They walked along Interstate 90. The long, flat plains stretched out on either side of them. Only a few traffic pile-ups appeared along this stretch of the road, and the group searched each vehicle for food and water. The runners appeared sporadically. Sometimes they would walk for long periods of time without seeing them, and then they'd look out onto the massive expanse and see a group of zombies sprinting across the plains as if they were a pack of wild horses. At night the group slept in the long weeds of the plains, spooning against each other for warmth and immunity. Come morning, if they found no water the night before, they would drink the dew off the nearby grasses.
Rachael couldn't believe the natural beauty all around her. The plains appeared to go on forever. Everything seemed bigger and grander in scale, especially the night sky with its proliferation of stars and far flung galaxies. It seemed so foreign and strange from the cloistered life back at the Amish compound that it overwhelmed her. They walked for days and she never got tired of taking it all in, all these wondrous new sights and sounds.
The nearer they got to Rapid City the more zombies appeared. The sight of this new breed freaked her out (she was also learning the new vernacular). At least the old ones she could prepare for and take out if necessary. These new mutants were unpredictable and ferocious, often changing behavior in midstream. Sometimes the runners would stand off to the side and observe them closely, and then suddenly dash off for no apparent reason. She could never quite shake the feeling that they might attack the group at any moment. But as long as they kept their hands clasped and connected to Annabelle they remained safe.
Miles before they reached Rapid City, Tony detoured them south on Route 79. They walked for days until the plains started to give rise to hillier terrain. After a few days of walking they arrived into a small town called Hot Springs. Walking through the center of town, her heartbeat raced as she noticed all the zombies standing around and watching them, or else sprinting randomly down the town's main street. She stared up at all the old red clay buildings they passed, hand in hand, imagining what it must have been like here a hundred years ago.
“It's too dangerous to stay here for the night,” Tony said. “We should keep on moving.”
“I agree,” Dar said.
Rachael kept her eye on one runner in particular, a lean, scrawny looking guy covered in long black scars. The zombie seemed to follow their every move. He looked ready to attack at any time, opening his mouth like a predator and hissing. Then, without warning, he began to sprint toward the middle of their chain. She glanced at the others, but no one noticed the errant zombie coming near. She cried out to warn them just as he broke through the middle of their clasped hands as if playing a game of Red Rover. At that moment, the back half of their group became vulnerable. The face of every runner in town turned toward their group. The zombie who broke the chain stopped and turned to face them. He rushed Gritz and jumped on top of him, releasing him from Tony's grip. The remaining zombies began to sprint toward them.
As the members tried to reconnect, Gritz struggled to keep the zombie from biting him. Rachael was just about to run over and help the soldier when Dar appeared out of nowhere and chopped the zombie's head off. Gritz jumped to his feet and pulled out his flanged mace, and the two of them began to kill the on-rushers. But she knew they wouldn't survive long amongst these fast moving zombies. They swung frantically, dispatching as many as possible. Rachel ran to the back of the line, and grasping Tony's hand, dragged the group back toward Gritz and Dar. She spread her long, lithe body as far as it would go, and reached out and grabbed hold of Gritz's waist, saving him.
But Dar had drifted too far out into the road and found herself an island among the dead. Dar swung the ax nonstop, the blade whirring so fast that she could barely see it moving. Blood and brain matter flew up everywhere. Seeing an open lane, Dar bolted over to a large brick building, dodging the dead standing in her path. She dropped the ax and grabbed hold of the awning pole, and swung around, kicking any zombies trying to grab hold of her. They fell back against each other before making another charge. Dar hoisted herself atop the pole until she had climbed onto the striped awning. Below her, the dead roared and reached up toward her. One of the zombies even tried to pull himself up the pole but fell back down when she booted him in the head.
“Hold on, Dar, we'll be right there!” Gritz shouted.
“Hurry up before one of these fuckers actually climbs up here,” she said, kicking another pursuer in the face.
The group made their way over. The mob beneath the awning grew larger, sensing the availability of flesh. Styx raised his arms and cried out for his mother. Dar stared down at the swarm, calculating how she could safely make her way down without getting infected.
“I can't make it over to you guys with all these fuckers standing around. There's too many of them.”
“The awning spans the length of the hotel,” said Gritz, picking up her ax. “We're going to position ourselves at the end of the building. Once we get there, you'll need to sprint the length of it and then jump off. There's some trees that will block them long enough to give you a head start. I'll catch you.”
“Sounds like a plan. I'm going to jump off head first, bro, so hold those big arms out good and steady. I need something to aim for.”
