{"id":310,"date":"2013-07-22T13:15:02","date_gmt":"2013-07-22T13:15:02","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/dreamers-sanctuary.com\/undead\/?page_id=310"},"modified":"2013-07-22T15:32:56","modified_gmt":"2013-07-22T15:32:56","slug":"chapter-81","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"http:\/\/dreamers-sanctuary.com\/undead\/story\/chapter-81\/","title":{"rendered":"Chapter 81"},"content":{"rendered":"

PART VIII: \u00a0FORTY DAYS AND FORTY NIGHTS<\/strong><\/p>\n

Chapter 81<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n

They say you shouldn\u2019t dwell on your mistakes.\u00a0 Well, \u201cthey\u201d said that before \u201cthey\u201d all died and turned into the unrelenting undead.\u00a0 But that used to be how I operated.\u00a0 I focused on the goal ahead and not on the mistakes along the way.\u00a0 You can\u2019t do that and expect to stay sane.\u00a0 You take the bumps along the road you travel as they come.<\/i><\/p>\n

Someone needs to keep a level head.<\/i><\/p>\n

Someone has to lead.<\/i><\/p>\n

Someone needs to appear like they have all the answers, even now.<\/i><\/p>\n

I made the biggest mistake by having them come out here with me.\u00a0 Now we\u2019re out in the middle of the country, surrounded by zombies no matter where we go.\u00a0 I wish we had never left Florida.\u00a0 And I keep thinking about how different things would\u2019ve been if we had just concentrated on strengthening the defense of the base.\u00a0 Instead, I left, feeling a sense of duty to find more survivors and discover the fate of the country I loved. It almost got me killed.\u00a0 And for what?\u00a0 America doesn\u2019t exist anymore.\u00a0 And now I have a more important mission than trying to save the remnants of my country.<\/i><\/p>\n

I have to get myself and my new family back home.<\/i><\/p>\n

Before my mistake kills us all.<\/i><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Saturday, October 13, 2012<\/b><\/b>
\nWeek Twenty-Five<\/i><\/p>\n

Kevin was sitting on the couch, trying to plot out their next move.\u00a0 He\u2019d insisted on letting one of the two blondes sleep on it for once; he was sure they\u2019d gotten sick of the floor while he\u2019d been sick.\u00a0 But both of them had refused, saying he needed to be on the couch while he regained his strength.\u00a0 After two weeks of battling a nasty infection, Kevin was finally on the road to recovery, but he wasn\u2019t at full strength yet, and they all knew it.<\/p>\n

He knew they were trying to let him rest.\u00a0 But he also knew they were weary and fatigued.\u00a0 Nick had decided to take the night watch, but while Riley slept at his side, he had soon dozed off, as well.\u00a0 So Kevin had grabbed his gun and taken the watch on his own, having not wanted to disturb them.\u00a0 He spent the time planning, carefully trying to analyze their current situation.<\/p>\n

The golf course was a good temporary refuge, but they couldn\u2019t remain here much longer.\u00a0 The night before, several of the walking dead had breached one of the back doors, doors that were now blocked off by a large table they\u2019d found.\u00a0 None of them had bothered to clean up the broken glass.\u00a0 It felt like d\u00e9j\u00e0 vu to Kevin, who was thrown back to the beginning days at the base, when the undead had broken through the stained glass windows of the church.<\/p>\n

He looked back down at the map Nick had pilfered during his supply run yesterday.\u00a0 Kevin had wanted to go with him as back-up, but had been turned down.\u00a0 He\u2019d been told it was so they wouldn\u2019t be leaving Riley alone, but he knew the main reason was because they wanted to be sure he was better.\u00a0 Kevin understood this and knew they were right, but it didn\u2019t help any.\u00a0 He didn\u2019t like letting others do all the work.\u00a0 Nick seemed to have stepped into his shoes with more ease than he would have expected, however.\u00a0 That fact alone was a comfort to Kevin.\u00a0 It was satisfying, seeing the young man become more confident in himself.<\/p>\n

A yawn caught his attention, and he glanced over.\u00a0 It wasn\u2019t Nick who had awoken, but Riley.\u00a0 She shifted carefully as she stood, so as not to wake up her boyfriend.\u00a0 She smiled at Kevin as she walked over and sat next to him, rubbing her eyes sleepily.<\/p>\n

