Chapter Six

The wind carefully blows the loose strands of hair away from my face as I drive; back down the main road and to where we previously stopped. Just maybe their sister has the same idea as us. Retreating back to their home wasn't the ideal match at the moment, considering their parents are still roaming their property.

As I press the gas I can only hope of an easy outcome. My mind didn't want to wonder as I begin to notice similar areas along the road; and their mail box. We were here. As I ease on the brake the jeep comes to a stop next to the black SUV we had seen earlier. Putting it in park, I watch for movement from the vehicle, then turn to the girls in the back.

"Okay wait here with Jasper okay?" I ask them, receiving a nod from them both as I offer them a soft short smile before opening the door.

"Clara, you sure?" I hear from the passenger side, a hand coming to rest on my forearm.

"Yeah, stay with the girls. Keep them company."

Before hopping out of the jeep I reach beside Jaspers feet and retrieve the shovel that has saved us both a few times already. I make my way around the jeep and to the resting SUV, waiting for any movement to occur as I walk up to the driver side. Seeing no one inside a small sigh emits from my lips as I turn toward the gate. No.

Racing towards the closed gate, I take the metal railings with ease as I hoist myself over the top. My feet hitting the ground, I can see the mother and father running to the back yard. Bingo. Following behind the possessed like adults, I can see a young brunette woman on the back screened in porch. She is trying to get inside the locked home. What can I do to get her attention? Looking around I see a few rocks at my feet. I pick one up and hurl it as far as I can throw, hitting the trampoline pole a good thirty feet from where I stand at the edge of the home. The two parents take off towards the sound as I do the same, only towards the porch.

"Let me in!" I say, running up the short three steps leading to the screen door. With sheer luck, the woman throws open the door and I run in, just before the adults are back snapping their jaws at the screen separating us.

"Who are you?" The brunette ask, her features a bit ruffled and her hair sticking to her face. I can see blood on the flannel, still looking fresh as it rest on her cheek as well. The image of the young woman like a scary movie gone wrong.

"I'm Clara. I have Chloe and Emma with me-" Not quite able to finish my sentence before the feeling of cold metal against my neck.

"Where are they?" Her voice now turning cold at the mention of her sister's.

"With my friend. They're safe. I promise you." My words falling short as every breath I take the metal presses deeper into my skin.

With subtle movements, the woman finally lowers the knife from my neck. This must be Nessie.

"Take me to them." She says only to replace the knife at my back as she spins me towards the back door.

"How are we getting to them?" I ask, knowing our previous entryway was no longer available.

"Looks like we're going to have to do a little damage. Sorry mom." She doesn't wait as she proceeds to kick the door in, wood pieces flying everywhere as she pushes me inside the home. "Move." She says, shoving me inside a kitchen and down a hall. Gripping the shovel in my hands as she tugs me to the left and through a threshold to the main living area. "Open the door."

Doing as she says, I reach for the handle and twist the knob. The door swings open slowly by itself as I feel another shove in my spine.

I get it, they're family. I'd do the same.

Seeing it was clear, I make my way onto the porch.

"Okay, we're gonna have to make a break for the gate. Any other moves afterwards, I won't hesitate to slice your throat."

"Agreed." I make the arrangement short as we make our way off the wide level porch and onto the steps, my feet hitting the soft grass below as our steps become faster. Heading towards the gate, I can hear soft groaning behind us as my feet cling to the metal of the gate. Pushing myself up and over as my combat boots hit the dirt, stopping in my tracks just beside the gate as I take in consideration of her threat. "Chloe and Emma are in the jeep." I say, seeing the anticipation and fear on the young woman's face as I mention their names again.

"Walk with me." She says, grabbing my elbow as she pulls me towards the waiting jeep just some thirty feet away. From here, I can see two little heads peering from over the seat towards us as we walk. Smiles growing on their faces as the grip on my elbow loosens. The distance now closing between the vehicle and ourselves as the lady rushes to the jeep, throwing her arms over her waiting sisters in the back seat. Soft cries can be heard as the three cling to each other. The moment too surreal for me to stand.

That's all I want.

As I stand apart from the vehicle and the bittersweet reunion I can see the hesitate look from Jasper. I only shake my head as we allow their moment to wonder.

They needed this.

I look away and check our surroundings as the cries finally die down and tears are being wiped away from the innocent little faces that only seen the good in this world. How can this be happening?

Just twenty-four hours ago I was with Lucas, spending my hours with him before I venture to another day of work, providing for my little family. Now, we are torn apart.

