The left front wheel of vanzilla moved slower and slower until it moved at a steady pace. Blood was stuck on the wheel and would sometimes stain the street with it. There was also blood on the wheels of the RV, even though the wheels have never seen a tidy day. The front of the RV was scratched slightly, but otherwise, no damage showed inside. The real damage happened inside the vehicle since Kevin's blood flooded places where it should not have.
"Don't cry. You want some lactose?" Luan asked as she grabbed a bottle of milk for Lily.
"I'm low on fuel," said Lori into her walkie-talkie as she looked at her fuel gauge.
"So am I," said Sergei.
"Same here," responded Chunk.
"We could siphon some gas from nearby cars. We should do that later though. The herd is still too close by for us to stop," said David.
The group stayed silent as they did for the past few days. However, after an hour, someone finally spoke.
"Why did you do that David?" asked Lori "Never mind, do not answer that, What I mean to ask is... why did I do the same?"
"You did it because they were going to send the people you love to their deaths," replied David. "We gave them opinions... ways they could have helped us escape the herd."
"Yet, they didn't listen or even get out of the way..." added Richard.
"So, we had to do what we had to do. Just like with Carol's group they left us no choice. Don't feel bad about what you did Lori," said David to the walkie-talkie.
At that moment Jason snatched the walkie-talkie out of David's hand.
"What is wrong with you," hissed Jason.
"Lori if you ever need to talk about this or about the people you killed you can talk to me, I'm a good listener okay," said Jason into the walkie-talkie.
"Okay Jason I'll talk to you if I feel I need to thank you," said Lori as her hand shivered again and she started sweating heavily. Her mind was racing with the images of Kevin's body being mangled. She felt the van bump up and down as it crushed Madison's chest again and again.
"Oh dear God," whispered Lori.
"What's wrong, Lori?" asked Leni.
Lori took a glance at Leni before looking back at the road. She was surprised to see Leni was less feeling depressed despite the incident on the borderline.
"What the hell is wrong with you David why did you tell her not to feel bad about what she did," asked Jason.
"They were sending us to our deaths that's why I said that. They could have let us through or got out of the way, but they didn't, and they shot at us. Lori shouldn't feel bad about it, they left us no choice," said David.
"I get that and your right she shouldn't feel bad about it," replied Jason.
" Then why are you so angry, like David said they left us no choice," asked Richard.
"Did you forgotten that not all of us are military soldiers you, Missy, David, and I are and have killed before. It not so easy for just anyone to kill some people would feel sick doing it some would be fine if it in self-defense what do you expect," said Jason pissed at Richard's comment.
"Okay you have a point there I should have considered the fact she is still a young girl trying to survive in the apocalypse of course feels like this," said David.
"She just feels like she's losing her humanity a little and is scared of what her parents will think when we save them," replied Jason.
"He right, it's not easy for people to take a life not to mention her siblings mint have to do the same someday," said Missy.
"I'm going to sleep, wake me up when we stop for gas," said Jason not getting any sleep last night.
"David to all. We're stopping quickly for lunch. Park in the nearby merging highway."
Jason woke up to the sound of David's voice and got up.
David parked his RV where another road merged into the highway that they were on. all the vehicles behind him did the same. Richard, Bobby, and Sergei were distributing the food to the group. Many returned to their respective vehicles. Same stayed outside.
"I have an idea. It's not too sanitary to be all dirty like I am right now. Why don't we all quickly bathe in the lake over there?" suggested Lori, pointing at Lake Erie in the distance.
"I got three bars of soap," said Missy.
"We got four," added Luan and Luna.
"Fine. We all take a few minutes to get ourselves cleaned up," said David. "Lori, Bobby, Ronnie Anne, Darcy, and Lily go first by the park."
While the group started eating, Lori walked to the lake, carrying Lily, while Darcy took a piggyback ride on Bobby's back. Ronnie Anne followed the couple, holding a backpack full of clothes towels, and three bars of soap.
"Next, behind the stray trees, Becky, Dana, Leni, Luna, Sam, and Luan will go and bathe there."