“See that clump of trees up against the middle section of the hotel? They'll hold those runners long enough to give you a running start.”
“Reminds me of my gymnastics days,” Dar said, flexing her neck.
“You're going to need a perfect landing for this event,” Gritz said. “Silver medal means you die.”
Rachael felt her heart race as they positioned themselves behind where the awning formed a right angle to the building. She pressed her hand against Gritz’s back while he stood ten feet from the awning with his arms extended. The area around them was clear, as most of the zombies were gathered below Dar and screeching wildly for blood. The awning at the center pitched at a slight angle and if Dar slipped she could easily tumble off the side and into their awaiting arms. Making matters more difficult, she had to sprint over the building's entrance, which shot up like an inverted V. Then she had to keep her balance while continuing on to the other side.
A massive crowd of runners formed beneath Dar, pushing and shoving one another in order to climb the pole. Rachael realized that one of them would make it up eventually if Dar didn't hurry up and get off that awning. Dar kicked another zombie in the head as he tried to pull himself up, and he went cascading back down into the arms of the horde. She raised her hand and took a deep breath, counted down with her fingers, and then took off sprinting across the striped fabric.
Rachael held her breath watching Dar streak across the tattered material, praying that her feet would not get caught in one of the holes in the tattered fabric. Once they saw Dar moving, the runners followed alongside her. They screamed and clawed each other only to jam up at the grove of trees in front of the building. Dar hurdled over the inverted V section of the awning rather than try and short-step it. Once she reached the last stretch of the pitched material, she sped up and put her arms out over her head. Then she leaped off as if she were one of those cliff divers.
She soared through the air, arms outstretched, appearing almost bird-like. Rachael thought it an amazing sight, seeing her in mid-flight like that. The horde pushed past the grove of trees and sprinted toward her. She watched as Dar glided to the earth and landed perfectly in Gritz's outstretched arms. He caught her cleanly and then quickly put her down, and just as quickly the two of them reconnected with the others. The zombies stopped once they reached them, looking around in confusion for their missing prey. As soon as they realized that there was nothing there for them, they split off in different directions. She and the others cheered, joining in a celebratory hug. Styx jumped up and down, hugging and kissing his mother and looking like he'd never again let her go.
Tears streamed down Rachael’s eyes. As stubborn and demanding as Dar could be, she couldn't possibly imagine going on without her. Her upbringing had taught her to be humble and live without ego, and she thought at the time that such traits had been proper for a God-fearing person. But after witnessing Dar's forceful nature, Rachael’s entire belief system had been turned upside down. The world was not cloistered and orderly like an Amish community, but messy and turbulent, and it took great cunning and skill to succeed in it. She understood that she'd never be like Dar. No one could possibly acquire all the traits that she possessed, nor would anyone want to have many of them. But if she could be like anyone, even just a little, Rachael realized she'd be most like Dar.
They moved out of the small town, trekking along Route 85 and deeper into the Black Hills and toward the sacred ground of Tony's people. Just the name of the place caused her imagination to run wild: Black Hills and wind caves. And to think she would have missed all this had she stayed home.
* * *
The long journey had tired him out, but Virgil felt as good as ever. The omnipresence of the horde had ceased causing him any more anxiety. He'd put his life in the hands of a higher being, whoever or whatever that being was, just like he had when he'd been a young boy. He'd finally come to trust in Annabelle and her protective hold over them. He'd also come to accept the inevitability of death, whether that be by infection or some other cause. But mostly he took solace in the fact that death was in everyone's future. No one would live forever.
His legs felt weary, but considering the miles they’d walked, he'd also never felt better. He'd moved up a few holes in his belt and could feel his belly shrinking. All the walking combined with the severe food restrictions had helped him shed weight. Even Annabelle commented on his svelte new figure, and her noticing had made his day.
They walked north on Route 385, deeper into the heart of the sacred Black Hills. The scenery took his breath away. They walked for days until they arrived onto a rolling prairie. The grasses everywhere swayed in the gentle breeze. They hiked up a plateau until they had a three hundred and sixty degree view of the landscape. The hills were forested on both sides. He saw beautiful meadows filled with wheatgrass, bluegrass and an abundance of wildflowers that were starting to come into bloom. A group of elk ran through the meadow off in the distance. But what he saw next stunned him. About five zombies were sprinting after the majestic beasts.
Everyone let out an audible gasp at seeing the runners catch up to one of the tired elk and set upon it.
