Outbreak The Beginning (The Outbreak Series Book 1) (10 page)

   
 
Chapter 18

I hear a noise again on the steps. Looking over I expect to see Sal but it is Tabby.

“Hey Mom dinner is ready and the table is set.”

Walking over to her I gently put my hands on her tummy. There’s a baby bump that’s for sure. She smiles at me. Hugging her I say, “Tabby I promise I will fight for this baby, she will want for nothing. I will protect the both of you with my dying breath if needs be. No one will ever hurt either of you.”

“Mom I know you will and would.”

We head down the stairs to the garage. Heading in to the kitchen I see everyone is already there. They’re laughing and smiling, I don’t want to ruin that. So any talk of tomorrow can wait until after.

Smiling I walk into the dining room. “WOW you guys, you’ve outdone yourselves!” And take the seat at the head of the table. Looking around I think better of it. I get up and move to the side chair and motion to Hank to take the head. He smiles and nods at me. I may be in charge but out of respect to Hank he needs to sit there. That needs to stay alive. He has always sat at the head and I don’t think that needs to change.

“Hank can you please bless the food?” I ask.

We all grab each other’s hands like we have done my whole life. With one hand I take Hank’s and the other is Mack’s.

Bowing our heads Hank begins,
“Lord, we come to you in prayer. We ask that you bless this food we’re about to receive. Let it nourish our bodies Lord. We thank you for providing this for us. We ask that you will be amongst us tomorrow as we go out. And be here at our home to protect those staying behind.  Lord have us act in a way pleasing unto you. Amen!!”

We all say Amen and pass the food around. There’s enough to feed an army. I see my mom has made iced tea and lemonade for drinks. I choose the tea. As everyone starts loading their plates, the small talk and joking starts back. Smiling I start to eat. This chicken is really good. I must be really hungry! I haven’t eaten since this morning.

“Hey Mom, how’s the shoulder feeling?” Tabby asks.

I notice everyone is looking at me. “Well if I paid more attention and didn’t get tackled, I wouldn’t feel a thing!” I say laughing.

Sal continues to look at me. He knows it’s hurting but doesn’t say anything to out me. And for that I’m grateful. Nodding, I smile at him. Everyone’s talking small talk. My mom is talking to her dog Coach.

Laughing, I finish up eating and get up to take my plate into the kitchen. I scrape off my plate in to the dogs’ bowls. I better add dog food to my ever-growing list I start the water in the sink and add some dish soap and put my plates in. Walking to the island that is in between the kitchen and dining room I lean against it and listen to what everyone is talking about. It’s great to have the family all together, seeing everyone just letting loose and having fun. There will be time to be serious and that time will be all too soon.

Everyone is finishing up and putting their dishes in the sink. They guys start to go outside and head for the fire pit. I guess they’re going to have a fire. Tabby walks in to the kitchen and starts to clean up and I stop her.

“Tabby you go rest or do whatever, I’ll clean up,” I tell her.

She smiles and says, “OK Mom I’m not going to argue I’m whipped.”

She hugs me and heads into the living room with the other kids to watch TV. Gabby walks in and asks to help and I tell her nope I got this. Mom heads outside to sit on the deck. I know this has been a very long day for her. She has to slow down or she’ll be no good for days. I start to wash the dishes and put them into the dishwasher. Sal walks in and starts cleaning off the table. He wraps the food that is left over and puts it away. He walks up behind me and leans over my shoulder and asks.

“How’s the shoulder really doing, Egypt?”

Sighing, I lean back a bit. I now realize just how close he really is. I can feel the heat coming off him. All I really want to do is lean back and have him wrap his arms round me and forget everything. “It hurts but I’m sure you know that!” I say.

“I’ll check it before you go to bed,” he says and walks to the other counter and grabs cookies, a pie and cake. He walks over and puts them on the island along with small paper plates and plastic ware. 

Looking over at him I laugh. “Really? Hungry much?” 

