Caldera
Date: 2014-11-28 05:00:00+00:00
Keywords: Horror; Zombies
Description: For years, the biggest threat that Yellowstone was thought to offer was in the form of its semi-dormant super volcano. Little did anyone realize the threat was real and slowly working its way to the surface, but not in the form of magma. Lying deep within the bowels of the earth itself, an ancient virus waited. Recently credited with wiping out the Neanderthals, the virus is released within the park and quickly spreads. A desperate plea for assistance reaches the military, but are they coming to help those battling for their lives or to wipe out every living thing in an effort to prevent a sec
Publisher: May December Publishing
Rights: Copyright 2019 Heath Stallcup. All rights reserved.

Caldera 11

All Good Things

Heath Stallcup

Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

Chapter 26

From the desk of Heath Stallcup

About the Author

Also by Heath Stallcup

Also From DevilDog Press

Customers also bought

Caldera 11 All Good Things

©2019 Devil Dog Publishing

This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, organizations, places, events, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons living, dead, or otherwise, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

This book is protected under the copyright laws of the United States of America. Any reproduction or unauthorized use of the material or artwork contained herein is prohibited without the express written permission of the author.

Printed in the U.S.A.

ISBN—

Created with Vellum

To my twin girls.

You both love zombie stories and this is a different twist on the genre for you.

It may not be what you’re used to, but if the ‘zombie apocalypse’ ever really does come, it most likely will be some kind of rage virus versus the slow, shambling, walking dead.

Rule #1: Cardio…

1

“Son of a bitch!” Hatcher darted for his ATV and grabbed the 30.30, slipping it from the leather scabbard and quickly chambering a round. He brought the rifle to his shoulder and sighted down its length.

He forced his body to calm down and tried to lead the charging wild man. Shot after shot missed the advancing form before the trees blocked the attacker from his sight.

He didn’t realize he was holding his breath until he heard three rapid shots and a blood curdling scream.

He dropped the rifle and ran for the tip of the treeline for all he was worth as time slowed to a crawl.

Don’t be dead, don’t be dead, don’t be dead! He thought as he forced his aging body up the hill and around the trees. He slid to a stop and bent over, doing his best to catch his breath.

“He caught me off guard,” Missy muttered as she swiped at the blood on her arms and face. “I’d give your left nut for a packet of wet wipes right about now.”

Hatcher chuckled as he sucked in air, his hands still shaking. “You’re just a younger, whiter, and…femaler version of Mitch all right.” He stood up and pressed a hand to his side. “I thought he’d got you.”

She lifted her shirt and wiped at her face. “He nearly did.” She pulled the shirt back and grimaced at the blood. “I guess I need to work on my quick draw.” Missy froze, her eyes locked to the blood smeared on her uniform top. “Tell me this isn’t catchy through bodily fluids.”

Hatcher shrugged. “I guess we’ll find out.” He gave her a cockeyed grin. “Meet your new and improved snapper.”

She spat at some imaginary thing in her mouth and stared at the creature. “How can you tell?”

Hatcher used the toe of his boot to push the creature fully to its back. “The eyes are white,” he looked up into the sky, “and it’s out in daylight.”

“Joy.” She stepped over the body and sauntered towards the ATVs. “I need to clean up.”

“A shower wouldn’t kill you,” Hatcher joked as he walked back down the hill.

“Did you find whatever it was you were looking for?” Her voice didn’t betray her annoyance.

He walked past her ATV and back towards the bones. “Whoever did this had to have a hundred or more people.” He paused and pointed to the land. “The grass was all but destroyed in this area where they struggled with the buffalo.”

“Bison,” she corrected, still wiping blood from her neck.

He gave her a questioning look. “What?”

“These are bison.” She spat again then tucked her shirt into her pants. “They were misnomered when first seen by European settlers.”

He shook his head slightly. “People have called these buffalo for centuries.”

“Doesn’t make them correct.” She straddled her ATV and sighed. “Can we go now?”

He turned and gave her a stoic stare. “My point is, there could be another group of survivors around here easily as large as the dead in that ravine.”

She slowly began to sober as the realization sank in. “And how long does it take for that cure to work its magic?”

Hatcher shrugged. “Anywhere from days to weeks. I think it depends on the person.”

Missy groaned. “Great.” She stared into the gloom of the woods and sighed. “How are we supposed to find them?”

Hatcher climbed up onto his own ATV and sat down. “I say we make our presence known. Those who are cured and want help will find us.”

The click of heels across the concrete floor drew Randy Carlson’s attention from the shaky, disoriented man he’d just released from an acrylic cell. He spun to see Senator Winegard marching toward him. Before anybody realized what she was doing, she had raised her hand and pointed a pistol at them, firing as she approached.

Randy ducked to the side, using the cells as cover. The filth covered man buckled where he stood as red blossoms appeared across his chest and midsection. The crazed senator continued firing until she stood directly over him, clicking the pistol on spent cartridges.

She seemed genuinely surprised as the soldier tackled her to the concrete floor.

“Get off of me!” she screamed. “Do you have any idea who I am?”

The soldier planted a knee firmly on her arm, crushing it beneath his weight as he swiped the now empty pistol from her hand. “Clear!” he shouted.

She screamed from the pain and struggled under his weight until he moved his knee and flipped her to her chest, pulling her arms tight behind her.

“What the hell just happened here?” Captain Hilliard bellowed as he burst into the room. “I thought they were cured?” He stood over the still screaming senator and pointing at her shackled form.

Dr. Broussard appeared beside them, his face pale. “I have no idea what…” He swallowed hard and looked at Captain Hilliard. “She kept asking for a change of clothes.”

“So I could get my goddam gun!” she screeched from the floor.

“Stand her up!” Hilliard ordered. Two soldiers scooped her from the concrete floor and lifted her to a standing position.

She tried to blow a strand of hair from her face and straighten her stance, resuming her air of grace and confidence as best she could under the circumstances. “I needed my gun.”

“But why?” Andre asked, his mind unable to accept what was happening.

She cocked her shoulders back and squared her jaw. “He was screwing my personal assistant.” Her eyes darted to a filthy blonde in another cell. Even through the blood, bodily fluids, and fecal matter smeared on the walls, it was obvious she had once been attractive.

“Who is this man to you?” Carol asked.

“He was my husband,” she stated flatly. She glanced to his still form and smiled. “Consider that a divorce.”

“Get her the hell out of here!” Hilliard barked. He turned an angry eye to Broussard. “Tell me this cure of yours works,” he dared the man.

Broussard’s mouth opened and closed, but nothing came out. Carol stepped between the two men and gently pushed the general back. “Sir, with all due respect, we can’t foresee the state of mind these people will be in once they’re treated.” She finally got his attention and he looked down at her, his eyes unyielding.

“So they could all be batshit crazy like this one.”

Carol gave him her best answer. “We can’t know. That’s why we need to study them before we treat the others.” His eyes widened and she quickly added. “At least then we’ll know if there has been any permanent brain damage.” She held her hands up in surrender. “Right now, it’s the best we can do.”

Hilliard took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “We have a problem then.” His voice was soft and low and the tone scared the two researchers more than if he’d been yelling.

“What’s that?” Broussard asked, unsure if he really wanted to know.

Hilliard met their gaze and his face fell. “General Green may have…‘jumped the gun.’” He stepped back and swiped a heavily calloused hand across his face. “He informed the president that you had found the cure,” he turned and gave them a knowing look, “so you can imagine who wants to be here when his vice president and best friend wakes up.”

“Oh no,” Carol groaned. She looked to Andre. “We bring the woman back and secure her. Surely somebody has some psychiatric training. Maybe we can determine—”

“NEGATIVE!” Hilliard responded. “That woman is a threat and will be dealt with accordingly.”

“Surely you don’t plan—”

“She will be dealt with…accordingly,” Hilliard stated slowly. He looked back to Broussard. “You have less than seventy-two hours to make your determination. After that, all bets are off.”

Simon turned and stared down the hill towards the roadblock. “I know this is a trap.”

“It would have been,” Trent replied.

Simon stiffened and tightened his grip on the pistol. “So, you lied to the idiots.”

“Of course,” Trent replied. “How about you give me your gun.”

Simon shook his head. “Yeah, I don’t think so.” He took a deep breath and tried to calm his nerves. “In the immortal words of Charlton Heston…from my cold, dead hands.”

“Deal.”

The two men’s eyes locked, and although Trent was easily twice his size, Simon knew that he had a reputation amongst the bikers. Those who remembered him knew that he was a cold blooded, thrill seeking hedonist. He was certain that the stories about him had been embellished over time. Probably to the point that he was somewhat of a legend in certain parts.

Simon pushed what little fear he had deep down inside and stared at Trent. He felt a cold smile begin to form, and in the moonlight he caught the glint of a sweat bead that ran down the side of the man’s face. He took that as a tell and stepped back.

“Okay. You win.” He held the gun to the side and opened his grip, letting it fall to the dried pine needles below.

Trent’s face showed obvious relief, even in the shadows. “Kick it to me.”

Simon knew exactly what he was doing. He watched as Trent’s eyes slid down to his boots and as Simon toed the pistol between them, his hand slid to his lower back, and he gripped the razor sharp Bowie knife.

As Trent began to bend for the pistol, Simon deftly slid the blade from its leather sheath and plunged it to the hilt into Trent’s liver. His other hand shot out and gripped the man’s wrist, holding the pistol barrel away from himself.

As Trent’s body reacted to the shock and pain, his grip instinctively tightened, firing the pistol into the night sky.

The two men danced a slow waltz of death as Simon straightened his arm and put his full body weight on the blade, slicing Trent from sternum to belt buckle.

Trent’s immense size pushed the two of them forward and down the hill slope. Simon felt his wounded arm losing its grip and his feet slipped in the pine needles below them. He fell to his back with Trent coming down on top of him.

Simon opened his eyes and saw Trent’s face hovering above his own. His mouth registering surprise, frozen in a silent scream. Simon stared into his eyes and saw the fear radiating from them like the light from a flickering bulb.

In that brief moment, it was as if their two minds were locked together. Trent knew that he was dead, and he feared what waited in the great beyond. He feared being judged for all his misdeeds; most of all he feared that the evils he had committed on others were waiting for him on the other side of the veil.

Simon continued to stare into Trent’s eyes until the spark of life left him and the man’s head collapsed onto his chest. He exhaled and relaxed his grip, feeling his hands tremble as his body burned off the remaining adrenaline.

He took a moment to catch his breath, and it was only then that he realized that he was absolutely soaked in Trent’s blood. He cursed to himself as he pushed the larger man’s body over and came to his feet. He could feel Trent’s blood running down the inside of his shirt and down his pants leg. He dreaded cleaning clotted blood from his boots, but he still had work to do.

He bent low and dragged his hand through the mess, searching for the dropped pistol and the Bowie knife. In the distance he heard Lana yell, “I’m coming baby! Hold on!”

Simon sighed and came to his feet. He knew that with the low light, there was a risk of her shooting him by mistake.

He trudged up the hill and pushed through the brush at the edge of the camp. He froze when he heard her pump a round into the shotgun. “Hold it!” He held his hands up as he stepped closer. “It’s me.”

Lana squinted in the low light and shook her head. “Simon?”

He stepped further out of the brush and her eyes widened. “Good lord…”

He held his hands out to the side, blood running down his arms and puddling beneath him.

“It’s done.”

2

Missy hummed a tune as the warm water beat down on her. She soaked herself then turned the water off, preserving what little still remained in the park’s water tower. She lathered up as Hatcher rifled through the stuff strewn across the locker room floor. “Why would somebody dump all their crap and just leave it?”

Missy continued to scrub the dried bits of blood from her skin as she thought. “Maybe they were looking for something in particular?”

Hatcher leaned back and cocked his head to the side, his mind trying to imagine the perpetrator’s actions. “I’m not seeing it.” He shuffled, putting his back fully to the showers. “They dumped all the lockers.”

“Maybe they didn’t find whatever they were looking for?” she replied before turning the water back on to rinse the soap off.

Hatcher slowly came to his feet and shook his head. “For the life of me, I can’t imagine what it might have been. We only kept changes of clothes and a few personal belongings…” his words trailed off.

Missy stepped from the shower, dragging the terrycloth towel across her body. Hatcher made no effort to gawk. “What kind of personal belongings?”

He gave a slow shrug as he pushed the items around with his foot. “Photos, mementos, that kind of thing.”

She stepped beside him and studied the layout. He glanced at her then turned for the door. “I’ll give you a moment.”

“Pfft.” She wrapped the towel around her middle then turned to her open duffel. “Like I’m packing anything you haven’t seen before.” She pulled her spare clothing from the bag and Hatcher made a point to turn his back.

“Regardless.” He sighed as he stared at Shelly’s locker. “Shelly’s locker is bare. But Dwayne’s stuff is here, just…everywhere.”

“Dwayne?” Missy asked as she hopped into her pants.

“Fisher.” Hatcher pulled the locker door open fully and smiled at the photo taped to the inside. The three of them were all smiling at the camera. His hand slowly extended and pulled the photo away. “This was when he first came on.”

Missy appeared beside him, buttoning her uniform top. “Is that Shelly?”

He nodded before he tucked the photo back into the locker. “And what has me confused is why her personal stuff is missing.”

Missy shrugged. “Maybe she came back and collected it?”

Hatcher slowly shook his head. “She would have needed a change of clothes but her spare uniform is still here.”

“Is that her only spare, or did she have more than one?”

He pushed Dwayne’s locker shut. “You’re missing the point. I don’t think it was Shelly that came back here and tore shit up.” He turned around and leaned on the lockers. “She wouldn’t need to go through mine or Dwayne’s stuff.”

“If she needed something specific she might.” Missy laced her boots and raised a brow at him. “Ammo maybe?”

He shook his head. “We didn’t keep ammo in our lockers. We kept all of that….” His voice trailed off and he turned to give her a curious stare. “Hold that thought.”

She watched him march out of the locker room and quickly trotted to catch up. “Where you headed?”

He rounded the rear of the station and reached for the knob on a door marked: Authorized Personnel Only. “Here.” He pulled the door open then stepped back. “Somebody left it unlocked.”

She appeared next to him and whistled low. “Wow. You guys were loaded for bear.”

“That’s one way to put it.” Hatcher stared at the weapons and ammunition, his mind trying to take an inventory. Missy reached past him and grabbed the clipboard hanging on the inside of the door. “Let’s see who was the last person here.”

Hatcher shook his head. “I doubt they’d sign in—”

“Here it is.” She held the clipboard out to him. “SAM.”

Hatcher blinked at the initials and recognized them. “There’s no way to know when this was.” He pushed the clipboard away. “That could have been before.”

Missy nodded and hung the clipboard back on the door. “Would she have left this much firepower unlocked?”

Hatcher froze, his grip on the doorknob tightening. Slowly he shook his head. “No. She wouldn’t.” He pushed the door shut and tried to put the puzzle pieces together in his head. “But again, whoever left it unlocked probably didn’t sign the clipboard either. She could have been the last person to check something out, and then somebody else came in after her.”

Missy watched him push the door shut then she stepped beside him. “Is the door jimmied?” She bent low and peered at the lock. “I’m not seeing anything.”

He bent next to her and stared. “It looks fine.”

She stood straight and sighed. “Then whoever left it unlocked had a key.” She turned and raised a brow at him. She stepped away and left him to put the pieces together. “If I were a bettin’ person, I’d say somebody with a key came back and supplied, then forgot to lock it back. Or was in too big of a hurry to do it.”

Hatcher slowly shook his head. “Then why not stay?” He turned to her, his face a mask of confusion. “If she’s still alive, why take off?”

Missy gave him a long, slow shrug. “Maybe she went to find you?”

Hatcher sighed and leaned against the wall. “You’d think I’d run into her on the road.”

Missy scoffed. “Right, because all roads lead to Rome.”

Hatcher felt his guts tighten. “You think she’s alive and…out there?”

Missy shrugged again. “I’m just pointing out the facts. You’re the one who has to try to figure out what’s what.”

Broussard flipped the penlight across the subject’s eyes and jotted down his results. “Normal reaction.”

Carol squeezed his shoulder. “You need rest. You haven’t slept since we got here.”

“We can sleep when we’re dead,” he muttered. He glanced around the lab then met her eyes. “You go. I’ve got this.”

“You’d be the only one left.” She gave him a defeated smile. “The others called it and went to sleep. So should you.”

He shook his head. “We need to observe him.”

“I’m good, doc.” The new test subject crossed his arms over his bare chest and gave him a weak grin. “I could use some sleep myself.”

Carol tugged at his arm, pulling him away. “Go and rest. I’ll secure him to the exam table and set him up with bedding so he can rest as well. We can pick this up after—”

“You heard Captain Hilliard. We haven’t the time to waste.”

She planted her hands on her hips and glared at him. “Worst case scenario, we slip the Veep some LSD and let him walk around and pretend he’s okay. Once the president leaves, we secure him and give him the complete go over.”

Broussard shook his head. “And if the president wants to take them all back to Washington?”

“Then we cross that bridge when we get to it.” She put her foot down and pointed to the door.

Broussard let a long, low sigh out. “I can rest here.”

“Go. Before I call a guard to drag you to bed.”

He hung his head and nodded. “Have them come for me in five hours. That’s all I need.”

“Six,” she replied.

He opened his mouth to argue then quickly closed it. He stood and squared his shoulders. “Will you be joining me?”

She gave him a seductive smile and patted his arm. “Rest first.” She gave him a wink and lowered her voice. “We’ll start the morning off right.”

He nodded quickly then turned for the door. “Be careful.”

She held the leather cuff up. “I got this.” She watched him pull the lab door shut before she turned to the subject. “You and I have work to do.”

The man looked at her with surprise in his eyes. “We do?”

She nodded as she placed the cuff on his wrist. “You can lie on the exam table if you want, but neither of us are getting any sleep until you answer a few questions.”

Simon scrubbed the thick coating of blood from his body in a small stream. He was actually thankful that it was night and he couldn’t see the water turn color.

Lana stood behind him in the chilly flow and scrubbed the spots he couldn’t reach. “You know we’ll probably miss some.”

He gave a slight shrug as he worked the bristle brush over his skin. “You mean blood or my hide?” He grunted as she scrubbed his back harder. “I think there’s still some skin left on the soles of my feet. Just in case you want to be thorough.”

“You have to make a good example in the daylight once the others are all gathered.”

Simon slowly shook his head. “I took no pleasure in what I did tonight.”

Lana paused and glared at the back of his head. “You took the first step. You killed Trent and his goons.” She stepped around to face him and barely recognized the man before her. “You told me the steps we’d have to take for them to accept us and then love us. Then we can rule.”

He nodded slowly, his mind still replaying the events of the night. “Yes, I did.”

“And you took those steps.” She moved closer and narrowed her gaze at him. “They’ll realize they need us to do their dirty work.”

Simon nodded again. “They will.”

“What else will it take?” she demanded, lowering the scrub brush. “What will it take for them to realize that you need to lead them?”

He slowly shook his head. “I can’t say.” He lowered his eyes and sighed. “People are finicky creatures. Not unlike cats.”

“What the hell are you saying?”

He took a deep breath and blew it out slowly. “I’m saying that subconsciously they’ll know that they need us. But they won’t like what happened… and especially the ‘how’ it happened.”

“I don’t follow.”

He turned slowly to face her. “I gutted him. Like a fish.” He drew a line from his chest to his crotch. “I literally bathed in his blood.”

A slow smile formed across her features and he watched as her nipples hardened under the thin material of her shirt. “Tell me more.”

He simultaneously felt lust and disgust at her reaction. He bent towards her and lowered his voice. “I felt his intestines slide across my middle as he bled out.”

She shuddered and he watched as goosebumps broke out on her skin. “More.”

He leaned even closer and whispered, “I felt the warmth of his blood soak into my skin as I stared into his face.” He leaned so close that his breath tickled her ear. “I watched his life slip away until that little spark died in his eyes.”

She moaned slightly and slid her hand down into her shorts. “More,” she whispered breathily.

“I felt his body go completely limp as his spirit departed this earthly plane.” He brought his hand up and brushed her nipple. “Like a butterfly in a stiff wind…one moment it was there, the next…nothing.”

She slowly closed her eyes and smiled. “I wish I could have watched it.” Simon pulled back and watched her. She stood in the chilly water, touching herself. Pleasuring herself at the mental image he had painted for her. She was getting off on Trent’s murder.

Her reaction both sickened and intrigued him.

How could somebody be like that? It was only then that he realized, she was him…just a few short weeks ago.

She opened her eyes and stared at him. She looked him up and down, licking her lips. For a moment, he felt like a raw steak thrown to a lion.

She moved closer and smiled at him. It wasn’t a kind smile. He felt his breath quicken and his heart rate double as she pressed her hands to his chest.

She slowly closed the gap between them, continuously staring into his eyes as she slowly lowered herself, taking him with her mouth.

Simon sucked in the cold night air through his teeth and for the briefest of moments feared that she might chomp down and remove his favorite appendage. That fear quickly subsided as she worked at him, her pace slowly increasing and intensifying.

He threw his head back and stared at the moon through the tree branches, his mind racing across a thousand different thoughts as she pleasured his body.

He wasn’t sure what had gotten into her, but for the moment, he wasn’t questioning it.

3

Hatcher tried to roll over and fell off of the couch, dragging the blanket with him. His eyes snapped open and it took him a moment to figure out where he was. He sat up and rubbed the sleep from his eyes.

Missy mumbled something in her sleep and pulled her blanket higher, tucking it under her neck. Hatcher cocked his head to the side and tried to picture how she was curled up in the recliner and just couldn’t imagine anybody sleeping in such a weird position.

He dragged himself upright and came to his feet, his eyes searching for coffee. He walked gingerly past her and pulled open a cabinet. The squeak of the hinge woke her and his jaw ticked as she yawned and stretched.

“Sorry.” He rifled through the cupboard. “I was going to make coffee.”

She slowly rose from the chair and nodded to the far right cabinet. “There’s grounds and filters in there.” She draped the blanket over her shoulders and shuffled into the tiny kitchen.

“I keep thinking about where Shelly might have gone.” He poured water into the back of the coffee maker and flipped the switch. “It’s not working.”

Missy cracked an eye open and nodded to the switch on the wall. “Only one circuit is on the battery. You have to flip the light switch.”

Hatcher leaned across and flipped the switch up and smiled as the tiny LED on the coffee maker came on. “Pretty ingenious what you’ve done here.”

She shrugged. “Not really. I just followed the diagram in the book.”

He raised a brow at her. “What book?”

“Some prepper manual that Mitch had.” She yawned and covered her mouth. “It’s a really boring read.”

Hatcher crossed his arms and peered out the window of the outpost. “I’m going back to the station and collect a few things. I want to look around and see if any of the sheds were gone through. Maybe she got an ATV running or…” He shrugged. “Something.”

She pushed up from the chair and pulled two mugs from the upper cabinet. “I’ll go with you.” She poured some of the bitter brew and handed him a cup. “How long do you intend to stay out here looking for her?”

Hatcher sipped at the coffee and winced. “I don’t know. I guess until I find her remains or feel that I’ve searched long enough.”

She peered over the cup at him. “Until you ‘feel’ that you’ve searched long enough? That’s not very specific.”

Hatcher sat down and sighed. “I can’t explain it. I felt the need to come and look for her. It’s been tugging at me since this whole thing started, but once the cure was released…” he shrugged.

“You couldn’t just do nothing.”

He nodded. “And it could all be for nothing. I may never know one way or the other.”

“Then what?”

He sipped at the coffee and tried to imagine carrying on afterward. “I honestly don’t know. Go home I guess.”

“New Mexico?”

He stared out of the window again and smiled to himself. “Or stay here. This place always felt like home to me.”

Missy snorted and set her coffee down. “Then you better find us better sleeping arrangements because that chair is murder on my back.”

“How are the headaches?”

Buck turned slowly and gave Vicky a soft smile. “Better. But I still feel like I’m in a fog most of the time.”

“I told him not to drink coffee,” Skeeter added smugly.

“Caffeine is a vasoconstrictor, so it won’t hurt,” Vicky replied as she pulled out her penlight. “It’s the crash afterwards that makes you wish you hadn’t had any.”

Buck squinted as she flashed the light in his eyes and checked his pupillary response. “You’re looking better,” she sat back and lifted his chin, “but you also look tired.”

He nodded. “I think it’s the medicines. But truth be told, I’d much rather be a little rundown than have to deal with the headaches.”

Vicky fished in her pocket and handed him another few weeks’ worth of the medications. “After this, I want to wean you down and see if you still have headaches.”

He nodded and placed the bottles on the end table. “Is there a chance my head will heal that fast?”

Vicky gave him a tight lipped smile. “This is all new to me, Buck. I honestly have no idea. But I’d rather check you every two or three weeks and see if the headaches have improved than keep you on this stuff unnecessarily.”

He came to his feet carefully. “I appreciate you.”

“We both do,” Skeeter said.

“Stay off the ladders, and no power tools,” Vicky warned. “Let the others help you guys out until you’re back on your feet.”

“I don’t like sitting around doing nothing,” Buck stated. “It makes me feel useless.”

Vicky placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. “You’ve worked wonders with Eddie and the other newcomers that have found their way to us.” She peered deeply into his eyes. “Trust me, that is not useless.”

Buck lowered his gaze and shook his head. “They just need someone to listen.”

“And right now, that’s you.” She closed her bag and hung it over her shoulder. “You’re keeping notes, like I told you?”

He nodded. “I’m doing the best I can.”

“Good.” She gave him a broad smile. “You may end up becoming our resident therapist.”

Buck groaned. “I’d rather be the resident carpenter. Or plumber. Or electrician.”

“Nothing says you can’t do all the above—just not until your head heals.” She jabbed a finger at him. “Doctor’s orders.”

It was his turn to smirk. “I thought you enjoyed reminding us all that you’re ‘just a nurse?’”

She sighed as she reached for the door. “Don’t question me, kiddo, or I’ll prescribe a laxative that keeps your butt on the throne for twelve hours of the day.”

“Please, no,” Skeeter shook her head. “I do our laundry.”

“No worries,” Buck replied. “Both of you. I’ll do what I’m told.”

Vicky gave him a quick hug. “I gotta go. Early bird gets worms and all that.” Skeeter watched her leave then shut the door behind her. “You’ll do what you’re told, huh?” She gave him a mischievous smile. “Why don’t I believe you?”

Buck pulled her close and wrapped his arms around her. “I’ll do what Vicky tells me because she’s the medical professional.”

Skeeter groaned. “I knew there was a catch.”

Buck pulled back and kissed the tip of her nose. “I need to get going. We have a group meeting in a few minutes.”

Skeeter pulled him back to her and cupped his face. “I’m really proud of you. I know you’re out of your comfort range, helping these people, but they need you.”

Buck gave her a crooked smile. “Actually, Skeet…I think I need them more than they need me.”

Carol stretched and yawned, setting her notepad aside. “Are we done?” the man on the table asked.

She nodded. “I can’t think of anything else.” She glanced at the clock and groaned. “I am so late…”

“I can sleep now?”

She patted his shoulder as she lowered the lights. “Until the others return. I’m sorry, but it won’t be long, I’m sure.”

“Great,” the man groaned. He closed his eyes and pulled the blanket up as high as the bindings would allow. “Put up the ‘do not disturb’ sign on your way out please.”

She chuckled as she shut the door and snuck down the hallway to Broussard’s room. She cracked the door quietly and stepped inside, peeling away her outer clothing while he snored softly on the narrow bed.

She lifted the covers and slid in next to him, hoping that her own bed was still pushed tightly to his. She’d no sooner lay down and closed her eyes than he snorted and sat up.

“What time is it?”

“Shh.” She kept her voice low and pulled him closer to her. “Go back to sleep.”

He pulled his wrist to his face and squinted in the gloom, doing his best to read the luminescent hands on his watch. “I can’t…” He blinked and wiped at his eyes.

“It’s not time yet.” She pulled his arm down and cuddled it. “I’ll tell you when.”

Andre groaned as he lay back down. He pulled her close and whispered in her ear. “Are you just now coming to bed?”

She nodded. “Yes.”

“What was so important that you’d stay in the lab?” There was no accusation in his tone, only curiosity.

“I needed his history.” She opened her eyes and saw him staring at her. “And I wanted to know if the man that Deborah shot was really her husband or a viral induced fantasy.”

“And? What did you find out?”

She sighed then sat up, facing him. “They were married. And he was messing around with the blonde…and maybe a few others.”

Andre raised a brow. “So he had it coming?”

Carol’s eyes went wide and she blinked at him. “Infidelity is not a capital crime.”

“In France…it used to be.” He smirked before he pulled her to him. “So you concluded that perhaps the good senator wasn’t entirely crazy?”

“Oh no. She’s batshit crazy.” She snuggled in closer to him. “At least, according to him.”

“And who is our new guest?”

“Aide to the Secretary of…something.” She shrugged under the blanket. “It’s in my notes.”

“A nobody, then.”

She nodded. “It pains me that we’re doing exactly what Higgins suggested.”

Broussard’s eyes shot open. “Excuse me?”

She sighed heavily and pulled his arm closer. “We’re using the others as guinea pigs.”

Andre’s head fell back to his pillow and he stared at the ceiling. “I hadn’t thought of that.”

“Neither had I.” She slid her hand down his arm and found his hand, interlacing her fingers with his. “Tell me we’re doing the right thing.”

“We are.” He leaned forward and kissed the back of her neck. “I hate that we have to keep reminding ourselves that we’re the good guys.”

Simon crawled from the mattress and began dressing. “Come back to bed,” Lana purred.

He patted her leg and nodded toward the windows. “Sun’s up.”

“So?” She groaned and rolled over, pulling the covers over her head.

“So, I have to go out and greet the other campers as they come out.” He patted her leg again. “I have to paint the proper picture for them.”

She waved him off as he stood and exited the bedroom. He paused at the door and glanced back at her. He knew in his heart that there was something not right with his beloved, but for the life of him, he couldn’t put his finger on exactly what his brain was trying to tell his heart.

He pushed the door open and stepped out into the early morning light. Veronica was stoking the campfire and hanging an old coffee pot over the embers.

“Good morning,” Simon said softly. “Did you sleep well?”

“You mean with all the shooting and shouting? Sure.” She set the ceramic coated tin pot onto the embers then turned to him. “How about you?”

Simon pulled his chair closer to the pit and sat down gingerly. “Not really.”

“I take it Trent is dead?”

Simon lowered his face and stared at the orange glowing chunks of wood. He slowly nodded, unable to put into words the thoughts and feelings bouncing around inside his head.

“Was it quick, at least?”

He inhaled deeply then released it, watching as his breath turned into a white mist of steam. “Quick enough.”

She pulled another chair closer and sat down, then tugged her coat tighter around her. “What about Jake and Tommy?”

Simon pursed his lips, unsure how much detail he should give. “Quicker.”

Veronica said little as she poked at the embers. The two sat in silence for a few moments, passed awkwardly. “So now what?” she asked.

Simon gave her a slight shrug. “I don’t know.” He leaned back in his chair and crossed his booted feet in front of him. “Relax a bit and go on with life.”

Veronica lowered her face and Simon feared that she was about to cry. He argued with himself over whether he should reach out and try to console her or give her space. He sat with his hand shaking, unsure what to do next.

“How’s Lana?” Veronica asked.

Simon pulled his hand back. He had totally not expected that question. “Uh…how do you mean?”

Veronica turned and stared at him. “Just what I asked. How is she?”

“Okay, I guess.” He pulled his feet back and sat forward. “Why do you ask?”

“Well, she was infected not too long ago—”

“So was I,” he added quickly.

Veronica glanced toward their RV then back to him. “Her behavior seems…” She paused, trying to find the proper word. “Aggressive.”

He nodded slowly. “Yeah. I’ve noticed that too.”

“Is that normal for her?” Her eyes told him that she was honestly worried.

He gave her a slow shrug. “I didn’t know her before.” He glanced back at the RV then lowered his voice. “We met each other while infected.”

Veronica nodded knowingly. “So, she could have always been like this? Easily agitated? Quick to pounce?”

Simon leaned closer and lowered his voice. “Can we talk?” His eyes pierced hers and she slowly nodded. “I mean, like doctor-patient, keep-it-to-ourselves kind of talk?”

Veronica nodded again. “Of course.”

Simon glanced back to the RV again then lowered his voice even more. “If I’m completely honest, I am worried about her.”

“How so?”

He took a deep breath and blew it out slowly. “How about I start at the beginning?”

4

Hatcher slammed the door to the shed and stared off into the shadows of the trees.

“I take it you didn’t find what you were looking for?”

He turned and faced Missy. “That’s just it. She could have taken half of the crap we had stowed in there and I probably wouldn’t know.” He sighed as he pulled his gloves off and tucked them into a back pocket. “I really thought I had our inventory memorized, considering how many times I had to log it all.”

“I hated inventories,” she muttered. She quickly shot him a sheepish grin. “The two whole times Mitch made me do them.”

Hatcher scoffed as he slung his duffel to the back of the ATV. “I guess I’m gonna hit the trails again.”

Missy stepped closer and placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. “Are you certain you aren’t just chasing a dream, Daniel?”

He paused and looked at her. The concern in her voice and the expression she gave him told him that she was sincere. He lowered his eyes and shook his head. “I have to try.”

“There’s nearly thirty-five hundred square miles of this park.” Her voice was soft and even. “If she were here and wanted to be found, surely she would come back to the places she’s most familiar with.”

Hatcher’s mind accepted her truth, but his heart screamed at him to keep searching. “I know this.” His voice was soft and low, matching hers. He turned and gave her a sad smile. “If it were you, what would you do?”

She stepped back slightly and raised a brow, her mind actually trying to put herself in his position. “I don’t know.” She gave him a slight shrug. “I’d like to say that I’d let reason dictate my actions.”

“But?”

“Emotions are a hard thing to overcome.” She patted his arm then slung her own day pack onto the back of the other ATV. “Misery loves company, right?”

He chuckled as he mounted the four wheeler. “Didn’t you just say that this was a waste of time?”

“No, I suggested that it might be a lost cause.” She straddled the machine and pressed the start button. “But hey. I’ve got nothing but time on my hands now, and if the cure is working its way through the herd that was here, then they may need our help.”

Hatcher had pushed the herd from his mind. Once she mentioned it, the ramifications of having potentially hundreds of cured people meandering through the park grounds concerned him. “I have no idea what we’d do if we did discover them.”

She raised a brow at him. “I thought you were the boss around here?” She leaned on the handle bars and narrowed her gaze at him, a wry grin forming. “The Hatcher that Mitch always talked about knew everything.”

He shrugged slightly as he started the ATV. “That guy died.” He revved the engine and stared along the rocky path they were about to take. “I’m just a shadow of who he once was.”

Captain Hilliard stared at the man sitting on the stainless steel exam table. “And he’s coherent?”

“You can speak to him,” Tammy said as she handed the man a small cup of coffee.

Hilliard stepped closer, still keeping a somewhat safe distance between himself and the once infected man. “You understand me?” he yelled.

The man lowered the coffee cup and gave him a confused look. “I was infected, not deaf.” He raised the cup and took a long, savoring sip. “Oh my god…I had no idea I’d missed this stuff that much.”

Hilliard snapped his fingers in the man’s face. “Hey, over here.”

He lowered the cup and glared at the military officer. “I’m not a dog, Captain.” He set the cup beside him and crossed his arms. “I’m every bit as cognizant as I was before I caught this…thing.”

Hilliard leaned back and stared with a discerning eye. “So was the Senator, and she ended up killing a man shortly after she was ‘cured.’”

The man chuckled then picked up his coffee again. “I told them that she’s always been nutty as a fruitcake. Stupid cow thought that she was the queen of England or something.” He took another drink then faced him. “You ever hear of somebody who thinks the laws don’t apply to them? That’s who she was.”

Hilliard nodded slightly. “I’ve worked with a few like that.”

“I assure you, Captain, I have no desire to shoot anybody.” He glanced over his shoulder to Tammy. “How soon can I get a shower?”

Irene appeared next to him and slowly shook her head. “I’m afraid that the good senator may have ruined that for you.”

The man groaned and his shoulders slumped. “What if I offered to clean up under armed guard?”

Hilliard scoffed. “She was under armed guard.” He glanced at the researchers. “Until she wasn’t.”

Randy narrowed his gaze at the officer. “Your people were standing guard when she waltzed through the blast doors.”

“And your people were supposed to have her tied down for observation,” Hilliard countered. “I’m not saying that my people didn’t screw the pooch, but if it had been my decision, the old bat would still be strapped to that table.”

Broussard pushed open the door to the lab. “And how is our test subject doing today?” he asked as he stepped around Hilliard.

“I’m alive,” the man replied. He quickly glanced to Hilliard. “I’m not so sure everybody is happy about that fact, though.”

“Just being cautious,” Hilliard mumbled as he walked past the man. “Doctor, how much longer before you’ll know if your treatment is viable enough to be used on the vice president?”

Broussard set down the printouts he was reading and sighed heavily. “If we could have kept the senator in here a bit longer I might possibly have been able to give you an answer.”

Hilliard stepped closer and lowered his voice. “That decision wasn’t mine to make.” He glanced at the other researchers then back to Broussard. “Even I answer to a higher authority.”

“The same authority that jumped the gun by announcing our treatment as a cure?” Both men knew exactly of whom Andre spoke.

“General Green is under a ton of pressure—”

“And we’re not?” Broussard asked, the vein in his temple bulging. “Create a cure or be shot?”

Hilliard’s face flushed and he looked away. “Again, not my decision.” He hurriedly turned back to the man. “But you did it, didn’t you? You created a cure.”

“Possibly.” Andre crossed his arms and glared at the man. “But our test subjects keep being removed before we can properly evaluate them.”

Hilliard took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. “As I’ve tried to explain, that wasn’t my call.”

“Then know this,” Broussard stepped closer and gently jabbed a finger to the man’s chest, “regardless of what we are able to glean from this man’s testing, we don’t have time to formulate anything else. So once the president arrives, we will be forced to treat the vice president with what we have.” He stepped back and gave the man a knowing look. “We’ll simply have to deal with the fallout if the treatment fails.”

Hilliard sighed animatedly and shook his head. “That wasn’t the answer I was hoping for.”

“Neither were we, but General Green sealed our fates when he announced that we were ready.”

“I honestly don’t know how you do it,” Veronica replied softly. She continued to glance towards Simon’s RV to ensure that Lana didn’t sneak up on them while they spoke. “From what you’re describing, I’m leaning towards megalomania with sociopathic tendencies. Perhaps even psychotic.”

Simon raised a brow at her. “I’m no doctor, but that doesn’t sound so good.”

“It’s not.” Veronica blew her breath out and relaxed slightly when she couldn’t see it. “Look, I think you need to seriously consider cutting ties.”

Simon shook his head slowly. “I can’t. She needs me.”

She raised a brow at him. “Does she?” She leaned forward again and lowered her voice even more. “Does she really? From what you’ve described…” She paused, searching for the right words. “Look, I’ve always heard that opposites attract. And maybe that’s what this is.”

“How so?”

“I realize you are having difficulty accepting the paradigm shift you are experiencing, but you also should realize that she’s—” She abruptly stopped talking when the door to the RV opened and Lana stepped out, stretching and scratching herself. “Your friend is awake.”

Simon glanced over his shoulder and Veronica would have sworn that his face drained of color. She’d have to point this fact out to him later, if they were given the opportunity to talk privately again.