The girls grabbed their bar of soap, clothes, and towels and dash to the lake.
"This is so embarrassing," grumbled Ronnie Anne, as her body submerged in the lake.
"It will take a minute or two. Now, wash while I change," said Bobby as he grabbed his towel from the ground.
Lori wash Darcy with soap and bathed Lily as well. Ronnie Anne hid her face from Lori as she bathed. Lori climbed out of the lake, holding Lily in her right arm while holding Darcy's hand with her left hand. Bobby walked up to Lori and handed her two towels. Ronnie Anne refused to leave the Lake.
"How are you guys not freaking out, seeing each other naked?" asked Ronnie Anne.
"Well, this isn't our first time," replied Bobby.
"Bobby!" gasped Lori as she smacked her forehead.
"Whoops! Pretend you didn't hear that, nini," giggled Bobby.
Ronnie Anne stared flatly at Bobby and blew into the water, creating small bubbles.
After a couple of minutes, they all walked back to the highway with a fresh pair of clothes that looked exactly like their old ones. The girls returned as well, with their hair still wet.
"Lincoln, Lucy, Lola, Lana, and Lisa are next to go to the lake by the park. Benny, Clyde, Jason, Missy, and Carol will go by the trees. The others have declined the offer to bathe," said David.
The ones who volunteered to bathe walked to the lake, while the rest of the group finished their food. After a couple of minutes, Lincoln and his sisters returned from the lake.
"Alright, Missy you're going to look north in the lake while we all bathe, Clyde, you're going to look to the left, Jason and Carol, you're going to look to the right, and I'm going to quickly wash while looking inland...," ordered Benny.
"Ugh, I just want to get washed already," interrupted Carol while dropping all her clothes.
Carol!" yelled Benny.
Missy slowly turned away, while Benny stumbled to the water. Clyde yelped and looked away, covering his nose as it started to bleeding, Jason who saw this coming already had his left hand over his eyes.
"Oh come on, am I not beautiful?" asked Carol, pouting.
"You are Carol, but you shouldn't be showing your body to just anyone," replied Jason.
"Just get in the water, Carol," said Missy grabbing her arm.
"God, what's wrong with you guys?" asked Carol.
"What's wrong with us? You just want nude in front of us!" yelled Benny still covering his eyes, "Are you in the water now?"
"Yes... now it's your turn," slowly giggled Carol.
"Carol? Have you been smoking?" asked Missy.
"Nope," said Carol, before whispering into Missy's left ear," but I did pop some pills earlier, and it made me feel a little bit loose.
"Oh okay, just get yourself washed up, and we'll talk about it when we return to the highway," said Missy.
"Okay," giggled Carol as she grabbed the soap and started washing up.
"Clyde, are you good?" asked Benny.
"Yeah, I'm good. I'm just going to wash my face in the water," reported Clyde.
After a few minutes, they returned to the highway, drying their hair. Carol sighed happily as she walked back into Chaz's car. The group reported to their respective vehicles, except Missy and Jason.
"Richard, I'm going to ride with Sergei and Carol, I gotta give that girl, Carol, some serious advice," said Missy.
"Alright, I'll see you at dinner," replied Richard.
"I'm riding along with you to Missy, about Carol I want to help with giving some advice to her if I can, she needs it," said Jason.
"Oh you know, okay that's fine let's go," replied Missy.
Missy went inside Chaz's car and sat in the back with Carol, and Jason sat in the front with Sergei. Before sitting in the driver's seat, she put a suspicious look as she noticed that Missy sat next to Carol and Jason getting in Chaz's car too. She went inside Vanilla and tied her hair back into a ponytail. David drove his vehicle and went ahead on the highway. As usual, Lori followed him then Chunk, then Sergei.
"Oxycodone? And LSD?" Missy asked Carol as she pulled out multiple stickers from Carol's bag.
"LSD?" asked Sergei "Where did you get that, Carol?"
