Keep Going (Book 1): The Beginning Read online

  “My name is Alexandra Armijo.” She said joyfully.

  “Are their any other survivors with you, Ms. Armijo?”

  “Yes, there are two other. Their names are Peter Allen and Maggie.” Alex realized she didn’t know Maggie’s last name.

  “Do you know your location?” He asked.

  Her eyes drifted towards the maps that littered the walls above them. There were too many she couldn’t pin point. She couldn’t see which one was Seattle or the world, they all looked alike. Petey stood up, the chair scraping the floor loudly.

  His fingers traced the maps before slamming down hard on one. He tapped aggressively at a pattern of numbers that were written at the bottom. She looked over to him and he nodded; that was all she needed.

  “We’re at 47.717471 and -122.287642.” Her fingers scraped along the number ending at Petey’s hand. “We’re in an underground bunker in the backyard of the house.”

  “Give us a moment to map your location.” He said.

  The trio let out a breathy laugh; relief filling them. Alex took Petey’s hand turned it and kissed his knuckles as a silent thank you. It was because of him that they might have a chance. He smiled warmly settling their hands together on the desk.

  “Alex?” A new voice came through the speakers. It was higher pitch; it was soft but heavy with an emotion. Her heart stopped she knew who’s voice this belonged.

  No, no she must be hearing things; she had to be. Yet she couldn’t stop herself from releasing Petey’s hand and squeezing the walkie tightly between her palms.

  “Chris…” her voice cracked. “…Is that you?”

  A second of silence past and Alex knew, knew she had heard wrong. Her happy mind made her delirious in hope. It wasn’t her…

  “Yeah, it’s me!” Chris answered back.

  It is her! It is Chris’ voice coming through the old radio. It was her sister; alive and safe. Alex breathed heavily as her smile grew wide.

  “You asshole!” Alex laughed. “The empty house…I thought the worst.”

  “You’re one talk.” Chris laughed as well. Hearing her sister’s voice made her smile. Hearing her sister insult her gave her hope. “You were supposed to be…”

  She couldn’t finish it. She couldn’t think about Alex not being around anymore but now she didn’t have to.

  “Are you safe?” She asked.

  “We’re in Donoghue’s bunker. I fell like I need to apologize to him for all those jokes.” A bitter laugh escaped her.

  “He’ll forgive you. At least you got some use out of it.” Chris said.

  That was enough to let her know he had survived too. That she would once again see him. She would see many of them or at least she hoped so.

  There was a shift in mood so powerful it could be felt through the airwaves. Smiles began to drop at the sound of Chris’ heavy breathing before the static cut in. Alex was about ask what was wrong before the man’s voice returned.

  “Ms. Armijo.” The tension in the Officer’s voice struck fear in her heart. They could hear the emotion he was trying to hold back from his tone. He cleared his throat.

  “Ms. Armijo…” He began again. “Your location is in the orange zone or radiation zone. It was too close to the impact zone and unfortunately our men would not be able to go that far in.”

  “What the hell do you mean?” She raised her voice.

  “Ma’am, you must understand there was a side effect of the bombs and…” “I know the side effect. I saw them.” She interrupted.

  “So what does that mean?” She asked again.

  If they were going to leave them out for dead she wanted them to say it. She wanted them to admit to it. Admit that they were sentencing three people to death or something far worse.

  “It means…” Chris took over “…the reason they haven’t kicked me out is because they’re giving us a chance to say goodbye.”

  To other’s her tone appeared cold almost emotionless but Alex knew her, she knew her sister. She could hear the pain; she could feel it. She could see the mist in her sister’s brown eyes; the way her lips tightened into a straight line. The tight grip on the walkie that threatened to break it; she knew because she was doing the same thing.

  “No.” Alex growled.

  “Alex.” Her voice broke.

  She hated the way her sister’s voice sounded. It sounded weak. They weren’t weak; they didn’t go down without a fight.

  “I said no. Do you understand me?” She said loudly. “Come on, Chris. I need you.”

