Page 26 of Demon Shock

“Are you low on fuel?” I asked as Bram rolled down the window.

“Yeah, that’s part of the reason we stopped. The other is that.” He pointed down the road to one of the big buildings that often had supplies. “Elk River is bigger than I thought to have one of those stores. With the extra room in Ava’s truck, I’m tempted to check it for supplies.”

I jumped on top of the truck and squatted low to study the building for a few minutes. Nothing moved in the parking lot. I scanned the road and didn’t see any tracks either. Yet, something told me the store wasn’t worth our time.

Landing softly beside the door, I said as much to Bram.

“Then we won’t. But I have a feeling you’re going to be needed ahead. I think it’ll be safer for us if you ride on top until we’re clear of the city. Zach should drive the truck for Ava. She’s never seen an infected yet, and we can’t afford for her to panic and drive off the road.”

I agreed and jogged around to the passenger side for Zach to join me. We refueled the vehicles with the spare containers in the back with the generator. When we finished, he clapped me on the back.

“Don’t worry,” he said. “I’ll keep her safe for you.”.

“Keep yourself safe, too,” I said. “Uan will make me wish for rebirth if anything happens to you.”

Zach grinned, and as we approached, he motioned for Ava to get out of the truck. She did so with a look of question on her pretty face.

“What’s up?”

“We’re switching,” Zach said. “You get shotgun for a while.”

“Why?”

“I have my zombie driving license, and you don’t.”

Her gaze shifted to the area around us. “Really?”

“I get it,” Zach said. “You’re more curious than afraid right now, but that’ll probably change the first time you see one. And I think we’ll see a few.”

He glanced at me, and I nodded. She saw that, and I watched how her hands moved in her coat pockets. She was afraid, and I hated that. But fear would make her more cautious, and caution would keep her alive.

“Come,” I said, holding out my hand.

Her bare fingers clasped mine as I led her to the passenger side.

“There are rules when driving through infected,” I said. “Don’t slow down. Keep a steady speed. Use your wipers if you can’t see. Don’t stop. If anything happens and you do stop, call my name. I’ll hear you. Don’t leave the vehicle. Don’t roll down your window. Do you understand?”

She nodded jerkily.

“If you need to go to the bathroom, I recommend going now,” Zach said when I opened the door for her. “The questionability of bladder control is no joke the first time you see one.”

She looked from him to me and back again before quietly admitting she needed to go.

I stood guard as she squatted behind the truck. Zach was in the cab talking to Bram over the radio. They were worried about Ava’s reaction. So was I. I didn’t want her to fear this world. I’d seen how fear could slowly erode a human’s will to live, and I didn’t want that for Ava. She smiled and laughed and cuddled. She was perfect the way she was, and I didn’t want that to change.

But I also wanted her to live.

When she finished, I walked her to the door and watched her buckle in.

“Bram said to remind you that you can change your mind at any time,” Zach said. “About checking your home.”

Ava nodded and looked at me. “Where are you going to be?”

“On top of the truck, watching. I’ll jump down and run ahead to clear the way if I see anything. Follow the rules, and you’ll be safe. I promise.”

She nodded, and I closed the door.

Once Zach started the truck and gave me a thumbs up, I jumped to the roof of Bram’s truck and thumped on it twice. It eased forward, and I nervously glanced back at Ava.

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