He held his hand out for her. “You’re awake.”

Lana shuffled toward him and stood next to his chair. “What are you two doing?”

Veronica poked at the embers again with the stick. “He was telling me about Trent.”

“And his cohorts,” Simon added.

Lana smiled broadly. “Did he tell you how he gutted the fucker like a trout?”

Simon blanched and Veronica’s head popped up, staring at the other woman. “Do what now?”

Lana’s smile widened and she hunkered next to Simon’s chair, her hand gripping his good arm. “Stuck him in the chest and rode the knife all the way to his nuts, didn’t you, baby?”

Simon avoided the doctor’s gaze, his mouth forming a tight line. “I didn’t go into details.”

“Oh, but you should have,” Lana purred. “It makes me wet just thinking of how you offed that fucker.” She met Veronica’s shocked expression with one of pure passion. “He was literally soaked in his blood. He looked like a goddam blood clot when he came through the woods.”

Veronica’s gaze slowly worked toward Simon and she saw how uncomfortable he was at the moment. Still, the shock ran deep. “You don’t say.”

Lana nodded, moaning as she practically humped Simon’s arm. “He picked off Jake and Tommy like they were nothing. Then—”

“That’s enough, darling,” Simon interrupted loudly. “Some details are best left to the imagination.”

“Imagination?” She pulled him from the chair, pure lust in her eyes. “I think we need to…talk. Privately.”

He knew the mischievous glint in her eye and he knew exactly what she really wanted. He didn’t fight as she practically dragged him back to the RV.

Simon turned and gave Veronica a slight shake of his head. “Excuse us.”

She watched as the pair disappeared into the RV, the door slamming behind them. It was only moments before Lana was grunting and panting loudly. Normally such sounds would be ignored, but considering the circumstances, Veronica felt a knot of repugnance growing in her middle.

“Sounds like Simon is having a good morning.” Veronica glanced over her shoulder and saw Darla approaching the remains of the fire. Dubbed Trailer Park Barbie by Trent, the nickname had stuck.

“You might say that.” Veronica tried in vain to ignore the noises. “You’re up early.”

“I couldn’t sleep.” She sat down gently in the folding chair and cupped her hands together. “Jody is pissed. He actually cheered when he heard the gunshots last night.”

Veronica stared at her wide eyed as she spoke. “Why?”

Darla blew out a shaky breath. “He just knew that Simon had killed Trent.” Her eyes began to water. “He called me…names.”

“That was uncalled for,” Veronica replied firmly. “He knew what was going on here.”

Darla shook her head. “No, he really didn’t.” She glanced at the doctor and a tear slid down her cheek. “He had no clue what I was doing behind his back, Vee.”

Veronica nodded slightly. “So it came as a complete shock?”

Darla nodded. “And he blamed me for Trent and the boys roughing him up.”

“I see.” She poked at the fire again then slid the oven mitt on and reached for the enamel coffee pot. “Want some?”

Darla shook her head. “No, thanks.” She glanced toward the RV where Lana’s tempo and volume seemed to be ever increasing. “I wanted to thank Simon for…” her voice trailed off.

“He had his own reasons,” Veronica stated as she put the coffee pot back on the coals.

“Whatever they were, we all owe him.”

The doctor sat back and sighed, cradling her coffee in her hands. “We probably do.” She glanced at the RV and shook her head. “I just hope he knows what he’s doing.”

5

Buck sat in a folding chair surrounded by the newcomers. He noticed that they were in all stages of recovery. Some were still pasty white and bald, dark circles under their eyes. Others still had their hair, tanned complexions, and seemed as fresh as any other survivor.

Each slowly expressed their concerns. Their worries about being accepted after the heinous acts performed while infected. Others spoke of lost loved ones. The not knowing whether they were alive or dead was the worst part.

He made notes just as Vicky had instructed, doing his best to keep up with everybody as they spoke. He hadn’t been paying attention to the time when one of them asked if they could take a break.

“Yeah.” He closed the notebook and gave them a soft smile. “Let’s take a half hour and…” He glanced at his watch. “Actually, let’s take an hour for lunch. I didn’t realize we’d gone so far so quickly.”

They each stood and made their way to the front door. Eddie hung behind, milling about. As the last of them left he finally turned to Buck. “I just wanted to tell you how grateful I am that you’re doing this.”

Buck gave him a courteous smile. “Of course. I’m happy to.”

“No, you’re not,” Eddie stated flatly. “I can read people, young man. I can tell when somebody is doing something they don’t enjoy, and you are definitely doing something you don’t enjoy.”

Buck paused and set the notebook down. “I’ll be honest with you. I have no idea what I’m doing.”

Eddie chuckled as he straddled the chair and sat back down. “Who does?” He shook his head and shot Buck a beaming grin. “Hell, son…I don’t think the certified therapists had a clue what they were doing. The main thing was letting people get stuff off their chest and not judging them.”

“I can do that.” Buck returned the smile. “I just don’t feel like I’m qualified.”

“To listen?” Eddie leaned back and surveyed the young man. “You’re a good listener, Buck. And you’ve got the personality that…well, people feel like they can trust you.”

“But that’s all I can offer. I doubt I’m actually helping anyone. I don’t have a clue how.”

“Like I said, who does?” He leaned forward and stared at the younger man. “You got a wife, don’t you?”

Buck shrugged. “She might as well be. We’re still young and—”

“If you’re committed to each other, then it’s pretty much the same thing.” He extended his hand and gripped Buck’s arm. “Look, all I was getting at is this. Cherish the time you have with her. Life is…finicky. You never know how much time you’ll have.” Buck raised a brow at him. “You can be having the time of your life one moment then be hit by a bus the next.”

Buck laughed and wiped at his face. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t laugh. It’s just…there aren’t a whole lot of buses these days.”

Eddie chuckled and nodded at him. “Point taken. But on that same note, these are perilous times. There are damned few people left. And who’s to say you couldn’t fall off a roof or catch a stray bullet.” He patted Buck’s arm. “Just…cherish her. Make her know that she’s your everything.” He slowly rose from his chair and gave him a weak smile. “Don’t ever give her a reason to second guess how you feel.”

“I understand.”

Buck stood as Eddie turned to him. “No, son, I don’t think you do.” His eyes grew misty and he wiped at them. “Don’t ever go to bed mad at each other and don’t ever leave her side without telling her you love her. You want those to be your last words to her…in case that bus magically appears.”

Buck placed a hand on Eddie’s shoulder. “Believe me, I do understand.”

“Then my job is done.” He stood taller and squared his shoulders. “If you’ll excuse me, I have a lunch date with a precocious little lady.” He walked to the door and pulled it open. “Yesterday it was mud pies.” He broke into a toothy grin. “I sure hope it’s bologna today.”

Buck’s face fell. “I don’t think I’d trust any bologna she might find.”

Eddie shrugged. “Mud is mud, my friend. Whether it’s apple pie mud or bologna mud.” He shot the young man a wink then disappeared through the door.

Buck glanced through the window at the house next door that he shared with Skeeter. As he tried to imagine what she might be doing, Eddie’s words came back to him. Don’t ever leave her side without telling her you love her.

He smiled to himself as he reached for the door. “Mud pies.”

Broussard stretched his neck and glanced at his watch. “Tammy, will you please go and wake Dr. Chaplain for me?”

“Of course.”

She stepped out of the lab and Andre turned to Hilliard. “Tell me something.”

Hilliard raised a brow as he continued to rifle through reports he didn’t understand. “What’s that?”

“Will Green let us live? After all of this?”

Hilliard slowly lowered the reports and stared at the researcher curiously. “What do you mean?”

“Exactly what I asked.” Andre closed the short distance and glanced to the subject sleeping on the table. “He knows that we know what went on here. Are we to believe that if the treatment for the rest of these people goes as hoped, that he’s going to let us walk out of here?”

Hilliard slowly shook his head. “What are you saying?”

Broussard’s brows knit and he glared at the man. “How can I make it any plainer?”

“Why would Green kill you?”

Andre’s eyes widened. “You didn’t miss the whole death threat when we arrived thing, did you?”

“Your treatment seems to be working—”

“We KNOW too much.” He crossed his arms and glared at the man. “We know what he allowed Higgins to do. We know that he ordered a United States Senator shot. We know—”

Hilliard held a hand up, stopping him. “So?”

“So?”

He shrugged. “Yeah. So?” The corners of his mouth slowly pulled into a smile. “Even if you told him you were going to report him, who would you report him to? The president?”

Andre’s mouth opened but no words formed.

“Exactly,” Hilliard replied. He crossed his arms and stared back at the researcher. “You and your girlfriend saved the world. Twice now, if this works.”

“Girlfriend?”

Hilliard scoffed. “Surely you don’t think we’re so unobservant that we didn’t notice the two of you bunked together? We watched her drag her cot to your room.”

“Oh.” Andre felt his mouth go dry.

“Don’t worry, doctor. We wouldn’t care if you were banging the janitor so long as you produced the results we want.” Hilliard sighed heavily and leaned on the workbench. “Look, you did your job. Even if this treatment backfires, Green can only blame himself.”

“Which we both know he won’t.”

Hilliard nodded. “Probably not. But either way, you held your end.”

“So, you’re telling me he’s honorable?”

He shook his head. “Hell no.” He pushed off the bench and paced slowly. “Even before the world shit itself, Green was a bastard. But he is a man of his word.”

“So he IS honorable.”

“Depends on your definition of ‘honor.’ Let’s just say he’s an honest bastard. If he intends to kill you, he’ll tell you. He won’t tell you that you’re free then put a bullet in your head.”

Andre rubbed at his eyes and sighed. “So once we treat the vice president…should we run?”

“Run?” Hilliard seemed honestly surprised. “Where the hell would you run?” He spun a slow circle, his arms outstretched. “The world as we knew it is gone. There’s a whole lot of nothing out there.”

“Surely there are some survivors.”

“Oh, there are.” Hilliard smiled at him. “And we’re about to start creating our own little paradise.”

“Wait…what?”

Hilliard glanced to the sleeping man then lowered his voice. “I overheard some of the general’s plans while he was on the radio. They’ve already located a quaint little burg in the bottom of some valley. Quiet little town that’s isolated by mountains. Clean water, good land for crops, the whole nine yards.”

“And what do they plan for this little Shangri-La?”

“Move survivors there. Start over. Begin rebuilding what we once had, only better.” He patted the researcher’s shoulder. “I’m sure there’d be room for you and your girlfriend.”

Broussard felt that familiar clenching in his guts. “And it we decided we wanted no part of this new community?”

Hilliard shrugged. “Then I assume you’ll be thanked for your service and sent on your way.”

Broussard nodded slowly as Hilliard scooped up the reports and reached for the door. “Thank you.”

Hilliard paused and gave him a confused look. “For what?”

“For letting me know we have a choice.”

“We should talk,” Simon whispered as Lana purred beside him.

“About what?”

“About what you said to Vee out there.” He sat up and leaned on his good arm. “Were you seriously going for the shock factor?”

Lana’s eyes popped open and she stared at him. “What do you mean?”

“You saw how she reacted when you told her how Trent went out. It was like you were feeding off of her reactions.”

Lana shook her head slightly. “I don’t know what you mean.”

“Yes you do.” He leaned back so that he could see her better. “You saw the repulsion on her face and it was like gas on a fire for you.”

Lana huffed and sat up. “What are you implying?”

“That you got off on it.” He raised a brow at her.

She narrowed her gaze at him. “Really?”

“You practically dragged me to bed and attacked. Like the whole visual got your blood pumping and your libido jumped in like it was a race.”

“You’re telling me you didn’t like it?” She reached between his legs and gripped his member. “Seems to me like I wasn’t the only one dancing to that song.”

He pushed her hand away and scowled. “You know what I’m saying. You got off on her reaction, then, just to rub it in her face, you screamed your lungs out while we went at it.” He sat up and crossed his arms over his knees. “The whole thing was one big show for the good doctor.”

Lana threw back the covers and stood at the end of the bed. “So what if it was?” She ran a hand over her head and began to pace the tiny area nervously. “Maybe I didn’t like the two of you sitting out there whispering that whole time. Maybe I don’t like her.”

Simon’s face slowly broke into a smile. “You were jealous?” He leaned forward playing off her mock expression of shock. “You? Jealous of her?”

“Shut up.” She waved him off. “I am not.”

“You were!” He chuckled as he reached for her arm and pulled her back to the bed. “Why in the world would you be jealous of her?”

“Maybe because she’s a doctor.” She pouted as she sat on the edge of the bed. “Maybe because she has long hair.”

“I like your hair shaved. It’s hot.”

“Shut up.” She slapped at him. “I can feel it trying to grow back in, but…” She trailed off. “I don’t know yet if it will grow back full. I’d rather not risk looking like a chemo patient.”

He tugged at her hand and pulled her closer to him. He wrapped his arms around her and kissed her neck. “How could I ever want anybody but you?” He kissed her shoulder as he held her. “I’ve told you before, Vee holds sway with the people of this camp. If we want to win the people over, we need to win her over first.” He pulled back and stared at her knowingly. “And trying to shock her isn’t the way to gain her trust.”

Lana sighed animatedly and fell back onto his chest. “I know,” she groaned. She slapped at his leg. “I just didn’t like how close the two of you were out there.”

He laughed lightly and wrapped his arms around her tighter. “We were keeping our voices low so we didn’t wake the other campers. I’m sure a lot of them got little sleep after the gunshots last night.”

“She’s too pretty not to be attractive to you.”

Simon leaned back and stared at her, his mind wandering to the shape of the doctor’s mouth. “Who says she’s pretty?”

She grunted as she squirmed away from him. “I’m not stupid, Simon. I see the way everybody looks at her.” She narrowed her eyes at him. “Even you.”

He shook his head. “I see a doctor. I see a person with pull in this little community. That’s all I see.” The lie dried his lips and he looked down.

Lana snorted as she sat up. “She’s younger. She’s got bigger tits. She has an ass that would stop traffic.”

“Thankfully, there are no more cars on the road, so that isn’t really an issue, is it?”

“Don’t play with me, Simon.”

“I’m not.” He reached for her chin and turned her to face him. “I belong to you. You might not be able to say it back, but I care about you. And when I care about somebody, nobody else gets my attention.”

She stared at him for a moment then slowly nodded. “I believe you.”

“You’d better.” He pulled her back to him and she rested against his chest. “Remember, you were the one who said we were married now. I’m holding you to that.”

Lana smiled and nuzzled his chest. “Good.” She ran her finger lazily up his middle and circled his nipple with her fingernail. “Because if you’re right, and we need her to sway the others, I’d really hate to have to kill her.”

6

Hatcher shifted the go-bag on his shoulder and stepped onto a larger boulder. He pressed the binoculars to his face and scanned the tiny valley below. “Nothing.”

Missy huffed behind him, fighting to catch her breath. “I’m too old for this shit,” she muttered.

Hatcher lowered the field glasses. “You’re too young to talk that way.”

“I’ll have you know, I’m old enough to be out of shape for this.” She bent back, stretching her back. “We could have brought the four wheelers up here, ya know.”

He nodded then turned back. “The engines dull my hearing.” He hopped off of the boulder and landed beside her. “We can go back now. You can ride the rest of the way home.”

She groaned as they headed back down the peak. “Dull your hearing for what?”

“Just sounds.” He paused and handed her a bottle of water. “Nature. That sort of stuff.”

“Bull,” she called as she twisted the cap off and took a long pull. “Nature isn’t what you were listening for.”

He nodded as he turned back toward the ATVs. “If there’s a herd out there, there’s a chance she’s with them. I wanted to hear if there was anything out of place.”

“Like a bunch of people screaming?”

He shook his head. “You’ve been here for how many months? You really expect me to believe that you don’t know what I mean when I say the sounds of nature?”

“You mean the bugs, the birds, the…critters.”

“Yup.” He slid on the loose rock and used his hands on another large boulder to stop from sliding down the hill. “Did you hear anything from up there?”

“My heart pounding in my chest.” She slid behind him and caught herself on the same boulder. “If we’d just driven around to the side, we could avoid all of this and not be out of breath.”

“I’m not out of breath.” He reached for her hand and helped her further down the hill. “But I needed to hear.”

“And what did your million dollar ears detect?” She slid further and stomped as the ground leveled out.

“Nothing.” He gave her a flat look. “Not a damned thing.”

“So, that was a wasted effort.”

“You’re still not understanding.” He reached for her arm and spun her back around. He pointed over their shoulders. “There was nothing back there. No ‘sounds of nature’. No bugs, no birds…nothing.”

She raised a brow at him. “What does that mean?”

“Either a large predator was watching us, or…”

“Or the herd was in those woods on the other side of the clearing.”

He nodded. “And if it is a herd of cured folks, you’d think they would want help. Or food. Or news, or…something.”

“You think they’re still infected?”

He gave her a low shrug then peered towards the horizon. “Either way, the sun is dropping fast.”

“It tends to do that in the Fall.”

He nodded slowly. “We can sit and wait to see what comes out of those woods, or…”

Her face dropped and the color faded from her cheeks. “Or we haul ass for the station and barricade the doors.”

He gave her a tight lipped smile. “You know, we could outrun them on those machines.”

“That’s if luck is on our side.” She shook her head. “One blow out, a broken fuel line…any number of ‘oopsies’ could cost us more than a four wheeler.”

Hatcher sighed and lowered his head. “I just wish we could know.” He turned and peered back at the hill they’d just climbed. “If it was a bear or a mountain lion…”

“Or a herd of crazed cannibals,” she added quickly.

He nodded again. “At least we’d know.”

“I say we come back tomorrow. We go into that little valley and we look for sign.” She tugged at his arm. “Just not now. Like you said, the sun is going down and we still have a long way to go to get behind solid walls.”

He smirked as he straddled the seat of the ATV. “You really think that they couldn’t get in either of the stations if they wanted?”

“Placate me, for shit’s sake.” She straddled the ATV and pressed the start button. “At least at the station we have weapons.”

“Fine.” Hatcher started the ATV and looked up. She had already left. He goosed the accelerator and slid in behind her. He wasn’t sure where she was headed, but there was no sense in being late.

Carol sipped at her coffee and jotted notes from the printouts in front of her. “Where are yesterday’s tests?”

“Hilliard took them,” Broussard answered as he slipped in beside her. “We had a little talk, he and I.”

“About?” she replied absently.

“About whether Green would allow us to live when all of this is over.”

Carol froze and turned slowly to him. “You asked him outright?”

Andre nodded. “Let’s just say we engaged in a little heart to heart.”

“What did he say?”

Broussard inhaled deeply and held his breath for a moment. “Basically, that Green is a son of a bitch, but an honest one. If he says he’ll let us go, then he will.”

She continued to stare at him disbelievingly. “And you think he was telling the truth?”

He shrugged. “He had no reason to lie.”

“But—”

“Wait, I haven’t told you the best part.” He glanced over his shoulder at the other researchers milling about. “He claims that Green is planning some type of survivor compound. A city that they’re going to commandeer to begin rebuilding the United States.”

Her brows rose and she glanced through the acrylic walls. “Why do I have this sickening feeling in my gut?”

“I had the same feeling.” He bent low and whispered, “I seemed to recall why you wanted to flee the warship we were on.” He raised a brow at her. “The whole male-to-female ratio being skewed.”

She swallowed hard and realized her mouth had gone dry. She picked up her coffee and took a long pull, swishing the bitter brew before swallowing. “So, he wants to ‘rebuild’ the country in some secluded little town somewhere?”

Broussard shrugged. “He said it was nestled in a valley, good land for crops, and blah blah blah.” He sighed and rested his hands on the table beside her. “Apparently they’ve put a lot of effort into this place.”

“They?”

He nodded. “I’m certain that he’s working with President Walters. Now that communications are back up…” He shrugged.

Carol sat back and squeezed the bridge of her nose. “Let me guess. We are required to move there once this is done?”

He shook his head. “He said we’d be free to go. Though, to where…I’ve no idea.”

“Excuse me,” Dr. Benedict interrupted. “I must apologize, but I overheard part of your conversation.”

Andre stood up and eyed the man warily. “You have thoughts on the matter?”

William cleared his throat and glanced at the other researchers. “Just…an observation.” He stepped closer and lowered his voice. “If you’ll recall the general’s demeanor when I arrived and offered to assist? Something tells me that cured people won’t be welcome in their little paradise.”

Carol held a hand to her mouth. “He’s right.” She turned to Broussard and shook her head. “They were ready to shoot him on sight.”

Andre nodded slightly. “There have to be other groups out there. Other…communities.”

Carol lowered her face, still eyeing the other researchers. “How would we find them?”

“We’d have to have a way to communicate,” William replied.

Broussard nodded and glanced around the lab. “They said we could have any equipment we needed, correct?”

Carol nodded. “Yeah. Anything they didn’t have, they’d get.”

“I think we need a radio.”

“I’m surprised you can still walk,” Veronica deadpanned.

Simon leaned on the corner of her trailer and gave her a sheepish smile. “Sorry about that.” He spun around the prop to the awning mounted to the side and slid a folding chair closer with his foot. “That was all her doing.”

Veronica raised a brow at him. “I’m supposed to believe that you just stood there and watched while she did…whatever it was that caused all of that screaming?”

Simon felt his cheeks flush. “No.” He stepped in front of the chair and sat down quietly. “No, but it was a show for your benefit.” He gave her another sheepish grin. “Apparently, she’s jealous of you.”

Veronica’s face fell. “Great.” She leaned forward and lowered her voice. “You tell me that you’re dating a psycho and then you tell me that she’s jealous of me?” She tapped her chest. “Am I supposed to be flattered?”

Simon nodded and leaned back in the chair. “I think I have her under control.” He gave her a knowing look. “She wants me to take charge of this little group.”

Veronica raised a brow again. “Seriously?”

“Every group needs a leader.” He sighed heavily and searched for the right words. “She thinks I’m the one. We both think that you’re the key to the others accepting me in such a role.”

“Why are you telling me this?” Veronica asked, visibly upset.

Simon sat forward and eyed her. “Because I know I can trust you. And I promised myself I’d never lie to you.”

She narrowed her gaze at him and slowly shook her head. “What game are you playing?”

Simon sighed again and shrugged. “A very dangerous one.” He raised a brow at her and pleaded with his eyes. “We both know that she’s…not right. If she wants me to be the leader here, fine. I say we do it. We give her what she wants, even if it’s in name only.”

“So? You want to run for president of the campground and I’m supposed to do what? Campaign for you because I believe in your policies?”

Simon gave her another slow shrug. “Call it what you like.” He glanced back at the RV where Lana slept then lowered his voice even more. “I just want to keep her calm and happy.” He motioned toward the other campers. “You think I want to run this ragtag group of misfits?” He shook his head. “I just wanted to get away and live my life.”

“Then why even bother?” Veronica asked. “Why not pull up stakes and go someplace else?”

He grinned sadly at her. “You really don’t get it, do you?” He motioned toward the road. “There’s really nothing left out there except a bunch of empty buildings.”

Her face fell and she stared at him. “You’re serious?”

He nodded slowly. “There are small groups of survivors scattered about, but for the most part? Everything we knew was gone.”

Veronica sat back and sighed. “I’d heard you say it, but…” She loosed a nervous chuckle. “Some part of me hoped you were just saying that to keep Trent and the boys under control.”

He nodded slowly. “Trust me, doc, I wish I was lying.”

She sat back and stared at the circle of RV’s and camper trailers. “So…we’re it?”

“For the most part.” Simon sighed and leaned his head back, stretching his neck. “Even if we could find the scattered groups of people…what would we do with them?”

Veronica felt a tear run down her cheek and she sniffed back another. “My family…”

He nodded knowingly. “I know.” He reached out and took her hand. “Mine too.”

She squeezed his fingers and gave him a sad smile. “Okay, so…what? We elect you Chief and then what? You start laying down laws?”

He shook his head. “Nothing formal.” He gave her hand one final squeeze then let it loose. “Just…maybe spread the word amongst the others. Tell them that you think I should be the decision maker for big things.” He caught her gaze and she gave a slight nod.

“To prevent your old lady from losing her shit.”

Simon winced. “That’s only part of it.” He sat upright and took a deep breath. “As I said, every group needs a leader. Somebody to speak on their behalf when another alpha shows up and tries to start trouble.”

She narrowed her gaze at him again. “You’re expecting trouble?”

He gave another slow shrug. “It’s possible.” He glanced towards the trees and felt eyes on him. “Either way, we need somebody willing to get their hands dirty to protect us all.”

“And that somebody is you.”

He nodded. “I think I’ve proven that I’ll do what needs doing.” He pushed up from the chair and stared down at her. “Trent might not have hurt you, but he was definitely going to hurt Trailer Park Barbie.”

“Her name is Darla.” Veronica felt her voice crack as she spoke. She swallowed hard then looked up at him. “And for the record, she’s grateful for what you did.” She looked away then added, “Stopping Trent, I mean.”

Simon squared his shoulders and glanced at the other camp trailers. “Think about it.” He laid a hand on her shoulder. “If you don’t honestly think that having me here watching out for everybody is a good thing, just tell me. I’ll leave and you people can go it on your own.” He gave her a soft smile. “And no, that’s not a threat. I’m serious.”

“What about Lana?”

“I’ll deal with her if it comes to that.” He patted her shoulder. “Just, think about it, Vee.”

She watched him turn and make his way back to his RV. Once the door was shut she let out the breath that she hadn’t realized she was holding. It was only then that she noticed her hands were shaking.

7

Missy tugged at the threadbare curtains and huffed. “I need a blanket.”

“Blocking the windows won’t help.” Hatcher leaned forward on the bare couch and flipped another card onto the game of solitaire. “If they smell us in here, they’ll knock the walls down.” He turned and gave her a blank expression. “Ask me how I know.”

“I thought you said the cure came through here.”

He nodded and flipped another card. “I did.” He paused and turned to her. “Actually, you told me that it did. The strep throat that was so harsh?”

She nodded and paced the small area in the center of the station. “Just because I caught it doesn’t mean the others were exposed.”

“True.” He flipped another card then tossed the deck to the table, losing interest. “Look, there’s no sense in worrying about things that we have no control over.”

She turned and gave him a shocked expression. “Not worry? You tell me that there could be a herd out there, but not to worry.”

Hatcher smiled to himself and pushed up from the couch. “If something comes knocking, whether it’s an infected person or a bear, we have options.”

She planted her hands on her hips and glared at him. “Like what? One of us pushes the other out in front of them and hope that they’re a big enough meal that they’ll be satisfied? Because right now, I’m seeing you as the biggest Manwich in the room.”

Hatcher groaned as he walked past her. He pointed to the ceiling. “That. We can escape through there. Whatever comes calling might still smell us inside, but they won’t smell us in there.”

Her eyes followed his finger and she squinted. In the far corner of the room was a square of plywood in the ceiling. “An attic access way?”

He nodded. “And in that attic is a window…a vent, really. We can use it to get onto the roof.”

“Where we’d be safe…?”

“Unless it’s a mountain lion,” he smirked. “They could easily climb the posts and still get to us.”

She shrugged. “A single mountain lion can be dispatched.” She patted the pistol at her hip.

Hatcher nodded. “Except the noise from that would attract every infected person for miles.”

“I’ll take my chances.” She pushed the small wooden chair below the access and reached for the plywood. “I can’t…reach…”

He cleared his throat and pointed to the table. “If it comes to it, I’ll go up then pull you in behind me.”

She raised a brow at him. “You wouldn’t leave me below to feed the masses, would you? Because I was teasing about you being a Manwich.”

Hatcher sighed and crossed his arms. “I won’t leave you.” He drew an X over his chest. “Cross my heart.”

She held a hand up. “Don’t say the other part.”

He walked past her and pulled the thin fabric away from the window. “The moon is bright enough, we should see them coming.”

“The more I think on this, the more I like the idea of going to the roof anyway.” She gave him a weak smile. “A preemptive move.”

He shook his head and picked up the deck of cards again. “I don’t know about you, but I have no desire to sleep on a roof when there’s a somewhat comfortable couch right here.”

“I don’t mind the roof,” she stated a bit too quickly. “Better safe than sorry, I say.”

He lowered the cards and studied her. “You realize that you’re getting worked up over nothing, right? We didn’t see anything out there that should have us worried.”

“I thought it was the ‘lack of’ indication?” She crossed her arms and glared at him. “You were the one who said you felt like you were being watched.”

Hatcher shrugged. “I’ve been wrong before.”

“Not according to Mitch.” She shook her head at him. “According to him, you had the instincts of a warrior. And he should know. He was military.”

Hatcher nodded solemnly. “I know.” He lowered the deck of cards and gave her a quick smile. “Look, we’ll bar the doors. If anything bigger than a black bear comes sniffing around, we’ll head for the roof.” He stood slowly and held his hand out for her. “Until then, we keep our cool.”

She stepped forward and gripped his fingers. “I’m trusting you in this.”

“Good.”

She moved around the couch and had just sat down when a blood curdling scream echoed through the trees outside. Missy immediately came to her feet and moved to the table. “After you!”

“Don’t you have enough real problems to contend with?” Hilliard asked as he increased his pace.

Broussard kept pace with him and continued. “You said we could have any equipment we needed.”

“Show me one scientific need, one logical, honest reason you should have this radio and I’ll consider running it up the flagpole and see who salutes it.” He stopped abruptly and poked a finger at Broussard. “But until then, the answer is no.”

“Captain!” Broussard stepped in front of him, preventing him from marching off. “Please.”

Hilliard narrowed his eyes at him and shook his head. “Our resources are cut thin. Why on earth would you—”

“Because we don’t trust Green.” He glanced to the sides to ensure the two were alone. “If we can make contact with another group of survivors out there, we can go to them once this is settled.”

Hilliard lowered his head and chewed at his cheek. “There’s no way I could get you a radio powerful enough to do what you want.” He sighed heavily and tried to think. “Even a handheld wouldn’t reach very far in these mountains.”

“Then let us have access to the long range radios you do have.”

Hilliard looked at him as though he were daft. “You can’t be serious. General Green would have to sign off on that and there is no way—”

“Tell him we need to confer with surviving medical staff out there.” He lowered his voice and leaned closer. “Tell him that we are hoping to reach others with expertise…”

Hilliard slowly shook his head. “It’s late. I can’t take this to him tonight.” He glanced at his watch and blew a low whistle. “I might can get you access to the radios…” He looked up and a slow smile began to form.

“What?”

“When the president arrives. All hands will be on deck. There will be a skeleton crew at all watch stations, including the radio room.” He nodded slowly. “If you know who you are contacting…” He studied the researcher intently. “Tell me you know of people out there already.”

Broussard shook his head. “I can only assume that there are others.”

Hilliard seemed to deflate. “You know the odds of them even establishing a radio communications system are extremely slim.”

Broussard nodded. “Even slimmer that I could find the frequency they use.”

Hilliard raised his brows and slowly shook his head. “I’m afraid without more…”

“It’s a moot point.” Andre rubbed at the back of his neck. “Then tell me this. What is the best case scenario for us?”

Hilliard tucked the clipboard under his arm and thought for a moment. “A truck. Loaded with supplies. Maybe a couple of weapons for defense.”

Broussard nodded. “And how soon might we hope for such a thing?”

Hilliard chewed at his lower lip for a moment. “I can have it on standby. Once the president is satisfied and the general gives the go ahead, you can load up and leave.”

Broussard’s face fell. “The whole point to this was that we don’t trust the general, remember?” He sighed animatedly. “Can you not act on your own? The general did say that we’d be free to leave once we did our part, yes?”

Hilliard nodded slowly. “But without his express permission…”

“Didn’t he give it? By saying that we were free to go once we did our job? Once we have satisfied our end of the bargain?” He gripped the man’s shoulder. “Think of the work we have given, and how little we have asked in return. My friends and I only want—”

“Friends?” he interrupted. “Who do you mean?”

Broussard felt his mouth go dry. “Myself, Dr. Chaplain…and Dr. Benedict, to start.”

Hilliard’s eyes narrowed. “The Zed.”

“The cured geneticist who has been helping us, yes.” He crossed his arms and sighed. “And there may be others. We haven’t spoken of it.”

Hilliard shook his head. “Green won’t be happy if you run off with the rest of the CDC.”

“Understood, but you could easily tell him that we are going to a better location to continue our research.”

“Are you?” He crossed his arms and stared at the man. “Going to reestablish the CDC in a proper lab?”

Broussard shrugged. “We might.” He cleared his throat. “I suppose it would really depend on whether or not any of the others wanted to go with us. If they do, then yes. I suppose we would.”

Hilliard slowly nodded. “I might can sell that notion.” He stepped away and pointed to Broussard. “Don’t act. Not yet. I have an idea. One that I think will actually work.”

“What do we do until you get back to us?” Andre called to his retreating form.

“Prepare the others for the treatment,” Hilliard yelled over his shoulder.

Andre sighed heavily and turned back toward the lab. “Fingers crossed that he knows what he’s doing.”

Simon stood over the shallow graves of the three men he’d dispatched and toed at the soft soil with his boot. “Penny for your thoughts,” Lana offered.

Simon shrugged slightly. “Honestly? I’m thinking that your little show with Vee might have cost us what we were hoping for.” He turned slowly and gave her a sad shrug. “You might have pushed her too far with your vivid descriptions and gory details.”

Lana huffed and stepped away from him. “She’s a doctor for fuck’s sake. Surely she’s seen worse.”

“Probably.” He turned back to the shallow grave and noted the flies that still settled on the blood pool nearby. “But when you let it get you hot and bothered…I think that might have pushed her over the edge.”

“Pfft.” Lana threw her hands into the air. “She’s a woman. She knows that other women get—”

“Lana!” Simon interrupted. “I just want you to face the truth.”

“And what’s the truth, Simon?” she asked defiantly.

“The truth is we might have destroyed any trust we had with her. She may very well go to the others and demand a vote of no confidence.”

She narrowed her eyes at him. “I don’t follow.”

“They might decide that they would feel safer if we just pulled up stakes and left.” He gave her a serious look. “And if that happens, we simply have to accept it.”

Lana shook her head in denial. “No. You said that we needed to kill Trent and Jake and Tommy so that they’d love us and want you in charge.” She stormed up to him and poked him firmly in the chest. “You said that I could be Empress.”

He grabbed her finger gently and pulled her to him. “You’ll always be MY empress.”

“That’s not good enough,” she growled low in her throat. “No…no, no. They need to bow to us.” She got up in his face and lowered her voice. “They need to worship us.”

Simon’s brows knit and he shook his head at her. “What are you saying? We’re not gods.”

“We might as well be.” She smiled broadly at him and it didn’t reach her eyes. “We survived, Simon. We were infected and we beat it!”

“So did a lot of other people.” He grabbed her by the arms and pulled her to him. “That doesn’t make us gods.”

“Yes, it does.” She pulled from his grasp and stomped on the soft soil covering Trent’s face. “We won. They lost. We get to rule. That’s how this works.”

Simon’s mouth fell open but no words came out. He watched as she threw a tantrum, stomping on Trent’s grave and cursing the other campers. She spun on him, her finger outstretched. “We WILL rule these people. Whether they like it or not.”

She turned and began stomping her way up the hill. Simon broke into a jog to catch up to her. “Wait up!” he pulled her back and pressed her to the nearest tree. “Don’t be stupid about this.”

“Are you calling me stupid?” she all but growled at him.

“I’m telling you, to get what you want, you’ll need to use charm, not anger.” He pulled her away from the tree and met her angry gaze. “You need to play this smartly or we’ll lose everything.”

She narrowed her eyes even more and nodded to him. “Go on.”

“We need to listen to whatever they say,” he made his voice more stern as he spoke, “even if we don’t agree with them, we have to pretend that we do.”

“Why?”

“To earn their trust.” He glanced up the hill then back to her as her features began to wash out in the dwindling light. “We play along. We make sure that they need us.”

She gave him a confused look. “How?”

“If they say that they want us to leave, we agree to, but not until we’ve had a chance to heal up a bit more.” He held a hand up to stop her and pointed to his arm. “This can buy us a lot more time.”

“I thought you said it was stronger?”

“It is, but it still looks like hell. I play it up with the doc and she signs off on giving us more time.”

“And how does that help us?”

“It gives us more time to schmooze these idiots.” He lowered his voice again and leaned in close. “We prove to them that protecting their wellbeing is in all of our interests.”

She shook her head. “They’ve been alone up here this whole time. You really think another asshole like Trent is just going to show up and make trouble?”

Simon smiled. “No. But that doesn’t mean that another guy up here can’t lose his shit and become a threat.”

“I’m not following you.”

“Trailer Park Barbie’s old man? He wasn’t too pleased to find out that she’s been stepping out on him.”

Lana shrugged. “He’s too big a pussy to do anything.”

“Is he?” Simon crossed his arms and gave her a knowing look. “How many men…even mousy men, have you seen pushed past their limits by a woman?”

She slowly smiled. “Too many.”

“Exactly.” Simon wrapped his arm around her shoulder and began to walk her back to the camp. “So we plant little bugs in people’s ears. Make it sound like old Jody is about to go on a rampage.”

Lana grinned at him. “They’ll be begging you to intervene.”

Simon shrugged. “They might.” He wiped his fingers across his lapel. “And I might help them…if I’m not too busy packing to leave.”

“You really are devious,” she purred.

“What can I say, babe? You’re rubbing off on me.”

8

Hatcher lowered the cards and slowly shook his head. “That wasn’t them.” He moved to the window and drew the curtain back, bringing his flashlight to bear. “That sounded more like a cat.”

Missy’s voice cracked as she spoke. “Cats don’t scream.”

Hatcher nodded slowly. “Panthers do.”

“There are no panthers in Yellowstone,” Missy stated flatly.

“Not officially.” Hatcher lowered the curtain and stepped toward the door. “But for the longest time, mountain lions weren’t thought to live here either.”

“What are you doing?” Her voice cracked again as she watched him reach for the board sealing the door shut.

He lifted the blockade and set it aside. “I’m taking a look.”

“Like hell!” She moved toward the door, her face a mask of fear and anger. “Put that back!”

He held a hand up to stop her. “If it’s a cat, it won’t approach.”

“How can you say that?” She tugged at the wooden beam in his hand. “You can’t know that for certain.”

“Yes. I can.” He laid the beam beside the door and unbolted it. “I’ll just be a moment.”

“Hatcher!” she hissed as he stepped out and flicked the light on.

“Here kitty kitty kitty…” he called into the darkness. He froze when the beam reflected a pair of green glowing eyes in the brush. “There you are.”

“Please come back inside,” Missy whispered from behind him.

“It’s just a cat.”

“You mean, you HOPE.”

Hatcher slowly backed towards the station and stepped back over the threshold. The eyes disappeared and he slowly shut the door. “I told you.” He reached for the beam as Missy fell into the chair, her hands shaking.

“You’re certain it was a cat?”

Hatcher bolted the door then placed the beam back into place. “All I saw were eyes reflecting back at me, but yeah. Pretty sure.”

“Not a brown bear?”

“Well…”

She turned and glared at him. “Don’t tease me.”

He shrugged again. “I suppose it could have been a Sasquatch.”

She crossed her arms over her chest and glared at him. “You’re not funny.”

“I wasn’t trying to be.” He sat at the couch again and leaned back. “You haven’t been here as long as I have. I’ve seen things that…”

“Still not funny.”

