Ch. 6

'Still running. Pt. Two'

[Near Ashton, ID, Noon]

The sound of walkers one floor down filled the farmhouse, broken by the sound of crying from the people locked in the upstairs bedroom, one holding a gun and beckoning her daughter.

"Mommy?" Genevieve asked as she stood up to obey.

Summer looked up sniffling and wiping her eyes at the odd sounding command given and saw the little girl wordlessly walking to her mother who was now picking herself up.

"What are you doing?" Summer asked with another sniffle.

Without a word spoken, Genevieve went to her parent's waiting arms.

"There there my baby girl." The mother comforted. "I'm going to make sure those things don't get you my beautiful baby." She whimpered.

"Mommy.. I'm scared." Genevieve admitted hugging to her mom's legs.

"Barbara!" Brenda exclaimed, noticing the gun just now.

"They'll never touch your baby." Barb said to her daughter pointing the pistol down at her head while she buried her face in her mother's shirt still clutched onto her for dear life.

"What are you doing!?" Brenda yelled in disbelief.

Summer stood up to try and defuse the situation. "Barb put it down." Summer said her voice still shaky from crying.

"Shut up!" Barb screamed at everyone in the room, swinging the gun around and cradling her daughter closer. "I'm making sure my baby will be safe!" Barb yelled, clinging to her child.

"By waving that gun around?!" Ruiz exclaimed accusingly.

"Leave her alone!" Jenny said as the gun returned to Genevieve's head as she still hid in her mother's protection unaware of the danger. "Seriously!"

Barb ignored the others, pretending they weren't there. "Hush little baby.. don't you cry.." Barb sang as she pulled the hammer on the revolver back. "Momma's gonna sing you.. A lullaby." Genevieve was holding tighter as the corpses below were now pounding on the door.

"Put the gun down!" Ruiz ordered lifting his pistol bluffing since it was empty.

Paying him no mind, Barb continued. "Hush little baby.. don't say a word.." Barb sung as she placed her finger on the trigger. "Momma's gonna buy you a mockingb--" Barb was interrupted by the force of someone running into her Barb fired but couldn't tell if she hit her mark the assailant had grabbed her wrist.

"Run Genevieve!" Jenny screamed over her shoulder as she wrestled with Barb for control of the handgun.

Jenny started off on top but Barb found her way to her feet while neither were very big Barb threw Jenny into the wall Barb turned with tears in her eyes to fire again but was interrupted by Ruiz and Melissa and later Jenny and Summer subduing her and taking the gun away.

"You can't! I won't let her become one of them! It's not Christian!" Barb screamed, trying to thrash her way out of the group's grasp.

Genevieve had stood up but didn't know what to do her mom was going to shoot her? Her mother was going to kill her.

Before Genevieve could say anything glass flew throughout the room turning to see what happened the group saw it was Blake.

"¿Realmente puede estar vivo?" Ruiz exclaimed, astonished at this revelation.

"We're not dying today so c'mon!" Blake said waving for them to come out the window.

"Blake!" Summer said letting herself cry again as she ran to him again, tears spilling from her eyes.

"C'mon we're getting outta here!" Blake declared.

"No! You won't take my baby, you'll kill her! We're going to see daddy!" Barb screamed hysterically as the bedroom door smashed open.

A gunshot was heard.

[Two weeks later, Near Great Falls, MT]

Genevieve woke up abruptly she looked around trying to calm her breathing she soon realized that her mommy and daddy really were dead and that she wasn't just dreaming.

"Hey? You ok?" Summer asked since she was sitting in the seat next to her.

Genevieve wiped her eyes, noticing she'd been crying. "I-I miss mommy and daddy." Genevieve said her voice wavering.

"I'm sorry Genevieve..." Summer said knowing the loss of her own parents.

The little girl turned to look out the window watching the passing scenery, her lower lip trembling as she let her tears stream silently down her cheeks.

"I'm sorry. For your mom." Summer said seriously.

The girl never looked back from the window. "I understand..." Genevieve choked out. "It makes sense." She added trying to hide her quivering voice. "Mommy got scared.. A-and made a mistake." Genevieve allowed herself to breakdown. "But I forgive her!" Genevieve said as she laid her face in her arm and sob quietly.

Blake watched the exchange using the mirror. "What city is this?" Blake asked in a low voice, so he didn't disturb the back seat passengers.

