Lane would never admit it, but the visit to Lands End Marine Supply was a good idea. Her jeans, shoes, and socks were soaked through. Plus, the jacket she had on was not at all warm. Lane put the new items in her bag. She didn’t feel comfortable changing in the middle of the shop. They were too exposed, and she wanted to be somewhere safe.
Being in Lands End Marine Supply with Wendy and Teensy while the world went to shit outside was an exercise in weird. The two of them were acting like they were on a little shopping trip. Teensy bowled straight in and shouted at the top of her lungs, “Any of you fucking nasty zombies are in here, I’m going to pop the yellow goo right out of your heads.”
“Teensy,” Lane hissed, “what are you doing?”
“Making sure those creepy shitheads know we’re here,” Teensy said and started eying up shovels near the entrance.
“And what if there’s loads of them? You’re going to fight them all off by yourself?”
“Sure. I was a marine for fifteen years. These assholes don’t bother me a bit.” Teensy smiled at Lane, and there was nothing friendly about it. “They’ve fucked up my town. I’d love a crack at a few more of them.”
“And what if they’re here with the chief zombie?” Lane asked.
Teensy frowned. “He’s a different story. We’d probably be best off running if he’s here. But if he was, he would’ve zapped us already.” Teensy held out one of her baseball bats and pointed it at Lane. “Pow.”
Lane grinned. “Pow?”
“Yeah. Pow. I’m not an idiot. My baseball bats aren’t going to do a damn thing against him. You ever seen anything like that before?” Teensy asked.
“Never in my life. But then, I’ve never seen a regular zombie before either,” Lane said.
“You make a good point. How do you think they got here? Experiment gone wrong?”
Lane had no idea, but she knew someone who probably did. She turned to the aisle where she’d last seen Wendy.
“Where did Wendy go?” Lane asked, realizing that Wendy had disappeared.
“Probably to get a new bag. That’s why we’re here. You should get some new pants and shoes. Don’t want to get sick.” Teensy grinned.
Lane couldn’t help but laugh. “God forbid I catch a cold. Meet you back here in five minutes?”
“Sure. Scream if you need us,” Teensy said.
Lane walked down the tightly packed aisles. There was a lot of stuff here. Tools, cleaning products, and dog food sat side by side with waders, hats, jeans, and boots. There were sweatshirts and fishing rods, key rings and camping chairs.
Lane found a pair of sturdy looking boots in her size and put them on. They weren’t exactly her style, but they were waterproof and dry. She found some jeans that didn’t look terrible and a soft, warm sweatshirt. She decided to pick up a bag herself, a claw hammer, and a mallet. She’d need to get close to use them as weapons, but currently she only had bare hands, so anything was an improvement on that.
Lane had figured out that popping their heads killed them—or whatever a zombie version of death was—so knives would be no good. And she wanted something she could wield easily enough. She wasn’t small but she wasn’t built like Teensy. She paused a moment, realizing she was deep in thought about picking out the best implement to kill someone with. What the fuck had happened to her life? She’d come to Provincetown to get Meg back, and now here she was, testing the weight of a mallet, trying to decide if it was heavy enough to smash through bone and brain matter.
And what about Meg? Was she safe? Did she reach Joanne’s apartment? Lane couldn’t contemplate the idea she hadn’t. But then, when it came to Meg there was a lot Lane wouldn’t contemplate. Had she been a fool to come here and try to win Meg back? Meg’s reaction said she was, but all the same, Lane couldn’t find it in herself to regret the decision. Especially in light of recent events. Lane didn’t consider herself a hero, but she knew she’d lay down her life for Meg in an instant.
And if she would do that, then maybe she wasn’t the coward she’d always thought she was. Maybe there was a lot more to her than she thought. She’d already fought for her own life several times to get here.
All she needed now was for Meg to be okay. Meg was a survivor. Even back in London Lane knew that. There was a toughness to Meg that she’d always admired. There was also a wall around Meg that Lane found pretty much impossible to break down. She wondered if maybe the two went hand in hand. If maybe Meg wasn’t able to have one without the other.
Once she was happy with the items she’d chosen, Lane went back to the front of the shop and waited for the others. She could hear them near the back. What was taking them so long? All Lane wanted to do was get to the Squealing Pig and see if Meg was there yet.
Part of her wanted to head straight over to Joanne’s house. But they’d agreed to meet in the Pig, and Lane had to believe Meg would be there.
They needed to make a plan. Surely it wouldn’t be long before people outside Provincetown realized something was wrong. They’d send in the army or something. All Lane and Meg had to do was wait it out. Lie low until the cavalry arrived. Leaving was too risky. They’d seen what the chief zombie could do to cars. And to the bus. Lane wondered who’d been on the bus. And whether any of them had survived. She hoped so but doubted it.