He sat up and gave her a deadpan look. “I’m not joking. I’ve seen tracks that couldn’t be explained. I’ve see large, bipedal, hair covered creatures walking through the woods. I firmly believe there are Sasquatches up in these woods.”

“Ha. Ha. Ha,” she pouted, slouching in the chair.

“Look, I’m not—” His words were interrupted by another scream that sounded distinctly different from the previous one. Missy’s head snapped around and she watched as the color drained from Hatcher’s face and the hair on his arms stood on end. “Okay. Let’s do this.”

The pair shot up from the furniture and Hatcher climbed atop the table. “Boost up.”

Missy scrambled to the table and pressed her foot into his folded hands. He lifted and she pressed against the plywood square in the ceiling. “Ugh! It’s not budging.”

Hatcher groaned and let her back down. “Hand me a chair.”

She hopped to the floor then placed one of the wooden chairs onto the table just as something began pounding on the front door. “Hurry!”

He climbed atop the chair and pressed both hands to the plywood square. With a quick thrust of his legs, the plywood popped inward and he fell forward, grabbing the edge of the wood. He barely had time to step off of the chair as Missy practically climbed over his body, scrambling for the narrow opening.

He pressed both hands against her butt and shoved her head first into the access. Hatcher paused when he heard an unusually loud boom and the beam across the door crack. His head snapped around and he stared at the door, expecting it to give at any moment.

Without thinking, he jumped, kicking the chair away from the table and gripping the wood framing of the access. He didn’t even feel Missy’s hands clutching his wrists and pulling.

Hatcher tried in vain to pull himself up into the small hole and only realized that he was too wide to fit when his shoulders caught either end of the framing.

“Shit!”

“I’m pulling!” Missy yelled.

“I’m too big to fit.” Hatcher let go and fell back to the table, his head snapping up and seeing Missy’s eyes widen. “Seal the hatch!”

“No!” She fought to climb back down when Hatcher kicked at the table, sliding it away from her. “What are you doing?!”

“Saving one of us!” His head snapped around as another loud bang reverberated off of the front door, causing the window glass to shake.

She was yelling something at him as he caught his own reflection in the window. He could see the door behind him and the weapons inside the locker. “SEAL THE ACCESS!” he screamed at her as he turned and pulled the weapons locker open.

“Hatcher, I can’t leave you alone to—” Her words were cut off as another loud bang shook the building.

He pulled the door open and reached for the tactical shotgun. He double checked that it was loaded and racked a cartridge into the chamber. He spun back around and saw her blonde curls still hanging out of the access. “If I can buy enough time to make it the truck, I can lead them away. You don’t come down until morning, you got it?”

She nodded nervously then disappeared into the attic, the plywood square reappearing as she pressed it back into place.

Hatcher walked back to the front of the station and threw his shoulder into the couch, pushing it against the front door just as another loud bang shook the building.

“What the hell are they doing out there?” He reached for the light switch and groaned when nothing happened. “No power. I’m a friggin’ idiot.”

He pulled his flashlight from his belt and flicked it on, shining it through the window. He could see the front of the building, but not what was banging on the door. He leaned further to the side, hoping to see how many were out there, when a ghostly face appeared in the window, its mouth frozen in a permanent scream.

He fell backward and brought the shotgun to bear. Just as the window imploded inward, he squeezed the trigger, the barrel belching orange-red fire.

“I can’t be certain,” Broussard replied in hushed tones, “but I think Hilliard has a plan to help us all escape.”

Tammy chewed at her lower lip, her head slowly shaking. “Higgins won’t allow it.” She glanced at the others, seeing the knowing look in their eyes. “He still thinks that he should be in charge of what’s left of the CDC.”

Randy nodded quickly. “And you’ve seen how crazy he is.”

“Crazy is a relative term…” Irene added absently. “The man is definitely power hungry, but I think he’s sane.” She glanced at Carol and shrugged. “More or less.”

“Regardless,” Broussard stated, “we have to be ready to go at a moment’s notice. I don’t know what the captain has in mind, but I doubt we’ll have time to pack a lot of things.”

David O’Dell nodded quietly. “I say we go to our rooms, pack the absolute necessities and be prepared to leave at a moment’s notice.”

“Agreed,” Carol added. “Say nothing to nobody, especially Dr. Higgins.”

The team split up and the researchers casually made their way towards their rooms. Carol turned to Andre once they were clear. “And you still think you can trust Captain Hilliard?”

Broussard gave her a slow shrug. “As best as I can read people, oui.”

She felt her legs grow weak and she leaned against the workbench. “What if he can’t be trusted?”

He sighed and pulled her close. “Then we play it as smartly as we can. If they insist we go to their new community, then we go. We pretend to love the idea and pray that they stop watching us so that we can make our escape.”

She pressed her face into his chest and fought the urge to weep. “I hate feeling so powerless.”

“As do I.” He rubbed at her back then pulled away. “In the meantime, we need to prepare sufficient doses of the treatment for the people still in the cells.”

She gave him a confused look. “Why?”

“Hilliard said that once the president arrives, the base will be run by skeleton crews. If he can’t follow through with whatever idea he has, we’ll need to be prepared to make our own escape.”

Her hands trembled as she stared into his eyes. “You’re seriously considering running?”

“My gut tells me that it would be in our best interest.”

She nodded and took a deep breath. “Mine too.”

“Then let us do our part.” He stepped back and held her shoulders with both hands. “We finish what we started. We prepare the treatments, and come morning, we administer them.”

“To all of them?” she asked incredulously.

He nodded slowly. “To them all.” He glanced at the people milling about in their own filth. “Besides, they’ll have to pull more guards to keep an eye on them once they’ve undergone the treatment. Green wouldn’t dare allow them free rein after what Senator Winegard pulled.”

“Understood.” She turned towards the work station and began meting out the minute doses of LSD. “Never in my life did I think that one day I’d be preparing psychedelics for members of Congress.”

“And the vice president,” Andre added, a certain mirth in his voice.

Carol scoffed. “Oh, trust me, we’ve had some administrations that I seriously concluded must have been on some kind of dope.” She chuckled nervously as she prepared the doses. “We’re doing airborne again, I presume.”

Andre nodded. “It’s the safest way to administer it.” She stepped back and gave him a look that he couldn’t quite read. “What’s wrong?”

She shook her head slightly. “Have I told you lately how proud I am of you?” She lowered her face and blushed slightly. “You’ve stepped out of your comfort zone so many times…just to keep me safe.”

He cleared his throat nervously. “No need.” He nodded towards the work station. “But, I do appreciate the sentiment.”

Simon waited until Lana was snoring soundly. He slipped from bed and tugged his pants on. He pulled the wifebeater over his shoulders and tucked it into his belt.

He skipped trying to lace his biker boots and gently opened the door of the RV. He glanced back at her sleeping form one last time before slipping out and pressing the door closed behind him.

He felt the chill of the night air immediately and the rocks around the campsite bit into his soles as he walked the short distance to Vee’s trailer. He gently knocked on her door and was actually surprised when she opened it right away.

“It’s too cold to be out without shoes,” she whispered, nodding toward his bare feet.

“I couldn’t risk Lana hearing me.”

Vee held the door open wider and waved him inside. “You’re going to freeze out there.”

He stepped inside and rubbed his hands across his upper arms. “I guess winter is coming, huh?” She crossed her arms under her breasts and Simon tried not to notice her form silhouetted in the light behind her. “Sorry. I wish I could have given you a bit more notice that I was coming by.”

“Speak your piece.”

Simon lowered his face and sighed. “Did you give much thought to what I said?”

“Actually, that’s about all I’ve thought about.”

Simon chewed at his lower lip. “She’s getting worse.” He looked up at Vee and met her gaze. “Is ‘megalomaniac’ the right word?”

Veronica nodded. “Sounds about right.”

“Yeah, well…” He trailed off, glancing through the glass on the door towards his RV. “I think it might be best if we pull up stakes and leave.”

“I don’t.” Veronica’s voice was barely a whisper and Simon did a double take.

“What?”

“I think you should stay.” She kept her face down and lowered her arms. Simon watched and tried not to stare at her breasts under the thin fabric.

“Wh-why would you say that? You know as well as I do that she’s—”

“It has nothing to do with Lana.” She looked up at him and Simon felt his face flush. In the soft light creeping in through the windows, she took on an otherworldly glow.

“Then why would you…” His words trailed off as he tried to concentrate on the topic at hand.

“I don’t…” She turned and leaned on the counter, her body outlined by the thin nightgown. “I think you’re right.”

“About what?”

“That the community needs you.” She swallowed hard and turned to face him. “We need a strong male figurehead. Somebody willing to…”

Simon nodded knowingly. “Somebody willing to get their hands dirty.”

She nodded slightly then looked up at him. “Trust me when I say that I wish Lana wasn’t even a consideration in this equation.”

Simon cocked his head to the side and narrowed his eyes at her. “What are you saying?”

She took a deep breath and sighed. “I wish that her state of mind didn’t play a part in the decision making process.”

“Ah. You’re afraid that she’ll start trouble if we have to leave.”

She shook her head and squared her shoulders. “That’s not what I meant, but if it helps you accept what I’m saying, then, okay.”

“Tell me.” He stepped closer, his eyes drawn to her chest again. “Tell me what you really mean.”

Veronica swallowed hard and looked up, locking eyes with him. “I told you that there wasn’t really anything between me and Trent, right?”

He nodded, moving ever so slowly towards her. “That’s what you said.”

Her chin quivered in the dark as he grew closer. “So maybe I want you to stay for selfish reasons.”

“Like?” He was so close that he could feel the heat from her body.

Veronica looked up at him again and gave him a nervous smile. “Don’t make me say it.”

“I wouldn’t make you do anything, doc.”

Her breath shook nervously as he loomed larger over her. “Don’t go.”

He bent his head, slowly invading her personal space. “I’m not going anywhere.” He leaned closer, his breath hot against her ear. “Unless you tell me to.”

She slowly cocked her head to the side, shaking it. “I don’t want you to go.”

Simon hovered his mouth just above her ear, whispering. “Then tell me what you do want.” He could feel his heart pounding in his chest and a familiar clenching in his guts.

She pressed her palms flat against his chest and pushed slightly back. “I want to.” She looked up at him and shook her head. “Believe me, I want you to stay.”

“So tell me that and I will.” He could feel the urging in his groin and it was unlike any pull he’d felt before.

She inhaled deeply and sighed, her breath shaky. “We shouldn’t.” She looked into his eyes again and the feral stare he gave her made her weak in the knees.

“Then tell me to stop.” He slid his hand up the side of her hip and heard her breath catch. He moved it slowly up the satin material and cupped her heavy breast, his thumb teasing her pert nipple.

Her eyes rolled back slightly and her lids fluttered as his hand deftly massaged her soft flesh. She sucked in air abruptly before she pressed her hand to his chest once more, pushing him back. “We…can’t.”

“Because of Lana?”

She looked up at him and her mouth opened. No words formed in her mind as his thumb continued to massage her breast. She swallowed air quickly to force a word out when he slowly lowered his mouth to cover hers.

The next thing he felt was her arms wrapping around his neck and pulling him tighter to her.

9

Hatcher forced his eyes open and he blinked rapidly, hoping that he could see the carnage he had caused. He began to crabwalk backward in a panic, the shotgun dragging across the concrete floor as he put as much distance as he could between himself and whatever it was that had appeared in the window.

He scrambled to his feet and leveled the shotgun on the window again. He forced his hand to pump the action, ejecting the spent shell and chambering another.

He slipped on the loose cards on the floor and struggled to stay on his feet as his head bounced from the window to the door and back. “Come on you son of a bitch! Show yourself again!”

He kicked the armchair out of the way and stood by the door, his head turning to glance quickly at the ruined window. “Bring it!” He slammed the butt of the shotgun against the solid door in hopes of stirring whatever was outside.

His hands shook as the adrenaline began to burn out of his system and the shotgun grew extremely heavy in his hands. He fumbled with his belt, grasping for his flashlight when he realized he had dropped it. His eyes searched in the low lantern light until they spotted the butt end of the flashlight near the wall just below the window.

“Shit,” he muttered as he crept towards it. He extended his booted foot and caught the end of the flashlight with his toe, dragging it through the broken glass and pieces of wall plaster until he could bend and retrieve it.

He pressed the butt end again, having to tap it against the top of the shotgun before the light came to life again. He pointed it towards the shattered window, the thin curtain blowing inward in the soft breeze.

He listened intently for any sound outside and cursed himself for firing the weapon indoors. He stepped closer to the window and used the flashlight to draw the billowing curtain to the side.

In the moonlight outside he could see a form splayed out in the gravel. He leaned to each side, checking the perimeter for others. Satisfied that there were no monsters lurking just to the side of the window, he aimed the flashlight at the figure.

“Damn.” His eyes couldn’t quite register to his brain the amount of damage that the blast had caused. Most of the creature’s upper chest and lower jaw was shredded, dark blood still oozing into the rocks beneath it.

“Hatcher?” a soft voice called from the ceiling.

“It’s clear,” he called back. “I think there was only one.”

“One?” Even through the ceiling, her voice couldn’t mask the surprise. “One of those things rattled the foundations of this place?”

Hatcher sighed and fell back onto the couch, the shotgun shaking in his grip. “Looks like it.” He glanced at the access and saw it pull back into the attic. “Either that or the others had enough sense to hall ass when I cut this one in half.”

Her blonde curls fell through the hole and she stared at him, wide-eyed. “You know, the one thing I didn’t think about when we decided to climb up here…”

“Was whether my big ass would fit in the hole?” he laughed.

She shook her head then pointed to the kerosene lantern. “If they got in and knocked that thing over.” Her face paled again as the realization struck her and Hatcher’s mouth fell open.

“Yeah, that wouldn’t have been good.”

She turned around and dangled her feet through the hole. “Coming down.”

Hatcher pushed up from the couch and walked toward her. “Hold on. I’ll get the table—”

Her body fell through the hole and she clung by her fingertips. He dropped the shotgun and trotted toward her. He wrapped his arms around her middle and took her weight off her hands. It was only as he was setting her down that he realized her butt was smashed against his face the entire time.

“Thanks.”

He blushed and waved her off. “Don’t mention it.” He turned and picked up the shotgun again.

“Where are you going now?”

“I want to see exactly what I killed out there.” He pushed the couch away from the door and had to beat on the beam blockading the doorway. “They did a number on this thing.”

“Do you think it’s safe to go out there?”

He gave a slight shrug as he reached for the lock. “I suppose we’ll find out.” He pulled the door open and leveled the shotgun on the opening. If a mosquito so much as farted in their direction, he was pulling the trigger.

He took a tentative step outside and swept the front of the station. “Clear.”

Missy fell in behind him, her pistol in her hand. “I think we should wait until morning.”

“That would probably be the smartest thing,” he shot her a grin, “but I’ve never been accused of being smart.”

She covered his back as he worked his way around the corner. He bent low and splayed the beam of the flashlight over the offender. “Christ. It was a woman.”

Missy blanched. “It’s not your friend…is it?”

Hatcher shook his head. “No, I think this was an older woman.” He leaned back and rested his hand on his bent knee. “It’s too hard to tell an age with this much damage, but…”

“You’re certain it’s not her?”

He nodded. “Yeah.” He came to his feet and walked back toward the door. He ran his hand along the front and blew a low whistle. “Look at what she did to a solid-core steel door.”

Missy felt her hands begin to shake as she touched the dents and impressions. “She was alone?”

“As far as I can tell.”

“She must have been one of the new and improved snappers, right?”

“That would be my guess.” Hatcher sighed and pulled Missy back inside. “If there were others out there, I don’t think they’d sit and watch. They’d be attacking.”

“We’re safe then?”

“For the night, I think so.” Hatcher pulled the door shut and locked it again. He forced the beam back into the hooks and stared at the mess left behind. “I say we get whatever rest we can. In the morning we’ll pack up the essentials and take it to your outpost.”

She stared at him wide eyed. “The outpost isn’t nearly as solid as the station. If another one of those things follows us there…”

He placed a hand on her shoulder. “We’ll be okay.” He leaned the shotgun over his shoulder. “If it makes you feel any better, we can take turns standing watch.”

She shook her head. “Yeah, it really doesn’t.”

Carol shook Andre’s shoulder. “Captain Hilliard is coming.”

Andre lifted his head from the workbench and stifled a yawn as the military man entered the lab.

“I have good news.”

Broussard came to his feet and reached for the cold cup of coffee. “As do we. The treatment is ready to be applied to the rest of the subjects.”

Hilliard glanced through the acrylic walls of the lab and nodded. “Perfect.”

“You said you had good news?” Carol asked.

“Ah, yes.” Hilliard handed Broussard a file and stood back, waiting.

“What is this?” Andre rifled through the papers, unsure of what he was looking at.

“Those are the CDC laboratories that we know fell. General Green approves of your idea of reestablishing a working lab.”

Andre lowered the file and gave him a confused look. “What are you saying?”

“He has authorized me to escort you to each of the facilities there. Once you have determined which of the facilities would be the easiest to restore, we will send the personnel and the equipment necessary to make it happen.” Hilliard’s smile grew.

Andre lowered the file and gave him a cautious look. “And then?”

“And then the place is yours. Run it however you see fit.” He crossed his arms and gave Carol a self-satisfied grin. “I told him it was your idea. I even gave him the whole, ‘we can’t be certain that this is the only biological danger we may face’ speech.” He shrugged nonchalantly. “He thought it was a fantastic idea.”

“Wait,” Carol interrupted. “What about his idyllic community idea?”

“There will eventually be new people there. Children. They’ll need inoculations…vaccines. Who better than the two people who saved the world to oversee such things?”

Andre’s mouth fell open. “You’re serious?”

“If you are.” Hilliard raised his brows at the pair. “Will your people be onboard with something like this?”

Broussard chuckled and nodded. “As long as Dr. Higgins isn’t involved, I would think so.”

“Ah, Higgins.” Hilliard nodded knowingly. “I think the general has something in mind for him.”

Broussard’s face fell and he stared wide eyed at him. “Don’t tell me he’ll be put to death as well?”

“Oh, no.” Hilliard struggled not to smile. “But the general knows what a louse Higgins is.” He took a long breath, considering his words. “But Cheyenne Mountain will need somebody to act as medical officer.” He glanced at Carol and shrugged. “The base still stands, so there’s no sense in abandoning it. We’ll post men here to maintain their duties.”

“So…” Carol began slowly, “Higgins won’t be following you to your new all American town?”

“Nope. He’s staying right here. Handing out ibuprofen and antibiotics.” He smirked at Broussard. “Doing the old ‘turn your head and cough’ routine.”

Andre chuckled and set the file down. “Thank you.”

“Don’t thank me yet.” He gave him a knowing look. “First things first. Treat the vice president so he can be presentable when the boss shows up. Then I hope you’ll be up to flying. We’ll be taking choppers to check out the locations.”

“The general is okay with us setting up across the country?” Carol asked.

“Why not? The facilities are in place. Some still have power, thanks to the small nuclear reactors.” He held a hand up to quell her concerns. “They’re Navy reactors, like they use aboard ships. Perfectly safe.”

She gave him a cautious look. “If you say so.”

“And we’ll assign people whose sole purpose in existing is to maintain those reactors.” He crossed his arms again. “Trust me. You’ll be well taken care of.”

“Thank you.” Broussard held a hand out to him. “You can’t know what a relief this is.”

“No, thank you.” Hilliard shook his hand then turned for the door. “Tell your people to pack their bags. Their work isn’t over yet.”

Simon was sitting in the folding chair around the central campfire when Lana slipped out of the RV. “Where’d you go?”

He glanced over his shoulder at her then shrugged. “I couldn’t sleep,” he lied. He had snuck back into the RV in the wee hours, grabbed his socks, boots and jacket then slipped back outside. Now he sat, fully clothed and still chilled, even though he had rebuilt the fire. “I came out here to think.”

She sidled in next to him and shivered. “It’s cold out here, Simon. Come back inside.”

“I will shortly.” He patted her hand as it rested on his shoulder. “I’m just clearing my head.”

She crouched next to him and peered into his eyes. “What could be weighing so heavily on you this early in the morning?”

He glanced at her then stared back at the fire, unable to look her directly in the eyes. “I’m thinking, even if they want us to leave, who are they to tell us where we can and can’t go?” He smiled knowingly. “I say we stay put regardless.”

She smiled and squeezed his shoulder again. “Now you’re sounding like the alpha I know.” She ran her fingers through his hair then tugged at his arm. “Come inside. Let’s celebrate.” She wagged her brows at him.

He pushed up from the chair and waved her off. “I really need a hot shower. I’m chilled to the bone from sitting out here.”

“I’ll cook you breakfast while you warm up.” She practically bounced back to the RV while he trudged toward it.

In his mind, he struggled. He couldn’t look her in the eye because of what he’d done the night before, and lying about his intentions didn’t make it any easier. He went through the motions of stripping down and removing the bandages from his arm. He avoided looking at Lana as she began to prepare food, shutting the door to the small bathroom behind him.

As the hot water beat against his skin, he remembered how happy he was when he first awoke from the infection and saw that Lana was still by his side. He remembered how his heart ached to be with her. He remembered how much he felt for her, deep inside.

Then he remembered how upsetting it was to see her gradually become the person she was now. He remembered how disturbing it was when she became aroused by violence.

He sighed and pressed his forehead to the wall of the shower, his mind and his heart still battling internally.

As he lathered and rinsed, his mind berated his heart for allowing what had happened with Vee. At the same time, he smiled when he remembered her soft touch. Her warm kiss. The way she moaned quietly as their bodies became one. His finger brushed absently across his lips as he remembered how she nipped at his kisses, taking his lower lip in her teeth and gently tugging at it.

He finished rinsing off and wrapped the towel around his middle before stepping out. He dried as quickly as he could and began to dress, his memory still lingering on Vee and what they had done.

He glanced to the floor; his soiled clothing was gone. He stood in the tiny bedroom with the towel in his hand as he tried to connect the dots.

He pushed open the door of the bedroom and found Lana standing in the kitchen, angrily scrambling powdered eggs. “Are you okay?”

She turned slowly to him, anger flashing in her eyes. “Why shouldn’t I be?”

He gave her his best dumbfounded look. “What’s going on?”

She turned the burner off and slammed the spatula down. “I gathered your clothes so I could wash them.” She glared at him as she picked up his underwear and held them out. “Special kind of dirty, don’tcha think?”

Simon pushed all thoughts of Vee from his mind as he stepped out of the bedroom and into the tiny kitchenette. “What are you getting at?”

She thrust the underwear at him. “Go ahead. Tell me that isn’t what I think it is.”

He glanced at the soiled underwear and gave her a knowing look. “You don’t remember the little show we put on for the doc yesterday?” He raised a brow at her. “Those are the same drawers I wore all day yesterday.”

Slowly, her rage dialed down. She stared at the underwear in her hands then back to him. “The same…”

He nodded. “I’ve been wearing those since I killed Trent.” He cracked a silly grin at her. “That’s the same pair you gave me after we…” He let his sentence trail off.

Slowly her mind connected the dots and her cheeks flushed. “I feel like such an—”

“What were you thinking?” He teased as he stepped forward and wrapped his arms around her middle. “Let me guess, me and Trailer Park Barbie?” He raised his brows at her. “Everybody else has tapped that ass and I hear she was mighty grateful I stopped Trent.”

“Shut up.” She grabbed the spatula and slapped him with it.

“Hey, I just took a shower.” He ran his finger across the mess and licked it. “Mm, powdered eggs. My favorite.”

“Get dressed, asshole.” She flipped the dirty undies at him and slapped at his ass as he plodded back to the bedroom.

Simon closed the door again and nearly fell onto the bed. “Jeezus.” He closed his eyes and thanked whatever force had popped the leggy blonde into his head. Anything to redirect her thoughts from Veronica.

He sat on the edge of the bed and tugged at his socks. He glanced at his arm and paused, poking at the stitches a time or two. He looked up at the partially closed door and called out, “Maybe I should have doc check these stitches.”

“After you eat,” Lana called back.

He nodded as he tugged his shirt on. “Yeah. But probably sometime today.” He stood up and slipped his feet back into his boots, not bothering to lace them. “Maybe I can get a feel on which way she’s leaning.” He pulled the door open and gave Lana a sideways smile. “With a little luck, I can work my charms and convince her that we need to stay.”

“And be in charge,” Lana added. “It’s all for nothing if you’re not in charge, Simon.”

“Of course,” he kissed her cheek, “my empress.”

10

Missy watched as Hatcher pulled the body from the bed of the truck. “Are you sure this is far enough away?”

He leaned on the tailgate and shook his head. “At this point, I don’t think it matters.” He glanced into the shadows of the woods and sighed. “I can’t help but wonder how many more are out there.”

“Are you sure this was the new and improved snapper?”

He shrugged. “The eyes are clear. No blood in them.”

“But…is that the only way to really know?”

He shrugged again. “I’m not the expert on these people, Missy.” He dragged the body towards the ravine and rolled it down to the bottom. “I wish we had the tools to give her a proper burial.”

“It’s not like the scavengers are going to do anything.” She looked up at him. “Unless the new snappers taste different than the originals.”

He shrugged again. “Definitely more questions than answers.”

She shivered and tugged her jacket tighter. “It’s getting chillier.”

“Fall is here.” He closed the tailgate and walked back around to the cab. “It won’t be long and we’ll have snow.”

“Then what?” she asked, searching his face for answers. “Will you try to hole up for the winter or go back to New Mexico?”

Hatcher rested his hand on the steering wheel and slowly shook his head. “I wish I knew.”

“If she did survive, surely she’d leave before the snow came.”

He sighed as he reached for the key and started the big diesel engine. “I don’t know.” He stared out into the trees for a moment before putting the truck in gear. “Like I said, I’m just playing this by ear, following my footsteps backwards.”

As they slowly drove back towards the station, Missy felt the awkwardness of the silence more than he did. “So, did you see any other signs of life on your drive up here?”

He shook his head. “Nothing of note.”

“So…something?”

Again, he shook his head. “Nothing that made me think, ‘hey look, more survivors’. It was pretty much a whole lot of nothing.”

“Nothing?”

He slowed the truck and looked at her. “Dead cars. Empty buildings…as far as the eye could see.”

“Oh.” She turned away from him and stared out of the window. “That’s…too bad.”

“Yeah.”

The pair continued to drive until he pulled up to the station. “Let’s load up anything of use.”

“To take to the outpost, I know.” She slid down from the truck and practically slammed the door behind her.

“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing,” she stated flatly as she marched past him.

He reached out for her but she evaded his grasp. “Let’s just get this over with, shall we?”

“Not until you tell me what’s crawled up your ass.”

She froze and slowly turned, her face a mask of anger. “What did you just say?”

Hatcher did a double take then took a half step back. “I’m just saying, something is obviously bothering you.”

“What do you care?” she barked. “So long as everybody does what you say, right? This whole park is yours anyways, right?” She threw her hands into the air. “Who gives a shit if that tiny outpost has been my home for nearly the last year. Let’s just grab what Hatcher says to grab and move it to his outpost so that he can keep looking for a long lost love interest who is probably dead anyway.” Her voice continually rose until she was practically screaming.

“Hold on just a minute—”

“No, you hold on!” She turned and practically spat in his face. “I don’t know who you think you are, but take a look around. If this was still the world it used to be, then yeah, you’re the man. You’re in charge. Even though you bailed and didn’t show your face for a frickin’ YEAR!” She turned for the door then turned back again, violently, her fists clenched. “And while we’re at it, I think somebody owes me a year’s back wages. PLUS INTEREST!”

Hatcher held his hands up and stepped back. “Okay…”

“Don’t you dare look at me in that tone of voice!”

“Christ. Somebody’s having a rough time of the month,” he muttered under his breath.

She froze mid step and turned to him, rage in her eyes. “What. Did. You. Just. Say?”

He shook his head quickly. “Nothing.” He stepped back again, fear creeping up his spine. “Not a damned thing.”

“Oh yes you did.” She marched toward him, her finger out and jabbing at him. “Don’t you ever make a comment like that again. I’ll have you know that I survived out here on little more than emergency rations and my own damned wits.” She kicked gravel at him and shook with rage. “How dare you show up here and start barking orders at me!”

“Nobody’s barking orders at you.” He suddenly stiffened and glared at her. “If I didn’t know any better, I’d think maybe you were catching this new Zulu virus.” He narrowed his gaze at her. “But it’s been a bit too long since you caught the cure, so I guess we can rule out the bug and just determine that you’re being a little bitch!”

Missy’s eyes narrowed then she suddenly chilled, putting a wee bit more fear into him. “Fine. I’m the bitch. Let’s grab all of YOUR stuff and move it to YOUR new outpost.”

“Now hold on a second.”

She clenched her jaw and he could see the muscle in her face twitch. “Say it,” she dared him.

“Say what?” He threw his hands in the air. “Fine. It’s YOUR outpost. Hell, you can claim the whole damned park for all I care. I’m just here to—”

“You don’t have to say it. We all know. You’re here to find Shelly Whatserface and drag her back to civilization. I’ve heard it a dozen times.” She crossed her arms angrily and glared at him. “Has it ever occurred to you that maybe other people might like to go back to civilization? That maybe some of us would kill for a hot shower? That the idea of washing our hair in something other than Dial bar soap sounds like heaven on a stick to us?”

Hatcher opened his mouth to argue then quickly shut it. A hundred things flew through his mind, but none seemed really appropriate at the moment. He sighed and leaned against the truck. “I fully intended to offer you a ride back when—”

“You mean, ‘if,’ right?” She narrowed her gaze at him. “IF you ever return to New Mexico.”

He swallowed hard and nodded slowly. “Yeah. So sue me. This place always felt more like home to me.”

“Maybe to you.” She turned back to the station. “Let’s just grab your crap and move it. Maybe once you make up your mind what the hell you’re doing I can just take the truck and make my own way out of here.”

He watched her storm into the station and couldn’t think of anything to say to calm her down.

Maybe she was right. Maybe she wasn’t. All he knew was, his gut was telling him that it wasn’t time to leave just yet.

Carol nodded and Tammy twisted the valve, pumping the aerosolized psychedelics into the cells. “We’re at three hundred PPM,” Randy stated, reading the air monitoring meter. “Three fifty…”

“Meter it off at five hundred,” Broussard replied softly.

Irene stood outside the first acrylic cells with blankets in hand. “Their aggression is still rising.”

“Due to your proximity,” he stated. “Stand ready.”

David O’Dell held a stack of thermal blankets as the team increased the aerosols. “Yeah, I’m not seeing anything here but increased aggression.”

“Wait for it.”

“Five hundred,” Randy stated.

Tammy closed the valve and turned to Carol. “Closed. Standing by.”

Carol glanced at her watch then looked to Andre. “They should have responded by now.”

He felt his guts tighten and he looked at the clock on the wall. “Increase to six hundred.”

Tammy twisted the valve and Randy read off the increase in the cells. “Five-seventy-five…six hundred.”

Tammy shut the valve then reported it closed. “Why are they taking longer?”

Carol felt the color drain from her face. “What if the cure mutated?” She looked to Broussard. “Again?”

He shook his head. “I’m not ready to concede…increase it again.”

“To what?” Tammy asked.

He swallowed hard and set his jaw. “One thousand.”

Randy raised his brows but nodded to Tammy. “Do it.” She twisted the valve and he read off the levels. “Nine hundred fifty…one thousand!”

Tammy quickly closed the valve and turned to Carol. “Maybe the aerosolized treatment isn’t as effective as it was before? We could try direct injection.”

Broussard pushed past the others and stepped between Randy and the meter. “You must have read it wrong.”

“I assure you, Dr. Broussard, I can read a simple meter.” Randy’s tone reflected the hurt he felt.

Broussard paced the small lab, his hands clenching and unclenching. “Something isn’t right.” He turned to Carol. “Please tell me that you double checked the strength of the drugs?”

Her face fell and she gave him a hurt look. “Of course. I triple checked.”

“Can psychedelics go bad?” Irene asked.

Broussard shook his head. “Your guess is as good as mine.”

“Hold on!” David called out. He trotted from behind the cells and grinned at Irene. “Something is happening.”

“Something good, I hope,” Andre muttered as he pushed his way out of the lab and to the cells. “What is it?”

“Look.” David pointed to a rear cell. “He’s chill.”

A man in a tattered and shit smeared business suit was leaning against the cell wall, shaking his head and rubbing at his eyes. “Can I get a glass of water?” he croaked.

“Oh hell.” David groaned. “The manifold.” He pointed to the aluminum manifold that all the hoses branched from.

Broussard stared up at the device and shook his head. “I don’t see it. What’s wrong?”

“The rubber hoses.” David dumped the blankets and snapped his fingers at Tammy. “Gas mask.”

She tossed it out of the door and he quickly put it on, pulling the straps tight. “I don’t want to get dosed by the LSD,” he muttered as he tiptoed and pushed the rubber hoses tighter onto the manifold. “These three weren’t on good.”

Broussard sighed animatedly and leaned against the wall of the lab. “Hit them again. Let’s start at five hundred.”

Randy cursed under his breath. “The meter is reading the first cell. That’s where the senator was. We put it in there because there was no risk of getting attacked.”

“That’s fine,” Broussard sighed. “Let’s start over. Ventilate the first cell then push it to five hundred. We’ll see how they respond then.”

Carol sat down next to him and held her hand out. “That scared the shit out of me.” She felt her voice crack as she spoke. “All I could imagine was Green having us shot for failing.”

“We’ve figured out the problem, cherie. Let’s pray that there are no more.”

“Doctor Broussard!” David called from outside the lab. “You need to see this!”

“How does it feel?”

Simon shrugged, unable to take his eyes off of her. “It’s better.”

Veronica glanced at him and smiled. “Don’t do that.”

“What?”

“That.” She nudged him with her arm. “Don’t stare at me like that.”

Simon sat back and smiled at her. “Tell me you regret it.”

She blushed and shook her head. “You need to push it from your mind.” She smeared an antibiotic ointment on the wound then placed a piece of gauze over the stitches.

“I can’t.” Simon sighed and leaned back. “Tell me that it was just releasing tension. Tell me it meant nothing to you.”

“Shush.” She felt her cheeks redden again as she cut a larger piece of gauze and wrapped his arm. “We have to pretend it didn’t happen.”

“Why? Because I’m living with a batshit crazy woman?”

Veronica paused and sighed heavily. “Simon, it never should have happened.”

“Let me guess…you can’t date your patients.”

She froze and turned to him. “Normally, yeah. But considering the state of the world, I think I can scratch that off my list.”

“Then what?”

She sighed heavily and sat down next to him, the gauze still dangling in her grip. “Mainly because you are with Lana.”

“And you know what’s going on there.” Simon leaned back and stared out of the window towards his RV. “I had such real feelings for her; at least, they felt real.”

“I know.” She began to wrap his arm then paused. “I think that’s partly why I was so attracted to you. The depth of your feelings.”

“Why did she have to change?”

Veronica shrugged. “Maybe she didn’t.” She wrapped the last of the gauze and cut a short strip of tape. “Maybe she was always like that and you just didn’t know.”

He shook his head and sucked between his teeth. “Tell me what we did was ‘just sex’ and I’ll never bring it up again.”

She ripped open a fresh ACE bandage and began to unroll it around his arm. “I want you to leave this on for a few more days, then remove it all. The wound shouldn’t be draining anymore after that, and you really should let it get air.”

“Tell me it was ‘just sex,’ doc.”

She paused and looked up at him. “You know it wasn’t.”

“Then I can’t let it go.”

“You have to.” She wrapped his arm then used the small stainless clamps to lock it into place. “When you remove this, I want you to keep applying the triple antibiotic to the stitches.”

“Hey.” He reached out and turned her chin toward him. “We need to talk this out.”

“No, Simon. We don’t.” She leaned back and gave him a sad smile. “It shouldn’t have happened.”

“But it did.” He slid his hand across the table and laid it softly on top of hers. She quickly pulled her hand away and shook her head.

“No.” She patted his hand then stood. “It was a one-time thing.”

“Not for me.” He stared at her and could see how she hid her form under the multiple layers of clothing. “It made me realize that I can’t fix Lana. And life is too short to—”

“It can’t happen again.” She stepped away and hid her face. “It shouldn’t have happened the first time.”

Simon sighed and lay his head back. “Ya know, Vee…I used to be somebody that I wasn’t proud of. There was a time that I don’t think I was capable of actually feeling for somebody else.” He leaned forward and hung his head. “Then I met Lana and I thought everything had changed.”

“You love her.”

He looked up at her and gave her a sad smile. “I think I was in love with the idea of her. Somebody who knew I was rotten inside but chose to stay with me anyway.” He groaned as he sat up. “What I’m trying to say is, I’m confused as hell.”

“Then don’t think about it.” She stepped back another step. “It shouldn’t have happened.”

“That’s just it, Vee. I can’t stop thinking about it.” He looked up at her with pain in his eyes. “Yeah, Lana and I had great sex…like…I shouldn’t even be telling you this.”

“It’s perfectly natural to—”

“No. You’re not getting it.” He slid to the edge of the chair and sighed again. “It was just sex.” He looked up at her and she noted his eyes were misting. “It was different last night. I felt like we connected on a deeper level.”

“Simon, don’t…”

“Tell me you didn’t feel it.” He pushed up from the chair and faced her. “Tell me you didn’t feel it in here.” He tapped lightly at her chest. “Tell me it was ‘just sex’ and I’ll drop it. I’ll never mention it again. I’ll push it from my mind and never dwell on the softness of your lips, the sound of your voice in my ear, the feel of…I won’t mention it ever again.”

“Simon…” She turned and refused to look at him.

“Tell me, Vee. Open up your heart and tell me what you felt.”

She suddenly stiffened and stood upright. She kept her back to him and she stated firmly, “It was just sex.”

“Look at me and say that.”

“I think you need to leave now, Simon.” Her hand shook as she spoke and he noted it.

“Look at me, Vee.” His voice was soft, not much more than a whisper.

She shook her head slowly. “You should go. Your wife is waiting for you.”

“We’re not married,” he stated flatly. “Look at me, Vee.”

She turned slowly and he saw the tears running down her cheeks. She slowly shook her head. “Please go.”

Simon nodded as he stepped towards the door. “I knew you couldn’t.” He paused, his hand gripping the knob. “If you really want me to drop this, consider it done.” He took a deep breath and blew it out slowly. “But if there was a chance for two people to make a real connection in what’s left of this fucked up world, I think they’d both be fools to let it slip away.”

She watched as he stepped out of the trailer and tugged his collar up against his neck. He shut the door softly and walked away.

Veronica sat on the built-in couch and wept.

11

Hatcher carried the last of the weapons to the truck and laid them across the rear seat. He heard the tailgate slam shut and glanced back to see Missy walking around to the cab. “That’s the last of it.” She climbed in and shut the door, staring out through the passenger window.

Hatcher gently shut the rear door then climbed back behind the wheel. Although the drive to the outpost was relatively short, he continually played back her yelling tirade. He felt stupid for not realizing how badly she wanted to get out of the park and be back around other people.

He turned the truck onto the dusty dirt road that led to the outpost and slowed for the rocky terrain. “Tell me something,” he stated casually. “Why didn’t you just leave?” Her jaw continued to clench and she chewed absently on a thumbnail, ignoring him. He turned toward her. “Seriously, why’d you stay here? You could have left at any time.”

She sighed and leaned her head against the window. “The last radio reports indicated that all of the major cities were infected. They estimated that over seventy percent of the human population was dead or infected.” She shook her head slightly. “Where was there to go?”