"From this guy. It happened like three months ago," explained Carol as she rubbed her forehead. "I snuck out of the house at around midnight and went to hang out with my friends. One of my friends offered to give us a lift to the city. We went to Detroit and met a guy and his gang of friends. It wasn't the nice part of the city, so you can guess, there were drugs in the area. We went to one of their homes where they had strobe lights and lava lamps set up in their homes. They offered me to crack cocaine. I abused oxycodone, cocaine, and other prescription drugs before this, but heroin? No way! I was not going to go that far, so they offered me something less harmful. My friends put the friendly-looking stickers on their tongues and nothing happened. So I tried it, and boy I was wrong. It felt so amazing, and I let go of any discomfort I felt when I got there. They know what I, a depressed girl, needed. However, that's all I needed, but they preceded to do more for me. My friends and I made a one-night stand with I think, all of them. I didn't want that, but I was pressured to do it, just like I was pressured to take the LSD home. I just kept it in my drawer and used it whenever I felt down. I mean, it's not so bad."
"Carol, this is not what I thought of you. This seemed like something you wouldn't do," said Missy.
"What would you know about me?" replied Carol.
"Bobby told me some things about you. He seems like a nice guy."
"He is so nice, I just want to be with him. However I can't do anything because I don't want to hurt Lori like that. Ugh, what's wrong with me?"
"Nothing is wrong with you. It's hard to find a nice guy like him, especially in this world. You're just looking for someone who will comfort you and will be your loyal companion for as long as you live. But I'm sorry to tell you, Bobby already has a companion and her name is Lori. You're going to find someone else eventually."
"Yeah who knows, it could be Richard," said Jason laughing a little.
"Jason you know me and Richard are married right?" replied Missy.
"I know, and you know that I know the future," said Jason.
"Jason are you on drugs to!" asked Sergei.
"No he's not he is telling the truth he talked to David and me about it and confirmed it," replied Missy.
"Seriously, well damn you knowing the future will save are ass and the road," said Sergei.
Carol looked out the car window and started at the passing trees.
"I was told one of the happiest news of my life by Sergei. My parents are alive. But I just can't seem to put away the drugs. They make me feel good. How do I stop?" asked Carol as tears started forming in her eyes.
"It's hard for a lot of people to quit I had a friend who used drugs to feel good after her parents dead in a car crash, she depressed and lonely that she used drugs to forget the pain. When I found out I convinced her to go to rehab, and I helped as much as I can one year later, and she was back on track with her life," said Jason.
"What was her name," asked Carol.
"Stacy she was a kind soul. Carol it hard to get of drugs but your not alone in this you got Sergei, Missy and me to help you besides Missy was in same situation as you, she gets how you are feeling right now," replied Jason.
"He right, I get it. It feels good. Reminds me of when I had to kick morphine addiction. Richard helped me get through it. What you want to do is lower your dosage every day until you feel like you don't depend on them. Going cold turkey is going to suck. You'll get flu-like symptoms and life will feel like hell, but it'll will get better as time goes by."
"That's too hard. Why do I even have to kick off this addiction? Can't I just keep on trying it? Maybe I shouldn't stop."
"The drugs might help you escape reality, but at the end of the day, you'll see that your problems are still occurring. You gotta face your problems head-on. Plus, it's too risky to take drugs in this kind of world when your not in control of your judgment."
Carol was tearing up and panicking. She covered her head with her arms.
"I don't think I can do it," cried Carol.
"Hey hey hey, Carol, remember, you're not alone! You're not going through this alone. You have a group to help you," reassured Missy.
"I want you guys to keep it a secret. Can you guys do that? Please?" whimpered Carol.
"Sure thing, Carol," replied Sergei, not looking away from the road.
"I won't, I promise," replied Jason.
"Okay," replied Missy, "but I personally think it would be better if the group knew, so you can get more help,"
Carol nodded her head and wiped her tears. She hugged Missy and put the drugs back in her backpack.
"So, what's up with the whole Lori and Bobby situation that has her and her friends tick off?" asked Missy.
"It was one of my worst mistakes in my life. I really feel guilty every time I talk about it, but I might as well... since we have time to kill.