\u201cMorning.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMorning.\u201d\u00a0 Calling it morning was a bit of a stretch, as the sun had yet to peek over the horizon, but the battery-operated wall clock told Kevin it was four a.m.\u00a0 Riley leaned closer to sneak a peek at the map and shot him a questioning look.\u00a0 She traced the route Kevin had outlined on it.\u00a0 Their eyes met again.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe can\u2019t stay here much longer, you know,\u201d he said, in reply to the unspoken question.<\/p>\n

She nodded in agreement, though her brows furrowed as she examined the map once again.\u00a0 He was taken aback by the lack of commentary that he\u2019d come to expect from the former journalist.\u00a0 After a few moments of silence between them, during which they could hear nothing but the haunting, neverending chorus of the undead in the distance, he continued.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s going to take time.\u00a0 The roads, zombies, weather \u2013 it\u2019s all going to slow us down.\u00a0 We\u2019ll have to pack up all we can, find us a new vehicle\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Riley glanced up at him then.\u00a0 \u201cWhy?\u00a0 The Hummer works fine.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI want as few stops as possible.\u00a0 This trip is going to be risky enough without adding to it.\u00a0 The weather\u2019s going to get bad soon.\u00a0 It\u2019ll be November before we know it, and we have a lot of ground to cover.\u00a0 So we\u2019re going to have to hurry this road trip along.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cRoad trip?\u201d Nick asked, mid-yawn, as he stretched on the couch.\u00a0 Two heads whipped around in his direction.\u00a0 Neither had seen him wake up.\u00a0 \u201cWe\u2019re going back home?\u201d<\/p>\n

Kevin simply nodded.\u00a0 He was fatigued and still felt a bit weak, but he didn\u2019t want to tell them.\u00a0 If he did, it would just delay them, and at that point, even a few days\u2019 delay was a risk.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt just feels like such a waste,\u201d Riley muttered, folding the map up and handing it back to him.\u00a0 Her hands looked in need of something to keep them busy afterward.<\/p>\n

Kevin sighed as he looked away from her.\u00a0 He had known this was coming and guessed maybe she\u2019d just been too tired to say something earlier.\u00a0 He was used to her challenging him and had come to expect it since getting to know her.\u00a0 He didn\u2019t mind it.\u00a0 It was simply the type of person she was, very similar to his own self.\u00a0 That goal-driven mindset, that determination to achieve.\u00a0 At times, though, he found it tiring, like he did right then.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re right.\u201d\u00a0 He stared out the window at the stars.\u00a0 He never got sick of the clear view they had of the sky now.\u00a0 It reminded him of his childhood days back in Kentucky, staring up at the sky from his backyard.\u00a0 He\u2019d missed it when his military assignments had taken him to bigger cities, like Tampa.\u00a0 \u201cIt is a waste.\u00a0 I wish we\u2019d never come out here.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSo you think that the rest of America\u2019s like this?\u201d\u00a0 Nick reached for a brush and proceeded to try and comb his hair down.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s clear it spread through the country.\u00a0 I don\u2019t know if there are other survivor camps like ours back home out there or not.\u00a0 Part of me still wants to try and find them if they\u2019re out there.\u00a0 But we can\u2019t try to find out.\u201d\u00a0 He turned to Riley.\u00a0 \u201cYou expect us to drive to California?\u201d<\/p>\n

Riley stepped back with her hands up in surrender.\u00a0 \u201cI don\u2019t.\u00a0 It\u2019s just frustrating that we went through all this, and we\u2019re not even coming back with any real answers.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cFrustrating would be an understatement.\u00a0 I just hope the others aren\u2019t paying for my mistake in judgment right now.\u00a0 That they\u2019re still there when we get back home.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou don\u2019t think they\u2019ll still be there?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOf course they will be.\u201d<\/p>\n

Kevin brought his hand up to massage his temple, as a slight throbbing signaled to him what kind of day this was going to be.\u00a0 \u201cI don\u2019t think any of them would try to leave us, but they probably think we\u2019re dead.\u00a0 I would, if I was there.\u00a0 They have no way of finding out otherwise, and we don\u2019t have a way to tell them.\u00a0 The wall may not have worked; they may have had to move on.\u00a0 Or maybe they\u2026\u201d\u00a0 He left the rest unsaid, but both Nick and Riley caught the dark undertones of his message.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey\u2019re okay,\u201d their perpetually-cockeyed optimist, Nick, said with a smile and confidence Kevin couldn\u2019t quite comprehend.\u00a0 \u201cI just know it.\u201d<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