  Her breathing started to come out in huffs; she was forcing herself to breathe. Rage stirred in the bottom of her belly slowly rising higher. How dare her sister give up on her? How dare she think this was goodbye?

  “Dios cuida a los tontos y a los borrachos.” Chris said her smile breaking through the airwaves and Alex couldn’t help herself and smiled. The rage was flushed out with a new found joy at saying of their family’s motto.

  “We dear sister are both.” Alex answered.

  “We are one of each.” Chris answered back.

  Alex couldn’t help the smile that broke out across her face. There was her sister there was the fighter.

  “Officer Dumas, what’re your coordinates?”

  “Ms. Armijo, you need to understand the chances-“

  “Fuck chances! What’re your coordinates?” Alex growled.

  There was a heavy sigh as if he was battling with himself. “48.370387, -122.323842.”

  From her side she could see Petey tearing the maps off the wall. Most likely figuring out where the coordinates led them and if they had a fighting chance. She chooses to ignore it for now taking notice of the flickering radio. She knew it was only a matter of time before it gave out.

  “Chris, still there?” She prayed.

  “Yeah, I’m here.” Chris answered.

  It was getting harder to breathe. Her chest tightened as her anger drained and fear took over. Never willing to admit it out loud but she needed her sister. Able to sense her sister’s worries Chris gave some reassurance.

  “Don’t die, okay?” Well their version of reassurance. “You’re going to fine. We’re always fine, it what’s we do. It’s what you’re going to do. You’re going to get up here and it’ll be fine.”

  Alex let her sister’s stupid words sink in and she smiled sadly.

  “It’s what we do.”

  “Be safe, Alex,” Chris said.

  “Be good, Short.” Alex chocked out.

  The radio was courteous enough to wait until they were done before shutting down. She stared coldly at the radio, her fingers clenched the walkie, and for a moment it looked like she would burst into tears. Instead all the anger, all the pain and sorrow she couldn’t suppress it any longer. She grabbed whatever what was on the desk and threw it across the room against a stonewall. It was a box holding memories now scattered everywhere but it wasn’t enough.

  Petey and Maggie moved back as Alex swiftly grabbed the lazy crowbar and smashed the radio. This meaningless hunk of junk made her feel happy and had given her hope before ripping it all away. It deserved to have its case cracked open, its wires ripped out and glass shattered.

  The radio protested with sparks but Alex had no sympathy. The repeated beating had soon caused the machine to be unrecognizable. Any sparks or noise abruptly stopped but she did not. Not until her hands became sore from the painful grip.

  Petey stepped cautiously towards Alex. She stared blankly at the pieces of metal, breathing harshly. He wrapped his hand around the weapon and pulled it from her grip. Her eyes were dull and broken, changing only when the crowbar clattered to the floor. Then all her walls her back up hiding any thought or emotion she held behind in her.

  Nobody moved. The only sound was their heavy breathing. Alex looked at the two and saw two different reactions to her scene. Maggie had fear written all over he face but then again only when the radio was working did she not look scared. It was Petey’s face that filled her with gu
ilt at her outburst. He attempted to look calm, his body spoke strength as it stood ready to pounce if needed but his face was carved with fear. Was it because of her or for her?

  Alex looked back at the broken radio. The table had taken a lot of the hit as well, scattered pieces of wood mixed with the metal. She rubbed the back of her neck and evened out her breathing. She needed to collect herself and get them out of there.

  “We pack up what we can carry and we get an early start tomorrow. Petey I need you to find out where the coordinates are and how long will it takes us to get there.” She said.

  Alex grimaced slightly at the map. It was a bit torn and beaten as it had been sitting on the table but it was fine.

  “We can get a car and drive there. Hopefully we’ll find one with enough gas and not any trouble.”

  “And if it doesn’t?” Petey stepped forward. The fear started to slip from his face but he was still cautious of his friend.

  “Then we walk.” She finally looked up at them. “We do what we have to, to get there.”

