The World We Once Knew Read online

  Dane pulled out a small, orange tinted bottle and tipped it over in his hand. A small, white pill fell and he tossed his head back with his palm clamped around his mouth. Quinta arched an eyebrow as Dane took in a long gulp of juice before he too began to eat. She took the time out to notice that Addie was not shocked nor bothered by her brother's actions and when he glanced up, she looked down.

  Dane's gaze settled on Quinta, “So... where were you going?” He questioned.

  Wetting her lips, she rubbed the back of her neck before she blew out, “Dere is a sector a few miles up Interstate 95. Dey got occupancy for people lookin for safety. Me was goin’ dere and if yuh want to stop runnin’ den me invite yuh to accompany me.” She answered. Her gaze lingered on Addie for a long moment before she rolled her jaw and finished, “It's better den walkin’ to our death's out 'ere.”

  Hearing her out on what she was striving to do and what she heard of, Dane was on board. This was better than the plan he and Addie had which was nothing but survive until they came across somewhere safe. Nodding his head, he wiped his mouth and finished his cereal. Addie's chews slowed as she stared across at Quinta. She was in fact terrified of the life her and her brother lived through day in and out.

  She shot a glance at her brother with a new found hopeful look in her eyes, “Dane! We need to be somewhere safe! If Quinta is right I say we go for it. I don't want to die.”

  Quinta felt a pang in her side as the last portion of Addie's sentence had summed up exactly how she felt. She too had been tired of wandering the open world, tired of it all if she had to be completely honest. She didn't want to die anymore, she didn't want Dane to die, and now she had this drive to at least get these two to safety. Especially after all they'd done for her without even knowing.

  Dane shut his eyes and slowly nodded, more so to Quinta's plan rather than Addie's statement. He finished off his juice before he lifted his backpack off the counter. Addie made one more run through the store to gather anything she felt they needed while Quinta loaded up as well. She pulled the bag over her sore shoulders and arms before she pulled her machetes from their holsters. She tilted her head to the side and rubbed the dried blood against the side of her ripped jeans.

  The bright, Florida sun poured into the entrance of the dim and dark station as Dane opened the door, “Lead the way boss.” He said.

  He handed his faith and their lives into Quinta's hands now and just the look on Addie's face told him that this was the right choice. This is what he wanted above all else in case the day came where he was no longer here. He wanted Addie safe.

  While Dane and Quinta chatted away, Addie had gathered as many tradeable items she could get her paws on. Shampoos, bar soaps, and even ramen noodles. Toothbrushes and toothpaste was a rarity and not necessarily a necessity but there was always one person looking for goods. She would be damned if she didn't have them. Addie rushed towards the entrance with a smile that beamed at Quinta as they both passed Dane by. Quinta lifted her hand to shield her eyes with a dirtied map from inside in her free hand.

  Quinta glanced back and over her shoulder at the two of them before she pointed outwards, “We go about two miles down 'ere and we will get to da interstate.”

  When they left, Dane made sure that the door was fully shut for the next person that happened to wander by.

  Dane fixed his gaze on Quinta, “ If we don't find anyone alive there don't sweat it. We'll just look somewhere else.” He said as Addie's head nodded.

  Quinta gave him a soft smirk before she turned her back to them and proceeded to take the first steps of their long journey. Hopefully it would lead them to their new home. Dane now also planted the seed in her mind that this place could possibly be dead already and overrun. With a sigh, she pushed that thought from her mind and trekked onward with machetes tight in her grip. She had her fill of death for the week and she certainly did not want to see anymore.

  Dane played the part of pack mule on this trip as he held the bulk of the bags on his shoulders and back. He would pause and wait every so often to let Addie catch up while Quinta led them the way. He followed her directions when she would point out where they needed to go once they made it to a checkpoint in their trek. Addie huffed and puffed while the hot, tropical sun beat down on their backs and heads.

  Wiping the sweat from her forehead, she sighed out silently and paused for a moment before she bent over and placed her hands on her knees, “A-Are we there yet?” She questioned.