Behind her, a bell tinkled as the shop door opened. Lane turned, hoping it was Meg. It wasn’t. All she could think before she raised her hammer was that Teensy was going to be happy.
* * *
Meg led Lois along the beach. For some reason, the zombies didn’t seem to come down to the waterfront. They preferred the main streets. She guessed maybe because that’s where most people were. In all the movies she’d seen and books she’d read, she never heard about a zombie who was afraid of water.
Just as they were coming up the side of the Lands End hardware store, Lois stopped.
“What’s up, honey?” Meg asked.
“Can’t you hear that?” Lois looked towards the store with her eyes wide.
“Hear what?” Meg couldn’t hear a thing.
“There’s zombies in there.” Lois shivered and Meg pulled her close.
“We’ll be real quiet so they don’t hear us. Okay?” Meg ran her hand over Lois’s head. She felt her nod.
“How can you even hear them?” Meg whispered.
Lois shrugged. “My mommy says I have bat ears.”
Meg didn’t comment on Lois’s use of present tense. The kid had enough going on trying to process her town suddenly filling with zombies. Besides, she knew Joanne was gone. Meg didn’t need to remind her.
“Come on,” Meg whispered again.
They made it to the Squealing Pig. Meg still had her key, but she didn’t need it. When she pushed on the door, it swung open. She felt her heartbeat speed up.
Meg moved Lois behind her and stepped inside. She hefted the rock they always used to hold the door open. Just in case.
“Lois, can you hear anybody through there?” Meg pointed to the bar.
“No. At least, nobody shouting,” Lois said.
Meg inched forward, painfully aware she had nothing to defend either Lois or herself with.
She rounded the corner into the bar. Men’s and ladies’ rooms were to the left, and she spared them a quick glance. She doubted zombies would have the wherewithal to hide, but she’d found Celia in the storeroom back at the library. She guessed one could be back there. But first things first. She had to make sure the bar was clear.
“Lois, you wait here. If you see or hear anything, I want you to run to the beach.”
“Okay.”
Lois gripped the back of Meg’s jacket, and they shuffled forward. In the bar, something crashed to the ground. Then, the sound of a low groan.
* * *
Lane swung again and connected with the woman’s head. She tried hard to push the idea that this was a woman out of her head. Someone who’d once loved and laughed. Lane swung again, and the zombie went down.
Behind her, Teensy let out a war cry. Lane turned and watched her belt a zombie so hard her bat snapped. The woman was fucking mental, but thank God for her.
Wendy was probably cowering in a corner somewhere. But Lane didn’t blame her. She’d do the same if she could.
“Lane,” Teensy called, “heads-up.”
Lane turned around just in time to see a zombie lunging for her. She took a step backwards and tripped. She pinwheeled her arms in an effort to stay upright, and the hammer flew out of her hand.
It was no good. She fell. The zombie followed her down.
* * *
Meg shoved Lois back out into the short corridor. “Run.”
She didn’t look back to see if Lois had obeyed her. Instead, she went left into the kitchen. There would be something in there she could use to defend herself.
She pulled up short when she saw two zombies in there. They had their backs turned, and she was sure they didn’t know she was here.
Yet.
Meg went back out the way she’d come and saw Lois waiting by the door. “I told you to run.”
“I did. They’re out there too.”
“What?” Meg pushed past Lois and opened the door a crack.
Lois was right. She managed to push the door shut just as one zombie lunged at her. She slammed the deadbolt into place.
What were they going to do? They were effectively trapped. She had no idea how many zombies were in the bar. But even if there was just one, that still made it three against one.
Meg squeezed her eyes shut and tried to think. The doors out front would be locked. Not enough time to open them and get out. Unless…
She turned and crouched in front of Lois. “Honey, I need you to listen very carefully and do exactly as I say.”
Lois nodded and bit her lip.
“We’re going to make a run for it. You’ll need to stay real close to me. When I say so, I want you to run for the front door, unlock it, and take off. Just keep running, okay?”
Lois shook her head. “What about you?”
“Don’t you worry about me. I want you to run and hide and wait for the army or the cops or whoever the fuck comes.” Meg gripped Lois’s shoulders. “Promise me.”
“I don’t want to leave you,” Lois whispered.
“You have to. We’re in a bit of a bind here. I know your mom would want you to be okay. Wouldn’t she?”
Meg knew it was a bit of a low blow, but Meg needed Lois to do what she said. It was unlikely both of them were getting out of here alive, and Meg didn’t see any other way.
“Lois?”
“Okay. I promise.”
Meg pulled Lois into a hug and gathered the courage to do what she had to next.