"Thank you," The words are faint but noticeable as I turn back towards the occupied jeep to my left. "for keeping them alive." I hear, a smile now on the face of the woman who had just held a knife to my throat. Although I decide to let those actions fade, I can only return a short lived smile.

"Of course." The words are short as I nod my head only slightly in her direction. "Do you have somewhere safe to go?" I ask, only curious to know the well being of the girls.

"Yes. My grandparents have a home just an hour or two from here. I am going there next." The young woman is hesitant, but tells me of her plans.

"Good. Keep them close. Keep them safe." Only saying once I am a few feet from her. "Chloe, continue doing what you're doing. Keep a close eye on Emma okay?" A small smile on my lips as I reach up and help her over the side of the vehicle. It was the oldest responsibility after all to look after the younger ones, and she has done a fine job since.

"Thank you Miss. Clara." Emma says as she hugs my waist as soon as her little feet hit the ground, feeling her little frail arms around my figure causes me to do the same. Giving her a small hug, I offer her only the best I can.

"Keep your doll close okay? If you ever feel scared, clench her close and think of me. Think of Jasper and Clara coming to the door to save you, with Nessie right alone to save the day, okay?" I say as I look down at her little brown eyes. She gives me a soft little nod of her head before Chloe takes her hand and leads her over to their sisters SUV.

"I can't thank you enough." Nessie says as soon as she steps over, closing the short distance between us. We both watch as the girls climb into the back of the vehicle, safe from harms way; for now.

"No, anyone would have done the same thing." I say, admitting the truth as I look towards the open road.

"You're wrong. I don't know what possessed you to stop and rescue them, but thank you. God only knows what could have happened. They were safe. That's more than enough."

"Any parent would."

"You have a young one?"

"Yes, a boy.." I pause. "Lucas. He's six."

"Where is he now?" I can hear her hesitate, apprehensive as she stands uneven beside me.

"With my father. That's where I'm headed now."

"Oh, I hope you get to see him again." The sincerity in her voice was present.

"Thank you. If you need somewhere to go with them, it's just a few hours west of here just beside the state line. The Price plantation." I offer up the only thing I can, a safe place for them.

"I will keep it in mind."

"Safe passages on your travels."

"May we meet again."

I can only nods at her words as I watch her walk away. Her stance straight, her presence pure and straight forward. A chill runs down my spine as I stand still in my spot, finally making my way to the passenger side of the jeep, I open the door and jump inside. The door closing behind me as I settle in my seat.

"Everything okay?"

"Yeah the girls are safe, so now we can find Lucas." I tell him, looking back into the now empty space in the back seat. Only our bags present in the small bench seat. At least they are safe. They are with family, familiarity.

"Good. Let's get going then." I can hear Jasper say as he turns the ignition, the engine roaring to life as we head in the same direction as the SUV. But only for a moment before Jasper turns onto the interstate, the sight of the vehicle no longer behind us. I turn my head, looking out to the line of cars on the side, some crashed over the railings, or into signs, or into other cars. A small pile up just a mile from where Jasper took the exit onto the interstate, the path now blocked.

"Damn. We're gonna have to either move a car or two or turn around."

"Don't have the time to turn around. What's a few cars? Just keep this one running." I tell him before letting the door swing open and hopping out with the shovel in hand as I exit the vehicle we have now called our own. Leaving the door ajar for emergency purposes, I make my way over to a small grey station wagon near the median. No movement can be heard except my shoes hitting the pavement. There is a small section wide enough to walk through, leading to a blue chevy car blocking its way.

"We'll have to move these two if we wanna get through." I say, pointing at the blue chevy, checking to see if any occupants are still inside. Walking slowly towards the front of the car, my blue digits fall over the front seats, and then the back as I make it to the driver side. A figure can be seen slumped over the wheel, her dark black hair covering her face. I step back as I hear Jasper just a few feet away at the rear of the car.

"Clara, be careful." He tells me, seeing the expression on my face. My lips pursing together as my jaw tightens. Finding the handle of the door I pull on it lightly, tugging it open only a few inches before it is forced open from the inside. The door hitting me, causing me to fall as the woman rushes from the vehicle, moaning and blood emitting from her mouth.

"Clara!" Jasper yells as the raven haired woman begins to limp over to me where I sit on my butt just a few feet away, the shovel having fallen out of my hand from fright, her body turning towards Jasper as she heard him yell. With the woman's attention now diverted, I take the remaining seconds to regain my composure, standing to me feet. My eyes scan the ground of where I had fallen, finding my shovel. Retrieving it, I take another look at the woman walking slowly and with a limp to Jasper. Her arms stretching out in front of her as she has Jasper in her sights, and she in mine.

