Ch. 4
'Innocence. Pt. Two'
[Dusk, Ucon, ID]
"See?! Not so hard!" Blake called down to the rest of the group.
"Says the mountain climber." Ruiz quips back with arms crossed.
"He's not wrong!" Summer agreed shifting her weight from left foot to right foot nervously.
"Who wants to go next?" Ruiz asked scanning the group on the ground.
The trio in front of him went silent and avoided his gaze after a moment Ruiz turned to look up at Blake again.
"What do you see Blake?" Ruiz called his hands resting on his hips.
Blake stood up straight and turned to look behind him Blake disappeared from the group's sight before returning.
"I think everyone's probably dead..." Blake answered solemnly.
"Do you see any garages or auto shops?" Ruiz asked pushing aside the thought of another town's fate.
Blake turned back around, Summer hoped they could find something to fix the car she didn't know how well the group would do walking somewhere.
"Ruiz come up here." Blake called down over his shoulder. "Watch the glass!" Blake added before Ruiz started his climb.
"Ya.." Ruiz said to himself looking up at the four rows of cars stacked on one another.
Ruiz jumped up to the second row catching the window sill with his hands pulling himself up putting his feet in the window sill of the first row jumping upward grabbing the sill above him with his right hand hand he swung his other hand up to grab the sill as well bringing it down on glass protruding from what was left of the window that once was there crying out in pain Ruiz put his feet in the second row's window sill holding himself in place.
"Shit!" Blake exclaimed dropping to a prone position on the top row. "Gimme your hand!" Blake shouted holding his right hand down for Ruiz.
Ruiz whose hand now had glass lodged in his hand which he held at close to his chest yet was the only hand free.
"Come on!" Blake yelled extending his reach.
Ruiz swung his left hand up Blake caught it immediately feeling the glass Blake winced almost letting go but instead gritting his teeth Blake pulled the officer up to his level Ruiz rolled onto his back and sat up he started to pick the glass shards out of his hand that were now slick with his own blood.
"Not so hard?!" Ruiz exclaimed in pain as he continued working the shards out.
"Said the mountain climber?" Blake offered pulling bits of glass out of his own hand.
"What the hell'd you want me up here for!?" Ruiz asked impatiently with hand now clear of glass.
Blake stood up from a sitting position and turned towards the sounds of corpses. "This." Blake said simply.
Ruiz turned around and all anger left him as he stood up in terrible awe as he saw the vast amount of corpses congregated. "There must be half a thousand.." Ruiz said in disbelief observing the horde of undead.
"Still wanna get your shit here?" Blake asked crossing his arms and turning to face the officer.
"We'll run out of gas before we make it any farther.." Ruiz explained watching the corpses shuffle aimlessly.
"Why're we heading north anyway?" Blake asked curiously.
"My.. Family.. Lives in Montana.. After the police station was over run yesterday.. I knew this was serious..." Ruiz confessed lowering his head to look at the car that he stood on. "I hope they're ok.." Ruiz added with honesty.
"Ok." Blake said simply. "I'm in.." Blake added before scanning the town. To our left you will notice a farming supply store I can make that jump but I can't speak for everyone.." Blake explained looking at the open window roughly seven feet away with corpses covering the ground beneath.
"I can probably." Ruiz stated looking back to the others down below. "Hope they can too." Ruiz said to himself.
Well I'll jump and maybe find a rope. That way there's a little more safety if anyone falls. Blake said getting ready to go.
"Be careful." Ruiz said as Blake readied to jump.
Blake took off running getting in two steps before launching himself through the air landing with a grunt his arms over the sill his chest taking the impact after catching his breath he pulled himself over the edge landing on his feet inside the store it looked like Blake had landed in a office.
Blake turned back to Ruiz. "Be right back. " Blake informed the officer before heading farther into the store.
[Outside the wall]
"What is taking them so long?" Harold asked tired of waiting for them to speak up.
"Why don't you ask them?" Jenny asked shrugging.
"That's a good question Jenny!" Summer said with snark throwing an arm around her best friend.
"I don't like your tone!" Harold said pointing a finger at Summer.
"What tone?" Summer asked removing her arm.
"Don't play dumb Summer." Harold said seething with anger.
"Lighten up.." Summer said putting her hands in her pockets.
Harold was about to say something more but the end of a rope fell at his side.
"Um.. Who wants to go first?" Summer asked reverting to a timid posture.
"I'll go..." Harold volunteered grabbing the rope.
Hoisting himself up the rope he could feel the rope straining but continued climbing reaching the top where a hand was waiting to help him up.
"Thanks." Harold said slightly winded.
