. The Matriarch stood up and stepped closed to Summer.

"Really?" she asked sharply.

"I was a bit of a slave," Summer lied. She wasn't prepared for the sharp stab in her side. The Matriarch pulled the little penknife out of Summer's side. "Goddamn it!" Summer exclaimed in a sharp inhalation.

"Don't lie to me!" the Matriarch snapped slapping Summer in the face. Summer crumpled to the floor. She rolled onto her hands and knees attempting to crawl away, but one of the Matriarch's stiletto heels dug into her hand.

"Ow!" Summer exclaimed.

"You should consider yourself lucky Summer. You are one of my best, so I'm going to spare your life and rank, but god help you if you step out of line ever again!" the Matriarch shouted. "Never run away. Do you understand me?" she shouted.

"Yes!" Summer cried.

"Yes what?" the Matriarch ground her heel back and forth.

"Yes Ma'am!" Summer shouted. The Matriarch removed her heel.

"Guard!" she shouted. The man outside came in. "get her out of my sight. Take her back to base," she said waving her hand dismissively.

"Yes ma'am," he replied and grabbed Summer dragging her out. "Welcome home," he cackled as he carried her back out to the car.

"Back in the spider web," she muttered holding her side.

 

Chapter 89- Maximus​

Chicago sat up tossing the cold rag away from her head. Her head reeled, but she knew she wasn't where she needed to be. When Phoenix sprang into the room and pressed her back down into the bed she yelped with surprise. "Whoa whoa, just stay down," he said. She gave him a puzzled look.

"Phoenix?" she moaned.

"Yeah, it's me. You got bit by a spider or something. It damn near killed you," he said. She scrubbed her hand over her eyes.

"Oh shit! Tal!" she exclaimed realizing he was probably losing his mind.

"I already got in touch with them," Phoenix sighed keeping her firmly pressed back into the pillows. She breathed a sigh of relief. "When you're ready I'll get you back to them," he said. She looked him in the eyes.

"You're still leaving?" she whispered. He sighed and released his grip on her.

"Yeah… Chicago I can't stay, not now," he said.

"Why?" she asked. He avoided her gaze looking at some undetermined spot of the dark floor. He didn't have an answer, he just felt like he couldn't. "I'm sorry about Rita… we all are," she whispered. He swallowed hard. "But Nana needs you," she added.

"Don't start that with me. You and I both know she'll be fine with you," he sighed.

"You need to stay," she sat up and snuck a hug in on him. "Michael you need to stay," she said. He sighed, how she'd found out his real name he didn't know, but it was a pain.

"I can't… I just can't," he shook his head pushing her away. Chicago thought she might cry.

"I peeked in on Nana while she slept… she's still holding onto your badge," Chicago said.

"You want me to go back after the way I acted?" he replied using his last defense.

"You think it would matter? No one would hold it against you," she said.

"Regardless of what you think I do have some pride," he replied.

"But that's what people do in a family… they aren't petty… you were upset. You had reason to be," she said.

"Oh, don't you dare use that F-word on me," he said slowly.

***

"Nana? Nana!" Little Rock shouted. "Have you guys seen her?" she asked coming out into the kitchen where Denver and Tallahassee were sitting at the table.

"No, I thought she was with you," Tal sighed.

"I can't find her," Little Rock panted.

"I'm sure she's just hiding," Denver said getting up.

"I've looked everywhere," Little Rock said. Columbus came in the room.

"What's happening?" he asked.

"Nana ran off," Tallahassee said getting up.

***

"Why not?" Chicago asked. "We are," she said. "Please."

"I love you guys… I love Nana… So did Rita, I'm just not sure," he sighed.

"Of what?" she asked.

"What happens when you die?" he asked.

"We're all scared of that… but it's so worth it to accept that risk," she said. He looked at her for a long while. She sat up and hugged him again. "Please stay… what would have happened if you hadn't been here?" she asked. "Please just stay. We need you."

***

"Shit. She must have taken off," Tallahassee concluded after the frantic search of the house and property was concluded.

"We have to go after her," Little Rock said.

"Oh, Chicago is going to kill me," Tallahassee muttered.

***

"I'm going to go get the others," Phoenix whispered in Chicago's ear.

"I'm coming with you," she said. He pressed her back down.

"No. Stay here with Leon. It'll take me like two hours to get them. Just rest," he said.

"I can do it," she insisted. He brushed the hair out of her face.

"I already lost one sister, I'm not losing another," he whispered before kissing her forehead. She smiled.

"Thank you," she said holding onto his hand as he walked away. His fingers slipped from her hand.

"Leon, I need you to keep an eye on her," Phoenix said.

"Sure man," Leon nodded.

"I also need to borrow that bus," Phoenix said. Leon grinned.

***

"How the hell do we find her if we don't know which way she went?" Wichita asked.

"She had to go the way Phoenix did," Denver said.

"That would be logical," Columbus nodded.

"And if we're wrong?" Wichita snapped.

"We don't have a choice," Tallahassee sighed.

***

Phoenix stopped short. The little figure walking along the road made his heart stop. He opened the door to the old bus and jumped out. "Nana?" he called. She looked up and started to cry. They both sprinted towards each other and she crashed into his arms. He scooped her up and hugged her tight as she sobbed. "I'm so sorry baby," he whispered over and over again.

"I knew you'd come back," she cried.

"I'm not leaving ever again. I promise," he said. She wrapped her arms and legs around him.

"I love you," she said.

"I love you too Baby Girl," he whispered as he carried her back to the bus.

***

"Oh we are so fucked!" Tallahassee said becoming more and more panicked. "Chicago's going to kill me," he repeated.

"Maybe she'll come back," Little Rock suggested.

"Phoenix is going to be pissed," Wichita said.

"Shut up!" Tallahassee snapped. Denver smirked and looked out the window. The smile disappeared when he saw what was coming down the road.

"We got company," he said heading for the front door.

***

Chicago got out of bed and as Leon yelled at her went to the front porch. "It's a beautiful hell out here," she said.

"I love it here," he said bringing a chair for her to sit in.

"Do you have any trouble with the zombies?" she asked.

"Not really anymore," he shook his head.

"We had a huge horde come after us the other day," she sighed.

"I know. When I heard the shooting I came to have a look," he replied.

"Why didn't you come pop in?" she asked.

"I wasn't sure you were friendly," he said. She nodded.

"Good thinking," she said then was silent and thoughtful for a few moments. "How do they find us?" she sighed.

"Zombies?" He asked. She nodded. "Last I heard they were visual auditory and olfactory hunters. Same as us, but the fever in the brain heightens their senses," he said. She bit her lip.

"Great… so we have to tip toe around for the rest of our lives," she sighed. He shrugged.

"Worth it to stay alive I suppose," he smiled.

***

Denver went down the steps of the porch with the rest of the crew on his heels. It came to a stop in front of the house and the door opened. "All aboard," Phoenix said from the drivers seat.

Tallahassee and the rest of the crew wore broad smiles when they saw Nana. Everyone grabbed the stuff from the house and threw it in the bus as Phoenix walked out to the grave of his sister. He looked at the ground and took a deep breath. Nana slipped up beside him and put her hand in his. He looked over startled then picked her up.

"Ready?" he asked. She nodded. "Okay, lets go grab Chicago," he smiled.

***

Summer sighed and walked into the prison's main atrium. It was an open space with five stories of cells stacked all over for the length of a football field. She didn't even look around. She just pushed her way through the crowded floor space towards the medical wing.

She opened the heavy metal door and walked into the white sterile smelling room. "Benny, you here man," she called. No one answered so she stepped in a little further. "Hello?" she called again. A lanky guy with thick glasses came out from behind a curtain and Summer jumped. "Holy- Benny!" she snapped.

"What?" he asked through a mouth full of sandwich.

"Goddamn it! Don't sneak around like that," she sighed hoping onto an examination table.

"Sorry I wasn't wearing my neon sign like usual," he quipped washing his hands. He pulled on a pair of white rubber gloves and looked at her. "So, where do you need stitches this time?" he asked.

"I don't. It's just a little puncture," she said lifting her shirt so he could have a look at her side. He sat on a rolling stool and slid over. After a moment he mad a little grunt of comprehension and stood up.

"So, it's been a while. Did the zombies learn to use knives?" he asked.

"No, this one came from the matriarch," she sighed in response. His head snapped in her direction.

"What did you do?" he asked. She looked at the floor.

"I ditched for a while," she sighed.

"Where?" he asked.

"You ask too many questions," Summer sighed in response. He started to clean her side.

"Just curious to see what life beyond this hell hole is like is all," he shrugged.

"There is no life outside of here… well, you got the suit camp over in Jersey, but I doubt that will last much longer," she sighed.

"You bet your ass it won't. Didn't you hear?" he asked. Summer gave him a puzzled look. "The Breakers are suiting up for march. We're gonna bust Jersey," he said.

"What?" she snapped.

"They announced it yesterday," he said. "I've had more crushed fingers and broken noses than I can handle. These boys get ready to march and they start beating the hell out of each other for no reason," he sighed. Summer stood up after he taped a gauze pad to her.

"Thanks for the heads up," she said.

"Summer," he called stopping her as she went for the door. "See you at prayer tonight?" he asked. Summer was so distracted by the prospect of Jersey's fall that she merely nodded before going on her way.

"Maximus!" she shouted busting into the office that looked over the atrium. He lazily looked up from the gun he was cleaning.

"Well well well… look who decided to come back," he sighed. She glared at him. "I thought you were dead," he added kicking his feet up onto the desk.

"You're in my seat," she snarled. He gave her a crooked smile.

"No, I'm sitting in what used to be your seat," he corrected her. "Then you took a caravan out and they came home without you, and it became my seat," he said seeming to enjoy it all too much.

"You got about five seconds to move your ass," she snapped.

"No, I don't think so Summer," he said folding his arms behind his head. She ground her teeth. "What did no one tell you?" he asked mocking shock. "After you left I became the leader of the breakers," he smiled. She continued to sneer at him as he stood and stepped closer to her. His face was inches from hers when he stopped. "You're not her favorite anymore," he smiled whispering the words to her.

"And you just love that don't you?" she returned.

"Oh I do," he growled. Summer was so glad that the phone rang at the very moment she was tempted to hit him. He walked over and took it off the receiver. "Maximus," he said. There was a moment of silence before he took the phone from his ear and looked at Summer. "For you," he said. She snatched it from him.

"Summer," she practically spat.

"We're meeting after prayer tonight. I expect you to be there," the Matriarch's voice was cold.

"Yes ma'am," Summer said slowly still glaring at Maximus. The line clicked down and she put the phone back. "So… what's this I hear about us breaking Jersey?" she asked. He looked at her as he sat back down.

"That is none of your concern for now," he said. She slammed her hands on the desk.

"Goddamn it Maximus! I should have killed you when I had the chance! It is my concern because I am still a part of this organization!" she shouted. He looked up at her keeping his calm.

"No, you gave that up when you ran off… you're a deserter… to be honest I'm not sure why she spared you," he said.