“You still could have tried.”

She sat up and finally turned to him. “And go where?” She threw her hands up and replied sarcastically, “It’s not like I have any family to rely on. I’m alone here.” She seemed to deflate and pressed her head to the glass again. “Utterly alone.”

Hatcher slowed the truck and stopped just outside of the outpost. “We’re here.” He half expected her to make a “Captain Obvious” remark and was surprised she didn’t.

“I’ll try to stay out of your way,” she muttered as she dropped the tailgate.

“Hold on.” Hatcher did his best to keep his voice soft and low, not wanting to trigger another outburst. “Believe me, I understand you want out of here. I get it.”

“But you have a mission,” she finished for him. “I get it.”

“No, it’s not that.” He lowered his head and sighed. “If you want out of here that badly, we can find you a working car. We can fuel it up and you can be on your way.”

She scoffed as she grabbed the plastic tote from the bed. “You still don’t get it, do you? Where would I go?” She turned and marched toward the outpost.

Hatcher grabbed the other tote and followed her. He set the tote next to hers. “I can tell you where we’re set up in Rio Rancho. I’m sure they’d love to have you. You tell Roger or Vicky that I sent you and there won’t be any issue with you staying.”

She stared at him as though he were daft. “Really? How kind of you.” Her sarcasm wasn’t missed as she marched past him. She pulled open the rear door of the truck and grunted as she lifted the large box filled with ammunition.

“What do you want me to do here?” he asked, realizing that, truly he had no idea how a woman’s mind worked. “If you want to take the truck, take it.” He glanced toward where the concert had been set up and knew that hundreds of cars were still lying dead out there. “Heaven knows I can easily find another.”

She gave him a tight lipped smile. “Let me show you something.” She marched around the rear of the outpost and pulled at a camouflage netting that he hadn’t even seen. Underneath sat a pristine Jeep Wrangler. “I’ve been using this to scout to the area when I didn’t feel secure on an ATV…which is most of the time.”

He shook his head. “Then why’d you stay?”

She stared at him as though he hadn’t heard a word she’d said. “And go where?!”

He shook his head and blew his breath out hard. “Anywhere but here.”

She scoffed as she marched past him and grabbed an armload of weapons from the rear seat of the truck. “Right. The world is overrun with snappers, but I should just start driving and hope that I run into a group of ‘nice people’ along my journey.”

Hatcher hung his head and ground his teeth. “I told you that I would give you directions to where they are.” He spun on her. “And they are nice people.”

“That you ran away from,” she tossed back over her shoulder.

“I didn’t run FROM them. I…” He trailed off. He kicked at the gravel with his boot out of frustration. “I’ve told you why I’m here.”

“And even though there’s no sign of her, you’re staying.” She grabbed another armload of the weapons and turned back to the outpost. “Makes perfect sense to me.”

“You’re impossible,” Hatcher grumbled as he scooped up the last of the weapons. “There’s no winning with you.”

She set the weapons down and gave him a blank stare. “And that’s it, isn’t it? You just want to win.”

He shook his head as he tried to wrap his mind around her reasoning. “If you’d just tell me what you want—and be plain and spell it out for me, because it sounds like I have a caveman mind and can’t grasp the nuances of blonde logic.”

Her eyes narrowed on him again and she shook her head. “I’m going to patrol the park.” She brushed past him and reached for the door. “Alone!”

Hatcher watched her form pass by the front window and a moment later the Jeep engine roared to life. She accelerated away a bit too quickly, spinning gravel back towards him. For the life of him, he couldn’t figure out what he’d done wrong.

Carol watched as the guards escorted the last of the politicians away, presumably to be cleaned up and dressed. She sighed animatedly and fell into her chair. “I can’t believe that it’s over.”

“For now,” Broussard added quietly, his hand resting on her shoulder. “We have to pray that they maintain their…civility until after the president comes and goes.”

“They will,” she sighed. “I know it.”

“Excuse me, Dr. Broussard?” The pair turned and saw Dr. Benedict standing behind them. “I realize that this probably isn’t the best time, but I was curious if you’ve really looked at the list of CDC locations that are available to you?”

Andre shook his head. “Do you know something of them?”

Will nodded slightly and stepped closer. “I realize that Atlanta might seem to be the most obvious choice, considering the work they did there, but if you are wanting a location that is defendable and well equipped, Fort Collins isn’t that far from here.”

“What’s the difference?” Carol asked. “Besides distance?”

Will seemed to cringe inwardly. “Atlanta is more along the lines of toxins and pathogens. Which would make it seem, outwardly anyway, to be the more logical choice, but…”

“And Fort Collins?” Andre asked.

“They studied diseases with insect vectors, you know, like mosquitoes and ticks. However, they have better equipment.”

“And how do you know this?” Carol asked.

Will cleared his throat nervously. “My brother worked there. Before all of this happened.” He met her gaze and his eyes became misty. “He was complaining about having to shut down labs for all of the new equipment that was being installed.” He lowered his voice and smiled at the two. “Actually, I think he was bragging and rubbing it in a bit, but…that was just a short time before the outbreak.”

Andre looked at Carol and raised his brows. “New equipment isn’t a bad thing.”

She stood and picked up the file folder that Hilliard had supplied. “I suppose, if the facility meets our needs, we could have samples flown in from Atlanta.”

Will nodded. “I’m sure that the government would do whatever you felt was necessary.”

Andre leaned back in his chair and studied the man before him. “And what of you, Dr. Benedict? Will you be returning to academia, or would you be interested in joining us?”

Will chuckled. “I doubt seriously there will be a need in the immediate future for academics.” He gave Andre a hopeful shrug. “But if you’ll have me…”

Broussard stood and grasped the man’s hand. “Consider yourself a staff member.” He paused and added a caveat, “That is, provided I’m the one who gets to choose.”

Carol scoffed. “You’re the man who saved humanity. Something tells me you have a blank check at your disposal.”

Simon walked slowly through the woods, his mind bouncing from though to thought. He was torn between two women and he never thought he’d find himself in such a situation.

What he experienced with Veronica was more than his simple mind could grasp. Yet he felt a responsibility towards Lana that he couldn’t put into words.

He cursed silently as he swatted at a low limb.

“What did that tree ever do to you?”

He nearly jumped at Lana’s voice and spun on her. “Girl…you about made me jump out of my skin.”

She eyed him warily as she silently made her way towards him. “You looked awfully lost in thought there.”

He nodded as she came up beside him. “I’m wondering how all of this is going to pan out.” She slipped her arm around his middle as he turned back to the trail. “Doc says she’ll back me with the others.”

“That’s good, right?” Lana grinned at him. “You said that she’s key to making this happen.”

He nodded absently, doing his best to keep his mind off of what he’d done. “She is.” He continued walking at a steady pace. “I just worry how the others are going to react.”

“Why?” She tugged at him, slowing his pace. “What are you afraid of?”

“People don’t like change, Lana.” He peered into the woods and sighed. “We’re brand new to this group. There might be some resentment.”

“Surely the biker guys will back you?”

Simon nodded. “If they stay. Hammer was saying that the boys wanted to hit the road.” He took a deep breath and leaned against a rock outcrop. “Things may have changed since Trent and his minions bit the big one though.”

Lana shrugged. “So what if they leave? That’s fewer alphas to challenge you.”

Simon shook his head and stared into her eyes. “This isn’t like taking over a pack of Quee. It’s not always the strongest or the smartest who gets to lead.”

“It should be,” she purred, sliding her hand up his chest. “You’re by far the smartest.”

He scoffed and pointed to his arm. “But nowhere near the strongest. And plenty of people in that camp can wield a shotgun.” He shoulder bumped her playfully. “Present company included.”

She smiled and lay her head on his chest. “You’re the right man for the job. I can feel it in my—”

Simon stiffened as she froze, her head darting to the side. She raised a hand up to prevent him from talking then whispered in his ear, “Did you hear that?”

Simon shook his head. He was just about to ask her what she heard when she bolted into the brush, disappearing into the shadows.

He opened his mouth to speak then closed it. He slowly pushed off of the rock outcrop and bent low to peer into the brush. “Lana?”

He could hear a low snarling and moaning sound and his interest was piqued. He pushed through the brush and did his best to follow the sounds. He rounded a thick bramble and froze in his steps.

Squatted low in a small clearing, Lana held what looked like a large rabbit in her hands, her face buried in the animal’s insides. Blood ran down her arms and her face was coated. The feral look in her eyes made him do a double take and he nearly tripped over the roots of the bush beside him.

Her head snapped around to him and she pulled the rabbit away, wiping her face on her forearm. “Oh my god…this is so good,” she moaned.

Simon felt a sickening clench in his guts as she pressed the still kicking animal back to her mouth. He heard the flesh rip from the carcass as she chewed, rabbit fur clinging to her lower lip.

She looked up at him and her face held the same feral ferocity that she often got when she was horny. “Want some?” She was smiling at him as she held the rabbit out at arm’s length, inviting him to share her kill.

He quickly shook his head, unable to pull his eyes from the carnage. “N-No…”

“Oh my god, Simon!” She tore another chunk of flesh from the rabbit and barely chewed before she swallowed it. “I have missed this so much.” He watched as she slowly stood to her full height, the blood running down her face and neck and leaving thin rivulets that ran between her breasts. “You have to try this.” She stepped toward him and he backed away slowly.

“How can you eat that…raw?” He couldn’t mask the disgust from his voice and he nearly stumbled as he stepped away.

“It reminds me of when we were Quee.” She wiped her face on her arm again before lowering the rabbit’s carcass to dangle at her side. “Come here and kiss me.” She broke into a toothy grin and Simon fought the urge to throw up.

She stepped toward him and he held a hand up. “No…no, honey, that’s okay.” He shook his head at her then glanced back down the path towards the camp. “You need to finish…” He trailed off, not believing what he was about to say. “Then you need to get cleaned up. Before any of the other campers see you.”

She chewed absently at the raw morsels still lingering in her mouth as she stepped toward him seductively. “Why?” She lifted the rabbit to her face again and ripped another large chunk of flesh from its hindquarter. The meat made a sickening slap against her chin and she smiled at him as she chewed at it.

“Lana…” His voice was barely a whisper. “What the hell has gotten into you?” His face suddenly became stern and he glared at her. “We have an impression to make with these people.”

She paused and stared at him, her mouth hanging open, raw chunks of rabbit visible as the gears in her head turned. “I don’t care.” She finished chewing then swallowed. She held the rabbit out again. “Just take a bite, Simon. One bite.” Her expression changed to one he didn’t recognize. “Take one bite and remember what it was to be a Quee Alpha.”

Simon shook his head and glared at her, his jaw set. “Do what you’re going to do with that thing.” He locked eyes with her and refused to blink. “Then get your ass to the creek and clean up.” He leaned forward and put as much venom into his voice as he could, praying that she still recognized him as her alpha. “And don’t you dare let any of them see you until you’re cleaned up.”

He spun and made his way back down the hill. The entire way, he prayed that she wouldn’t follow. He could see her in his mind’s eye falling into step behind him, pleading for him to eat of the rabbit, berating him for his reserve.

As his feet hit the level earth again, he glanced back up the hill and breathed a sigh of relief that she hadn’t followed.

He entered the circle of campers and felt his hands shake, his breath catching in his throat as he took deep breaths and fought the urge to hurl.

He glanced toward Veronica’s trailer but knew better than to go there. He couldn’t risk Lana putting the doctor in her sights. He walked back to his own RV and pulled the door open.

As he fell into the overstuffed couch he held his hands out in front of him and watched them shake. “What the hell am I gonna do with her?”

He held his head in his hands and refused to weep. She’d gone off the deep end and there was nothing he could do about it. He sat up and stared at the ceiling. “Can she even be saved?”

12

Hatcher kept his eyes peeled for Missy as he drove back to the main station and attached the small utility trailer to the pickup. He loaded the two ATVs and all of the fuel cans before taking them back to the outpost.

He tucked the gas cans into the small outbuilding and parked the ATVs on either side. The entire time that he worked, he couldn’t help but wonder where he’d gone wrong with her. She seemed perfectly fine one moment, and the next she was angry at him and wouldn’t say why.

He tried to chalk it up to a generation gap, but something in his heart told him that wasn’t it. He drove the utility trailer back to the main station and dropped it where he’d found it.

He walked slowly towards the station, his eyes purposely avoiding the shattered window and the blood soaked gravel in the front. He pushed open the door and tried to see the station the way it had been and not the disheveled mess it was now.

He turned and pushed open the door to his office and took one last look around. Somehow, he knew that this was the last time he’d stand in the space.

He sat down quietly in his chair and smiled at the familiar squeak. He rifled through his desk and pulled out a handful of mementos. They were just little things that keyed specific memories for him, each one a reminder of when times were simpler—even if they didn’t feel that way at the moment.

He put a few into a small leather bag and stood from his chair. He reached across his desk and removed the last framed photo of him with his people then walked back out to the truck.

He tucked the things into the toolbox and gently shut the lid. As he climbed into the cab and started the engine, he had a sudden and peculiar feeling that things were never going to work out for him. His gut was telling him that this search was a lost cause. Maybe he just hadn’t been listening before. Perhaps Missy was right.

About everything.

If Shelly were alive, she’d have either returned to the station and settled in or she’d have made her way to the closest town to search for survivors.

He felt a familiar pang in his chest as he realized, she might well have returned to Texas. She could be anywhere in that huge state, and the odds of him finding her were slim to nothing.

As he pulled up to the outpost and shut off the engine, he also realized that she could even be anywhere in this park, and he’d likely never find her.

He suddenly felt drained of energy as he slid off of the seat and his feet hit the dusty ground. He shut the door and leaned against the truck, his eyes searching the shadows of the deep stands of trees surrounding him one more time. “Why couldn’t you have just left me a note, Shelly?”

He slapped the hood as he turned toward the little building. He had just stepped onto the wooden porch when the sound of an engine caught his attention. He turned and saw Missy’s Jeep returning.

Quickly.

Hatcher leaned against the porch post and sighed. “She’s still pissed.” He crossed his arms and watched as she slid in the loose gravel, the Jeep skidding to the side.

Missy’s eyes were wild as she leaned out of the doorless Jeep. “You gotta see this!”

Captain Hilliard listened as Andre explained their rationale for wanting the Fort Collins location. “And while I don’t know where the general intends to create his new community, the Colorado facility is closer than any other to Cheyenne Mountain.” Andre sat back and crossed his arms. “We could maintain radio communications with the base here and they could arrange for resupply drops when necessary.”

Hilliard nodded and closed the file. “You make a lot of really good points.” He glanced at Carol then back to Broussard. “But what of the samples you said could be had at Atlanta? Surely you wouldn’t expect soldiers to try to retrieve such deadly organisms.”

Andre shook his head. “I’ve already spoken with Dr. Benedict and Dr. McDonald. Both are willing to retrieve the viable samples from Atlanta and transport them back to Fort Collins.”

Hilliard blanched and looked around the lab. “Benedict? He’s the Zed, right?”

Broussard bristled then cleared his throat. “Yes, he is the cured professor of genetics who has assisted us.”

Hilliard sighed heavily and lowered his voice. “Can you really trust somebody who was…one of them?”

Carol rolled her eyes. “While we can’t be certain what may or may not have occurred while he was infected, we can be certain that Dr. Benedict has been more than helpful since he returned with us to the mountain complex.” She crossed her arms and gave him a stern look. “If you need us to, we’ll both vouch for him.”

Hilliard shook off her offer. “I just don’t feel comfortable with him.”

“Give him a spray tan and a three piece suit and he could pass for any professor at any given university,” Broussard stated. “Don’t let appearances detract from his abilities.”

“Of course,” Hilliard added quickly. “I was just thinking aloud.”

“The staff at the facility will be left to me, oui?”

Hilliard nodded. “Of course.”

“Then he is with us.” He nodded towards the lab. “As are the rest of the staff here.”

“Minus Higgins,” Hilliard added.

“Correct,” Carol stated. “The man would cause more problems than—”

“Say no more, doctor.” Hilliard held a hand up. “I’ll take this to the general and let him know. I doubt there will be any kickback from him or his office. For now, prepare your people to assume responsibilities at Fort Collins.” He glanced at his watch. “The president should be arriving any moment, so I’d better go and stand by the general’s side.”

“Of course, any other professionals that you may encounter…” Broussard added as Hilliard stepped away. “We will be woefully understaffed at such a large facility.”

He gave him a knowing nod. “Understood, doctor. I’ll get back to you shortly.”

Andre and Carol watched him walk away and both sighed with relief. “I just want out of this place,” Carol muttered. “It feels like a tomb in here.”

“Because we are underground,” Broussard mumbled. He froze and gave her a confused look. “We won’t have to meet the president, will we?”

She shrugged. “I hope not.” She shivered and gave him a creepy look. “Just knowing that he was aware of what Higgins and the rest were doing here? I think my skin would crawl if I had to shake his hand.”

“Then we should make ourselves scarce.” He nudged her toward the door. “Shall we begin to pack?”

She gave him a confused look. “It’s not like we unpacked when we got here.”

He gave her a flat stare. “Then surely you can think of something else we could do to appear busy.” He raised his brows. “Alone. In our room.” When she didn’t catch on, he sighed animatedly. “In our room? Where the beds are?”

“Oh!” Her eyes shot wide and she broke into a toothy grin. “Why yes…I’m sure we could get a LOT of packing done.”

“I must work on my innuendo,” Andre muttered as the pair stepped out of the lab. “I think I’m losing my touch.”

She snorted a laugh and intertwined her arm with his. “I think this one was my fault. My mind was a million miles from your line of thinking.”

Andre chuckled as they walked through the blast doors. “Cherie, I am a male and a Frenchman. My line of thinking is always towards such things.”

Simon tried not to look at her as Lana crept into the RV. She was still dripping with water and steam rose from her skin as she stood in the open doorway. “It got cold when the sun began to set.”

“I imagined it would,” he replied softly.

She lowered her eyes and walked back to the shower. He listened as she tossed her soaked clothing to the floor and fought the urge not to confront her as she turned on the water.

He’d had nothing else to do but think while she was out there.

Eating wildlife.

Raw.

As soon as the door shut he came to his feet and slipped out the front. He didn’t intend to seek out Veronica, nor anyone else. He only wanted to put as much distance as he could between himself and the woman that was making him question his sanity.

He snatched the folding chair from in front of the RV and all but threw it towards the central fire. He fell into the chair angrily and crossed his arms over his chest.

“Problems, amigo?”

His head snapped around and he spotted Jody, the bruises on his face beginning to turn a sickly yellow along the edges.

“You might say that,” Simon mumbled.

“Mind if I join ya?” Before Simon could tell him to fuck off, that he’d rather be alone, Jody set his own chair next to him and settled in.

Simon didn’t even want to look at the recycled hippie. His surfer boy voice and tone was enough to piss him off when he was in a good mood. He was afraid that tonight he’d simply reach over and toss the little cuckold into the fire.

“So,” Jody stated, breaking the ice. “Fighting with the little lady, are we?”

Simon huffed and continued to stare into the fire. “Why would you say that?”

Jody chuckled and settled deeper into his chair. “Dude, I’ve had enough scraps with Darla to know the look.” He sighed heavily and continued to smile, the stupid stoner expression on his face pissing Simon off even more. “I remember this one time—”

“Don’t,” Simon stated flatly. He refused to look at the stringy-headed blond man beside him. “Just…don’t.”

“Dude!” Jody exclaimed. “I totally get it, man. I’ve been there, bro.”

“I’m not your bro,” Simon replied through gritted teeth. “You don’t have the first clue about me and Lana so just…don’t.”

Jody opened his mouth to reply then thought better of it. “Okay, man, whatever.” He sighed heavily and leaned his head back, staring up into the heavens as the stars began to appear in the darkening sky. “I get it. I really do. Sometimes it’s best to just keep shit to yourself when—”

“Jody, I swear to Christ, if you don’t stop talking, I’m going to finish the beating that Trent and his lackeys laid down on you.”

Jody’s eyes bulged momentarily then he simply nodded. “Gotcha.” He sat back and tried to concentrate on the fire, but his eyes kept breaking to Simon. He felt this uneasy tension that hadn’t been there before, and his drug-addled mind couldn’t comprehend why Simon didn’t want to talk things out.

Simon continued to stare at the fire and actually clenched his teeth tighter when the door of his RV opened behind him. “Simon. I need you,” Lana called.

“I’m busy,” he replied, his eyes still glued to the fire.

“I don’t think you understand, sweetie. I need you.”

Simon huffed again and shook his head. “I’m BUSY.”

“Dude,” Jody whispered. “I think you better go see to your lady.”

Simon’s head snapped around and he glared at the man beside him. Jody’s head was craned around and his mouth hung open. Simon followed Jody’s gaze and saw Lana standing at the foot of the RV, naked.

She had one hand resting along the top of the open door and her hip cocked to the side. “I really need you, Simon.”

He rolled his eyes and turned back to the fire. “I have a headache.”

“Dude,” Jody whispered. “Your old lady is au natural. I think she wants to get friskay!” he chuckled.

Simon turned and gave him a steely stare. “Why don’t you go over and take care of that for me?” He put as much sarcastic anger into his voice as he could. “You can repay Trailer Park Barbie for fucking all the other guys around here behind your back.”

Jody’s face melted into a mask of sadness. “Dude. Not cool.” He came to his feet and grasped his chair. He turned back towards his own trailer, his eyes stealing glances at Lana. “At least your woman wants you,” he muttered.

Simon turned his attention back to the fire and ground his teeth. He knew he was angry. He knew he was completely disappointed and shocked by her behavior. He just couldn’t put into words the mix of emotions that swirled through him.

He noticed the few other campers sitting around the campfire suddenly sit up and take notice. He knew what she was about to do before she did it.

She appeared by his side and a moment later she swung her leg up and over, straddling his lap. “I really need you, darling.’ she purred. “I don’t care if the neighbors watch, if you don’t.”

“Oh for fuck’s sake!” he growled as he came to his feet. “Just once can’t you…” He stopped himself before he said something he’d regret. “Fine.”

He spun and pulled at her arm, dragging her back to the trailer. He pushed her inside then stepped up into the RV, pulling the door shut behind him. “Now is NOT the time,” he growled.

Lana gave him a hurt, pouty look and stuck her lower lip out. “I can’t help it that I want you.”

He slowly shook his head as he looked her up and then down. “What is it with you? Do you enjoy shocking everybody here?”

She slowly broke into a toothy grin. “You think I’ve got that effect on them?”

He rolled his eyes and fell onto the couch. “Lana, do you even think before you act?”

“Of course not.” She straddled his lap and pressed her chest to his face. “I’m the empress. I don’t have to think first.” Simon let his head fall back and sighed as she worked at his belt. “Come on baby…I’m still worked up from supper.”

Simon tried to push the gruesome image of her supper out of his mind. He tried not to think of her teeth ripping the flesh from the bones of the rabbit or the feral look in her eyes as she devoured the poor animal.

She had just reached into his pants when a primal scream erupted outside and he instantly came to his feet. “What the hell?!”

Lana fell to the floor of the RV and burst into laughter. “Oh my god…”

“What?” Simon zipped his pants and leaned forward, peering through the curtains and into the campsite.

“I think the good doctor found the present I left for her.” Lana laughed as she rolled over, kicking her legs in the air.

“Present?”

She looked up at Simon and licked her lips. “I couldn’t finish all of the bunny so I thought I’d share with her.” Her eyes flashed with an evil that Simon had prayed he’d never see again.

“What did you do, Lana?”

She rolled up onto her knees and licked her lips at him. “I may have hung what was left on her front door.” She laughed again and fell back against the foot of the couch. “You’d think she’d be a bit more grateful.”

Simon cursed under his breath and stormed out of the RV. He slammed the door behind him and marched next door to Vee’s trailer.

Veronica stood just outside her trailer, her hands shaking. She looked away from the bloody mess on her door and fought to keep her tears in check. “What happened?” Simon asked.

She pointed to her front door and hanging just over the glass was the rabbit carcass. The word ‘Bitch,’ drawn in blood below it.

She turned and fell against Simon’s chest, sobbing. He instinctively wrapped his arms around her and felt his anger rise to an entirely new level. He craned his neck to glare back at Lana watching them through the windows of their RV, an evil smile plastered across her face.

“She’s gone too far.”

13

“Can’t you just tell me?” Hatcher asked as the Jeep bounced roughly on the trail road.

“I could, but you wouldn’t believe me.” She cranked on the steering wheel hard and the Jeep made a hard slide in the soft soil.

“Slow down for shit’s sake. You’ll roll us!”

She shook her head as she downshifted and floored the accelerator for the hill ahead. “We’ll be fine,” she muttered as she navigated the small SUV around the large boulders strewn everywhere.

Hatcher grabbed the oh shit handle tighter and fought gravity as the hill threatened to launch him from the seat. “What could be so damned important?”

“You have to see for yourself.”

“Just TELL me!” He oofed as the small Jeep made a hard landing.

“You wouldn’t believe me…even if I told you that a UFO had landed on the mountain.”

He stared at her hard. “We’re living in a post apocalyptic world with cannibalistic monsters running everywhere. Trust me, even a UFO is believable.”

She slammed on the brakes and Hatcher fought not to eat the narrow dashboard. He was thrown back in the seat from his fighting the g-forces and he spun to glare at her. “What the hell?”

She pointed through the bug splattered windshield. “There.”

Hatcher turned and saw hundreds, if not thousands, of items of brightly colored clothing scattered about. Some articles hung from trees, others draped over bushes or hanging on low brush.

“What the hell is this?” he uttered as he slipped out of the passenger seat.

He walked slowly forward and Missy killed the engine. “Beats the shit out of me. I’ve been down this way twice since this all started, and this is the first I’ve seen anything like this.”

Hatcher pulled a ski vest from a bush and examined it. “Other than being a little sun faded, it’s like new.” He turned to Missy. “When was the last time you came down here?”

She shrugged. “A couple months at least.” She gave him a sardonic stare. “What? It’s a big-assed park.”

He laid the vest back on the bush and waded through the other garments. “These are all clean.” He lifted a woman’s tank top and stared at it. “No stains. No blood.” He lowered it and stared into the shadows of the trees. “What the hell?”

“Are you thinking what I’m thinking?”

He turned to her and shrugged. “What are you thinking?”

“That now we have a herd of naked people in the woods.” Her face scrunched at the thought.

He slowly shook his head. “No, this is…” He lowered it and turned back to her. “Let’s go and check out the cars.” He dropped the top and hopped back into the passenger seat. “I have a suspicion.”

Missy started the Jeep and turned around. “What are you thinking?” She drove slower on her way back down the mountain and looked to Hatcher. “The gears in your head are starting to smoke.”

Hatcher sighed and grabbed the handle again as they came up on a large washout in the road. “I’m thinking that the people who came for the concert may have had clothing in their cars. Somebody went through them all and brought them here.”

She gave him a confused look. “Why on earth? That makes no sense.”

Hatcher nodded, a slow grin starting to form. “It kind of does.” He turned to her and tried to explain the many thoughts running through his mind. “Look, let’s say you’re part of a big group and you suddenly aren’t…cannibals anymore.”

“Okay…”

“And everybody is covered in rags. Blood soaked rags.” He gave her a disgusted look. “Probably some other bodily fluids soaked into them as well.”

Missy nodded, trying to push the mental image away. “Alright. So…you’re thinking that somebody raided all of the cars, dragged the clothes across thirty acres or more to that clearing and everybody what? Changed into their Sunday-go-to-meeting clothes?”

He shrugged. “Got a better idea?”

She shook her head as she turned the Jeep towards the makeshift amphitheater. “I have no idea. Hell, they could have been dropped from an airplane.” She gave him a smirk. “That would explain why some were hanging in trees.”

He nodded slightly. “I guess.” He glanced to the skies then back to her. “Not that I’ve seen a lot of airplanes lately.”

“True enough.” She slowed the Jeep as she came upon a bend in the road. They crested a hill and almost immediately on the other side were cars parked on either side. “Okay, there they are. What exactly are we looking for?”

“Busted windows, open trunks, anything that looks like somebody went through them.” He leaned out of the Jeep and examined each vehicle as she slowly drove past them.

“Down there.” She pointed, pushing the clutch in and letting the Jeep roll faster. “There.” She pulled the Jeep alongside a pickup lying on its side and nodded further down the hill. “And that’s probably the culprit. Who brings a bus down a congested hill like that?”

“Somebody that wanted out. Badly.” Hatcher hung out of the Jeep, and as soon as Missy stopped it, his boots were on the ground. “Somebody busted out these windows.” He ran his hand along the top of the cars as he made his way toward the RV.

He pulled open the side door and could still smell the stench of death, even all these months later. “Son of a…” he trailed off as he jumped out of the RV, slamming the door behind him.

“Body?”

He nodded. “And if memory serves…this is the RV that Shelly and I were checking out when she…” He felt his throat choke up and he turned his back on her.

“I’m sorry, Hatcher.” She took a step toward him, and he walked toward the front of the bus. He was shocked at the damage the machine had taken and still remained running. When he rounded the front, he saw why they hadn’t attempted to take it any further. The front driver’s side wheel was bent outward at almost ninety degrees.

He crouched low and whistled at the damage. “They hit something hard.”

Missy scoffed. “Like damn near every car for the last half mile. There’s a truck and a Cadillac SUV laying on top of two other cars back there.”

Hatcher stood and looked further down the road. Every other car had either broken windows or their doors pried open. “Somebody scavenged these vehicles.”

“So you guessed right on the ‘where’. What about the why?” Missy planted her hands on her hips and stared back up the hill. “Then there’s the how…”

He turned and raised a brow. “The how?”

“How we’re gonna get that Jeep out of here.” She shook her head. “I’m not backing up for a mile with dead cars on either side.”

Carol sighed heavily and kicked the blanket off of her. “It’s time like this I wish I were a smoker.” She smiled at him. “I think that would be so cool after a hot and heavy session like that.”

“I am thankful you are not.” He sat on the edge of the cot and tried to catch his breath. “I cannot stand the smell.”

“Even for me?” she teased.

He shook his head slowly and lay back against her. “I’m afraid even for you. The smell makes me ill.”

“Maybe chocolate then.” She ran her fingers through his hair. “Would you still want me if I got fat?”

He nodded. “More to hold onto.”

“Right.” She pushed him away and sat up. “You say that. But when I need two cots just for me…”

He chuckled lightly and rolled toward her. “One for each cheek?” He nipped at her bottom and she squealed.

“You’re terrible.”

“You didn’t think so a moment ago.”

Her playful banter was interrupted by a banging at the door. She hurriedly covered herself with the blanket and Andre pulled on a pair of boxers.

He pulled the door open slightly. “Oui?”

“Captain Hilliard is looking for you,” a man in a uniform stated, “and Dr. Chaplain.”

Andre sighed animatedly and hung his head. “When and where?”

The man cleared his throat before squaring his shoulders. “He said at the lab, and I quote, ‘five minutes ago.’”

Andre nodded. “Very well. Tell him we are on our way.” He pushed the door shut and turned to her. “Apologies, cherie.”

“I heard.” She was already dressing. She stood and glanced in the mirror. “Oh my god. I look like a brand new egg,” she laughed to herself.

“A what?”

She turned and flashed him a sheepish smile. “Freshly laid.”

“Sacra bleu!” He tried not to laugh at her goofy joke as he dressed. He couldn’t resist watching her as she shimmied into her clothing. “I have decided that you look better without garments.”

“And I have decided that you need glasses.” She threw his white coat at him. “Hustle up, Frenchie. We can’t keep the captain waiting.”

He finished tucking in his shirt and donning his lab coat as he followed her to the lab. As he feared, the general and the president were already there.

“Here’s the man of the hour!” President Walters exclaimed as they walked through the blast doors. “Congratulations once again.” He stepped toward Broussard with his hand extended.

Andre fought the revulsion building inside and took his hand. “Thank you.” He intentionally stood between Carol and the officials, preventing her from having to risk contact.

General Green stepped closer and proudly announced, “Doctor Broussard just recently agreed to man our CDC center in Colorado.” He turned and patted the researcher’s shoulder. “I’ve got a team preparing the equipment here for transfer.”

“Thank you general.” Andre turned back to the president. “We’d like to leave as soon as possible. We have a lot of work ahead of us before we can actually begin the real work.”

“Of course.” President Walters stepped aside and waved the vice president towards them. “There’s somebody here who would like to personally thank you.”

Andre stood taller and extended his hand. The vice president reached for it then launched himself, snarling at the bare flesh in his grip.

Simon spent nearly an hour calming Veronica’s nerves before scrubbing the dried blood from her door. After he buried the rabbit, he stayed up the rest of the night, his eyes locked on his RV and his back to the campfire.

The few times he had seen the curtains part, he knew that Lana was checking on him. He saw shadows in the windows and knew that she’d stayed up the better part of the night.

One time, when he felt himself trying to doze off, he swore he heard her whisper his name in his ear. He started awake, his head snapping side to side searching for her.

Just before daybreak he made his way back to the RV and entered noisily. Lana lay on the bed, still nude, pretending to sleep.

He heated some water on the stove and made a large cup of instant coffee, all the while racking his brain for a way to put his emotions into words.

“Come to bed, darling,” she purred.

Simon bent over the counter and gripped it so tight that his wounded arm nearly convulsed. “No.” Although through gritted teeth, he knew that he spoke plainly enough for her to understand.

She sat up on the bed and dangled her legs off the end. “I need you.”

He spun on her and closed the short distance, his hand grasping her by the throat. “Why? Why do you do these things?”

She fell back onto the mattress and stared at him, a smile forming on her face as he squeezed. “Harder,” she whispered.

Simon increased his grip and she actually moaned as her eyes began to roll back in her head. He let go and pushed her away. “What am I going to do with you?” he barked.

She stared at him lustfully and slowly spread her legs. “You had a pretty good start going there.”

He spun back and pointed a finger at her. “You’ve lost your fuckin’ mind!”

“We can do whatever we want.” She sat up and glared at him. “We’re in charge now. They need to fear us…or they might try to run.”

He turned back to her and gave her a confused look. “Run to where, Lana? You were with me when we left Rio Rancho. There is nothing out there. What’s left to run to?”

She scooted forward and planted her hands on the side of the mattress. “Not run TO. Run FROM.” She shook her head as she stepped closer to him. “They need to fear us, Simon. If they don’t, we can’t control them.” She ran her hand up his chest and cupped his face. “You might have a boomstick, but so could they.”

He felt his anger boil up inside and all he could see was red. Flashes of the ravaged rabbit hung on Vee’s door kept popping into his mind and his anger turned to rage. He’d turned to say something when she abruptly slapped him. “Be a man!”

He didn’t mean to strike back. He wasn’t even thinking as his arm shot out and the butt of his fist caught her temple. His hand had no sooner made contact than he regretted it.

She fell to the mattress and slid to the floor, a squeak of surprise escaping her lips as she bounced from one to the other. Simon froze in shock, his heart thumping in his chest. “Lana…”

He bent low and turned her face to meet him. She sat up, stunned and rubbed at the side of her head. “What just happened?”

“I am SO sorry, baby…I—”

She stretched her arms outward and wrapped them quickly around his neck. “Thank god!” She began to cry and he pulled her to him, unsure what to say. “Thank you, Simon! Thank you!”

He stared at her open mouthed. “Wh-what are you…”

She pulled back and he felt his guts tighten as her tears ran down her cheeks. “I don’t know what came over me, but…that? That wasn’t me.” She stared at him, true fear reflected in her eyes. “It was like somebody else had taken over my body and…” She sobbed, her chest heaving.

He pulled her closer and cradled her. “Shh, it’s okay. It’s okay now.” He petted her head as if she had long, flowing locks. “I’m here. I’ll never hit you again, I swear.”

She pulled back and shook her head at him. “No, I’m glad you did.” She swallowed hard and stared at him, fear still painted across her features. “It’s like…you flipped a switch.”

She tried to sit up and he helped her to the mattress. “What are you saying, Lana?”

She reached for the thin cover on the bed and covered herself. “I could…see.” She turned to him as she searched for words. “I could feel…everything. I just couldn’t stop what was happening.”

He slowly shook his head. “I don’t understand.”

She sat back and took a deep breath, her hands shaking. “It was like something else took control of my body. Made me…do things. Say things.” She looked up at him through tear filled eyes. “That poor rabbit.”

Simon gave her a confused stare. “Honey, that was you.”

“I know!” she sobbed. “But I didn’t want to!” She wiped tears and snot from her face on the corner of the covers and he could see her chest heaving as she sobbed. “I don’t care if you are in charge here. I don’t…I don’t…care.” She choked on the words. “But something inside me wanted it.” She turned and stared at him with tear filled eyes. “It wanted to be in charge.”

“I’m not following you.” He wiped her tears with the back of his hand, his mind refusing to understand.

“It’s like…” She choked and took another deep breath. “It’s like something inside me wanted you to be the alpha.” She met his gaze and her face puckered, ready to cry again. “So I could take over once you were…were…”

“Shh.” He pulled her close and cradled her. He rocked her slightly as she sobbed and he found himself even more confused. “It’s gonna be okay.”

She pulled back and shook her head at him. “No, I don’t think it will be.” She wiped her face on the back of her arm again then peered into his eyes. “I can’t guarantee that it won’t happen again.”

Simon chuckled and shook a fist in her face playfully. “If it does, I’ll cure you with a right hook.”

She tried to laugh; snot and spit shot across her chin. He pulled her tightly to him again and rocked her. “It’s gonna be okay. I promise.”

Lana nodded, her body still shaking. She stiffened slightly as a cold smile crossed her face. “I know it will. You’re here.”

14

“You’re sure?” Missy asked cautiously.

Hatcher nodded. “That mess doesn’t change anything.” He held a hand up to stop her from replying. “Those clothes could have been scattered out there for weeks. Maybe even months. If they were hit by the cure and it took, then maybe that was when they gathered the clothing.” He inhaled deeply and stared toward the mountain peak. “But if they did, odds are that they tried to leave. Either on foot or with any number of cars that were still here.”

“But you’re sure you want to give up?” Her voice was barely more than a whisper.

He nodded solemnly. “You were right.”

She gave him a shocked look. “Seriously?”

He nodded as he grabbed the few things in the outpost worth taking and stuffing them into a duffle. “I was running on a hunch anyway.”

She sat quietly and watched him. “Before we take off, I want to play off my own hunch.”

He looked up at her and raised a brow. “What’s that?”

“There’s a creek not far from where the clothes were scattered. I want to go by and just see.”

“See what?”

“If it was like you suggested, then they’d want to clean up before they put on fresh clothes.” She shrugged. “I just want to go by and look.”

He studied her a minute then shrugged. “Go ahead.”

“You’re not coming?”

He shook his head. “Nope. Whether they did or not, doesn’t change anything.” He stood erect and sighed. “Maybe some got the cure, maybe some didn’t. Regardless, if anybody was still in those woods and wanted to be found, it would have been much easier for them to get our attention than to walk out.” He hefted the duffle and stepped toward the door. “I’m thinking you were right and those who could have already left.”

She stood and followed him out. “But…we can’t be certain.”

He tossed the duffle into the back of the pickup and turned to her. “No, you’re right. I can’t be sure. But I know that if it had been me out there? Wake up one day and be able to think again?” He slowly shook his head. “I would have come back here, changed clothes, packed a bag and left.”