Several hours later, the sun was high in the sky, though the wind chilled them.\u00a0 The Hummer was parked in front of the first Wal-Mart they had come upon.\u00a0 Packed in the back were the few possessions they had, ready to go into the first vehicle Kevin found acceptable.\u00a0 Of course, they had to also stock up on the basics, so that they wouldn\u2019t have so many stops.<\/p>\n

Right then, the three of them stood in the store\u2019s open doorway.\u00a0 It felt odd, being in a Wal-Mart without seeing the oddities of the people within the store.\u00a0 Wal-Mart had once been the Mecca of hicks and white trash, and now it was like everything else:\u00a0 a Mecca of zombies.\u00a0 Nick had his gun ready to go, grinning at Kevin as he got ready to purposely attract attention.\u00a0 This way, there would be less surprise encounters with the ghouls.\u00a0 Riley was loading her gun beside him.<\/p>\n

\u201cHey Kevin, we\u2019re running low on ammo.\u201d<\/p>\n

Yet another problem to deal with.\u00a0 He\u2019d have to check the sporting goods section and hope for the best.\u00a0 Surviving would instantly become about ten times harder without guns.<\/p>\n

Nick fired a shot off into the ceiling, just to make noise.\u00a0 Kevin gave him a hard look, since they had just been told ammo was becoming scarce.<\/p>\n

The smell of the rotting food hit his senses, and he fought the instant urge to vomit.\u00a0 It was going to be like this, no matter where they got supplies. It was easy to forget the rest of the world didn\u2019t have electricity anymore, when the base still had that priceless luxury.<\/p>\n

Nick either didn\u2019t notice it, however, or simply ignored it as he sang, \u201cOff with your head!\u00a0 Da-dan-dance-dance till you\u2019re dead!\u201d<\/i><\/p>\n

A staggering zombie slowly made its way towards them.\u00a0 The decomposition of the undead was increasing, though not at even close to what Kevin would consider a fast enough rate.\u00a0 This one looked bloated, and he wondered if it had rained during his two weeks of \u201crest.\u201d\u00a0 The zombie had clearly been one of the trashy Wal-Mart type customers, a woman of at least three hundred pounds, wearing a leopard-spotted spandex exercising outfit.\u00a0 Rolls of rotting flesh tufted out between the top and the bottom, maggots thriving happily upon them.\u00a0 Kevin reacted instinctively at the first moan it emitted.\u00a0 A shot was fired and went through the eye dead center.\u00a0 It fell to the ground with a sickening thud.<\/p>\n

Riley had grabbed a shopping cart.\u00a0 She thrust it at the next zombie to appear.\u00a0 Nick managed to do a Michael Jackson-esque spin as he fired off a shot at it.\u00a0 That and the cart forced the zombie back against a display of soda bottles.\u00a0 The bullet had slammed through its nose and out the other side of its skull.\u00a0 Soda sprayed everywhere upon impact.\u00a0 Bits of clotted blood, decaying flesh, and bone mixed with the geyser of Code Red Mountain Dew showering the surrounding area.<\/p>\n

\u201cOff with your head!\u00a0 Da-dan-dance-dance till you\u2019re dead!\u00a0 It\u2019s close to miiiiidnight, and something evil\u2019s lurking in the daaaark\u2026\u201d<\/i><\/p>\n

The three of them began to walk forward after Riley took another cart and started pushing it.\u00a0 Immediately, Kevin directed them down the canned food aisle.\u00a0 He looked at Nick curiously.\u00a0 \u201cOkay, I\u2019ll bite \u2013 what are you singing?\u201d<\/p>\n

Nick stared at him incredulously.\u00a0 \u201cHaven\u2019t you ever seen Glee<\/i>?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOkay, I need to find the seasons on DVD up in here.\u201d<\/p>\n

Riley laughed.\u00a0 \u201cI love your priorities.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGlee<\/i> must live on!\u00a0 I mean, it\u2019d be like if Kevin said he never saw any of the Harry Potter<\/i> movies.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI haven\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n

Nick shook his head in severe disappointment.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019ve been denied so much.\u201d<\/p>\n

They headed for the drinks so they could pick up some cases of bottled water.\u00a0 They needed several, as they now had to use it for everything.\u00a0 Kevin sighed; he missed the luxuries they had left behind in Florida.<\/p>\n