"You have no idea what I have been through," she snapped.

"We don't?" he replied before opening a drawer and pulling out an envelope. He slid it across the desk to Summer and she opened it. Inside pictures of her and the crew met her. She looked up at him unable to mask the shock. "We know exactly what you were doing," he said. "Don't even for a second, think that you could fool us," he said suddenly sounding dangerous.

"If you were this close… why am I here?" she asked.

"Like I just said: I have no fucking idea," he growled. "Now please, get out of my office," he said. She looked at him regaining her gutsy attitude. She threw the pictures at him and stormed away.

 

Chapter 90- Backfire ​

Tal was relieved yet full of anger when he saw Chicago. "Promise you won't do that again," he said after kissing her. She gave him a sheepish smile.

"Come on. Not every time that I do something independently will I be bitten by a fucking spider and almost die," she said shrugging her shoulders.

"No next time it could be a lot worse, if we're talking about bites here," he replied. Phoenix approached Leon holding Nana.

"Thanks for the bus. We'll hoof it from here," he said offering the keys.

"Take it. I don't need it so there's no point in having it," he said looking at Nana with a smile.

Tallahassee insisted on carrying Chicago to the bus, but half way there she pulled his hat over his eyes and freed herself. Phoenix shook hands with Leon. "Thank you," he said.

"You're welcome," Leon nodded. "Take care," he added as Phoenix and the rest of the crew climbed aboard the bus and left.

***

Prayer was the same spew as always. Summer sat next to Benny during the service. Near the end she couldn't help but say something. "It's okay to rape murder and steal, but only when it's in the name of god," she sighed.

"What?" Benny had been muttering his own prayer.

"Nothing," she replied. As the service concluded and the mass began to resume it's normal activities Summer and the other officers went to the office. When she arrived, it was the Matriarch that was in her chair in place of Maximus. She stood lowly.

"Well, not that we are all here," she looked at Summer who kept her even glare. "We can further discuss the attack of Jersey," she cleared her throat after speaking and looked at a man to her left who stepped forward and unrolled a map on the desk. As he explained the long and boring details of an invasion Summer tuned out until the Matriarch spoke again. "Well done," she said.

"I agree, the plan is impressive, but it will take a lot of ground work inside the city," someone said.

"I'm aware and I've already planned accordingly," the matriarch said seating herself. "As always Summer is in charge," she said. Summers head shot up and she couldn't help but look at Maximus. His jaw was on the floor. "She and Maximus will go ahead and set things up. Rock will stay here and lead the march," she said. Sumer sighed. "Are we clear?" the Matriarch snapped.

"Yes Ma'am," everyone replied in unison. The other officers then filed out of the room, but Summer and Maximus didn't even move a muscle. Both of them remained rooted to where they stood.

"Ma'am, with all due respect, I don't think it's necessary for both of us to go undercover," Maximus said. She looked at him coldly.

"It is. I want this done and done fast," she said. "Two people cuts the time in half.

"Yes I know, but I think-" he began to protest, but she held up her hand for silence.

"But nothing!" she snapped. He glared at Summer who remained silent. "Do we have a problem?" the Matriarch asked.

"Of course not," Summer finally decided to chime in. "He'll listen and do as I say just like old times," she smiled. He held his tongue despite wanting to kill her. The Matriarch glanced between the two of them.

"Fine, I don't care, just get it done," she said briskly.

***

The bus proved to handle pretty well. Tallahassee was behind the wheel as the headlights illuminated his way. Nearly everyone was asleep in the seats, everyone except for Denver who was watching the desert run past his window.

Chicago had fallen asleep beside of him and was leaning against him. Her head rested on his shoulder and he, every once in a while, would look down at her. Tallahassee glanced back in the mirror at just the right moment to catch one of the looks.

"If you get tired let me know," Denver said keeping his voice low. Tallahassee nodded and then there was a long pause. Denver looked at Chicago again as she shifted slightly. "Will it cause problems if I leave?" he asked keeping his voice at a whisper. Tallahassee looked in the mirror again.

"What?" he asked.

"I can't put it off any more. Next stop I have to grab a truck," Denver said.

"And go where? Jersey?" Tallahassee asked. Denver gave the slightest nod. Tallahassee bit his lip. Lots of living people gathered in one spot seemed like a recipe for danger… and Chicago like Denver. Tallahassee leaned forward folding his arms on the steering wheel and stretching his slightly aching back. "Well… that's your choice not ours," he said.

"I know, but I still owe you all. You've taken good care of me and I don't want to just abandon you without repaying the favor," Denver replied.

"I think she would say that we didn't offer any help with an expectation of getting something in return," Tallahassee said doing his best to channel Chicago's naturally kind attitude.

"Thank you," Denver whispered. Tallahassee looked ahead trying to focus on the road.

"You're going after your kid. I can't hold that against you," he said. Denver gave a tired smile.

"I hope I can recognize her… if she's alive," he sighed.

"Well… hope is the best we can do now, right?" Tallahassee replied encouragingly.

***

Chicago woke up the next morning and immediately realized that the bus was stationary. She sat up in the seat and looked around. The door was open and the desert air filled the cabin giving a warm dusty feeling. She was alone, and outside she could hear the soft chatter of her friends.

She got up and flipped her hair a little trying to fix it in the mirror. Going down the steps she looked around in the light. They were at a gas station of sorts. It was made of trucks as far as she could tell from the heavy-duty gas pumps.

The smell of a fire made her laugh, after all, what better place than a gas station to have open flames. Her family was gathered around the pit heating canned goods and cooking in a little pan that someone must have packed back at the house. "Good morning," she sighed stepping out of the bus fully.

"Morning babe," Tallahassee said from his place on an overturned trashcan. Phoenix immediately put a bowl of stovetop minute rice in her hand. Nana came along and gave her a spoon. Despite not being very hungry she didn't want to hurt their feelings and smiled.

"Thank you," she said trying not to sound groggy. She went back and sat on the steps of the bus eating slowly. The rice was bland and soggy without any butter or seasoning and Chicago had to remind herself she was living after the zombie apocalypse and sacrifices were going to have to be made.

Denver carried a busted up chair to the fire and placed the wood in the flames. He was wearing a pair of aviator sunglasses that gleamed in the sun. Chicago felt a little uneasy though because he seemed distracted as he poked the flames.

The meal passed with Columbus leading a discussion about the better game station. Little Rock and Wichita both opted for the wii while Columbus liked the X-box. Both Phoenix and Tallahassee questioned the kids about having something better to do with their time than stare at a screen all day. Chicago and Nana sat in passive silence. Personally she liked the good old game cube she had grown so attached to. Whether Nana really had a preference or not remained unknown. Denver kept his thoughts to himself although the longer it went on the more Chicago suspected them of being far away from game stations. Eventually there was nothing more to be argued in the way of graphics cost and availability and the conversation died.

Little Rock stole one of Tallahassee's Twinkies and a chase broke out with the cowboy trailing her as they lapped the gas pumps again and again. Chicago watched and laughed, but when Denver kept staring blankly out at the desert she had to get to the bottom of it all. "Okay, what's up?" she asked.

"Hmm?" he murmured snapping out of his daze.

"Something is bothering you. What's on your mind?" she asked. He sighed and unfolded his arms.

"I'm leaving, Chicago," he said seeming unhappy with his own words. She stood up nodding a little and handed her bowl to Nana. He took the glasses off and she could see the worry in his eyes.

"You have a car?" she asked. He pointed to a truck nearby.

"Yeah, I'm all set," he said looking away from her and up at the sky. "I hate to leave, but I have to find my daughter," he said slowly. Chicago nodded.

"I agree. Family comes first," she said. He smiled and looked down at the dust. Chicago for a second wondered why he couldn't hold her gaze.

"I was thinking, after I'm done, and if you'll still have me," he looked up meeting her eyes, "I'd meet up with you again," he said. She smiled.

"Family comes first man… and you're family," she said. He offered his hand for a shake and she hugged him instead. "Just take care of yourself okay?" she said as he hugged her back. He patted her on the back a little.

"Of course," he said as she let go. The rest of the group had been silently listening and watching when Tallahassee and Little Rock weren't distracting them. Columbus stood up and dug a phone from his bag.

"Keep in touch," he said offering it to Denver who nodded as he slipped the phone in his pocket.

"Thanks," he replied. Tallahassee finally gave up on Little Rock and stood panting.

"You leaving?" he asked. Denver sighed.

"While I still have the heart for it, yeah," he replied. Tallahassee straightened up and came over. He exchanged one of his very many handshakes with Denver before stepping back and putting his arm around Chicago. "I'll catch you around," Denver said before putting on his glasses and heading for his truck.

"Denver!" Chicago called. He looked back. "Just make sure you come back," she said evoking a smile from him.

"I'll see you in a few days," he said before getting in the truck. She smiled fondly hoping it wasn't a lie. Little Rock and Nana both waved when Denver pulled away.

"Alright boys and girls, lets pack it up," Tallahassee said clapping his hands when Denver sunk out of sight.

"Where are we going?" Chicago asked as the others busied themselves packing up the bus.

"South," Tallahassee replied.

"Why south?" she asked. He looked at her from under the brim of his hat.

"Mexico babe," he said. She gave him a puzzled look. "You know, beaches sand and palm trees… it's Enrique's native land," he smiled motioning to Phoenix as he climbed the steps to the bus.

"I'm Colombian you dick!" Phoenix snapped from inside the bus. Tallahassee gave a satisfied smirk. Chicago rolled her eyes and began to go. Tallahassee gave her a little smack on the ass and she whirled around to see him grin. She smiled playfully.

"Man, we need to get a copy of Jimmy Buffet's Mexico," she grinned. "Lock and load guys!" she laughed.

 

Chapter 91- Being Difficult ​

Summer grunted as she tossed her bag into the back seat then slipped into the passenger side. Maximus had a total disregard for anything that got in the way of his truck. Human Zombie or other car he ran over everything. As they excited the personnel garage outside of the prison he almost hit a guy that was moseying across the road. Summer leaned over and jerked the wheel at the last second. Maximus gave her a good stiff backhand knocking her against the car door.

"What the fuck is wrong with you, you stupid fucking whore?" he shouted. She just rubbed her face and settled in. He didn't say anything more, but Summer knew she was messing with a bull that was ready to charge.

He turned on the radio during the drive, but when he couldn't find anything good he turned it off and tried for another form of amusement. His hand slipped across the space between the seats and snaked over her thigh. She huffed and swatted him away.

"Cut it out," she said. He glanced at her, eying the best parts of her body.

"Why not? You and I would make a pair," he said.

"I don't need a guy," she said mocking politeness.

"Together… we would be strong enough to overthrow the Matriarch," he said. Summer was scared by how serious he seemed.

"Typical that you would be so power hungry," she rolled her eyes. He grinned.

"The worlds ours for the taking," he said. "If you'd just stop being so difficult."

