Mood: "Rain" - Creed
Even before the outbreak I hated people. Okay, that sounds bad. Individually, I liked people… but as a whole, I was completely disgusted by them. For some reason the moment the individual becomes part of something bigger was the moment they quit thinking for themselves. It didn't matter what they were involved in, it didn't matter what they believed, all that mattered was they were willing to give up their independence and original thought to become part of the herd. Religion, ideals, morals all shot to hell. They were the first to go, the ones that put faith in something else before their own strength. They should have known that God can't help you here.
Cascade drove through what was left of the night. The sun was barely starting to peek its rosy head over the horizon when she pulled into a gas station in Barstow. It was time to refuel, resupply and hopefully recharge with a quick nap. She grabbed her 30-30 and scanned the area, not leaving her truck just yet. Appearances, especially peaceful appearances, tended to be quite disastrous in Zombieland. Almost like a comic book… A quick movement caught her eye from the shadows. Cascade rolled down her window and propped up her rifle. With a big smile she leaned forward with a heavy hand on her horn.
Two zombies still dressed as gas station attendants stumbled from the building, running towards her car. One shot tore a gaping hole through one zombie's throat. Second shot blew off the remaining zombie's shoulder, making it stumble. The third hit its mark through the forehead and the zombie dropped heavily. Cascade lowered her rifle and frowned. An unexpected feeling of pity had welled up while she'd been killing the remnants. "Get a hold of yourself. They're nothing human left in those shells." Still she felt that tickle at the back of her throat. It reminded her of things; that there was one difference, one simple step or bite from going human to a cadaver eater.
"Sonuva bitch." Cascade kicked open the door to her truck and cautiously approached the gas station. "Being with those people made me soft and I wasn't even with them for an hour." The store stood abandoned. Cascade swung her rifle over her shoulder and began to browse up and down the aisles. Grabbing a basket she filled it with jerky, Twix, M&Ms, chips, gum, and anything else that appealed to her. A second and third basket were filled with water, pop and a 'few' cases of beer shoved to the side for good measure. Next the utility aisle: Solar blankets, gloves, matches, propane, anything that could be useful went in last basket.
Cascade shoved all the baskets by the front door and then vaulted over the counter. One strong kick broke the glass guarding the tobacco products and Cascade greedily loaded up every single pack and carton of Marlboro Reds they had. With a relieved chuckle, Cascade leaned herself back against the counter and slid down till her butt hit the floor. Lighting up she took a sweet long drag and released it with a contented sigh.
After a few minutes Cascade hoisted herself up. It was time to put everything in the truck. It took a couple trips but in practically no time Cascade had her supplies loaded. Walking back into the gas station, she made her way down the last aisle. "No way…" Rushing over to see if she was right, Cascade leaped for joy. "Fuck ya! Milkshake machine still works!"
"I spy something… red."
"Zombie."
"Yeah." Little Rock sighed. "This gets so boring!" She looked over her shoulder to where Columbus and Wichita were cuddled up asleep and made a face at them.
Tallahassee grimaced. "Fine… I spy something… Shit… Black and chrome."
Little Rock perked up to look further out over the dash. "No way…" she whispered. Glancing over at Tallahassee she was surprised when he put his foot on the brakes to park in the gas station right behind a large black truck. Tallahassee turned off the van and sat for a moment, his mouth pursed in thought.
"Stay here and watch them," he jerked his head towards the backseat, "I'll go see if she's dead yet."
Tallahassee got out of the van and walked to the glass doors, checking his gun strapped to his thigh as he went. He expected anything other than what he found in there. Cascade was dancing to invisible music. Taking another gulp of her milkshake, she shook her hips and shuffled her feet back and forth. The second he swung open the door the milkshake fell to the floor and he found himself face to face with a black pistol.
"Fuck."
Cascade's face burned red at being caught doing so embarrassing. This guy again! This was supposed to be the Apocalypse! I shouldn't have to worry about peeping toms! She snorted and said aloud, "You can say that again. Where the hell did you come from?" Tallahassee eyed the gun and closed his mouth. They'd been through this song and dance once before. Cascade slowly lowered her weapon. "You fuckers better not be following me."