Ruiz nodded pulling the middle-aged man up to the top row. "Think the girls can handle it?" Ruiz asked looking at the girls slow to take the rope.
"I hope so." Harold said looking down at them as well.
"Me or you?" Summer asked pointing between her and Jenny.
"Um..." Jenny said looking at the corpse hands still attempting to reach her.
"I got it." Summer said grabbing the rope.
Climbing the rope Summer jumped when a corpse growled underneath her, but she didn't let go she made it to the top unscathed.
"Good job." Harold said helping his daughter up.
"Your turn Jenny." Summer called down.
Jenny looked terrified at this point.
"Uh.." Jenny stammered " I.. I don't... know if I can!" Jenny spoke with fear in her voice.
"¿¡Cómo va a vivir!?" Ruiz asked himself looking up at the sky.
"What?" Harold asked looking at Ruiz.
"Tie a loop in the end and put your foot in it. Then we'll pull you up." Ruiz told Jenny.
After a few minutes Jenny had made a knot she was happy with.
"Ok.. Pull me up!" Jenny called as she gripped the rope with her foot in the loop.
Ruiz, Harold and summer hoisted Jenny up the wall of cars halfway up the loop came undone causing a yelp from Jenny now holding the rope with her hands.
"Pull me up please!" Jenny cried holding to the rope with a death grip.
The trio pulled her up quickly helping her up to her feet.
"Thank you.." Jenny said obviously shaken by her venture up the wall.
"Don't thank us yet." Ruiz said looking towards Blake.
"Toss me the rope. I'll tie it off." Blake said holding his hands out to catch.
Ruiz held one end and tossed the other to Blake who caught it.
"Let me tie it off." Blake said disappearing into the store a moment later returning. "Ok be careful it's tied to a desk I'll hold on too." Blake informed.
"Alright I'll jump first..." Ruiz said before looking down at the swarm beneath him. "Mierda.." Ruiz said to himself under his breath.
"Be careful.." Summer said timidly.
"Of course." Ruiz said reassuringly before looking at the gap he had to cross.
Ruiz stepped back to the end of the car he was on and tied the rope around his waist tightly before running in full sprint and flinging himself towards the window landing chest first into the window sill with Blake immediately wrapping arms around him pulling him into the store.
"Thank you." Ruiz said surprised both that he made it and that Blake pulled him in so easily.
"No problem." Blake answered back as Ruiz untied the rope around him and handed it back to Blake who threw it back to the group outside. "Riled the corpses up.." Blake said over his shoulder to Ruiz.
"Hope that won't be a problem.." Ruiz said still slightly winded.
"Ohh they got so loud!" Jenny exclaimed in a voice with fear rising.
"Stay calm." Harold said trying to keep the girls level-headed.
"Calm down Jen.." Summer said with fear evident in her voice. "We make it." Summer said reassuringly.
"That's right." Harold agreed catching the rope. "You girls are in cheerleading for a reason." Harold pointed out tying the rope around Jenny.
"Oh my gosh! Oh my gosh I dunno guys!" Jenny said in a panicking tone.
"Hey!" Summer said grabbing her friend by the shoulders. "You got this!" Summer coached trying to inspire Jenny.
"Ok..." Jenny said with tears threatening to pour over.
Jenny mimicked what Ruiz had done backing as far up as she could before taking off jumping in the air Jenny started descending quicker than she expected catching the window sill with her hands Blake grabbing her wrists and pulling up and in.
"Thank you!" Jenny said tears streaming down her cheeks.
"You betcha." Blake said honestly as he untied the rope and tossed it back out.
"I'm scared." Summer admitted now holding the rope in her hands.
"It's ok to be scared." Harold said taking the rope from her hands and tying it around her waist. "But you can he in control or fear can be. You gotta choose." Harold said looking her in the eye.
"Ok." Summer said simply.
Summer walked to where everyone else had started from her heart pounding as the corpses sounded like they were roaring like they hoped that she would fall to be their next meal pushing away these thoughts Summer started her move running full speed Summer rocketed towards her objective hitting with forearms first Blake's grip slipped for a moment but managed to bring his sister into safety.
"Your turn ol' man." Blake said tossing the rope to his father.
Harold toed off the rope then stepped back then ran for the end jumping forward hitting hands against the sill but with no grasp Blake dove forward but lost his father's hand Harold tumbled until the rope went taught then snapped from the sudden force Harold fell to the corpses below last thing he saw was his son's terrified face.
Screaming Harold fell on top of two corpses crushing them the others growling loudly as they swarmed him biting him on the arms and on manger to rip his stomach open pulling out his intestines another ripped out his throat with its teeth.