Missy lowered her head and sighed. “I just don’t want you to get halfway back and realize you made a mistake.” She looked up at him and gave him a sad smile. “Because of me.”

“It’s not because of you.” He stepped closer and placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. “The only other people we’ve seen out here were these new and improved snappers. I really think that anybody more normal would have reached out to us.”

She nodded solemnly and turned back to the outpost. “I have a few things I’d like to pack up, too. I won’t be a moment.”

Hatcher climbed into the pickup and took another look around. Although he had rarely come to this outpost in the past, he felt a certain melancholy nostalgia as he eyed the building.

His mind drifted back to Rio Rancho and the people there. Vicky and Coop, Candy and Roger, Buck and Leslie, Hank and Wally…even Will. All of the friends he’d made since he’d come home. The new families that had looked to him to help make things better.

He smiled to himself as Missy trotted out of the shack, a small bag in her hand. “Home really is where the heart is.”

Andre jerked his hand away, stumbling backward and splaying on the hard concrete floor. Captain Hilliard, President Walters, and Vice President Harrison all burst into laughter.

“What a card, Bill!” President Walter’s guffawed. “I think you scared the piss out of him.”

The Vice President held his hand out, offering to help Andre to his feet. “I’m sorry, doc. I had to.” He was still laughing as Andre pushed his hand away and came slowly to his feet.

“That wasn’t funny,” Carol berated as she knelt next to him, pulling him from the floor. “If you had any idea what we’ve been through…”

“I really am sorry,” Harrison repeated as he wiped the tears from his face. “I was just commenting to Jim how it…” He stood upright and sighed. “I guess it sounded funnier in my head.”

“There, there now doctor,” President Walters softly chided. “It’s all in jest. Bill has always been a bit of a practical joker.”

“Excuse me if I don’t see eye to eye with his humor,” Andre mumbled as he swiped dirt from his lab coat. He stood and rubbed at his shoulder. “I’m glad that you’re feeling better.” He gazed towards Carol then turned back to the men. “If you’ll excuse us, we have a lot of work to do.”

“Dr. Broussard,” President Walters began, stepping closer and draping an arm over the man’s shoulders. “I can’t tell you how much we appreciate your efforts.”

Andre opened his mouth to explain how he understood that they had little choice in the matter. Instead, he opted for diplomacy. “We look forward to continuing the same quality service in Colorado.”

“About that…” Walters lowered his voice and turned away from the other two men who took the cue to step away. “We are working on a little project near Omaha. We’re actually going to be moving a lot of civilians into the military housing at an Air Force base there.”

“I think I may have heard rumors of such a project.”

Walters raised his brows. “Really?” He glanced back at General Green and shook his head. “So much for secrecy,” he mumbled. He turned back to Andre. “We’d really like it if you and your people joined us out there.”

Andre stiffened slightly and let his breath out slowly. “Sir, with all due respect, it would take us much more time to convert a usable space for the work we do…it would be so much more expedient to clean up Fort Collins and go to work right away.”

The president seemed to pause for a moment then slowly shook his head. “The biggest problem for us will be logistics. Fort Collins is just so far away.”

Andre smiled. “We’ll establish radio communications, sir. And I’m told that we’ll even have our own military presence to help maintain the power and provide security.” He gave the man a patronizing smile. “I’m sure we’ll be just fine there.”

“I really think—”

“Excuse me, sir?” Carol interrupted. “If I may be so bold…”

“Carol,” Andre cautioned.

She held a hand up to stop him. “We’d rather work in Colorado. AWAY from everyday distractions.” She gave him her best disarming smile. “And if you consider the lethality of some of the things maintained by the CDC, you’d want minimal exposure to civilians. Especially after the devastating effects of this virus. Humanity might not withstand another exposure to something else.”

He studied her for a long moment then slowly nodded. “Perhaps you’re right.” He patted Broussard’s shoulder. “We’ll make sure that you have everything you need there.”

“Thank you, Mister President,” Andre replied. As Walters stepped away he pulled Carol closer to him. “What was that all about?”

She gave him a reassuring smile. “My father was overbearing like him. I learned a long time ago how to deal with people like that. They have to think that everything is in their own best interests.” She patted his chest as she turned to leave. “No need to thank me.”

Veronica watched Lana from the corner of her eye as she rifled through her bag. She brought out her penlight and flashed it across the other’s eyes. “Proper pupillary response.” She leaned back and sighed. “Blood pressure is normal, her color is returning, heart rate and respiration all seem good.” She hung her stethoscope across the back of her neck and gave Simon a shrug. “She seems healthy as a horse.”

“A bald horse,” Lana muttered, running her hand over her head.

“Your follicles are regenerating,” Veronica stated. “You’ll have a full head of hair in no time.”

“So…nothing?” Simon asked, hoping for an answer.

“Not that I can see.” Veronica crossed her arms and studied Lana. “Do you remember any of the things that he told me?”

She nodded sadly. “Unfortunately, all of it.” She looked up at Veronica, her eyes reddening. “I’m so sorry.”

Vee refused to acknowledge the apology. “I can’t see anything obvious that could cause such a dissociative split.” She gave Simon a tight lipped smile. “Unfortunately, I’m not well-versed in psychiatric medicine.”

“Great,” Lana moaned. “I’m crazy.”

“Nobody said you were crazy,” Veronica said, “but this might be a side effect of being infected.” She shrugged slowly. “Or a side effect from whatever the cure was that snapped you out of it.”

“So, it could be like dropping acid?” Simon asked.

Vee raised a brow. “Like a flashback?”

“Yeah, I’ve heard from people who used to drop acid that remnants are stored in the fat or something. If that fat is ever metabolized, then it’s back in their system and they trip balls all over again.” He gave her a knowing look. “Without warning.”

Veronica nodded. “I suppose it could be.” Her brows wrinkled as she thought. “I suppose, if the infection was viral that…” She shrugged. “What good is the supposition if I have no treatment?”

“You’re saying I just have to live with it?” Lana asked.

“I’m saying I’m not even sure the cause, so there’s no way to treat it. That is, if it even could be treated.” She sighed and pulled her stethoscope off. “I suppose your best course of action would be to notify Simon or myself if you feel these…changes coming on again.”

“That’s just it, Vee. I didn’t know what was happening until I questioned myself, and then I realized I had no control.”

“Explain that.”

Lana blew her breath out hard as she searched for the words. “It was like somebody else was pulling my strings. Making me do things I didn’t want to do and say things that I didn’t mean.” She reached out and took Simon by the hand. “It was almost like being Quee again.”

Veronica’s brows rose. “Being what?”

“Quee,” Simon replied. “It’s what the infected called themselves.” He patted Lana’s hand. “They even had their own language.”

“We,” Lana corrected. “WE had our own language.”

“Right,” Simon sighed. “We. I was one too.”

“You were our alpha,” Lana stated softly. “He saved us when we were about to starve to death.”

“Oh, really?” Veronica crossed her arms and looked at Simon. “How did you do that?”

Simon blanched and avoided her gaze. “I wasn’t too keen on the whole ‘eating people’ thing. I gathered them all up and we moved into a grocery store. I taught them how to open canned food.”

“He saved our lives,” Lana reiterated. “If it weren’t for him, hundreds of us would have starved.”

Simon shrugged. “I just remembered what real food was.” He looked to Veronica. “There’s nothing we could try?”

She sighed then stood and reached into a cabinet. “If it’s some kind of neurological damage, the best remedy is sleep.” She handed him a small bottle of sleeping pills. “The brain is a complicated organ, and it heals best with plenty of rest. The deeper the sleep, the better.”

Simon took the bottle and slid them into his pocket. “Do you have a moment? Maybe we could talk?” He glanced at Lana. “Alone?”

Lana nodded slightly and stood, pulling her t-shirt down firmly. “I’ll see you back at the RV.” She kissed him lightly on the cheek then stepped out of Veronica’s trailer.

Simon watched her enter their RV then turned to Veronica. “First off, thanks for checking her out. I know you didn’t want to.”

Veronica shuddered slightly and nodded. “It’s my duty.”

Simon scoffed. “You could have told her to go pound sand.”

“I did it for you.” She glanced through the window at their RV. “You’re sort of stuck with her.”

“That’s just it.” Simon sat back and shook his head. “Am I?”

“Yes.” Veronica stood and began packing her equipment back into her examination bag. “You are. She looks to you for—”

“She ate a live fuckin’ rabbit.” His face was stern. “She can take care of herself.”

Veronica sighed and set her bag on the floor. “What do you want from me, Simon?”

“I want…” He trailed off. His eyes searched hers for a moment. “I guess I want what I can’t have.”

“What’s that?” She crossed her arms and shook her head at him. “I told you. What happened between us was a mistake.”

“No it wasn’t.” He stood up and paced the small area. “But I feel like I’m…”

“Stuck?”

“Torn.” He sighed as he leaned against the counter. “I feel an obligation to her.” He looked up and searched her face for a reaction. “But my true feelings are for you.”

“Feelings that we can’t act on.”

“We.” He snapped his fingers. “There. You said it. WE. As in we BOTH have feelings for each other.” He groaned as he stepped toward her. “Tell me you don’t care.”

“I can’t.” She looked up at him. “I can’t tell you that. But it changes nothing. You have a responsibility to her.”

“We’re not married. She doesn’t rely on me for food or protection. She’s her own person.”

“With a mental disorder that sends her into a blind rage.” She narrowed her eyes at him. “Like you said, she ATE a live rabbit. Then she hung the leftovers on my door and wrote ‘bitch’ in blood. You expect me to say, ‘yeah, let’s run off together’ when your psycho wife would just as soon gut us and…” She trailed off, catching her breath. “Even if she wasn’t certifiable, the answer would still be no.”

“Why?” Simon asked. “Guilt?”

Veronica threw her hands into the air. “Because it would be wrong.” She kicked her bag and fell onto the narrow couch. “I’m not a homewrecker, Simon.”

He sat down across from her and shook his head. “And I’ve never had a ‘home,’ Vee.” He lowered his eyes and sifted through ancient memories. “I had a wife once. When all of this shit went down, I went looking for her. I found her and my best friend…” He choked on the words and had to force them out. “They were still…in position. Dead.” He looked up at her, hoping she’d understand. “Thing is, it tore me up pretty good. I turned to booze. Pills. Women.” His face flushed with shame. “Violence was my answer to everything. I pretty much stayed in a drunken stupor. It was my way of coping.”

“You must have really loved her.”

He looked up at her and scoffed. “I cared for her. Hell, I had to. It was my ‘duty’ as you say.” He sat back and shook his head. “Truth be told, I was more upset about Dennis poking my old lady behind my back. We were tight.” He turned and looked at her expression, expecting shock. She stared at him blankly, waiting for him to go on. “He was the closest thing to a brother…”

“You felt betrayed.”

Simon nodded. “Among other things.”

“Imagine how Lana would feel if you broke it off with her…for me?”

Simon bowed his head and blew his breath out slowly. “So, you and I…we’re supposed to suffer. Do without. Live loveless lives just so Lana doesn’t feel rejected?”

She stood and placed a hand on his shoulder. “I can’t answer that. But I can tell you that you have a responsibility to her.”

“Why? Because I kept her alive through the infection? Because I saved her and the rest of them from starving?” He placed his hand atop hers and brushed his thumb across the top. “This whole mess has taught me that life is too short not to try to be as happy as I can be.” He looked up at her. “You make me happy. In all of the dreary, miserable, insufferable emotions and thoughts that I go through on a daily basis, the only thoughts that make me happy inside are when I think of you.”

“Then hold on to that.” She squeezed his hand then pulled hers away. “We can’t let it go any further.”

Simon hung his head. “And if Lana weren’t here, would you be telling me the same thing?”

She opened her mouth then closed it, unsure what to say. “I honestly don’t know.”

Simon nodded gently as he came to his feet. “I’ll see ya around, Vee.” He paused at the door. “I want to tell you that I love you,” he took a long, shaky breath, “I just don’t think I could stand not to hear it back.”

She watched him open the door and disappear. She sat down heavily and held her head in her hands. “I do.”

15

Roger watched as the sun began to dip on the horizon. He unclipped his tool belt and slung it over his shoulder.

“Calling it a day?” Candy asked. “There’s still light out.”

“Not for much longer. The days are getting shorter.”

She waved him towards their house and slipped her arm through his. “I saw Vicky today. She said junior is doing well.”

“What about the nausea?” he asked as he opened the gate for her.

“It’s letting up. Vicky said it could go away on its own or I could have it all the way up to delivery.”

Roger groaned as he set the tool belt on the workbench in the garage. He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close. “Kiss me.”

She leaned back playfully. “You’re all sweaty and smell like a boy.”

Roger laughed as he pushed her away. “I’d rather smell like a boy than a stinky girl. They have cooties.”

“Cute.” She slapped at his butt then turned towards the door leading into the house. “Supper is light tonight. Mostly veggies.”

“That’s fine.” He followed her into the house and washed his hands at the sink. “We only have three more houses to convert over.” He turned off the water and snatched the kitchen towel to dry his hands. “Will says he’s looking at supplementing some of the solar with wind, but I don’t know exactly what he means.”

Candy snorted as she poured him a drink. “Knowing him, he’ll have windmills up on top of all of the houses.”

Roger fell into the chair and sighed as she slipped behind him and rubbed his shoulders. “Have you wondered where we go from here?”

Roger groaned under her skillful hands and shook his head slightly. “One day at a time, sweetheart.”

“Has anybody tried Mike’s radio setup lately?”

Roger shook his head. “We’ve been too busy getting these houses ready. Maybe somebody at the retirement home has messed with it.”

“But no word? From anyone?”

Roger chuckled and patted her hand. “I’m sure he’s fine.”

“Who?” Candy tried to play ignorant.

“Nice try.” He turned in the chair and gave her an optimistic smile. “Hatch handled himself just fine when all of this went down. He got everybody set up at the warehouse. He kept them safe.” He pulled her around to face him and he kissed the knuckles of her hand. “I’m sure he’s fine.”

She nodded slightly then pulled a chair next to him. “I can’t help but worry.” She sighed heavily and stared out the window. “He’s the only reason I’m alive right now.”

“You’ve told me.”

She turned back to him and shook her head. “I never knew Shelly. He rarely spoke of her.” She lowered her eyes and her voice softened. “I know she meant a lot to him. What if he doesn’t…”

“He’s a big boy, Candy.” Roger pulled her closer and held her. “He’ll come home when he’s ready.”

“And if he doesn’t?” She looked up at him. “What if he gets hurt? Or decides to stay?”

“If he decides to stay, that’s his choice.”

“And if he’s hurt?”

Roger shook his head. “There’s nothing we could do to help him if he was. He’s just too far away.”

She sighed and slowly came to her feet. “This light duty crap is too much for me,” she said. “I know Vicky has my best interest at heart, but if my hands aren’t busy, my head has too much time to think.”

“And we don’t want you thinking,” Roger added playfully. He barely dodged the rag that she threw at him.

“You’re not funny.”

“Am so.” He grinned at her as he reached for the fork. “Funny looking, anyway.”

“Eat your food.” She kicked at his chair. “And speaking of, Hank said that Will wants them to start going out past the ‘burbs to look for livestock.”

Roger forked a mouthful of fried zucchini into his mouth then nodded. “Meat would be nice.”

“I was thinking chickens. Fresh eggs would be awesome.”

Roger leaned back in his chair and gave her a crooked smile. “You ever think we’d become farmers?”

She laughed as sat back down. “Not me. I planned to chase bad guys my whole life. If I wanted a chicken sandwich, I’d just drive through Chick-fil-A.”

Roger flexed his hands as he studied them. “I wonder how you milk a cow?” He turned and smiled at her. “Would you let me fondle another gal’s boobs?”

“Still not funny.”

“We could name her Elsie. I’ve always wanted to grope somebody named Elsie.”

“Eat your food.” She slapped at him. “I’ll make you raise pigs.”

“Ooh…I’d kill for bacon.”

“And you’d have to. Pigs don’t lay bacon like chickens lay eggs.”

He gave her a ‘duh’ look. “Goats?”

“They don’t lay bacon either. Besides, they’re too cute to eat.”

“Says you.” He shoved another forkful into his face. “At this point, I think I could eat just about anything.”

“You’ll be eating my fist if you don’t straighten up.” She paused and shook her head. “I already sound like a mom.”

Roger chuckled as he pulled her close. “You’re gonna be a great mom.”

“Keep talking about fondling another gal’s boobs and I’ll be raising this brat as a single mom.” She glared at him. “A widow, in fact.”

Roger paled slightly. “Yes, ma’am.”

Tammy and David oversaw the loading of the trucks while Irene and Randy went over the checklist with Captain Hilliard.

“Remember,” Hilliard reiterated. “Nobody even gets out of the trucks until my people have cleared the building.” He pointed at the two. “The entire building.”

“We understand,” Irene replied. “Are you coming with us?”

He shook his head. “My responsibilities are here, but I’m sending good people with you.” He glanced over his shoulder. “Where is Broussard? He should be here for this as well.”

“They’re finishing up the packing. The more volatile stuff,” David added. He crossed his arms defensively. “Apparently only they can ensure the stuff is packed for safe transport.”

Hilliard nodded. “Makes sense.” He didn’t see David bristle at the comment. “Make sure they know to stay in the vehicles. We can’t know what to expect there.”

“Understood.” Irene pulled the papers from his grip and tucked them into her folder. “Anything else?”

Hilliard nodded. “Communications may be sketchy at first. Once we have them fully established, the general wants daily reports.”

Irene raised a brow. “Daily? That will eat up a lot of our man hours.”

Hilliard shrugged. “Nobody said it has to be in depth. He just wants to be kept abreast of your work. Especially successes.” He gave her a knowing look.

“Ah, so he can take credit for it with his higher ups. Gotcha.”

Hilliard pressed his finger to his nose. “Just a brief summary of what’s going on.” He stiffened slightly. “Plus, if there’s anything new that crops up we’ll have an idea what to expect, or, worst case scenario, to come and pull you all out of there.”

“That’s reassuring,” David mumbled.

“Doc, with all that’s happened this past year, I wouldn’t be surprised if the dead came back to life.”

David’s eyes widened and he shook his head. “Don’t even tease about that.” He glanced at Irene and flushed. “I’ve always been afraid of zombies.”

She scoffed then turned toward the trucks. “Let’s wrap it up. We have a long way to go and we want to be there by morning.”

Hilliard sighed heavily and extended his hand. “Good luck out there.”

David shook his hand and gave him a cautious look. “Seriously…don’t tease about zombies.”

Simon fished in his pocket and pulled out the sleeping pills. He shook out a couple and handed them to Lana. “Vee says if you have neurological damage, sleep helps. She wants you to get plenty of rest.”

Lana took the pills from him and tossed them back. She washed them down and pulled the comforter up under her chin.

Simon sat beside her and tugged at his boots. She reached across the bed and rubbed at his back. “Can you forgive me?”

“For what?”

“For everything that I…” She swallowed hard and gave him a sad smile. “For everything?”

Simon shook his head. “There’s nothing to forgive you for.” He dropped his other boot beside the bed and stretched out next to her. “That’s like apologizing for catching a cold or…”

“No, it’s not.” She looked away from him and sighed. “You know exactly what I’m talking about.”

“You said it was like somebody else was pulling the strings. To me, that says that you weren’t in complete control.”

She yawned and her eyelids drooped. “But it was still me that did it.”

He bent over and kissed her forehead. “Everything’s gonna be okay.” He snuggled in next to her and closed his eyes.

He listened to her rhythmic breathing and knew almost exactly when she fell asleep. Her long inhale and hard exhale told him that she was dancing with the sandman. He pulled back slightly and looked at her face in the growing gloom and noted when her eyes began to move. He knew that REM meant a deep sleep and she probably wouldn’t be waking up any time soon.

He sat up gently and picked his boots up from the floor. He tiptoed out of the bedroom and gently shut the door behind him.

He sat in the living room and laced his boots back up before stepping out into the chilly evening air. The central fire had about died down, and all the other campers had retreated to their trailers and RVs for the night.

He carried his folding chair to the fire and added more wood to the embers, willing them to revive the flame. He sat quietly, flexing his wounded arm while watching the flames slowly crawl up the split wood.

Simon sighed and leaned back in the chair, his mind replaying the events of the last few days. Was it his feelings for Veronica or his disgust in Lana that had driven this wedge between him and both women?

He snorted a chuckle as he realized, good guys really do finish last.

He had spent all of this time and energy trying to be this new and improved version of himself, and what had t gotten him? A crazy girlfriend that liked to devour live animals on one hand and a woman so far out of his league that he couldn’t think of anything but her on the other.

Simon grabbed the stick he used to poke the fire and watched as embers cracked and spat, riding upward on the light breeze. He studied the flames, how they danced as they consumed the wood.

Simon sighed at how much he enjoyed watching the flames. They allowed him to be lost in thought. Nothing tugging at his heart strings. No guilt. No desires. Just watching the flames.

He glanced back at the RV, then, without thinking, he looked at Veronica’s trailer. He could see shadows of her moving inside and he wished suddenly that he’d just kept staring at the flames. Now he imagined her going through her nightly routine, getting ready to sleep. Not a care in the world.

He poked the fire again and watched as the sparks rose on the waves of heated air once more. He followed them as they rose and arced…crossing between him and Veronica’s trailer once more.

He saw the front lights go out and he remembered her dark living room. The room where they’d first touched…first kissed. He swallowed hard and turned back toward her trailer. He saw the kitchenette light go out and he waited for her shadow to appear in the rear. He knew that once that light went out, she’d crawl into her warm bed, and he wouldn’t even be an afterthought.

He jabbed at the fire again, this time wishing he could take his frustrations out on the burning embers. How dare they dance so beautifully when he was sitting right there, hurting.

He glanced back at her trailer again and saw her curtains move. Were they open before and she just closed them? Was she peering out, watching him sitting in the firelight?

He studied her windows, hoping to see her shadow just one more time. He found his breath coming in shaky gasps as he waited.

Her door slowly opened, and he could just make our her form standing inside the darkened trailer. He stared, hoping…wishing that she’d come out and join him. Even if it was to just sit and stare at the fire.

He squinted past the firelight, trying to see into the darkness of her trailer. Just one glimpse was all he wanted.

Simon’s heart skipped a beat when she appeared in the doorway. She glanced from side to side then motioned to him with her finger. As he stood, he realized she was wearing the same thin nightgown that she had worn before.

He nearly stumbled as he crossed the open campground and hovered just outside her open door. “You beckoned,” he whispered.

Veronica leaned out of the doorway again and for a brief moment, he could see her form silhouetted beneath the thin gown she wore. “You gave her the sleeping pills?”

He nodded. “Per your order.”

She smiled slightly then disappeared back into the trailer. “Don’t just leave the door open.”

Simon climbed onto the step of the trailer and glanced around the campground once more. He stepped inside and pulled the door shut behind him. “Vee, I—”

“Don’t talk,” she whispered as she pulled him to her.

16

Hatcher yawned as he stepped out of the truck. “This shouldn’t take long.” He shut the door and reached into the back for the siphoning hose.

Missy turned in the seat and watched him as he stuffed one end of the hose into the semi’s saddle tank then wiped at the other end. “You’re not gonna suck on that, are ya?”

Hatcher paused and gave her a stupid look. “How else am I going to get the diesel out?”

She laughed as she pushed the door open. “For crying out loud.” She sauntered around the truck and climbed the incline of the ditch. “I’ll give ya credit for one thing. You parked that big assed truck lower than the rig.” She grabbed the hose from his hand and ‘tsk’d’ at him. “Tell me you got another hose.”

Hatcher raised a brow then shook his head. “Just this one, I think.”

She reached into her back pocket and whipped out a folding knife. She sliced about eighteen inches off of the clear tubing and folded her knife back up. “Find me a rag or something.”

Hatcher stared at her as though she’d lost her marbles but rifled through the big toolbox. “Does it have to be clean?” He held up a red shop rag with oil stains on it.

“Nope.” She snatched it from his hand and turned toward the rig. “Stuff that end in the fuel tank.” She shoved the shorter hose into the saddle tank then began stuffing the shop rag around the two hoses. She glanced back at him and noticed that he had the hose in the bed of the truck. “I said the fuel tank.”

“This is the fuel tank.” He gave her a crooked smile. “This thing has a giant auxiliary tank in the bed.”

“Oh.” She shrugged then grabbed the shorter hose. She slipped it into her mouth and began to blow hard. A moment later, diesel began running through the longer hose and filling the pickup.

“How’d you do that?” Hatcher asked as he shoved the hose deeper into the tank.

“I had a fella show me that trick years ago.” She sat on the step of the truck, holding the hose in the saddle tank. “It beats getting a mouth full of gas, don’t it?”

He leaned on the bed of the truck and nodded. “I’ll give ya props on that one. I wasn’t looking forward to gargling with diesel this early in the day.”

She sighed and leaned back against the semi. “So how much further?”

Hatcher shrugged. “We’re probably close to halfway. If you see a little tan Jeep parked between the highways, that’s a pretty good indicator that we’re getting close.”

She raised a brow at him. “You gave up a Jeep to bring that thing?”

“It wasn’t a real Jeep. It was this funky compact thing.” He gave her a droll look. “My buddy picked it out for the mileage.”

“Right.” She gave him a knowing look. “Which explains why you dumped it for this thing.”

“This thing runs on diesel.” He nodded toward the semi. “Those things are stranded dead on the highways everywhere. Plus, diesel stays good a lot longer than gasoline.”

“Just add rubbing alcohol,” she quipped. “Gas absorbs water from the air and rubbing alcohol helps burn the water out.” She gave him another wide smile. “Same guy, different trick.”

Hatcher chuckled as he peered into the auxiliary fuel tank. “So who was this guy?”

Her smile faded somewhat and she shrugged. “A friend.” She looked up and met his inquiring gaze. “He was more like an adopted uncle. Close friend of my dad’s.”

Hatcher decided not to pry and pulled the hose up slightly, measuring the depth of fuel. “We’re getting close here.”

Missy pulled the short hose from the tank and grabbed the oily shop rag. “Say when.”

Hatcher nodded. “That should be good. We’ll have plenty.”

She pulled the hose from the saddle tank and lifted it in the air, letting the last of the yellow fuel drain. She handed him the pieces and he stowed them in the tool box. “I guess we’re ready to roll.”

He reached for the door of the truck when Missy snapped her fingers. “Hey. We’re about to have company.”

He stepped up onto the step of the pickup and peered over the traffic. A short line of motorcycles were weaving in and out between the dead cars and Hatcher felt a knot form in his gut.

“Shit.” He gave her a worried look. “Load up.”

“You can’t outrun motorcycles in this thing.”

“We can go places they can’t.” He slipped in behind the wheel and started the big Cummins engine. “Load up!”

Missy slammed her door shut then leaned into the back seat, pulling Hatcher’s 30.30 forward. “I’ll cover us.”

“Use the AR.”

She shook her head and chambered a round. “This is shorter. Easier to use in the cab.” She held on as he backed the truck away from the semi and put the pickup into four wheel drive.

“Hold on.” He cranked the wheel hard and bounced the rig over the median and pointed the nose across to the other side of the highway.

“Shit,” she sighed. “They’re following.”

“Of course they are.”

“Building appears to be clear, ma’am.” The soldier stood by Carol’s window, his face a mask of concern.

“Why do I sense a ‘but’ coming?”

“Well, if it’s all the same to you, there’s been a lot of damage done here. I’d feel a lot more comfortable if you and yours could stay in groups and keep an armed guard along. At least until we can rebuild the fencing and secure some of the outer doors.”

Carol nodded and nudged Andre, who snored softly in the seat next to her. “We’re here.”

He snorted and coughed, sitting upright abruptly. “What?”

“We’re here.” She reached for the door handle and stepped out of the crew cab truck. “We need to stay in groups and keep a guard with us until they can fix a few things.”

Andre nodded absently, rubbing sleep from his eyes. “How long?”

“For what?”

He peered past her and to the soldier standing beside the truck. “For the repairs. How long do you think?”

“I can’t honestly say, sir. We have people working on the power now. I’ll spare who I can to secure the perimeter. The rest will have to act as personal guards until I’m certain you’ll be safe inside.”

Andre sniffed hard and sat on the edge of the seat, sleep still tugging at him. “Very well.”

“We should go in and assess the damages before we unload,” Carol said as she held her hand out for him.

Andre took her hand and slipped out of the truck. “Agreed. Let’s get the others caught up on…” his voice trailed off. “What is that?”

The soldier lowered his face and nodded slightly. “We found bodies inside. My men are clearing them.”

Broussard leaned back against the truck and sighed. “I guess no place was spared the ravages of this infernal virus.”

Carol appeared solemn as she turned away. “I’m sure the CDC stations were hit hardest and fastest.”

“That and local hospitals,” Broussard mumbled. “Okay. We have a lot of work ahead of us.” He waved the others toward them from the second vehicle. Once he caught them up on the circumstances, he assigned David and Tammy the top floor and Irene and Randy the next floor down. “The rest of us will start at the ground floor and meet you.”

“Actually, Doctor Broussard,” the soldier interrupted, “you have two more floors below grade.”

“Very well then. Do you have enough guards that we may effectively split into three groups?”

The soldier nodded. “As long as they stay together, then it shouldn’t be an issue.”

“You heard the man,” Carol stated, clapping her hands. “Let’s get busy.”

They trudged up the drive and approached the font doors cautiously. “My men have cleared the building, but…there’s a lot of nooks and crannies we couldn’t account for.”

“Understood.” Broussard turned to the others as their guards approached. “Stay on your toes, take no undue chances.”

The teams split up, and David was heard complaining as they approached the stairs. “Of course, we get the top floor.” He turned to Tammy, “My knees aren’t what they used to be.”

She patted his back as the door closed. “Think of all the exercise you’re going to get.”

Broussard gave Carol a knowing glance. “Perhaps he should work in the basement?”

She chuckled as they entered the side wing. “He’d complain that he had to walk back up to go home.”

“True.” Broussard paused and glanced down the hallway. “These are all offices.”

“And eventually we’ll all need one.” Carol tugged at his sleeve. “Come on. Let’s see what we’re looking at.”

The door of the corner office was marked Director. “I think this one is yours.”

“Pfft.” Andre waved her off. “I should be in the lab.”

“They put you in charge.” She gave him a knowing look. “You’re the new director, so…direct.”

He smiled at her and mumbled, “Action.”

“Wrong kind of director.” She elbowed him as she walked past. “You know the records for all of the projects they were working on will be in that office.”

He sighed and pushed the door open. “Of course they are.”

She stepped alongside and gasped at the papers scattered about. “Maybe we can hire a maid.”

He scoffed. “Supply and demand, cherie.”

She walked down to the next office and the guard gripped her sleeve. “You might wait a bit ma’am.” He nodded toward the door. “There was a bit of a mess in that one.”

She raised a brow and nodded. “I’ll check the next one.”

The guard’s radio burst with static then a harried voice came over the speaker. “Contact! West side!”

The guard gave the two researchers a worried look. “You better stay here. Lock the doors.”

Andre pushed past him. “If they’re cured, they might need help.” He marched past the man and pushed the doors open to the lobby. Carol trotted to keep up and met him at the entrance doors. “Nobody shoots!”

Simon had settled back into his chair by the dwindling fire and had fallen asleep. He wanted desperately to stay with Veronica, to simply hold her while she slept. But he knew he couldn’t risk it. He sullenly gathered his things and dressed in silence in her living room before slipping back out to take his spot as the silent sentinel of the fire.

He didn’t know when he finally drifted off, but the hand gently shaking him snapped him out of dreams that he never knew he could have.

In his dreams he had been with Veronica. There was a quiet little house with the ubiquitous white picket fence. A small child laughing gleefully as he spun her around. She wore a sundress that matched Veronica’s, and he knew it was their child. He could feel the warmth that radiated from both of them, matched only by the bright yellow sun overhead. His body bathed in that warmth and the cool fall air that he slept in couldn’t touch him.

He started awake and sat up in the chair, his hand immediately going to his face and wiping his eyes. “What? What is it?”

“Why are you out here?” Lana asked, her face a mask of concern.

He sat up and gave her a soft smile. “I couldn’t sleep.” He slid to the edge of the chair and shook his head slightly, forcing himself to be more alert. “I came out here so I wouldn’t disturb you.” He looked up at her and gave her his best disarming smile. “You needed your rest.”

She nodded at him. “Doctor’s orders.”

“That’s right.” He slowly stood up, his joints aching from the chill air. “I think I about froze straight through.”

She walked silently back to the RV and he carried his chair and set it under the awning. “Come in and we’ll get you warmed up.”

Simon followed her inside and went straight for the coffee. She held his arm and pulled him to her, embracing him. “You’re freezing.”

“I’ll be okay once I get some coffee inside me.”

She looked up at him, her face almost angelic in the early morning light. “Come to bed. I’ll warm you up.”

Simon balked and gently shook his head. “Let me wake up a little first, okay?”

She pulled back and gave him a concerned look. “Are you okay?”

He nodded as he poured water into a cup and put it in the microwave. “Yeah, I’m fine. Just cold.” He pressed the start button then reached for the instant coffee.

“I feel like there’s something you’re not telling me.” Her voice was soft and worried.

He set the freeze dried coffee on the counter and sighed, his head hung low. “I’m just not…” He trailed off. He turned to her slowly. “Look, ever since the rabbit, I just…”

She paled as she saw the expression on his face and she covered her mouth as emotions began to rise. “I’m sorry.” She turned and darted into the bedroom, shutting the door behind her.

Simon leaned on the counter and sighed. He felt guilty, he felt it deeply, on more levels than he knew he had. He glanced at the shut door then he glanced through the front windows at Vee’s trailer. He cursed himself silently and nearly jumped when the microwave dinged.

He pulled the water out and quickly made his early morning “go juice.” He sipped it slowly as his heart and mind struggled.

Part of him wanted to go into the bedroom and console Lana but another, bigger part of him wanted to rush over to Vee’s trailer and scoop her into his arms.

Simon sat on the short couch and cradled the coffee in his hands, letting the warmth seep into his pores. What do I do? he asked himself.

He stared at the bedroom door and knew that if he went in there, she would try to seduce him. He glanced at Vee’s trailer and knew that if he went over there, she would push him away. It had become painfully clear that they would be together only on her terms.

He sat in the shadows of his RV and closed his eyes. Although he wasn’t a religious man, he sent a silent prayer up into the ether, hoping that whatever god there might be would send him an answer.

17

Hatcher gripped his pistol as he opened the door of the truck. “If this is a trick…”

“I got you covered,” Missy whispered, the 30.30 at the ready.

He stepped down from the truck and stood beside it, his hand still holding the grip of the pistol. He watched as the motorcycles stopped a good distance from the truck and a man slipped off the seat.

“You’re sure that was a white flag they waved?” he whispered to Missy.

“If it wasn’t, then it sure was a funny way to dry their tighty-whities.”

“Hello there!” the man called out.

Hatcher stepped out from behind the door of the truck, the pistol sliding up from his holster, but still not cleared. “State your business,” he yelled back.

The man froze and held his hands up. “We just wanted to talk, brother.” He slowly opened his vest and flashed a pistol in a shoulder holster. “We mean no harm. All of our weapons are holstered.”

“I said state your business,” Hatcher warned.

The man took a half step back and shook his head. “We’re not looking for trouble, mister. And we damn sure ain’t out here to start any.” He paused and slowly lowered his hands. “You’re the first people we’ve seen outside our settlement since the ghouls came limping home.”

“Ghouls?”

“The pasty skinned folks that ran around trying to eat everybody? Surely you’ve seen them.” He chuckled nervously and waved his arms around. “They pretty much caused all of this.”

Hatcher loosened his grip on the pistol and nodded. “And?”

“And we just wanted to say howdy.” He motioned back to the other riders. “We come out about every other day looking for survivors.”

“What for?”

The man lowered his head and planted his hands on his hips. “Look, I understand being careful and such. Heck, I don’t blame anybody that’s made it this far for being cautious. But we’re just spreading the word that we have a settlement. Real folks just trying to make it.” He gave Hatcher a shrug. “We invite good people to join us.”

“And how do you determine who’s good and who ain’t?”

The man smiled again and nodded. “You’re both armed, but neither one of you has started shooting. I think that’s a good first step.”

Hatcher nodded slowly. “Apologies, friend. I’ve had bad luck with motorcycle gangs in the past.”

The man’s eyes widened and he shook his head. “Oh, we’re not that kind of cycle club.” He laughed and pointed behind him. “Larry was a dentist. Rich was an electrician.” He turned back and pointed to himself. “I’m a carpenter, myself. We all used to get together on weekends and ride. Now…well, it’s easier to get around on two wheels than four.”

“Unless it’s four wheels like this one.” Hatcher startled as Missy replied directly behind him.

“I told you to stay in the truck.”

She rolled her eyes at him. “I couldn’t hear.” She stepped forward, the rifle hanging loosely in her hands. “Where you out of?”

“We’re set up just outside of Orem.” He stepped forward slowly. “You’re more than welcome to swing by and take a look. Stay a night. See if you like what we have to offer. If nothing else, you can get a hot meal before you take off again.”

Hatcher paused and glanced along the highway. “I don’t know.”

“We’d love to,” Missy called back. “Thank you.”

The man nodded, smiling. “I’m Willie.” He stepped forward and held his hand out. “I’m sorry we spooked you back there.”

Hatcher stepped forward and took his hand. “Like I said, I had a bad run-in with guys on bikes, so…”

“I understand completely.” Willie motioned them towards the motorcycles. “That red haired fella, there, that’s Larry. The big guy with the bald head is Rich. The lady in the back with the resting bitch face is Glenda.”

“Up yours, Willie,” Glenda yelled back. “It ain’t a resting face.” She glanced at Missy and grinned. “I’m always a bitch.”

Missy smiled back then nudged Hatcher. “My new best friend.” She leaned back and gave him a surprised look. “And possibly your soul mate.”

He groaned. “I’m Daniel Hatcher. This is Missy Butler. She’s a pain in the ass.”

“Your daughter?” Willie asked.

Hatcher opened his mouth to argue as Missy burst into laughter. “I’m not that young.” She paused and looked at Hatcher. “Although, he could be old enough to…”

“We’ll follow you.” He glared at Missy then slowly walked backward toward the truck.

Andre marched between the soldiers, most had their weapons at the ready. “Hold your fire!”

The few infected people who had followed the sounds of the vehicles stood cautiously at the edge of the property, their hands up or clearly at their sides. “We need help,” an older man croaked.

Andre pushed the narrow chain link gate open and stepped out. “This way. We’ll do what we can.” He motioned towards the small group and held the gate open for them. “Is anybody still infected?” he asked even though he was confident the answer.

The older man shook his head and Andre had to hold his breath as each stepped past him and into the facility grounds. “We saw one fellow who…” his voice trailed off and he turned sad eyes to Broussard. “It was bad.”

“I understand.” He shut the walk-through gate behind them and led them to the facility. “We’ve only just arrived and our resources are sparse, but we’ll do what we can.”

Carol ushered the people into the building and gave Broussard a worried look. “We’re likely to see a lot more people coming to us before things are settled. We need real food and clothing for them.”

“Agreed. Those military rations may be nice for short term, but I wouldn’t want them for any duration.”

Carol waved a soldier over and kept her voice low. “I know that we have other priorities at the moment, but could some of your men go into town and maybe hit some of the stores? Gather any food stuffs that look good?”

