The Mississippi Zombie Chronicals

Chapter 25: Destruction Managment

The day was long and cold.

We rotated shifts like we had planned, six of us worked for about an hour then two of the ones working the longest would swap with the patrols.

It was a good system, kept us safe and secure. We had one shed completely torn down and one quarter of the property fortified.

It was my turn to take patrol, since I was the first to start working. I grabbed my M-4 from the house, treaded a suppressor, and put on my tactical vest.

Maria got geared up too, I let her have the AN-94 to keep and she and I patrolled together.

"I'm sorry." She said.

"For what?" I asked.

"Sarah, me, Kam. Everything." She replied.

"You don't have to be sorry, its not your fault. I'm just happy you're okay." I stopped and looked at her. Even dirty and tactical, she was still beautiful.

"But still. You've been through alot lately, not to mention now you know you're like super warrior now." She said.

"I know. I'm still kinda freaked out about that. But, it is what is. We can't change that. All we can do is try to stay safe and live each day as a gift." I replied.

At this point, the sun was going down. The red and purple hues of the sunset was beautiful, first time I had stopped to look at it in nearly a month.

Maria was getting to be irresistible, I wanted to kiss her so bad but I knew it wasn't the right time. I also knew it was because I was grieving over Sarah. My heart hurt and I just wanted to fill it back up again. But it wasn't right. I had to keep my wits about me and keep my composure.

"Alright people, let's pack it in for the night." I said, rounding everyone up.

We went inside, locked and blocked the doors, and started to cook supper. We still had a ton of soup and I didn't wanna break out the MREs until it was absolutely needed.

The group was exhausted. We knew a good nights sleep would fix it but not for one lucky person, who had to keep watch for the night. We decided the last person to come off patrol was to keep watch and take turns with their patrol partner.

Maria and I drew the short straws.

I sat down at the table and laid my rifle down. Maria was just now about to rest when I asked her to talk.

"So, obviously we used to have something together. And now, all we have is each other and this group. I've missed you all these years, to be honest. I've missed your touch, your skin, your kiss. But, given the circumstances, I don't think now is the right time to rekindle that flame. It'll take some time to get over Sarah's death, hell I probably won't ever fully recover. But when I say I need you, I really do. No matter what our differences are or our past, this is our future." I said.

"I agree. But I'm not ready for that just yet. You weren't the only one to lose someone. I lost Al in the beginning, it was a house fire. I couldn't save him, and it eats at me every day. I need you too, but for now, we need to focus on our home." She replied.

I stood up and gave her a hug before I took watch. She went to our room and laid down to get some rest.

The night was quiet for hours.

Almost too quiet.

But I was thankful for the break in the action, I had a ton on my mind.

Sarah, Kam, the house, the fact that I was a walking psychic with an assault rifle.

Crazy life, this one.

After a while, about 6am, I hear a snap. Tree branch broken. 

I pulled out the Python to take a peek and see if I could see anyone outside.

Sure enough, there were two of them. But they weren't zombies by far.

Two men with assault rifles were coming from the road. I grabbed my M-4 and rushed outside.

I come out, gun raised and shout "Stop! Take another step and I swear to God my snipers and I will blow your mother fucking heads off."

"Easy man, we don't want no trouble. Just lookin for somebody." Said the younger man.

"Who you looking for?" I asked.

"Jacob Henderson."

"Well, you've found him." I replied.

"Shane is looking for you. We've been searching for you for months. He says he needs to make sure you're okay and that you guys need to talk." Said the man closest to me.

I put my hand in the air, waving off Bob and Morgan, who had taken up positions on both sides of the house after hearing me take off from the living room.

"Well, let's go talk to him. Bob, you're in charge until I get back. Throw me an extra magazine, would ya?" I said.

Bob tossed me another magazine for my rifle and I went with the two men, climbing up in the white pickup truck with them.

Shane.