* * *
Lane was sure it was curtains for her as the zombie bore down. She kicked out in an effort to dislodge it, but the zombie took the blow and probably a couple of cracked ribs with equanimity. She tried to turn and crawl, but it landed on her and took all the wind out of her.
Lane clawed at the scuffed lino in an effort to drag herself away. It was no good. She felt the zombie’s rancid breath tickle her cheek and ruffle her hair. The smell was awful. Wet and warm and rotten.
Suddenly, it was gone. Tossed aside like it weighed nothing. Lane jumped up and saw Teensy grab it by the scruff of the neck and seat of its pants and launch it across the shop and into a display of tents.
“You okay there, Lane?” Teensy called out.
“Yeah. Fine. Thanks.”
“No bites?”
Lane looked down at herself. A smear of something across her belly. She lifted her shirt. Dry underneath. No wounds. She sighed with relief and swallowed.
“No. I’m good.”
“Get your hammer then. I just saw a bunch of those suckers head over to the Pig. Isn’t that where we’re meeting Meg and the little one?”
“Yeah.” Lane pulled off her sweatshirt, grabbed a hoodie from a nearby rack, and picked up her hammer. “Let’s go.”
* * *
Meg stood. She turned to face the bar. She felt behind her for Lois and made sure she was fully shielded. Maybe whoever was out there wouldn’t see her at all. The zombies seemed to act like brainless machines. It wasn’t clear how much awareness they had, but Meg was fairly certain it wasn’t a lot.
Meg took one step forward. Something hit the door behind her hard. Lois screamed.
In the kitchen, a zombie groaned.
Something hit the door again. The door split by the lock.
“Meg.”
Was she hearing things?
“Meg, if you’re in there, open the door.”
Meg looked down at Lois. “You hear that too?”
Lois nodded.
Relief flooded Meg. She slammed the deadbolt back, turned the knob. Something grabbed her hair from behind and pulled.
Meg fell just as the door opened. She twisted and rolled as something fell on her. The stink made her eyes water. A hand, soft and sticky, trailed across her cheek.
Then, it was gone.
Above her, Lane swung a hammer and clocked a zombie clean in the head. Yellow goo exploded out of its head and hit the wall. Meg rolled out of the way, then stood.
Behind Lane, Teensy—what was she doing here?—was trying to shut the door, but at least two zombies were pushing their way in. Meg went to help.
“Grab that rifle off my shoulder,” Teensy grunted.
Meg pulled it loose.
“Now I’m going to let go of the door, and you’re going to start shooting. You know how to shoot?” Teensy asked.
“I do.” Meg didn’t see the point in telling her she’d shot competitively for her state once upon a time.
“Okay, on three.”
Meg raised the gun.
“One,” Teensy said.
Meg nestled the butt in her shoulder.
“Two.”
Meg closed one eye and angled her head.
“Three.”
Teensy opened the door and Meg started shooting.
* * *
Outer Cape Echo
1 hour ago
Is there no end to Provincetown’s strange weather? This morning the ferry was cancelled and boats were turned back from Boston. Officials say the water is so dangerous they’ve issued a ban on any vessels crossing over until further notice. Weather experts are baffled as to why Provincetown is experiencing such extreme conditions. Is it a freak event or something more sinister? Reports are coming in that power and internet are also down in the tiny seaside town.
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Rachel Smith: I haven’t been able to contact my sister since yesterday. Any word on when the power will be back up?
Tom Moore: My cousin called me last night saying something weird was happening over there. When are the authorities going to go and take a look?
Janet Jones: I drive the bus from Hyannis, and we got cancelled today. I’m thinking about driving over there and seeing what the hell is going on. I’ll be making my usual stops if anyone wants to join me.
Cara Barrett: Must be something up. Dolores Cab hasn’t been on here trolling anyone yet.
* * *
As soon as Meg stopped firing, Lane and Teensy waded in and started hitting the two zombies Meg hadn’t managed to shoot in the head. Meg was a great shot, Lane realized. She’d put down three without even blinking. All shots to the head. Lane realized the old zombie movies had been correct. You had to hit them in the head.
When the zombies were dead, and they made sure they’d cleared the Pig, Lane allowed herself to feel the relief that washed over her. Meg was safe. Lois was safe. Maybe everything would be okay.
“You okay, Meg? Not bitten?” Teensy asked from behind Lane.
Meg squeezed Lane’s arm as she walked past and hugged Teensy. “I’m fine. No bites. What about you guys?”
“We’re good,” Teensy said. “You’re some shot with that rifle. You got three of them right between the eyes.”
“Junior State Champion,” Meg said and laughed.
Teensy squeezed her again with one arm, and Lane felt a spark of jealousy at the easy affection between them. She had no right, but she felt it all the same.
