Chapter 4 Cedar Avenue

Chapter 4

Cedar Avenue

Inhaling sharply, Riley attempted to pull herself from the depths of her thoughts. That fateful night's memory, from beginning to end, had quickly crept in and surrounded Riley. It slithered around her like an anaconda in the jungle, slow and unassuming, then suddenly she was wrapped up completely from top to bottom.

Unable to move, she felt like they had swallowed her whole.

She felt it swirl around her, caressing each one of her senses, and she felt it intensify the longer she relived a part of the memory. She had started to feel the stickiness of the blood that had coated her skin. The unmistakable tangy iron taste of blood lingered on her tongue, leaving the aftertaste of rust. The sharpness of the ground and rocks that cut along her exposed skin, from her feet to her head, The dust had floated up from the ground after being trampled and ran through, and the odor of wet earth had filled her nostrils. The stinging burn radiated from her scalp as she could feel her hair being yanked from the roots and used to handle her like a dog on a leash.

Riley's face had turned into a stoic mask, hiding the storm that raged inside. It had taken practice, but Riley knew being able to keep her facial expressions in check was essential. The anxiety attacks she had experienced before had opened her eyes and forced her to work constantly on getting control ever since. She could be falling apart inside, but if she could appear calm, she could remain in control, and she would never be taken for an easy target again.

Not one emotion showed on her face. Her breathing was at a normal, steady rate and the beat of her heart was a steady cadence in her chest. Her hands would be the only indication that something was wrong, as they were slick with sweat and had only a slight tremble in the fingertips when she held them out in front of her to pull away the material that covered her from view. She saw the darkness of the previous night had slowly started to fade away, giving a chance for the sun's rays to take over the sky, brightening the once dark corners of a new day.

She removed the rest of the clothes and trash. She started dusting her legs off from whatever she sat on all night. She pulled herself up from the floorboard to the edge of the backseat, and tried to peer out the dust-covered window. She really didn't know why she had to search for any sign of danger, living or dead. Sometimes, she just wanted to see what was in front of her, not search for things she didn't want to find. She didn't want to wait any longer to get on the new route, putting distance between the group on Sierra Ave and her. She needed to get up and leave the area before the unknown group woke up and found her, not knowing the type of danger they could bring.

Eyeing her backpack and weapons laying on the seat, she swung the pack over her shoulders, adjusting the straps to fit comfortably. She grabbed a gun and automatically pulled back the slide, checking for a full clip. Satisfied, she released the slide, secured the hammer and tucked it into the right holster. Without hesitating, she repeated the same routine with the left side. Once satisfied, she slid it in, and it felt like the holster was made just for her gun.

Knives fit snugly in each boot, she grabbed the AR-15, and finally had the chance to use the nickname she had given it sometime before.

"Mary Jane, let's go start some trouble." Riley was afraid to say it out loud, in case anyone could hear. She was well aware that the real reason she said it was because 1. she would never cause trouble.And 2. She had always wanted to say that but knew she would never get the nerve, not knowing what could happen if she did.

She wiped her hands down her thighs, cleaning them on her pants. She double-checked her supplies, and opened the car door. It groaned like an old man getting out of bed as soon as it started to swing open. Halfway through, she paused, and closed her eyes. She listened for anything approaching her location, the door held steady in her hand, and Mary Jane rested in the other. After a minute of silence, she placed her feet outside the car on the ground but remained sitting down. Unsure of what was to come, she once more closed her eyes and inhaled a deep breath and held it. She snapped them open and finally released her breath in a big sigh. Nodding her head once to herself, she rose from the seat and started her journey.

She had decided to backtrack one exit to Cedar Avenue and continue as planned. She knew the area and knew the exact way she needed to go. Still surrounded by shadows, she grabbed her flashlight hanging from the zipper of her backpack. She flicked it on, shone it to the east, and started walking quickly away from the area. The more distance, the better. She shut off her light and very quickly walked around cars, bodies, and the occasional infected.

She was 100 yards away from the Cedar Ave exit. She slightly slowed down and remained hyper-observant.

Approaching the ramp, she caught herself as she whispered, "Please, please, please, please, please, don't let there be anyone on there."

Not knowing what was at the top of the exit ramp, she paused 20 feet away. Her fear spiking up her spine, she felt like she had to forcefully move her legs forward. Determined to get to Lytle Creek, she forcefully pushed her fear aside, bit her bottom lip, and narrowed her eyes, never taking her eyes off the top of the exit.

She continued forward, inhaling with every right step and exhaling with the left. Both hands expertly held on firmly to Mary Jane. Right hand on pistol grip, index finger on trigger, and left hand firmly gripped vertical grip. Her observant eyes cut back and forth, trying to see any obstacle before it became a problem.

Unable to stand not knowing, she took off in a sprint to the top of the exit, turning left and going over the freeway. Now, nothing but empty cars and trash line the pavement. Reaching the end of the bridge, she was all-in; either she was fighting some organized, scary group of people, or there wouldn't be anyone there.

She skidded to a halt as she got a good look at the intersection before her: Cedar Avenue and Valley Boulevard. Looking at the abandoned gas station, packed with cars that have long been empty. She checked the other side of the street and saw the overly-priced hamburger shop, windows busted, and an SUV sticking out of the far wall, but completely empty.

She can't stop the smile and flood of relief that comes over her when she realizes she's ready to go.