Grinning he says, “Always.” He cuts himself a big piece of peach pie and shovels it into his mouth.

Grinning I turn back to getting the dishes loaded. After I’m done I look over at him.

“Hey you want to go and sit by the fire? They’re talking about tomorrow. That we need to hit a few stores and it might be an all nighter instead of us coming back here then going out again,” Sal says.

“Really hadn’t thought of that. I guess we better head outside and see what’s up,” I say.

Walking out of the kitchen I whistle for the dogs and they run to the glass doors. Walking out I notice it’s starting to cool off. Shivering I head out to the fire with Sal in tow.

The chairs are all taken so I sit on the ground and the dogs jump into my lap, fighting for who’s going to get petted first. Laughing, I pet both of them and stare into the fire, thinking about all that has gone on and all the stuff that we still have to do.

“Egypt!” Hank says. “We’re thinking we need to stay out all night to hit the stores. I’m sure we can find a place to spend the night. That way we’re not coming back here and heading right back out.”

“I agree this way we lessen the chance of someone following us back here,” I say.

Everyone was talking about what stores to hit and which ones we’re going to hit first, that sort of thing. I just stared into the fire. Gabby walks back out to the fire and stands there for a few minutes.

“What’s up?” I say.

“We have heard from Uncle Tommy, they are going to head this way tomorrow morning,” she says.

Sitting up straighter I say, “So they’re all coming?”

“Yes all of them. We’ve told them you guys are heading out to hit the stores and might be gone overnight. They’re still coming. It’s really bad where they are and they don’t think it’s safe anymore,” she says.

“Well it’s not safe anywhere anymore,” I say.

Liam comes running out yelling something. I hop up and so does everyone else. I start to walk towards him and he stops in front of me.

“Mom the news it’s really bad they’re talking about the government falling, nothing’s left and something about an EMP.”

Running past him I head into the house. This can’t be good. Not that it was good before but this is really bad. Nate jumps up and lets me sit down. Everyone else piles into the living room and stops talking. I grab the remote and turn it way up.

We interrupt the scheduled program to bring you this important announcement. We have been informed that our military has released 2 EMP’s one in Europe and one in China. As of now their governments are no longer functioning. They are in a state of chaos. It’s everyone for themselves. Here in the US, it’s about the same but Martial Law has been lifted, the government has fallen and the military has been disbanded. They are going home to their families. We are sorry to say that this will be the last broadcast. All TV stations are shutting down if they haven’t already. All we can say is try and stay safe, stay strong and if you believe in God … Pray!! Anarchy will rule and it’s everyone for themselves. As of right now 25 % of the population is left. We will play this on a loop until it can no longer play. Thank you and good luck. I’m Jennifer with channel 8 news signing off…God bless America!.

I keep staring at the TV. Shaking my head I really didn’t think it would come to this but it has. We have to make the best of it. And try and survive.

“OK guys we need to keep going as we are, nothing new really. We knew this was going to happen. We still have to get to the stores and get what we need, now that they’re saying only 25% of us are left. Stores won’t be as ransacked as they could be. Everyone has to stay armed at all times. I need 2 people for tonight to keep watch. We always have to have someone on watch from now on,” I say. “I’ll take first watch and I’ll need someone to takeover at 3 am!”

“I’ll relieve you Egypt,” Pete says.

“OK great we leave here at 7 am tomorrow and will stay overnight somewhere. Nate you’re in charge while we’re gone. NO ONE gets in other than family and that’s only if they can safely get in. DO NOT risk the house for any other reason. And that includes us going out understand,” I say.

“Yep Mom I do, everything will be fine here. Just be careful out there,” Nate says.

I look at him and nod. Standing up I check to make sure my 9mm is on me and it is!! So I head to the garage. I walk up the steps and go to the railing. I see Sal and Mack going to the RV. Sal looks up at me. I stare down at him for what seems to be a few minutes and he walks in.