Ruiz had an almanac in his lap as he looked up. "That's Great Falls." Ruiz answered in the same low voice closing the almanac.

"That's pretty close to Chinook, right?" Blake asked, remembering the almanac since he had been reading it yesterday.

"Yes." Ruiz confirmed as he let out a sigh he was nearly home.

"Can we pull over?" Jenny asked from "Ya. Sure." Blake said, turning the wheel and easing off the road.

The girls piled out of the vehicle taking turns using the bathroom and washing up some before they continue their drive to Chinook.

"Guys there's someone behind us!" Summer said as she saw a truck pulling in behind them.

"In front of us too!" Ruiz exclaimed getting out of the vehicle his assault rifle in hand.

After another truck pulled in front of them, a couple of men got out and walked in between the vehicles.

"Nice piece." One of the men said calmly.

Ruiz's grip tightened on the gun, though he appeared calm in the face.

"Name's James." The man introduced, pulling a hand from his rifle.

"Blake." Blake said as he got out of the car, a pistol in hand.

"Pleasure." James said simply as he nodded towards the man on his right. "That's Darren." James announced. "Don't make him mad." Darren stared down Blake. "You won't like it." Blake held his stare with equal intensity.

"Here to help or rob?" Ruiz asked, unfazed.

"Help, of course." James said putting a hand through his long curly brown hair.

A duo from the other truck approached from behind Genevieve hid behind Blake, holding to his belt loops, so she wouldn't get far away from him.

"Jump in the back of the truck, we'll take you to the gas station there." James explained, gesturing towards the station a mile up the road.

"Hard pass." Blake said, eyeing Darren again.

"Now no need to smack a helping hand." James said losing his façade.

The two men behind Summer's group held their guns at their sides.

"We'll go." Ruiz broke the silence. "Wouldn't want to turn down such a 'gracious' offer.." Ruiz said sarcastically referring to the armed men encircling them.

"I'm glad! We agree mister...?" James trailed off.

"Ruiz." Jaime answered sharply.

"Ruiz! Mr. Ruiz!" James said, offering a hand with a triumphant smile.

Ruiz looked at the hand but refused to take it as he walked past him, Melissa followed Ruiz as Genevieve, Summer and Jenny stuck close to Blake they piled into the truck bed.

The group watched as one of the men jumped in the police SUV and following behind them.

"Ar- are we going to be ok?" Genevieve asked as she peeked up to Blake.

"We're gonna be fine." Blake reassured the little girl with determination in his voice as he looked at the station getting closer by the second.

"What do we do?" Summer asked, not seeing much hope.

"Whatever we have to!" Jaime answered, determined to get home to his family.

"We don't have any bullets!" Summer hissed, trying to be the voice of reason.

"Maybe they don't either." Jenny chimed in, trying to think of a way out.

"I don't wanna test that Jen." Summer said shortly, shooting her friend's optimism down.

"Shh. We're here." Melissa announced in a whisper.

"Genevieve stay close to me and be very, very quiet!" Blake ordered in a whispered quality.

"Ok." Genevieve said in a hushed tone as she clinged to his wrist.

Summer stayed close to her brother as well as they ducked through the entrance of the boarded up gas station, which comprised of a hole that was hidden by a dumpster on wheels.

Once inside Summer saw women and children huddled against the walls under small roughly made forts consisting of scrap wood blankets and tarps.

"Make yourselves at home." James piped up as he spread his arms, gesturing to the entirety of the station.

"Shouldn't be too hard." Blake said sarcastically under his breath.

Losing his façade again, James gestured to a corner that was splattered with blood every which way. "Over there." James said seriously as he walked away shoulder checking Blake on the way.

The group huddled in the corner Summer noticed an elderly woman finish tightening the string on a bow just across the makeshift aisles.

Summer stood up and decided to walk over to her since she figured she needed to help defend like her brother.

"Yo what the hell you doin?" Blake asked getting up to one knee ready to follow her.

"Bad word." Genevieve interjected quickly and quietly.

Blake looked at the little girl with confusion before looking back to his sister.

"I'm just going over there. Be back. Ok?" Summer explained as she turned back and approached the woman.

"Hello.. You're new.. Sorry for your rotten luck." The woman greeted nonchalantly.

"Ya.. It is rotten luck." Summer said eyeing the bow.

The woman followed the teenager's sight line quickly. "Browsing? You can have it. And those arrows." The woman said quickly, as if she didn't care about the weapon.