But then something amazing happened. Three horse riders rode up to the five zombies, now squatting over the downed elk, lifted their bows and arrows, and shot them in the head. The men dismounted and stood over the elk, which to his great relief had not yet been bitten. The beast began to wriggle and move. It stood up in the grasses and glanced around. One of the men slapped it in the butt with his bow and the elk sprinted off and disappeared. The three horse riders turned and began to gallop in their direction. Tony moved to the front of the group and waved his arm at them and they raised their arms in acknowledgment.
“I thought we would have to find them. But what great luck. My people have found us instead,” Tony announced, turning to his fellow travelers.
“Your people are some serious badasses,” Dar said.
“You've got that right. This is the home of our ancestors and the long held myth has it that the first people came from deep within the earth's core through the system of caves running under the hills. It's where, the story has it, mankind inhaled his first breath of life.”
“Very cool,” Annabelle said, clapping her hands.
“This myth was passed down to me many years ago when I was a young boy.”
“You know what else they say came from deep within the earth?” Virgil said, smiling.
“Yes, bacteria. It emerged from the depths of the earth from the moment the planet began to churn, producing the most basic forms of life. The land provides for us, Virgil, and I believe it also holds the answer to our problem. My people have maintained a deep spiritual and historical connection to this land.” He pointed toward a tree. “See that cedar over there? The cedar is considered sacred and is believed to help heal the sick by cleansing their blood. Lakota tribes from other nations were known to come to the Black Hills in order to bring back some our precious cedar.”
“Tell us more of your wonderful stories,” Rachael said as the three horseback riders continued to approach.
“Come spring a young man would take part in a ceremonial sweat lodge and then go to a secluded spot high up in the Black Hills. He would make certain offerings to the Great Mystery and pray to it, hoping it would take pity on him. If he was lucky, the animals and spirits would temporarily possess him, giving him their powers. Once, one of our ancestors communicated with a white buffalo and it gave him the power of endurance and told him that he would be protected from arrows and bullets. He lived to be over one hundred years old. Another person saw a wolf and the wolf informed him that he would be able to outrun the most determined of enemies. How is that for a story, Rachael?”
“Amazing. But are they true?” Rachael asked.
“They are myths passed down from generation to generation.”
“But you're a scientist, Tony. Do you really believe in them?” Rachael asked.
“Do you still believe in the Biblical teachings that your Amish elders have passed onto you, Rachael?”
“I'm not sure what I believe anymore.”
“I believe everything is grounded in some sort of truth. We all have our traditions and belief systems,” he said, touching her shoulder. “Whatever we believe, we cannot lose the oral traditions linking us to our past. It's why it's so important to pass them onto future generations and ensure that they become part of our history. It's why we must survive this plague and protect our heritage, and make sure the next generation of children understands where they came from.”
“You're right. And President Roberts told me just as much. No matter what happens, I should never forget where I came from. And I promise you all that I won't.”
Still spellbound by the beauty of the landscape and the horrors that still scarred the land, Virgil watched as the three horsemen rode up the plateau and toward them. As they got closer, he could see that one of them was not a man, but a woman, and a beautiful woman at that. They stopped their horses a few feet from where their group stood, their bows and arrows sticking out of the packs on their backs. Their dark skin and clothing made it obvious that the three of them were Native Americans. They even resembled Tony. The older man riding front and center stared down at Tony while his horse brayed and rose up on two legs.
“Whoa, boy. Relax,” the man said, petting the horse's mane and calming him down. He glanced back up and looked at them. “You're back, Wandering Buffalo. It's been a long time since we've seen you.”
“It's been four long years since I returned home. I'm so sorry for being away for so long, Papa. How's mama doing?”
“No need for apologies,” he said, dismounting and then holding onto the horse's reins. The other two behind him dismounted as well. “Your mother passed onto the spiritual realm six months ago. Don't worry, son, she's safe and protected now.”
“I see,” Tony said, wiping the tears from his eyes. “We've come a long way to get here.”
“Get over here, kiddo. I've missed you so damn much,” the man said, extending his arms and pulling Tony to him.
“And I've missed you as well, Papa,” Tony said, embracing him. He released his grip and greeted the younger man and woman. “ And you as well, Annie, and you too Mad Bear.”
“The world has undergone a radical shift, son, and we feared you were dead. The Great Mystery out there must have been really watching out for you.”
Tony laughed. “If only that were true, Papa. The truth is, these kind people saved me and helped me return to this ancestral land of ours. Without them I would never have made it home.”
Tony proceeded to introduce them all to his father and two siblings
“Papa, how have you and the others managed to survive through the plague?”
