Chapter 11:

They left before dawn. She was anxious to get out of that camp and away from Randy Marsh. She couldn't take the gossip anymore or Sharon's accusing stares. She was relieved when they were far enough away from camp and her body relaxed. She was glad to have her husband back even though she didn't understand how he could forgive her.

"It's a long drive and you need rest." Barbrady insisted she take a nap. She needed one. She was exhausted. "You don't have to worry about anything. I'll get us there and we can have a hot shower at the cabin."

She couldn't wait to get to her cabin. It was a two story building with an attic that could accommodate extra people. Using it as an extra bedroom made sense as she'd prefer the survivors she brought with her to sleep in the house. The cabin had seven rooms with bunk rooms that would be perfect for the kids. The boys and the girls would get their own designated rooms.

She hoped the cabin wasn't overrun when they got there. It was off the grid. They had generators for power, large stone fireplaces for heating and their water supply came from the lake nearby. It was perfect for just this kind of outbreak. It was stocked with perishable food since they were planning a family trip before the outbreak.

The one thing she wanted more than anything else was a hot bath. She needed one and had grown tired of bathing in cold water. At least the cabin meant proper shelter and they could remain civilized. She had hopes of rebuilding South Park on the property. It needed a wall surrounding the perimeter and the supplies to build it. The land was vast enough they could rebuild South Park or at least a smaller version of. Shed use the cabin not just as her home, but as the new City Hall.

XXXX

"Keep him quiet turd!" Shelly hissed under her breath so they wouldn't wake anyone.

They hid in an RV belonging to Denny Hughes when they found out Mayor McDaniels was leaving and planning on taking a large chunk of survivors with her. They couldn't stay after overhearing the last council meeting his dad held before Barbrady returned from the dead.

Sparky whined and it was hard to keep him calm especially since the dog might need the bathroom. "Please be quite, I don't wanna get busted."

"Lacey?" Dovahkiin mumbled sleepily. Fortunately Dovahkiin thought his little sister might be talking in her sleep, but he didn't think he could keep Sparky quiet for much longer.

"Shh." He tried to shush him. But, Sparky whined. He could tell by looking at him that Sparky needed the bathroom and he wished he'd taken him outside just before they were leaving.

"Shut up turd!" Shelly hissed a little too loudly. They hid when they heard movement. They didn't want to get caught and they didn't want Denny Hughes to take them back to camp. At least that was something he and Shelly agreed on. They couldn't stand their parents anymore.

"I'm trying." He hissed back at her. She rolled her eyes at him. At least she wasn't threatening to punch him like she usually did.

"What's that smell?" Denny Hughes was awake. Dovahkiin's dad noticed the smell as Sparky was unable to hold it. He peed in the RV.

"Dude!" He tried to keep it quiet as he searched his backpack for a paper towel. "Sick, it's on the carpet!"

"Go back to bed Denny. Unless you want to drive." Leah insisted they'd deal with it when they got to the cabin.

"Seriously?" Sparky looked at him with a guilty expression on his face and his tail between his legs. He just hoped that he'd be able to get to this cabin Kat and Kenny were talking about before they got busted.

XXXX

"I think we're gonna have to build a wall to keep this place secure." Murphy said as he dispatched the last zombie on the property.

"We'll make a list and organize a supply run." He drove his knife through the skull of a corpse trying to bite him. He was relieved to see the cabin and thankful there were only a few corpses roaming the property. He was concerned the property might be overrun when they got there.

"We'll check inside and make sure no one else is squatting here." Annie and her husband Val went inside along with Alex and Blake.

He thought that getting Blake to teach the survivors self defence would be a good idea since there were some who couldn't fight or use a gun. The kids needed proper training and he'd make sure that everyone would be able to handle themselves if they ever ran into trouble.

"Can I go inside yet?" He noticed his grumpy wife had left the car even though he told her not to.

"They're checking to see if it's clear inside first. We might have to fight people to get it back." She didn't look happy to hear it. He knew she was exhausted and wanted a proper bed, he did too. They just had to wait until Annie came back and told them it was clear.

"We don't have to waist our bullets fighting people for this place." Annie assured them. "It's clear."

"You know where your rooms are." His wife obviously wasn't in the mood for showing people around or making sure they were settled. She was already waking the kids up to tell them they'd arrived and they were safe.

