Guide to the Dead

The moon burned above the settlement, fierce and lonely—a pale fire suspended in a bruised night. Clouds gathered along the horizon, slowly swallowing the stars, and the wind moved through the trees beyond the perimeter, stirring the branches until they scraped together like distant whispers. Devin sat beneath the covered entrance of the old school, listening to the rain begin. It started softly at first, little more than a tapping against the metal roof, but she knew it would get heavier. It always did. She pulled her jacket tighter around herself and stared out into the darkness, knowing that sleep wasn't going to come easily tonight.

She had forgotten what it felt like to sleep without listening.

Every sound meant something now. A branch breaking somewhere beyond the walls could mean an animal, the wind, or something worse. A door opening in the school could mean someone checking on a sick neighbor or someone moving through the halls when they shouldn't be. Even the silence had changed. Before everything happened, silence had been peaceful. Now it usually meant that something was waiting inside it.

There were no bedtime stories anymore. No soft voices telling her everything was going to be okay. No one waiting beside her bed when she woke from a nightmare, no warm arms to crawl into when the world felt too big. Those things belonged to another life, and sometimes Devin wondered if she had imagined that life entirely.

She hadn't, though. She remembered it too well.

She remembered her mother's hand in hers.

She remembered the way her father's voice sounded when he was scared, even though he had tried so hard not to let anyone hear it. She remembered her older sister Lana crawling toward the rusted bus after everything had gone wrong, her breathing frantic and uneven, reaching for Devin even when she could barely move. Devin remembered grabbing her sister's hand and holding on until she thought her fingers might break.

Then there was blood.

There was always blood in the memories.

Devin shut her eyes.

Years had passed since that day, but some memories didn't care how much time had gone by. They stayed exactly where they were, waiting for the right moment to come back.

The dead had many names. Roamers. Geeks. Z's. Zombies. Every survivor seemed to have their own word for them, as if giving them a different name somehow made them easier to understand. Devin called them Stragglers. The name had stuck with her because it fit. They were slow and awkward, never graceful, never in a hurry, but they never stopped. You could knock one down and it would eventually get back up.

They were not the kind of enemy that needed to be fast. They only needed to keep coming.

That was what made them dangerous.

The world had learned to live around them, or at least pretend it had. Roads were avoided when possible. Buildings were cleared before they were used. Gates were checked twice. Doors were locked even when everyone inside knew there was no one left outside who could pick the lock. People carried weapons everywhere, even into places where weapons had once seemed unnecessary.

Years ago, Devin might have called that paranoia.

Now it was just Tuesday.

She opened her eyes again and looked toward the dark outline of the school. The building looked different at night. During the day, it was easy to remember what it had once been—a place where people came to learn, where teachers complained about coffee and students complained about homework. The old banners still hung in the gym. Faded posters remained on some of the classroom walls. There were still lockers in the hallways, most of them dented or rusted.

But it wasn't a school anymore.

It had been their home for years.

The classrooms had become bedrooms and storage rooms. The cafeteria had become the kitchen, with shelves built along the walls for canned food and dried goods. The library held medical supplies and records instead of books. The gym was used for meetings, training, and whenever there were too many people in the building to fit anywhere else.

Outside, the old football field had been divided between garden plots and solar panels. There were chickens, goats, and a few other animals kept in fenced areas near the back of the property. The parking lot had become a workshop where people repaired vehicles, tools, generators, and whatever else they could keep running. The school had survived because they had forced it to.

The walls around the property had been reinforced over the years. Sections of chain-link fence had been replaced with welded metal. Watch positions had been built around the perimeter, each stocked with a radio, ammunition, food, and basic medical supplies. The main gate was large enough for their trucks to pass through, but it was heavy enough that opening it was a job in itself.

There was also a smaller emergency exit at the back of the property. Nobody liked talking about that one. It was there in case they ever had to leave quickly, but everyone understood what it meant. If the main gate failed and the emergency exit became necessary, something had already gone very wrong.