Blake was doubled over the edge tears in his eyes Summer rushed over shoving Blake aside.
"DAADD! NOO! DAAAAD!!" Summer screamed fighting against Blake's grip holding her from going after Harold. "Nooo!" Summer Cried tears flooding down her face.
"I tried." Blake said tears rolling down his cheeks. "I'm sorry!" Blake said voice breaking as the siblings sobbed together.
[North of Ucon, Morning]
The ride had been silent for the last thirty minutes.
Ruiz looked over at Blake who was looking out the window eyes red from crying and knuckles bloody, he glanced back using the mirror to see Summer looking out her window tears still streaming.
Ruiz looked back to the road. "¡joder!" Ruiz yelled slamming on the brakes skidding to a stop throwing everyone around from the sudden stop.
In front of the group was a man wearing a tattered formal suit there were to other people on the side of the road a woman wearing formal wear again and a little girl Ruiz put the vehicle in park and got out putting a hand on his pistol unconsciously.
"Officer." The man started thank God we found you! We've been walking for a day and a half!" The man said with raised arms to show he wasn't threatening.
"Where are you going? And where from?" Ruiz asked looking between the trio of strangers.
"To her parents house! From Idaho Falls we were in a wreck." The man explained pointing to the woman.
"How far away are you?" Ruiz asked.
" fifteen-minute drive. Please. I'll pay you we just want our child safe." The man pleaded gesturing to the child.
Ruiz looked at the small child. "Alright. We'll make room." Ruiz said beckoning the group in Jenny and Summer were moved to the back trunk space with Melissa. The parents took the back seats and the child sat on her mother's lap.
The car ride resumed silently after ten minutes the child broke the silence.
"Are you ok?" The little girl asked Blake with innocence.
Blake jumped at her question. "Ya. I'm great.. Awesome.." Blake said wiping his eyes. "How're you?" Blake asked not caring for an answer.
"I'm good." The girl answered sweetly.
"Feel better already." Blake said sarcastically covering his eyes with his hand.
"I'm glad." The girl said sounding honest.
"About what?" Blake asked not moving.
"That you're feeling better." The girl answered sounding truthful.
"Thanks." Blake said with a sigh.
"She means well." The woman chimed in.
Blake turned around to see the family looking at the little girl who locked eyes with him. "Thank you." Blake said seriously.
"You're welcome." The little girl answered forming a soft smile grabbing hold of her mother's hand.
After a few minutes more of driving the mother guided them to a modest farm.
"Thank you so much for the ride!" The mother exclaimed.
"Couldn't turn you away.." Ruiz said putting the SUV in park.
"Thank you." The father said undoing his seat belt.
"I don't mean to trouble you.." Ruiz said pulling his seat belt off and stepping out of the vehicle. "But we need help." Ruiz said to the father.
"What.. Can we do for you?" The father asked hesitantly.
"We need tools and gas." Blake cut in matter of factly walking around the vehicle.
The little girl hid halfway behind her mother still holding her hand.
The hatch opened up on the SUV Melissa got out Jenny followed the small child peeked into the hatch and saw a teenager in the fetal position crying.
The little girl stepped closer. "Are.. Are you ok?" The girl asked honestly hoping to help.
Summer uncovered her face and looked at the small child. "I can't! I don't want to anymore!" Summer sobbed.
"It'll be ok." The girl reassured "What's wrong?" The girl asked.
"My.. My dad.. He's gone." Summer sobbed again.
"I'm sorry.." the girl said honestly. "My baby brother is gone too." The girl admitted.
"I'm sorry." Summer said sniffling and wiping her tears.
"Mommy said he's in heaven. And that I'll see him there." The little girl explained.
"I hope your right." Summer said looking past the child.
The child's mother led the girl away towards the houses leaving the teenager alone.
"You can stay in the old house." The old man said pointing to a white wood-siding house.
"Thank you sir." Blake said truthfully. "We'll be out tomorrow." Blake assured.
"Name's Steven. And I could use help around the place." Steven said matter of factly.
"Ya.. Just ask I'll help." Blake answered giving a thumbs up to Ruiz and the group.
The little girl walked up the sidewalk.
"Thanks for making me feel better." Blake said as the girl got closer.
"You're welcome." The girl said sweetly with a small smile.
Blake shook hands with the child's parents.
"What's your name?" The little girl asked curiously.
"Blake." Blake answered with a smile. "What's your name?" Blake asked honestly interested in the intelligent girl.
The girl stepped slightly out from behind her mother.
"I'm Genevieve."
02/28/1972 - 05/14/2012 Harold Christensen