"I told you no before and the answer is still no. Lets just get the job done," she snapped before crawling into the back seat. He didn't speak anymore as Summer faked sleeping. She closed her eyes, but stayed at the ready. With Maximus trust was six feet under the ground.

***

"Oh god no!" Chicago screamed. Tallahassee almost fell off the seat he was napping at her outburst.

"Wha-what!" he exclaimed standing up. Chicago made the bus do a sharp turn and he fell back over.

"Not Shinedown!" she cried. Everyone crowded the windows to see the sign that was hanging over the giant sports coliseum. "Why god? Why couldn't it have been U2?" she wept.

"Who the hell is Shinedown?" Tallahassee yawned looking at the banner. She turned on him making the bus stop.

"I'm not sure this relationship is going to work out," she said. Columbus laughed.

"I loved Shinedown too," he said.

"They probably didn't show for the concert," Wichita said.

"Yeah, who would come see them during a zombie apocalypse?" Little Rock sighed.

"I would have," Chicago said still looking at the coliseum where the band had the huge banner hanging.

"At least they might still be alive," Columbus said. Chicago squinted. "No way they kept the tour going," he added.

"No? What about their tour bus that is sitting right there," she said pointing at the bus.

"There is no way that is the bands," Phoenix said crossing his arms.

"No… that's theirs. I would know it anywhere," Chicago said. She looked at Tallahassee.

"No!" he exclaimed.

"What?" she snapped.

"I'm saying no, right now absolutely not! The answer is no!" he said. She gave him a pleading look.

"Please Baby? If it were Willie Nelson I would go with you!" she objected.

"But that's Willie Nelson! Not this bullshit Spinedown or whatever," he argued.

"Shinedown!" she corrected him. "I'm saying what would it hurt?" she said.

"If we get eaten it has the potential to hurt a lot," he replied.

"Don't guys take their girls to concerts?" she asked.

"This isn't a concert!" he threw his hands up.

"It's as close as we are going to get!" she put her head in her hands out of frustration.

"Can I say something?" Columbus asked.

"No!" Tallahassee and Chicago barked together.

"Look, Tal, please, I really really want to get in their bus," she said. "I will get down on my hands and knees or walk the whole way if that's what it takes," she said. He sighed tipping his hat up.

"You swear if we find Willie Nelson you will let me go?" he asked.

"Cross my heart," she said smiling.

"Anyone have anything to say now?" Tallahassee asked looking over his shoulder.

"Even if we did it would be irrelevant," Columbus said.

"Damn straight," Chicago smiled.

"Maybe we can pick up a beer bong…" Phoenix said scratching the back of his neck.

"What's a beer bong?" Nana asked. Everyone laughed.

***

Denver made a fast stop for gas, but otherwise kept the peddle to the floor. When his phone buzzed in his pocket he withdrew it and put on the cruise control as he opened it.

Opening a picture message he grinned when he saw Chicago smiling with guitar in her hand. A text message popped up next from Columbus. 'WE JUST STOPPED AT A CONCERT'

'UNDEAD?' Denver replied.

'ONLY A FEW HUNDRED. WE'RE FINE' was the response. Denver was both worried and amused.

'STAY OUT OF TROUBLE WHILE I'M GONE' he typed back

***

Chicago was laughing hysterically as Tallahassee mutilated all the might have been music behind the drums. When he stopped he promptly grabbed the cymbal and threw it like a Frisbee at a zombie that had managed to get onto the stage.

"You know this wasn't the plan. We were just going to see the bus," Columbus said nervously. Indeed he was right. They had planned for a quick peek into the bus and somehow ended up on the stage in the coliseum with a horde slamming against the front of the stage. The barricades that would have protected the band from the drunks was now holding back zombies. Chicago went to the edge of the stage and kicked the dead body off.

"Are you ready to rock?" she screamed holding her arms out. The 'crowd' throbbed trying to get at her. She laughed again then looked back at the boys. "This is awesome!" she exclaimed.

"I can't believe you," Columbus muttered. "You're starting to act like him," he added.

"Hey," Tallahassee took offense at the comment.

"We should get back to the others," Columbus said. Phoenix had elected to keep Nana in the bus and Wichita second the motion with her own sister. Chicago sighed.

"Okay," she said rolling her eyes. Tallahassee grabbed her at the waist and planted a kiss on her.

"Are you happy?" he whispered in her ear.

"Yes," she replied wrapping her arms around him.

"I'm seriously considering leaving you two," Columbus said impatiently.

"Just try it spit fuck," Tallahassee snapped. Chicago continued to grin until the barricade broke. Both of them whirled around to see the horde rushing the stage. "Time to go!" he said grabbing her hand as he sprinted away.

They ran through the maze of a backstage the way they had come as the zombies gained. Chicago stopped and swung a guitar smashing the front-runner zombie's head. She smiled feeling very satisfied.

"That's for Shinedown!" She shouted as she ran after the boys.

 

Chapter 92- Nothing To Say ​

Denver sighed looking at the house. It had taken him several days, but he'd finally made it. He stood on the road under the hot sun looking at the beach house. Inside he hoped to find his daughter.

The government had managed to turn a chunk of Long Beach Island into a haven. Signs reading 'Zombie Free Place To Be' hung everywhere. Armed guards and patrols were everywhere he looked. The more he saw though, the more Denver realized that Chicago and her friends had been right. It was only a matter of time before the place went down. There was just too much room for things to go wrong.

He'd only had to go through one security check. All be it, it was a very uncomfortable strip search and thorough full body inspection, but still, someone might slip through. He'd been given a packet full of paper work and an ID card that he was violently instructed to keep with him and at the ready at all times. As soon as he had driven a few blocks he had tossed the envelope into the back.

If the phone book was right, his daughter had done okay for herself. The house was painted light blue with white trim. It was right in the beach, front row. Sandy knolls surrounded it on all sides. From what he could tell it was quiet spacious.

He shifted back and forth on his feet. Denver swallowed down the fluttering in his stomach as he walked up the sandstone stepping-stones toward the porch. He took off his hat and opened the screen door. Knocking on the wooden door he then stepped back a bit to wait. He could hear someone moving around inside and refrained from closing his eyes as he door opened.

She was stunning. In the single second it took him to look her over he noted every detail of the absolute perfection before him. Angles had made her face and amber hair fell out of her messy bun to frame it all. Denver wondered how he ever had anything to do with making something so wonderful.

She was not so happy to see him. "You!" she gasped as her eyes widened.

"Kim!" he smiled so happy to see her alive and well he thought he might break down and cry. She shook her head in horror at the man on her porch.

"No! Go away!" she snapped. She started to shut the door in his face, but Denver moved fast and got his hand in the way. It didn't stop her from slamming the door. Denver yelped as she applied all the pressure she could.

"Kim I need to talk to you," he said through gritted teeth. He was almost sure she'd broken his hand.

"Get out of here!" she replied.

"Kim I'm not leaving!" he said, his voice raising in pitch when she let off the door then slammed it again.

"Go away! I don't want you here!" she said on the other side of the door. Her words hurt Denver worse than anything.

"Please, just talk to me," he said.

"Just get out of here please," she said sounding like she was the one about to cry. Denver sighed, he loved her more than life itself. With some measure of difficulty he yanked his hand from the door and she shut it.

After hearing the lock click, all he could do was stand there, cradling his hand. The skin was broken on the back and it was bleeding pretty good. He sighed, because he couldn't even feel it.

Denver turned around and started to go, but couldn't force himself to just leave, so he say down on the step and examined his hand. Broken or not he didn't care. It didn't really matter to him at the moment. He took a deep breath and looked up at the sky.

"Lord… just one stroke of luck… you never gave it to me before, and that's fine, but god… please now… just a little bit of help is all I'm asking," he sighed. As if god had actually heard the prayer the door opened behind him.

Denver looked over his shoulder and saw her looking through the screen door. "What are you doing here?" she asked.

"Looking for you," he replied. She sighed, but it wasn't one of annoyance or frustration, it was out of pain and grief. Of all the things in the world she did not need him. She'd said goodbye to him a long time ago several times, and the prospect of him being eaten was some shameful form of comfort. It had closed the deal… and here he was, again.

"Why?" she could only manage the single word.

"Why?" he repeated. "Isn't it obvious?" he replied. She shook her head slightly and put her hand over her mouth. "Kim, I'm so happy to see you," he said. She held her hand out motioning for him to stop.

"Stop it. Please, just stop," she said. He could see shiny tears in the corner of her eyes. "I don't even know you… I guess I'm happy you're alive, but… I don't have anything to say to you," she said slowly picking each word carefully. Denver tried not to look hurt.

"Okay," he said then paused trying to decide what should come next. He stood up, still holding his hand and faced her. "Then, I'll go… I just wanted to make sure you were okay..." he hesitated, "because I love you… and you're mother."

Kim kept her brave face and refused to let the tears fall. She knew if she tried to speak she would lose it though, so instead she just nodded. He looked at her for a minute more and in his eyes she could see so much hurt and longing, but she just didn't care. She'd worn those sad eyes for nearly twenty years, and it had been his fault. He'd proven time and time again that he didn't care. Why he had come to her now was the mystery.

Denver turned to go. He reached the end of the stepping stones before she called out to him. "Hey," she said regretting it already. He looked back. She sighed not believing what she was saying. "You can come in… for a moment, and I'll fix your hand," she said.

Denver didn't smile, but slowly returned to the house accepting her offer. She led him to her living room and motioned for him to sit on the couch. She went to the bathroom and got a first aid kit.

Neither of them spoke when she knelt on the floor and opened the kit on the coffee table. Denver wasn't sure where to look as the awkwardness grew. Kim faced the same problem, hesitating to take her own fathers hand.

Swallowing her scorn for the man momentarily she cleaned him up quickly. Denver hissed as she roughly cleaned the broken flesh. "Ow!" he exclaimed when's he persisted to rub.

"Sorry," she replied half-heartedly. She kept her eyes glued to her work and he couldn't help but stare at her. She'd grown so much since he'd seen her last. She'd been a teenager still then.

Kim wrapped some gauze around his hand and called it good. She stood up and took the kit back to the bathroom. "Looks like you're doing okay for yourself," he said when she returned.

"I get by," she replied. He looked away from her under the hard glare she was giving him.

"Does your mother live here with you or does she have her own place?" he asked. The question was followed by such a long silence that he looked back up.

"She's dead," Kim replied. Denver couldn't mask his grief.

"How?" he managed to rasp. Kim folded her arms.

"Cancer… two years ago," she said. Denver's stomach lurched. He almost uttered the words 'not zombies?' but refrained.

"Oh," he replied.

"I would have let you know… but she made me promise not to go looking for you," Kim added. He nodded slightly.

"Well… thanks for the wrap," he said clearing his throat.

"I'd offer you a drink… but then you'd stay," she said.

"I'm sorry for causing you so much grief," he said.

"Well… you'll be gone again tomorrow, so I guess this falls into step with the rest of our relationship," she said. He stood up and moved towards the door.