Devin stood from the steps and brushed the dampness from her pants. She should have gone inside sooner, but she had been putting it off. The school was warmer than outside, but warmth didn't always make things easier. She walked through the doors and into the hallway.

Most of the lights were off. They didn't waste electricity unless they had to, and at night they usually relied on small lamps and battery-powered lights. The rain had grown heavier, drumming against the windows and roof until it almost covered the other sounds in the building.

But Devin could still hear footsteps coming from around the corner.

She looked up just as Lana appeared. Phoenix was with her.

They were walking close together, talking quietly. Lana had one hand wrapped around his arm, and Phoenix had his other hand resting over hers. They looked comfortable together in a way Devin had never managed to stop noticing.

It was stupid. After all these years, it was still stupid. But feelings didn't always care whether they made sense. Lana spotted her first. "You're still awake?"

Devin leaned against the wall. "Just a stroll. Don't you have a watch to take, Lana?"

Her sister gave her a look.

"I'm taking it in an hour."

"Right."

Phoenix smiled slightly. "You two always this pleasant?"

"Usually worse," Devin said drly.

Lana laughed, but Devin didn't. She pushed herself away from the wall and walked toward the sleeping quarters.

She had known Phoenix since they were children. Back then, liking him had been simple. She had written his name on pieces of paper and hidden them in drawers. She had once started a Valentine's card and never finished it because she couldn't figure out what to say without making herself look ridiculous.

That seemed like a lifetime ago.

Somewhere between the end of the old world and the beginning of this one, childhood feelings had become something heavier. Something she had never really dealt with because there had always been something more important to survive.

Then Lana and Phoenix had found each other. Devin had watched it happen.

She had hated herself for being hurt by it, because Lana was her sister. Phoenix was her friend. Neither of them had done anything wrong. Still, knowing that didn't make it disappear.

She entered the biology classroom they used as sleeping quarters and pulled the curtain closed behind her. The room had been divided into sections with old curtains and sheets. It wasn't private, not really, but after years of living together, everyone had learned to respect whatever privacy they could get. Devin's sleeping area was shared with her friend Olivia, while Lana occupied the section across from them. A younger girl named Rose had the last corner.

Olivia was already asleep.

Rose wasn't. She sat beneath a small battery-powered lamp with a book open in her lap. "You ever sleep?" Devin asked.

Rose looked up. "Sometimes."

Devin smiled despite herself and changed into dry clothes. She crawled onto her air mattress and pulled the blanket over herself. The rain continued outside, steady and heavy.

For a while she listened to Olivia breathing. Then she listened to Rose turning pages. Then, eventually, she slept.

The next morning came too early. At six, Devin was already awake.

The rain had stopped sometime during the night, leaving the air cold and damp. The smell of wet dirt came through the open doors near the cafeteria, mixed with coffee and whatever breakfast the kitchen staff had managed to put together.

Devin had a list of things to do. She needed to help send out the morning run, check the west garden before noon, and take the three-o'clock watch shift. None of it was unusual. It was just another day. But lately, Devin had been wanting more.

She was tired of being treated like someone who needed protecting.

She was an adult. She had been one for years. She knew how to shoot, how to clear a building, how to drive under pressure, how to recognize tracks and signs that other people missed. She knew what to do when someone was hurt and what to do when someone didn't make it back.

She had earned her place here.

The problem was that Lana still looked at her and saw the little sister she had once promised to protect. Devin wasn't sure how to make her stop.

Outside, two trucks were being loaded near the workshop. Malikye, one of the tougher guys in the settlement, and Rose’s older brother, stood beside the first one, checking a duffel bag before throwing it into the back. "Can you give me a hand with this?" he called.

Devin walked over and grabbed one of the heavier bags. "Where's Phoenix?"

Malikye glanced toward the school. "Haven't seen him."

Devin frowned. Phoenix was rarely late. He was one of the most reliable people they had. If he was supposed to be somewhere at six, he was usually there at five-fifty. He was the kind of person who checked equipment twice and made sure everyone else had what they needed before thinking about himself. "Maybe he overslept," Devin said.

