Z14 (Zombie Rules) (12 page)

             
I ran another mile before stopping for a few minutes, and crouched in the ditch beside the road. Once I caught my breath, I tried hard to listen. I heard them moaning. No, moaning wasn’t the proper word. Their voices were merely rasps now. I guessed the decomposition affected their vocal chords. It sounded like there were several of them down the road. Right in the direction I needed to go. They sensed me somehow and became distinctively more agitated.

             
The moon finally made an appearance. It was a partial moon, waxing crescent I think it was called. It helped with my night vision a little. I could discern the faint outlines of structures, but not distinctly enough to tell the difference between a house and a business. Perhaps this was the reason why there were zombies so close. I worked my way in between buildings. If only I could see a street address, anything. I had a vague notion of where I was, but…

             
I continued working my way through the houses, but had to move slowly. The overgrown lawns and scattered debris made the going difficult. Any misstep caused unwanted noise. I hoped I was maneuvering around them. I bumped up against objects more than once. After several excruciating minutes I made my way back onto a road. I found the North Star, got my bearings, and started running in the direction I hoped would lead me home.

*****

              Julie sat at the kitchen table when she heard Zach’s truck start. She sat a moment longer, silently cursing him. Then she got up and ran outside, only to see the little Ford Ranger crossing the bridge and driving out of sight. Macie stood on the porch quietly.

             
“Did he say anything?” She asked Macie.

             
“He mentioned going to look for a new truck.” She looked at Julie. “He’s just scared Julie. Men are like that.”

             
Julie sighed heavily. “I am too. I guess I should have understood.” They sat in the rocking chairs until nightfall. And then both of them became worried.

             
“Should we go looking for him?” Macie asked.

             
Julie shook her head. “Where would we start? Why don’t we try the radio?” They went inside and tried several times, but there was no response. They sat looking at the radio wondering what to do next, when suddenly Macie gasped and doubled over.

             
“What’s wrong?” Julie asked.

             
“I’m having contractions.” Macie responded. “I think I’ve been having them for about an hour now, to be honest. I didn’t want to say anything though. You had other things on your mind.”

             
“Oh shit. Oh shit!” Julie said. “Uh, okay. Let’s get you into bed and I’m going to look you over.” Julie helped Macie to her bedroom and got her undressed.

             
“Okay, I’m going to look at you and see if you’re dilating or anything.” Julie said.

             
Macie nodded tentatively and then grunted. “Uh-oh.”

             
“Uh-oh? What?” Julie asked, and then she looked down. “Did your water just break?” She asked. Macie looked at Julie and nodded. Julie saw fear in her eyes. “You’re going to give birth, aren’t you Macie?” Macie nodded again.

             
“Okay, we’ve planned for this, right? We’ll get through this girlfriend. Don’t be afraid.” Julie tried to sound confident but the two of them heard the tremor in her voice.

*****

              It was hard trying to keep track of my headings. I had to leave the road and make detours constantly. I’d take side roads or run through back yards, and then try to get back on the main roadway again, all in total darkness.

             
Let’s not forget the God forsaken zombies. Every time I made a turn, there would be one or two lumbering toward me. I lost count of my shots and had no idea how much ammunition I had left.

             
On top of it all, I had not done any cross-country running in several months. The lack of training was immediately evident. My throat and lungs burned, but to stop and rest for more than a few seconds meant an almost certain death.

             
I slowed to a walk only long enough to check my watch. It was a little after twenty-one hundred hours; nine p.m. I resumed jogging and approached an intersection. When I got close enough I could see the street sign. The name of the street was familiar. I knew where I was now and only a little off track. A quick mental calculation told me I had another five miles to go, more or less. I was winded and my feet were beginning to ache. I worked on controlling my breathing and kept telling myself I was going to make it.

*****

              Macie’s breathing was labored and she was sweating profusely. Julie wasn’t keeping track of time. She only knew the baby was coming and Zach was nowhere around.

             
“It’s getting close now, I think. I need you to keep doing your Lamaze breathing.” Julie tried to sound more confident than she felt. She continued talking reassuringly to Macie and occasionally wiped her face with a damp washcloth.

             
“What time is it?” Macie asked. Julie looked at her wrist watch.

             
“It’s a little after ten. It won’t be long now until you start crowning. I’ll let you know when.”

             
“I’m scared Julie. Something doesn’t feel right.” Macie said.

             
“Come on now. You have no idea what it’s supposed to feel like.” Julie wiped Macie’s brow again, and then took her blood pressure. It seemed really high, she thought. She inspected again.

             
“Oh my God Macie, you’re crowning! It won’t be long now, start pushing!”

             
It was close to midnight when I crossed the bridge to my home. I was exhausted, drenched in sweat, and my entire body hurt. My feet were sore and the inside of my thighs were chaffed so bad I was having trouble walking normally. I made my way cautiously to the house. The generator was still going, which was odd. I walked around the house, but didn’t see anything out of the ordinary. I gave the special knock before entering.

             
“It’s me.” I said as I opened the door. I’d learned my lesson. I had full intention of begging Julie for forgiveness. I was willing to do anything to get back the life I had a few hours ago, back when Julie smiled at me every time she caught me looking at her. I called out again and heard something in Macie’s bedroom. I walked in slowly. Julie looked up at me. There was sweat on her brow and she was holding something swaddled in a small blanket.

