“Yeah, well, it was my idea, so don’t get mad at her about it.”
“Nobody’s mad,” said Hannah. “As long as you’re both okay. She is okay, right?”
“She’s more than okay. She’s great.” As if on cue, he spotted her coming toward them, carrying two trays. “Here she comes.”
They turned as Celine approached. She slowed down under the sudden scrutiny and offered an embarrassed smile. “Hey, guys.”
“Hey,” said Hannah. “You look good.”
Celine’s smile widened. “Really?”
“Yeah,” said Chris, coming over to take the trays from her. “You do.” She really did. As beautiful as she’d been before, now she looked vibrant in a way he hadn’t seen, with color in her cheeks and her hair loose in a wild mane of fiery curls. She looked truly alive, and he liked her this way.
And if the feelings flooding through him were any indication, like was only the tip of the iceberg.
“Come on,” he said, turning back toward his mom. “Let’s eat. I know you’re starving.”
“Not terribly. I devoured a roll before I even made it to the end of the line.”
Chris set their trays down and took his seat just in time to see the doc smile. “The sooner we can go on a supply run, the better,” he said to Hannah.
Celine didn’t seem to notice. She dug in hungrily. Chris sat back and watched her, smiling, while his mom aired her opinions of everything that had happened that long morning. Chris picked up his fork and began to eat, satisfied with his life for the first time since he’d regained it.
THIRTY
THE INFIRMARY PROVED a much better location for both Alek’s lab and his vaccination clinic. With the last of the waiting vampires having received the antiserum, he and Hannah turned their attention to making more.
“My turn.” She plunked herself on the nearest cot and rolled up her sleeve. Alek swabbed the crook of her elbow and dexterously inserted a needle into her vein. “We need to ask others to donate,” he said while her blood filled the first of several small vials. “I think both of our veins need a break.”
“That would sure speed things up.”
“It would also help if we had more than one centrifuge. We should look for one when we go out on a supply run. We could also use more vials and syringes. A lot more.”
“How much serum do you plan to make?”
“As much as we can.” He capped off the last vial and laid it on the counter next to the others before removing the needle and pressing a piece of cotton in its place.
She held the cotton there without needing to be told. “Have you thought about how we spread this stuff beyond our camp?”
“Some. The Council’s still due their share of this camp’s blood draw. We could lace it with the cure, but that’ll tip our hat. I’m not sure we’re ready for the reprisals that would bring.”
“It would almost be worth it to take them by surprise. That doesn’t take care of the other camps, though. How do we get the vaccine to them?”
“That, I’m still considering.” He tore off a strip of tape and secured the cotton in place. “I don’t suppose you have any ideas.”
“Short of breaking in? Disguising some of us and sending us out as fugitives to get caught?”
“We could go back to the base. We’d have weapons, fuel... Ned and Burell could train more tank drivers. Then we pick a camp and attack it head on.”
“You really think that might work?”
He shrugged. “We should put all our ideas on the table.”
“I have an idea.”
Julia stood in the doorway. Alek pulled off his gloves and tossed them in the trash. “I take it the other vampires are still refusing the cure?”
Julia pursed her lips as she came toward them. “Their exact words were, ‘shove the cure up your ass, you traitorous bitch.’ And then they proceeded to describe what Balthazar will do to me when he gets ahold of me.” She studied her manicured nails. “They’re not wrong.”
“Then we don’t let that happen,” said Alek. “What’s your idea?”
She looked at him and folded her arms. “The New Orleans camp is run by, shall we say, an old friend.”
“How good a friend?” asked Hannah. Julia simply looked at her. “Oh. That kind of friend.”
“Yes, well. He might be won over. I thought I should pay him a visit.”
“Alone?” Alek didn’t like that idea. Even if he trusted her enough to send her alone, which he didn’t, he’d promised to protect her.
“Of course not. I would lead a delegation. That would be more respectful of his station. Besides, I hardly want to enter the lion’s den alone if I’m wrong about how receptive he’ll be.”
