by Dawn, M. K.
Gus placed the binoculars on the platform beside his feet. “Don’t need those anymore. They just rounded the last turn. Should be here any minute now.”
“The plan still to follow their lead?” Brizzi had suggested they come up with something more concrete, but Britney didn’t want to be the instigator if these people were hostile.
“Yes.” Britney had moved between the two men at Gus’ request as a way to present her as the one in charge. But Britney suspected he felt like she would be safer sandwiched by two soldiers, not that she argued. The entire situation scared the crap out of her. “Keep your weapons lowered. I don’t want to start a fight.”
“What if they start one?” Brizzi asked.
She jerked her head to face him. “Then, we finish it.”
Brizzi rotated his baseball cap so the bill pointed backward. “You sure you’re up for this?”
“Yes.” Like she had a choice.
“Here they come.” Gus removed his handgun from its holster and held it steady against his hip.
The first truck passed, followed by several more. Each had the blood-red cross painted on the passenger door.
Britney leaned into Gus. “Why aren’t they stopping?”
“I don’t know,” he said with the same shakiness she heard in her own voice.
Brizzi jutted his chin in the direction the vehicles headed. “Looks like they’re slowing down.”
“I think I see why.” In the middle of the convoy, between the rusted-out trucks and beat up cars, was a black Mercedes that could have been driven off the lot.
The Mercedes stopped in front of the gate, and a slew of armed men and women from the surrounding vehicles jumped out. They formed a human box four people deep and four across that spanned from one end of the car to another. A wall of people ready to protect whoever waited inside.
The driver of the sedan stepped out and rounded the vehicle. Two of the guards parted, allowing the driver to pass as if they’d done this before. The driver paused at the back door and knocked on the window twice.
Britney couldn’t take her eyes off the sight before them. It looked like a scene from a cheesy mob movie.
The driver waited another thirty seconds before opening the door. Britney counted. It was the only way she knew to keep her mouth from saying something stupid.
A man emerged dressed all in black expect for the red cross embroidered on his shirt. With his yellow-tinted aviators, man bun, and scruffy beard, he didn’t have the appearance of someone who commanded this amount of loyalty.
“Hello, there, fellow humans. I am David.” The man spoke with a preacher’s voice—the Billy Graham voice— and a heavy Southern accent. “We are the Children of the Apocalypse.”
Brizzi snorted and mumbled, “Fucking fabulous.”
“Shh,” Britney scolded before addressing David. “It’s nice to meet you, David. I’m Britney, and this is Gus and Brizzi. How can we help you?”
David walked between his armed guards, as if on stage. “This is a nice place you have here, my dear. Secure. How many acres do you have hidden behind your wall? Seems to go on forever.”
“We have a few.”
David raised his eyebrows. “Got lots of people to protect, I suppose. Bet you have a nice house, some animals. A garden, perhaps.”
Did he really think she would give him details about their homestead? He couldn’t be that stupid. “How can we help you?”
“Thought you might have some room in the inn for my flock.”
“You’re looking for shelter?” Britney kept her face emotionless. “For how many? And how long?”
Brizzi looked to her, but she kept her eyes on David.
“Well, I guess that depends,” David said with a smile.
Britney tilted her head, confused by what he meant by that. “Depends on what?”
David brought his palms together in front of his chest and glanced skyward. “What Our Savior has planned. You see, He brought us here, to your front door, knowing you could help us.”
“God brought you here?” Britney chose her words carefully. “And how did He do that?”
David raised his hands above his head. “When I sleep, He speaks to me. Tells me the direction we should go. Provides images of the places we are meant to save.”
“Save?” Britney’s grip tightened around her rifle. “I’m sorry, David. I believe you’re mistaken. This is not the place you and your people were meant to find.”
“Maybe if I told you a little more about our congregation, you’d find it in your heart to reconsider.”
“I don’t—”
“As I said,” he interrupted, “we are the Children of the Apocalypse. The chosen survivors. Where we go, no monsters dare follow. We are immune to this plague; bitten but never turned. God speaks through me, saves through me. Join us and we guarantee salvation.”
“And if we don’t join you?” Brizzi asked. “Then what?”
David chuckled. “I like you, friend. You speak your mind when no others dare. But we are what we say we are.”
“You didn’t answer my question.” Brizzi shifted his gun in his hand.
Britney thought about telling him to hush again, but she had the same concern and wanted to hear what David had to say.
“We are not here to force salvation onto anyone, only to offer. If you don’t take it, well, may God have mercy on your soul.”
Goosebumps pricked Britney’s skin. She wanted them gone. Now. “Thank you, David, for your kind offer, but we will have to decline.”
“Let me ask you something, Britney.” David clasped his hands in front of him. “Are you a God-fearing woman?”
Gus stepped forward, his shins bumping up against the small lip of the wall. “We appreciate you stopping by and offering to save us, but we’ve managed this long without your help. We’ll keep on managing long after you’re gone.”
David raised his hands in defense. “I did not mean any disrespect. Our Savior would have smitten us if we did not stop and make the offer.”
“Offer heard but declined.” Gus gestured to the right, toward Myrefall. “Best be on your way.”