  Pausing, Quinta arched an eyebrow at Addie a few feet ahead of them before she turned her attention down the long worn, torn road. It was a hot day she had to admit, even for her but this still was tolerable to say the least.

  “We shud be dere by tomorrow mornin’. If we make good coverage.” Quinta answered.

  Throwing her head back as though it was the end of the world, Addie groaned out to herself. She was then assaulted by her older brother who pushed a hand to her head. He ruffled through her “styled” hair to get on her nerves with a grin plastered on his face. Of course, he was weak, hot, and sweaty too but being miserable wouldn't them there faster.

  Addie glared at her brother as he had that face. The expression that made her want to slap the hell out of him. She swatted his hands away and a playful shrug. The corners of her lips were tugged upwards as she'd try her hardest to stave off a smile.

  Taking into account that they had quite a bit more ground to cover, Dane walked ahead of the girls and stayed at the ready with weapon in hand. He scouted the area as they moved. Blowing out from the blazing heat above, he felt those invasive drops of sweat run down his neck. He almost felt the itch to complain but he would not give Addie the satisfaction so he kept quiet instead. After another hour or so, they stopped to catch some shade beneath a tipped trailer bed of an eighteen wheeler and took a brief rest.

  Dane kept his hands on his hips for a moment before he released a deep breath out, “Quinta please try to make note of places to stay at night. I have a map for us to look at. I'm sure you know but staying indoors when we can't see has kept Addie and I alive so far.” Dane mentioned.

  Clenching her jaw, Quinta nodded her head before she shielded her eyes and glanced up at the sky, “We still got time, let's keep movin’.” She said.

  Taking off ahead of them, Dane grinned down at Addie, “Come on, let's move.” He reiterated.

  Addie narrowed her eyes in a glare, “I heard her the first time.” She snipped

  Passing by her, Dane gave her a short look, “We can't tell when you decide to listen or not Addition.” He taunted her with a childish nickname.

  It had been a long while since he pulled that one out. He found it easier to have humor around those he was familiar with and, considering the circumstances, it didn't hurt one bit.

  Clenching her fists, Addie followed, “I'll show you Addition.” She threatened with a grumble. “I can hear just fine you rotten little...” Addie added before she trailed off her sentence.

  The group was silent now as they continued down the streets with Quinta's direction. About a half an hour later they arrived to Interstate 95. Having built enough stamina to walk the streets, Quinta stared out to the side as they headed up the curved ramp. The roads were in a sad, sad state full of scattered cars crashed and parked alike. The heat from the sun and lack of maintenance caused a rippled effect over the asphalt. The stained remnants of bodies were either eaten or washed away by the elements. Addie closed her eyes and stopped at the smell of rot and burnt flesh. With a bad feeling in his stomach, Dane looked back at Quinta with a solid frown.

  His deep and intense shades of blue stared into her determined, “What now?”

  Quinta's eyebrows tucked together as she turned to face them because she didn't understand what the problem was, “What do yuh mean, “What now?” We keep goin. Did yuh expect it to be covered in fresh asphalt? We stick together to get to da destination. Come on we losin sunlight.” She said.

  Lifting a hand, she waved them a
long with her blade in hand. She'd glance back at the large sign overhead and took note of where they entered. They had about five miles before they'd have to get off she could only hope they had enough time to make it to a stop.

  Hearing Quinta's tone, Dane thought that she sure had a way to make her point. Her voice and accent had a sort of melodic pattern to it. Tilting his head, He wandered behind her as she led on with Addie close by his side. Keeping an eye and ear out for any movements around cars, Dane wanted to get off of this as quickly as they could. Up here they were stuck and trapped with a lot spots to hide and sit between and beneath cars. He kept his bat low, looked from side to side, and under shadowed cars as he passed. He inspected slightly ahead of them now while they walked for another two, rough hours with one break in between. Dane didn't know about Addie but he had a good feeling that he was likely to be sun burnt after this.