Alek nodded as he mulled it over. “We’ll have to see if any of the choppers have enough fuel to make it there and back.”
“The helicopters should stay, regardless. You might need to get everyone out quickly. We’ll go by truck. The trip should only take a few days, depending on how clogged the roads are.”
Alek studied her, not convinced this was a good idea. “Are you sure you’re up to this?”
Julia glanced at Hannah.
“He didn’t tell me,” she said. “I overheard. Don’t worry. Nobody will hear about it from me.”
Julia’s gaze flicked ceilingward in exasperation, but only briefly. She heaved a sigh. “I feel fine. Perhaps you were right to be optimistic.”
“Be pretty awesome if our serum cures cancer, too,” said Hannah.
Alek flashed her a brief smile. “Or halts it, at any rate.” He nodded to Julia. “How certain are you that your friend will help us?”
She went back to looking at her nails, affecting a look of boredom. “He once professed to worship me.” She spoke with no hint of arrogance, simply stating a fact. “Though not as much as he worshipped human invention. He loved technology and would do just about anything for a working internet. Immortality will have no attraction for him if it means eternal boredom.”
Alek looked at Hannah, who appeared to share his skepticism. But he knew she also shared his desperation for a workable plan. This one had potential. She gave him a slight shrug that said it was his decision.
“All right. Put together a team. You can leave tomorrow morning, after we clear a path.”
“Very well.” Julia turned to go.
Alek settled on the cot next to his wife. Once Julia was out of earshot, he asked, “What do you really think?”
“I think it’s a major long shot.”
He sighed. “Yeah. So do I.”
“But if we could get another entire camp cured and vaccinated, without having to fight them? If there’s a chance, I think we have to take it.”
He looked at her and smiled. “Yeah. So do I.”
Hannah returned his smile. “Your delusional optimism is catching, Doctor. Do you have a cure for that?”
“That’s one virus that would do well to spread.” He stood and gathered up the vials he’d filled with her blood. “We’d better get started on this serum. They’ll need plenty to take with them.”
TAKING INVENTORY OF the riot gear and body armor wasn’t the most exciting task, but after all the excitement of the last few days, Celine was ready for some tedium. Besides, having Chris as her assistant helped the time go faster, if not the actual chore.
“Here are two more helmets with face guards,” he called down from his perch on the ladder that leaned against a set of tall utility shelves in the equipment room. “And three more armored vests.”
Celine jotted the numbers on her clipboard, looking up right as Chris leapt down and landed gracefully in front of her. “And here’s one more of these.” He gripped her hips and pulled her close. Celine giggled as she leaned against him, the clipboard smashed against her breast as she returned his kiss. She pushed him away and gave him a stern look.
“Focus, Mister. We’ve still got an entire wall of equipment over there to count.”
“Yeah, I k
now.” He took the clipboard and pen from her hands and set them on a stack of boxes nearby. “And we’ve got all day to count them.” He looked around. “We’ve also got this whole big closet all to ourselves.” He turned his gaze back on her and bit his lip suggestively.
Celine wrinkled her nose. “You know, you’re all sweaty and coated with dust and cobwebs.”
He frowned and looked down at his grimy arms.
“Tell you what.” Celine retrieved the clipboard. “How about we stay focused and get done here, and then we can both go hit the showers?”
He lifted his head. “The showers, huh?”
She nodded, smiling. “The ones probably nobody’s using this time of day.”
He made a show of thinking this over. “Yeah. Yeah, I think I’m on board with that plan.”
Laughing, Celine grabbed the front of his jumpsuit and pulled him down for another kiss. “Back to work,” she told him. He picked up the ladder and carried it over to the other wall of shelves, and she followed.
“Sorry to interfere with your plan,” said a voice from the doorway. Celine stiffened at the sound of it, and turned to see Julia standing there, arms folded, leaning against the jamb.