“The Great Sadness that has descended on this world has caused much pain and suffering. Many have lost family members on account of the dead rising up,” he said, walking to the precipice of the plateau they were standing on and scanning the land. “But it has also been a gift in many ways too. It has returned us to a time when we roamed the plains and lived closer to the land. The Great Sadness has liberated us from the terrible ills that have been inflicted upon the Lakota by modern society, such as addiction, gambling and dependency on the state. We are once again the people we were meant to be, free and living off the land like true Lakotas.”
“But how, Papa? Didn't the dead overrun you and the others?”
His sister stepped forward. “We've had many brave people on the reservation, Tony, people who risked their lives in order to protect us from the dead. We managed to migrate back here after a considerable struggle, and take up the traditional ways of our ancestors. When the dead changed yet again, becoming faster and more elusive, we also had to adapt to the new environment.”
“The Great Mystery was watching out for us, son. Our people have settled in and around the Wind Caves, the place where the earth exhales its life-giving forces. It speaks to us in a low, mysterious tone. Fortunately for us, it also keeps the dead at bay.”
“The undertone!” exclaimed Annabelle.
“Something like that,” Tony said to her. He turned to his father. “I'll explain everything to you later, Papa. But for now we're tired and hungry.”
“Of course, and I hope you will explain many things to me, things which I have no understanding of,” he said, laughing. “We've been blessed to have someone in our group who can see visions and who can relate these visions back to us. Everyone calls him Chased by Spirits, because that's how we came by him.”
“He was running from the dead when you found him?”
“Yes, you could say that,” he said, smiling. “He's very spiritual, quiet you might say, and he prefers to keep to himself most of the time. When the spirit moves him, he hikes up to higher ground and then waits for the visions to come to him. He hears voices in the wind and sees spirits in the trees, rocks and prairie grasses.”
“I would very much like to meet this man,” Tony said.
“In due time that can be arranged. Our base camp is about five miles from here. We should start back now before it gets late.”
Tony's father turned and nodded at his ruggedly handsome son. He mounted his horse and rode over to Dar and Styx, extending his hand. Without hesitation, Dar grabbed his hand and pulled herself and her son up, settling on the horse. The man turned the horse around and Virgil saw Dar's backpack and ax still clinging to her. The horse took off galloping down the meadow and through the grassy plains, the sound of its hooves echoing in the valley.
Virgil and the others began the last trek of their journey, following behind the two other horse riders. The blue sky radiated above, illuminating all the beautiful wildflowers surrounding them. They held hands as they walked through the tall wheatgrass, and yet it didn't feel as if they had to protect themselves. He felt it a spontaneous, joyous response at having been rescued by a people with a deeper connection to this land.
Annabelle squeezed his palm and smiled at him. He smiled back at her and glanced to his left and saw Rachael looking around in wonder, awestruck by the beauty all around her. Curious for knowledge, he thought, vowing to teach Rachael all he knew about human biology. As for Annabelle, he still held out hope that she might someday see him in a different light. At least physically, he no longer resembled the fumbling, chubby professor from old. He'd come to learn a lot about himself during this journey and felt better equipped to interact with others in the community.
Was this the last stop in life's journey? He didn't know, nor was it germane at this point. If he was destined to travel west with Dar then so be it. Maybe after experiencing this new life, Dar would decide to forego her quest in lieu of staying here and raising her son.
The horse riders stopped mid-stride, and Virgil wondered what was happening. Did they see another group of runners off in the distance? The ground underneath his feet began to rumble and shake, and when he looked to his left he saw a herd of buffalo running out from behind a hill and beginning to cross their path. Rachael squealed with delight and clapped her hands excitedly. Near the back of the herd he saw something amazing. A small white buffalo ran alongside its mother. Virgil watched in wonderment as the herd passed them by.
“The white buffalo appeared two weeks ago,” Tony's father turned and said to them. “It's an extremely fortuitous omen to the Lakota people.”
“What does it mean?” Virgil asked.
“In the story of our people's history, the Buffalo Nation sent a strong, handsome woman to us during a time of hardship. She tells two hunters that the Great Mystery has smiled on everyone present. Then she instructs the Lakota on their obligations and responsibilities. As she is set to depart, she turns into a white buffalo calf, and because of that transformation, myth has it that this is the reason why the Lakota have become a strong and enduring people just like the buffalo.”
“Dar is exactly like that buffalo girl!” Rachael said. “It can't be a mere coincidence.”
“Who's Dar?” the elder asked.
Rachael pointed her finger at the sight of Dar, Styx and Mad Bear riding off in the distance. The elder man turned and smiled, and when the buffalo herd finally passed, he placed his heel into the horse's side and continued forward.