Punks Versus Zombies - a post-apocalyptic serial - episode six

Welcome to the sixth epsiode of Punks Versus Zombies. In the fifth installment, Tommy and the band reached Lake Tahoe, a potential safe haven...

Roxy and Zero’s vans sputtered to a stop. Lake Tahoe stretched out before them, its surface a mirror reflecting the early evening sky.

One by one, the members of The Furious Minks and Anarchy’s Child climbed out of their vans.

Tommy, Laila, Jimbo, and Micky were joined by Roxy, Dee, Zero, and Nix.

“Look at this view,” Roxy said. “Isn’t it something?”

Spike climbed down from the back of the Minks’ van, his face pale, and headed over to join the group.

“How’s Kim?” Tommy asked.

“She’s in a bad way, but she hasn’t turned yet. Christ, it reeked in there.”

Dee stretched his legs and rubbed his backside, flashing a grin. “I’ve lost all feeling in my ass sitting for so long.”

Jimbo spread his arms wide as if embracing the landscape. “You know, this would be a stellar location for Zombiepalooza. Can you imagine? A punk festival right here!”

Zero snorted. “Doesn’t surprise me it’s so quiet here. Probably the globalists using the zombie virus to clear out the cities. Ever heard of the Georgia Guide Stones? It’s all there.”

Nix shook his head at Zero. “Always chasing ghosts. Got no time for that crap now. We need to find a safe spot to sleep and figure out how to get supplies.”

Tommy nodded at Nix. “He’s got a point. As fascinating as it would be to talk about Zombiepalooza or globalist agendas, we’ve got immediate issues to handle.”

Laila pursed her lips, her gaze meeting each of theirs in turn. “We’re all tired, we’re all stressed, but we’ve got each other. And right now, that’s what counts.”

Roxy chuckled. “Ah, look at us, getting all sentimental by the lakeside. Who would’ve thought?” She skimmed a stone across the lake’s surface, ripples spreading out in concentric circles, disrupting the stillness.

Laila sidled up to Tommy. “It’s getting dark. We need to find somewhere to stay.”

Tommy consulted the map. “There’s a campsite not too far from here. We can make it before nightfall if we haul ass.”

Tommy turned to check on Micky. He stood slumped against the van, his forehead dripping with sweat. His skin had taken on a greyish pallor that set Tommy’s nerves on edge. “Mick. You good?”

Micky flinched at Tommy’s voice and made a weak smile. “Yeah. Just needed a quick break. I’ll be right behind you.”

Tommy clapped his hand. “Alright, let’s move out, people. We’re almost there.”

The others drifted back towards their vans.

Tommy paused by Micky on his way to the driver’s seat. “You sure you’re good to go, man?”

Micky avoided his eyes. “Yeah. Like I said, right behind you.”

Tommy studied him for another moment, then climbed behind the wheel.

He turned the key in the ignition and the van rumbled to life.

Laila sank onto the passenger seat as Jimbo clambered into the back.

Tommy tapped on the steering wheel as Micky remained standing outside, leaning on the van.  

Killing the engine, Tommy hopped out and crossed over to Micky. “Mick. Time to go, brother.”

No response.

He grabbed Micky’s shoulder and gave him a shake. “Micky!”

Micky’s eyes fluttered open, glazed, and unfocused. “Huh? Oh…yeah. I’m coming.”

As Micky fumbled for the door handle, his legs gave out.

Tommy caught him before he face-planted the asphalt. “Whoa, whoa, whoa, easy there.” Sliding Micky’s arm over his shoulder, he supported most of his weight as he guided him to the van.

Laila opened the side door, concern etched on her brow as she helped Micky inside. “What’s wrong with him now?”

“Just the withdrawal. Let’s get moving. We’ll figure this out on the road.”

Laila nodded and slid the door closed once Micky was settled.

Tommy jumped back behind the wheel, his pulse quickening as he calculated the dwindling daylight against the distance remaining.

Foot on the gas pedal, the van rolled out.

Tommy kept his eyes locked on the road while the van tore down the empty highway, the sky darkening.

Beside him, Laila fidgeted with the radio—static cut in and out between bursts of faint classical music.

Tommy’s grip on the steering wheel tightened, his pulse a rapid drumbeat.

The van’s tyres crunched on gravel as Tommy pulled into the lakeside campground, cutting the engine, and letting the sudden silence fill the air.

He swept his gaze across the clearing framed by towering pines and the glassy lake beyond.

No signs of life—nor of death.

So far, so good.

He gestured to Micky, slumped in the back seat. “Let’s get him out first. Careful though, go slow.”

Together, he and Laila eased Micky from the van.

Tommy exchanged a worried look with Laila as they half-carried, half-dragged Micky towards the firepit.

Once they had Micky settled, Laila kept watch over him.

Roxy hopped out of her van, stretching her arms overhead. “How’s it looking?”

Tommy hesitated. “Not great. Micky’s really out of it.”

Roxy glanced over at Laila, who was crouched next to Micky’s inert form. “Is it…you know?”

“Withdrawal.”

“Damn. You’ve got to keep an eye on him. Could get bad quick. Bassist in our old band got into plez…let’s just say it didn’t end well.”

Tommy swallowed hard and nodded. Shadows stretched long across the ground. “And what about your current one?”

Roxy glanced towards the van and shrugged. “Not checked since we last stopped.” She shook her head. “I don’t know, man. We’re getting like Spinal Tap with drummers.”

Tommy laughed despite himself.

He spun at the sound of boots crunching on gravel behind him.

Jimbo ambled over, guitar case slung across his back. “Who wants to go for a swim?”

A half-smile almost formed on Tommy’s face, but his gaze involuntarily shifted back to Micky. Jimbo followed the line of sight, his own smile dimming.

“He’s not doing so hot, huh?”

“No.” Tommy exhaled.

Setting his guitar aside, Jimbo placed a hand on Tommy’s shoulder. “He’ll get through this. We’ll make sure of it.”

For a long moment, they stood together in silence, the dying rays of the setting sun casting its glow through the trees.

“Alright, enough moping. We need to lighten the atmosphere around here.” Jimbo cupped his hands around his mouth. “Who wants to help me set up the first annual Zombiepalooza?”

Laila let out a laugh. Tommy found himself chuckling too.

“I’m in!” Dee called out, springing to his feet from his spot by the water’s edge.

Laila rolled her eyes. “You’re ridiculous. Both of you.”

“Oh come on, it’ll be fun!” Jimbo swung his guitar back over his shoulder. “We’ve got an entire lakefront stage here. I’m envisioning pyrotechnics, perhaps some hydraulic lifts…screw punk rock, man. We can be like KISS!”

Tommy shook his head, a quiet laugh escaping his lips.

Even Zero managed a rare grin.