They turned a corner.\u00a0 Another zombie was standing there, waiting contentedly.\u00a0 This one had no pants, just soiled yellow underwear that revealed a minuscule bulge in the privates area.\u00a0 Its shirt was torn flannel, and a scraggly mullet hung loosely from its skull, as the scalp peeled away.\u00a0 Beetles skittered about its face.\u00a0 Kevin got ready to aim, but Nick shook his head.<\/p>\n

\u201cSave the ammo, \u2018cause we\u2019re low, right?\u201d\u00a0 He pulled out his axe and grinned at Riley.\u00a0 \u201cTen points if I can get a hard enough swing for the head to land on the top shelf.\u201d<\/p>\n

She laughed.\u00a0 \u201cTwenty if you can get it in the meat department.\u201d\u00a0 She pointed at the counter, several feet away.<\/p>\n

Kevin shook his head at the two of them, trying not to chuckle as he tossed some more items into the cart.\u00a0 It was funny how morbid their humor was, but that was just the way they had all learned to cope.\u00a0 It was easier to forget that every zombie they killed had once been a living, breathing, human being, which had, at one point, had a soul.\u00a0 It didn\u2019t bother them as much if they tried to turn it into a game.<\/p>\n

Nick ran at the zombie, which let loose an almost deafening moan.\u00a0 He swung hard at the corpse as it slowly slouched toward him.\u00a0 The axe sliced through its neck, causing the head to spin up into the air.\u00a0 As it started to fall, Nick swung the blade yet again at the still-gnashing skull.\u00a0 It was a direct hit, and the head flew across the aisles like an undead kickball.\u00a0 It sailed over the butcher\u2019s counter, and Kevin could hear it hit the ground with a soft thump.<\/p>\n

\u201cYES!\u201d\u00a0 Nick fist pumped.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m the man!\u201d<\/p>\n

Riley giggled as she came up and swatted him upside the head playfully.\u00a0 \u201cThe crazy-ass one.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCome on, kids.\u201d<\/p>\n

They continued picking their way through the store.\u00a0 Once they had stocked up on the dry and canned foods Kevin hoped they could make last for a few states, they decided to go get some new clothes.\u00a0 Kevin took a sniff of his shirt and sighed.\u00a0 It wasn\u2019t the freshest.\u00a0 They\u2019d had to resort to sponge baths again, and their clothes had suffered as a result.\u00a0 He also wanted to grab some jackets, in case they got stranded or stalled due to bad weather.\u00a0 He didn\u2019t know if the other two were thinking of how difficult their journey was going to be, but he was.\u00a0 He knew he\u2019d have to be the one who did most of the thinking.<\/p>\n

Riley immediately ran for the clothes, tugging them off the hangers and tossing them into the cart.\u00a0 \u201cThank God; mine were getting so stiff, they could have stood up on their own.\u00a0 Nasty.\u201d<\/p>\n

Kevin and Nick were about to go into the men\u2019s section when they suddenly heard her yelling.\u00a0 \u201cGuys!\u00a0 Come here!\u201d<\/p>\n

Thinking the worst, they ran over.\u00a0 But instead, they found her laughing.\u00a0 Her face was turning pink as she continued, trying to pause for air to say why she called for them.\u00a0 Finally, she sighed and led the two men through the lingerie. \u00a0Nick smirked and, when Riley wasn\u2019t looking, tossed a silky, skimpy, pink number into the cart.\u00a0 Kevin rolled his eyes.<\/p>\n

There, in the aisle, once Riley stopped, had to be the strangest image he had ever seen.\u00a0 On one of the motorized scooters Wal-Mart offered was a zombie that had to be at least a good four hundred pounds.\u00a0 Its large, protruding stomach was stuck beneath the handles, keeping the scooter from being able to move.\u00a0 It waved its arms feebly and moaned.<\/p>\n

Nick chortled.\u00a0 \u201cThat thing is in desperate need of a Stairmaster.\u201d<\/p>\n

Taking Nick\u2019s axe, Kevin slammed the blade forcefully into the skull, thus ending the obese corpse\u2019s struggle.\u00a0 Blood sprayed on Nick, and he made a face, taking back the weapon.\u00a0 \u201cGlad we\u2019re getting clothes.\u201d<\/p>\n