  Alex hoped that her plan would be accepted, that they still trusted her enough. Indeed Petey did, he was still wary of her and her anger but he trusted her. He would always trust her.

  Petey nodded and moved past her to pick up the map. Shaking off the bits of debris he walked over to the bed and laid out the map. She moved to his side and looked it over herself.

  “Looks like it’s up in Mt. Vernon.” He said.

  “That’s about 60 miles give or take. We could make it there in less then a day.” She replied.

  “If we get a car.” He huffed.

  Alex rolled her eyes. Standing up and placing her hands on her hip, she looked sternly at him.

  “Can’t you just think positive?”

  Petey was about to bark back but caught sight of the frozen girl behind them. He rolled his eyes and pointed with his chin towards her. Alex dropped her hands and looked at Maggie.

  They were unsure of her as she barely spoke and acted like a frightened child in need of handholding. Yet when Maggie caught their eyes she merely nodded and moved to them. Standing by their side and looking down at the map for herself. It wasn’t much but they had to work with what they had.

  8

  Alex tossed the backpack on, a sense of peace filling her at the feel of the handle of the machete gently touching the back of her head. She picked up her gun and cocked it before securing it and slipping into her waistband. She wasn’t ready to go back up but there wasn’t really much of an option anymore.

  “Everybody ready?” She looked around.

  Petey was securing his own bag onto his back. It was filled with tools they might need along the away. Cocking his own gun, he gave her a nod when it felt securely fastened.

  Maggie gripped the handle of a duffle bag tightly. Fear had not lessened in her. She wasn’t sure what she was going to face up there but she knew if she stayed close to the two of them she would be safe. Or at least she hoped so. She didn’t verbalize her worries but instead gave her own nod.

  “Okay, let’s do this.” Alex said.

  She picked up a double barrel shotgun and held it tight as she started for the ladder. A step up she felt a soft hand on her shoulder; she fell back down and looked over her shoulder. Maggie’s face was squished in discontent. Alex raised her eyebrow in question.

  “Why don’t I get a gun?” She complained.

  Alex let out a heavy sigh and stepped away from the ladder. Laying down her shotgun carefully she turned to face Maggie with her hands on her hips, looking like a parent ready to scold a child.

  “Stick out your hand.” Alex said.

  She made a motion for Maggie to do so when she made no action. Rolling her eyes Maggie stretched out her hand. It shook noticeably with uncertainty and fear.

  Alex grabbed her hand quickly making her pull her hand away in shock but she held it tightly. Even in her grip it shook. She raised it up so that Maggie’s hand was in both their line of sight.

  “You’re shaky. You can’t shoot a gun if you can’t even point it.” Alex dropped her hand. “Plus you’re skittish. One wrong move or noise and you could kill one of us. I can’t risk ourselves because you can’t control your nerves.”

  She moved past the pair towards the mess of metal and wood. Kneeling down she picked up the crowbar and flipped it around as she stood up.

  Alex tossed it to Maggie who caught it instinctively.

  “This is your defense, this is your weapon. Don’t let it go.” Alex said.

  Maggie gripped it with both hands and twisting it along with the handles of her duffle bag. She was displeased with her lack of protection but didn’t say anything. Alex picked up her shotgun again and climbed up the ladder, this time uninterrupted.

  The sun was still blazing as the three stood outside for the first time in days. Alex laid a finger on her lips making sure they stayed quiet. Petey and she raised their weapons. The trio looked around the area making sure it was clear yet only two knew what the danger might be out here and only one knew what it looked like.

  Seeing that nothing was around they moved towards the street where various cars were lined up.

  Alex though of the car that had brought them here, Charlie’s car, her scratches burned. They could use that one, only one problem came to mind though. She couldn’t recall a single detail about the car; the color, make or model.

  Maggie taped her on the shoulder drawing her attention to Petey who held the doors open to an old green sedan. She didn’t know if it was the same car or not but she didn’t care. Hoping into the driver seat, Petey sat next to her looking for keys to start the car. Collecting their bags Maggie sat them down in the back with her.