  Crouched behind a rusted Volkswagen beetle, Dane drank a measured portion of water before he shared it with Addie and Quinta. He brushed the back of his arm over his brow and it was apparent that he matched his sister. The hot air and sweat had slicked their hair back and away from their faces. By now, Quinta also had her fill of this heat. They weren't used to traveling this long during mid-day before and admittedly Dane felt load of relief once they were at the end of their five miles. Just in time too, the sun had begun to dip lower in the sky which meant it was time to seek shelter in their area.

  Shockingly there weren't as many walkers on the highway as there were on the ground below. Somehow the undead had either migrated further down or fell to their deaths long before the three of them passed through. There was a straggler or two here and there that lurked around a car but with Dane's bat and Quinta's machete they were dead before they could react.

  Addie kept both hands on her backpack straps while she followed her brother and their companion down the ramp and beneath the bridge of the overpass for shade. They took another water and snack break as Quinta slid her bag off and pulled out the map. Pressing it against the concrete wall, sweat trickled down her face as her gaze fell on where they were to where they had to be. One finger traced along the road to the closest “safe zone” which was about a half a mile towards the beach. That was good, very good because if she remembered from the loudspeaker message, the sanctuary was seven or eight miles further on that main road.

  “Dey say dat da small restaurant...Cracker Barrel is da closest safe place to spend a night. But we’ve got to be careful...dere's shops an ah hotel near dere.” Quinta expressed.

  Dane sat down for a break and watched Quinta as she traced horizontally on the road they were traveling. He liked the sound of not having to push themselves to the sanctuary in one go because that would challenge their bodies and time they had to the limit. Something that they honestly couldn't manage now. Addie fell over onto the small concrete ledge with a thud. She watched the both of their backs before her head fell forward. The sun was brutal out there and the thick air made it almost impossible to breathe. Even though they were in the shade she could still feel the heat radiate from her skin. Rummaging through her bag on the ground between her feet, she took out a half empty bottle of sunscreen and with a huff began to slather is on her face and arms again.

  The sun had already exhausted Dane and he could only imagine what it was doing to both girls, “I was starting to think that we wouldn't be able to make the extra what...” He trailed off his sentence and stood up. Leaning over Quinta's back he continued, “Six miles? A hotel so close is taking a chance but it's looking like our only option right now. The only other safe-house I know of is about two miles straight east from here.” He muttered to her.

  He reared his hand back to a point across her map that she didn't have marked down. This was out of the way from the direction they needed to go and defeated the purpose. Lifting his shirt, Dane rubbed his face to rid his features of sweat. He furrowed his brows and panted out from his heat exhaustion.

  She watched her brother as he began to speak, “I say we do it. Try to make it in there as quietly as we can, set up a barricade, and then you and I go to kill off those in close proximity.” He said with his eyes locked onto Quinta.

  He counted on their partnership to make tonight safe.

  With Dane's figure towering over her, Quinta rubbed her hand along her nose and mouth to rid of the extra sweat, “We not goin ta make it dere today. Me agree.” She answered as she met her gaze with his and gave him a simple nod.

  Dane returned the gesture, “Maybe we can restock a bit if we find a store worthwhile. What do you say?” He questioned as he pulled away from her.

  He took a moment to bend down and prop his elbows on his knees before he rubbed his hands together. His head turned and his blue eyes bounced between the two of them to get their input on the plan before he stood straight.

  At the sound of possibly restocking and finding even more to sell, Addie pushed her sore body up, “That sounds like a plan. I'll do anything to get out of this damn heat.” She whispered.

  Coming to an agreement, Dane got ready to leave. If this is what they were going to do they didn't need to kill more sunlight. He swung his bat up to rest along his shoulder and secured his pack before he led the way a few steps ahead.

  Quinta gazed out towards the right past Addie's shoulders. The sun hung low in the sky barely above the treetops which meant that night was soon on them. As Addie passed her by, Quinta bent down and packed the map away before she slung her back over her shoulder and hurried after them.

  “Me don't tink we will make it for da stores. We can do dat tomorrow mornin’.” She said to them once in earshot. She mindlessly pat one of her blades along her thigh as they continued on, “Maybe da restaurant will have some canned food to eat.” She added in thought.

