The First Days (As the World Dies 1)

Behind them was what looked like two field workers.

"I think we picked up…um…a zombie parade," Jason said mildly.

"Probably from some of the farmhouses back there. "

"fuckfuckfuckfuckfuck," Katie said as she began to turn the truck around on the narrow road. It took some maneuvering and long enough that they ended up with really scary old women zombies banging on their windows.

Jenni flipped off the safety on her gun and tried to internally steady her nerves as the female zombie from the wreck finally wormed her way out and started for the truck.

"Go," Jenni shouted.

The truck finally was turned all the way around and it roared down the road, effectively taking out two of the farm workers.

"Tell Ralph," Katie said.

So Jenni did.

Ralph's voice was somber when he answered after hearing the situation.

"Take FM 195. You'll end up in a town named Ashley Oaks. They're doing a lot of construction there. Fixing up the town. Renovations of the downtown.

Get there and see if you can hole up with a group of survivors there. I've found some chatter on channel 9 few minutes ago. Tune into that channel.

Trucker made it to Ashley Oaks and he put out the word there is survivors there. I was hoping you were going to make it home, but you better try for them. They're closer. "

Jenni looked at Katie hopefully and Katie nodded. "Ralph, we're gonna try for it. That's a big ol' ten-four, big buddy!"

Jason winced at his stepmother's words and Jenni wrinkled her nose at him.

"Get the map. Check it out. "

Jason immediately grabbed it at Katie's command. He studied it, measuring with his fingers, looking at the gas gauge and calculating in his head. "It'll be really tight. "

"As usual," Katie sighed.

Jenni looked at Katie worriedly for a second, then grabbed the CB. "Uh, Ralph? Please tell me…the survivors in Ashley Oaks…they're not in a mall…right?"

Katie's laugher rang out and Jenni pouted at her.

"Why don't you just ask if their leader is a black man?" Katie grinned at her.

"Nope and nope," Ralph's voice came through, bemused but worried.

"Keep us informed. I'm worried sick. "

"Ten-Four. Can and will do. Over and out," Jenni said trying to sound like she wasn't scared out of her mind. But every time she looked at the gas gauge…

She looked across the valley at the distant dark cloud of dead flesh moving across the road in the distance.

"I have a feeling we can't sit still. I'm gonna just go for it and turn onto FM 195," Katie said as the sign announcing the junction with their new destination flashed by.

Considering the scarceness of the tree cover, Jenni had to agree. They were some distance away. Hopefully, they could just turn up onto the new road and disappear over the hilltop.

The truck turned and sped up the hill. It was a long, steady climb and Jenni couldn't help but turn and stare out the back window. The shaggy brown hair of her stepson and the back of the German Shepherd's head were the frame for her view. The dark ant-like zombies were quite scarce now.

Probably the stragglers of the bigger group.

The red truck crested the tall hill and Jenni could clearly see the entire valley and the hills beyond, painfully beautiful, serene, and majestic. And then they were descending the other side.