"That's what I mean though… I'm sorry… for everything," he said. She looked at him briefly then sighed again expressing so much pain he wanted nothing more than to huge her.

"You should go now," she said in a voice that came out just above a whisper. He nodded again and opened the door.

"Take care of yourself," he said. He was halfway to the car before he heard her sigh.

"You too," she said. He looked back but she had already shut the door. He got in his truck.

 

Chapter 93- Better Than That ​

Summer knew what was coming as they pulled into the checkpoint. "Please step out of the vehicle and surrender our weapons," the man dressed in camo said. He was the only guard present, too bad for him.

Maximus opened the passenger side door and got out. Eyeing the AK-47 that the man had he went around the front of the truck. "Ma'am please step out of the truck," the guard said distracted by Summer's lack of movement. She kept her hands firmly planted on the wheel.

The little guard went down like a sack of bricks as Maximus wrapped his arms around his neck and twisted. Summer didn't even cringe at the disgusting crack that it made. Maximus bent over and took the gun. "Nice," he said before frisking the rest of the body. Summer pulled the truck past the gate then went back to help clear out the guard station.

Maximus drug the body away and hid it from sight. "Do you have his ID?" Summer asked.

"Yeah," Maximus replied getting into the drivers side. "What about ours?" he asked.

"Smile," she said taking his picture. It didn't take her very long to make their IDs. It was very simple actually because there was a numbered step-by-step print out of the instructions tacked up on the wall. "Too easy," she said getting in the passenger side.

"Of course, what did you think it would be?" he replied. She smirked. He was so sure of himself.

***

Denver couldn't help himself. As he drove down the crowded streets he spotted a bar (one of many actually) and stopped. Resolving that his sober streak was over he locked up the truck and went inside.

It was surprisingly crowded and he forced his way to the bar. The man behind the counter looked at him. "Shot of the hardest whiskey you got," he said ashamed of himself. The bartender obliged him and gave him the shot glass full of amber liquid.

He picked it up and prepared to down it when he caught a familiar sigh from the corner of his eye. "Summer?" he murmured. He looked a little closer and indeed it was her. He kept an eye on her, but made sure not to look straight at her.

When a big guy settled on the stool next to her Denver put his drink down. Summer and her 'friend' were conversing, but he couldn't hear what they were saying. "Hey buddy, you want to send her a drink?" the bar keeper asked. Denver snapped out of his thoughts.

"What? No," he replied then stood up. "But you can send this one to the little blond at the end of the bar," he said putting his cash on the bar.

"Whoa! Buddy," the barkeeper said. Denver looked back. "You're about 400 hundred short," the man said. Denver's eyes widened.

"What?" he asked thinking it was a joke.

"That's a four fifty drink…. Are you telling me you don't have the cash?" he said getting very loud. Denver realized he might have just fallen into some real trouble. He glanced over at Summer and his stomach further fell when she was looking right at him.

"Look man, that's all I got," he said holding up his hands.

"Well then we have a real problem," the barkeeper said pulling a bat out from under the counter.

"Oh-ho! Nah nah nah- now come on man, we can be rational about this," Denver said holding out his hands.

"No one drinks for free here," the man said. Denver didn't have time to say anything else in his own defense before the man swung the bat.

"Whoa!" he exclaimed. As he got back to his feet Denver took a moment to wonder why bars erupt into violence so easily. When someone sucker punched him though he didn't think anymore.

The brawl started to get pretty bad. Summer kept her seat at the bar, but Maximus immediately jumped up and got in the middle of it. She kept her eyes on Denver. He fought fairly well for being old in her eyes.

When someone got him good in the face and he crumpled she downed the last of her drink and moved in. "Hey!" she said tapping his assailant on the shoulder. The man turned around and she elbowed him in the face.

Summer pulled Denver to his feet and they made their way to the door. Outside on the sidewalk she pushed him down the alley beside the bar. Gingerly he his eye.

"Damn that's going to leave a mark," he muttered.

"What the fuck are you doing here?" she snapped.

"I same looking for my daughter and I might ask you the same," he replied.

"I'm here on business," she said. "Tell me the other's aren't with you," she sighed. He shook his head.

"No, just me," he said.

"Good. Get the fuck out of this town… you've caused enough trouble," she said.

"What? Why should I leave?" he asked.

"Because it's clear that you should stay sober," she said. Sirens were blaring and as the lights drew close she looked out. "Shit," she hissed as footsteps came.

"What?" he asked still a little disoriented.

"They'll pick us up… come here!" she commanded forcing him up against the wall. Before Denver had time to protest Summer closed her lips on his. He tried to not panic as she made a show. The sounds she was making, he had to admit, were very convincing, and when the 'cops' came around the corner and shined their flashlights on the 'lovers' they didn't linger very long.

Summer stopped once the lights went away. Denver stayed plastered to the wall. "Whoa," he breathed. She brushed her hair back.

"Don't let me see you around here again," she said before walking briskly away.

Chicago's phone rang at the most inopportune moment. "Let it ring," Tallahassee panted. She ignored him and struggled out of the tangle they were in. "Oh, come on baby…" he breathed relaxing into the sheets. She pulled the phone out of her pants that were hung over a chair. Taking a deep breath she opened it.

"Hello?" she answered trying not to sound winded.

"Chicago," Denver replied.

"Hi Denver," she said putting her hand on her hip. Tallahassee loved how he could just make out her silhouette in the faint blue light from the motel sign outside.

"Not a bad time is it?" he asked.

"No, you're not interrupting," she said. Tallahassee coughed loudly in the background. "What's up?" she continued ignoring him.

"You're not going to believe who I just saw," Denver said.

"Who?" she asked shivering as the chilly air cooled her bare skin.

"Summer's here in Jersey," he said. She could hear some background noise lots of chatter.

"Really?" Chicago sighed already wondering what it meant.

"Yeah, she says she's here on business… and she's got a guy with her," he added. Chicago moved back to the bed and sat down.

"Well… you're my eyes and ears… what do you have to say about it?" she asked rubbing her eyes.

"I don't like it. They're up to something," he said.

"You think this guy's Anarchy?" she asked.

"You know I'm a terrible gambler… but I'd still bet every drop of my blood on it," he said. She fell back resting her head in Tallahassee's stomach.

"And what's Jersey like?" she asked. There was a hesitation.

"Fine I guess… but you were right, this place will fall sooner or later… and I wouldn't want to be here when it does. They have to much space sectioned off for the safe zone… too much can go wrong," he said sounding grave. "But other than that it's nice," he added. She chuckled.

"How many people are out there?" she asked.

"Hard to say, but plenty… plenty of blood in the water to draw sharks if you know what I mean," he said.

"I do…" she sighed. "So, uh, what about you… I mean the other thing… you find her?" Chicago asked. He didn't answer for a few very long seconds. "Denver?" she asked.

"I found her," he said, his voice sounded horse all of a sudden.

"I take it she recognized you," Chicago said sadly.

"She did… gave me a new scar to remember the reunion by… then she kicked me to the curb," he said.

"I'm sorry," Chicago sighed. "and your wife?"

"Dead…" he replied.

"I'm sorry… did they put her down at least?" Chicago asked softly.

"No… it was cancer… two years ago… guess I missed the memo," he said. Chicago sighed sitting up again.

"You on your way back now?" she asked. "We're down in Texas."

"No, I'm still in the city… I'm sleeping in the truck… this place is expensive I'm telling you," he said. "One shot of whiskey cost four hundred an fifty bucks," he added. Chicago sat up.

"What?" she asked.

"You heard me," he chuckled.

"Denver, can you hang on just a second?" she asked.

"Yeah," he replied. She put the phone down.

"What's goin' on?" Tallahassee asked.

"Nothing," she replied pulling on her pants and grabbing his shirt because it was closer than hers.

"Babe… where you going?" he asked. "Was it just me or were we in the middle of something?" he asked. She looked at him and rolled her eyes. "I thought we were," he continued.

"Oh just shut up and play with yourself until I get back," she said grabbing the phone and going outside. When the door closed she looked around assuring herself that she was alone. "Denver, you there?" she asked putting the phone to her ear.

"Yeah, I'm here Chicago," he replied. She sighed wiping her hand over her mouth. The noise in the background on his end was gone.

"Four hundred and Fifty for a drink huh?" she asked.

"That's right," he replied suddenly sounding unsure of where she was going with things.

"Denver… why the fuck do you know that?" she asked.

"What do you mean Chicago?" he replied.

"I mean, why would you know how much a drink costs?" she clarified.

"Because I almost got the stuffing beat out of me for not being able to cover the bill," he replied. She sighed.

"Denver… you drinking again?" she asked. A hush fell.

"Well…" he drew out the word.

"Just stop," she said before he could say anymore. "Don't you say another damn word to me for the rest of this conversation until I say so or I'm hanging up and you'll never see a one of us again," she said sharply.

Chicago felt bad for talking down to him. He was older and wiser, but she loved him so goddamn much, even without length of their relationship. The prospect of him self-combusting after going so far, Chicago wouldn't stand for it.

"Denver… You're military, so you know how to listen when someone talks yeah? I know you do. You better goddamn well hear what I say…" she paused to collect herself. "I love you… I really do. I love each and everyone of you so much," she said. "I love you all more than I have ever loved anyone else… and I will do anything to protect you… even if it means pinning you down and beating the living shit out of you." Chicago paused as she walked down the steps of the motel towards the bus. "Between what you have said and what Columbus told me I know you've had problems… and you fucked yourself over… and I am so sorry… because you didn't deserve that," she said slowly.

"Chicago I-"he started to speak, but she cut him off.

"Did I say you could speak?" she snapped. "I'm real sorry about your history, but I will be damned before I see you repeat it," she said firmly. Chicago got up in the bus and sat down in the drivers seat. "You've survived… so much… you pulled yourself out of the hole the first time… and then you survived the end of the world… whatever happened between your daughter can never, should never, override that. Denver, you have come too far to fall apart now," she said. "Now, I'm going to hang up the phone… because I'm so goddamn pissed at you for even considering giving up on me, I need to cool off… and god help you if I should call and find out you've been drinking." Chicago stood up and paced the length of the bus. "I'll call you in the morning… I do love you… and I feel like a douche for talking to you like this… but goddamn it!" she kicked a seat. "You're better than this and I will not let you fall… I won't…goodnight," she said then hung up the phone. She paced up and down the bus a few more times before going back to her room.

"Problem?" Tallahassee asked sounding annoyed.

"In a world where cannibalistic freaks run amuck, 'problem' is far to ordinary… this is damn near family crisis," she sighed pulling off her clothes.

"Nothin' sets the mood like crisis," he sighed as she slid under the sheets. Chicago sighed rubbing her eyes.

"Baby, I'm sorry," she said realizing she was letting her frustration show.

"It's okay," he replied.

"No, No it's not. I shouldn't put you off… I just. I just really want to try and keep us all together you know… I just… want a family, and I have it… and I'm so worried about preserving that, that I neglect you," she said. He smiled and kissed her.