“And clothing,” Andre added. “Thrift store, if nothing else.”

The man seemed hesitant at first and glanced to his lieutenant. “Sir?”

His superior nodded then added, “Be careful. Take Simmons and Pike. In and out, no dicking around out there.”

The soldier nodded then jogged off and the officer turned to the two researchers. “We can’t know their intentions. It’s not safe to open the doors to just—”

“Lieutenant Davis,” Andre interrupted, “I mean no disrespect to you or your men, but the president himself told me how badly he wants to get the country back on its feet. We need people to do that.” He motioned back towards the building. “Those people may have been infected at one time, but now they aren’t. Their hungry, cold, confused…they need help.”

“I understand that, sir,” the lieutenant countered. “However, my primary mission is to provide utilities and protection,” he tapped Andre on the shoulder, “for you and your people. We aren’t running a Red Cross center here.”

Carol quickly interrupted to prevent Andre from saying something that might burn current bridges. “We understand that and we appreciate the added burden we are putting on you and your men.” She lowered her voice and added an almost flirtatious lilt as she spoke. “But all of this will be for nothing if we can’t get people situated to the point that they can start providing for themselves. They’ll be looking to us to give them a hand up, not a hand out. Once they get their strength back—”

“And their dignity,” Andre added.

“Yes, and their dignity.” Carol patted his arm. “Once they have their feet solidly under them again, things will start getting better everywhere. We can’t just turn people away when they are suffering.” She stepped closer and gave him her best sad eyes. “What if it was one of your family members asking another soldier for the very same help?”

The lieutenant sighed and glanced away. “Very well. But we have to have some kind of protocols in place to ensure we aren’t bringing in a disease or…something.”

“We’ll get right on that.” Carol beamed at him. “Thank you.” She grabbed Andre by the arm and rushed him inside.

“I could have handled that,” he whispered.

“I know you could, sweetie. But my way, nobody gets hurt.” She smiled up at him. “You’re much larger than him and don’t know your own strength.”

He narrowed his eyes at her. “You’re playing me again, aren’t you?”

“Would I do that?” she asked, almost sarcastically, as she walked away from him. “Little ol’ me?”

He rolled his eyes as he turned back to the offices. “Now I know who’s really running this place.”

Lana lay on the bed, sobbing quietly. She had ensured that her gown lay open, exposing her flesh as she pressed her face to the pillow. She continued to dig her nails into the skin of her palm, causing the tears to flow. When she heard the door of the RV close, she quickly sat up and swung her legs off the mattress. Leaning forward, she peered through the thin curtains of the window and watched as Simon carried his chair to the fire pit again.

“Dammit,” she cursed under her breath.

She sat back on the mattress and sighed, planting her chin on her hands and staring through the small slit in the curtains.

She quickly wiped the alligator tears from her cheeks as she stared at his retreating form. “What the hell is it going to take to get to you, Simon?”

She ground her teeth as wicked ideas flowed through her mind. She’d already told him that she loved him. She appealed to his sexual nature. She tugged at every heartstring she could think of. She dutifully played the aggressor, the victim, the huntress, and the confused innocent. Nothing was working.

She sat back and stared at the bedroom door. “What’s changed?” She tapped at her front tooth with a fingernail as she replayed recent events.

“He was a strong-willed alpha. We woke up from being Quee…” She shook her head. “He says he doesn’t want to be like he was, but his nature is easy enough to stir when provoked.” She smiled at herself. “Trent was too easy a mark.” She rolled over and shrugged the gown off, splaying herself across the mattress and hanging her head off the foot of the bed.

She stared at the closed door and cocked her head to the side. “He needs another alpha to challenge him.” She slowly smiled to herself. “But where can I find one here?”

The cuck across from them was too weak. He’d never challenge a real male. The other men were too old…unless you counted some of the old bikers. The gimpy one with the crippled leg wouldn’t stand a chance.

She sat up suddenly and peered at Simon’s back sitting by the fire. “There might be a prospect with one of the others.” She leaned forward and stared at the rundown trailers parked almost directly across from them.

She knew she couldn’t get in one without Simon seeing her…unless he went for another walk. She sighed as she came to her feet and rifled through the tiny closet. “What do you wear when you want to convince a man to challenge for leadership?” She pulled out the faux leather wear and held it up. “Biker momma?” She tossed it aside and grabbed the flannel. “Farmer’s daughter?” She raised a brow. It was getting colder outside.

She quickly shimmied into the jeans and slipped the flannel on. She stood back and studied her reflection before pulling the flannel off and slipping a thin, wife beater on first. “Something almost see-through.” She tugged the flannel back on and tied it loosely around her middle.

“Close enough.” She pushed open the door to the small bathroom and began to apply her warpaint. A little color on the cheeks, fuck-me-harder red lipstick, some eye liner and fake brows. She stepped back and nodded approvingly. “I’d do me.”

She flopped back onto the mattress and bounced to the other side of the RV. She watched as he poked at the fire, absently glancing back to their RV then across to Veronica’s trailer. “Come on, dammit.” She sat on the edge of the bed and watched him for far too long.

Eventually he stood and tossed the stick into the fire. She watched as he trod off into the woods then she made for the door.

She slipped out the front and quickly made her way outside the circle-shaped campground. She walked into the woods, deep enough that anybody peering out of a window wouldn’t see her, and she circled the area. When she thought she was close to the trailer she had in mind, she trudged back up the hill and made her way to the back window, tiptoed up, and peered inside.

A tall, heavyset, bearded man was stretched out on the threadbare sofa watching something on a small television. At first she was confused until she saw the DVD player above it. She nodded to herself when she saw that it was the beginning of a porn movie.

“Perfect.” She tugged the gap of her flannel shirt low and puffed her chest slightly, wishing she had more to offer. She reached up and rapped lightly on the window.

She could hear him shuffling quickly inside before a frightening face appeared in the dirty glass above her. She gave him her best seductive smile. “Can I come in?”

His brows knit in confusion and he glanced over his shoulder to the other side of the trailer. “Door’s over there.”

She nodded and lowered her face. “I didn’t want anybody to actually see me.” She looked up at him again and smiled.

She was surprised that it took him a few minutes to connect the legos, but once the light came on he scrambled to open the sliding window. “Give me your hand.”

She held her thin wrist up and was surprised at how large his hands were and the strength of his grip. He pulled her up and through the window with ease. “Wow, you’re really strong,” she purred.

The hairy beast sat back and eyed her like a dog would a pork chop. “You’re light enough.” He made no apologies as his eyes scanned her from head to toe. “So tell me…” he licked his lips, “what the hell does Simon’s old lady want with me?”

She locked eyes with him and reached a slender hand up slowly, untying the flannel shirt and pulling it open. “Everything.”

18

Hatcher took in the small cabins nestled under the trees and the people milling about. A few stopped what they were doing and stared at the pair as they climbed out of the lifted pickup.

Willie approached and motioned with his arms. “Welcome to New America.” He grinned broadly. “We set up here because there’s an abundance of water and it’s outside any city limits.” He gave the pair a knowing look. “Fewer ghouls to deal with out here.”

“How many are you?” Missy asked as her trepidation slowly faded.

“About fifty people. More if you count kids.” Willie chuckled as he lowered his voice. “They don’t stand still long enough to get a valid head count so…”

“How are you for food?” Hatcher asked.

“We’re good.” Willie pointed down through the trees. “One of the guys here is a truck driver. We used his rig and raided a few grocery stores shortly after everything went to hell in a handbasket. Since then we’ve made a few more runs for the basics. Flour, sugar, coffee…canned stuff as we need it.”

Hatcher watched as the people who were staring slowly went back to their duties. “Have you made contact with any other groups like yours?”

Willie shook his head, his face solemn. “We’ve tried CB radios and a couple of two-ways that we ran across, but so far, nothing.”

“Did you get the radio broadcast that the government put out?” Hatcher asked absently.

Willie gave him a confused look. “There’s still a government?”

Hatcher nodded. “What’s left of them are in a flotilla offshore. Pacific, I think.”

“I’ll be damned.” Willie broke into a toothy grin. “I reckon we can expect the taxman to come knocking any day then.”

Missy groaned. “Death and taxes.”

“We’re doing our best to avoid both here.” Willie motioned them down into the campgrounds. “But until then, we’re doing pretty well.”

Hatcher watched as some people cooked outdoors over an open pit fire. Other people were hanging clothes to dry. He saw a few smaller children chasing each other in what appeared to be a game of tag. “How are you for infrastructure?”

Willie gave him a confused look. “Come again?”

“Doctors, engineers, that sort of thing.”

Willie nodded and pointed to an older woman hanging wash. “Deloris was a nurse for a hunnerd years. We have a kid who was in medical school that works with her.” He turned to Hatcher and gave him a worried look. “We had a bad run of strep a few weeks back that really had some of us worried. The antibiotics we had collected didn’t seem to work.”

Hatcher nodded. “The government radio traffic claimed that the cure they released mimicked strep.” He gave Willie a raised brow. “They also said not to try to treat it.”

“Oops,” he chuckled. “Could be that’s why our attempts failed.”

Missy walked slowly onto the grounds and smiled as kids raced around her, each trying to tag the other and using her as a human shield. She turned back to Hatcher and broke into a laughing smile. “Music to my ears.”

“What’s she mean?” Willie asked.

Hatcher lowered his voice. “She’s spent nearly the last year alone. I found her back at Yellowstone.”

Willie gave him a wide eyed stare. “The TV said that whatever was causing all of this came from there.” He lowered his voice as he stared at the young woman. “And she survived there this whole time?”

Hatcher nodded. “Prevailing winds saved her ass.” He took a deep, pine tree laden breath and let it out slowly. “She was stuck in this tiny little outpost all by herself.”

“And you went back for her?”

Hatcher shook his head. “Actually, a friend of mine was one of the first infected. After they released the cure…” He trailed off, his eyes averted. “Well, I had to go back. Just to see if she made it.”

Willie patted his back. “Mighty damned honorable of you.”

Hatcher shook his head. “Not really. I just needed to know.”

“And did you find your friend?”

He shook his head. “But I found this one, so I guess the trip wasn’t a total loss.”

Willie rubbed at his whisker covered chin. “So, you didn’t really know her before all of this?”

“No.” He continued to take in the tiny community and the busy work that each went about with.

Willie nodded slowly. “Well, you’re both welcome to stay here if you like.” He stepped towards the grounds and opened his arms wide. “Obviously we have plenty of room.”

Hatcher returned his smile and fell into step behind him. “Thanks for the offer, but I have family to get back to. I will take you up on the home-cooked meal though.”

“I hope you like fish,” Larry said as he marched past him. “That seems to be our primary source of protein these days.”

Glenda walked past him carrying a duffel bag. “And eggs. We saved a handful of chickens and two ducks.” She paused and gave him a confused look. “Not that I can tell a duck egg from a chicken’s.”

Hatcher chuckled as he fell into step and followed them onto the grounds. He stood near the fire pits and took in the scene. Small cabins littered the area and each one had somebody milling around. He smiled to himself as he watched the people.

“I always knew there had to be more survivors.” He felt his chest tighten a bit as he watched the children play. “Maybe there’s hope for us after all.”

Andre looked up as the lights flickered. A moment later and the steady hum of power could be felt in the air and the lights stayed on. Irene stuck her head in his office and beamed. “We have POWER!”

He chuckled as she practically skipped away. “Time to get to work then.”

He pushed up from the chair and strode down the hallway. He watched as the other researchers continued working on the offices they had claimed with a renewed vigor. There was something about creature comforts that seemed to reenergize people.

Carol appeared at his side with a broad smile. “Guess what I found?”

He raised a quizzical brow. “Do tell.”

“A soda machine.” She broke into a toothy grin. “In a few short hours, we’ll have ice cold Dr Pepper again!”

Andre smiled and wrapped his arm around her. “It truly is the little things, n’est pas?”

“I’ve had enough warm, flat sodas to last me a lifetime.” She practically purred as she stared at the machine in the hallway. “I just have to dig up a big handful of quarters.”

Both researchers turned as the lieutenant rounded the corner. “Dr. Broussard.” He slowed his approach and provided a sitrep. “We have power and it appears sustainable. For the short term, I’d like to either shut down the generators at night or reduce their output, if you have things that need refrigeration.”

“All we have is generator power?”

“For the time being, sir.” The officer assumed a relaxed pose and pointed to the far wall. “There’s enough fuel to run the generator nonstop for at least a week. That gives us time to find more fuel and come up with a way to get the solar back up and running.”

“Is the solar enough to maintain the load?” Carol asked.

“No ma’am. But once we have security set and the utilities up and running here, we’ll see about the public utilities.” He averted his eyes for a moment before addressing her again. “We both know that we don’t have the resources to take in all of the survivors that may show up. If we can get the local utilities up and running again, there’s nothing to prevent people from simply going home.”

Andre gave him an understanding nod. “We appreciate your efforts.”

“I’ve put in a call for the Corps of Engineers to come out and take a look at the local power. There’s no sense in trying to get the entire grid up and running if the population density is as low as we fear it may be.”

“Every bit will help,” Carol added.

“In the meantime, since we have power, I’ll get my team to start clearing out the laboratories. I’m sure there’s plenty that needs repaired or removed.” He looked to Carol. “Especially old experiments. We’ll need the incinerators up and running as soon as possible.”

“I’m on it.” She pulled away and began to knock on office doors, gathering the troops.

Andre pulled the officer aside and lowered his voice. “For now, powering down at night shouldn’t be an issue. However, once we’ve gathered the samples from the other CDC labs…” He left his sentence hanging.

The lieutenant nodded. “Understood, sir. I’ll talk with the engineers and see what we can do about getting a more stable power supply. I don’t know how you feel about nuclear power, sir…”

Andre shrugged. “I have no thoughts one way or the other, so long as precautions are taken.”

“Understood, sir.” The officer gave him a slight smile. “Once the engineers are onsite, we’ll brief you with options.”

“Excellent. Thank you.” He turned back to the researchers, who were preparing to tackle the labs. “Chop chop, people! Power goes off at night so we have to be diligent.”

Lana staggered back to the RV, her entire body feeling the abuse she had just endured. She cupped her breasts as she walked through some sparse brush and low hanging limbs and noticed just how tender they felt. She couldn’t even remember the big biker’s name, but he didn’t just give her a once over. Apparently, his intent was to make up for the last seven or eight months of ‘doing without.’

She winced as she pressed her body close to the RV and peered around the corner. Simon wasn’t sitting by the fire, and she prayed that he was still on his walkabout.

She rounded the corner of the RV and made her way to the door. As she stepped inside, Simon’s voice startled her. “Where’d you go?”

She jerked as her body twisted to face him. “Good lord, you scared the life out of me.” She sighed heavily and leaned against the counter. “Don’t scare me like that.”

“Where’d you go?” he repeated.

She blew her breath out hard and turned to face him. “I went for a walk.” She pushed away from the counter and crossed her arms under her aching breasts. “I needed to clear my head.”

Simon sat alone in the darkness and stared at her. “That still doesn’t tell me where you went.”

She shook her head at him. “Where the hell do you think I went? There’s nothing but trees out there.” She pointed to the dirt road leading to the campground. “I walked the road. “

Simon leaned forward and studied her. “Did you see anything?”

She raised a brow at him and did her best to feign ignorance. “Trees. Lots and lots of fucking trees.”

“I meant at the gate.”

“I didn’t go that far.” She took a deep inhale and let it out slowly. “I wasn’t on a sight-seeing trip. I was trying to clear my head.”

Simon leaned back and draped his arm over the back of the couch. “Did it work?”

She stared at him stupidly. “Did what work?”

“Did you clear your head?”

She stepped closer and sat down heavily in the recliner. “Not really.” She deliberately avoided looking at him and lowered her voice. “I know I’ve put you through a lot lately. Losing my shit didn’t help.” She picked at her fingernails as she spoke. “I felt like I had driven a wedge between us.” She glanced up and could barely make him out in the dark.

Simon’s voice seemed cold and detached as he spoke. “You’ve definitely given me reason to rethink things.”

She slowly raised her eyes and blinked in the gloom until her eyes adjusted. “What are you saying?”

“I’m saying that your actions of late have really made me question things.”

She leaned forward and tried to sound empathetic. “I never wanted to make you question anything.” She held her hand out to him, hoping he’d take it. “Especially us.”

He stared at her gesture and ignored it. In his mind there was no more “us.” His voice was steady but gentle as he spoke. “I played along with your power grab idea because I thought it was what you needed at the time.” He sat forward and rested his elbows on his knees. “But there are probably only a handful of people left in the world. Rather than trying to connect with them and help each other rebuild some kind of life, you want to rule over them.”

“I want YOU to rule over them.” She sat up quickly and pleaded with her eyes. “You were born to rule, Simon. You know that and I know it. I felt it oozing from you the very first time we met.”

“I was a different person then.” He hung his head and exhaled slowly. “We were both infected and—”

“And nothing.” She stood and stared down at him. “You were the alpha and you’re still an alpha today.”

Simon slowly shook his head. “See? That’s what I’m talking about.” He sat back and crossed his legs, his eyes studying her every move. “You still want power over people.”

She bit her tongue to keep from screaming and turned, pacing the tiny area slowly as she tried to choose the right words. “Who would you have lead us then?” She pointed out the window. “The hippie? The worn out biker with the bad leg? Or maybe one of the old farts on the other side of the campground? The guy that looks like a banker?”

Simon sighed animatedly and wiped a hand across his face. “Who says we need a leader?”

“Every group needs somebody to lead them.”

“Do they?” He stared at her for a moment. “To do what? Run raids on others? Go to war?” He came to his feet and stepped around the small coffee table. “You’re still missing the bigger picture.”

“Pot, this is kettle.”

He raised a brow at her. “Why can’t people decide what’s best for themselves?”

She planted her hands on her hips and glared at him. “What happened to the guy that gutted the troublemakers?” She stepped forward and jabbed a finger into his chest. “Where’s the guy that saved Trailer Park Barbie from getting raped?”

“I’m still here.” His voice was nearly a whisper. “But helping somebody who is in trouble is not the same as ruling over them.” He stepped past her and reached for the door. “Letting people live the lives they choose means more now than ever.”

“You’re a pussy, Simon.”

He paused at the door and gave her a sad smile. “I’m sorry you feel that way.” He pushed the door open and stepped out into the evening air. And I’m sorry I was right about you.

19

Hatcher watched Missy flirt with the young medical student as they ate around the campfire. “I think your friend likes it here.”

Hatcher snorted and sat back, rubbing his middle. “I think you’re right.” He hiked a knowing brow at Willie. “But it may not be this place that has her so enamored.” He leaned toward him and lowered his voice. “What’s his story?”

Willie gave him a surprised look. “Him? That’s Doc.” He shrugged, “At least that’s what we call him. Derek may be a bit on the stringy side and about worthless in a fight, but he’s smart.” He tapped the side of his head. “And get this…his last name is Doctorman. I shit you not.” He held his hand up as though taking an oath.

“With a name like that, it only makes sense.” Hatcher smiled as the kids picked up where they left off and began to chase each other around the campground. He did a quick inventory and turned back to Willie. “Tell me you have sentries posted.”

Willie nodded as he quickly chewed. “We do.” He pointed behind Hatcher. “Two set up at each compass direction. They have clear lines of sight to each other, so unless it’s just really foggy, nothing gets past them.”

“Smart.”

Willie pointed back to the east. “We don’t have to worry so much about that away, since the lake is our natural border, but we’ve collected enough boats that if a herd does happen by, we can take to the water.”

Hatcher nodded approvingly. “Sounds like you’ve thought of everything.”

Willie shrugged. “We’ve had a year to learn from our mistakes.” He lowered his eyes and slowly shook his head. “We’ve certainly made enough of those.”

Hatcher felt the need to reach out; he patted the man’s arm. “Don’t feel alone there. Heaven knows I’ve made enough myself.”

Willie chuckled. “You aren’t in charge, though.”

Hatcher grimaced. “Actually, back home, I was.” He met Willie’s searching eyes and nodded. “I left them in good hands, though.”

Willie folded his paper plate and leaned forward to toss it into the fire. “I guess everybody needs to take a break once in a while.”

Hatcher quickly changed the subject. “I’m not seeing any electric lights. Do you have power here?”

Willie shook his head. “We did for a little while. We decided to save the fuel for the generator, and now it’s just hooked to the clinic. We only run when we have to.”

Hatcher felt a certain kinship and decided to take a chance. “Why don’t you…uh…” He cleared his throat. “Why don’t you have one of your guys come back with us? He can check out how we’re doing things and maybe bring back an idea or three for ya.”

Willie studied him for a moment and slowly began to nod. “That might not be such a bad idea.” He leaned back and pointed to the thick chested, bald guy on the other side of the campground. “Rich was an electrician. He and Larry are both sort of my right-hand guys.” He broke into a toothy grin. “Right and left, I reckon. I’ll talk to him and see how he feels about hitching a ride back with you.”

Hatcher nodded slightly. “I’m sure we can find him a working car when he’s ready to return.”

Willie scoffed. “Finding his way home will be the real problem.” Willie chuckled. “Boy may know electricity, but he don’t know his right hand from his left.”

Andre shuffled toward his office and sighed when the electricity went off. He felt the warm air of the HVAC dwindle and knew that it would become chilly quickly inside the building. He nearly jumped when Carol slipped in behind him and wrapped her arms around his middle. “No worries, darling. I’ll keep you warm.”

“You read my mind,” he replied softly, keeping their conversation as much to themselves as he could. “Are the others bedding down in their offices?”

She nodded gently. “Luckily, they all have couches.” She looked up at him and sighed. “Unfortunately, mine is very narrow and doesn’t pull out.”

Andre turned and stared at the black silhouette along his far wall. “I didn’t even look at that one.”

“Let’s pray for a futon.” She pushed away and disappeared into the darkness. “Dammit.”

“It’s not a futon, I take it.”

She plopped onto the couch and shook her head. “No, but it is wider than the one in my office.”

He fell into the cushion next to her and sighed heavily, his body sliding down and crashing into hers. “You make a nice pillow.”

She scoffed and grunted as she scooted to the arm of the couch and pulled his head to her lap. “It’s been a demanding day, hasn’t it?”

He nodded in the darkness. “But a good one.” His eyes opened and he looked up at her. “A productive one. We are no longer trapped in a tunnel underground.”

“And we helped people.” She smiled at him and ran her fingers through his hair.

“Yes, we did.” He fought the yawn, but the yawn won. “I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be.” She twisted slightly and used the end of the couch as a support. “Tomorrow we’ll see about getting each of us actual quarters with real beds.”

“Sounds perfect,” he whispered as he drifted off to sleep.

She tried to bend down to kiss him but couldn’t quite reach. She chuckled to herself as she kissed her fingertip and pressed it to his forehead. “Tomorrow is a brand new day.”

Simon sat quietly in the corner of Veronica’s trailer. “I just don’t know what to do.”

Vee sighed heavily and looked up at him. “There is something else that…” She cleared her throat, unsure that she should breach the subject and share the rumors spreading through the camp.

“Go ahead. Spill it.”

She lowered her eyes and licked her lips, praying that he didn’t explode with rage. “There are rumors spreading through the camp.”

“About me?”

She shook her head, unable to see his facial features in the near total darkness. “About Lana.” She looked up and hoped to see a change.

“What are they saying? That’s she’s as crazy as she really is?”

Veronica cleared her throat again and leaned forward, her voice barely a whisper, “That she was heard at one of the biker’s trailers this afternoon.” She raised a brow at him. “Apparently she’s quite vocal when…aroused.”

Simon didn’t react and Veronica wasn’t sure how to read that. The silence was almost awkward when he seemed to nod and lean forward. “Yeah, she is quite vocal.” His face appeared in the pale moonlight coming through the rear window and she sighed with relief that he seemed completely calm.

“It took a while for the rumors to make it to me but some of the residents know that we’re friends. They thought you should know.”

Simon chuckled and sat back. “We’re more than friends, though…aren’t we, Vee?”

Veronica felt her face flush in the darkness and was glad he couldn’t see her cheeks redden. “They said that she was over there for quite some time.”

“Let me guess.” He sighed and crossed his legs. “This afternoon. Between one and four, right?”

Veronica’s face went slack. “You knew?”

He shook his head. “She said she went for a walk. I knew that was bullshit the moment it left her lips.” He glanced out of the window to the other side of the camp. “Who was it?”

“Big Tony.”

Simon nodded. “Makes sense.”

It was Veronica’s turn again to be surprised. “You expected something like this?”

Simon sighed and gave her an animated shrug. “She’s either looking for another man to step up and be alpha or someone to challenge me for the job to make me want it.”

“I don’t follow.”

He took a moment to collect his thoughts. “When we were infected, it was a…pack mindset.” He looked up to her to see if she understood. “There is definitely a pack leader in every group of them. An alpha.” He sat back and gently hung his head. “I was that alpha.”

“And she wants you to return to that role?”

He slowly shrugged his shoulders. “She has this need to have another alpha in her life. And she’s determined to find one.”

Veronica sighed and rubbed at her neck. “It sounds like she has some serious mental issues.”

“You’re just now realizing this?” Simon scoffed. “She hung a bloody carcass on your door and wrote threats in the blood.”

“I haven’t forgotten.” Veronica stood and slowly paced the narrow living room. “And you think she’s choosing Tony to replace you?”

He shrugged again. “She’s screwing him to get him under her control.” He leaned his head back and stared at the ceiling. “He’s big enough to cause trouble and too stupid to see through her.”

“You think you’re going to have to face him?”

Simon leaned his head forward and gave her a blank stare. “No. But that’s what she wants.” He blew his breath out slowly and met her gaze. “I think the smartest thing to do would be to simply stand down when he tries to make his power play.”

“And you expect him to?”

Simon nodded. “No offense, but Lana is squirrelly enough to play this guy like a fiddle. If she wants there to be an altercation, you can damned sure bet money that there will be one.”

“And you think if you back down, that will be the end of it?”

Simon nodded, his eyes fading into a thousand yard stare. “I sincerely hope so.” He looked up again and met her gaze with a hard stare. “For his sake.”

Buck drove the pickup and trailer through the congested streets of Albuquerque with a large load of solar panels strapped to the back. He checked his side mirrors again as the trailer bounced across a particularly rough set of old railroad tracks. “I hope those solar panels are tougher than they look.”

Roger humphed as he craned his neck and checked the load behind them. “They’ll be fine. Just don’t be jumping any more tracks.”

“I didn’t jump them, I just…” He trailed off when he saw the grin pasted on Roger’s face. He turned back to the road then slammed on the brakes, sending them both forward and into the dash.

“What the hell, Buck?!”

Buck leaned back in the seat and pointed through the windshield. “A Throwback.” His head whipped side to side looking for an avenue of escape.

“Turn right. I know this road.” Roger slapped at the dash as Buck twisted the steering wheel and pressed the accelerator to the floor.

“How are they so freakin’ fast?” Buck’s mouth went dry as he navigated a quick twist in the road then sped up after it straightened.

“I dunno.” Roger twisted in the seat and watched as the man slowly shrank from view, his speed never slowing. “Damn…they are tenacious.”

“If that means that they don’t give up, I agree.”

“It does.” Roger twisted back in his seat and closed his eyes. “You scared me worse than the infected dude.”

“Sorry.” Buck swallowed hard and fought the urge to drive faster. “They scare me a lot worse than the Zulus ever did.” He shot Roger a quick glance and shook his head. “They’ll attack anything. Even another Throwback.”

“Throwback?”

Buck shrugged. “It seemed to fit. They remind me of a story I read in high school.”

Roger adjusted himself in the seat and glanced to the side mirror. “I think he’s still following.” He looked up and pointed through the windshield. “Blow this stop sign and at the next one, turn left. It will take you a couple of miles north, but we can approach the highway from the other side.”

“I hope Stanton appreciates us putting our lives on the line for these stupid things.”

Roger scoffed again. “In his mind, the cure took care of all the Zulus.” He shook his head as he glanced to the side mirror again. “Apparently these things are too few and far between to concern him.”

Buck shot him an evil grin. “Then I think the next time he wants us to make a run, he should drive.”

Roger laughed and pointed through the windshield. “Dream on, Alice.”

The infected man had no recollection of who he was, but when he saw the vehicle on the road, he knew that there was fresh meat inside it. Tender, blood-soaked meat just waiting for him to sink his teeth into. He screamed and broke into a dead run.

When the vehicle screeched to a stop, he felt hope well in his chest. As the vehicle quickly turned and started down a side street, he knew that he’d have to pick up the pace. He willed himself to run faster and cut across a dried up mound of grass to close the distance.

The vehicle had at least two blood-filled meat sacks inside, and he forced himself to push harder. He could see the trailer grow larger in his vision, and for the briefest of moments, thought that he was about to catch his prey. Then the damned thing began to pull away.

He screamed again, his lungs burning as he forced his body to react as quickly as it could. He ran faster than he thought he was capable, but the luscious meat sacks got away.

His desire for fresh meat was stronger than his common sense, and he continued to run. He stared at the back of the trailer until it faded from view. He continued to run until his broken mind forgot what he was chasing.

Was he running to catch something or running from something? He slowed and glanced over his shoulder to ensure nothing was chasing him.

He heard his feet slap on the pavement as he slowed then turned back the way he had come. He continued to breathe hard as his burning lungs sucked more and more air into them.

He had just crested a short hill when his eyes relayed a message to his brain that he wasn’t prepared for.

In the middle of the road stood a lone figure, dressed entirely in black. Whoever it was stared at the ground in front of him. He felt that carnal desire swell inside again and sprinted desperately towards his prey.

As he approached the figure, it slowly looked up and locked eyes with him. The bearded, white haired man held a hand up and simply said, “Stop.”

The infected man slowed his approach and stared at the figure quickly drawing closer.

“I said, STOP!”

He didn’t know why, but he felt compelled to comply. He stood in front of the man, his chest heaving as his lungs begged for more air than he could give.

The man stared at him until a slow smile began to form. “You’re much healthier than my other disciples.” He stepped closer and the hunter realized that he had truly become the prey. “You must have been touched by God after the great cleansing.”

The black clad man walked a slow circle around him and no matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t bring himself to turn and face him. He watched as the man stepped in front of his face and studied him. “You may kneel now, my son.”

He watched in horror as the old man reached out and touched his shoulder. It was as if he had been struck by lightning. He fell to his hands and knees and an electric fire shot through every fiber of his being. He found himself bowing before the man, looking beneath the brim of his flat brimmed hat and into cold, dead eyes.

“That’s enough, my son.” The older man’s voice was low and gentle. “Stand now and be received into the Lord’s army.”

20

Hatcher enjoyed the cool wind in his hair as the truck pushed its way south toward home. With the music a little too loud, Rich leaned against the passenger door and watched the abandoned cars zip by.

“Is it much further?”

Hatcher turned and gave him a questioning look. He quickly turned down the music. “Say again?”

“How much further?”

Hatcher glanced at the clock. “It will be close to dark before we get there.”

Rich groaned as he leaned back in the seat. “Can we listen to something other than Boston?”

Hatcher laughed as he turned the stereo off. “Sorry, Rich. Boston is my go-to for road music.”

“Mine was Van Halen.” He sat up and turned to Hatcher. “So, Dan. Tell me about your camp.”

“Well, it’s not really a camp. We took over a subdivision and—”

“Wait a second. You’re inside the city limits?” Rich asked incredulously.

Hatcher nodded. “Oh, yeah. We’re close to everything—but still on the edge.”

“Why?” He stared at him, wide-eyed.

“What do you mean, why?” Hatcher was genuinely confused.

“What about the infected?”

He broke into a grin and nodded. “Ah. Most, if not all, are cured now. Besides, where we are, we can defend ourselves.” He turned his eyes back to the road. “We started out in a big warehouse. Tall fences kept us safe…until it didn’t. Then we moved to a retirement home with thick adobe walls surrounding it.”

“I thought you said you were in a subdivision.”

Hatcher nodded. “We are. We were in the middle of moving to it when I decided to go look for my friend.”

“So you’ve moved three times in the last…what? Six months?”

“Something like that.” Hatcher sighed and leaned back in his seat. “We were attacked by the biker group that I told you about at the warehouse. While searching for supplies, we ran across the old folks’ home.” He shook his head as he glanced at Rich. “It was secure enough and nice enough, but people needed to stretch their legs a bit. They needed more room. So, once the cure was in the air, we started looking for a place where we could all be close, safe and secure, but still have our own space, ya know?”

Rich shook his head slowly. “So you must be in a pretty small town.”

Hatcher chuckled. “Not really. I’d say Rio Rancho had over a hundred thousand souls before this all started. We’re just north of Albuquerque.”

“Christ,” Rich swore under his breath. “And you aren’t being overrun?”

Hatcher shrugged. “I think a lot of them starved out. After the first few months, the survivors were definitely outnumbered, probably a thousand to one. But the infected just started dwindling down in numbers.” His voice took on a sad note as he continued. “The cure was just…too little, too late.”

“No offense, man, but I can’t figure out if you’re brave or stupid.”

Hatcher smiled. “Probably a bit of both.”

Rich sat back and stared at nothing. “Right after people started changing…we couldn’t find a safe place. I watched a lot of friends die trying to defend their homes.” He squeezed his eyes shut. “There were just too many of them.” He sat up and turned to Hatcher. “They’d swarm, man. Like a pack of wild hyenas on a wounded rabbit. It was obscene the way they’d…” He swallowed hard and turned away.

“I take it you got a firsthand look.”

Rich nodded slowly. “I lived across the street from this guy. Somehow they figured out that there was somebody home.”

“Your friend couldn’t get away?”

Rich shook his head. “Once they thought somebody was there, they dove head first through the windows, smashed in the door.” He took a deep breath and blew it out slowly. “I watched him jump from a second floor window and they swarmed him before he even stopped rolling in the grass.” His voice grew low and quiet. “It took everything I had not to open fire on them…there was just too many.”

“I’m sorry.”

Rich shook his head. “They would have found us if I’d tried anything.” He sighed heavily and tried to shake the images out of his head. “Anyway, the next morning we humped out what we could carry and headed for the woods. Left everything else behind.”

“And that’s where you ran into Willie and his group?”

Rich smiled and shook his head. “Actually, no. We set up a tent with a couple of other folks. We all shared what little we had. We figured we could sneak around and get more, so it wasn’t a big issue.” He broke into a genuine grin. “One day while scavenging the woods, we ran into the campground and figured that wooden walls were better than a tent. We set up camp, and people just started wandering in over the next few months. Willie and his friends were some of the last to show.”

“He said you were his right-hand guy.”

Rich nodded. “Yeah, Willie is definitely the leader of the pack. He’s just got the smarts for it. We became friends right away.”

“And Larry?”

“Good guy. Real smart.” Rich gave him a lopsided grin. “Book smarts, not much common sense.”

“I know the type.” Hatcher slowed the truck and drove over the median to avoid a pile up. “What about since the cure was released?”

“We didn’t know it was a cure.” Rick sighed and leaned his head back on the seat. “We just thought a bug shot through the camp.”

“You haven’t seen any of the infected since then?”

He slowly shook his head. “Nope. We’ve been lucky. We’re a good distance from the city so…” His voice trailed off. He turned to Hatcher and cleared his throat. “So, you’re sure this is a cure going around?”

Hatcher nodded. “Seen it myself. Couple of times.”

“I’ll be damned.” Rich smiled softly and stared out the window again. “I wonder if we’ll ever get back to the way things were?”

Daniel gave him a broad smile. “I can’t say about that, but I will say that we’re damned sure trying. Who knows? Maybe it’ll be better than before.”

“Knock-knock.”

Andre looked up to see Lieutenant Davis standing in the open doorway. “Come in.” He stood and offered the officer a chair.

“I’ve only got a moment, sir. I just wanted to report that a small detachment from the Corps of Engineers is being directed here to set up a permanent power source for you and your team.”

“What about the outlying area?”

The lieutenant shook his head. “They’re bringing a small reactor. It should be large enough to power the building steadily, but I doubt it could handle much more.”

“A portable reactor?” Andre nearly fell into his chair. “There is such a thing?”

“From what I understand, they’ve been in development for some time now. I can’t say if this is a prototype or not, but you should have steady power inside the week.”

“And they’re safe?”

The officer smiled. “I doubt they’d be bringing it here if it wasn’t.” He forced himself not to smile. “From what little I’ve been told, they’ll train you and your people, and a few of mine, on how to operate it. They won’t be leaving anybody behind from the Corps, though. There’s too much to be done.”

Andre nodded thoughtfully. “I guess we’ll have to pay attention then, won’t we?” He nodded to the man. “Thank you, Mr. Davis.”

“I have duties to attend to. I just thought you’d like to know.” He spun on his heel and disappeared from the doorway.

Carol moved aside for him and appeared in his doorway. “Did I hear him correctly?”

Andre nodded. “When he mentioned nuclear power before, I thought maybe there was a plant nearby that supplied the area. I had no idea…”

She leaned against the doorjamb and grinned. “Steady power.” She glanced at the air vent above. “You don’t realize how nice it is until you don’t have it.”

“Agreed.” He sat back in his chair and pulled his reading glasses off. “Though I can’t help but wonder how safe this device is?”

Carol shrugged. “The military has been using nuclear power for decades on their ships. I remember seeing a model of a reactor that they use on submarines and was astounded at the redundant systems in place to keep it safe.” She gave him a reassuring smile. “I’m sure we’ll be fine.”

“We’ve just survived a near extinction level event, and now we’re jumping feet first into using a nuclear reactor. What could possibly go wrong?”

She pushed off of the doorjamb and gave him a dance-like shrug. “I suppose if the infected come back, we could always irradiate them. We’d see them sneaking up on us in the dark.”

“You’re not funny, cherie.” Andre sighed and glanced out of the window. “But it would be nice to have steady power again.”

She slipped her hand into the pocket of her lab coat. “I got a spare if you want one.” She held out the can of Dr Pepper.

He raised his brows at her. “You realize that there are a finite number of those still available, don’t you? You may live to regret that.”

She grinned as she set it on his desk. “I’d never regret sharing with you.” She quickly narrowed her eyes and glared at the open doorway. “But I swear, if I see Irene get another one, I’m liable to go off on her.”

“Uh-oh.” Andre sat forward and made a note on a yellow sticky.

“What’s that? Are you going to formally warn her about stealing my sodas?”

“I’m reminding myself to ask Mr. Davis to look for you a large case of the sugary drink the next time they go in search of supplies.” He looked up at her expectantly. “We can’t have our researchers killing each other off, now can we.”

She groaned inwardly. “No, we can’t. Unless it’s over a Dr Pepper.”

Simon stepped out of Veronica’s trailer and found himself standing in the shadow of Tony and two other henchmen. “Let me guess…” Simon trailed off rather than making a smart ass remark. His arm was still too weak to take Tony on in a fair fight; there was no way he could handle all three men.

“We need to talk.” Tony crossed his thick arms over his barrel chest.

“So talk.” Simon double checked that the door to Veronica’s trailer was shut then stepped out from under the awning. He circumvented the two men who came in support of Tony and gestured toward the campfire. “I’m listening.”

The men glanced at each other as he sidestepped their blockade and noted the look of surprise on Tony’s face. He quickly turned to follow Simon. “Hold up. I said we need to talk.”

“And I told you that I was listening.” Simon gripped his folding chair and slowly eased himself into it. “What’s on your mind?”

“This ain’t no sit-down talk.” Tony did his best to appear menacing.