"Don't flatter yourself lady." The side of Tallahassee's face twitched slightly. "We figured you were dead."
"Not yet…"
Before it could get awkward, Cascade turned away from him and lit a smoke. Tallahassee took in the ransacked store and let out a low whistle. "You're not leaving anything to chance, are ya?"
"No." An icy look settled about Cascade's features as she internally decided being alone was definitely preferable. They're the ones who didn't want her in the first place. "And I'm done here so it's time to move on." Swift steps carried her past the cowboy and out into the California sunshine.
She noted the ugly van with painted 3's on the doors parked behind her truck. She noted the fresh streams of blood making their way to the gutters. She noticed the black birds above peering down at her, wondering when she was going to give up and die. She noticed all of this and accepted it with her hard heart but yet she balked when she came face to face with Little Rock. The girl smiled up at her with innocence still shining in her eyes despite all the chaos and horror around her. Cascade's heart thumped, recognizing something familiar in the little girl's expression. Hope.
Oh God no. Please don't…
"Where you headed?"
Cascade took a shaky drag off her cigarette, suddenly very perturbed and thrown off her game. "Probably hit up Vegas next." Carefully she turned to the side and walked away from Little Rock towards the attached garage. The midget followed on her heels.
"What's in Vegas?"
"Zombie strippers, duh." Cascade cruised around the garage, picking up a tire iron. Little Rock snorted behind her. Cascade cracked a little smile and scooped up a few bottles of oil. "Met this guy about a week ago who was headed there to find his sister. Said he knew this house by his that had everything. Generators, solar converters, the works." Unnoticed behind them Tallahassee had joined, leaning against the open door.
"Really?" God damn it, even the kid's voice is fucking hopeful.
"Yeah. Figured I'd grab the shit while it was still there and working."
"Then what?"
Cascade turned and glared at Little Rock who didn't shirk at all under the gaze. This kid sure had a load of questions. She blew smoke in the kid's face to no effect. "Then I'm going to my cabin to live out the rest of my numbered days in relative peace."
Little Rock smiled and nodded affirmatively. "That sounds really nice. It… it sounds safe…"
SONUVA GOD DAMN BITCH! I KNEW THIS WAS GOING TO FUCKING HAPPEN! STUPID MOTHERFUCKING COW TIPPING BASTARDS!!! Her face must have clued them in to her inner distress because Tallahassee finally stepped forward and grabbed Little Rock's elbow.
"Quit bothering her. She don't want us, we don't need her." He turned Little Rock towards the door connecting garage to gas station. "Go find something to eat kid." Little Rock threw Cascade a heartbreaking look over her shoulder as she sullenly followed Tallahassee's order. The guilt began boiling in Cascade's stomach.
"I understand ya know."
Cascade raised an eyebrow in questioning.
"Not wanting to get tied down. All they do is slow you down. Can't even take care of themselves." Tallahassee spoke quite frankly but there was no denying the affection in the words. Affection for the three who slowed him down, who made his life more endangered. Cascade's guilt tripled. Tallahassee popped his neck lazily. "But you know, they do have part of it right… the part about what separates us from them." Not looking or even caring if Cascade was listening he continued, "They're different because they care. They've turned their weakness into strength and I'll be damned if I ever let anything happen to them. So just pack your shit up and have fun in your fucking cabin."
The guilt fairly exploded at that point. At one time in the not so distant past she could have been like them, been part of her own motley little patchwork family. They were long gone now and Cascade had thought the opportunity lost. She flung her cigarette away from her in disgust, avoiding the cowboy's eyes. They're going to get killed, or worse, get me killed. They're going to be annoying, I can already tell, especially that little girl. They're going to eat all my food and fuck with my shit. She risked a quick glance at the door Little Rock had disappeared through. But they're human and damned if we aren't already an endangered species…
"Fine." Cascade took her prizes from the garage and walked to her truck. Tallahassee tailed her.
"Fine what?"
"Fine you idiots can come with me. I got rules though."
"That's OK!" Little Rock jumped up from where she'd been spying, full grin on. "Columbus has more rules than you can believe! We're used to it!" Her wide eyes glanced to Cascade's truck. "Can I ride with you?"
Cascade's eyebrow twitched. "Fine."