Roads Less Traveled by C. Dulaney Page A

would check it periodically either for him, or an e-mail. I couldn’t think of anything else to say, and I was getting very anxious, so I ended the message with something I had never written, let alone said, before. At least to him. Hell, I rarely said it to my family, let alone my friends. But considering the zombie apocalypse was upon us, I figured I should start letting those I cared for know how I felt. I didn’t before, and now they were most likely dead. We always say, “I don’t have to say it, they know.” That’s horseshit, only I was learning that lesson a little too late in the game.
    I read over it, content I’d said all I needed to, and clicked send. I blew out a breath and lit another Camel as I went back to studying the map. I wanted to memorize it, learn it by heart, commit it to memory. In the back of my mind I was terrified they wouldn’t make it. And terrified I would have to go after them.
     
    * * *
     
    After a quick supper of Spaghetti-O’s and iced tea, I let Gus out one last time to do his business before heading to my room for a shower. I stood under the hot water for at least an hour, my head lowered and my palms against the tiled wall. It’s also easier to cry in the shower, seeing as how your face is already wet. The monotony of the last few days was taking a toll, and thoughts of my family and the very few close friends I had haunted me. I tried to push it all out of my mind and think about that afternoon: the cool breeze on my face, the clean smell of the air, and the crunch of grass underneath my horse’s hooves. That worked until I thought about Ben, then the panic began to set in. I needed to talk to him.
    I stepped out of the shower, dried off, threw my bathrobe on, and hurried downstairs. The house was dark and silent, the only light being the blue glow of the computer screen filtering down the hallway. I made a pit stop in the kitchen for a Dr. Pepper before heading into the study. I nearly dropped the bottle and fell over the chair when I saw he was online.
    Ben? I typed, the instant message box popping up with his buddy icon above and mine below the post space.
    Is this Kasey? the person I had thought was Ben replied.
    Yes this is Kasey. Who is this?
    It’s Kyra, one of Jake’s classmates. Ben put me in charge of watching for you. Hold on and I’ll get him.
    I raised an eyebrow and sat back with my arms crossed. “Hmph,” I grunted, “this is an interesting development.”
    Hey Kase, you have no idea how happy I am to see you, Ben finally typed. I almost forgot to reply; I was too busy trying not to burst into tears.
    I think I have some idea. Are you okay?
    So far so good. We’ve stopped for the night at the southeastern edge of the Allegheny National Forest. We’re going to try to get some sleep before getting back on the road.
    Did you get my e-mail?
    Ben hesitated. I almost asked him again before he finally replied.
    Yes I did. I talked it over with Jake and Nancy. They still think we should stick to the plan. But they did promise, at the first sign of trouble, we would turn around and go the other way.
    I sighed and hung my head. I didn’t like the sounds of this, but I wasn’t the one in charge there. I would have to trust Nancy and Jake to lead them for now.
    Ok. My radio is working btw. I want you to keep me updated every few hours, even if I’m not online. Send an e-mail if you have to. I’m starting to go a little crazy here. Maybe it’s from having nothing else to do, maybe it’s from needing to see you. I’m not sure.
    Ben hesitated again before posting. I was beginning to wish I could take back what I’d said in that e-mail.
    Don’t worry Kase, we’ll watch each other’s backs. And I’ll be there before you know it. I need to go now, we’re taking turns keeping watch tonight, and I’m up next. Oh and btw, I luv u 2.
    He signed off before I could reply. I sat in the dark, the light from the screen reflecting off my face, and cried again. But I