"There is no failure to perform girlfriend-duties that will ever make me stop loving you," he said. She kissed him on the nose.

"Aww… baby you 're so sweet," she smiled.

"Lets get some sleep yeah?" he suggested. She nodded. "I love you," he said.

"I love you too. Goodnight," she said rolling over and snuggling down. At least ten minutes passed before she rolled back over. "So tell me… Did I murder the mood or is it just stunted?" He opened his eyes.

"I think we can resuscitate it," he smiled.

 

Chapter 94- Just Don't Ask​

Chicago woke up the next morning feeling a little bit better about the state of things. She was on her stomach with the pillow in her arms. It took a moment for her to wonder what the weight on her back was. She lifted her head and craned to see what the warm, and unpleasantly wet, sensation was.

She sighed. "Tal," she whispered. He didn't move. "Tal wake up," she repeated a little louder. Once again he didn't move. "Tallahassee wake up you're drooling on me," she snapped. He woke up and lifted his head off of her back.

Chicago loved him, she really did, but sometimes the cowboy just grossed her out. He was, of course, completely oblivious to the puddle he had left as he tossed around in the bed until he was in an upright position. She rolled out from under the sheets.

In the little closet sized bathroom she took a washcloth and sponge bathed quickly. She got dressed and slipped out past Tallahassee who had his head buried between two pillows. She had to take a moment to smile fondly at him as he sprawled out, hanging off the bed on both sides.

Outside the weather was grey and overcast. The breeze blew her hair back. "Great, another storm," she murmured as she pulled her phone out. Dialing Denver she held it to her ear. Chicago listened as the phone rang and rang. As she was about to give up and hang up the line clicked.

"Hello?" Denver asked sounding groggy.

"Didn't think you were going to pick up for a moment there," she said.

"No, just slow. I think I'm getting to old for this. I can barely move," he said. She heard a car door open in the background.

"You okay?" she asked.

"Yeah, yeah, I'm fine" he replied.

"Good," she sighed leaning against the wall. "So, picking up where we left off last night… what's the plan?" she asked.

"I was about to ask you the same thing… I'm staying here for couple more days at least. I might try to see my daughter again… despite Summer's wishes," he said.

"Summer doesn't want you to see your girl?" Chicago yawned.

"No, she wants me out of the city," he replied.

"Really?" Chicago mused. "Anarchy is about to hit the place isn't it?" she sighed coming to the grim conclusion.

The thought crossed my mind," he said. She shook her head to herself.

"Denver, I want you out of there," she said.

"I can't," he said.

"Please… look I'm sorry about your daughter, I really am, but if she can't see how lucky she is to have you then it's not worth it," Chicago said quickly.

"That's not why I'm staying," he said. She shut up. "Tactically this is a nightmare… Chicago, there are a couple thousand people here… I can't walk away and leave them to hang," he said. She bit her lip.

"Denver… one poorly informed person can't stop fate," she said slowly. "It's noble, but what can you hope to do?"

"I know, I know… but we have a friend on the inside… if I can get to Summer… maybe tip off the authorities, I might be able to stop it," he said. "I might be able to give them a chance," he said. Chicago thought it over for a long moment.

"Are you sure this is right?" she asked finally.

"I know it is," he replied.

"Okay," she said lowering her voice. "I trust you."

"Thank you," he replied. She looked over her shoulder as Nana came out of Phoenix's room.

"The others are waking up, I've gotta go. I'll call you back later," she said.

"Okay, be safe," he said.

"You too," she replied before hanging up. Chicago sighed watching as Phoenix ran after Nana, scooping her up and twirling her in the air. "Shit," she sighed.

"Alright! Gather up! Gather up!" Chicago called from where she stood in the open backdoor of the bus. The others slowly fell in around her. "Alright guys. We have a choice to make," she said. "The Jersey camp is in trouble. According to Denver it sounds like Anarchy is about to hit them… now there are a couple thousand innocent people hiding out there… So we can choose one of two options. We stay as we are, keep going south down in Mexico… or we go east and see what we can do to help," Chicago said.

The others were all silent as they mulled over the options. "We're supposed to think we can fight Anarchy?" Columbus asked slowly.

"I don't know… I know we're poorly informed… I do, but this is the choice we have to make… If we should happen to go, we can tip off the authorities," she said.

"How do we know?" Tallahassee asked folding his arms.

"Summer told Denver. She's out there too," Chicago said impassively. Phoenix visibly tensed up. "So what do you think?" she asked. Tallahassee shook his head.

"Big risk," he said.

"Yeah, but… think of all those people," Columbus said softly. Everyone looked at him.

"What about not being a hero?" Little Rock asked.

"I chucked that back at Pacific Playland," he said. "I'm there," he said looking at Chicago. Wichita sighed.

"If he's in… I'm in," she said. Chicago looked at Tallahassee.

"Hey, they put a hole in me. You know I'll take any chance I have to bust some heads," he smiled. Chicago smiled then looked at Phoenix.

"Phoenix? Time to weigh in," she said. He had his arms folded and his eyes planted on the ground.

"Chicago… I…" he took a deep breath and looked up shaking his head. "I'm sorry. I can't." She looked at him and nodded. "I can't take Nana into that… if it were just me... I'm sorry," he said.

"It's okay, I understand," Chicago said hopping out of the bus. "Lets split the stuff up then. You can take the bus, and we'll wrangle a truck," she said.

"Hey," Phoenix said as the others started to scatter. "You'll take of Summer?" he asked.

"What do you mean 'take care of'?" Tallahassee asked tucking his hands in his pockets.

"I mean, shoot her if she needs shot and save her if she needs saved," Phoenix said. Tallahassee took a couple steps towards his friend.

"Hey Pablo," he said. Phoenix rolled his eyes with a disgruntled sigh. "This may be the only chance you have to get her back," he said. Phoenix folded his arms.

"I don't want her back," he said. "She's as bad for me as the cigarettes she smokes are for her… there good at first… but sooner or later, they'll kill you," he gave a crooked smile.

"Yeah, but that's our weakness brother…You think Chicago is good for me all the time?" he asked.

"Considering she's not a homicidal temperamental suicidal soul sucking bitch, I think she is," Phoenix replied.

"This is true, but there are day where we want to kill each other. I love her, and I'd die for her… and I've resigned myself to the fact that most likely in the end she'll be the death of me… and it's worth it," Tallahassee said tipping his hat up. Phoenix was silent and reflective for a moment.

"I can't love her though… she doesn't love me back," Phoenix sighed.

"Then at least put it to rest," Tallahassee said keeping a steady gaze. "Splinter won't heal unless you take the sliver out," he added before turning and walking away. "Just think about it Phoenix," Tallahassee sighed.

"Alright, I'll come… because you used my name," Phoenix said. Tallahassee looked back

"Aww… see this was a nice bonding moment Raul," Tallahassee smiled.

"That's it!" Phoenix exclaimed.

"What are they doing?" Nana asked as she and Chicago packed up together. Phoenix and Tallahassee were engaged in a rough wrestling match on the pavement parking lot.

"Sometimes it's better not to ask questions," Chicago sighed.

 

Chapter 95- Part To The End​

After two days of intensive driving Chicago and her crew pulled into Jersey around noon. "Whoa… this place is like the frat parties I used to drive by," Columbus murmured. The whole haven was like one big party to the end of the world.

Music was playing and people were dancing. Lots of debauchery everywhere they looked. Phoenix covered Nana's eyes for safety. "This must be the nightlife section," Tallahassee murmured from behind the wheel. The people slowly ebbed away so the truck could get through.

"How the hell are we going to find Denver in all this?" Chicago sighed.

"He gave us an address didn't he?" Wichita replied.

"Yeah, but a lot of good it'll do us," Chicago replied pointing up at all of the street signs. Everyone of them had either been ripped down, painted over, or covered with lingerie.

"I like this place," Tallahassee smiled as a girl reached through the window and put a lei around his neck after tossing his hat at Chicago. After the kiss that followed Chicago smiled as he looked at her with a lipstick stain on his face. "This is great isn't it babe?" he laughed.

"Uh-huh, if you ever want to have sex again you should roll up your window," she replied never letting her smile fade.

***

It took a couple hours to get out of the densely populated party district and into the more tranquil area of the haven. Food kitchens started to crop up, and other supply distribution stations became more prevalent.

"There," Chicago said pointing to where Denver was sitting on the tailgate of his truck eating. Tallahassee parked and they piled out of the car.

"I'm glad we ditched the bus… but I miss the space," Little Rock sighed. Chicago crossed the street.

"Denver!" she called waving. He looked up and spotted her. Putting down his bowl he hopped off the tailgate and moved to meet her. "Glad to see you," she said as she threw her arms around him and hugged him tightly.

"I'm happy to see you too," he replied. As the others caught up with them he greeted everyone. "Hey Nana," he said patting the child on the head. "Here have my dessert," he said handing her a frosting covered cookie. "You all should go get in line and get your dinner before they run out of the good stuff," he said.

"We don't have time for that. We're here on business," Phoenix said. Everyone looked at him. He'd been quiet the whole time until now.

"Yeah, he's right Denver," Chicago sighed. "So what can you tell us?"

"I caught up with Summer again. She gave me this," he said pulling out a torn piece of paper. "Then she kneed me and took off," he added.

"Sorry about your manhood," Phoenix replied dryly before taking the paper away from Chicago.

"Where is this address?" Chicago asked.

"It's a church. Abandoned," he said.

"And when it says 'sundown' ?" she asked.

"It's tonight. She said if you didn't get here in time it wasn't her problem," he replied. Chicago looked up at the rest of her group.

"Alright then… we do have a little time to burn… if anyone's hungry now's the time to eat," she said.

"If you don't feel like waiting you can go around back and get an MRE," Denver said.

"Are we sure this isn't a trap?" Phoenix asked holding up the paper. Chicago looked back at him.

"Even if it is… it's all we have," she said. He sighed seeming frustrated. Nana tugged on him.

"I want another cookie," she said.

"Okay Baby Girl," he said picking her up. As he started to walk away he gave one last look at Chicago and Denver. It was a warning glance.

"Do you think it's a trap?" Chicago asked.

"No. I think Summer is legit for now," he said.

"Goddamn it! There are no fucking Twinkies in this place," Tallahassee said walking up.

"Yeah, that's the worst of our problems," Wichita said rolling her eyes.

***

The church was boarded up, but inside it was beautiful still. The stain glass had been broken out and only skeletal remains were hanging in their place. Chicago and the others sat in the pews in the dark, waiting for Summer to show up. Little Rock and Columbus lit all of the candles bathing the sanctuary in an amber glow.

"Bitch isn't going to show," Phoenix muttered.

"She'll be here," Chicago replied. He crossed his arms as he leaned against the end of a pew. Tallahassee was asleep on the steps to the alter. He'd eaten two MREs and polished off a bottle of Wild Turkey he had secret in the truck.

"Maybe she isn't coming… maybe she played me," Denver sighed as they waited.

