The Nightworld - Jack Blaine [36]
“That’s when Zeke showed up. He shot two of them before they knew what was happening. I managed to kick the one who had hold of me, and Kath jumped on him. He finally ran. Zeke told the last guy to run too, or die. He ran.”
I squeeze her hand. “I’m so sorry, Lara. So sorry.” There isn’t anything else to say. Less than three weeks ago, I was here at a party. Her brother was alive and well. My friend Charlie was geeking it up. My dad was home waiting for me. I can’t believe how things have changed.
She nods. And then she says something that doesn’t go with the girl I knew, the high school prom queen, the candy-pink lip gloss aficionado. She says, “I just wish Zeke had shot them all.”
Chapter 20
When we go back in, there’s no sign of Kath or Zeke. Tank is still on the couch, but now he’s fast asleep. It’s a lot warmer than outside on the balcony, and I’m thankful for the heat coming from the fireplace.
“You guys still have gas? And power.” I nod toward the lamps.
“Not dependably. We lose the gas at least twice a day now, and one day it didn’t come on at all. It got really cold in here. The power is iffy too. And the water is pumped up here with electricity, which is what really worries me. We can’t live long without that. We do collect rainwater, but it’s not enough.”
It’s starting to sink in to me how screwed we all might be—and how clear it is that staying here really isn’t an option.
“Let’s see how lunch is coming,” says Lara, heading for the kitchen.
Zeke and Kath are standing side by side, comparing cans of food. They are a couple, judging by Zeke’s hand on Kath’s waist.
“What do you think of green beans?” Kath holds up a can for Zeke to see.
“Sounds delectable, baby.” He’s smiling. He actually looks like a nice guy at this moment. At least, nicer than the snarling jerk who met me at the door.
“Is the menu decided?” Lara says it in her snootiest voice, like she’s planning a million-dollar wedding instead of talking about canned food.
“Yes, milady, the menu is ready. Shall we dine on the good china?” Kath smiles at Lara.
“Oh! Fancy. Sounds perfect.” Lara grabs some plates from a cupboard and points to a drawer. “Silverware is in there, Nick.” I grab some forks and spoons and we all gather in the living room to eat a lunch of canned ravioli and canned green beans and Pepsi by candlelight. Tank wakes up immediately when he smells the ravioli.
“Um, is there a place I can feed him? I have some dog food in my pack.”
Lara grabs a bowl from the kitchen and we settle Tank in a corner of the living room. He looks over occasionally while he’s inhaling his food, and I can tell he thinks the ravioli is a better deal.
When we’ve finished eating, Kath brings a box from the kitchen and shyly bestows it upon Lara. “I think this should be a celebration,” she says. “In honor of finding old friends.” She smiles at me.
“The Twinkies.” The reverence in Lara’s voice makes me smile. I watch her take individually wrapped snack cakes from the box. She places one in front of each of us, and even Zeke seems to defrost a bit more.
“We found these in the 7-Eleven on Broad Street,” he says. “It looked like it was totally looted, but Kath has a nose for Twinkies.” He winked at Kath across the coffee table. “She insisted we check out the back room, and there they were. Four completely unmolested Twinkies, just sitting in their box, waiting for us.”
“I heard these will last through a nuclear bomb,” says Kath as she licks the creamy filling from hers.
“I heard that too!” Lara and Kath giggle, and it’s almost like we’re all sitting around in the school cafeteria being dumb. Only we’re not, and we may never