Kevin nodded.\u00a0 \u201cYou two load us up on clothes.\u00a0 I\u2019m going to check sporting goods to see if I can\u2019t find a gun.\u201d<\/p>\n

Both were about to open their mouths to protest, but Kevin shook his head.\u00a0 Without a word, that shut them up.\u00a0 Kevin fought back a smirk.\u00a0 It was good to know he was still able to silence those he guided with just the right look.\u00a0 The two blondes disappeared into the clothing department once more, but he could still hear Riley once she discovered Nick\u2019s newest addition to the cart.<\/p>\n

\u201cNick!\u00a0 I am not<\/i> wearing this.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAww, come on!\u201d<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

As they meandered along the narrow, winding roads of Colorado, Kevin examined the maps again.\u00a0 Nick was driving, as Kevin didn\u2019t trust him quite enough to be the navigator.\u00a0 It was too easy to get lost anymore.\u00a0 There was no music playing just yet, though he knew it was only a matter of time; he had caught Nick stuffing CDs he\u2019d found in a bargain bin into the cart.\u00a0 Kevin feared the day there wasn\u2019t a way to play Nick\u2019s favorite songs.\u00a0 He was sure the man would go into a seizure from that alone.<\/p>\n

\u201cShit!\u201d he heard Riley say, out of nowhere, as she organized their supplies into packs in the backseat.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat is it?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI forgot to check to see if they didn\u2019t have something about Nick\u2019s medication.\u201d<\/p>\n

Kevin turned in his seat.\u00a0 \u201cWhy?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe didn\u2019t bring much with us, and what extra we had was on the plane.\u201d<\/p>\n

He saw Nick\u2019s reflection biting his lip in the rearview mirror.\u00a0 He sighed.\u00a0 They had no idea what the medicine was right then, and finding a book to tell them would be difficult. \u00a0Not to mention, trying to raid a hospital would be suicide.\u00a0 When he had learned of what Nick had done to help him get better, Kevin had immediately reamed him out for such a risky decision.\u00a0 The three had agreed it had been a combination of skill and pure, undiluted luck that had seen Nick through it all right.<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t worry about it,\u201d Kevin finally answered.<\/p>\n

\u201cWait, what?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe can\u2019t worry about what we can\u2019t change.\u201d\u00a0 He rubbed his temple again.\u00a0 \u201cWe have enough to deal with right now.\u201d<\/p>\n

The other two fell silent again, leaving Kevin to his thoughts.\u00a0 He figured he had just shocked them with his answer, but what else could he have said?\u00a0 This wasn\u2019t like before.\u00a0 They couldn\u2019t let Nick be out of commission.\u00a0 All they could do was hope for the best.\u00a0 At least, if he remembered right, the seizures weren\u2019t a common occurrence.<\/p>\n

The Hummer slowed to a stop, and Kevin glanced up with surprise.\u00a0 \u201cWhat is it?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDude, I just found our ride.\u201d<\/p>\n

Kevin looked out the window and instantly frowned.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCome on! \u00a0It\u2019s fucking perfect!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not getting in that.\u201d<\/p>\n

There, along the shoulder of the highway, sat two luxurious tour buses.\u00a0 On the side, they said:\u00a0 NSYNC + New Kids On The Block! NSYNKOTB 2012<\/b>.\u00a0 Nick laughed as he read it.\u00a0 Kevin shook his head.\u00a0 Riley snorted.<\/p>\n

\u201cTwo forgotten boybands trying to reunite for nostalgia.\u00a0 No wonder the world ended.\u00a0 This was a sign.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou think they\u2019re still inside?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhere do you think they\u2019re gonna go?\u00a0 No windows are broken\u2026 doors are shut.\u00a0 I guess they didn\u2019t have \u2018The Right Stuff\u2019 <\/i>to get out of there,\u201d Riley cracked, chuckling at her own cheesy pun.<\/p>\n

\u201cGrab the supplies,\u201d Kevin ordered.\u00a0 \u201cWe\u2019re going to have to toss them on, then clear it out.\u201d\u00a0 The other two rushed to grab the duffel bags they\u2019d packed with Wal-Mart supplies in the back of the Hummer.\u00a0 Kevin kept a look out, in case they were sniffed out by any roaming ghouls.\u00a0 Once they\u2019d piled their many supply bags by the door of the bus, Riley and Nick nodded at him.<\/p>\n