"You don't have to tell me about it, I already know you kissed Bobby, and it made Lori very angry at you for betraying her trust," said Jason.
"Oh right, you know the future still pretty shocking when you think about it," replied Carol.
"It's fine I'm going to sleep. Wake me up for dinner and Carol when Lori finds out about the drugs choose your words carefully," said Jason.
"Okay thank for the warning is she going to be mad," asked Carol.
"Yes she is just don't forget what I said when she confronts you about it," said Jason drifting off to sleep.
"David to all. Dinnertime."
All the vehicles stopped by the field. Lori partly filled the gas tank of Vanzilla, Chaz's car and Chunk's car with a jerry can of gasoline. Chunk, Sergei, Richard and Bobby took out the crates of food and water. The group chatted among each other.
"That was the last of it. We're going to have to siphon pretty gasoline soon," said Lori.
"Noted. Maybe we should stop by some cars tomorrow," said David.
Except for Francisco and Clyde, the group ate their dinner outside. It was silent as some of the group members tried to shake off the image of the borderline incident. It was Lori who felt the most guilty, although she did not show it. Too dangerous to drive when darkness arrives to replace the sun, the group stalled their trip to get a good rest except for Missy, who watched over the group. She contemplated on everything that Carol told her. This kept her wide awake over the night, as time flew for her. Aware of the incoming herd, she kept her eyes focused on the far distance of the road, only unaware of how long until the thunder of the herd can be caught in her ears.
It's been a day after the borderline incident, in which some of the group members sought comfort in David's speech which explained his reason for the incident. Jason also gave a speech about him knowing the future the members of the group that didn't know this already was shocked by this. They pushed on to Houlton and tried to focus on reuniting with their friends and family. Vonda, D, Wavehead, David, Richard, Jason and Missy were the only exception. However, the fall of Ann Arbor, Cleveland, New York City, and Flint led them on the road to a safe haven.
During lunch, Bobby went inside the RV to discuss with David about his family. He told me about how he found his deceased family outside of Detroit and how he kept it a secret from not only his younger sister but from the rest of the group as well. He felt the need to seek advice from David on how to tell his younger sister, now that they were approaching Albany, the city in which he lived at. After a couple of minutes, David left the RV. Carol knew Bobby was alone in the RV, and she went inside with the intention to talk to him.
"What's wrong, Bobby?"
"Nothing. You should go back to the group."
"Is it because you want to be alone or is it because you don't want to upset Lori?"
"A little of both. Look, Carol. Whatever you wish to do with me, I'm sorry, but I love Lori too much to hurt her. So can you please leave?"
"No, I'm not going to do anything. I just need advice. Advice from someone who knows me well."
"What is it?"
"I... have a drug problem."
"What... do you mean?"
Carol pulled out her packs of acid. Bobby was perplexed and looked closely at the "stickers".
"Carol, I didn't know you struggled with drugs. I thought you weren't that type of person."
"You thought wrong. I've been shrugging with drugs for almost a year. I'm sorry. I just had to get it off my chest. I'm sorry if I disturbed you."
"No, no, it's okay. It was good judgment that brought you here. I know you and my girlfriend don't have the best history, and I'm sorry about that, but I can help you."
"Thanks. You, Jason, Missy, and Sergei are the only people to know so far. I've been planning to tell the group about it, so I don't have to fight my addiction alone. So, Bobby, what do you think I should do? Missy told me how to slowly recover from withdrawal, but I need some kind of motivation, something to keep me from abusing drugs."
"Okay, so this is what you are going to do..." said Bobby as he started giving her advice.
"Hey Jason can I talk to you in private for a second" said Missy.
"Okay sure what you want to talk about" replied Jason as they walked away from the group.
"It's about what you said in the car and I just have to know if I'm right about this, so tell me the truth am I going to die," asked Missy.
Jason looked dead in the eyes and in a serious tone of voice gave his answer.
"Yes."
"I see, Jason listen even though you know the future there only so much you can do," said Missy.
"I know, and I know I'm not going to be able to save everyone, but I'm going to do the best I can, I will try my best to safe," replied Jason.