“I’m in no mood to stand, so…yes. This is a sit down talk.” He motioned to the empty chairs and realized that the few campers who usually surrounded the fire were missing. Simon picked up his poking stick and jabbed at the fire. “If this is about you screwing Lana, I can tell you now that I really don’t give a shit.” He glanced back at their RV and watched as a curtain quickly fell back into place. “I’m pretty sure we’re over.”

The two henchmen gave their boss a surprised look and Tony chose to ignore them. “No, this has nothing to do with…her.” Tony quickly stepped in front of Simon and hitched his pants up. “I’m in charge now.”

Simon slowly nodded and reached around him to poke at the fire. “Okay.”

Tony gave him a surprised look then glanced at his two assistants. “Okay?”

Simon finally looked up at him and nodded. “Yeah. Okay.” He sat back in his chair and fought the urge to smile. “What did you expect me to say?”

Tony’s mind wasn’t quite prepared for the response. “I, uh…I mean, I didn’t think you’d…” He cleared his throat and glanced around the campground again.

“Have a seat, big guy.” Simon used his leg to pull another chair closer. “We can discuss this like real men.”

Tony gripped the chair and slowly sat down in it. “I figured you’d be mad.”

“Why?” Simon sat back and gave him a deadpan stare. “If you want to allow a woman to manipulate you, who am I to stop it?”

“Manipulate me?”

Simon chuckled as he sat forward. “Look, Tony…you’re a big guy. But I have a feeling that you’re more the ‘strong like bull, smart like tractor’ sort of guy, am I right?” Before the words had a chance to sink in, he continued. “She’s on a power trip. She wants to know that she’s screwing the dude that’s in charge. That way she can run things in the background.” He sat back and held his hands up. “I didn’t want the job. Hell, I told her that we didn’t need a leader. So she went and found you.” He jabbed at the fire again and sighed. “If you really want the job, who am I to stop you?”

“Wait…what?”

Simon leaned forward and met the larger man’s gaze. “Buddy, she’s using you. But if you want the job, have at it. It’s all yours.”

Tony nodded slightly. “Okay, well…good.” He glanced at his two friends, who were now giving him a disgusted look. “I mean…what?”

The one to Simon’s left turned and walked away and the man on his right huffed. “Man, the bitch is playing you.”

Simon nodded thoughtfully. “Yeah, she really is.”

“But…I wanted to run this place,” Tony said.

Simon poked at the fire again. “So run it.” He withdrew the stick and turned to him again. “But tell me this…what are you going to do when we run out of food?”

“I, uh…”

“Or somebody tries to attack us?”

“Oh, well, I’d…uh…”

“Right.” Simon snapped his fingers to get the larger man’s attention. “If I were you, I’d have a long sit down with Hammer or one of the old-timers. Pick their brain. Then assume leadership…with them as your council.”

Tony nodded, his face a mask of total confusion. “Right.”

“In the meantime, feel free to call Lana yours. Tell her to pack her shit up and move it into your place.” Simon leaned closer and lowered his voice. “She really is great in the sack, ain’t she?”

Tony broke into a toothy grin. “Hell yeah, she is.”

“She’s all yours, buddy.” Simon reached over and clapped his arm. “Have at it.”

“Yeah.” Tony came to his feet and turned to Simon’s RV. “I think I will.”

Simon watched him stomp off toward the RV and couldn’t help but smile to himself. “Too stupid to know any better,” he mumbled. He gave a quick glance as Tony jerked open the door to the RV. “You both deserve each other.”

Jedidiah Proctor pushed open the door to the empty movie theater and escorted his new soldier inside and out of the bright sun. “Your brothers in arms are just through those doors.” He snapped his fingers at the infected man and pointed a finger in his face. “No fighting. Do you hear me? These men are your kin. If you want to stir up trouble, you keep it bottled up inside until the time is right.” He patted the man’s shoulder and turned him towards the double doors. “You’ll be able to vent that anger and frustration soon enough.”

He watched as the infected man entered the darkness of the theater and heard the muffled grunts and growls of his other soldiers. He stood by the door and listened, ensuring that each of his soldiers obeyed his command. Once the men had all sniffed each other’s butts and decided that the newcomer was just another of their kind, Jedidiah stepped away and pulled a bottle of water from the supplies stacked next to the concession area.

He pulled the black wool felt hat from his head and set it down on the glass display case. He sighed as he rehydrated and stared out through the glass doors. The visions had told him that there were many more of the Lord’s soldiers out there. The angel of light in his vision told him that they were all making their way to him, and he was to provide leadership for them. It was his duty to finish the acts that the cleansing had started.

Jedidiah had never before felt that he was an important man. But now? After the angel had come to him and granted him the ability to control these abominations? He had no doubt that his place in Heaven was solidified.

He had only to continue the Lord’s work here on earth with the time that was given to him.

21

Hatcher slowed the truck and turned to enter the subdivision. He came to a complete stop and smiled at the steel gates closing off the road. He was just about to tap the horn when a man appeared at his window.

“Who are you?” Hatcher studied the man’s face, trying to remember if he knew him or not.

“I thought you said you were in charge here before you left?” Rich asked.

“I was.” He turned back to the sentry. “Where’s Roger?”

The sentry gripped his rifle tighter and stiffened. “Roger who?”

“Roger who?” Hatcher repeated. “Roger Mulroney. The man that I put in charge when I left just a few days ago.” He squinted at the sentry then pushed the door open. “Who the hell are you?”

The sentry’s eyes widened and he stepped back, unsure what to do. “I-I’m David.” He suddenly squared his shoulders and thrust the rifle toward Hatcher. “I asked who are you.”

“I’m Daniel Hatcher.” He crossed his arms and glared at the guard. “I run this place.”

“Y-you’re Hatcher?” David stammered. “Oh shit.” He lowered his weapon and seemed completely lost. He snapped a weak salute then stared at him, still unsure what to do.

“Where is Roger?” Hatcher repeated slowly.

David’s head shook side to side. “I…um, I’m not sure. He’s usually—”

“Hatcher!”

Daniel spun at the familiar voice. “Who the hell put this guy at the gate and why is he so jumpy?” Hatcher stepped around the guard and approached the black steel barrier.

Roger chuckled as he pressed the button to open the gate. “He’s new,” he shrugged. “We have to start them somewhere.”

Hatcher glanced back at the guard. “But at the gate? Shouldn’t you train them first or something?”

Roger stepped out and pulled Hatcher into a bear hug. “Damn it’s good to see you again.” He pushed the man away and gave him a once over. “I was afraid you’d got eaten by a bear or something.”

“Right.” Hatcher didn’t notice Rich get out of the truck and did a double take as the man appeared beside him. “Oh yeah. Roger, this is Rich. I found him with another group of survivors in Utah.”

Rich held his hand out. “Nice to meet ya.”

Roger shook his hand then motioned the men inside. “Your place is still waiting for you. I kept watch over the cameras for you and Will has been working the men overtime getting the houses all converted and shoring up the walls.”

Hatcher tossed David the keys. “Park it in that driveway, will ya?” He didn’t wait for a response as he followed Roger back to the house on the right.

“How many are we now?” Hatcher asked.

Roger threw his hands up in the air. “You’d have to ask Candy that one. She’s been keeping up with the newcomers.” He glanced to the gate guard and shook his head. “It was her idea to start the new people out on guard duty.”

Hatcher groaned as they entered his house. “I like what you’ve done to the place.” He kicked wadded balls of paper across the floor.

“Oh, that.” Roger shrugged slightly. “I was trying to work out a little project and…” He picked up the trash can and arm swept the table. “Let’s just say I’m not as efficient as Will.”

Rich spun a slow circle, grinning at the electric lighting. “This is nice.”

“Oh yeah.” Hatcher motioned Roger closer. “Rich is an electrician. I thought maybe we could put him with Will. He could show him what we’ve been doing here so maybe him and his people could do the same.”

“Heck yeah.” Roger pulled his radio and called Will to the “guard shack.” He glanced to Hatcher and flushed. “Since it’s right next to the gates and all of the security cameras feed to here, the nickname sort of stuck.”

Hatcher pulled out a kitchen chair and sat. “Catch me up.”

Roger opened the fridge and pulled out a trio of beers. “They’re much better cold.” He handed one to Rich then set the other in front of Hatcher. “We’ve had stragglers show up almost daily. Of course, Vicky checks them out and we get them fed and cleaned up. As it sits, I think we’re about to fill the last of the empty houses on the north side.” He grinned broadly. “Will is already talking about allocating the residences along the wall to make room for them.”

Hatcher took a long pull from the cold beer and sighed. “Oh, that’s good.” He glanced to Rich, who was rolling the cold bottle across his forehead and smiling. “Tell me how our people are.”

Roger leaned back and cradled his beer. “We’re good. Everybody is picking up the slack as it appears. Buck has been acting as a type of counselor to the cured folks.” He saw Hatcher’s head pop up, his eyes full of surprise. “I know, right? The kid has a knack for it.”

“Who’d of thought of Buck as a therapist?”

“Who’s Buck?” Rich asked quietly.

Hatcher broke into a broad smile. “He’s actually an amazing kid. He was at ground zero when this all happened and somehow survived for months out there on his own. I’ll introduce you to him tomorrow.”

Roger gave Rich a look that he couldn’t quite read. “Look, Rich…I know Hatcher brought you here and all, but it’s our protocol to have anybody new be checked out by our resident doctor.” He pushed away from the table and came to his feet. “She’s pretty quick, but we should probably get you over there before it gets too late.”

Rich gave Hatcher a confused look. “Do I really have to do this?”

Hatcher nodded slowly. “Sorry buddy.” He looked to Roger. “Is she still set up across the street?”

“Yup.” Roger waved him over. “I’ll walk you. Bring your beer.”

Rich groaned as he came to his feet. “I really don’t like doctors.”

“This one is cool. And if you’re really good then she’ll give you a lollipop afterward.”

Andre jerked awake as the bright light appeared in his eyes. He rolled to the floor and heard Carol shriek at the commotion.

“I’m sorry sir,” Davis whispered in a worried tone. “We’ve captured one of the infected.”

Andre struggled to come to his feet and glanced around in the darkness. “Excuse me?”

“One of the infected. The ones that the cure didn’t work on? My men have captured one of them.”

Andre grabbed his lab coat and slipped it on as Lieutenant Davis led him from the office. “Do you think we can get the lights back on for this?” Andre stumbled slightly as his body struggled to waken. “If we have a power source coming, surely we can spare the fuel for—”

“Already on it, sir.” Davis pushed open the front doors just as the building blinked to life.

Andre saw his breath escaping in tiny clouds of steam as the trio stepped outside. He could hear the infected growling and struggling with the bindings as three men held weapons on the creature. Andre slowed his approach as the outside flood lights illuminated the area.

“Where did you find him?” Andre asked as he slowly approached the struggling figure.

“He came sprinting out of the woods towards the roving patrols.” Davis squatted beside the creature and flashed his torch in its face. Andre noted the pupillary reaction was slow.

“Did they strike him on the head?”

“Negative,” Davis replied. “As he approached the gate guard, a roving sentry tackled him to the ground. Between the rover and guard, they shackled him before he could do any real damage.”

“He put up a hell of a fight though,” a soldier stated bluntly.

Andre bent on one knee and studied the snarling creature. “Bring him inside. Take him to the lowest levels and use one of the cells down there.” He glanced to Davis and smirked. “We can treat him from there.”

Davis nodded to the three men standing over the infected and they simultaneously bent down and lifted the creature to its feet. “Be careful with him, please,” Carol added as they half dragged the man away.

Andre lowered his voice. “Do we have any psychedelics here?”

Carol shrugged. “The others were still doing inventory, but…” She sighed. “I’m sure we can come up with something.”

Andre pulled her aside. “Now that we have more time, I’d like to see if there are any other possible treatments that might work. Something that could be applied en masse.”

She nodded. “I’ll let the others know.”

He watched her walk back up the hill then turned and stared out to the treeline. He couldn’t help but wonder how many more of the infected were watching him from the shadows.

Simon sat in the darkness of his trailer and wondered why he felt nothing over losing Lana. It was just a few short weeks ago that he was pledging his undying devotion to her. Was he reverting back to his old self? Were people just…currency now?

He closed his eyes and blew his breath out slowly. As much as he tried to get in touch with his inner self, he couldn’t understand his lack of empathy. He couldn’t understand why he’d turned so cold towards her.

“Maybe because she was batshit crazy?” he mumbled. He threw himself back onto the couch and tried to remember when he’d last felt something towards her. Every time he got that warm, fuzzy feeling, it was because Veronica had slipped into his thoughts.

He huffed with exasperation and came to his feet. He nearly jumped at the knock at his door and hung his head low. As he stepped towards the door, he was already berating himself internally for even answering. “I’ve already told you, Lana. You made your bed, now lie in it!” He jerked the door open and bit his tongue.

Veronica stared up at him, her face unreadable.

“Sorry. Not Lana.”

“No,” Simon held the door open wider, inviting her in, “I’m sorry.” He pulled the door shut behind her and flipped on the tiny lamp beside the couch. “I was thinking of her and all that she’s done. I guess when I heard the knock my brain just assumed it was…” he trailed off. “Please, have a seat.”

She sat on the couch and he took the chair across from her. “To what do I owe the pleasure?”

Veronica stared at the floor. “I’m curious about something.”

“Ask me anything.”

She glanced up then returned her gaze to the floor. “Do you plan on staying here?” She looked up at him. “With all of us?”

Simon opened his mouth to reply then closed it. He considered her question a bit more thoroughly and nodded. “I planned on it.” He gave her a questioning look. “Why?”

She licked her lips and seemed to wring her hands together. “I just…uh…”

“Have you heard something more?”

She slowly shook her head. “I was just curious what your plans were.”

Simon sat back and studied her for a moment. “You look like you have something else to add.” He watched as her face bowed lower and all he could see was the top of her head. “Okay,” he added, “well, yeah. I was planning on staying—as long as I could, anyway.”

She glanced up at him. “What do you mean?”

Simon gave her a deadpanned stare. “I know Lana. She’s over there right now trying to convince Tony to do something stupid. If he tries and it’s just him, I’ll have to hurt him.” He inhaled deeply and let it out slowly. “If he brings thugs with him, then I might have to leave.” He pointed to his arm. “It’s not healed enough for me to have to deal with a group.”

Veronica nodded. “I understand.”

“I’m glad you do.” Simon sat forward and searched her face. “But why are you asking?”

Veronica lifted a shaky hand and slipped it into her shirt pocket. She pulled out a small plastic device and held it in front of her. “I, uh…” She swallowed hard and set the device down on the small coffee table between them. “You should know.”

“Know?” He leaned forward and watched as she lowered her eyes again. “Know what?”

Her head barely moved but she nodded toward the table. He reached out and picked up the plastic, pen-shaped device. He held it up to the light and felt his guts tighten.

A blue plus sign was displayed on the small pregnancy test. He felt his face tighten into a smile as he pulled it closer to his eyes. He slowly lowered the test and glanced at her. He almost asked, “Is it mine,” but somehow held his tongue. Of course it was his.

He scooted to the edge of the chair and reached for her hand. “Is this for real?”

Veronica looked up and her jaw trembled. “Yes.”

“You’re sure? I mean, it’s only been a few days and—”

“I woke up nauseous with no other symptoms,” she swallowed hard and met his gaze, “I did the test to rule it out.”

Simon chuckled as he gripped the test tighter. “This is fuckin’ awesome.” His voice was barely a whisper. “This is probably the best…” He trailed off as his eyes took in the fear in her face.

He felt his hand loosen its grip on hers and his stomach dropped. “You don’t want it, do you?”

She shook her head slightly as her face pulled into a tight lipped smile. “It’s not a matter of wanting it, Simon.” She slowly came to her feet. “It’s the fact that I’m the doctor here. There’s nobody else trained to…” She paused and inhaled deeply. “Not to mention that your ex is a fucking psycho. She nailed a dead rabbit to my door just because she didn’t like the idea of us talking.” Her eyes bore a hole to his soul. “Can you imagine what that crazy bitch will do when she finds out about this?”

Simon nodded and came to his feet. “So we leave.” He took her hands into his and pulled her closer. “First thing tomorrow. You grab your stuff, we load it in here and we hit the road.” He pulled her face closer to his and lowered his voice. “We put as much distance between us and her as we can.”

Veronica scoffed and turned away. “These people count on me, Simon. I’m their doctor. I’m their sounding board.”

“People survived for years without doctors, Vee.” He pulled her closer again and brushed her hair from her face. “They’ll be fine.”

She gave him a look that he’d seen before on other women’s faces. It was the “you’re an idiot” look. “I can’t just leave.”

“Fine.” He squared his shoulders and gave her a stern look. “Then we’ll just have to make Lana and her new fucktoy leave.”

“Just like that?”

He nodded. “Just like that.”

“And when they refuse your invitation?”

Simon’s face drew hard. “It ain’t an invitation. It’s an ultimatum.”

Jedidiah Proctor huffed as he dragged the struggling body behind him. “Hush! Be still!” He tugged the young woman into the dim light of the candle and leaned close, forcing her to gasp as his face came into view. “You’re doing the Lord’s work, my dear.”

She struggled against her bindings and tried to scream through the cotton t-shirt gag that he’d shoved into her mouth.

Jedidiah came to his full height and stared down at her. “You were a difficult one to locate.” He pulled the handkerchief from his pocket and dabbed at the perspiration on his forehead. “If the angel hadn’t told me where to find you…” He chuckled to himself as he tucked the handkerchief back into his trouser pocket. “Let’s just say that our Lord’s army might have had to do without.”

He gripped the thick ropes that bound her legs and dragged her unceremoniously up the steps of the theater. He dragged her across the commercial carpet as it formed rug burns on her soft skin.

The young woman continued to struggle and call out as Jedidiah pulled her to her feet. “I said, HUSH!” He jerked her to him and glared into her eyes. “You want to be free?”

She froze and stared at him with tear filled eyes. She squeezed her eyes shut and babbled something incoherent.

“Very well then.” He bent low and untied the bindings that held her ankles then jerked her closer as his hands fumbled with the thick ropes around her wrists. She continued to stare at him with wide eyes as his bird like hands reached up and tugged the gag from her mouth. “If you want to be free…then be free.”

He crossed his arms and stared at her with hard eyes. “But you can’t go back the way we came. The monsters may have seen us come here.” He hooked his chin towards the steel double doors leading to the movie theater then slowly pointed to them. “You’ll have to go through there.” His voice softened and he lowered his eyes. “There’s a fire exit on the right, near the bottom, by the screen. It leads to the back of the theater and the commercial loading zone.”

She stood in place, her body trembling as he spoke. Her voice cracked as she muttered something unintelligible.

“The angels told me where you were. It was God’s will that I found you.” He sighed and removed his hat, his hand fishing the handkerchief out again. “But seeing the fear in your eyes…” He dabbed the sweat from his brow. “Go. Now, before I change my mind.”

He turned his back to her and listened as she bolted for the door, her feet making slight thumping noises on the thickly textured carpet. He looked up and smiled as she jerked the theater door open and ran into the darkened space.

The growls and howls that echoed through the theater were quickly replaced by high-pitched screams that lasted only a few moments. “This is my body which is given unto you…”

22

Hatcher’s eyes snapped open and he strained to listen. He had dreamed that a giant bear was growling and tearing at his front door. His body visibly relaxed and he collapsed back onto his mattress as the next volley of snorts and growls echoed into his room.

He turned over and blinked at the early morning sunlight pushing through the closed blinds and sighed. He rolled over and tugged his pillow tightly to his head, hoping to drown out Rich’s incessant snoring.

Frustrated, he dragged his pillow away and slid from the bed. He had slept in his clothes and bent to tug his boots on. He made a mental note to move Rich to the other side of the house while he stayed with him. He stretched and did his best to ignore the angry bear in the next room.

He trudged into the kitchen and started the coffee maker, falling into the chair at the small dining room table as the little machine warmed up. A shadow moving outside his window caught his attention and he stumbled to the sill and pulled the thin curtains back. “What are you doing?” he asked as he tapped on the glass.

Roger appeared a bit too enthusiastic as he held out a roll of cable. “Sorry man. Did I wake you?”

Hatcher lifted the window and leaned out. “I couldn’t sleep.” He blinked in the early morning light and looked up towards the roof. “What are you doing?”

“The last of the cameras are mounted on the other side of the complex. Will wanted me to run these cables to the roof so he could tie them to the coupler.”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

Roger grinned as he stepped off the ladder. “We ran cable along the telephone poles to the cameras on the other side.” He pointed over the house. “Once Will ties these in, every corner of our little piece of heaven will be covered.”

Hatcher rubbed at his eyes. “Why? Is there a threat I’m not aware of?”

Roger dropped the roll of cable and gave him a solemn look. “We’ve been seeing more of the throwbacks lately.”

“The what?”

“Buck calls them ‘throwbacks.’ Not sure why, but the name stuck.”

“And they’re coming around here?”

“Not yet.” Roger pulled the pliers from his back pocket and clipped the cabling. “But we’re seeing more and more of them as we gather supplies.”

“And these guys worry you?”

Roger nodded slowly. “I know they don’t congregate like the Zulus used to, but the idea of having more than one attack at the same time?” He shook his head. “The last one that we had to deal with physically took four guys just to slow him down.”

Hatcher raised a brow. “And you’re seeing more of them?”

“Here and there. Usually when we see one, we turn the opposite direction and let them chase us away from here.” He lowered the cabling and gave Hatcher a solemn look. “I’m scared that one of these days that won’t be enough. Eventually we’re going to have to deal with them. Permanently.”

Hatcher nodded then smelled the coffee. “Want some wake-up juice?”

Roger tucked the pliers into his back pocket again and walked around to the rear door. “I thought you’d never ask.” He watched as Hatcher poured two cups then leaned on the counter, blowing on his. “I made sure to keep your place stocked for ya. I didn’t know when you’d be back, but I wanted to make sure you were supplied.”

Hatcher sipped the bitter brew and nodded. “Much appreciated.” He glanced over his cup and eyed Roger. “Nobody asked if I found Shelly.”

Roger looked away and nodded slowly. “We all assumed that if you had, you’d have brought her back with you.”

“I did find another girl though.” Hatcher watched Roger’s brows lift in anticipation. “Apparently my buddy Mitch had hired her on just before everything went south. She’s been stuck at the park by herself this whole time.”

Roger stared with wide eyes. “How?”

“Either pure dumb luck or mad skills…I honestly don’t know which. Probably a little of both.”

“Why didn’t you bring her back with you?”

Hatcher smiled and sipped his coffee. “She found some young doctor at Rich’s camp. She liked it there.”

“About that…” Roger trailed off. “I know you want us to give him the grand tour and show him how we’re doing stuff, but what are you thinking? What’s your end goal?”

Hatcher shrugged. “Just to help out.” He eyed Roger carefully. “People may be too close to being on the endangered species list. Rather than compete, we should be helping each other, build some connections. Make life as simple as we can.”

“So, we’re not going to be adopting a large portion of them?”

Hatcher shook his head. “I doubt it. They’re pretty well dug in at their place, and they seem to be doing okay.”

“Morning,” Rich grumbled as he walked into the kitchen. “Is that coffee?”

“Fresh brewed.” Hatcher turned and pulled another cup from the cabinet.

“Good heavens.” Rich stared at the machine. “I’ve been drinking instant for so long…this could ruin me.”

“Not his coffee,” Roger grinned. “It’s pretty nasty.”

“Nobody’s forcing you,” Hatcher grumbled as he handed Rich the mug. “Did you sleep well?”

Rich nodded. “Sure beats the bed at home.” He sipped the coffee then sighed. “Sorry if I snored. I have a habit of doing that in strange beds.”

“Didn’t notice,” Hatcher lied. “So what’s on your agenda for the day? Got any plans?”

Rich shook his head. “I’m supposed to meet up with that engineer you have. He’s going to walk me through your electrical setup. If it looks feasible, we’ll try to copy it back home.”

“You might take a look at our wells, too,” Roger added.

“They have a large freshwater lake nearby,” Hatcher said. “Their only real issue might be filtration.”

Rich nodded. “We’ve got a few gravity fed filters for drinking water. The rest we just pump up to the holding tanks.”

Roger shrugged. “Still, it might not hurt.” He drained his cup then set it on the counter. “I’ve got to get back to work.” He pointed the pliers at Hatcher. “By the end of the day, you’re taking your old job back. I’m sick of everybody coming to me for their petty problems.”

“Great,” Hatcher groaned. He watched Roger turn for the door. “The view is great down here under the bus, asshole.”

“You got this, fearless leader.” Roger paused in the doorway. “Man, the weight on my shoulders already feels lighter.”

Hatcher flipped him the bird before he left. “You hungry?” he asked, turning back to Rich.

He held the cup up. “Liquid breakfast is my norm, but thanks.” He refilled his cup then stared out the window. “Are those…greenhouses?”

Hatcher nodded. “We use the greenspan areas for them. Before I left, they were working on hydroponics.”

Rich nodded slowly. “Now that’s something I’d like to study.”

“Knock yourself out. I’m sure Will would be proud to show them off.” Hatcher swallowed the last of the coffee then rinsed his cup. “I’ve got people to see. Just…wander about and check out whatever interests you.”

“Thanks.” Rich watched him walk out through the garage door then smiled to himself. “This place may be just what we needed after all.”

“Dr. O’Dell has some ideas on our psychedelics,” Carol stated as she walked Andre to the conference room. “He’s put together some possibilities for you.”

“Excellent.” Andre pushed open the door to the conference room and caught David’s eye. “You have some ideas?”

David nodded and reached for a pointer. “Actually, I’ve got a lot. The problem is, not many options are available where we’re located.”

Andre cocked his head to the side. “I’m not following.”

“The most potent natural psychedelics don’t grow in this region.” He nodded to Randy who dimmed the lights. “I found some resources in the library and made some slides for you.” He clicked a button on the laptop and a series of plants lit up the white board behind him.

“What’s this?”

“This particular example is called Salvia, also known as ‘sage of the diviners’, and is native to the Sierra Mazateca in Oaxaca, Mexico. We can’t just run to Whole Foods and grab some.” He clicked to the next slide. “This one is Ayahuasca, and unless you’re planning a trip to the Amazon, it’s useless to us.”

“Why don’t you skip to the ones that we might be able to find closer to our location?” Andre asked.

David inhaled deeply and sighed. “That’s sort of the problem. Magic mushrooms and peyote are probably the two most common to the Americas, but…” he shrugged. “It would be really easy to misidentify and possibly poison somebody.”

Tamara raised her hand. “What about nutmeg? I’ve always heard that it can be psychoactive in large doses.”

“I’m afraid that it mimics ecstasy more than LSD,” David replied.

“Morning glories,” Irene stated flatly. “I may have known a few hippies in my day, and they swear that morning glories gave them nearly an identical trip to LSD.” She glanced around the room then seemed to stiffen. “Of course, there was a lot of giggling when they told me these stories, so I can’t really—”

“We’ll keep it on the table of possibilities,” Andre said, urging David to continue.

David nodded. “Actually, morning glories were my go-to because they contain D-lysergic acid amide, or LSA. That’s a precursor to LSD.” He crossed his arms and eyed the crowd. “So, anybody know where we could get our hands on some morning glories?”

Andre turned to Irene. “So we use the flowers themselves or…the stems? The leaves?”

Irene shrugged. “They only said ‘morning glories are the bomb,’ then they broke into insane laughter.” She gave him a sad look. “I’m sorry. I was in graduate school and couldn’t afford to risk…” She sighed. “I never tried it.”

Andre sighed and leaned back in his chair. “I think our best bet would be to have Captain Hilliard send the remaining supplies with the Engineer Corps when they come.” He glanced to Carol. “We can use it as a control while we research natural forms that might also work.” He glanced to David and gave him a quick nod. “Good work researching this. Your next objective is to find us an available source and learn how to extract what we need.”

“On it, sir.” David closed his laptop and waved Randy out of the conference room.

Andre slowly stood and nodded to Irene. “If you don’t mind, perhaps you could look over their work?”

“Of course.”

He turned to Tamara. “Please notify Lieutenant Davis that we will be needing those supplies from NORAD and see if he can arrange them being shipped here. You should also inform him that we’ll be needing to leave the compound to search for…” He turned to Carol. “What were the flowers again?”

“Morning glories.”

“Right.” He turned back to Tamara. “Can you let him know please?”

“Right away.”

When the researchers had all left the conference room, he turned back to Carol. “Is this what we’ve been reduced to? Searching for illicit drugs?”

She cracked a smile. “Unless you can find something else that can break the hold on these people, yes.”

“Great.” He tucked his notepad into his pocket. “My kingdom for an old fashioned drug dealer.”

“Hey, Fuckchop.” Simon beat on the door of Big Tony’s trailer. “Rise and shine, Einstein. We gotta talk.”

Tony threw open the door of his trailer and blinked in the early morning light. “What the hell, Simon?”

“I took a vote. You’re out of here.” He turned to leave then turned back. “Today. No fucking around. Pack your shit and get out.” He turned away again and started across the campground.

“What the…hey!” Tony yelled as he stumbled down the metal steps, his feet nearly tripping on his loose laces. He stood at the base of the steps in only his boxers and his unlaced biker boots. “You said you didn’t want to be in charge. Who the hell are you to be barking orders at me?”

Simon sighed and turned slowly. “Things have changed since yesterday, man.” Simon gave him a tight lipped smile and shook his head. “I’m sorry, but your presence is no longer desired.”

“Huh?” Tony wiped at his eyes as his brain tried to connect dots. “I don’t—”

“See, that’s just it, Tony. You don’t have to understand, you just have to pack your shit and go.” He glanced at the window and saw Lana licking her lips as she watched Simon stand up to the much larger man, her eyes full of excited sexual tension. “And take that dumb broad with you.”

“Hey, now! Wait a goddam minute. You can’t talk about her like that.”

Simon scoffed as he turned his attention back to Tony. “Oh yes I can.” He slipped in closer to Tony and lowered his voice to a whisper. “I’m the one who saved her skinny ass back in the world, and I’m the one who dragged that conniving little cunt here. I can call her whatever the hell I want.” He reached up and grasped his shoulder, pressing his thumb hard into the pressure point. As Tony winced and collapsed to his knees, Simon increased the pressure. “You can leave peacefully or I can do the same thing to you that I did to the three idiots that ignored me when I told them to stop. You can ask Trent how that worked out for him.”

Tony looked up at Simon and knew that he meant business. “Okay, okay, man!” He pulled away from Simon’s grip and fell to his hands and knees. “I-I’ll do it.”

“Good dog.” Simon patted his head as he walked past him. “By the end of the day, Tony.” He paused a few feet away and stared up to the sky. “Please don’t make me kill you.”

“You won’t have to.” Tony swallowed hard. “We’ll be gone before you know it.”

“Thank you.” Simon marched back across the campground without looking back. He knew that Tony was large enough and clumsy enough that if he tried to attack his back, he’d hear it.

He opened the door to the RV and stepped inside, praying that Tony didn’t try to call his bluff.

Jedidiah Proctor stepped out of the movie theater and turned to the east. He smiled as the rising sun’s rays warmed his face. The early fall chill was quickly fading from the morning air and he stepped out onto the sidewalk, inhaling deeply of the clean fresh air.

“What a glorious morning.” He pulled the flat-brimmed hat from his head and bowed slightly while he silently recited his morning prayers.

Once he had finished he stood and squared his shoulders. The angel of light had come to him again in his dreams and told him where to find more of the Lord’s soldiers.

He knew from the vision that he had to go north. Where 550 crossed 528, a contingent of potential soldiers would converge. If he wasn’t present to stop them, they would attack and kill each other. The waste of flesh and muscle would be intolerable and he simply could not allow that to happen.

He glanced at his watch then peered at the quickly rising sun. “I’m going to need transportation.” He glanced around the area at the abandoned cars and sighed. He hated the idea of using one of the very reasons that God sent this plague upon his greatest creation, but time was not a luxury he could afford.

He turned and stared at the doors of the movie theater before marching off to search for a vehicle that would start. He had little time to waste.

23

“Vic said you were back.” Hank slapped Hatcher across the back a bit too hard before Wally stepped in and bear hugged him.

“We missed you, man.”

“Let. Me. Down,” Hatcher grunted. When his feet hit the ground he stepped back and blinked at the two. “Seriously? It’s not like I was gone that long.”

“We just really missed ya,” Hank flushed. “Not to spread rumors, but Roger is a bit of a stick in the mud.”

“He was a cop.” Hatcher stretched his back, trying to get feeling back in his extremities. “They’re not known for their sense of humor.”

Wally snapped his fingers. “I bet Candy has his nuts in a vice.”

“Enough about Roger’s nuts.” Hatcher held a hand up to stop them. “Tell me you actually needed something.”

Wally cleared his throat. “Will has us hitting any place in a twenty mile radius that might have solar panels. He’s on this kick and…”

Hank stepped closer. “I want to use that big assed truck you brought back.”

Hatcher raised a brow. “My truck?”

“The big diesel. That thing could pull a huge trailer.” He hooked his thumb over his shoulder. “We’ve been using that half-ton over there, and it’s just too much strain.”

“Strain?” Hatcher shook his head. “Solar panels weigh nothing.”

Hank gave Wally a knowing look. “The way Will is going on about ‘power consumption’ and ‘battery life,’ I think he’s wanting to re-roof the houses with them.”

“Rather than make ten trips, we could do it all in one or two with the bigger truck.”

Hatcher scoffed. “Guys, there are literally a hundred million vehicles available. There are semis and deuce and halfs and…” He rolled his eyes. “Fine. Take the truck. Keys should be in it.”

“Yes!” Hank hissed. “Thanks, Hatch. You’re the man!”

Wally spun on Hank. “I’m driving!”

“The hell you are!”

Hatcher watched the two argue as they trotted towards the truck, each pushing the other away from the driver’s door.

“They’re more like little kids every day,” Candy stated, catching Hatcher off guard.

“I didn’t hear you.” He pulled her into a hug. “And you look…”

“I swear to god, if you say fatter, I’m gonna punch you.”

He shook his head, fighting a smile. “I was gonna say that you’re glowing, but I think I’ll settle on something safer like, ‘healthy.’”

“Smart move.” Candy fell into step with him as he crossed the street. “I heard you found another survivor out there.”

“Yup.” Hatcher paused outside Vicky’s door and thought about Missy. “She was a spitfire, I’ll give her that.”

“And you didn’t bring her back?” Candy gave him a cautious look.

Hatcher fought a smile. “Let’s just say that she found somebody that interested her at the other camp.”

“The one outside Orem.”

“Correct.” He turned and searched the area, hoping to spot Rich. “I brought one of theirs back with me. He’s out there…somewhere.”

Candy planted her hands on her hips and gave him a stern look. “Do you really think that was smart? We don’t know this guy.”

Hatcher held a hand up to stop her. “They offered us a hot meal and a safe night’s rest. They invited me to join them, and when I told them about what we were doing, they were interested.” He exhaled slowly and gave her a knowing look. “We have to start trusting people at some point. If we can give them ideas that make life easier for them, I say we help.”

“Hatcher, that sounds good in practice, but look at what people have been reduced to.”

He studied her a moment. “And how many of the cured have you allowed in?”

“That’s different.”

“How?” He didn’t like flipping the tables on her but felt it was necessary to drive home the message.

“They straggle in one or two at a time. They usually have one foot in the grave already.” She shook her head. “We’re saving them, and they’re not a threat.”

“And I brought one guy with me. One.” He pointed to the tops of the greenhouses. “He’s probably out there right now, checking out the gardens. He’s not a threat. He just wants to see what we’re doing so he can help his people have a better life.”

She pursed her lips and slowly shook her head. “I just have an uneasy feeling.”

“Relax.” Hatcher placed a hand on her shoulder. “It’s probably just the hormones…” He froze and gave her a weak smile. “I didn’t mean to say that.”

“Yes, you did.” She turned a cold shoulder to him. “God, you men all sound alike.” She turned in a huff and started to march away. She suddenly turned back and glared at him. “I’ll be keeping an eye on him.”

“You do that.”

“And I’ll be watching you, too.”

“Missed you, too, Candy.” Hatcher waved her off before pushing open the door to the clinic. “Women.”

“I heard that,” Vic yelled from the kitchen.

“The Corps of Engineers has an open window for the next three days, so we can expect them to land sometime early tomorrow. By afternoon they should be onsite and pushing forward.” Davis scanned the notes he had prepared then flipped to the next page. “We don’t currently have the manpower to escort full strength for your…” he looked up at Andre and gave a slight shrug, “morning glories?”

“We’re hoping to find a natural source for the cure.” Andre sighed and pinched at the bridge of his nose. “We can’t very well go door to door looking for LSD.”

“LSD?” Davis’ brows knit in confusion. “The illegal drug?”

“One and the same.” Andre leaned back in his chair. “It acts similarly on the new infected as Adderall does for people with ADHD.”

Davis gave him a surprised look. “I’ll be damned.” He referred back to his notes. “Well, any searches for the flower will have to be with reduced security, so you know I don’t recommend it.”

“Understood, and I’ll definitely take it under advisement. Just be aware that we are in dire need of a natural resource that we can utilize in place of the synthesized drugs, so…”

“I understand.” He closed his notebook and glanced to the window. “We’ll figure something out, sir.”

Andre stood and leaned over his desk. “Now, about that other thing I asked you about? The personal favor?”

Davis nodded knowingly. “Already taken care of, sir. We located exactly what you requested and it should be arriving this afternoon.”

“Really?” He broke into a toothy smile. “Excellent, Lieutenant. Excellent!”

“The question is, where do you want us to put it?”

Andre paused and tapped at his chin. “There’s a cold room in the basement, isn’t there?”

“Yes, sir.” Davis’ eyes narrowed. “You want us to take it in through the loading docks and…stash it?”

“If you could.” He glanced to his open door then turned back to the man. “And remember, mum’s the word.”

“Understood, sir.” Davis gave him a quick nod then did an about face.

Andre sat back in his chair and did his best to keep his game face on. This little move just might earn him some real brownie points.

That is, if anybody were still keeping score.

Simon stood at the fire pit and watched as Big Tony backed the old pickup to the hitch on the trailer and connected it. The man did a quick once over, kicking the blocks away from the tires of the worn-out trailer before he secured the hoses and stashed everything in the storage bins.

“You’re wrong, you know.”

Simon didn’t react as Lana approached him from the rear. “How is that?”

“Sending us away.” She stood behind him, glaring holes into the back of his head.

“He’s too stupid not to do something stupid and you’re untrustworthy.”

“I’m untrustworthy? Because I screwed Tony?”

He turned slowly and gave her a stern look. “Because you are bloodthirsty and you’re power hungry, not to mention batshit crazy.”

“Power hungry?” Her voice was low and menacing. “I didn’t want the power.” She stepped closer and poked him in the chest. “I wanted YOU to have the power, you dumbass.”

“What power, Lana?” He spread his arms and slowly shook his head. “There’s a couple dozen people here, most of them are old or too wimpy to…to…” he stammered, searching for the words.

“To stop you.” She crossed her arms and pursed her lips. “They’re lambs looking for a shepherd.”

He dropped his head and sighed animatedly. “I’ll admit, they need someone to protect them. But that’s not the same as ‘ruling.’” He looked up and gave her a sad look. “Maybe they do need a shepherd. And this shepherd says you and Big Tony can’t be trusted. You have to go.”