"You don't think I would do that really?" Summer said stepping into the room from one of the side doors. Chicago stood up mirroring Phoenix. Tallahassee continued to snore and no one bothered to wake him.

"Summer, good to see you," Chicago said though she kept a reserved tone.

"Wish I could say the same. I guess Denver didn't get you the message that I want all of you out of this city," she said.

"He did and we don't care. What are you up to?" Chicago replied.

"Anarchy is on it's way. We're going to bust this place. I have my army moving in as we speak," Summer replied.

"How many?" Phoenix asked though it was laced with hostility.

"I can't tell you that… but they'll be here by tomorrow night," Summer said as she came down the isle. "I'm giving all of you a chance," she said. "When they get here they will murder anyone they come across… they won't care if it is man woman or child," she glanced at Nana, "everyone is dead."

"Call it off then," Chicago said.

"Is that why you're here?" Summer gave a smile.

"Yeah, we're here to save all the innocent people you're going to kill," Chicago replied evenly.

"Then you're wasting your time. I won't help you. Just get out of here," she said.

"If you won't help us why are you telling us this?" Wichita asked.

"Because I still owe you and you," Summer replied motioning to Phoenix and Chicago. "I suggest you take the golden ticked I just handed you, or else you're going to die," she said. She moved down the isle towards the door.

"We're going to tell the guard about the attack," Phoenix said. Summer looked back at him.

"You shouldn't… that would only give them a chance to fight… instead of just dying peacefully," she said before walking out.

"Damn…" Denver sighed. Everyone was silent for a long while. They all sat in reflection of the monumental pitfall hey had just experienced.

"She's not bluffing," Phoenix said at last breaking the silence.

"How do you know?" Columbus asked.

"I just do… Chicago?" he looked to her for guidance. She still had her head bowed in silent reflection.

"Well… we don't have much of a choice… lets get out of here," she sighed. "Denver I'm sorry," she added.

"No, no, it's okay," he said. "I'm sorry you had to come all this way for nothing," he shrugged. Tallahassee rolled over and consequently rolled down the steps like a slinky. No one could help but laugh.

"Fuck this," Phoenix snapped all of a sudden making everyone stop. "I'm going after her. I'm gong to put a gun to her head and make her help us," he said.

"Who? Wha-?" Tallahassee mumbled.

"Will that work?" Columbus asked.

"I will make it work," Phoenix replied.

"You still have your guns?" Denver asked.

"Yeah we bribed the guard to get them in," Chicago replied.

"I gave mine up at the door," he said.

"Don't worry we have enough to go around," Wichita smiled.

"Nana, stay here with the others," Phoenix said kneeling next to her. She nodded. "I'll be back in a bit," he said before leaving without any more conversation. For a moment everyone just looked at each other before Denver spoke.

"On the chance this doesn't work… I want to go get my daughter," he said. Chicago nodded.

"Good idea, I'll come with you," she said.

"Why don't you take the boys and I'll stay here with the girls. You can resupply," Wichita said. Chicago looked at Columbus and Tallahassee for approval. Tallahassee just grabbed his hat and started heading for the door.

"You sure you'll be okay here on your own?" Columbus asked. Wichita gave him a 'are you serious' stare and he smiled. "Right right, sorry. Stupid question," he smiled.

 

Chapter 96- Every Man's Worst Nightmare
​

Denver knocked on the door then after waiting a few moments beat on it again. "I know you don't want to see me, but we really gotta talk," he called out loud enough so anyone inside could hear. "Kim!"

"What are you going on about?" a neighbor snapped as he came out on his deck.

"I'm looking for-" Denver started to say.

"She's not here. She's at work, so quiet the fuck up before I call the cops," the man said before slamming his door again.

"Well this is a pleasant neighbor hood," Chicago said coming up the walk. Denver sighed as his shoulders slumped. "Don't worry we'll find her," Chicago added placing a hand on his shoulder.

"Chicago, Phoenix is on the phone for you," Columbus called from the truck. Chicago sighed and went back taking the phone.

"Chicago," she said putting her hand on her hip.

"I followed Summer into a club, she's with that guy… I don't feel good about going in alone," he said.

"Where is it?" she asked.

"It's that place we passed on the way in, the Pleasure Dome," Phoenix replied.

"We're on our way," she said before hanging up. She looked at Denver. "Sorry, but she'll have to wait," she said.

"Of course," he nodded.

***

"Of course," Denver sighed as they walked up to the Pleasure Dome. "Maybe I should wait outside," he said.

"Nonsense, worse come to worse I want as many of us in there as possible," she said. He looked at her with question. "You know, just to be safe," she added. He rolled his eyes but seemed to agree. Phoenix approached them from down the sidewalk.

"They're still in there," he said.

"Odd place for a business meeting," Tallahassee said as he tipped up his hat.

"Okay, so, we get in, we knock the guys stupid, you put a gun to her head, and we put a stop to this whole stupid thing right?" Chicago sighed.

"Right," Phoenix replied.

"Okay then, lets do this thing," Tallahassee said hitching up his pants. Chicago couldn't help but laugh. "What?" he asked.

"Nothing… you are just so… typical," she said as she walked off with Denver trailing to her right. Tallahassee looked between Columbus and Phoenix who both shrugged.

"What the hell was that about?" he asked.

"Forget it, lets just get this over with," Phoenix sighed leading the way into the club.

As soon as the group was through the double doors they were assaulted by everything that a nightclub could possibly hope to embody. When a gaggled of shirtless women greeted them, though, they realized it wasn't just a nightclub. "Doing business at a strip club, I can dig this," Tallahassee said as the girls hung on him.

Chicago had never been in a strip club before and she took a moment to look around. The place was packed, which made her nervous, with people. There was a mob in the middle that pulsated with dance, if that's what the humping and gyrating motions could be called. At the sides of the room there were booths where people could sit. Most of them were filled and most of the occupants had half naked girls on top of them. Chicago looked towards the bar. The drinks glowed like neon under the backlights that most of the place was lit with.

"Whoa," Columbus stammered just loud enough to be heard over the music that pulsed.

"Now, if your little baby boner lasts too long we'll have to send you back outside," Tallahassee laughed.

"Can they take anything seriously?" Denver asked.

"Not really," Chicago smiled. She looked towards the stage at the very front. There were poles on all of the tables, but the 'professional' dancers were obviously on stage. There were six girls that were completely naked.

"Anyone see her?" Phoenix asked.

"See who?" Tallahassee replied as a fully clothed girl came up and started to hump him. Chicago intervened and ripped Tallahassee away. "Tallahassee and Columbus take the dance floor, Phoenix the right side, me and Denver will take the left," she said. The group split up to look for Summer.

They all met back up near the bar after ten minutes of searching in vein. "Can't find her," Columbus said.

"Maybe she already left," Chicago suggested. The music died down as the dancers vacated the stage.

"Thank god," Columbus muttered.

"So what now?" Denver asked trying to keep away from all the people around him. Chicago couldn't help but smile. She and her friends stuck out like sore thumbs at the club.

"I don't know," Phoenix replied.

"Tal what do you think?" Chicago asked. Tallahassee was too distracted by the next act that was taking over the stage.

"What's the under over on how long it takes them to undress?" he asked elbowing Columbus.

"I hope you can get one of them to bang you, because I'm sure as hell not," Chicago said smacking him in the shoulder.

"Now who's the jealous one?" he laughed. The girls on stage started to strip as they flipped around on the poles and teased the audience. One of them started to sing Beautiful Dirty Rich by Lady Gaga.

Denver jumped out of the way just in time to avoid being soaked with a drink that someone tossed into the air. He sighed. "Chicago come on lets get out o-OH MY GOD!!!" he exclaimed as his eyes became glued to the floor.

"What?" she shouted over the music. He had his hand over his eyes shielding his view.

"Uh- um…" he stammered.

"Denver are you okay?" she asked holding onto him.

"No!" he shouted as if he wasn't in control of his voice anymore and he sounded completely panicked. "The girl- up there," he pointed at the stage, "the-the-th- the one without her top on," he stammered. Everyone looked up at the girls.

"You're going to have to be more specific," Tallahassee said.

"Th-the one singing, without her top on," Denver managed to choke out.

"Yeah?" Chicago still had a firm grip on his arm.

"That my daughter," he said lifting his eyes to meet her. Chicago looked back up at the stage.

"Oh… uh," she was at a complete loss as to what to say. The girl had started to sing Material Girl by Madonna.

"Oh god," he groaned raking his hands over his face.

"Well… at least we found her," Chicago said shrugging as she tried to think of something comforting to say.

"This is every man's worst nightmare," he said still looking like he was in shock.

"Boy, she's got a pair on her doesn't she?" Tallahassee murmured with his eyes glued to the stage. Denver glared at Tallahassee with murder in his eyes. "I mean lungs!" Tallahassee exclaimed. "I mean she can sing- she's very talented," he stammered before dropping his eyes. "You're a lucky man."

"There!" Phoenix shouted over the music. Chicago followed where he was pointing and spotted Summer.

"Go get her champ," Tallahassee said. Phoenix went off pushing his way through the crowd.

"This is torture," Denver muttered as his daughter began grinding on one of the other dancers. Chicago covered her mouth to hide a smile. It was just too goddamn funny. She looked over at Columbus who's face was so red it looked like a rose. "Oh… when she gets off that stage I'm going to kill her!" Denver snapped.

"We gotta find a way backstage first," Chicago sighed.

"I need a drink," he said. She grabbed him by the sleeve.

"No you don't, come on follow me," she said pulling him and Columbus and Tallahassee along. They grabbed a booth and waited out the rest of the performance. "Does anyone see Summer's guy friend?" she asked.

"Yeah, he's in the booth over there," Denver sighed staring at the wood of the table.

"Eww… the big muscle-ly one?" Chicago asked. Denver glanced up.

"Yeah, the one with the redhead on top of him," he said despondently. Chicago bit her lip.

"Tallahassee if we have to fight, you can handle him," she smiled.

"Do you think you could do that?" Tallahassee asked pointing to a stripper that was wrapped around a guy so many times it couldn't be healthy.

"Remember how I used to tell you I'd cut your dick off and feed it to the zombies?" Chicago said grabbing the front of Tallahassee's pants. It got his attention. "I'm still not above it," she said.

"But babe you would only be hurting yourself if you did that," she grinned. She just gave him a 'I mean it' stare and he sighed.

"Should someone go check on Phoenix?" Columbus asked.

"No, he's a big boy, he can handle himself," Chicago sighed.

The song closed and the girls on stage ran off disappearing. "Finally," Denver said. "How many songs did that last for?" he muttered.

"Alright, come on, I'll get you backstage," Chicago sighed standing up. Tallahassee and Columbus moved to come with them, but she stopped them. "Uh-uh," she said wagging her finger. "You two stay right here," she said. Tallahassee looked upset as he crossed his arms and slumped back into the booth pouting.

Chicago and Denver disappeared into the crowd leaving the boys to amuse themselves, which given the circumstances wouldn't be hard. "You want a lap dance while we wait? I'm buying," Tallahassee said.

