“Okay. But who’s going to cover you?” I was concerned about his welfare.
Henry turned and grabbed my chin. “Don’t worry about me, love, I’ve got this. Trust me, I know what I am doing.” He kissed me on the forehead, dropping the keys in my open hand. Both Claire and I took a deep breath, looked at each other, and ran like we had never run before.
I hit the unlock button on the fob twice, mid-stride. We looked back for a brief moment when we heard several rounds go off. Henry’s boots were clunky and too big, and I felt the workout pants heading south. Thank fuck the truck wasn’t that far from the door.
I jumped in the driver’s seat, while Claire got in behind me. I tossed my bag back to her. Instinctively, I locked the doors. I turned the key and the engine roared to life. I wasn’t used to a vehicle of that size.
I had a compact, craptastic car. Henry kept insisting that I pick out a new car, but I didn’t want to accept that from him. He said that, one day, he was just going to pull up in one and drop the keys in my purse, steal the other car, and set it ablaze in an empty parking lot. That Henry of mine was such a character. I never thought he would actually do something like that…but I wasn’t so sure anymore.
He even had the audacity to take me out on a date to a car dealership. Days prior, he and the salesman spoke about what he thought I would like and would accept. As soon as I realized what was going on, I refused to even look at the cars that he had lined up outside, ready for me to take a test drive in.
Henry apologized profusely to the salesman for my stubborn ways and we left the dealership without a new car. He ranted at me in his own soft manner on the way to dinner.
The radio was on in the truck. I was a bit startled by emergency tones, followed by a recording telling everyone to stay inside their homes until further notice. Being the rebel that I am, I ignored the directions and shut off the radio.
A few more shots rang out. I looked back at Claire and said, “Ready?”
“Ready.”
I threw the truck in drive and hit the gas. The tires spun and I sped over to the door where Henry was waiting. I whipped the truck around and slammed on the brakes. Henry’s face was priceless as he hustled over to the driver’s side. He moved like he was in military combat mode. I was still confused as to how he was able to hide all this from me.
“Move over.” He waved at me to move to the passenger side. Oh, there it was again, that bossy attitude which I adored, but would never admit. Was he ever going to learn that I don’t take directions very well?
I put on my best angelic face. “I can drive.”
He raised his left eyebrow. “I see that, but…just…move on over, would you?”
“Fine.” I climbed over the console to the passenger seat, and Henry jumped in, tossing his bag at me. I tossed it back to Claire.
“Buckle up, ladies. We’re going for a wild ride. Elaina, I want you to have your gun ready.”
“Just remember, I’ve never shot a gun before.”
“Now is a perfect time to learn. Just don’t shoot me accidentally on purpose.” He winked at me and I couldn’t help but throw a soft smile back at him. I have to admit that his real voice was a bit sexy. I just wished I knew the real Henry -- or was it Liam?
“Hey, both of you!” Henry and I jumped. “Look!” Claire was pointing frantically. There was an undead man staggering around like he was looking for his car, but I would imagine that he was looking for a meal. He must have been rather fresh because his suit wasn’t too messy, besides the giant bloodstain down the front. I shuddered.
“Oh, bloody hell. Claire, hand me that shotgun. Elaina, shoot only if I tell you.” Henry rolled down his window, put the truck in drive, and gunned it toward the undead man.
My heart was trying to escape through my chest. I could hear Claire’s quick breathing. Henry slammed on the brakes and threw it in park. Nothing like a little whiplash to make the day even better. I grumbled and rubbed my neck.
“Keep your windows up right now. I’ve got this. Hey!” Henry yelled out the window and the undead man looked toward us, snarled, and started stumbling toward the truck. Henry jumped out.
I went into an instant panic. “Henry! Get back in!”
Without turning around, he yelled, “Shut it, Elaina! I’ve got this!”
“Henry! Henry, please!” He pumped the shotgun and, without aiming, he shot the undead man in a matter of seconds.
He jumped back in, buckled up, and jammed the shifter into drive. He floored it and, before I could yell “No!” he ran over the newly true dead man. Claire screamed.
“What the hell did you do that for?”