Kevin loaded his gun, and Nick approached the door.\u00a0 He pulled on it gently and was instantly met with the rotting face of Joey McIntyre.\u00a0 He was thrust back by the zombie and struggled to shake it off for a moment before he shoved it back up against the bus.\u00a0 It moaned angrily.<\/p>\n

\u201cHeh, he sounds better as a zombie than he did as a singer!\u201d<\/p>\n

Kevin shot it in the throat, and it gargled in an attempt to moan, before another shot was fired directly into its skull.\u00a0 It slumped to the ground, and Nick smirked.\u00a0 They carried the bags on, two by two, setting them down in a pile by the driver\u2019s seat.\u00a0 They headed into the bus with their weapons at the ready.\u00a0 The next to run at them was a middle-aged zombie with a head full of braids and beads.\u00a0 It would have been even more pathetic, had the person been still alive.<\/p>\n

\u201cChris Kirkpatrick?\u201d Riley said with surprise.\u00a0 \u201cEw, you have that hair again\u2026\u201d\u00a0 The zombie rushed at them, and while Riley hesitated with the shot, Nick slammed his axe through the braids and into the skull.\u00a0 Hair flew up around them, and the creature fell.<\/p>\n

Nick gazed back at Riley.\u00a0 \u201cAgain.\u00a0 How do you know he had that hair before?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI grew up in the \u2018nineties, okay?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou were a fan of \u2018NStink weren\u2019t you?!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThey had catchy music, okay?\u00a0 It was the whole boyband thing\u2026 I was a teeny; I didn\u2019t know better!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI am so ashamed right now.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI can\u2019t believe I\u2019m letting us commandeer a mega-boyband\u2019s tour bus.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJust think about how much more comfortable we\u2019ll be.\u00a0 This thing is kick-ass,\u201d Nick replied, with a look around.\u00a0 The bus was huge and appeared to have housed both groups, rather than just one, the way Kevin had assumed.\u00a0 The second bus must have been for the crew.\u00a0 There were plenty of bunks, a kitchenette, and he could see the living room area at the end.<\/p>\n

A shuffling sound came from that direction.\u00a0 This zombie opened its mouth, yet didn\u2019t moan even once, though it looked as if it were attempting to. Kevin started laughing.\u00a0 \u201cWow, he was the one who never sang, and now he can\u2019t even moan.\u201d<\/p>\n

Nick laughed.\u00a0 The moment of distraction gave the zombie formerly known as Jonathan Knight the opportunity it needed to grab Nick by the shoulders.\u00a0 Riley shrieked, but there wasn\u2019t enough room to move around them.\u00a0 A shot couldn\u2019t be fired because the likelihood of hitting Nick himself was just too high.\u00a0 Kevin could see him begin to struggle for air, as the rotting hands tightened around his throat.\u00a0 One of Nick\u2019s hands was trying to loosen the grip enough to get air; the other was fumbling for his axe.<\/p>\n

While Kevin tried to get to Nick, Riley was left to battle it out with JC Chasez, who must have rolled out of one of the beds.\u00a0 She was slammed back into Kevin, who was forced into Nick.\u00a0 Nick\u2019s hand reached around wildly in the bunks on the side of him for anything useful.\u00a0 It settled on a drumstick.\u00a0 Nick slammed it into Jon\u2019s eye as hard as he could.\u00a0 The stick snapped in half from the force alone, and the boybander fell to the ground.<\/p>\n

Riley was still battling the other, struggling more, as she lacked the brawn that Kevin and Nick possessed.\u00a0 Kevin could see Nick\u2019s face go pale. \u201cRye!\u201d<\/p>\n

She ducked from its grip, reaching for a nearby guitar.\u00a0 She brought it down on JC\u2019s head, causing him to fall to the ground for a moment.\u00a0 Riley stepped out of the way to find a better weapon.\u00a0 Before she could, Nick fired a shot off instantly, so that it didn\u2019t even have a chance to rise again. Kevin sighed.<\/p>\n

This may not be worth it,<\/i> he mused.\u00a0 The space is too tight to try and fight in here.<\/i><\/p>\n

Kevin peeked into the bathroom as they went further in.\u00a0 The undead Donnie Wahlberg rushed at him with only his soiled underwear on.\u00a0 He shook his head and shot him right between the eyes, before the three continued on.\u00a0 Kevin thought he heard something; he turned back to look at the door, but there was nothing there.\u00a0 Not that he would mind if some just left the bus.<\/p>\n