Malikye shook his head. "Phoenix doesn't oversleep."

There was something about the way he said it that made Devin look toward the school again.She didn't have time to think about it. "Gas can," Malikye said.

Devin picked it up.

They worked in silence for a few minutes before Malikye spoke again. "Hey."

She looked at him. "Can you check on Rose while we're gone?"

Devin raised an eyebrow. "She's an adult."

"Barely."

"Yeah. I'll keep an eye on her."

"Thanks."

The others started gathering around the trucks. Shawn checked the tires while Amelia counted supplies. Ben climbed into the driver's seat of the second truck, and Fallon stood beside him, talking quietly.

Phoenix finally appeared.

He looked tired. Devin watched him approach, but he didn't explain why he was late. He only grabbed his pack and climbed into the truck.

Malikye looked at him for a second.

"You good?"

"Yeah."

Malikye didn't seem convinced, but he let it go.

There were six people going out that morning—Phoenix, Malikye, Shawn, Amelia, Ben, and Fallon. They weren't going far, at least not according to the original plan. The trucks rolled toward the front gate while several people gathered outside to see them off. It wasn't really goodbye anymore. Nobody liked saying goodbye.

It sounded too final.

Instead, they said, "See you soon."

Devin stood near the gate controls. Lana was there too.

Phoenix stepped out of the truck before climbing back in and walked toward her. Lana took both of his hands.

For a moment, neither of them said anything.

Then she touched his face and kissed him.

Devin looked away. She hated that she still noticed.

The gate began to open. A few Stragglers were wandering in the distance, drawn toward the noise. Devin raised her weapon with the others. They dealt with them before they could get close, and the trucks finally started moving.

Lana stood there until they disappeared down the road. Then the gate closed. The sound of the metal locking into place echoed through the morning.

About thirty minutes later, Olivia climbed down from one of the watch towers.Devin was waiting at the bottom of the ladder to switch her out. "There are more near the left wing," Olivia said.

"How many?"

"Hard to tell. A small herd."

Devin looked toward the trees.

"Should we clear them?"

"Tomorrow."

Devin glanced at her.

"Tomorrow?"

"There's no reason to waste ammunition on them right now. They're far enough away."

Devin nodded.

That was how things worked now.

You didn't kill something simply because you could. You saved ammunition. You saved energy. You saved food. You saved yourself.

Olivia handed the radio back to Devin.

"Gun's loaded. Safety's on."

"Thanks."

Olivia started walking away.

Devin climbed into the tower. The view from there was wide enough to see almost the entire front of the property. The school sat behind her, surrounded by fields and trees. The main gate was several hundred feet away. Beyond it was the road, stretching toward the remains of the town.

For most of the afternoon, nothing happened.

That was usually a good thing.

Devin watched the clouds move across the sky and listened to the occasional radio call from the other towers. Someone reported an animal near the east fence. Someone else needed help fixing a section of wire.

Normal things.

Well, normal for what the world has come to.

It was nearing dusk when Devin saw the vehicle. At first she thought it was one of theirs. Then she realized it wasn't. The truck was moving slowly down the road, and there was something mounted in the back that made her stomach tighten. Heavy equipment. Weapons.

There were people riding in the back.

A lot of them.

Devin grabbed the radio. "Tower Two, do you read me?"

Static.

Then a voice answered. "Go ahead."

"Survivors approaching the main gate."

"How many?"

Devin counted. "Twelve. Maybe more."

"Stay in the tower. Let Lana handle it."

Devin watched the vehicle stop.

A man climbed out of the passenger side and raised both hands. The main gate opened only a few inches. Lana appeared on the other side with several armed people beside her. Devin grabbed her rifle and headed down. She wasn't supposed to leave the tower without permission.

She did anyway. 

By the time she reached the gate, Lana was speaking to the man.

"We're not looking for trouble," he said.

"Then you picked a strange way to introduce yourselves."