She smirked at him. “You know we’ll be back.”

“You’ll try.” Simon’s voice was low and soft. “Just remember Trent and Jake and Tommy.” His eyes hardened as he stared at her. “They came back too. It didn’t end well for them.”

The corner of her lip rose in a slight snarl before she got her emotions under control. “You need to learn to sleep with one eye open, Simon.”

“You comin’?” Tony called from the truck.

“She’s coming.” Simon stepped aside and gave her a slight nod. “Your ride is waiting.”

She marched off slowly, purposely swinging her hips in her denim cutoffs as she did. She spun and pointed at him. “Mark my words, lover. We’ll be back.”

“I’ll be here.” He watched her spin back around, her boots kicking up dust as she sashayed toward the truck. “And I’ll be waiting.”

Jedidiah slowed the old church van and pulled it to the side of the road. He stared at the highway interchange and stepped out of the vehicle. Glancing at his watch, he knew that he was early. “Better a bit early than a bit too late, eh?”

He took his flat-brimmed hat off the dash and placed it on his head, wisps of his long white hair slipping out from under it and framing his face. He pulled the long black coat around him and strode to the center of the highway.

The shade of the overpass felt good as it cooled the warming air blowing past his face. He stared down both sides of the highway, hoping to see his soldiers approach.

As the minutes clicked by, he grew bored then worried. Had he misinterpreted the dream? Had he messed up the timing? Perhaps the day?

He checked his watch again then heard a familiar scream echo off of the concrete walls of the embankment. “Be still!” he called out. He knew that they must be over him since he couldn’t see them yet. “Come to me, my soldier.”

Another scream, higher in pitch and more feral caught his attention and he focused on the man. “Hush. Be still.” He held his arms open and called to the men. “Come to me.”

A moment later, dirt and loose gravel rolled down the embankment on either side of him as the two feral men slid to his level. Both men eyed him warily as he held his hands out to them. “Come to me.”

He glanced at each man as they slowly approached him, their guard up. He could see the anticipation painted on their faces. He knew that both men wanted nothing more than to break loose of his spell and render his limbs from his torso, yet both held their urges at bay.

Two more screams had his head spinning to either side as more infected came running towards them. His first two soldiers were nearly upon him when he turned and faced them. “You may kneel, my children.” He stretched his hands out to them and watched as they both fell to their knees, their eyes on the ground in front of them.

Jedidiah then turned and watched as the three new additions sprinted towards him. His heart rate remained steady, and his breathing was shallow as the three closed the distance. He waited until the closest was under the overpass and in shadow before he spoke again. “Be still!”

He watched as the three men slid to a stop and stared at him, dumbfounded. He waved them closer. “To me, my children.”

The three men slowly approached, their eyes wide with wonder as Jedidiah directed them beside their newfound brothers. “You may kneel.” He turned his hands palm down and slowly lowered them, the men falling to their knees as he did so.

“Very good.” He allowed himself a brief respite and smiled as he walked amongst the newest additions to the Lord’s army. He lay his hand on each man’s head and watched as their bodies went slack, their inner rage calming.

“Come with me now. Let me deliver you to your brothers in arms.” He raised his hands and all five men came to their feet, their heads still bowed. “You each have the distinct honor of becoming part of the Lord’s army. Today you shall meet your brothers and fellow soldiers. Tomorrow, you shall face the first of many battles.” He paused and looked up at the bottom of the overpass, his eyes peering past the concrete and steel and searching for Heaven. “The great cleansing will be glorious.”

24

Rich took in everything. Every aspect of the greenhouses, the solar panels, the water wells, nothing was left unstudied. He made meticulous notes of every little aspect, and Hatcher watched him from the doorway as he quickly folded up one small notepad and pulled another from his pocket, immediately continuing his records.

“Looks like you’re being pretty thorough.”

Rich nearly jumped as Hatcher approached from behind. He quickly folded his notepad shut and slipped it into his shirt pocket. “You startled me, Daniel.” Rich grasped at his chest and feigned a heart attack. “You gotta go easy on an old guy.”

Hatcher glanced at his pocket. “Notes?”

Rich’s face flushed. “To be honest, my memory isn’t the best anymore.” He tugged the notepad out and opened it, displaying detailed diagrams of water fittings and sprinklers. “If I don’t write it down, I’ll never remember enough for it to be worth anything back home.”

“I’m feeling the same way lately.” Hatcher patted his shoulder. “I hope that Will has been helpful.”

Rich snorted a quick laugh. “That guy sure likes to talk.”

“You can say that again.” Hatcher knew exactly what he meant.

“He gave me the grand tour, but I tend to learn things better if I study them alone. Besides, he got frustrated as I tried to write everything down. I think he was happy when I told him I could carry on without him.”

“Well, if you need anything, you let us know.” Hatcher turned and leaned against the work table in the middle of the greenhouse. “If you like, I bet we could set you guys up with some seedlings to get you started.” He eyed Rich carefully. “Maybe work out some kind of trade?”

Rich’s expression changed and he slowly shook his head. “What could we possible offer your group? You have everything here.”

Hatcher shrugged. “I was thinking maybe some fish?” He watched as Rich’s eyes widened. “Your people seem to have no difficulty catching all you need. It could be a nice change of pace for us. Another source of protein.”

He slowly nodded. “I’m sure we could do that.” He tucked the notepad back into his shirt pocket. “We’re not positive, but we’re pretty sure they had just restocked the lake when everything went to hell. Our group isn’t big enough to put a dent in the fish population. We are always catching more than we need.” He gave him a crooked grin. “That’s why you saw so much being salted and smoked. Storing up for hard times.”

Hatcher pushed off the table and held his hand out. “For the record, we’d have helped regardless, but I like the idea of setting up a trade system with other survivors. As we find them, I mean.”

“I love that idea.” Rich beamed as he shook his hand. “I appreciate everything.”

“I guess I’ll leave you to your studies. Again, if you need anything…”

“I’ll ask.” Rich waved at him as he left the greenhouse then turned back to stare at the expanse of greenery. “We’ll definitely put it all to good use.”

“I found it!” David O’Dell stood in the doorway of the lower level lab, a huge smile planted across his face. “We don’t need the flowers themselves. We need the seeds.”

“For the psychedelic?” Carol asked as Andre removed his mask and gloves.

“Correct. Specifically, Heavenly Blue varieties. The bad part is, most seeds are coated in a poison that is intended to prevent people from abusing them.”

“What poison?” Andre asked as he dropped the gloves into a trash receptacle.

“Unclear. My sources say that it could be any number of compounds. But the good news is, we can probably wash it off with simple detergent and warm water.”

“Then what?” Carol asked as she stripped her own gloves.

“Then we dry the seeds, pulverize or grind ‘em in a coffee grinder then we’ll have to saturate them with petroleum ether.”

Andre scoffed. “That would kill the subject as well.”

“The ether is just to unbind the LSA. We dry it completely, soak for a few days in alcohol, and that’s it. We can make it as weak or as strong as we like.” He gave the pair an uneasy smile. “The bad part is that it has sedative side effects.”

Andre smiled. “Because making a rabid, attacking human sleepy is a bad thing.” He nodded slowly. “Regardless, we’ll definitely want to test it before we attempt mass production.”

“It sounds like it takes a while to create, though.” Carol added. “And we have to find a source for the seeds.”

Andre pointed to David. “Get with Randy. See if Davis can lend you a man or two for security then hit any and all stores in the area that might have stocked flower seeds. Hopefully, they aren’t covered in mold by now.”

“On it, boss.” David turned and pushed through the steel doors leading to the stairwell.

Carol pulled Andre aside. “You realize what this could mean, don’t you?”

Andre gave her a tight lipped smile. “Oui. But how easy will it be to convince one of these people to stop attacking and have a drink with you?”

“It’s a start.” She straightened the lapel on his white coat. “And if it works, perhaps we can come up with a way to make it injectable.”

Andre raised a brow at the idea. “Like a knock out dart?” He chuckled. “I like that idea. And it would give the military an excuse to shoot at something.”

Carol groaned. “Not all military are trigger happy, my dear.”

“Perhaps.” He kissed the tip of her nose. “We’ll find out, won’t we?” He stepped back and reached for another set of gloves. “We have work to continue, cherie.”

“All work and no play…” she teased.

“We’ll have plenty of time to play later. First, we get these cultures finished and in the incubator.”

Carol sighed as she reached for another pair of gloves. “Do you think this will ever really be over?” She gave him a forlorn look. “I mean, will we ever not have some kind of threat looming?”

He pulled down his mask and opened his mouth to reply but slowly closed it. “I do not know.” He sighed as he tugged the edges back up. “But we can hope.”

Simon paced the small trailer until Veronica grabbed him by the wrist and made him stop. “You’re going to wear a hole in the carpet.”

Simon nodded and quickly sat down, his hands fidgety. “I’m sorry. I can’t help it.” He stared at her eyes and his mind calmed down, the gears slowing until he could concentrate on one thought at a time. “I know what is about to come and I…” he trailed off.

She gripped his hands and held them, her thumb softly stroking his knuckles. “I know what you’re afraid of.”

He looked up at her and shrugged. “Please, go on.”

“You’re afraid you’ll have to hurt Lana.”

He scoffed and fought the urge to smile. “Believe me, that is the furthest thought from my mind.”

She cocked her head to the side. “Then what is it?”

He looked away and swallowed hard. “I don’t want to become who I was before.” He glanced up at her and noted her confusion. “The Simon from before relished the idea of drawing blood.”

“Like you did with Trent and the boys?”

He nodded slowly. “Except the old me would have enjoyed it.” He looked up at her solemnly. “A lot.”

“Then that’s your answer. If you found no joy in it then, you’ll find no joy in it now.”

He smirked and slowly shook his head. “I wasn’t born that way, Vee. I didn’t like it the first time I killed and…” He looked away.

“And what?”

“And it just became easier with each one afterwards. It reached a point where…” He inhaled deeply, buying time to choose the right words. “The time came where people’s lives meant nothing to me.”

“I don’t understand.”

He looked up at her and she saw the shame in his eyes. “Men, women…even children. They meant nothing. They were like pawns on a chess board. If I could advance my agenda, I would gladly sacrifice one or…all of them.”

She nodded, her mind trying to wrap itself around the idea that he could murder a child. “And it’s different now?”

He nodded slowly. “Much different.” He squeezed her hands gently. “I don’t want it to ever be easy. I don’t want to have to do what they’re making me do.”

“Then don’t.” She stood suddenly and planted her hands on her hips.

“But baby, when they come back, they’re gonna be out for blood.” He patted his chest. “MY blood…maybe even your blood.”

“I’m not saying don’t fight back,” she smirked at him. “I’m saying don’t be the one to pull the trigger.”

His face screwed up in confusion. “I don’t follow.”

She pointed out of her window to the other trailers. “You got a lot of other people out there who would go to war with you. Let them.” She leaned closer and lowered her voice. “Place them strategically so that they’ll encounter them first. Let them deal with the bad guys for once.”

Simon sat back and stared at her. “Pass the buck you mean?”

She shook her head and shrugged. “Delegate.”

“There they are, children. All fat and sassy and ready for you to finish the Lord’s work.” Jedidiah pointed down the lonely street. “Just the other side of these walls lie enough of the diseased to keep you fed for weeks.”

He turned and smiled at his army, slowly swaying in the evening sun. It was as though each of them heard a drumbeat that only their infected minds could detect.

“Follow me and be redeemed!” He swung his arm forward and began marching towards the alley beside the target.

As he approached, he slowly raised his hand in the air. “Stop.” He spun and glared at the still approaching army. “Kneel!”

When they all fell to one knee, he turned back and stared at the large sign. It appeared to be hand painted—and sloppily, at that.

“‘We welcome all through our gates. If you can read this’…blah blah blah…explosives?” He stepped closer and squinted at the faded writing. “‘Each improvised explosive device is painted a bright safety orange.’” He leaned to the side and glanced down the darkened alley at all of the bright orange devices.

“Heathens!” he growled as he turned back to the sign. “‘The infected can’t read and won’t realize’…blah blah blah…‘our borders are open on three sides with clear visibility. This alley is the only bind spot so if you choose to approach, use extreme caution.’”

He huffed as he stepped away and glared into the shadows again. “Damn them.”

He pulled the black hat from his head and dabbed at the sweat on his forehead. He planted it firmly again atop his head then turned to his soldiers. “Change of plans, children.” He pointed back the way they came. “We attack from the other side.”

He marched through the gathered throng and when he had broken their ranks he ordered over his shoulder, “Rise!” He heard the group grunt in unison as they came to their feet.

“Come!”

He smirked as the men fell into step behind, following him to the end of the block. “The cleansing will be glorious!”

25

As the sun began to set, Rich slipped out through the back door and approached the wall. He scanned both areas then pulled a two way radio from his bag. “Larry, this is Rich. Do you copy?”

He waited a moment before the radio squelched. “I’m here. What took you so long?”

“There’s a shit ton of people here, man. I have to be careful not to be seen.” He glanced both ways again then hunkered in the tall grass. “This place is a gold mine. You need to let Willie know that Hatcher wasn’t bullshitting.”

“Hot and cold water?” Larry asked.

Rich chuckled as he keyed the radio. “Dude, they even got microwaves.” He settled back and stared over the top of the grass. “They got full electric, televisions, the works.”

“Nobody is broadcasting for the TVs dumbass.” Larry bit back.

Rich rolled his eyes. “Ever hear of DVDs? I’m telling ya, it’s like the world never ended here. And it’s all set up and waiting for us.”

There was a short pause before Larry came back over the radio. “I’ll tell him, but you know he’s gonna want to know their strength. How many people are there?”

Rich sighed. “A lot. And yes, they’re armed to the teeth. They got sentries at the gates and roving patrols to make sure nothing hops the wall. They’re pretty strong on security…”

“Don’t leave me hanging, asshole. What aren’t you telling me?”

Rich keyed the radio again. “To be honest, the few security guys I’ve talked to are fuckin’ stupid. I don’t know if they’d have the guts to pull the trigger.”

“I’ll pass it on. Can you radio again tomorrow? I’ll let you know what Willie says.”

“All I can do is try. Are you settled in okay there?”

“I had to relocate. Those damned mountains made it near impossible to reach Willie and still pick you up.”

Rich cursed quietly. “Where are you now?”

“Piss ant town called Little Dove. I found an old airport to hole up in. The fences are still standing so I think I’m okay for a while.”

“Copy that.” Rich stared up at the darkening sky for a moment. “How far out are you?”

“About a day’s drive from where you are.”

“Okay. I’m gonna wrap this up tomorrow then see about heading your way the day after.”

“Why so soon?”

Rich stared across the grass towards the houses. “Because Willie needs a firsthand account of this place. I can’t do that over the radio.”

“Copy.”

“They’re supposed to take me to their old place and let me check out the set up there tomorrow morning. I’ll have more to report tomorrow night.”

“Be safe, brother. If they get the slightest bit squirrelly, you get your ass out of there.”

“Copy that. Listen for me around sundown tomorrow.”

“Tomorrow.”

Rich heard the radio squelch again and turned his off. He slipped it back into his satchel and stood from the grass.

As he walked back towards the house, he couldn’t be certain if these people were truly that trusting or just stupid. Resources were too limited for folks to simply offer a helping hand. He knew from personal experience that nothing was ever free.

He pushed open the rear gate and entered the yard of Hatcher’s home. He stood in the deepening darkness and watched as the lights began to glow in the scattered houses. He smiled to himself as he pictured settling into a recliner after a hard day, a cold brew in his hand, his favorite movie starting up.

“Yeah.” He stepped onto the patio and reached for the door. “It’s gonna be nice here.”

Broussard stared at the lights as they dimmed and went out. The emergency lights automatically came up and cast the lab in a soft red glow. “I guess that’s it for today, people.” He turned and stripped the gloves from his hands and pulled his mask off. “Tomorrow is a brand new day.”

He waited as the researchers left the lab then pulled the door shut behind him. Carol slipped in beside him. “I’ll be glad when we have steady power.”

“As will I.” He shot her a bemused look. “Unless we all start glowing in the dark because of it.”

“We’ll be much easier to find if we do.” She poked him in the ribs. “You don’t seriously think that the reactor will be a problem, do you?”

He shook his head as he opened the stairwell door. “Not really.” As they began to ascend the steps he admitted, “But we haven’t had the best of luck, all things considered.”

She scoffed as she reached for the landing door. “I beg to differ.” She let it pull closed behind them as they made their way towards the offices. “I think we’ve done remarkably well.”

He paused and gave her a questioning look. “Pray, tell.”

She flopped onto the couch and pulled her legs up under her. “Think about it. The world pretty much ended, but here we are. We saved what little was left of humanity, then we found a way to fix an unforeseen problem with the cure.” She shrugged. “All things considered, I think we’ve been quite fortunate.”

He grunted as he sat next to her. “Always the optimist.”

“Beats being a pessimist.” She pushed at his shoulder playfully.

He gave her a sideways glance then smiled. “I forgot something downstairs.” He snapped his fingers as he came to his feet. “Damn the luck.”

She came up from the couch and stepped in front of him. “I can get it.”

“No, I wouldn’t dream of—”

“I really don’t mind. Besides you’ve been on your feet most of the day.”

“As have you.” He stepped around her and reached for his keys. He paused then turned to her. “Why don’t you accompany me? You can tell me again how lucky we’ve been.”

She chuckled as she followed him out. She prattled on about how different their situation was based entirely on perspective. He half listened as he led her downstairs and towards the cold room. “I take it you’re definitely a glass half full kind of person.”

She planted her hands on her hips and gave him a look that was hard to discern in the low light. “You’re just now figuring that out?”

He nodded slowly as he pulled the door open to the cold room. “So…would this be a half full or half empty situation?” He held the door fully open and shone a flashlight inside.

Carol stepped around him and froze in her tracks. Her hand lifted to her mouth and she stifled a squeal. “Where did you find this?” She practically jumped up and down as she took in the scene.

Andre pulled the door shut behind him and gave her a broad smile. “I asked Lieutenant Davis to procure this for you. I hope it makes you happy.”

She spun and wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him closer for a kiss. “You are the bestest!”

“I hoped it fits.”

She reached toward the stacks of Dr Pepper and pulled a can from the top. She snapped the top open and inhaled deeply of the carbonated bubbles. “It fits PERFECTLY!” She tilted the can back and emptied it.

Andre gave her a surprised look as she crushed the can in her hand and turned to him triumphantly. She opened her mouth wide and belched loudly. “That hit the spot!”

“I can see that.” He took a half step back and watched her grab another can. “You…you’re not planning on drinking them all tonight?”

She laughed as she tucked it into her lab coat pocket. “Of course not.” She turned again and did a quick count. “What…five pallets?”

“I thought if it would save me from having to replace Irene…”

She elbowed him in the ribs just before the sound of quickly approaching feet had them both turning.

“Dr. Broussard!”

He watched as a soldier slid to a stop in front of them. “What’s wrong?”

“Topside, sir. We have a problem.”

Andre slammed the door to the cold room and took off at a trot. “What’s happening?”

“Screamers, sir. Tons of them.” The soldier held to the door to the stairs as the researchers darted through. “Maybe too many!”

Andre huffed as he took the stairs two and three at a time. “Gather the others!” he called to Carol. He ran past the offices and slid to a stop at the glass doors.

“We think the perimeter lights attracted them, sir.” The soldier paused and pointed to the people attempting to climb the outer fences. “There’s gotta be hundreds of them.”

“Nom de Dieu…”

“That’s a helluva story, son.” Hammer bent forward and slipped his leg brace on, pulling the straps tight.

“It’s god’s honest truth,” Simon replied, his eyes probing the other man.

“I’ve no doubt that it’s true.” Hammer sat back and sighed heavily. “But I’ve known Big Tony for…close to twelve years now. What you’re asking is a big ask.”

“I understand that.” Simon glanced to the other old bikers gathered in Hammer’s living room. Most were too old to be worth much in a fist fight, but they were all capable of pulling a trigger. “And if it was just Tony, I’d handle it myself.” He lowered his eyes and sighed. “But the woman he’s with—”

“Your woman,” Hammer interrupted. Simon looked up at him, his mouth opened to argue. “You brought her here. She was clinging to your hip from the moment you stepped out of that fancy rig of yours.” He pointed an accusing finger at him. “You brung her here.”

Simon nodded. “That I did. But in my own defense, that was before I knew she was looney tunes.”

One of the older bikers snorted a laugh. “She’s a female, son. They’s all nuttier than squirrel shit.”

“To a point,” Simon said. He glanced out of the window and noted the setting sun. “Look, if you fellas aren’t game to help me out, that’s fine. I just don’t trust what Lana might convince Tony to do.” He came to his feet and turned for the door. “I’ll just pray that they only come after me.”

“Wait…what are you saying?” Hammer asked.

Simon lowered his head and turned slowly. “When I say she’s crazy, I mean it. She’s the type that if she can’t have ALL the toys, she’ll burn them to the ground so that nobody else can play with them either.” He raised a brow and eyed each man. “I wouldn’t put it past her to do something to the other campers while they slept.”

“Like what?”

Simon swallowed hard. “She has a thing for fire,” he shrugged. “A gallon of gas and a match can do a lot of damage.”

The bikers exchanged glances then slowly began to come to their feet. “Where do you want us?”

Simon pointed out the door. “Up and down the ridge. Any trails you might find leading to here, we should have covered.”

“Where do you intend to be?” Hammer asked.

Simon squared his shoulders. “I’m headed to the main gates. I’m hoping Tony is too lazy to hike the hills.”

Hammer grunted as he used his crutch to lift his large frame from the chair and snatched his walking stick. “It’s getting dark, boys. If we’re gonna head them off, we better get stationed.”

Simon nodded slowly as the men filtered out of the trailer. He stepped in front of Hammer as the man approached the door. “Thank you.”

The old man shook his head. “I ain’t doing this for you, boy. I’m doing this to keep this camp safe.”

Simon shot him a smile. “Maybe you should be the one in charge here.”

Hammer shook his head. “These people don’t need a leader.” He reached past Simon and lifted his hat from the hook by the door. “But they do need protecting.”

Jedidiah felt a swelling of pride as he watched the building burn. The screams had died out a long time ago, and his army was now fed to the point of bursting. He watched the orange flames rise high into the air only to rain glowing embers back upon them.

Some of the soldiers still held chunks of flesh or full limbs in their hands, chewing the raw meat as they watched the show.

Jedidiah turned to them and nodded. “The Lord’s work is done for the night. You men have earned your rest.” He smiled as they stared at him blankly, chewing the flesh of the unclean. “Enjoy your meals, boys.”

He turned back and clapped his hands. “We shall return to our sanctuary and prepare for tomorrow; there you’ll sleep well, lads. You’ve earned it.” He began to march away from the burning structure and the soldiers fell into step behind him.

26

“We were going to wait till morning to come out here, but we can’t reach them on the radios,” Hatcher explained as he drove through the city streets.

Roger turned in his seat. “One of the sentries said he thought he heard a garbled radio call, but wasn’t sure who it was.” He shrugged. “We figured it was better to be safe than sorry.”

“I think you’ll like this place, Rich. There’s still some damage left from the fires, but structurally, the place is sound. There’s not many who decided to stay behind, but I’m sure if some of your people wanted to come up for an extended visit, we could easily let them crash here.” Hatcher turned the Tahoe onto the street that the retirement home was on. “Will saw to all of the repairs before we—”

“Hatcher!” Roger swatted at his arm, pointing. “Look!”

Hatcher slowed the truck and noted the orange glow and smoke rising from where the retirement home was. “Oh, no…”

Goosing the accelerator, he sped along the street, blowing through intersections until he locked up the brakes just outside the main gates. The entire structure had been reduced to smoldering remains. The roof had collapsed into the adobe walls, crushing everything below.

The four men exited the vehicle and Hatcher stepped over the remnant of the main gate. “No…” He felt a lump form in his throat. He turned to Roger, “Check for survivors.”

Buck pushed past the pair and ran through the destroyed front doors. He slid to a stop in the inner courtyard and squinted as his eyes began to water from the acrid smoke. “They didn’t stand a chance,” his voice was a hoarse whisper.

“You said there was still fire damage.” Rich glanced at the ruins. “I’m guessing this isn’t what you meant.”

Hatcher ignored the comment and scanned the area for survivors.

“Hatch,” Roger called, holding a hand over his mouth. “They didn’t get out.”

Hatcher stepped over to where Roger stood and saw the charred remains of a woman. He bent low and lifted the burnt remnants of a door from her form and pushed it aside. “No…this can’t be right.”

Buck stood beside him and his lower jaw quivered as he stared at the corpse. “Those look like bite marks.”

Hatcher bent low and inspected the large chunks missing from her thigh as Roger continued sifting through the debris. “This wasn’t an accident, Hatch.” He held up the charred remains of a torch, the fabric tied to the end still stunk of kerosene.

“Who would…” Hatcher trailed off.

“They were eaten,” Buck reiterated.

Rich held a rag over his mouth and nose. “I thought they had security here.”

Hatcher nodded. “They did.” He picked up a handful of empty shell casings. “They went down fighting.”

Roger gave the others a questioning stare. “Simon?”

Hatcher shrugged. “Who else?” He threw the shell casings into the debris and looked outside the perimeter. “We need to do a slow drive by and see if anybody fled to a surrounding building for safety.”

“Who is Simon?” Rich asked.

“You don’t want to know,” Buck growled as he marched past the trio.

“I’ll tell you in the car.” Hatcher fell into step behind Buck. “And if I ever see the son of a bitch again, I’ll rip his heart out with my bare hands.”

Roger stiffened. “Hatch…if Simon struck here again…” He swallowed hard. “He knew that we were scouting the other place as well.”

“Radio back and tell them to be on high alert. Double the watch.” Hatcher trotted towards the car. “We’ll do a quick drive around the area, then hightail it home.”

Buck climbed into the Tahoe and slammed his door. “Please, let me find him first.”

Andre stared in shocked amazement as scores of people launched themselves at the fence only to fall back into the crowd gathered below. The unlucky few who maintained their grip were caught in the razor wire overhead.

“That’s not gonna hold them for long,” Randy moaned as more people rushed from the surrounding woods.

Andre pushed the door open just as the soldiers opened fire. They began shooting through the chain link fence, killing anything clinging to it or wrapped in the wire above.

Andre felt his guts tighten as the infected ignored the gunshots and continued their full frontal assault. “Please…they’re people!” he cried.

Carol pulled him back towards the glass doors. “We should go inside.” She pulled him around to meet her gaze. “DEEP inside.”

He shook his head, tugging at her grip. “No, they…they could be saved. They don’t…” His voice trailed off as the soldiers slowly backed towards the main structure.

“It’s starting to give!” one of the men yelled.

The researchers watched as the fenced bowed and slowly began to bend inward. Andre pushed the door fully open and stepped out. “Fall back! Lieutenant! Have your men fall back before it’s too late!”

The soldiers either ignored him or couldn’t hear him for the gunfire. He stepped out further and watched in horrid fascination as the fence gave way and a swarm of infected rushed over their compatriots, scrambling up the hill towards the main building.

Soldiers turned and bolted for the doors, some firing wildly over their shoulders at the oncoming mass. Andre turned and ushered the few remaining researchers back inside then held the door as the soldiers darted through.

“Hurry!” He waved them on and watched as one of the furthest men was tackled and engulfed in a sea of rabid people. As the last man shot through the entryway, he pulled the doors shut and kicked the floor anchor into place, securing the door.

Everybody eased back into the shadows as the throng slammed into the doors, hands and faces beating against the glass.

“Please tell me they can’t break that,” Irene asked in a cracking voice.

Lieutenant Davis shook his head. “I think it’s reinforced, but…” He gave Andre a shrug. “I honestly don’t know.”

“Let’s not give them any more reason to try to break through.” Andre stepped back into the hallway and waved the others with him. “To the lower levels. Now. Everybody.”

Davis stood upright and squared his shoulders. “Somebody should stay behind—in case they get through.”

“No, Lieutenant,” Andre barked. “Nobody stays behind. The stairwell doors are steel and we can secure them from the other side.” He stepped forward and glared at the younger officer. “I realize that I am not your superior, but I AM in charge of this facility.” He tugged at the man’s arm. “And I say move it! Now!”

Davis cursed under his breath then entered the stairwell. Carol ushered them all to the lower levels while Andre secured the door. “We stay in here, keep our heads down.”

“For how long?” Davis asked. “It will be morning before we know it, but these new crazies aren’t sensitive to sunlight, are they?”

Andre sighed heavily and leaned against the wall. “We wait as long as it takes.”

Davis stepped around him and pressed his ear to the door. “They’re not going to give up.”

Carol looked to Andre, who slowly shook his head. “We have food. We have water. We can access the power relays from inside. Once we turn the power back on we can observe them from the security office.” He turned slowly to Davis. “We wait them out.”

Davis sighed and ground his teeth. “I’d rather be proactive.”

“I’m sure you would, Lieutenant. But you have neither the manpower nor the ammunition to engage them.”

Davis turned and gave him a smirk. “Not from here I don’t.”

Andre narrowed his gaze. “What are you suggesting?”

Davis snapped his fingers at his men scattered along the stairwell. “Do a weapons check then hit the armory for ammunition.”

“What do you intend, Mr. Davis?” Andre asked solemnly.

“The roof.” He smirked at the older man. “We may not be able to reach those beating on the doors, but we can damned sure thin the herd.”

Simon sat by the gate, silently chewing a blade of grass while his eyes probed the shadows along the road. Every whisper of the breeze or snap of a twig had his eyes locked on the location of the sound. He was actually surprised by all of the noises produced at night in the woods.

He slowly turned his head and tried again to peer through the dense foliage. He knew that the bikers were scattered up and down the hill, but to their credit, he had no idea where they were. He prayed that if he had to move, that none of them would fire on the shadows in the dark.

He leaned back slightly, adjusting his position to allow blood to flow into his lower extremities. If Tony came shooting up the hill at a rate of speed to blow through the gates, he needed to be able to move from the edges and get into firing position.

“You’re a hard man to track in the dark.”

Simon stiffened at the voice and slowly turned his head. “How did you get up here without me hearing you?”

Lana tsk’d at him. “I’m full of surprises.” He slowly nodded and tried to peer past her pale form to see if Tony was somewhere nearby. “Relax, lover. He’s down at the main road.”

“He sent you to do his dirty work then, huh?” She slid from his peripheral view and Simon stiffened, unwilling to turn around to face her.

She chuckled low in her throat and it sounded as though she were moving to either side of him in the darkness. “He’s an even bigger pussy than you are.” He could almost feel her breath on his ear as she whispered to him, “He’s so afraid of you…and I can’t understand why.” Her voice was in his other ear and he fought the urge to spin around on her.

“Why’s that, I wonder? Did you tell him what a badass I am?”

She laughed and it sounded to him as though she were hovering in circles over his head. “He knows your reputation…from before you became a pussy.”

Simon chuckled and shifted his weight, preparing to launch at her if he ever zeroed in on her actual location. “So, you picked the biggest, meanest, dumbest man that you could find and—”

“And had to switch to Tony when that one wouldn’t do his fucking job.” She sneered at him from his right and he turned to face her.

For the slightest moment, he didn’t recognize her. In the dark, her eyes appeared large and black, her teeth looked like they had been sharpened to points behind her narrow lips. “You never thought I was dumb.”

He stared at her until his eyes adjusted and her features seemed to melt into the face he was familiar with.

“You were dumb enough not to embrace your destiny.” She sighed heavily and slid closer. Simon stiffened slightly when her hands caressed his chest. “You and I were supposed to be together forever, Simon. Don’t you remember? You said I was yours.” She pressed against his back and he felt the heat from her body as she wrapped her arms around him.

“I’m guessing you didn’t like that idea too much. You stepped out on me with Big Tony.”

She gave a throaty laugh and tightened her arms around him. “There’s nothing ‘big’ about Tony, believe me.” She extended her legs and wrapped them slowly around his middle. “It was supposed to be me and you forever,” she sighed in his ear. “I was going to be empress, remember?”

Simon lowered his head and sighed heavily. “I’m sorry, Lana. I couldn’t give you what you wanted.” He lifted his head and tried to turn to look at her. “I’m sorry I let you down.”

She shot him a smile that didn’t reach her eyes and he felt a chill run up his spine. “It’s okay, lover.” She leaned forward and kissed his neck. “I got this.”

Simon stiffened when the blade entered his side. She expertly slid it between his ribs and when the hilt was pressed firmly to his flesh, she twisted the blade before jerking it out.

He swung wildly, trying to shove her away as his entire body spasmed. He fell to the side with her legs still wrapped around his middle. His body jerked uncontrollably as he tried to roll over to suck air into his lungs as the burn shot from his groin to his throat.

She giggled as she rolled off of him, kicking him away. She spun the knife in her grip. “Time to cut the head from the snake, lover.”

Simon pulled the pistol from his belt and fired wildly, praying that at least one of the bullets hit home. He rolled to his ruined side and sucked violently for air, his pistol still firing in her general direction.

Simon felt his throat constrict and he coughed a spray of blood into the night air, his hand still instinctively squeezing the trigger on the now empty pistol.

He heard footsteps stomping through the woods, breaking limbs and snapping twigs as they ran. He felt his hand drop beside him, the pistol hitting the soft, moist earth.

His body continued to jerk and spasm as he stared up through the canopy of trees. Pinpricks of light began to swim in his vision, swirling into a van Gogh painting.

His last coherent thought before the world went dark was, What a beautiful night to die.

From the desk of Heath Stallcup

A personal note-

Thank you so much for investing your time in reading my story. If you enjoyed it, please take a moment and leave a review. I realize that it may be an inconvenience, but reviews mean the world to authors…

Also, I love hearing from my readers. You can reach me at my blog: http://heathstallcup.com/ or via email at heathstallcup@gmail.com

Feel free to check out my Facebook page for information on upcoming releases: https://www.facebook.com/heathstallcup find me on Twitter at @HeathStallcup, Goodreads or via my Author Page at Amazon.

About the Author

Heath Stallcup was born in Salinas, California and relocated to Tupelo, Oklahoma in his tween years. He joined the US Navy and was stationed in Charleston, SC and Bangor, WA shortly after junior college. After his second tour he attended East Central University where he obtained BS degrees in Biology and Chemistry. He then served ten years with the State of Oklahoma as a Compliance and Enforcement Officer while moonlighting nights and weekends with his local Sheriff's Office.  He still lives in the small township of Tupelo, Oklahoma with his wife. He steals time to write between household duties, going to ballgames, being a grandfather and the pet of numerous animals that have taken over his home. Visit him at heathstallcup.com or Facebook.com for news of his upcoming releases.

Facebook

Twitter

Also by Heath Stallcup

The Monster Squad Series

Mankind always suspected that he wasn’t alone at the top of the food chain. Since time immemorial, he has had an innate fear of the dark, a fear of the unfamiliar, a fear that something evil lurked just outside his field of vision. Once the sun set and the moon lit the sky, an unfamiliar snap of a twig or rustling of a bush could make the deadliest of men’s blood run cold. Something was out there.

Humanity had spent its time enjoying a peace that can only be had through blissful ignorance. For centuries, stories of things that go bump in the night had been told. When creatures of the night proved to be real, the best of America’s military came together to form an elite band of rapid response teams. Their mission: to keep the civilian populace safe from those threats and hide all evidence of their existence.

Caldera

For years, the biggest threat Yellowstone was thought to offer was in the form of its semi-dormant super volcano. Little did anyone realize the threat was real and slowly working its way to the surface, but not in the form of magma. Lying deep within the bowels of the earth itself, an ancient virus waited.

Recently credited with wiping out the Neanderthals, the virus is released within the park and quickly spreads. Can mankind prevent a second mass extinction? Can humanity survive the raging cannibals that erupt from within?

Whispers

How does a sheriff’s department from a small North Texas community stop a brutal murderer who is already dead and buried?

When grave robbers disturb the tomb of Sheriff James ‘Two Guns’ Tolbert searching for Old West relics, a vengeful spirit is unleashed, hell bent for blood. Over a hundred years in the making, a vengeful spirit hunts for its killers. If those responsible couldn't be made to pay, then their progeny would.

Even when aided by a Texas Ranger and UCLA Paranormal Investigators, can modern-day law enforcement stop a spirit destined to fulfill an oath made in death? An oath fueled by passion from a love cut down before its time?

Forneus Corson

Nothing comes easy and nothing is ever truly free. When Steve Wilson stumbles upon the best-kept secret of history’s most successful writers, he can’t help but take advantage of it. Little did he know it would come back to haunt him in ways he’d never have dreamt… even in his worst nightmares.

With his life turned upside down, his name discredited, his friends persecuted, the authorities chasing him for something he didn’t do, Steve finds himself on the run with nothing but his wits and his best friend by his side. When a man finds himself hitting rock bottom, he thinks there’s little else he can do but go up… unless he’s facing an evil willing to dig the hole deeper. An evil in the business of pitting men against odds so great, they risk losing their very souls in the attempt to escape…

Flags of the Forgotten

What do you do when you’ve devoted your life to working for the government, then that very same government turns on you?

You take the fight to them.

It’s just another day at the office for Bobby Bridger and his cohorts when they are used as scapegoats. Follow along as this rag-tag group of operators attempt to stay one step ahead of their pursuers.

From the heart of Texas to Pakistan to the very bowels of the CIA, these boys know how to play hard, fast and dirty.

Hunter Trilogy

Born of Viking stock, careered into the Swedish Navy, Sven Ericsson finds himself in the fabled New World. Away from the restraints of society, the young Northman is dragged into long nights of debauchery; nights that lead him into the waiting arms of a dark beauty that will change his very nature forever.

Fighting his new unnatural status, Sven steers clear of humanity, skulking along the fringe of society, and filling his inhuman need with the blood of the outcasts or the easily forgotten. A shadow among the shadows...until extraordinary events, centuries later, force him to emerge from the dark. A mishap of his own making pits Sven Ericsson into a moral quandary that will remind him what it means to be a warrior.

He is a killer. A fighter. A Hunter of his own kind.

Sinful

Charlie Johnson is your average American teenager. He’s a good student, he’s a good son, his girlfriend is the love of his life. He’s a nice kid. Charlie also murders people for their sins. A serious car accident leaves Charlie comatose and when he comes to, he suffers from visions of unspeakable horror that keep him awake at night. He soon discovers that when he touches people, he can sense their evil and see their greatest sins. Some crimes are too terrible to describe. Some crimes are too terrible to go unanswered. Some crimes can be averted…but only if you’re willing to step into that world.

For a refreshing change of pace, check out JJ Beal’s exciting Young Adult Zombie thriller.

Lions & Tigers & Zombies, Oh My!

The cold war has heated up again. This time the battle will be fought in every street of America.

Trapped in a major city, hours from their small town country home, a team of young girls find themselves cut off from everyone they know and left to fend for themselves as the world spins out of control.

With nothing but their wits, their softball equipment and their friendship to hold them together, they face incredible odds as they fight their way across the state. Physical, emotional and psychological challenges meet them at every turn as they struggle to find the family they can’t be sure survived. How much more can they endure before reaching the breaking point?

Also From DevilDog Press

Zombie Fallout By Mark Tufo

Zone Of The Damned by Luke Ahearn

Voodoo by Brandon Scott

All That Remain By Travis Tufo

Prey By Tim Majka

Redemption & Revenge By Nicholas Catron

Customers also bought