"Really?" Summer asked, not believing it would be so easy.

"Sure. But you have to do me a favor." The woman said knowingly as she mimed rubbing coins together.

"Um.. What do you want?" Summer asked instantly thinking she had lost the chance for the bow.

"Ya see the cigarettes? Sitting in the little cabinet by that big guy?" The woman asked, pointing to the other side of the building.

Summer followed the woman's finger to Darren standing by the former cashier's counter.

"Yes." Summer replied, turning to look at the woman again.

"Grab me at least one pack and I'll give this stuff to you." The woman stated plainly.

"Ok.." Summer said looking at Darren, wondering how to get past him.

Summer walked back to the group barely tearing her gaze from Darren trying to think of a way past.

"Consorting with the enemy?" Blake asked as his sister returned.

"I need help." Summer informed as she got down on one knee to be level with her friends.

"Ok?" Blake said with a questioning tone.

"I need to get some cigarettes." Summer explained, nodding in the direction of the counter.

"No ya don't! Last thing you need to do is get addicted to what will end up being hard to get." Blake pointed out, barely whispering.

"Not for me, for the woman. She'll give me the bow and arrows if I get them." Summer explained.

"I see... what do you have in mind.." Blake said, not entirely sold on this excursion.

"Maybe a distraction?" Melissa said looking at Darren standing guard of the liquor and cigarettes.

"Like?" Blake asked as his sister looked at him knowingly.

Blake connected the dots after a few moments Blake lowered his head and sighed. "I don't start fights for no reason." Blake answered.

"Then don't fight him." Summer blurted. "Just talk. Distract him." Summer explained.

Blake took a moment to think before standing up. "Alright." Blake said simply noticing Genevieve stand up with him. "Stay with Melissa ok?" Blake asked looking down at the girl.

"Oh.." Genevieve breathed, looking at Melissa than back to Blake. "Ok I will." Genevieve confirmed with a nod before sitting down next to Melissa.

Blake gave a soft smile when he turned away his grin disappeared as he saw his target Blake walked down the middle aisle.

"What do you want." Darren asked, making it clear Blake shouldn't linger.

"I want a pack. Blake said, ignoring the warning for his sister's sake.

"Tough shit." Darren said, crossing his arms.

"C'mon man. Why are you guarding the smokes? I get why you watch the liquor." Blake asked, feigning frustration.

Summer had moved along the wall and slipped behind the counter she had made it just behind Darren lifting on the lid she stuck her hand in and grabbed two packs almost dropping one as she closes the lid soft as she can before slipping back out the way she came.

Noticing her escape, Blake sighed in relief internally. "Fine. Don't gimme smokes didn't want yours, anyway." Blake said walking angrily to his corner just as Summer made it back.

"Thank you.." Summer said as she crouched down to their level.

"No problem.." Blake replied sitting on the ground letting Melissa and Genevieve sit on the single mattress.

Nodding, Summer stood up and walked over to the woman and discreetly handed the two packs of cigarettes.

"Ah.. thanks, kid." The woman said holding the packs in her hands. "Here." The woman said handing over the bow to Summer. "These too." She added, handing over the arrows.

"Thank you." Summer said, slinging the quiver over her shoulder.

"Don't thank me. You gotta make your way outta here." The old woman replied.

"Why would you care?" Summer asked, honestly curious.

"You did me a solid. So, here's me returning the favor." The woman leaned in Summer did the same. "Don't eat the meat." The elder warned.

A sudden wave of panic swept over Summer at the realization of this woman's meaning.

"Do you know a way out?" Summer asked, fear in her whisper.

"The way you came in." The woman answered. "You'll have to fight your way out." She said somberly. "I tried once." She stated as she revealed a peg leg. "But there are more of you then just one me." The elderly woman pointed out, nodding to Summer's group.

After looking at her group which held what was left of her world, Jenny and Blake.

Summer took a step to leave but stopped and contemplated something before turning around. "Do you wanna come with us?" Summer asked honestly.

The old woman gave a small, quiet chuckle. "I'm really glad you asked.. You're a good kid. But what bones I have left are ancient ones.. I'd just slow ya down." The woman pointed out.

"But.." Summer started before being interrupted by a raised hand by the old woman.

"Get going." The woman said leaning back in her seat.

Summer nodded before hesitantly returning to her group. "We should get out of here.." Summer said, kneeling down.

"Ideas?" Jaime asked absent-mindedly.