He had four toddlers in his arms and Mary helped carry Cameron and Jordan inside. Kat and Pete ran ahead desperate to get to the coffee machine.

"If I don't get coffee I'm going to die!" Tweek Tweak ran after them and dragged a sleepy Craig along with him.

"I could use a coffee too." He missed it along with a lot of things. As soon as people were settled he'd be able to relax.

XXXX

They didn't have to get food. They didn't have to collect or chop firewood since her dad collected enough to last a while during their last trip to the family cabin. She could see the kids admiring it. She loved the family trips to this place. The cabin had high ceilings, beams and wooden flooring. Her dad lit the fire place and she made everyone coffee after they had the chance to relax. She missed being inside. Even her cats were more comfortable at the cabin. She sat on the blue couch with Snowflake in her lap and Pete and Tweek seated either side of her. They all had coffee while Clyde and Craig sorted through the board games.

The women were cooking in the kitchen and people started to relax after they claimed their rooms and settled in.

It was a large living space with enough seating for at least ten people. She was surprised everything was still intact.

"At least we don't have to put up with Fat Ass." Kyle and Kenny sat by the fire with Kyle reading a book and Kenny falling asleep.

"Like my mum would let him come here." After everything Cartman had done she knew he wouldn't be welcome at the cabin.

"Stan?" Kyle was shocked to see him with Shelly and Sparky.

"Where's Mary?" Denny asked. "I've got a couple of stowaways."

"She's in the kitchen." She went to inform her mother who was surprised to see Stan and Shelly Marsh.

"It's not just them." Blake added. "I've got a stowaway as well."

"Wendy?" Stan was shocked to see her. They all were.

McDaniels sighed. "Katherine? Will you show them to the kid's rooms please?"

"Okay." She showed her friends where they would be staying. "Why'd you guys leave?"

"We can't stand our parents anymore." They explained. Stan and Shelly couldn't take their parents fighting and Wendy couldn't stand her mom's gossiping attitude.

"I wasn't going to let them eat Sparky and Uncle Jimbo is here too." Stan shrugged.

It was a good a reason as any. She never liked Stan's dad and considered him stupid. No wonder Stan was embarrassed by him all the time.

XXXX

"We're finally here!" She exclaimed as she hugged her husband tightly. They'd arrived at the cabin and retired to their room as soon as people were settled. She would give them a proper tour of the cabin after she had a chance to rest and clean up.

"We're free Mary, he won't be back to bother you again." They quickly unpacked before taking the time to enjoy each other's company. They hadn't really had the chance to be alone since George returned from the hospital. The cabin gave them more privacy.

"I'm so sorry for all this." She'd apologised countless time, but still had to apologise once more even though George assured her he wasn't mad and it wasn't her fault.

"It wasn't your fault Mary and I'll keep you safe, I promise." He kissed her. They spent the evening together. She was just glad to have a proper bed. The old cots they were using at the camp hurt her back.

"I needed this." She soaked in a hot bath while her husband unpacked their belongings. The kids were settled and the babies were asleep so they had some time alone. She had work to do as she planned to take her power back. Without Randy Marsh hounding her it'd be easier for her to take charge alongside Barbrady. After a few days of rest she'd put together a new city council. She already had a few people in mind and Denny Hughes was set to replace Randy Marsh.

He kissed her gently. "We can organise this properly in a few days. It's not just us. Everyone needs rest and proper shelter before we start work rebuilding the town."

She smiled. He'd read her mind. It was something she enjoyed about working with Barbrady and running the city before the outbreak. They were usually on the same page. "I haven't seen you rest yet. Why don't you join me?"

"Oh jeez!" She giggled when he sank into the tub and started to relax. She missed moments like this.

She kissed him tenderly. "I don't want to talk about zombies or Marsh or walls and town rebuilds. I just want to enjoy this for a few days."

Tender kisses eventually turned into passionate love making. The bath and the bed were better than the cots at the old camp. She missed his touch along with the silk sheets. The curtains were open and she could see snow falling outside. She was no longer cold and she was no longer scared. She was safe and she had everything she needed. Her spirits lifted as she lay in her husband's arms while he slept. With George Barbrady by her side she felt like she could accomplish anything and her world wasn't so dark.