Page 35 of Dating After the End of the World
“It was a fluke, though,” JJ says, snapping out of his daze. “A coach bus full of zombies crashing a mile down the road isn’t going to happen again.”
Dad tightens his eyes. “You don’t know that, JJ. None of us do. None of us have any idea what’s out there or what else is coming our way. So the best we can do is prepare for the worst.”
“And what did you have in mind?” Blake says, leaning back in his chair.
“First, we’ve got to beef up the fence, make it stronger, add more barbwire. I also have the supplies to add an electrical current to it.” Dad looks to my uncle, an electrician of twenty years.
“I can take care of that,” Uncle Jimmy says with a nod.
“Second, I know, before, only those that went out on runs had to train for combat. Not anymore. Everyone will learn how to fight.”
“I can’t fight,” Molly says in a high-pitched voice. Her mouth gapes in disbelief, so it’s clear she really does believe what she’s saying, but that’s only because she’s never been put in a position where she was forced to fight in order to survive.
“That’s what I told my dad when I was eleven,” I say with a raised brow. “But I learned, and so will you.”
Her mouth snaps closed, and she glances down at her lap. I can’t tell whether I encouraged or discouraged her, but I was going for the former.
“There will be no exceptions,” Dad says firmly. “Everyone will be trained. And we need to start doing more supply runs.” His eyes dart to Blake and JJ. “What did you two find today?”
“Not much,” JJ says, shaking his head.
“A case of canned goods that looked like they were left behind on purpose, since they were mostly fruit cocktail and Spam, but scavengers can’t be choosers. We also found some gardening tools and winter coats and boots,” Blake adds.
Elaine clears her throat. “How are we on food?”
“We’ll be fine for a bit.” Dad doesn’t elaborate any further, which tells me there’s not enough food for everyone.
“A bit? What’sa bit? Like, a week? A month?” Greg pipes in.
“There are more mouths to feed than I had anticipated, so three months, maybe four,” he says, then presses his lips firmly together.
“Which doesn’t get us through winter,” Blake deduces.
My dad exhales forcefully through his nose. “Correct, so we need to do more supply runs. If you’re not finding much, then we’ll go further out to search.”
“What about medicine? Or medical supplies?” I ask, realizing no one’s mentioned that. With what happened today, it’s inevitable that we’ll eventually need them.
“I’ve got first aid kits, and I’m well stocked up on vitamins and over-the-counter medications,” Dad says.
“Those are all well and good, but if anyone suffers a serious injury or illness, we’ll need something stronger than over-the-counter medication.”
Dad meets my gaze. “Then why don’t you go ahead and make a list of medical supplies, Casey, and we’ll add them to the scavenge list. And that goes for everyone else too. Anything you need, make sure it gets added to the list,” he says, scanning the somber faces seated around the table.
“I don’t need to make a list, because I’m going with.” I lift my chin, ready for Blake to challenge me.
“Not until you’re trained,” he says like a broken record. So predictable.
“I more than proved myself today, Blake.”
He squints, moving his mouth side to side, sizing me up. “Your hand-to-hand and blade combat could use some finesse. You’re quick on your feet, but when knocked down, you’re slow to get up. You’ve got great instinct, but you move with hesitation, like you’re unsure of yourself. Your marksmanship needs work too. Aim is slightly to the left, which tells me you haven’t shot a firearm in a very long time. So the only thing you proved today was that you need training.” Blake lifts his chin, challenging me.
“I took out a third of them today while you were out collecting cans of fruit cocktail, so I don’t know what the hell you’re talking about, and I don’t think you do either.”
“If you’re so effective, Casey, then why is Chris dead?” he says, cocking his head.
My mouth parts and tears prickle behind my eyes. I can’t believe he said that, and from the looks on everyone else’s faces, they can’t believe it either. How dare he put Chris’s death on me.
“That’s completely uncalled for, Blake,” my dad warns.
