“How many are there?”
Greene shook his head. “Not as many as we’d hoped. There are five other people in the transport vehicle now. About two hundred total at camp.”
“How long will we be there?” Dan asked.
“We’re still sorting this thing out, as you can imagine,” Greene said. “But we’ll give you news when we can.”
Dan opened his mouth to speak, but was hit with a wave of dizziness.
“You’ve been through a lot, Officer Lowery. Try to relax. We’ll reunite you with Quinn as soon as medical is through,” Greene assured him. “We’ll have more treatment and supplies at the camp.”
Dan nodded. The man asked him a few more questions, and Dan answered to the best of his ability. Once they’d finished, the man told him he’d be moving to the transport vehicle. “Everything’s under control, Officer. The worst of it is over.”
Dan nodded and thanked Greene for his assistance. He followed the man out of the Humvee. Quinn and Meredith were waiting. When they saw Dan emerge, they ran to his side and clung to him. He gave them a tight embrace.
The soldiers led them to the transport vehicle.
“I can’t believe this is happening,” Meredith said to Dan. “It seems unreal.”
She was clutching a towel to her face, and Dan could see she’d been bandaged. She was in pain, but she’d heal. We all will. Quinn hurried alongside him, tugging his arm. She looked nervous and excited at the same time.
“They say they have food there, Daddy. And a place to sleep.”
“That’s great news.”
“You’ll even get your own tent,” one of the soldiers confirmed. He ushered them to the vehicle. “We have showers set up, and food and water as well. I’m sure you’re all starving.” He opened the back door and helped them each inside.
“Thanks,” Dan said.
“No problem,” the soldier replied. “We’ll be there in twenty minutes. Hang tight.”
When they’d all climbed in, the soldier shut the door.
There were four other survivors already in the seats. They welcomed the newcomers with nervous nods, their faces tearstained, their eyes reflective of the things they’d seen. Dan surveyed each of them. His eyes roamed to a far corner of the truck, where another survivor was hiding in the shadows. It was a young boy. Unlike the other survivors, his face was familiar.
“Grant?” Dan asked.
He stepped over to the boy. Grant hugged his knees to his chest, covering his face. His T-shirt was stained, torn. He peeked out between splayed fingers, as if Dan might lash out at the sight of him.
Quinn grabbed Dan’s arm. “Daddy! He’s alive!”
Dan walked through the vehicle and took a seat next to the frightened boy. Grant peered up at him, still afraid.
“I’m sorry for what I did,” Grant pleaded, the tears already flowing. “I didn’t mean to hurt anyone—”
“I know. It’s not your fault,” Dan said.
He patted the boy’s arm, then gestured for Meredith and Quinn to sit. The rest of the survivors looked on in silence, their faces weary and sympathetic. Grant uncovered his face and looked up at Dan.
“Are you alone?” Dan asked him.
“Yes.” Without prompting, Grant described what had happened to his parents. “We ran into a group of the infected on the road. My dad tried to swerve around them, but he ended up going off the road. And then they attacked us. There were so many. I tried to fight them off, but there was nothing I could do. I was so afraid. I ran away…but Mom and Dad didn’t make it.”
“I’m sorry to hear that, Grant,” Dan said.
“I didn’t mean to leave them behind. You believe me, don’t you?”
“I believe you,” Dan said. He put his arm around the boy, and the boy sobbed into his shirt. Dan glanced at Meredith and Quinn, whose eyes were wet with tears.
“We’re going to be okay, Grant. All of us. It’s over.”
Dan watched out the window as the buildings flitted past. Each one stood empty and still, a monument to the nightmares that’d been lived inside. Dan recognized several of them from his previous travels. He looked down at his lap. Quinn was nestled there. The hum of the truck was soothing, and he watched her eyes flutter and close.
For the first time in two weeks, he felt safe and secure, confident that things were going to get better. The hope he’d nourished for over a week had become a reality. It was unbelievable what they’d been through, but somehow they’d made it.
Meredith sat next to him, providing comfort to Grant. The boy leaned against her, his eyes wide as he stared out the windows. The other survivors in the vehicle were quiet. They’d already introduced themselves, and though they’d shared bits and pieces of their stories, they were anxiously awaiting camp.
There’d be plenty of time for talk later.
After twenty minutes, Dan saw a row of tents and military vehicles on the horizon. Soldiers scurried to and from the entrance, and several survivors hung behind the fence, as if they’d been awaiting their arrival. The sky was bright and radiant; several choppers clung to the horizon. Dan recognized a few of them as the military, several more as belonging to news crews.
Dan looked over at Meredith. Despite her wounds, she managed a smile. Neither of them spoke. There was no need.
They’d made it.
EPILOGUE
Dan set down his hammer and peered out through the half-finished window of the California house. The sun glinted through the trees, reflecting off the rooftops of the neighboring buildings. In the distance, he heard the sounds of hammers and saws, people chatting it up as they worked on the new constructions. Their voices were hopeful and excited.
He glanced next to him. Quinn was wearing a tool belt several sizes too large for her. She smiled as she met his gaze.