“Were you watching us?”
Julia looked insulted by the question. “I could not be less interested in your liaisons.” She straightened and came into the room. “I have a job for you.”
Celine glanced back at Chris, who set the ladder down and came over to them. She turned back to Julia. “What is it?”
“I’m leading a delegation to the New Orleans camp.”
“Why?” asked Chris.
Julia’s gaze barely flicked toward him, as though a slight annoyance unworthy of acknowledgement. She addressed Celine. “The leader there may join us willingly. And if not... well.” She pursed her lips in a rueful smile. “Your gift of subterfuge might prove useful. One way or another, we will deliver enough serum there to get things started.”
“You want me to come with you?” Celine asked, and Julia nodded. A weight settled over Celine as her happiness bubble deflated around her. Was this it? Was this the retribution she’d been expecting? “Why?”
“Because I intend to leave that camp alive. Having you there will improve my odds.”
Celine folded her arms. “Let me guess. You plan to throw me to the wolves while you make your getaway?”
Julia seemed almost amused by the suggestion. “You bested me,” she said. “That makes you the best. Is that not reason enough to want you on my team?”
Celine’s bubble regained some air, but she wouldn’t let Julia’s flattery go to her head. Before she could say anything, Chris spoke up.
“Does the doc know about this plan?”
She still didn’t look at him. “He agrees it’s a chance worth taking. I’ll tell you what. If it will make you feel better, you put together the rest of the team.”
“I’m in,” said Chris.
This time, Julia fixed him with her gaze. “This is a dangerous mission, boy, and an important one. It’s no place for a child.”
Drawing himself up to his full height, Chris took a step closer to Julia. “Good thing I’m not a child, then, isn’t it?”
Celine held up a hand and looked at Julia, considering. “Chris goes. Reynolds, too.”
Julia looked back at her and nodded. “Very well. We will also take Stephens.”
Celine lowered her hand. “Stephens? Why?”
“Because he is loyal to me, that’s why.”
“Loyal to you, or to the Council?”
Julia let out a little laugh and shook her head. “You destroyed any possibility that loyalty to the Council could benefit him. Stephens is no fool. He knows our best chance for survival is to spread this cure far and wide as soon as possible.” She glanced back at Chris, then nodded to Celine. “Assemble the team and prepare a vehicle. We’ll leave in the morning.” With that, she left.
“Do you think this is some kind of trap?” asked Chris.
“I don’t know. But I don’t trust her.” She looked up at him. “And with Stephens along we’ll definitely want to watch our backs.”
He seemed to consider her a moment. He reached out and tucked a loose curl behind her ear. “With me there we can watch each other’s backs.” He grinned. “It’s more fun that way.”
Celine smiled despite her misgivings. She pointed toward the back wall with her pen. “Let’s get this inventory done, then we’ll go find Reynolds and Stephens.”
With a sigh, he returned to the ladder. “I guess this means the showers are out,” he said as he climbed.
“Maybe,” she said. “Let’s just say they’re postponed.” He looked down at her, and she flashed him a grin. She didn’t feel as confident as she pretended, but damn it, she was determined to restore her happiness bubble, and to keep it inflated for as long as possible. Even if only for one more day.
THIRTY- ONE
HANNAH BUTTONED HERSELF into the black fatigues favored by the vampires. She felt strange, like everything was topsy-turvy, and yet also being put right again. It was disorienting.
She buckled on a utility belt and looked over at Alek, engaged in conversation with Captain Burell. Seeing him in the black was nothing new. He’d been wearing them the day he’d rescued her from this place, whisking her and Noah away by helicopter to their new life.
She remembered the uncertainty she’d felt as she climbed into that helicopter, making the choice to trust him. She felt that same uncertainty now as they got ready to face the shamblers, while Julia and a crew that included Hannah’s friends prepared to leave on their crazy mission.