"I love Wichita," the younger man said.

"Yeah, and I love Chicago, but when are we going to have this kind of opportunity again?" Tallahassee replied.

"You're unbelievable," Columbus rolled his eyes.

"I'm just saying… this is the last non-zombie strip club in the world," Tallahassee said.

"Did you ever see Zombie Strippers?" Columbus asked.

"Yes, your point being?" Tallahassee replied.

"Oh forget it," Columbus sighed.

 

Chapter 97- Bring Some Proof​

"How are we going to get in?" Denver asked as they pushed their way through the crowd towards the hallway that led backstage.

"Don't worry," Chicago replied despite the fact she only had a half baked plan rattling around in her head. They passed though a curtain of beads and a bouncer promptly blocked their way.

"You're not allowed back here," he said. Chicago put Denver's arm around her waist.

"This is my client for tonight," Chicago said. The man eyed them suspiciously.

"I know all the dancers here, and you ain't one," the man said puffing himself up.

"Well you've made a mistake," she replied.

"You. Ain't. A. Dancer. Bitch," the man annunciated each word clearly then he backhanded Chicago and set her up against a wall.

"Hey!" Denver shouted lunging to grab the bouncer and protect Chicago. The man turned and pinned Denver up against the wall. "You better back off before something bad happens," Denver said calmly.

"Like what?" the bouncer growled, then he felt the cold steel of a gun press against his head.

"Like that," Denver smiled.

"You have about three seconds to let him go before I repaint the wall with whatever it is that's rattling around in that head of yours," she growled. The man let Denver go. "Better, now, where is Kim?" she asked grinding the gun into his temple.

"Four doors down and to the right," the man pointed.

"Thank you," Chicago said then thumped the man over the head. The bouncer went down like a ton.

Denver beat on the door and Kim opened it. "Hello?" she said in her sexiest voice. She was still topless and when she saw it was him her hands flew to cover up. She tried to close the door but he caught it and forced his way in.

"Not this time," he said stepping into the room and closing the door behind himself. Chicago was content to stand guard outside the door and watch the strippers pass by. No one seemed to mind the bouncer that was on the floor in plain sight.

"What are you doing here?" Kim exclaimed.

"Get your clothes on," Denver said turning his back to her.

"You have no right to just barge in like this!" she carried on.

"Kim, I won't ask you again, get your clothes on, we're leaving" he said keeping his voice low, but the severity could cut through a diamond. She threw on a robe.

"I'm not going anywhere with you," she said. He turned around.

"The city is about to be attacked and if you're here when it happens you're dead," he said. She laughed.

"Oh come on," she chuckled. "I know you're desperate to fill some sudden paternal need, but please," she kept laughing.

"You think I'm lying?" he asked.

"I don't know," she shrugged. "I don't know what to think of you. I don't even know you," she said. He folded his arms.

"I just drove all the way across the country… I didn't do it out of a sudden urge, I did it because I've been wanting to do it for god only knows how long and I haven't had an excuse that would get me past your mother… so now I'm here… and I'm doing my best… to keep things together, but I'm going to need just a little bit of help," he said picking each word carefully.

"Well go on then and do it. Keep your own things together and I'll take care of me," Kim replied.

"Kim… I know you hate me and I'm trying to work around that and keep you alive, but I'm telling you, if you don't come with us, you're going to die," he said firmly.

***

Phoenix followed Summer down the hall. The sounds coming out of the private rooms to his left and right bordered on disturbing. "Denver will shit his pants if his girl ever works back here," he sighed.

"I told you no Maximus," Summer sighed when she heard the door close.

"I'm not your little playmate," Phoenix said. She spun on her heels, fear flashing across her face. "How you been Summer?" he sighed.

"I thought I told you to get your ass out of here," she growled. He gave a tired smile. She reminded him of an animal. Puffing up, arching it's back and growling. She was cornered and outmatched and she knew it.

"And why should we listen to you?" he asked.

"Because I'm not playing for your team anymore and you'll be dead if you don't," she replied.

"I don't think so," he said leisurely moving around the room. She watched him carefully. "I think, you should call it off now and spare everyone the trouble," he said.

"Or what?" she asked stepping towards him aggressively. He didn't look at her as he raised his pistol and leveled it at her chest.

"Drop the bad ass act," he said sounding bored. She froze.

"You gonna shoot me?" she asked trying to sound calm. Summer wanted to believe that he wouldn't, but deep down she could tell he wasn't acting.

"If I have to… If you don't call off the attack," he said evenly with a small shrug.

"That's not why is it?" she gave a weak smile. He rolled his eyes.

"No… that was an accident… you didn't mean to kill her and I know that… but this is deliberate. You're about to kill innocent people for no reason," he said.

"Once a cop always a cop," she huffed.

"Yeah," he snapped getting her attention. "And we protect the public from people like you. I haven't forgotten my roots… so don't think I won't put you down," he said. She didn't have anymore to say so she remained silent. "Now, talk whoever you have to, but I want to hear you call it off right now," he said tossing her his phone.

"I can't. Even if I wanted to I can't. It's not my call," she said. He rolled his eyes.

"Well you better do something, because I'm about to shoot you right here and now," he said.

"So do it," she said daring to call his bluff. Phoenix grabbed her and jammed her against the wall. Summer closed her eyes because she knew he was going to kill her. The sound of the shot made her jump and her eyes flew open in shock.

"Have fun in hell," he said as he walked away and closed the door. Summer collapsed onto the floor.

***

"Look, I'm flattered that you would go out of your fucking way for me, but I don't need your help. I'm doing fine for myself. I'm safe, I eat well, I have a job, and a house. Whatever you think you can offer me is nothing compared to what I have here," Kim said sitting down and starting to apply make-up in the vanity mirror.

"It's all going to be ash before you know it," Denver muttered.

"Prove it," she replied. He opened his mouth to speak but fell short of an answer. She stood up and came very close to him. "You brought me into the world and I thank you, but beyond that I can't trust you," she said.

"Why?" he asked. She sighed, it was that same sigh of pain.

"Because you weren't there… When I needed you… you were in some casino drunk and gambling away my collage fund," she said with a cold stare.

"In my defense I never scooped into your college fund… not like it would have mattered anyway," he sighed.

"Why is that?" she spat and went back to the mirror.

"Show me the stripper college," he said. She turned around looking furious.

"For your information, I have a masters degree in Chemical engineering," she snapped.

"Well, a lot of good it's doing you," he sighed.

"This is my choice," she said glaring at him. He nodded and held up his hands.

"True enough… fine, but when they come crashing through the gates and you're stuck inside… my conscience is clear," he said.

"Like my death would actually bother you," she rolled her eyes.

"I love you, and I loved your mother…. I suppose I'll have to bring proof of that too," he sighed.

"Get out," she growled.

"Fine," he sighed.

Chicago was starting to get bored of watching the strippers run around when the door opened and Denver stepped out. "Well?" she asked. He shook his head grimly.

***

Phoenix stormed down the hall passing people as he went. His shoulder brushed against Maximus, but neither of the men noticed. They were each too set in their missions.

"And?" Columbus asked as Phoenix slid into the booth.

"She won't be helping us," he sighed.

"Damn it," Tallahassee muttered.

"Where's Chicago?" he asked.

"She went with Denver to go get the stripper," Tallahassee said eyeing the waitress. The girl winked at him and he smiled.

"You're gonna be lucky if Chicago doesn't kill you," Columbus said.

"Nothing wrong with enjoying the view," The older man chuckled.

"No wonder your wife left you," Phoenix sighed.

"In my defense she wasn't my wife," Tallahassee replied.

"Wife, lover, mother of your child, whatever. You still got your ass dumped," Phoenix grinned.

"And so did you Pablo, so shut up," Tallahassee snapped. "And it looks like you're two for two anyway. Considering Summer and you are done," he added.

"I'm not sure we ever started," he said then looked around lazily. "Where are they?" he sighed. Columbus jumped as his phone started to ring. He looked at the screen and his brows furrowed.

"Says you're calling me," he said elbowing Phoenix.

"Ah, shit," Phoenix groaned and took the phone. "Look Summer just Fuck off!" he snapped as he opened it.

"Help!" he heard her yelp before the line clicked down. Phoenix's heart skipped a beat.

"What's goin' on?" Tallahassee asked.

"Something's wrong," Phoenix said before standing up. He tossed Columbus's phone back. "I'll be right back," he said before slipping off into the crowd.

***

"Come on, don't be like this," Maximus panted as he tried to catch Summers mouth with his. He'd stripped her down next to naked despite her resistance, and was just about to start on his own pants when the door was kicked in. Phoenix stepped in.

"Let her go," he snarled. Maximus looked over his shoulder without concern.

"Oh good. I'll kill you first," he smiled.

 

Chapter 98- Goliath Wins​

Maximus tossed Summer aside and for a moment, both of the guys circled each other sizing one another up. Maximus lunged and attacked first. Phoenix jumped back out of reach then got a couple punches in to Maximus's gut. He knew something was wrong when the man he was punching felt like iron. Maximus grinned and gave Phoenix a shove in the chest. "Come on little man, let's see what you got," he said.

Indeed Phoenix was the little man. Maximus was at least half a foot taller and bulkier by far. Summer was still on the floor attempting to get her clothes on. She was trying not to cry and keep calm. Her only thoughts were of how to defuse the situation and come out on top.

Phoenix took another couple swings which Maximus blocked before nailing Phoenix again. "That's street fighting right there," Phoenix commented panting slightly. Maximus grinned looking like he was enjoying everything immensely.

"Best kind," he replied. After that the kits really started to go, and Phoenix was on the losing end. Every time he would attack Maximus was ready with a block and counter strike. Phoenix was bleeding from the mouth and nose while Maximus only had a tiny cut above his eye.

Phoenix staggered back holding a newly split lip. The last hit had put him in a bit of a daze and when he looked up he didn't have time enough to save himself from the kick Maximus delivered. The blow hit Phoenix in the chest and as he went backwards Maximus repeated the move then stood laughing as Phoenix went through he wall.

In the next room over the occupants fled as Phoenix coughed and sucked air back into his lungs. The drywall dust made his eyes water and as he attempted to get back up he felt a hand come down on the back of his neck. "Whoa!" he exclaimed as Maximus jerked him to his feet and kneed him in the stomach a couple times. Phoenix thought he might puke it hurt so bad.

Phoenix had never been in the habit of losing. When he was a kid he'd gotten the shit beat out of him a couple times, but since his police training the only thing that had gotten him was Anarchy.

All of his senses were on hyper alert. The world seemed to move in slow motion, all of it except Maximus. No matter how fast he moved Maximus was faster. Pain no longer registered for Phoenix. The adrenaline took it away, but he knew he was losing, and badly.

Maximus dropped Phoenix who hit the floor again and started to crawl on his hands an knees. Maximus kicked in Phoenix's ribs ruthlessly.

"Maximus stop!" Summer called from the other room.

