43

You help with the rest of the packing as more zombies appear down the street. All of the bags fit into the back row of seats with some in the hatch. Heather gets in the back as well, Emma hops in the passenger side, and you take the driver's seat. You start the car and speed down the street, cutting the silence with the engine's roar. In the rearview mirror, several zombies chase after the car, their horrific bodies shrinking as you gain distance.

You head around the block and drive down a two-lane avenue with a mix of houses and commercial stores aligning each side. The area is devoid of any activity, and the only sound is the low rumble of thunder high overhead, a warning of weather's fury. Cars are scattered across the road, some damaged from accidents, others by gunfire or zombie attacks. You maneuver the jeep around them and creep through to ensure safety. Luckily, no zombies are around.

"So, where are we going?" you ask.

"You know the old fishing dock down by the warehouse district? Miller's Dock?" asks Emma.

"I'm kind of new in the city. Haven't been fishing much."

Emma takes out her smartphone, and you hear an automated female voice. "What location do you want to travel to?"

"My phone's GPS can get us right to the spot," Emma says.

"Don't we have a map?" you ask.

"I have my phone," Emma says, holding it up and waving it in your face.

"But if the phone stops working, a map will help," you add.

Emma puts the phone down and glares at you with one of her I-know-you-idiot looks.

"Sorry," you say.

Heather provides the address, and the GPS calculates several routes.

"Carlson Bridge is the most direct way," Emma says.

"Yeah, but lots of people use that bridge, and maybe it is best to avoid what is probably a complete mess over there. I imagine people fleeing the city and driving like animals. Let's just do the tunnel. Not many people know of it. At least, no out-of-towners. No offense, Victor zombie. It will probably be clear of cars," says Heather.

"You want to take an underground tunnel that goes under the river?" asks Emma.

"Well, it's not like 48 hours have gone by in the epidemic and the tunnel has collapsed. Stop being a wuss," says Heather.

"What about the other route…the expressway? I've taken that way before," you say.

"That's not a direct route. We'd have to go south then take the interstate. It's huge though with lots of options if we get stuck and have to take a new route," Emma says.

"You're driving, Victor zombie. Just pick one," says Heather.