  Alex slammed the wheel hard when she found nothing, when they both found nothing.

  “Shit! No keys.” She growled.

  “I can hotwire it.” Petey said.

  He laid his body across the seats and dropped his head near the driver seat’s panel just under the wheel. Alex had to pull back a lot so that she didn’t accidentally knee him in the face.

  “How the fuck do you know how to hotwire a car?” She asked in disbelief.

  “Same way I can fix a radio.” He answered.

  Alex shrugged; she supposed everyone had their secret talents. At least his could save their lives. She watched him work; amazed at the fact her friend had this ability. Her fascination ended when she took a glance out the shattered window. There weren’t many, slow moving too but they were moving towards them.

  “Petey, we’ve got some company. Going to need you to hurry up.” Alex said.

  “I’m working on it.”

  “Maggie, get down and cover your head.” She threw the comment over her shoulder quietly.

  Maggie followed order without hesitation and curled around the bags. Panic rose in her chest, Alex knew her luck would just fuck them over. They might have a chance if they could keep quiet, if they didn’t draw attention. Holding her breath, they needed to be quiet.

  She was right though; her luck did screw them as the car alarm went blaring. Every set of glowing eyes turned towards them, their hunger more than evident. She reached over for the shogun. They were like canned tuna at the moment but like hell she wasn’t going to go down fighting. She raised it and aimed, ready for a shot yet before she could pull the trigger the beautiful sound of the car turning over sang.

  “I got it!” He yelled, the alarm dying down.

  She tossed the shotgun to the side and gripped the wheel with one hand and the gearshift with the other.

  “Stay down!” She yelled back.

  Petey curled up in her lap as she stomped on the pedal causing the tires to squeal and smoke as it bolted down the road. It may have drawn more attention but like hell she was going to sit there any longer.

  As much as she wanted to close her eyes Alex forced them to stay open. Forced them to stay open as she rammed into body after body dragging them underneath the car. The sound echoing loudly for Ma
ggie and Petey but they didn’t dare to look up.

  The streets cleared, the sound quieted and Alex felt her spirits lift for a moment. Seeing the empty road ahead she couldn’t help but let out a loud laugh.

  “Whoa! Hell yeah!” She cheered.

  The sound of their friend’s laughter was signal enough for Maggie and Petey. They sat up smiling brightly along with her.

  They didn’t get back the laughs and general merriness that seemed to over take them. That was until they came to their first obstacle, cars riddled the highway.

  “Shit!’ Petey sighed. “Looks like we weren’t the only ones trying to get the hell out of dodge.”

  Alex rubbed her hand across her face only an hour into the trip she was already exhausted. She leaned back against the seat and stared out the front window before moving to get out.

  Petey followed suit. They stood outside staring at the mess. They turned to each other to discuss what to do when they noticed it was only them two outside the car. In confusion they leaned down and looked inside.

  Maggie sat staring straight ahead her body showing signs of slight tremors still and looking like she was going to puke any minute. Alex rolled her eyes and bit back her sarcasm.

  “Maggie, stay put.” She spoke tiresomely.

  They waited for no response as they turned and walked towards the mess.

  “How long till she snaps?” Petey asked coming up behind her.

  Alex didn’t know what to say at first. She could answer with the truth or something less mean and more comforting. Taking a look at her friend she knew she could say what was really on her mind. He would think no less of her for that.

  “Doesn’t matter. If she can keep it together for a couple of days, she’ll be somebody else’s problem soon.” She admitted.

  “Couple of days?” Petey stopped in his tracks. “Really think it’s going to take that long?” He spoke nervously.

  Alex turned her attention back to her friend and leaned in close. As if she was whispering a secret that only he was supposed to hear.

  “Look around. Think this will be the only problem we’ll run into? She rubbed her face again. “Plus I told you about those things I saw.”