They didn\u2019t see any sign of the driver of the bus, which amused Kevin.\u00a0 I wouldn\u2019t have wanted to die with these guys either.<\/i><\/p>\n

A loud crash brought his mind back to the matter at hand.\u00a0 He kicked himself mentally.\u00a0 He knew better than anyone not to let his mind wander when they had to be on the watch.\u00a0 Kevin found himself being distracted easier than he had been before the infection.\u00a0 He hurried forward to the kitchenette in time to see Nick battling off Joey Fatone.\u00a0 Riley was trying to get in a good shot, but was evidently afraid to fire, in fear of hitting Nick.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhere did he come from?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe fridge, which\u2026 I have no idea how he got there\u2026 or fit in there\u2026 I mean, he was always the Fat One\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Riley was searching the drawers for a hand weapon, when she spotted the axe swinging from where it always hung at Nick\u2019s waist.\u00a0 She reached for it, but he moved at the last second, and she ended up with a handful of his butt instead.\u00a0 Nick laughed.<\/p>\n

\u201cRye, not the best time!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTry to stay still for a second!\u201d Kevin called after them, trying to see if he couldn\u2019t line up the shot himself.\u00a0 But just as Riley had found, it was impossible without Nick possibly getting in the way.\u00a0 It didn\u2019t matter anyway, since Riley finally managed to not only grab the axe, but reach over Nick\u2019s head to slam it into Joey\u2019s.\u00a0 The blade must have just breached the skull, as it slumped up against Nick.<\/p>\n

\u201cUm\u2026 why don\u2019t we just stay friends there, buddy?\u201d Nick joked, shoving the large corpse off him.\u00a0 It fell to the ground against the fridge, causing spoiled food to topple on top of it.\u00a0 \u201cJust how he wanted to die, I\u2019m sure.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou okay, Nick?\u201d Riley asked, trying to sound calm.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, yeah, I\u2019m fine\u2026\u00a0 You know, if I was in a gay-ass boyband, I would\u2019ve been the hot one.\u201d<\/p>\n

Kevin chuckled and, maneuvering past the two of them, managed to get further ahead.\u00a0 He looked at the awards on display in the bus and shook his head.\u00a0 It was their tour bus, yet both boybands had felt the need to show off their accomplishments to each other.\u00a0 Pathetic. <\/i><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/i><\/p>\n

He picked up an award off the shelf, an MTV VMAs Moonman.\u00a0 A smirk appeared, as he remembered the days when MTV was actually relevant when it came to music.\u00a0 That had ended long before the dead rose.\u00a0 He went to examine what award it was and who had won it, when a guttural moan reached his ears.<\/p>\n

He went to turn, but was slammed up against the wall instead.\u00a0 Bleached blonde hair, unseeing green eyes, and pasty skin loosening from the skull immediately filled his vision.\u00a0 Another groan emerged, as he was hit with the putrid breath of the undead Lance Bass.\u00a0 It jaws were snapping at him angrily, as Kevin tried to shove it off long enough to get a good hit in.\u00a0 He remembered the Moonman he held and swung it up behind the rotting popstar\u2019s head.\u00a0 It smashed into it with brute force, causing the body to fall.\u00a0 Kevin looked back towards Nick and Riley, who had rushed over at the noise.<\/p>\n

\u201cSee if you can\u2019t get this thing started, Riley.\u00a0 Nick, come with me to make sure no one else is left in here.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe need to get the bodies out of here.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re right, but I think if we stay here too long, we\u2019ll get more visitors.\u201d<\/p>\n

The two made their way to the back of the bus and finally entered the small, but luxurious living room area.\u00a0 There was a large couch, a beautiful flatscreen TV and DVD player, and a coffee table.\u00a0 Nick cheered the moment he spotted the DVD player.\u00a0 There was also another reanimated carcass lying in wait for them.\u00a0 It rose, and the two looked into the mutilated face of Justin Timberlake.<\/p>\n

Both moved to take him out, but the bus suddenly lurched forward, climbing back onto the road.\u00a0 It jerked all three bodies, forcing Nick and Kevin to grab something to stay steady.\u00a0 The zombie formerly known as Justin just fell towards them.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe sure ain\u2019t bringing sexy back.\u201d<\/p>\n