***
Britney sat in her dimly lit dining room, tracing the rim of her tea mug with her fingers. She couldn’t get over her encounter with David and the Children of the Apocalypse.
They had left without auguring. Even bid them good fortune. But something about the way David phrased the things he said left her stomach in knots.
“What are you doing sitting in the dark all by yourself?”
Britney didn’t have to turn around, she would recognize Angie’s voice anywhere. “Thinkin’.”
Angie lit the candles centered on the table and took a seat. “About those crazy bastards?”
“Yeah.”
They hadn’t told everyone about the encounter, only a select few; Angie being one of them since she was still pissed about lunch being ruined.
“You don’t think this is the last we’ve seen of them?”
“No.” Britney picked at her nails. “But maybe I’m being too cynical. They could just be a simple congregation, crazy as hell, but harmless and I turned them away.”
“Girl, there ain’t nothing harmless about a cult.”
“We don’t actually know they were a cult.”
Angie laughed. “From what you told me, sounds like they checked off all the boxes.”
“True, but what if that’s just the way they handle bein’ out there all alone? I mean, if we didn’t have this place, I don’t know how I would act. Or what I would believe.”
“Pretty sure you wouldn’t be knocking on people’s door telling them you’re some damn savior who talks to God and can’t be infested.”
Britney took a sip of her already cold tea. “No, pretty sure I wouldn’t take it that far.”
Angie patted her hand. “You did the right thing, turning them away. We have a good group of people here. Honest, hard-working people we can trust. Maybe it’s time t
o start thinking about closing our walls to anymore outsiders. The last time we let people in, we got Jerry. Lord knows we can’t handle anymore Jerrys.”
Britney laughed. As much as they ragged on the poor man, he was a good guy, and they’d come to care for him. Even though he drove them crazy. “I just didn’t want us to be those people, you know. Turning the needy away. Leaving them to fend for themselves. I always hated that about apocalypse shows. The loss of humanity.”
“There ain’t a soul here that has lost their humanity, including you. But there comes a point where we have to look after our own. We barely got enough resources to take care of ourselves.”
“You’re right.” Britney yawned again. “I’ll bring it up at the next council meeting.”
Angie studied her face. “When’s the last time you got a good night’s sleep?”
Britney couldn’t remember that far back. “It’s been a while.”
“What if I sleep in the kids’ room tonight? That way, you can close the door, shut out the world, and sleep knowing that someone was right there looking out for them.”
“I couldn’t ask you to do that.”
Angie crossed her arms over her ample bosom. “I know you’d never ask, that’s why I’m offering. Actually, it’s no longer an offer, I’m now telling you what’s going to happen. Now go to bed.”
Britney didn’t bother arguing. When Angie set her mind to something, there was no changing it. “Thanks. They’re already asleep. There are some extra blankets and pillows in the hall closet. And a foam mat.”
“I know where everything is.” Angie shooed her toward the stairs. “Go give them one last kiss goodnight, like you always do, and I’ll be right behind you.”
Britney hurried upstairs and tip-toed into their room. They each had their own twin bed now, though some nights, she’d come in to find them snuggled together on the floor. She gave them each a light kiss on the forehead and left.
Angie waited in the hall, her arms full of bedding.
“Need some help?”
“I got it.” Angie scooted past her. “Bed. Now.”
Britney lumbered into her bedroom and closed the door, something she hadn’t done in ages. Exhaustion washed over her, and she collapsed on her bed. After kicking off her shoes, she wiggled out of her jeans and threw them on the floor. The last to come off was her bra. Not a chance in hell she was sleeping in that uncomfortable thing.
Lying on top of her bed in just a tank top and panties, she felt vulnerable. If there were an emergency, she would have to take the time to dress before leaving her room.
Unable to deal with that sort of anxiety, she hurried to her dresser and found a pair of comfortable shorts and slipped them on.
Much better. Back in bed, she buried herself under the covers and made herself push away all the bad thoughts that tried to force their way in. Tonight, she was going to get some damn sleep.
CHAPTER SEVEN
Sloan’s stomach rolled as she watched Archer pace in front of OR-1. He raged when Axel had called him and explained the situation. The climb up to the third flood didn’t seem to ease his anger in the slightest.
Sloan had tried to pull him aside to reason with him. Explain that it wasn’t Axel’s fault, that he had followed her through the locked door in order to keep her safe. But he wouldn’t hear it, said they would speak about it later, and proceeded to stomp around the hall.
“We should go.” Archer paced as he spoke. “Leave the generator, the gas cans, leave it all.”
Axel glanced at Sloan then back at Archer. “That’s some good equipment in there. You don’t think we should take it?”
“Whatever these people are doing here, I don’t want any fucking part of it.” Archer stopped long enough to take another look in the OR window. “We don’t even know if those infested are alive. What if we go in and stir them? I count twenty, at least. We might be good, but I don’t want to risk it.”
“I believe they’re dead,” Sloan said. “And have been for a while.”
Archer glared. “Do you, now? Want to explain to me how you can be so sure without any damn light?”
“I know you’re angry, but that doesn’t mean you should disregard my expert opinion on the matter.”
