Zoey and the Zombies (A Mondamin Court Adventure)

Chapter 33

Craig came by around midmorning. "I just want you to know," he told Lydia and Jack, "that I am sorry. I . . . we've seen some shit, in the panic before the horde hit us and on the way back here. The way some people act. I am not trying to justify what Ryan did. I'm not. Whatever you guys decide to do with him—"

"He can't stay here," Jack broke in. "We can't have that in our community."

"But," Lydia added, "we know it was him, not you. We don't hold you responsible."

Craig sighed in relief. "Yeah, I was worried. I mean, I'd really like to stay if that's okay. My family," he choked, "is gone. And you all seem to have a really good setup. I'll work hard, I promise. I won't ever do anything like that, I swear."

"Why don't you come with me while I talk to him? I've got to tell him he can't come with us. Not after this. I don't know how he'll take it. I could use some backup, someone he'll respect," Jack suggested. Craig nodded, and the two men rose and went to Ryan's house.

#######

"God, I'm a hussy," Holly commented, looking out the second-story window of Zoey's room.

"Are not," Zoey contradicted.

"Look at me," she said. "Nicky gets it and I jump into Maggie's bed—"

"That one did sort of surprise us," Zoey said. "Though more from the Maggie point of view. You? Well, a lot of people react like that. When faced with terrible things, they need some proof they're alive, I guess. Look at Caleb and me."

Holly nodded. "Then Ryan comes back and—" She stopped and swallowed, but didn't say it. "And now this."

Zoey rolled over in bed. "What happened with Ryan wasn't your fault. And after that, you needed someone to hold you," she said. "Some proof that it's not always like that, I guess. I'm honored you choose me."

"I'm a hussy," Holly repeated.

"Well, you're a damn fine hussy, then," Zoey joked.

Holly froze. "I hear something."

They both sat up and leaned out the window. In the distance, they could hear a motor. It sounded big and loud. Then there was a voice coming over a loudspeaker. "To any and all survivors in the city of Des Moines. This is the United States Armed Forces. Aerial bombardment of the city will commence in two days' time. All survivors are urged to flee the city now. I repeat, aerial bombardment will commence in two days' time."

"Sounds like a tank," Zoey said. "On University maybe?"

Holly nodded. "Guess Ryan was right. The Army is going to burn the city out."

Zoey shrugged. "We're basically packed. Hit the road today, I suspect. There's the morning guard now. Let's go down and see what the others think."

######

Over the last two days, while the neighborhood loaded the truck, Ryan had kept to himself. Today they found him on the street. He was dressed in his fatigues and had his pack on his back. Craig and Jack went out to talk to him.

"What're you gearing up for?" Craig asked.

"Going back," Ryan responded. He gave a dark look at Lydia's house. "Nothing for me here."

Jack shrugged.

"Tell my kids . . ." He paused and choked. For a split second, a look of remorse and horror filled his face. "Tell them I died out there, fighting those beasts. Tell them, what came back, it wasn't me."

"Ryan," Craig said.

"No, I gotta go back; I gotta make that true. I gotta be the man who died fighting those beasts, died making the world safe for them. That's what I want them to remember."

Jack nodded and extended his hand to Ryan.