The bus jerked sporadically again, causing Kevin to fall this time, despite his efforts.\u00a0 Nick tripped back into the wall, but managed to stay standing.\u00a0 Justin moaned in a high-pitched manner, sounding whiny compared to most of the zombies they had encountered.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat the hell?\u201d<\/p>\n

Kevin stood back up, just in time to see Nick punch the zombie dead in the face.\u00a0 It stumbled back to whine again.\u00a0 Nick gave Kevin a sheepish smile.\u00a0 \u201cSorry, I\u2019ve always wanted to hit this asshole.\u00a0 He annoyed the hell out of me in life.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJust kill him so we can figure out why\u2026\u201d\u00a0 The bus stopped suddenly, thrusting them around yet again.\u00a0 \u201c\u2026 Riley can\u2019t manage to drive.\u201d<\/p>\n

Nick nodded, bringing the gun directly into Justin\u2019s face as he started towards him again.\u00a0 \u201cHey, hey… Justin\u2026 say bye, bye, bye!\u201d\u00a0 The shot went off, and the now-destroyed face of Justin Timberlake fell forward, landing on the ground.<\/p>\n

\u201cWas that really necessary to say?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHell yeah!\u00a0 In the movies, they always have that punny dramatic line before they kill pricks like him.\u00a0 Or, ya know, re-kill.\u201d<\/p>\n

They rushed back to the front of the bus, not caring that they were traipsing over bodies as they did.\u00a0 The bus started forward again, before stopping yet another time.\u00a0 Nick tripped over the fallen body of JC and tumbled into Kevin\u2019s back.\u00a0 Kevin grabbed one of the bunks for balance, and the two righted themselves again.\u00a0 Once at the front, the two discovered the reason for Riley\u2019s sporadic driving:\u00a0 On the windshield was the disfigured body of Jordan Knight.\u00a0 No matter how she tried to throw him off, the size of the bus made it hard to maneuver fast enough to toss him.<\/p>\n

Kevin nodded at Riley, and she let him get behind the wheel.\u00a0 He started messing with the switches and smirked once he found the one that controlled the windshield wipers.\u00a0 They hooked onto the body, dragging it back and forth across the windshield, brownish-red blood streaking the glass.\u00a0 The zombie slammed its hand against the window as it moaned in protest.\u00a0 Finally, it fell off.<\/p>\n

\u201cHA!\u00a0 Not \u2018Hangin\u2019 Tough\u2019 now, are ya?\u201d Nick quipped, laughing at his pun.<\/p>\n

Kevin switched seats with Riley, and she started driving the large bus once again.\u00a0 She glanced over at the two men as it slowly began to pick up speed.\u00a0 \u201cYou know, we might have to take side roads if we keep this thing.\u00a0 The highways may be too clogged up to try and squeeze through.\u201d<\/p>\n

Kevin nodded.\u00a0 \u201cRight.\u201d<\/p>\n

Nick glanced out into the large side mirror, where he could see a zombie attempting to chase them in full pursuit.\u00a0 His eyes widened slightly in recognition.\u00a0 Kevin looked over at him.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat is it?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNothing \u2013 we just forgot one.\u201d<\/p>\n

Riley glanced into the rearview mirror with a smirk.\u00a0 \u201cEh, it’s okay; no one remembered that one even when he was alive.\u201d<\/p>\n

Their laughter was what carried them as they finally started the journey back home.<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

PART VIII: \u00a0FORTY DAYS AND FORTY NIGHTS Chapter 81 They say you shouldn\u2019t dwell on your mistakes.\u00a0 Well, \u201cthey\u201d said that before \u201cthey\u201d all died and turned into the unrelenting undead.\u00a0 But that used to be how I operated.\u00a0 I … Continue reading →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"parent":8,"menu_order":81,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","template":"onecolumn-page.php","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"footnotes":""},"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/dreamers-sanctuary.com\/undead\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/310"}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/dreamers-sanctuary.com\/undead\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/dreamers-sanctuary.com\/undead\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/dreamers-sanctuary.com\/undead\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/dreamers-sanctuary.com\/undead\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=310"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"http:\/\/dreamers-sanctuary.com\/undead\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/310\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":382,"href":"http:\/\/dreamers-sanctuary.com\/undead\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/310\/revisions\/382"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/dreamers-sanctuary.com\/undead\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/8"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/dreamers-sanctuary.com\/undead\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=310"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}