Amanda Carter in the L.A.Z., life after zombies by Jo Lee Auburne Read Free Book Online Page A

charge.
    “Roy, listen to me,” she said, putting her face close to his. “Take the children to the Jeep. Play a CD or something, but get them out of here. Can you do that for me?”
    She must have understood how paralyzed he felt, but her calm commands snapped him back and into action.
    “Got it,” Roy said.
    Both the children were more terrified than he had been. He scooped up Tammy into his good arm and instructed Sam to follow; only Sam didn’t follow.
    Instead, the girl sniffled and wiped her wet nose on her arm and then slid her clammy hands down her dirty jeans. She watched her father, trying to get up the courage to do what she felt that she could.
    “Sam, come on,” Roy yelled.
    “No,” she stated flatly, “I’m staying. Take Tammy, and keep her busy. I’ll stay and help Mom.”
    Maryanne had run to grab the rubbing alcohol bottles and had returned quickly. Jason had stopped seizing and was lying so still that Sam feared him to be dead.
    What if he’s infected? Sam thought. What if he suddenly pops up as one of them?
    “Doctor?” Roy questioned, “Sam’s dead set on staying, that okay with you?”
    “That’s fine, Roy, thanks,” Maryanne said, sounding tired.
    Sam sat down beside her father, wishing him to keep breathing, knowing then that he would not awaken as one of them.
    “Mom, he’s not going to—” Sam began but was interrupted.
    “Honey, his fever’s very high, and that’s what’s causing the delirium and the seizures. You can help me get the fever down. Will you do that?” her mother asked even as she was opening up the front of Jason’s shirt and then stripping him down to his boxer shorts.
    “Yes, yes, I can,” Sam said bravely while holding back a sniffle.
    “Good, Sam, real good,” the doctor said using the familiar form of her name that she preferred.
    “I’ve been saving this rubbing alcohol for an emergency. I guess that this qualifies.” Maryanne said, wetting a cloth with the alcohol. “This will help to lower the fever. Now you go get a washcloth or any cloth and the pan of water, and bring it here,” she told her daughter.
    “Um, Mom,” Sam said, “I kinda used all the wash water earlier on cooling him down.”
    Maryanne sighed, knowing what this meant. “How much drinking water do we have left?” she asked, looking pained.
    “I don’t know, Mom, maybe two gallons,” the girl answered.
    “Go ahead and bring a gallon or so over here, will you,” the doctor said, realizing that they would be in a much direr situation than she had thought, much sooner than she had thought.
    Maryanne had reverted back to her training in the ER so many years ago, as she had worked for her residency. There was a big difference, though, between here and in the ER. There she had had IV fluids, monitors, a stethoscope, proper medicines, and so much more. Here, her options were very limited and the decisions she would make now could affect everybody’s survival and not just her husband’s.
    Maryanne steeled herself for the task at hand. With any amount of luck and a few guardian angels, she could get him stabilized and Amanda would be returning soon.

Chapter 7
    F unerals, Amanda considered, and eulogies were ways that people coped with loss. She had an idea that she hoped would help Red to move on so that they all could get out of here as quick as possible.
    Amanda proceeded to move around gathering stones and resting them over the man. She had a shovel in the truck, but frankly, it was too hot to be digging a grave with the little bit of energy she had left; the rocks would have to do.
    After most of the body was covered, she then stood over the man, taking off her hat. The sun beat uncomfortably on the top of her head. Eulogies were better when the person being spoken of had a name, but there was nothing that she could do about that.
    “He was a good man,” she said. “He was a good master. Please, God, help him to rest in peace.”
    Amanda finished and slipped the