Kernal Corn slapped a map down on the table, a marker in his empty cornstalk hand. "Here's Zomburbia. We're about… a mile north. My farm." He circled the town of Suburbia, which was one-lined and respelled Zomburbia, then drew a line to a spot on a hill "To get to Dave Manor, you need to reach Neighborville."
"Neighborville?" Rosey asked. She had never heard of the place.
"Mm hmm," Kernal Corn replied. "I won't lie… It's a good hike away. Maybe three days."
"Thee days…?" Rosey groaned. She set her head down against the picnic table in Kernal Corn's barn. She wasn't looking forward to trekking dangerous country sides or deadly cities again.
"I know it sounds bad. But un-like yer trip to reach Zomburbia from Cal-i-fornia yer much closer and have directions to follow. Take this road up north. See?" He marked it and smiled as if that was supposed to be of some comfort. "It's got a bypass that'll let you side step that big 'ol city above us. Neighborville is just east 'o there. I wish I could do more to help, but abandonin' mah post is risky. Blackhusk needs to be here watchin' the skies and if Zomboss reconnects this force with his own, we'll be in real pickle." They heard a grunt of indignation just behind them. Rosey and Kernel Corn turned to see a cucumber bouncing away. "Ah, it's just an expression, Gilbert!" Kernel Corn shook his head. "With luck, and that peashooter 'o yers, I think y'll make it just fine."
Rosey turned her head and watched at Pequod was back to his old self again. With a change of soil, some time under a sunlamp, and some fresh water, he was good as new. Carson, Booker, and Paxton were feeding him some ordinary plant food now. But they had made a game out of it. Each took turns throwing the balls of good at his mouth and he'd try to catch it. Most of the attempts weren't successful. All of this was happening in the background while Rosey spoke with Kernel Corn. But as soon as she turned her head, Paxton tossed his pelt of food. Pequod dipped his head and aimed upwards. The food circled around his mouth like a basketball on a rim then the ball went in. Pequod and the three corn soldiers cheered.
"He's a tough little fella, ain't he?" Kernel Corn chuckled. "The boys took a likin' to him right after they got him all spryed up."
Rosey smiled. "I'm glad he showed up when he did. I don't think I'd be here if he didn't."
Kernel Corn nodded. "He's doin' exactly what he was grown f'r. What we were all grown f'r. Protectin' humanity."
"How did this all start?" Rosey asked. "You and all the other plants?"
Corn shook his head. "What does it matter? We're here now and we're takin' the fight to them zombies. What's the point in askin' why?"
Rosey shrugged and laid her head down. "Just curioius, really. I guess there is no real reason know."
Corn stared at her then sighed. "Well, if you still feel that way when you reach Neighborville, then ask the General yerself. He'd be happy to tell ya, I'm sure."
Rosey smiled then looked over to the small house near the barm. "Do you think that house there has a shower? I want to get cleaned up. I don't know if you've noticed but I smell… Really bad."
Kerel stood up. "Do I look like I gotta sniffer?" Rosey shrugged and he chuckled. "'Course. The previous owners ain't comin' back f'r her. Should still have power. They left most 'o their things too so you can change into somthin' new if you'd like. Stay here tonight and we'll see you off tomorrow. You and Pequod'll need the rest. You got a long journey ahead." Kernel Corn folded the map then gave it to her.
Rosey accepted the map and stuffed it in her bag. "Thanks, Kernel. For everything."
She went into the house and tested the lights. They seemed to work just fine. It was a long time since she had seen a building with working power. In here it felt as though there was no apocalypse here. It felt so strange yet so cozy after all she's been through. Rosey investigated the house and saw a few pictures of the family that had lived there. It was an old couple and it seemed like a young woman. There were three bedrooms. One with a queen bed, and the two with twins. One of the twins were obviously the young woman's room. The queen was the couple's and the left-over room had to be a guest room.
Looking at the picture one last time, as Rosey ransacked the drawers, she hoped that the family had better luck than her when she left with her parents. She hoped they were safe and sound or maybe had refuge with the plants and Crazy Dave. With a fresh pair of clothes set aside, she threw her previous pair in a trashcan then took her shower. She brought her purple bandana with her to try and clean it of a little. The soap left on the side of the tub didn't do much to the blackening stains. Still, after wringing out the blackening water from it she felt it did better than nothing. After all the things she did with it, she was glad it was finally getting cleaned.