“Need something, Daddy?”
“Nope. Just taking a breather,” Dan said.
He patted her head and took a breath of fresh air. He glanced at the cars and trucks that lined the street outside. A few people milled about, waving their hands and talking. All of them were calm, composed.
It was a scene he was still getting used to.
“You know what, Daddy? I think I’m going to like it here,” Quinn said.
“Me too, honey,” Dan said.
He turned and surveyed the newly constructed house. At the moment, it was little more than a frame, but it’d be finished soon enough. The rooms were about the size of their house in St. Matthews. Unlike their old home, this one had two floors.
Another change, but a good one.
Downstairs, he heard the clink of hammers, the scrape of tools. A few seconds later, footsteps ascended the stairs. Meredith entered the room, carrying several bottles of water. She offered one each to Dan and Quinn.
“Are you thirsty?” she asked.
“I sure am!” Dan reached out for a drink. “Thanks!”
Quinn took one as well.
Dan uncapped the bottle and took a slow drink as Meredith glanced around the room.
“The house is coming along great, Dan.”
“I know. I can’t believe it.”
“I met a few more neighbors from the end of the road. They came from Arizona.”
“Really? No kidding.”
Over the past week, Dan had met a slew of neighbors and volunteers, and he was still attaching names to faces. He took another sip of his drink and set it on the windowsill. A few seconds later, another pair of footsteps charged up the stairs. Grant darted into the room, his face lit with a smile.
“Another car pulled up outside. I think we’re getting more help!”
“Great!” Dan said. “We could use it.”
“I’ve been helping out downstairs.”
“That’s excellent, Grant. You’re doing a great job.”
He watched the boy disappear down the stairs. Meredith had been granted temporary custody of the boy. If all went well, she’d provide him with a permanent home. Dan glanced out the window, catching sight of a new vehicle parked on the road. The occupants were still inside.
“Why don’t we go downstairs and introduce ourselves?” Meredith suggested.
“That sounds like a great idea,” Dan said. “Let’s go.”
The three of them walked downstairs, admiring the wood walls and beams that would soon comprise their home. As Dan stepped through the living room, a few volunteers took a break from their work to nod hello. He returned the greeting, casting them a genuine smile.
Dan stepped out into the yard, fighting the glare of the sun. He shielded his eyes with his hand, catching a glimpse of the people emerging from the car.
He was surprised to find they weren’t volunteers, but people he knew. People he hadn’t seen in a long time.
“Oh, my God…” he called out. “Sam? Delta? Noah? Is that you?”
His former companions rushed over to greet him, bags of tools under their arms. Dan’s eyes welled up.
“We figured we’d lend a hand,” Sam said.
Dan embraced Sam, then the others. His eyes roamed from one to the other. Their faces were wet with emotion. Sam’s face was tanner than he remembered, Delta’s eyes were wide and vibrant, and Noah wore a genuine smile. Although Dan had spoken with them recently, he’d had no idea they were coming.
He hadn’t seen them since the salvage yard.
“How’d you know we were here?”
“I called and set it up,” Meredith said, her face beaming. “I gave them directions.”
“When we heard about the new house, we offered to pitch in,” Delta explained. “It’s nice to meet you in person, Meredith.”
“You too!” Meredith said.
Dan shook his head in disbelief, still shocked to see his companions together and in one place. Quinn and Grant greeted the newcomers. Quinn couldn’t seem to stop smiling.
“I’m not sure what to say,” Dan said.
“Well, I hope you have room for a few more sets of hands.” Noah laughed. “Otherwise, I’ll have a long trip back to Portland.”
“Of course! Come on inside,” Dan said.
He led them into the house, unable to contain his emotion. When he’d last seen his companions, the world was uncertain, plagued with danger and death. The infection had robbed each of them of friends, family, and each other. But somehow they’d found their way back.
Somehow they’d survived.
“I don’t even know where to begin,” Dan said.
“Me neither.” Sam laughed.
“Are you still in San Francisco?” Dan asked Sam and Delta.
“Yep, we’re in the Bay Area,” Delta answered.
“How do you like it?”
“We love it. Noah’s been staying with us for the last few days. He came out to visit.”
Delta looked over at Noah, who smiled and took her hand.
“What about Caddy?” Dan asked Noah. “Did she come, too?” Dan had never met the girl, but Noah had told him a lot about her.
“She stayed in Portland. She wanted to meet you, but she’s back in school. She couldn’t slip away. She’s trying to finish her degree.”
“That’s great news. I’m sure I’ll meet her sometime. Would anyone like a drink of water?” Dan asked. “I don’t have much else, as you can tell.” He gestured to the empty house, and his companions laughed.
“Don’t worry about it,” Sam joked. “We didn’t come here to relax. We came here to work.”
“I won’t argue with you, then.”
Dan laughed and led them upstairs. He reviewed the tasks that needed completing while his companions listened. When he was through, he gazed at all of them. “Anyone have questions?” he asked.
“Not now. But I’m sure I’ll have a ton as we go,” Delta admitted. “I’ve never built a house before.”