"Okay, but can you promise me something," asked Missy.
"Sure what is it," said Jason.
"Don't tell Richard about this, I don't want him to be worried constantly about me," said Missy.
"Okay I can do that see later Missy," replied Jason as he walked away.
Carol hugged Bobby as thanks for listening to her. She knew what she has to do, and felt no doubt about the decision she was going to make. She left the RV and headed back to Chaz's car. Bobby smiled when he realized that he gave something to someone that was very scared in the new world. Hope. He went back to Vanzilla and kept quiet about what happened. The group went back on the road.
"So, what were you and Carol talking about?" asked Lori.
The mood in Vanzilla became awkward as the group stared at Bobby.
"I was giving her hope and motivation to get past this hell of a world" replied Bobby.
"Did that involved hugging?" asked Lori, keeping her face straight, although angry could be sensed inside her.
"We'll talk about it later," said Bobby.
Lori stayed quiet throughout the day until sunset which called for dinnertime. The group began to break free of the silence that overwhelmed them since the borderline incident. They sat around the campfire that Richard made and talked to each other. Bobby tugged Lori away from the group. She did not stop giving Bobby the cold shoulder, so Bobby was forced to spoil Carol's secret.
"Lori, Carol, and I did nothing to each other. I was helping her overcome her drug addiction, alright? And before you say anything, yes, she has a drug problem. How'd that happen? I could come up with a few theories, but that doesn't matter. What matters is that I only gave Carol motivation to fight through her problem."
"Alright, I believe you. However, she should not have drugs. And hugging her? Bobby, it's like she's trying to make me paranoid."
Bobby stood in silence.
"Okay, now I just need to talk to her about this. You can go back and watch Darcy. Thank you for telling me. I'm sorry for giving you the cold shoulder," apologized Lori as she gave Bobby a quick kiss.
Bobby walked back to the group by the campfire. Lori walked to Chaz's car and knocked on the window. Carol, who sat by a tree near the car looked away from her novel and at Lori. She looked confused, but Lori kept her stare at Carol and knocked again. Carol stood up and walked to the car.
"What is it?" asked Carol nervously.
"I want you to bring your bag and come with me to the RV" replied Lori.
Carol grabbed her backpack and walked with Lori to the RV. Lori and Carol entered the RV. Lori grabbed Carol's bag and took out some pills.
"Lori! What..."
"Yeah, I just want to ask you, why do you have drugs with you?"
"How did you know?"
"Does it matter? You're not supposed to have drugs on a goddamn trip! What if I needed you to protect my sister when we have to fight roamers? You'll be too fucking high to even give a damn!"
"Lori, I'm sorry, it just helps with my depression, I was going to tell the group."
"It's not just the drugs. It's the fact that you kept this a secret from the group that makes me wonder. What else are you hiding?"
"Nothing!"
"It's kinda funny how you sought advice from Bobby and no one else."
"That's not true..."
"Tell me, what do you want from Bobby?!"
"Nothing!"
"Tell me, Carol!"
"Nothing!
"TELL ME!"
"I JUST WANT TO BE WITH HIM! Okay! I'm jealous that you get to be with someone in this hell while I–"
Lori swung her left fist at Carol's left cheek. Carol grabbed onto the wall. Lori grabbed her waist and shoved her to the floor. Lori punched her over and over, while Carol blacked her head with her arms.
"Lori! Stop!"
Carol kicked Lori in the stomach at full force and slowly stood up. Lori squeezed her stomach as she caught her breath. Carol swing her fist at Lori's jaw. Fortunately for Lori, she didn't hit too hard. Lori grabbed Carol's neck and slammed her against the wall. Carol coughed as Lori strangled her.
"You fucking junkie! I allow you into my group and this is what you fucking do? Take drugs and chase my boyfriend? Fuck you!" yelled Lori as she choked Carol harder.