             
“It’s a baby boy. Macie is in trouble. She’s hemorrhaging.” She said quietly.

             
I looked all three of them over. They looked awful. Macie was ashen faced and unconscious.

             
“How’s the baby?” I asked.

             
Julie looked at me solemnly. “He’s weak. I’m guessing he was born prematurely, but I’m not sure. He’s so small! Please, do something, Zach.” She begged.

             
I nodded. “Okay, I’ll take care of Macie. You get the kid in the crib. No wait, you better keep him with you and watch him. He’ll need to eat soon I’m guessing. We’ll need to feed him formula until Macie is strong enough to breast feed him.” Julie nodded.

             
I lifted the blanket. Macie was pale, listless, and still soiled from the birth. Julie walked in and stood beside me.

             
“Where is her placenta?” I asked.

             
“It never came out. She urinated and there was a lot of blood, but no placenta. You need to do a fundal massage.” She said, and explained. “Take your hand and place it where her uterus is. Gently massage and push down. You’ll probably need to do it for thirty minutes or so.”

             
I did as Julie instructed, while Julie watched. After several minutes, the placenta appeared. I pulled it out gently. Other tissue came out, along with a lot of blood. Julie handed me the baby, and then quickly ran to the restroom. I heard her hurling chunks in the toilet. Wonderful, I thought. I placed the child in the crib, got a wash pan, filled it with warm water, and used a wash rag to clean her up.

             
Macie awakened when she felt the warmth of the wash cloth. I gave her a reassuring smile.

             
“Hi, Macie, don’t mind me. I’m just getting you cleaned up, okay?” She nodded sleepily and nodded off. After I finished, I carried Macie to out bedroom and called Julie out of the bathroom.

“
I need a maxi pad.” I said plainly. Julie looked at me, perplexed. “For Macie, not me.” Julie nodded in sudden understanding, disappeared into the bathroom and came back out with one, along with a fresh pair of panties. She brushed me aside and I watched as she put the panties on Macie and positioned the pad.

“I’m going to keep an eye on the baby.” Julie said.

“Okay, I’m going to clean up the mess and put some broth on the stove.” I gathered up the bedding, shoved them into a trash bag, and temporarily put it in the cellar. I couldn’t simply throw them outside. The afterbirth would attract unwanted visitors. After a few minutes in the kitchen, I came back to the bedroom and gently woke her.

             
“Macie, I need to get some fluids in you. I’ve made some broth and I need you to take some sips. Can you do that?” I asked. Macie nodded slightly.

             
“If you feel like you’re going to vomit, let me know and don’t hold it back.” She nodded again. I fed her slowly, a spoon at a time, and managed to get about a cup’s worth in her before she passed out. I spent the rest of the night dripping water into her mouth. I did not know if she was going to live and was surprised at how worried I was.

             
Sometime during the night, or morning, I drifted off. Awakening with a start, I looked at my watch. It was a little after five a.m. I found Julie in the den, she was maintaining her bedside vigil with the baby. She looked up at me with worry on her face.

             
“How is she?” She asked.

             
“Sleeping. I got some fluids in her, which is good, but I’m not sure if it’s going to be enough.” I motioned at the baby. “Did he eat?” I asked.

             
“A little.” She said. I looked closely at the child. He was so small, vulnerable. He had Jason’s features. I didn’t know whether to be relieved or saddened. If he lived, would I have to tell him one day how his father died?

             
“Why don’t you get some sleep? I’ll watch over them.” I said.

             
She smiled at me tiredly. “You look like you need sleep more than me.” She sniffed. “You need a bath too. What did you get yourself into?” She asked. I explained briefly. Her eyes widened.

“Wait a minute, you ran all the way home from Tusculum Road?” I nodded.
“In the dark? With zombies around?” I nodded again. Her eyes grew wider. “Holy shit, Zach.” She said. I expected her to jump all in my ass for such a stupid act, but instead, she stood, and in spite of how badly I reeked, she hugged me tightly.

             
“I’m glad you’re okay, but please don’t do that again. I was worried sick.” She said. I agreed profusely.

             
“Listen, I have something to say. I’m very sorry about earlier. You took me by surprise. I was scared and stressed.” I said sincerely. She looked up at me and I kissed her on the forehead.

             
“I want you to know I am so very happy you are carrying my baby. We’re going to make it work because I love you with all of my heart.” I kissed her again. She leaned up and kissed me back.

             
“I love you too Zach, with all of my heart.” Julie said. Then her expression changed.

             
“There’s something I have to tell you.” I looked at her and she looked at the floor. “During all of this, I started my period. I’m not pregnant.” She said and looked up at me with a hint of tears in her eyes. “I guess it was wishful dreaming.” She quipped.

             
“It’s okay.” I said and hugged her. “I really want a baby with you. I guess we’ll have to keep trying.” I kissed her deeply and hugged her again.

             
“I hope you take a bath before we try again.” She said with a smile.

              We took turns for the next few days caring for the two of them. Macie’s health steadily improved and on day two she was able to eat a whole bowl of soup. She was too weak to stand for more than a few seconds, so I would carry her to the bathroom and help her bathe.

             
“You’ve been good to me Zach.” She said while I helped dry her off one evening.

             
“Just so you know, when you get your strength back, you’ll be getting no more sponge baths from me.” She looked at me and smiled. I smiled back.