“I’ll guide you through it,” Sam said. “Enough talk. Let’s get to work!”
The group scattered, helping each other with their tasks. Dan surveyed their faces, unable to suppress his smile. He couldn’t wait to catch up, to hear more from his companions. But that’d come later.
Right now, it was time to enjoy the moment.
BOOK SEVEN: RESISTANCE
PREFACE
At the end of Contamination 6, I mentioned that there would be several standalone novels in the same world.
I decided to call this novel Contamination 7 (as opposed to a standalone title), as it follows the story of Sandy and Reginald, both of whom were introduced in Book Four. I think it makes the most sense for readers to have read the rest of the series before this book.
The book picks up almost immediately after we left Sandy, so you’ll see a brief cameo appearance by Dan and Quinn, whose story concluded in Book Six.
I hope you enjoy this return to the characters and the world of Contamination. I know I did!
Happy reading!
Tyler Piperbrook
June, 2016
BOOK FOUR RECAP
While trying to escape St. Matthews, Dan and Quinn rescue a girl named Sandy from the roof of a bank. Afterward, Reginald Morris, a criminal scavenging for supplies in town, steals Dan’s station wagon.
Sandy tells Dan and Quinn she’s been staying with Reginald and some others at the lumberyard, but that she was unaware of Reginald’s criminal past. Unwilling to lose his uncontaminated food and supplies, Dan heads to the lumberyard in pursuit of his vehicle.
When they arrive, a young man named Charlie, who is guarding the gate, agrees to bring them in. Paranoid, or perhaps unstable, Reginald shoots Charlie, entraps and ties up Dan and Quinn, and interrogates them.
While the others are arguing, Sandy frees Dan and Quinn and leads them to their station wagon. She tells them to escape while she stays behind to help the others.
PART ONE – TWO SIDES
1
What have I done?
Sandy looked over her shoulder, catching a last glimpse of the station wagon that hung in the shadows. Dan and Quinn were huddled inside. In just a few minutes, the police officer and his daughter would drive off, leaving Sandy to face Reginald. Or at least, that was the plan.
She’d freed them and told them to leave. Sandy couldn’t abandon the rest of the people in the lumberyard.
Hector, Marcia, Anabel, and Finn needed her help.
Doubt clawed at her mind like a rabid animal. What if she’d made a mistake? What if she’d done the exact thing that would get her killed? Heaving frantic breaths, Sandy rounded the corner of the warehouse, leaving the vehicle behind. Her hope was that she could get back inside the building quickly and avoid implication.
She slid her hand along the wall, looking for the exit door in the pale moonlight. She found it halfway down. Twisting the doorknob, she sucked in a breath and snuck back inside. Loud, angry voices told her the others were still arguing about Dan’s fate. Reginald was the loudest. What Reginald didn’t realize was that Sandy had already made the decision for him.
She moved through a dark office, listening for Dan and Quinn’s car. Nothing. Had Reginald done something to it? Had he disabled the vehicle somehow?
She didn’t see how, or when, but it was possible.
At least no one was guarding the gate outside. Everyone must be inside, arguing. She weaved between several desks and office chairs, following the glow of the lantern light that splashed over the main warehouse in the adjacent room. Through a dusty, dirt-streaked window, she saw Hector waving his hands at Reginald. Hector was a middle-aged, Hispanic man with a round frame. His hair was dark and
thinning. His arguments to save Dan didn’t appear to be getting through. Behind Hector were his family—his wife Marcia and his six-year-old daughter Anabel. A young man named Finn stood next to them.
Reginald’s hand fell to his holstered pistol, malice in his eyes. Behind him were Billy, Simon, and Tom—a group of men that had been interrogating Dan and Quinn. Although they’d expressed doubt in killing Dan earlier, they appeared to have been swayed by the promise of safe food and water.
Using the commotion to her advantage, Sandy slipped back into the main warehouse, avoiding everyone’s eyes. Her fear was that some clue on her face might give away what she’d done. Hector’s and Reginald’s’ voices echoed off the cavernous ceiling. She breathed a sigh of relief, realizing the others were too preoccupied to notice her.
“Dan’s lying!” Reginald spat, stepping closer to Hector. “We need to take care of him! He’s involved in what’s happening.”
“How can we be sure?” Hector asked.
“I know he’s in on it.” Reginald pursed his lips emphatically. “No one could have all the information he does and not be involved. If you believe him, he’s one of the only ones who survived in St. Matthews. And he’s the only one with safe food and water. Isn’t that proof enough?”
“I want to talk to him,” Hector said plaintively. “I want to find out for myself.”
“He’s dangerous. He and his daughter need to go,” Billy agreed from beside Reginald.
Hector fell silent for a moment. He looked over at Simon and Tom. “What do you think? Do you agree with this?”
The men traded an anxious glance and nodded.
Hector turned back to face Marcia, whose eyes glistened with tears. She shook her head no. Anabel was crying and holding onto her. Hector put his head in his hands. “I don’t know how we’re even considering this. You’re talking about killing a police officer. I won’t have any part in harming them. When this is over, I’ll have to live with myself. Can you do the same?”
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