“Of course you were. Any idea what happened in Ptown?” Teensy asked. “I woke up this morning, went out for my coffee, and then bam, some asshole tried to bite my face off.”
“Val tried to bite mine,” Meg said.
Lane didn’t want to talk about her first encounter because Joanne’s child was standing right there. Not that anyone was paying Lane much attention.
“I was with Meg when it happened,” Wendy said. “It’s just awful. I can’t believe it’s happening.”
“Agreed,” Teensy said. She gave Meg one more squeeze, and then went over to the windows at the front of the Squealing Pig. “We need to get this place boarded up and secured. No telling when they might come back.”
“Then maybe we can work out what the bloody hell to do,” Lane said.
They boarded up the windows by stacking tables in front of them. Teensy found some wood from somewhere and nailed it across the doors.
They kept one light on low. They didn’t feel safe exactly, but they felt safer. And there were five of them. Not that Wendy was much use, but still. Five were better than one.
Lane popped the tops on four beers and put them up on the bar. She got a ginger ale for Lois and popped that top too.
“Hiding here was a good idea. How long do you think it’ll be before the authorities realize something’s wrong?” Lane asked.
“Well, it’s only just after two p.m. now. Probably take those idiots a while to get their asses into gear,” Teensy said and took a long drink.
“So the plan is we just wait here for them?” Wendy asked.
“I guess. We don’t have much choice. We’ve been lucky so far. But there’s a ton of zombies roaming around out there,” Meg said.
“I saw a load of people get taken out by them this morning. I don’t fancy our chances if we keep running around,” Lane agreed.
“I don’t know.” Teensy drained her beer. “Seems kind of passive to sit around waiting to be saved. I’ve got a boat. Down at the harbour.”
Lane glanced at Lois, who was quietly sipping her ginger ale. “If it was just us, maybe I’d agree.”
“That grey dude is bound to make a reappearance soon. I don’t know if our little barricade can keep him out.” Teensy went behind the bar and grabbed another beer.
“I vote we sit tight. Give it a few hours,” Meg said.
“Sure. I can do that.” Teensy popped the top and leaned on the bar. “But if that blue-flame-zapping fucker shows up, we run. Down to the harbour. Boat is called Dawn’s Crack. It’s right at the end of the pier.”
Lane coughed and spat out her beer. Meg thumped her on the back, and when Lane looked at her, she could see Meg was trying not to laugh.
“Agreed,” Lane said, when she finally got her breath back. “If he comes back, we’ll escape in Dawn’s Crack.”
Meg did start laughing then.
Teensy looked at them with raised eyebrows. “Something funny about my boat?”
“No, not at all,” Lane said, still laughing.
“Oh, come on, Teensy. Dawn’s Crack?” Meg said.
Teensy grinned and winked at Meg. “Named her after my first love.”
“Not Dawn Truman?” Wendy piped up from the table where she sat.
“She was Dawn Ball back then.” Teensy sipped her beer. “We were together three months. Then I shipped out, and she married Dan Truman. Broke my heart.”
Wendy snorted. “Sure it did. I’ve never known you to stay with one woman more than a month.”
“I was with you a whole year,” Teensy said and drained the rest of her beer.
Lane’s mouth dropped open. “You and…Teensy?”
“Close your mouth, girl—you’ll catch flies,” Teensy said.
“Sorry, I just…” Lane trailed off, aware she was digging herself a big hole.
Meg nudged her shoulder. “Go on. You just what?”
Lane elbowed Meg back gently. “Nothing at all.”
“You didn’t think I was gay?” Wendy asked.
Truthfully, Lane hadn’t thought about Wendy’s sexuality at all. But seeing her and Teensy together, she just couldn’t picture it. “It’s not that, Wendy,” she said.
“Go easy on her, Wendy. Lane’s dug herself a big old hole, and she’s trying to get out of it.” Teensy laughed. “Me and Wendy had some great times. Real chemistry.”
Lane didn’t want to think about Teensy and Wendy’s chemistry. “Lovely.”
“Teensy, stop. Little ears.” Wendy nodded towards Lois, who was watching the back and forth from her bar stool.
“Whoops. Sorry, kiddo,” Teensy said. “You want another ginger ale?”
“I think one’s enough. We should eat soon,” Meg said.
It made Lane painfully aware she hadn’t eaten since yesterday, and she was starving. Her stomach rumbled on cue.
“Make it something cold,” Wendy said. “We don’t want to attract them here.”
Lane nodded. “You have stuff for sandwiches?” she asked Meg.
“Sure.”
“I’ll help,” Lane said.
Behind her, as they walked into the kitchen, she heard Teensy say, “I bet you will.”
Lane glanced back in time to catch Teensy wink and grin.