Having finished treating it, she used it as a washcloth then soaked int eh shower for a little while longer before finally deciding it was time to dry off and see to Pequod. Where before, she was in a soggy hoody, ripped jeans, and worn-out boots, she was more comfortable in a new pair of work boots, unripped jeans, and a plaid baggy shirt. She refilled water bottles and packed some leftover canned goods for good measure. After that, she joined the plants outside who were sitting at the picnic table with a radio.
"What's going on?" She asked.
"Shh," Kernel Corn placed a cob to his lips, and they listened as Booker finally cleared the signal.
"Attention! Attention! All survivors in America, be advised. We have encountered new infected possible intelligent activity. If you are listening and you ar located close to the east coast, it is strongly recommended you leave immediately while you can. Refuge in that section is being migrated to the Midwest. If you have not reported to a refuge, do so immediately, and prepare for migration. Refugee sectors will be broadcast after this message…" The radio shut off as Booker turned the dial.
"Sounds like Zomboss is tryin' to expand his territory. Recruit the other zombies. He might have sent out a company to take advantage of those migrations. If the General is in the loop, I suspect he's sending an interception units."
"Can you stop them?" Rosey asked. The corn all looked at her, and Pequod joined them, Kazooing a question she couldn't understand. Her doubt was very apparent to the plants around her. "I mean… look at Suburbia, I mean, Zom-burbia. You were protecting it, but it still got overrun!"
Corn shook his head. "Not exactly, missy. They didn't' overrun Suburbia. We gave it up. The neighbors didn't want to be there no more. So, we helped them escape. We won the battle for Suburbia. We maintained the Zombie threat there. But they escaped. Zomboss is clever. And wherever brains be, he'll be there. Until we stop him, there's nothing we can do with that. But we aren't gonna bother protectin' no neighborhood nobody wants to stay in. No point."
"Then why don't you fight across the country. Almost ninety-nine percent of the country believes you're a scam! A fairytale! They think Crazy Dave is…" she paused looking for them to be offended. "Well… Crazy!"
Kernel Corn, Pequod, and the other corns looked amongst each other than back at her. "Well… he is crazy. Just ask him yerself. Now…" Kernel Corn picked Pequod up. "I think you've had enough of this zombie talk. It's time you got some rest. runnin' from zombies and walkin' 'cross the country has you worn out. Get a good night's sleep and we'll see you off first thing tomorrow."
"But…" Rosey tried to protest. She had more questions.
"No more questions," Kernel Corn said. "Get to Neighborville. The answers are all there."
Rosey sighed in defeat and sat on the living room couch. Kernel Corn set Pequod on a stand with sunlamps. Pequod yawned a kazoo-like yawn then started to drift off. She wished she could fall asleep so fast.
"Goodnight, you two. And Sweet dreams." He chuckled and saluted then closed the door behind him.
Rosey sighed and fetched a blanket and a pillow. She didn't feel comfortable sleeping in a bedroom. She wanted to sleep closer to Pequod. She only knew the plant for one day, but she felt safest with him. Pequod snored a soft, adorable kazooy snore as he slept. Rosey giggled slightly as she watched him bob up and down slowly. She didn't realize when she had fallen asleep.
When morning came, Rosey had awoken with the most energy she'd ever had in days. It wasn't since she was with Kate's group that she felt so good. The sun shone through the windows and into the house. Kate slowly sat up and stretched. She looked at Pequod's stand, but he wasn't there. This puzzled her. she wondered if the Corns took him outside for some reason. It was only then she heard some banging around outside. She stood up and slowly made her way outside into the cool morning. The sun was warm, but the air was frigid.
Pequod was shooting at targets with the corn. They were further down the hill of the farm near a fence. It looked like Pequod was doing well.
Rosey searched for a jacket then made her way down the hill to meet them. After a while of shooting, they ceased fire and Pequod was the first to notice her. He trumpeted an excited greeting and jumped in his flowerpot. The corn all turned, and Kernel Corn gave her a big grin.
"There you are, soldier! It's about time! Are you well rested?" He asked placing his cobs to his stem's sides.
"Very," Rosey replied with a big smile. "So, what's this? Target practice?"
