chapter 28

After things settle down the group and I left the now clean gas station that will be used for trade between the city and us. It was the late afternoon by the time we made it back to the farm. I was burning up and hungry. Everything was hitting me hard. Sounds were sharper and clear. Colors assaulted me all around. My sense of smell was better. My hearing was freaking me out and giving me a headache. This was some Clark Kent Smallville type shit. I was hating it but at the same time, it gave me something to better protect those I care about. I knew once more people find out about me they would try and kill me but they would have one hell of a time trying to.

I pace in front of the house and thinking about everything that happened these past two days. I was driving myself crazy thinking about my zombie mood and what will happen if I touch someone or get blood on them. I was scared no terrify od holding the girls now. Will my strength hurt them? Will I be able to control myself? Who will protect them from me? I needed to leave. I stop and sat down on the steps looking up at the fading sky. Without lights, the stars were painting themselves onto the black canvas. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. I needed to calm down. and before I feel it I heard her running through the door and feeling her thrown her small arms around the back of my neck. I froze on contract. "Hey ma," said Casey. When I heard her voice and realize nothing was going to happen to her. I smile and throw her over my shoulder into my lap. "Hey little dude, how's it going?" I ask her. "It's going good Carmen doesn't cry as much anymore and she is getting bigger," she said. Her eyes shine brightly.

'Damn I love this kid' I thought to myself. She cuddling into me and started asking me questions about the city and what happened while I was away. I thought about what I should tell her but then I thought I'll just tell the truth. So I told her how bad the city was and how there were new zombies out there. A new one that was bigger but not faster. I told her how I took it down alone. She asks me how I did that and I told her the truth. I should her my bite mark and how old it was. she didn't look scared of me and I touch it. I flinch away from her touch afraid she would get whatever it is that didn't kill me.

She moved closer to me and touch it again and said: "I'm not scared of you, you saved me when no one else did, and you are my mom." I look at her. Her eyes showed no lie. She placed her small hand in mine and held onto to me tightly. I gently squeeze her hand and smile at her. This kid was amazing and I glad she is with me. We got up and went inside when I held Josh yelling from the bran.

I ran to him and was about to pull out my knife until I saw the radio set up. "What the hell Josh why are you yelling I thought you were dying,"I yelled at him. My body was feeling hot and I saw Casey looking at me. she didn't say anything but grab my hand. " I'm sorry I am just so happy that these college kids are here with us now," he said and before I can ever ask him my question the radio came to life. "Hey, there this is the runners of LA we are running supplies to the newly open trade post outside the city, it is about five miles out at the Shell gas station," I know who voice that is, it was Katie, Vince's sister. that's why he was happy and yelling. We got the radio up and running and can now talk to those in the city. Then another radio came to life.

I immediately recognize her voice. I move to the radio and heard her speak. "Hey this is New York City, I anyone can hear this please respond." It was Jackie. Holy shit I thought she was dead. I haven't heard from her since the day all of this first started here. It felt like a lifetime ago when in reality it was just two months. I quickly grab the mic before the signal was lost. "Hey there Jackie remember me?" I spoke. "I'll be damn, its the rookie cop of the year Haley, how are you doing against this growler and what not, you know zombies," she asked me. "Well I just fought some new zombie freak and lived I can tell you that other stuff is just you know the new normal," I said to her. "Damn Y'all got freaks now, be careful with them I saw the very first one turn right before my eyes and it was something else," she said to me. then the radio started to go out. "Looks like our time is almost up, let me tell you some important shit before it cuts out on us," she said. I wonder what she met by that.

She started to tell me her story from the last we spoke. "Alright cali girl this is what you aren't supposed to do," and she began to tell me everything I needed to know on how to survive. One, never trust the government when they send in help unless those who were trapped with you and had no help from them since them. Two, gangs will run rampant but they will be killing more of the dead and themselves. Finally, she went to number three and told me to watch out for anyone who might betray you. Before she could say anything else the radio cut off. "Damnit!" I said and hit the table. I got up and left the bran.

I knew it was going to happen but she was going to tell me something else. But it didn't matter. I lived and survive and we have a safe place. We just need to build it better. We also needed to help those in the city but she was right we wouldn't trust them all and the gangs were out of control. But I also knew that other places of the state were affected by this too. I know Jackie was trapped in a city but I was trapped in a state. I had more land and resources then she did. We could help those in the city and give them a new home and let the gangs kill each other. Or I could always go into zombie mode and do it for them. No, I couldn't do that. I think I would lose myself.

I thought about New York and my home. We were both big and great but now we were dying. The city that never slept fell and now us, going to sleep. Dying really but just because a city dies doesn't mean its people will. We can survive and it starts with us.

I called for a small meeting and told everyone what I talked about with the New Yorker who went through this and helped me survive the from the start. After everything was said and done. Building a better safe space and helping those in need and actually getting stuff to the trading post. The new people where all hands on deck, willing to help out and stay in their new home. I couldn't be happier but at the same time, I needed to build my trust in them. Then the next thing I was going to do was talk to Gabby. I just hope she will talk to me.