The man gave a nervous smile.

"My name is Eric. We came from a settlement a few miles east of here."

"A settlement?"

"Yeah."

That got everyone's attention. There had been travelers before. Families looking for food. People looking for shelter. Small groups passing through who wanted to trade. But another organized community was different.

Eric pointed toward the truck.

"We have food. Some tools. Ammunition. Things you might be able to use."

"What do you want?" Lana asked.

"First-aid supplies. Antibiotics if you've got them. Bandages. Anything medical."

Lana studied him. "How many people are in your community?"

Eric hesitated. "Enough."

Devin noticed the hesitation. So did Lana.

"Everyone gets searched before they come through," Lana said. "Weapons stay with us."

A broad-shouldered man near the back of the group stepped forward. "That's not happening." Lana looked at him.

Eric turned. "Mark."

Mark didn't move. "We've got our own weapons."

"And you'll get them back when you leave," Lana said.

Mark stared at her.

For several seconds, nobody spoke.

Then Eric stepped between them. "We'll cooperate." Mark looked like he wanted to argue, but eventually he stepped back. One by one, they surrendered their weapons.

The gate opened enough for them to enter. They were searched before being allowed through, and their equipment was taken to storage. Nobody was permitted to wander around the settlement. Lana directed them toward the gym, where they would stay until the council could meet.

Eric didn't seem happy about it.

"I thought you were going to trade with us."

"We might," Lana said. "But we don't make decisions like that without talking to everyone."

"Everyone?"

"The council."

Eric looked around.

"You're not in charge?"

Lana almost smiled. "I'm one of the people who gets a say."

It was something Devin respected about her sister.

Lana could have taken control years ago. People would have followed her. She was capable, confident, and had earned the trust of most of the settlement. But she understood that survival wasn't supposed to turn into one person deciding everything. They had seen what happened when people started believing they were the only ones who knew what was right.

"We have people out on a run," Lana continued. "They'll be back in a couple of days. We can talk about the trade then."

Eric glanced toward the others.

"We really need those supplies."

"And we need ammunition."

"We can work something out."

"Maybe."

Mark stepped forward again. "You're really going to make us sleep in the gym?"

"Until the council meets." His expression hardened. Eric put a hand on his shoulder.

"Come on."

Mark didn't look away from Lana.

Finally, he turned. The group started toward the gym. Devin watched them disappear through the doors. Something about them bothered her. She couldn't explain what. Maybe it was Mark. Maybe it was the way Eric kept answering questions without really answering them. Or maybe it was simply the fact that twelve armed strangers had walked through their gates.

Whatever the reason, Devin didn't like it.

That night, the gym was quiet. The strangers had been given blankets, water, and food. Guards were posted outside the doors. Nobody was allowed to leave without permission. It was fair. It was also necessary.

Devin checked on Rose before going to bed.

Rose was sitting exactly where Devin expected her to be, reading beneath a flashlight. "You know, most people sleep at night."

"Most people don't have anything interesting to read."

Devin smiled. "How are you feeling about our guests?"

Rose lowered the book.

"Are they dangerous?"

Devin thought about it. "Everyone is dangerous when they have something to lose."

Rose looked at her for a moment. "That's not an answer."

"It's the only one I have."

Rose went back to reading. Devin stood in the doorway a little longer before leaving. She checked the hallway. Then the windows. Then the doors. It was becoming a habit. She returned to her room, but sleep didn't come. The strangers were still in the gym.

Phoenix and the others were still out there.

Something about the whole situation felt wrong, even if she couldn't put her finger on it. Another settlement had never come to them before. People had come looking for food. People had come looking for shelter. Some had tried to steal from them.

But another community? That was different. Devin lay awake, staring at the ceiling.

Maybe this was what the world was supposed to become. Maybe people were finally learning how to build something again instead of simply surviving. Maybe they could trade. Maybe they could help each other. Maybe they could stop living like every stranger was an enemy.

She let herself believe it for just a moment. 

This just might work.