Free 900 Miles (Book 2): 900 Minutes by S. Johnathan Davis Page B

e… searching for a sensation of normalcy that had long ago been torn away.
    However, I did have a few other valid reasons for carting it around, but I did n’ t want to bring up the fact that the hard drive also contained the last remaining pictures of my wife. My wife. 
    Continuing, I dug my foot into the pebbles and said ,“ Besides, i t’ s got a compass and a few apps that still work just fine. Do n’ t know what the hell I’ d do without Angry Birds . ”
    Nodding toward me, Kyle replied ,“ Gotcha, that makes sens e … ” then with a fake scowl, he asked ,“ Now why would you go pick on my old-ass watch ? ”
    “ Do n’ t know, guess i t’ s just kinda out of place on you . ”
    He paused for a moment and lifted the watch, still on his wrist, toward the sky .“ Yeah, I guess it is. I like to think of it as vintage .” Lowering his arm, he brushed the scratched faceplate with his thumb and continued ,“ Old thing was actually my grandfathe r’ s . ”
    Sliding the cell phone back into my vest pocket, I leaned in to look a little closer at the rust growing across the golden casing and worn leather band, cocking my head sideways. Kyle saw I was curious for more.
    “ When he gave me this watch, he told me he wore it because it reminded him of where he came from. That proud old man grew up on a farm. Humble beginning for sure. Told me that he saved up forever as a child to buy it .” Kyle paused and smiled slightly as if thinking back to a memory or a conversation that had happened long ago.
    “ My grandfather eventually broke away from the far m… building a small empire. Old bugger was a genius when it came to finances, but I can honestly say he never let it get to his head. He wore this old thing until just about the end. Seeing how his son, my father, turned out, I think he wanted it to be the same reminder to m e… that money does n’ t make you special. Yo u’ re not suddenly someone different because you have a few extra bucks in the bank . ”
    Thinking of the fact that Kyle probably could have lived the easy life instead of heading off to the Army, I could n’ t help but admire the guy. I ca n’ t say I would have done the same thing before the world went to shit. Thinking of Tyler, I could only hope that I’ d be able to impart the right lessons about what was really important in this new life now. 
    A squelch from the radio on my shoulder sounded before I could hear Jarvis. Raising my eyebrows, I waiting in anticipation. It was time to find out if this trip was worth it.
    “ John, I wanted to let you know w e’ ve hit the nurs e’ s office, and i t’ s a gold mine. Everything we need is here . ”
    Looking up at the sky, I slowly nodded my head and double checked .“ They have the right meds ? ”
    “ Yes, boys, and plenty of them. I’ ve got the pack filled up. Meet us up front in two minutes ! ”
    Feeling like a boulder had been lifted off my chest, I looked up at Kyle. My face must have radiated relief.
    However, his face looked grimmer. Things changed so quickly in this worl d …
    The hair on the back of my neck spiked as, out of the corner of my eye, I saw a movement at the edge of the building across from the creature playing the human recycling game.
    Looking out across the building, Kyle perked up and asked ,“ Do you see that ? ”
    Blinking to make sure I saw what I thought I did, I leaned forward to see the giant, rounded torso of a fat ma n’ s body lying on the ground, shaking violently. Even from the distance, I could see the wiggle of its half-eaten love handles. Its legs were not visible. They were hidden behind the corner of the wall.
    “ Was that there before ?” I asked.
    Lifting my rifle and focusing my scope down on the corner of the building, I could see a number of rotting arms reaching from behind the wall and tearing into that Thanksgiving Day feast of a man. The gore from his stomach was spread across the grass-filled playground just to their