"Jasper move!" I yell, holding the shovel over my shoulder as I take off toward them. The woman turning around just as Jasper dives off to the left behind the car, out of the way. Using all my strength, I bring the shovel out and with the little speed I manage to muster, it smacks against her face, causing a gushing-crackling like sound as she falls to the ground. As I take a breath, I can hear the dark haired woman below moaning miserably. The sound unpleasant to my ears as I take a glance down at her, trying to get up as her face is smashed in. Nose caved in, eye busted as her mouth drip blood onto her navy blue dress. I bet she was beautiful.

Taking a step back, I pull out my gun from its holster on my hip. My Taurus 709, taking it off safety just as the woman looks up to me. Her eyes so dark, so lonely. Have mercy on your soul. With my finger on the trigger, I swiftly pull. My hesitation not present to the naked eye. Have mercy on mine.

A loud bang rings out as the woman is now nothing but a lump on the road, her body leaning against the median wall. I can feel hands on mine before I see them.

"Clara, we gotta go." Jasper speaks softly to me as he takes my gun, putting it on safety before placing it back in my holster. "We gotta hurry before the rest of the owners return." He says referring to the owners of the vehicles that were not here. God only knows how far they had gotten, and now hearing that shot will only bring them right back. Even though it has only been seconds, it feels as if it has been stretched. Almost as if I had stopped time itself, but not entirely. Like when you play a video game and it only gives you so many seconds to make a decision. Only this is worse. This is not a game.

I Took a life.

Four now.

The thought will linger longer than I hope as I regain my settings, going to the driver seat to stir the wheel. With Jasper now at the rear, he pushes as I put it in neutral, stirring it away and out from the pile of cars. With it now out of the way, and one car to go, I hop out of the chevy and jog over to the station wagon, Jasper already awaiting me as he get ready to push. Jumping in gear and into action, I do the same as I did moments before. Stirring it a good twenty feet, and clearing a passage way, I press the break only lightly before bumping the bumper of the chevy, The deed now done, I exit the car and run over to my shovel laying beside the now dead dead woman.

My boots hit against the pavement as I run back to the awaiting jeep, Jasper arriving at the jeep just as I. Making a clearing seems a lot harder than just turning around, should have thought about that one. Jumping into the passenger side of the jeep, I can finally breath. My lungs expanding and taking in the cool sweet air as I hear Jasper putting it into drive. He manages to squeeze our vehicle between the pile up and the median wall, leaving only inches to spare. The relief present on my face as we drive away from the wreckage. The passage now clear as far as the eye could see, the occasional car or two lining the side of the road.

Getting myself comfortable for the four hour ride to Lucas, I take a wistful glance over toward Jasper behind the wheel. The look of confidence showing heavily. He is a good man. Letting the thoughts slide as I look away and out at the scenery before me. We would be passing the city in less than an hour, depending on how this road trip was going to go. No more delays or disturbances would be nice, considering I should have been with my son last night. But finding other survivors makes this journey a lot easier now. My hand immediately finds the volume knob on the radio, turning it up to hear a faint static noise on the other end. Not giving in, I find the channel knob turning it only slightly. If there are others, maybe we could find them.

To no avail, an hour maybe passes as I keep pressing for anything over the radio and my phone. Anything but static or the repeating phrases of the damn government. We are not safe. I AM panicking. I just want my son. Frustration has finally gotten to me as I slam my fist against the radio, the volume lowering as the channel changes. I have had enough. There IS other people out there. I know it.

"Clara, stop." Jasper tells me, feeling his condescending stare from here. His tone low with me like he was with Emma and Chloe earlier.

"No Jasper. Not when we KNOW there are other people out there." My voice a little more subtle than his as I swallow.

"Don't tire yourself more than you need to be."

I only sigh as I lean back against the seat. Just sitting here didn't feel right. None of this feels right. We are almost to the city now, the cars lining up the sides of the road as Jasper continues to drive us along.

"Try to sleep. We'll be there in no time. I'll wake you when we get close." He tells me, assuring me the events of what was to come.

"Okay." I nod, not giving it another thought. Sleeping would mean time goes by faster. Hours to go and sleeping would do the trick. I find the lever to prop the seat back, allowing myself the comfort I oh so desired. As I let my light blue hues close, I go to sleep feeling the soft wind on my cheeks and the sound of rubber on the concrete below. It is blissful, and I am oblivious to the dangers of this moment. My eagerness to get to my child more potent now as ever.