Carol grabbed Lori's face and scratched it. She attended to grab Lori's hair and pull it. This only caused Lori to get even more furious and slam her against the wall again. Carol then proceeded to push her thumb on Lori's left eye. Lori yelled in pain as she released her grip on Carol and covered her left eye. Carol grabbed Lynn's baseball bat and swung it at Lori's arm.
"Can't you leave a girl alone?! You're a monster! You tried to kill me!" shouted Carol as she dropped her baseball bat.
Lori lied on the floor, rubbing her arm. Carol walked to the exit of the RV, carrying her packets of drugs. Suddenly, Lori ran up to her and tackled her. The door swung open which caused Carol to fall on the rough pavement on top of her.
"Oh fuck, what is it now," David asked loudly.
Carol pulled her face up from the pavement, revealing a face with a bleeding mouth and cheek. She watched David, Richard, Jason, and Missy run to the RV. Bobby and Sergei followed them as the group watched in shock. Lori grabbed Carol's drugs which lied on the ground. Carol punched Lori and tried to take the drugs. However, Lori did not release her grip and the two girls were pulling on the packet and each other's hands.
"Let go, you bitch," Lori yelled.
The packet ripped as soon as David held Lori and Richard held Carol back. Missy and Sergei want to check on Carol, whose face was covered in blood. Lori had a very large bruise on her left arm and was bleeding in her gums.
"Lori! What... what happened?" asked Bobby.
Lori's rage ended and she started at Carol. Carol looked back, not with guilt or remorse, but with anger and resentment. She glances at the group. Lana, Darcy, Leni, Tabby, Liam, Zach, and Rusty looked frightened. Luna, Chunk, Sam, Lynn, Luan, Benny, Francisco, and Clyde looked shocked. D, Wavehead, Lola, Ronnie Anne, and Vonda frowned at Lori and Carol. Lincoln and Lucy gave a questioning look at Lori.
"I'll tell you what happened! She came up to me and bugged me about my drug problem! She told me that I can't have them and things with very out of hand! Exclaimed Carol.
"You weren't going to stop!" argued Lori.
"Alright, ladies. Carol, go with Missy. She'll clean you up. Lori, you're staying here," ordered David.
Carol walked with Missy inside the RV. Bobby followed them and took a quick, disappointing glance at Lori. Lori looked down in shame as David handed her a bottle of water.
"You do not know how disappointed in you, I am," said David. "We will talk more about Carol's drug problem tomorrow. And then, we'll talk about your exilement from the trip."
"With, what?" gasped Lori as she spits her reddish water on the ground.
"You heard me. Exilement. Go get some rest. You're going to need it."
"David you're being ridiculous," said Jason. "I can guarantee you that you're not going to exile Lori."
"Ways that."
"I don't know maybe it's because she has ten siblings who are under her care until we save their families, her siblings are not going to allow that," said Jason as he walked to the RV to check up on Carol.
Inside the RV Missy and Bobby wiped Carol's face with a damp towel.
"Well, the secret is out in the open, guys, sighed Carol.
"That's the least of our worries," said Missy. "Carol, what happened?"
Just then Jason open the door to the RV and walked in.
"How are you feeling Carol."
"I'm fine at least for now."
"Carol, I thought I told you to choose your words carefully when Lori confront you about your drug problem," sighed Jason.
"I panicked she started to ask why I went to Bobby for advice and I told her I still love him and was jealous of her, besides you didn't tell me she would attack me," said Carol.
"Yeah that's on me, I should have told you that she attacks you about the drugs and Bobby, I'm sorry," said Jason.
"It's okay I'm not mad at you, I'm mad at Lori," replied Carol.
"Lori let her emotions get the better of her it happens, don't you remember when Francisco attacked Clyde a few days ago, he was jealous of Clyde because he likes Lynn and wanted him to stay away from her, but he regrets what he did and feels bad about, and I'm pretty sure Lori does too just keep that in mind," said Jason.
"I'll think about it,"
The group went back inside their respective vehicles. Richard kept watch over the group over the night as the group went to sleep. Carol fell into a deep sleep as Lori stayed awake, worried about what David meant by exilement.
"I fucked up," Lori thought to herself, now falling asleep.