I watched as Bryce took the dog carrier and she leaned on him for support as they made their way back to the SUV.
“Hi, Eva,” said Paige with a smirk when Bryce opened the back door. “Did you hurt your ankle?”
Eva blinked in confusion. “Paige?” she said, biting her lower lip. “Yes, I think I sprained it back there.”
“You can sit in the third row seating,” Paige said as she adjusted the seat to let her in. “With your cat.”
“Oh, okay. This is Chi Chi, he’s actually a Chihuahua,” she replied, climbing in.
I turned around and faced Eva, who, as usual, was draped in expensive designer clothing and overpriced heels. She must have gotten up early to do her hair and makeup, because she looked the total opposite of me; fresh and feminine.
“Hi, Eva,” I said. “Poor little guy’s been through a lot I bet.” Chi Chi appeared to be trembling more than any animal I’d ever seen.
“Oh God, yes,” Eva said, rolling her eyes. “This has been the worst morning of my life! My mom’s chauffer was supposed to pick me up a half hour ago and take me to the airport. Obviously that incompetent idiot didn’t show up. My mom isn’t answering any calls, which is so typical of her when something goes wrong and I need her. I was so frustrated that my eyes started watering and I lost both contact lenses. Then, finally, I almost get mugged by those two creeps! I was so scared. I don’t know what would have happened if you all hadn’t shown up.”
“So you didn’t get a good look at those two guys?” I asked incredulously.
She wrinkled her nose. “No but they smelled horrible and were making some really disgusting noises. Thank goodness your cute friend stopped in time. If you ask me, they deserved what they got.” She lowered her voice to a whisper. “You know, I think they were going to rape me.”
I looked at Paige who was biting her lip to keep from laughing. I shot her a look and then turned to Eva. “Eva? What were you doing over in this area anyway?”
“We just moved into my mom’s fiancé’s house across the street over there,” she said, motioning to a giant colonial. “I was on my way to speak with the security guard in the booth when those two hoodlums started racing towards me. I don’t think I’ve ever been so scared in my life.”
It was clear that Eva had no idea what had happened in the last twenty-four hours. I knew someone had to let her know, and Paige was having too much fun listening to her to set her straight. I took a deep breath and began telling her the truth.
She interrupted me right away. “Excuse me? Have you completely lost your mind, Cassie?”
“No, she’s telling the truth,” replied Bryce from the front seat.
Eva stared in alarm at Bryce and then closed her eyes. She took a deep breath and then released it slowly.
“Okay…” she replied breathlessly, “well, I would be more inclined to believe you since you were carrying a gun and clearly saved my life. Plus, those freaks did smell absolutely horrible. What was your name again?”
“It’s Bryce,” I answered for him with clenched teeth. The fact that she thought I was lying really pissed me off.
Eva’s attention turned back to me. “Well, you may as well continue with your little story.”
“Story? It’s the facts, Eva,” snapped Paige.
“Okay, let’s just relax,” said Kristie. “It’s hard to accept what has happened and we’ve seen it with our own eyes. So imagine how difficult it is for Eva to believe.”
Paige shrugged.
Kristie’s eyes softened. “Honey,” she said. “Here are the facts; that new flu vaccine has created zombies, okay? You’re lucky we found you because you and Chi Chi…you were next on the menu. If not for the two zombies, then for the dead army coming up behind us. Holy crap! Bryce, step on it!!”
We all turned to the back window as Bryce peeled away. Hundreds of zombies were heading our way.
~~~
We decided to drive back to my house to check on Bobby and the others.
“Well,” said Kristie, shutting off her phone. “Thankfully my brother was in town visiting my mom when the zombies struck because she would have been all alone. They’re at the cabin now and didn’t have a clue as to what was going on. I told him the girls and I would head out there after we drop everyone off.”
“Are you sure you want to risk driving around by yourselves?” asked Bryce.
“You’re all free to join us if you’d like. It’s only about an hour north of here.”
I didn’t say anything. My mom, dad, and sister were all missing and that’s all I could think about at the moment.