"Well. Supposedly there's only one way out of here." Summer explained.

"The way we came in." Melissa said somberly, knowing it would be very dangerous.

"What's the security detail like?" Jaime asked, sitting up straight.

"No idea." Summer admitted looking around to make sure no one was eavesdropping.

"Well there're four guards in here with us. And they won't just let us go quietly, I'd wager." Jaime briefed, looking around the room.

"Well we have six of us." Jenny chimed in triumphantly.

"Four." Blake corrected after a moment.

Jenny looked at him, confused. "I can count Blake." Jenny stated taken aback that he doubted her.

"Genevieve isn't getting in on this, and we can't leave her alone." Blake explained to everyone.

Blake stood up. "Stay with Melissa again please.." Blake asked Genevieve receiving a nod from her.

"Wait." Summer said. "What're you doing?" Summer asked, standing up as well.

"He probably has no idea." Jaime said as he rose up.

Jenny stood up. "I'm supposed to help right?" Jenny asked timidly.

"Lets try to be civil at least." Jaime said as Blake led the group towards the exit.

"Where you going?" Darren asked darkly as two men stepped in front of the exit.

"Leaving." Blake said ready to fight.

"That's not gonna happen." Darren said, standing in the way of the group's escape.

"Why keep us?" Jenny asked the man.

"Protection." Darren answered, crossing his arms and standing in place.

"We never asked.." Summer said stepping close to her brother.

"No weapons allowed in here!" Darren said, noticing Summer's bow and arrows.

Darren took a step toward her but was met with Blake stepping into his way. "Follow your own rules first before you enforce them." Blake said calmly, staring the sizeable man down.

"Not how it works around here." Darren growled in to Blake's face.

"Summer." Blake said not breaking eye contact with his adversary. "Run." Blake said calmly before swinging his right arm into the man's face quickly landing heavily stunning Darren Blake took this chance and ran his shoulder into the man crashing him into the wall as Blake's group went for the exit Jenny Summer and Melissa with Genevieve following shoved the dumpster out of the way and made their way outside.

One of the men inside grabbed Blake from behind, pulling him off Darren.

"AHH!" Blake strained as he was pulled backwards.

Darren took a step forward lunging into a punch, landing on Blake's jaw with a crunch.

Jaime had knocked out one of the four opponents and moved to aid his partner.

Blake took another blow to the gut as Jaime punched Darren knocking him into the counter then Jaime blocked and countered an attack from the third man by pushing him into one of the families who immediately grabbed him and started attacking their captor.

Darren shook off the hit and turned and swung and knocked Jaime to the ground.

Blake after struggling a moment before throwing his head back hitting his grappler's face causing his grip to loosen enough that Blake pulled his left arm loose and spun with his elbow extended hitting the man's head knocking him to the ground now free Blake kicked the man in the stomach and turned to help Jaime.

Darren walked menacingly towards Jaime as the former officer got to his feet.

Darren swung his fist again, missing his mark as Jaime bobbed his head out of the way.

Blake grabbed Darren from behind and slung him away from Jaime then readied for the fight catching his balance Darren swung at Blake connecting the first hit to his face but missing the second swinging wide Blake took the moment and threw his fist hitting Darren in the head making him stumble backwards Blake then push kicked the man to the ground rolling behind the counter.

Jaime hoisted himself up off the ground. "Thanks.." Jaime said, rubbing his jaw as Blake nodded in response.

Darren struggled to get up from behind the counter and saw something he could use as a weapon.

Blake noticed the man he had kicked in the stomach getting back up slowly but was more worried when he saw Darren stand up with a sledge hammer.

"Let's go." Blake said quickly as he and Jaime started backing out before slipping through the exit with Darren in pursuit.

[During the fight]

Summer and the group stepped out into the sunlight, blinking for a moment before hearing people on the roof yelling at them to stop and put their hands up.

"Run get to the gas pumps they won't shoot us there!" Summer yelled at her group mates.

The group scrambled behind the pumps catching their breath from the fear coursing through themselves.

"What do we do!?" Summer asked, hiding behind the pump.

"J-jenny! Check which vehicles are unlocked, see if they have the keys in them! Then see if they start ok!?" Melissa ordered, receiving a nod.

"Ok!" Jenny replied nervously before cheating up to the side of her pump and diving to the next one.

"Summer you need to cover us with the bow. Can you use it?" Melissa asked, hiding Genevieve behind herself.