"Always have to be a fucking hero don't we?" Maximus growled before grabbing Phoenix and tossing him out the open door and into the hallway. The monster followed after his victim and was surprised when he got his knees kicked out.

Phoenix was determined not to give up without a fight and when he got on top of Maximus he went into overdrive beating the mans face. Maximus managed to throw Phoenix off. Both the men got to their feet. "So you do have some fight in you," Maximus panted. Phoenix spit out a mouthful of blood.

"Bring it Fucker," he growled.

***
Chicago and Denver looked out through the beaded curtain just in time to see the club erupt into a fight. "What the-?" Denver murmured.

"What do you bet this is something to do with our crew?" she sighed watching the fracas.

***

"Hey… a tussle," Tallahassee said peeking out of the booth.

"Hmm?" Columbus looked away from the girly drink he had ordered.

"Shit!" Tallahassee exclaimed. "There go's Phoenix!" he snapped jumping out of the booth and into the brawl.

***

Maximus had backed Phoenix out into the main room. Phoenix grabbed a drink and broke the glass in Maximus's face. When the man was damn near un-phased phoenix looked shock. "What the fuck?" he managed to pant before Maximus struck out again.

He grabbed Phoenix by the shirt and slammed him on his back onto a table. After a couple punches to the face Phoenix was hanging onto consciousness just barely. Maximus grabbed him by the throat and started to squeeze the life out of the helpless man.

"No! Maximus! He's had enough!" Summer shouted coming out. Maximus didn't stop as Phoenix choked under the pressure. "Stop it! Stop it!" Summer shouted. "Stop! You're killing him!" she threw herself on top of Maximus as she tried to get Phoenix free. He coughed and struggled feebly to survive, but Maximus was the one on top.

"Stop it bitch!" he snapped knocking Summer away. Phoenix was gasping as his vision blurred.

***

"Oh no," Chicago breathed when she saw what was happening across the room. Denver traced her line of sight.

"Man," he murmured following after her as she ran for the fight.

***

Tallahassee was almost to Phoenix and he had his gun ready to go.

***

Everyone converged, guns drawn, around the table. "Let him go!" Chicago and Tallahassee both yelled. Maximus leveled his gun at Summer.

"Unless you want to lose two friends here tonight, you better but the guns down," he said. Chicago's heart was beating out of her chest as she looked at Phoenix. He didn't have long. She lowered her gun and the others did the same.

Summer looked between everyone then Phoenix. "Maximus, let him go… Just let him go and I'm yours anytime you want me," she said.

"Really?" he asked. She nodded. Maximus kept his gun on her, but released Phoenix who coughed and gasped breathing heavily. "I guess that's it for tonight then," he said grabbing Summer and pressing his gun under her chin as he rested his head on her shoulder.

Chicago and her boys glared as they slipped out. The club was almost empty by that time. Outside sirens were coming into earshot. "Cops," Columbus said. Chicago went to Phoenix helping him sit up.

"You okay man?" she asked. He just kept taking deep breaths. "Phoenix," she said touching his face and making him look at her.

"She just saved me," he said sounding a bit dazed. Chicago sighed knowing he ws going to be out of it.

"Yeah, okay, come one we have to get out of here," she said putting his arm around her shoulder.

"We can't go out the front," Columbus said running up to them. "Cops are here," he said. Chicago looked over at the bar keeper.

"No one is going to save us we have to go out the front," Tallahassee said.

"Could you be a bigger pain in the ass?" Kim asked. Denver spun around. "Follow me, I have a place for you to hide," she sighed. Without much of a choice Chicago ad the boys followed.

Kim led them back to an office and opened it. "Jim, I need to hide these people. They're friends," she said. The fat man behind the desk looked up and sighed. "Jim I never ask for much, so please just open the fucking safe," she added. He stood up and waddled over to the wall where he took a key an opened a hidden door. Kim looked back. "Get in," she said.

"Thank you," Denver said.

"I'm not doing this for you. I'm doing this so we don't get shut down," she said before shutting the door. "I'll get rid of the cops and come get you when it's clear," she added.

Chicago and the others waited for an hour in the pitch black hidey-hole while Jim and Kim negotiated with the police until left. When the cost was clear Kim returned and opened the door. "It's safe," she said. Everyone stood except Phoenix.

"Thank you," Chicago said offering her hand for a shake. Kim took it.

"So… you're the saviors of our little town against the impending attack?" she asked.

"Oh for god sakes, Kim, you still think I'm lying?" Denver sighed.

"If you're telling the truth they'll confirm your story," she said.

"It's true," Chicago said. "They're called Anarchy, and their on their way," she said. "The two that got away are part of it. The front-runners. City has less than a day probably," she added. Kim looked serious and glanced over at her father.

"What are you going to do?" she asked.

"Well… the next step is to go to the guards," Columbus shrugged.

"Next step is to get out of town," Phoenix said sounding funny because he was holding his nose still.

"Where are you staying?" Kim asked.

"In our cars," Tallahassee grumbled. Denver's eyes lit up and he elbowed Chicago. She looked at him and he grinned. Chicago looked back at Kim just in time to see her cross her arms.

"Well… my house is big enough if you'd like to stay the night… you know, clean your friend up," she said looking at Phoenix.

"I'm fine," he said despite the fact he looked like shit.

"You look like shit brother," Tallahassee said taking Phoenix and helping him up. The cowboy wasn't afraid of the truth. Denver was just about to discreetly break Chicago's ribs until finally she grabbed his arm and laced her fingers through his. With her other hand he held his wrist.

Chicago couldn't help but derive some pleasure from the startled look that Kim gave. "Let me get my coat and you can follow me," she said before walking away. Tallahassee and Columbus followed after her practically dragging Phoenix along. Chicago looked at Denver.

"What is up with you?" she smiled.

"I knew! I knew she was going to let us spend the night," he said.

"And how did you know that?" Chicago asked as they leisurely walked after the others.

"Because she's exactly like her mother," he said.

"She would have taken us in?" Chicago asked.

"In a heartbeat, that's how I met her. I fumbled the game winning catch and was beat to a bloody pulp under the bleachers. She was captain of the cheerleaders, I was a substitute that was covering for the injured star player. She asked me if I was okay and it was love," he said.

"Awwww, that's so sweet," she said resting her head on his shoulder.

"I can't believe she's gonna let me in the house though… She hates me," he added.

"But did you see that look she gave me when I grabbed you?" Chicago smiled.

"No," he replied.

"She's jealous," Chicago said. Denver looked at Chicago. "Hate insinuates that there is something undeniable to dislike about the hated," Chicago said before detaching herself from him and following the others out.

 

Chapter 99- Nectar Of The Gods ​

Wichita was asleep with Nana in her arms. Little Rock smirked because her sister had been so set on staying awake and now she was starting to snore. Little Rock slipped down the isle and out the door taking a flashlight with her. She didn't like it in the church, it was creepy and the candle shadows didn't help.

She sat down on the stoop outside and sighed. The moon was out and as she admired it a rattle caught her attention. She took the pistol hidden in her jacket and stood up following the sound. Around the corner of the church there were two large dumpsters. The noise was coming from inside, so she waited silently.

Two forms suddenly popped out of the dumpsters and dropped to the ground. They where whispering to one another and Little Rock grinned because they had no clue she was behind them. She cleared her throat and they both jumped spinning around.

She leveled the gun at them. "What are you doing here?" she asked.

"Ho! Whoa! She got a gun man!" one exclaimed. Both of the figures put their hands up. She turned the flashlight on with her free hand and shined it on them. Two boys. One was white with short brown hair and blue eyes. He looked like a mannequin that would have belonged at a Hollister store. The other one was black with cornrows in his hair. He had on a wife beater and basketball shorts.

"Hi there," the Hollister boy said dropping his hands and walking towards Little Rock. She jabbed the gun at him.

"I wouldn't come any closer if I were you," she said.

"Oh, okay okay," he said putting his hands up and stepping back again.

"I asked you a question," she said glaring at them.

"We were just you know… fishing," he said. She rolled her eyes.

"When you can loot anything you want you see fit to dumpster dive? I don't think so," she said. They looked between each other. "You better come up with something more plausible before I shoot you," she growled.

"Okay okay you got us this is our hang out," the other one said. Little Rock sensed he was telling the truth. She dropped the gun a little.

"Get out of here," she said sharply.

"You can't just tell us what to do," Hollister boy replied.

"Wanna bet?" she asked. "I'm the one holding the gun," she added. He eyes the weapon carefully.

"This is true," he nodded. "So what's your name?" he asked attempting to be friendly.

"Little Rock," she replied keeping her glare fixated. Both of them snickered.

"What kind of a name is that?" he asked.

"We don't use names, we use our home towns," she snapped. He gave a crooked smile that's he just wanted to smack off his face.

"I guess I'm Memphis then," he replied. She looked at the other one.

"Salem. Pleased to meet you," the other guy said lowering his hands slowly.

"Well, Salem, Memphis, you should get out of here before my family comes back, you're trespassing," she said.

"This ain't yo church," Salem snapped. He immediately backed down though when she glared at him.

"Back off," Memphis said getting in-between Little Rock and his friend. "Do you want to come in for a drink? We lifted some Mountain Dew earlier," he said holding his palms up. Little Rock gave him a puzzled look. "Or you could sell it. Carry's a nice price on the street," he shrugged.

"Get. Out. Of. Here," she said very clearly as they circled each other.

"Come on," he said smiling good naturedly. "How old are you?" he asked.

"Thirteen," she said lying flawlessly.

"Really? You seem my age, I'm fifteen," he said. "Hey man get a couple cans out," he said to Salem. Little Rock watched cautiously as Salem slipped into the dumpster and reemerged with a couple cans. He tossed one to her and she looked at it cautiously. Memphis opened his and took a drink. "Nectar of the gods right?" he smiled. She didn't have time to respond because all she could focus on was Tallahassee's shadow over Memphis's shoulder.

The man grabbed the boy from behind and put his hunting knife to his neck. Chicago promptly appeared keeping her gun on Salem. "Little Rock what are you doing out here?" she hissed. "You scared everyone to death!"

"I-" Little Rock wasn't given time to answer really.

"You looking for trouble boy? You don't fuck with her!" Tallahassee growled being horribly rough with Memphis.

"Stop it! Wait!" Little Rock exclaimed as Chicago took her by the arm. "They weren't hurting anything! Tallahassee stop it!" she snapped. Tal eased up. "These are my new friends," she said lowering her voice back down. Both of the boys looked freaked, but Chicago and Tallahassee released them, though they kept glaring,

"Come on, we have to go," Chicago said keeping a hold on Little Rocks arm.

"Bye guys…. Thanks for the pop," Little Rock said as she was pulled away. They both nodded as the girls slipped away into the darkness. Tallahassee gave one last very scary glare before repositioning his hat and trailing the girls.

"That was new," Salem sighed.

"She was pretty bad ass with that gun huh?" Memphis said.

"Dude! You just had a gun and a knife on you in the span of two minutes!" Salem exclaimed.