All those months ago, fleeing the confines of the prison and Esme’s vendetta against her, she never imagined they’d return, let alone that they’d end up running the place. That they’d be at the forefront of a revolution.
Who the hell knew what the next few months would bring? She sure didn’t. It didn’t do any good to speculate. She only wanted to get through this day alive.
And then the one after that.
Alek finished with Burell and came toward her. With his buzz cut, the fatigues made him look more militaristic than ever. Until he grinned, ruining the effect.
“I take it things went well on the wall?” she asked as she hooked a holster onto her belt.
“Burell’s rifle team cleared most of the shamblers from the immediate vicinity of the wall, making a way for Julia’s team. They left five minutes ago. Burell thinks they took out close to a thousand. But there are more out there, scattered.” He eyed her sidearm as she tucked it into the holster. “I’m thinking we stick with knives, if we can get at them one on one. Only resort to firearms when necessary. That’ll mean everyone has to get up close, but—”
“But we’re all immune, and we need to conserve our ammo for the bigger enemy.” She nodded. “As long as the shamblers don’t swarm up on us, knives should be fine.”
“We’ll go out in teams of three, to better our odds. As much as I’d love to have you on my team, I need you out there leading one of your own.”
“Right. Just watch your back, okay? I won’t be able to watch it for you.”
“Same goes for you.” He placed a hand on the small of her back and leaned in to kiss her on the temple. “Be careful out there.”
She touched his cheek. “You too.” She placed a lingering kiss on his lips and then turned back to her equipment as he went to inform the others of their plan.
Suited up and armed, Hannah headed into the lunchroom where everyone waited. Paula stood off to the side, holding Noah. Hannah took the baby from her. “You be good for Auntie Paula, Boo.” She cuddled him a moment and kissed the top of his head before handing him back. “How are you doing?”
Paula bounced the baby and pasted on a smile, but it didn’t hide the worry in her eyes. “I don’t know why he had to be included on that trip. But if he wasn’t, then he’d be heading outside with y’all instead, so I guess I’d be worried either way.
”
Hannah gave her arm a reassuring squeeze. “I’m sure they’ll be fine. And if they actually convert the New Orleans camp, Chris’ll come back a hero.”
“I don’t care if he’s a hero. As long as he comes back.”
Hannah smiled, but didn’t offer any empty reassurances. As much as she wanted to promise that Chris and the others would return, she could guarantee no such thing. She ruffled the fuzz of hair coming in on Noah’s head, then turned to the crowd and went to select her team.
Moments later, she stood shoulder to shoulder with Tim and the rabbi, each of them holding knives at the ready as they waited for the outer doors to open. A metallic thunk filled the corridor, and then daylight spilled in. Hannah squinted and lowered the visor on her helmet as the column moved forward, through the prison gate and beyond.
They climbed over piles and piles of lifeless bodies as they made their way into the field surrounding the prison. The stench made Hannah gag, and for a moment she thought she might be sick. Beyond the fallen, hundreds more roamed aimlessly, but they were taking notice of the long line of living people moving toward them.
Alek’s team was the first to clear the mass of dead bodies. “Don’t let them swarm up!” he shouted as he raised his knife and ran at the nearest shambler. The other members of his team followed suit, and behind them, Burell and his team rushed into the fray.
Soon Hannah and her team reached the field. “Two o’clock!” she called, directing them toward a small group of shamblers coming together to their right. The closest lunged at her as she reached it, teeth blackened with rot doing their best to find purchase. The tip of her blade found its way into an empty eye socket, plunging into rotting brain matter with hardly any resistance. The shambler fell, and another quickly took its place. The rabbi’s blade caved in its skull, and it, too, fell.
They didn’t stop to congratulate each other, but kept moving. Hannah fell into a rhythm. Grab. Stab. Turn. Do it again. They’re easier to kill, she thought. Whatever animated them didn’t keep them from decomposing. Their decayed flesh resisted her knife about as much as soft butter.
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