Kernel Corn turned around and faced Pequod. "I'm just makin' sure Private Pequod here has what it takes to protect you. Sure, he was just a sprout yesterday, but that's no excuse for a good shot like himself. If I didn't know better, I'd thought he was part cactus."
Rosey didn't get the reference. But Carson, Booker, and Paxton did. And Pequod just took the compliment as is. "A… cactus?"
"You'll see what I'm talkin' about when you get there. Now, are you packed?"
"I need to double check, but I did get some food and refilled my water bottles."
Corn nodded in approval. "Make sure you do. Let's pack it up, boys, we need to see Rosey off before she goes. Hut hut!"
"Hoo!" The boys all marched up the kill, Paxton carrying Pequod in his cornstalk hands.
Rosey opened her bag and checked over her things. The single strapped bag was still holding on, but the duct tape from yesterday was no longer enforcing it. She was pretty sure she'd need to replace it soon. But there was no question in her mind that three days would be too short to make that decision immediately. She counted her food and bottles of water, then stuffed it all in her bag. Then found her lucky bandana and folded it into her pocket. With a new jacket and clothes, new supplies, and a new travel partner, her hopes were pretty high for her journey. But remembering that she'd have to travel another three days killed her mood, however briefly.
She wasn't sure what she'd do for when the night came, but she was certain that trying some of Kate's old tactics would work just fine. And with Pequod on her back, she'd be safer even. Her good mood was easily returned. Still, it would have been nice if she didn't have to walk.
Meeting the plants outside once more, Rosey put her bag down on the picnic table and placed Pequod carefully inside just like the day before. His head had plenty of room to move and the opening didn't threaten to dump her supplies.
The corn gathered around her to say their goodbyes. "Here, these are for you. Just in case you run into some trouble you can't escape." Kernel Corn handed her a tube with four balls in it. she recognized them. The plant food she had given Pequod the day before! "This plant food'll power up Pequod, so he turns anything in yer way into a pea soup." Pequod made a confused and somewhat panicked sound. "It's just an expression, Pequod." Pequod sighed. "It's pretty strong stuff, so only use it in emergencies."
"Thank you so much," Rosey smiled as she took the tube eagerly.
"Don't mention it," Kernel Corn said with a weak salute. "You have the map?"
Rosey took it out of her jacket pocket and waved it. "I've got it right here."
"Good." Kernel Corn turned around. "Alright, boys. Let's send her off with a hearty fair well. Ten hut!" All four of them stood erect then saluted her. "We wish you luck, miss Rosey. And if heaven permits, it'll be an honor to see you again in our humble outpost."
"I am in your debt, Kernel," Rosey saluted, "Maybe Pequod and I will visit one day. I wish you luck in your mission. And I'll be praying for your safety."
Kernel Corn dropped his salute, and the others dropping theirs. "We appreciate that, miss Rosey. Good luck to you. Now hurry up, this goodbye stuff is gettin' corny."
The boys looked at him with a unified, "Huh?"
Kernel Corn sighed and slapped his cob hand against his face. "It's just an expression boys. I'm getting tired of sayin' that."
"I'll leave, Kernel," Rosey laughed. "Goodbye! Thanks again!"
"Godspeed, Rosey!" The Kernel waved. Carson, Booker, and Paxton all waved with him and started shouting unintelligible grunts of goodbyes and so longs. Rosey ran a little ways down the gravel road until they were out of sight. When she met a pavement road she pulled out her map, and checked the road signs. One way led to Zomburbia. This sign was as vandalized as the billboard she saw the day before. Looking down the street, she could see the dark clouds from there. They were distant, but still as eerie as they were when she was under them.
"There it is Pequod," She sighed sentimentally. "There's where we met. I wonder if one day the plants will take it back…" She turned her head and smiled as Pequod kazooed something in response. For the first time since she met him. she felt as thought she understood what he said this time. "You think so?" Pequod nodded. Her smile grew. "Maybe one day. But first, we need to find Neighborville. And that's… the opposite direction."
Rosey turned around, leaving Zomburbia behind her and a long empty road ahead. It stretched further than her eye could see. but she wasn't intimidated. She began walking determined as ever to reach the end of it. The sun was high overhead, the road was clear, and spirits were high. If only Kate could see them now.