“Why do you care?” Archer deepened his tone. “What does it matter if some psychopaths want to play doctor with the infested?”
“It matters if they’re doing something that might affect those they come in contact with.” Sloan pinched the bridge of her nose. “It may not seem like it, but this is very close to our farm. Look how far we’ve ventured from home to find supplies. These people are probably having to do the same.”
Archer stroked the scruff on his chin. “Wait here. Do not open that door until I get back. Understand?”
Sloan nodded. “Yes.”
With Archer out of earshot, Sloan turned to Axel. “I’m sorry. I never meant to get you in any trouble.”
Axel shrugged. “I know it seems like it at times, but he’s not actually my boss. Not like he can fire me or anything.”
A sudden lightness washed over her. “Thank you. I’ll talk to him and explain everything. Make sure he doesn’t blame you.”
“It’s fine, Sloan. Trust me. Sure, Archer’s mad now, but it’s only because he cares. It’ll blow over. Especially if no one dies.” Axel shot her a little wink. “That always helps.”
Before Sloan had a chance to reply, Archer returned with Smith and Shifter following close behind.
“Is this really necessary?” Sloan’s eyes bounced between Smith and Shifter. “With everyone here, there’s no one watching our vehicle. What if someone steals it?”
Shifter cracked his neck. “We haven’t seen a living person this entire trip. Probably haven’t seen anyone in six months. I think our stuff will be okay for a couple of minutes.”
“Well, someone’s been here recently,” Axel said. “And could be back at any moment. Definitely would be nice to have some warning if they did.”
“Enough,” Archer barked. “We either go in this room five strong, or we don’t go in at all.”
Sloan moved closer to Archer and grasped his forearm. As quiet as she could, she whispered, “Please be reasonable. We need a lookout.”
“No.” Archer’s muscles tensed under her touch. “That room is full of infested. Maybe they’re dead and we’ll be able to wander around the room. But what if they’re not and they attack? I’m not willing to risk the lives of my friends and the woman I love on a maybe. Got it?”
Sloan bobbed her head.
“Thank you. Now, please get behind Axel while I open this door.”
She thought it best not to argue, opting to do as he asked.
“Shifter, Smith, you take the right of the room. Axel and I will take the left. We circle around and meet in the middle. Flashlights and guns ready.”
Sloan removed her pistol from its holster and whispered to Axel, “Do I just follow you since my name wasn’t called?”
“Guess waiting in the hall isn’t an option?” Axel said with a chuckle.
“Stay behind Axel, Slash,” Archer ordered.
At least he wasn’t ordering her to remain in the hall.
“Smith, the door on my count. Three, two, one.”
Smith swung open the door, and Archer entered. The rest followed, with Sloan hovering toward the back.
As Sloan passed into the darkness, all her other senses heightened. She could hear the shuffling of boot against tile, the others’ heavy breath. Entering a room with so many infested had everyone on edge.
“Found a light,” Archer called out in the darkness.
The sudden influx of light pained Sloan’s unadjusted corneas. She squinted in an attempt to adapt to the imitation light she was no longer accustom to.
“What the fuck!” The uncharacteristic shock in Shifter’s voice left Sloan breathless.
Sloan forced her eyes open and gasped. Chained to the wall, inches from her face, hung the body of a de
ceased infested.
Archer caught her in his arms as she stumbled backward. “Sure you don’t want to wait in the hall? It only gets worse.”
“Nothing could be worse than opening your eyes and being face to face with an infested.”
“Want to make a bet?” Archer rotated her around.
Sloan grabbed Archer’s arm. They initially believed there only to be about twenty infested inside, but they were wrong. Along the far wall of the room, infested were lined up and stacked three high. On the right, sat a refrigeration system, still operational, the lights and low humming indicating as much. But that wasn’t the most disturbing part. Behind the transparent refrigerator doors stood rows upon rows of jars. In those jars: the black substance—the black goo—that was the infested.
“Everyone out!” Archer ordered, shoving them toward the door. “We need to leave.”
“Wait a minute.” Axel paused just outside the door. “What about the gasoline? And the generator? We need both back at the farm.”
Archer continued to corral them out of the OR wing. “It’s not worth it. We got what we came here for, and it’s time we get the hell out of here.”
“Both of those items are on the list,” Axel argued. “And we didn’t find them anywhere else.”
“Whatever we stumbled across here, I don’t want any part of it.” Archer led them down the stairs. “Leave their shit and maybe they won’t realize we’ve been here.”
“We’ve taken a great deal of medical supplies.” Sloan followed close at Archer’s heel. “Don’t you think they’ll notice?”
Archer open the door to the outside. “I hope not. Everyone load up.”
Sloan paused, movement from her peripheral vision catching her eye. She scanned the surrounding area but saw nothing.
“Get in, Slash.” Archer’s hand brushed the small of her back. “Everyone is waiting.”
“Sorry.” Sloan took another few seconds to ensure she hadn’t actually seen something. “I thought I saw movement off to the left.”
Archer removed his rifle from his shoulder and lifted the scope to his eye. “I don’t see anything. Maybe a small animal? Or an insect flying by?”