  Dane nodded and kept his eyes forwards towards their destination. It was about fifteen minutes when they could see the restaurant's sign in view. Adorned with faded and worn red, white, and blue cloth sashes to attract the attention of tourists. His gaze keenly scanned the roads and buildings they passed.

  Quinta's gaze was locked on the large Target plaza across the street. Those areas were known to be a breeding ground for the walking dead. Mini malls, hospitals, hotels, airports, and anything that held a lot of people during the outbreak were known as red zones. One should only go in there for emergencies and even then, never expect to make it out alive.

  There was one in the middle of the lot with his arms curled in and his head bent back. He stood there for what seemed to be hours on end in twitchy, jerked movements. He was bait. All they needed to do was grab his attention and the masses that lurked in the blackened buildings behind him would rush out to swarm them. The ones that roamed this Earth were different than what was portrayed in the movies. Sure, there were some that aimlessly roamed around without much life left. There were also the advanced and the cunning. It all depended on how the virus reacted to their DNA. Quinta learned that the hard way.

  There was a universal rule trio knew to follow. No speaking and not a sound if they could help it until they were in a safe place. He gestured a thumb up to the two women that so far things were good. Just as they began to cross past a Rooms-To-Go furniture store, he caught sight of a stagnant figure perched against the glass entrance. With a firm grip on his sister's shoulders, he urged her faster in front of him with a stern expression. Addie hurried with her brother into the restaurant and saw that they were alone and would not share company with another group tonight. This was to be expected. Being this close to the sector, no one but them had to sleep in unknown territory.

  With the orange sun casting their shadows against the walls further in the building, Dane shut the door behind them carefully. He took a moment to look the both of the girls in their eyes and with a few steps he glanced around the area. With breaths held, the rumors were true from what he could see.

  It was safe.

  On the counter where the cash register sat, there were a few spare cases of amm
o, two rolls of toilet paper, and a small paper bag of canned food. Many of the windows were boarded up with a bit of light that filtered through the holes and cracks. There was even an old chalkboard that still had their newest breakfast advertised.

  Finally feeling as though he could breathe easy, it was an obvious fact that stress was a normal occurrence in this way of life. Feeling sick to his stomach and with Quinta's help, he began to shove planks and scattered furniture against the handles and prop the doors shut.

  Addie passed through the desecrated gift shop and entered the dining room before she plopped down at one of the tables and laid her head down on its surface. Feeling a bit out of breath and wanting to eat, Dane wasn't far behind her, and Quinta left the both of them with her bag by the door and machetes in hand to check out the bathroom.

  Addie wet her lips and sat up while Dane came to sit in one of the rickety, wooden chairs across from her. He fiddled with his medicine bottle and rolled a pill into his palm before he reached for the last bit of his water. Tossing it back, he flicked open a pocket knife he'd recently found and began to cut open one of the cans. Just from the dark circles beneath his eyes and the lasting red on his cheeks, Addie could see how worn out he was and how hard he pushed himself more than usual to bring them closer to a safer place. He rolled the can in his hands before he glanced up and saw her eyes on him.

  A moment of silence passed between them before he cleared his dried throat, “It's too late to clear the outside. So, find where you're sleeping and stay close.” He muttered towards her.

  There wasn't much he could say and found himself to be rather apathetic and weak from how long he went without properly eating. Nodding her head through his numbed explanation, Addie bit her bottom lip worriedly while she stared at his medication bottle. Standing to make space for them to sleep on the tables, Addie was stopped. Dane grabbed Addie by her shoulder and brought her into an affectionate embrace. Pulling her in, he touched his head to hers in a caring gesture. Her eyes fell shut and her face twisted in an empathetic nature. She quickly threw her arms around his shoulders and held him tight even when he released her. As she clung to him, Dane couldn't help but feel warm and a light inside of him that burned deeply for his sister. A gentle smile actually formed in the corners of his mouth as he set his hand against her head and stroked her hair back.