Sighing I turn around and go to the other side. It’s getting chilly out. I test my shoulder moving it. It’s getting worse. I’d rather have had a clean cut than this road rash. That shit hurts like hell!

Walking back down to the garage I sit in front of the monitors and keep a look out. You can see better in here than outside at night. I twist around in my chair and look around the garage. I see the walkies are charging and will be ready for tomorrow. We still have our cell phones but for how long, who knows? 

Yawning I walk to the refrigerator that’s out here and grab a pop. Opening it I take a drink and settle in for the night …….

A few hours later……….

It’s a quarter to 3 and in walks Pete. He’s got a cup of coffee in his hand. His hair is all over the place and his clothes are all wrinkled. HA!! He must have slept in them. 

“Are you going to be ok? You are coming with us tomorrow?” I ask.

“Yeah I’ll be fine, John is coming out here at 5 to sit for me. And I’ll grab an hour,” he says.

“OK I’m heading to bed,” I say hugging him. “I’ll see you in the morning.” Grabbing my pop I head into the house.

Everyone must be asleep, only the small lights are on. I walk into the dining room and the glass doors open making me jump, I reach for my gun!!

Sal walks in and I relax. I look at him and say, “Goodnight.”

“Not so fast there Egypt I need to check on your shoulder,” he says.

Grumbling I say, “Fine follow me. “ I head to my bedroom.

Rufus and Herk run ahead of me down the hall. I open the door and they jump on the bed.

“Wait here I’m changing!” I say.

Sal closes the door and walks to the chair and sits down. All I really want to do is snuggle down into my blankets and go to sleep. Turning on the bathroom light I shut the door and take off my clothes and put my jammies on, tank top and shorts. Sighing I open the door and walk out. I’m so not ready for this. If I’m honest with myself I’m attracted to Sal. I mean who wouldn’t be! I just don’t want anything right now I think.

“Ok let’s get this done I’m tired and we’ve a very long day ahead of us.” I walk over to the bed and sit down.

Sal walks over and sets the med kit down. I look up at him and boy was that a mistake. Looking into his eyes I see a look that I wasn’t ready for. There’s desire in them. Clearing my throat he starts to open the kit and grabs a few things out of it. This time he doesn’t sit he nudges my leg to make me spread them apart and moves in between them. He gets to work, gently removing the old bandage and I wince.

“Sorry,” he mumbles.

He sets the old bandage down on the floor and I see that there’s bright red blood on it. He cleans the wound and re-bandages it. His hands linger on my shoulder. OK I can’t handle this and stand up. Big mistake! He doesn’t move and I’m right up against him. His hands move to my hips and rest there. My God he’s huge. I only come up to his chest.

Looking up I see he is looking down at me. I can see his eyes change colors a bit. And his nostrils flare out.

“Egypt I don’t know what it is about you but …..” Suddenly his hands are on the back of my head tangled in my hair. He slowly lowers his lips to mine. I have to stop this, I can’t, just can’t. His lips are mere inches from mine. I turn my head and I feel him stiffen up.

“I’m sorry Sal. I don’t want a relationship right now!”  I say. “I…..”

He stops me. “Egypt I’m not proposing marriage, just a kiss.”

He relaxes into me again and takes his hand to my chin and lifts my face up so that he can look me in the eyes. He doesn’t go slow this time and leans down and our lips meet. I wasn’t prepared for the feelings that go through me, it’s electrifying. He slowly moves his lips over my mine. My arms move on their own accord up his rock hard chest and wrap around his neck. Leaning into him he deepens the kiss, I get a funny flip-flop feeling in my stomach, his tongue comes out and slides against my lips and I part them so he can have access. Our tongues do an erotic dace together. My knees buckle and he holds me up. We break apart and stay as we are.

Grinning he looks into my eyes and says, “See Egypt that wasn’t so bad.” He lets me slide down his hard body so that I’m sitting on the bed. He reaches around me and grabs his bag and heads to the door. “See you in the morning Egypt. Sleep well.”