"Y-yes! I can!" Summer confirmed, tears streaming down her face.

"Look at me!" Melissa said looking Summer in the eye. "I trust you!" Melissa said encouraging the teenage girl.

After a moment of composing herself, Summer nodded. "Alright." Summer said in a shaky voice before nocking an arrow.

Melissa peeked out from her shelter to see Blake and Jaime come sprawling out of the hole in the wall upon standing up they threw their hands up at the sight of guns.

Summer swung around her cover and fired an arrow hitting one of them in the arm causing him to recoil into his buddy.

The boys took the moment and ran to the pumps, hearing as their captors had come had come out of the building and off the roof.

"Shit! What's the plan here?!" Blake exclaimed, knowing they couldn't win a straight up fight.

An engine turned over and roared to life. "Hey guyyys!" Jenny yelled, waving an arm out the window at her friends.

Melissa saw this and took Genevieve's hand and rushed for the small car.

The rest went to follow her Summer was struck with a shoulder and picked off her feet and slammed into a nearby truck Summer lost the blow on the ground and was stunned and had lost her breath when she saw Darren straighten up and swing his fist at her.

Summer ducked her head to the side and dodged the attack causing him to strike the window cracking it and making him recoil holding his hand.

Blake stopped short of the car and turned to see Darren swing at Summer and crack the window. "Nope you've done it now bud." Blake thought as he rocketed towards him, seeing red.

Summer followed up by punching Darren in the face, yielding little effect.

Darren then backhanded Summer, causing her to tumble to the ground next to her bow.

Blake rammed Darren's head through the window then shoving him down onto the shards neck first.

Summer picked herself and her bow up off the ground to see Blake in horror at his own actions with blood on his hands and Darren' s lifeless body hanging in the window.

"C'mon Blake!" Summer said grabbing his arm and running to the car.

"Vamos! ¡Vamos! ¡Muévanse!" Jaime yelled as he kicked a man in the knee, bending it backwards and ushering the siblings towards the car.

"Jaime watch --" Blake yelled too late as one of the men swung the sledge hammer like a bat hitting Jaime in mouth forcing him to fall head first into the windshield cracking it badly before rolling simply off the hood of the car.

"Noo!" Summer screamed as she saw Jenny back up away from the killers and stopping on the road for Blake and Summer.

"No! Stop! He's dead!" Blake exclaimed catching his sister by the stomach as she started to run to his aid and pulling her towards the car pushing her in first then jumping in himself. "Get outta here! Now!" Blake yelled, followed by Jenny turning around and driving down the highway they had come from leaving Jaime behind.

"Shit.." The men with the sledge said watching as some of their prey got away the man stared down at the sound of labored breathing as his fellow bandits gathered around.

Jaime with his face ruined looked up at the sky but saw nothing and no one tears streamed from his eyes without him feeling he had no knowledge of who was around him friend or foe. " Dónde.. ¿Dónde estoy? ¿María? Yo Perdido.. Lo siento.. Amor. . tú.. Yo.. amor.. tú." Jaime sputtered out to his wife without his teeth and most of his lips gone before the bandit swung the sledge hammer down at Jaime's head again without him ever perceiving it was coming.

[An hour later]

"Where are we going?" Jenny asked, driving with both hands on the wheel.

"I don't know..." Blake said a shaky breath leaving him as he realized what he had done and that he left Ruiz behind.

He peered to the rear of car seeing Summer streaming tears silently and Genevieve hiding her face in Melissa's chest he then turned to Jenny and saw her wipe a tear away.

"Georgia." Blake said suddenly Jenny glanced over at him for a second before looking back to the road.

"But... why?" Jenny inquired with a slight sniffle.

"Knew a buddy... a doomsday guy. He would've been prepared for all this. Maybe." Blake explained, looking at the dried blood on his hands.

"But.. That's like a really far away, right?" Jenny inquired.

"Yes.. But.. We need to go somewhere." Blake responded with a somber tone.

Blake noticed a knocking sound coming from the engine of this car.

"Jen.." Blake said, waiting for her response.

"Ya?" Jenny asked, looking over at the man.

"You know what that knocking is?" Blake asked looking at the teen.

"It's not good, right." Jenny asked, glancing at the highway then back to him.

"We ain't making it to Georgia." Blake stated before staring at the long road ahead.

"Fuck."

05/20/1982 - 06/20/2012 Jaime Ruiz