Ground Zero (Patient Zero Book 1)

by Adrianne Lemke

  I slowly sat up. He’d known I was here. Or at least that someone was. His last words… he would be back. By himself. I tapped my leg thoughtfully. “We might actually have a shot at surviving all this,” I muttered to myself.

  Now to report back to the others. They would definitely be interested in the topic of the guards’ discussion.

  Chapter Fifty-Three

  “You can’t be serious, Z!” Rex exclaimed. “You want to go out and meet this guy, just because you ‘got a good feeling’ from what he said?”

  It was a somewhat brutal summation of what I’d said, but he was accurate. “Yes. From everything he said, I think he would be willing to help us. Or at least give us some information. He knew they were being watched, and didn’t tell the others. That has to mean something.”

  “Maybe,” Rex allowed, “But I don’t like you taking that kind of risk.”

  Shanti cleared her throat. “Maybe… maybe we should leave. Go to a different place to hide. If he knows, or even suspects we’re here, they could have set that whole thing up to make you trust them.”

  “We could do both,” Jake suggested. Kate and Scout both nodded thoughtfully.

  I tapped my leg. “You mean have everyone move to a safer place, while I meet with Zach?”

  “You and I will meet with him,” Jake amended. “The others will be standing by close to where we meet. If it’s a trap, they can follow from a distance and try to figure out how to get us out.”

  I opened my mouth to argue, but Jake lifted a hand to stop me. “No. This part is not up for discussion. I will not allow you to meet with this man by yourself. You’re our leader, Z, but you’re also still a kid. There’s no way I could forgive myself if I let you go and something bad happened.”

  Rex put a hand on my shoulder. “Just let this one go, Zero. I’d feel better if Jake is with you. And make sure you’re both armed.”

  I gave him a cockeyed glance. “When have you ever known me to go unarmed?”

  He had the good grace to look sheepish. “Sorry. Yeah. I know. You always have your sword on you.”

  Always. I’m pretty sure I haven’t dropped the sword—other than for sleeping—since the outbreak started. It was important to me. My parents had bought it for me on the last birthday when we were all together. It was the last thing they’d given me, and the last part of them I had left.

  “Scout, Kate, do you have any opinion?” I asked. If I was going to take input from my three friends, it was only fair to get our other allies opinions as well.

  The two exchanged a look. “I think Jake is right. He should stay with you. We’ll find a place to keep watch. But if you get taken to the stronghold here… I don’t think we’d be able to rescue you. This place is not like the people who arrested Rex and Prati. They’re clearly more organized. We’ll come out and fight if they try to take you. It’s the only chance we have if this ‘Zach’ person betrays you.”

  While I didn’t believe Zach was insincere, I also didn’t know him. It was wise to take everyone’s advice into account. Between Jake and Scout, I knew Scout had more information about how the guards operated.

  “Scout’s right,” I finally decided. “You guys need to be ready to attack. As much as we need to get inside, I don’t think it will help to get there as prisoners.”

  Shanti seemed uncertain, but the others agreed. “Let’s eat. Then we can keep an eye out for Zach’s return. If he was being truthful, he’ll be coming alone. If we keep watch, we should be able to tell if anyone else comes with him,” I suggested.

  “So eat, then get back to your posts. Anyone not on watch should gather anything that could be useful, and have it ready to go. Those on watch, let us know if you see anything. Otherwise, we’ll stay here and follow the plan,” I finished.

  While the others ate, I watched out the front from my bedroom. I noted no activity, which seemed to follow with what the guards had been saying. This was a quiet neighborhood now.

  Before the outbreak, it had always been busy. Cars in and out, children playing, adults mowing lawns or gardening… there was always something going on. Now, it was like a ghost town. Filled with the ghosts I’d created.

  “Go eat, Z,” Rex said softly, coming up behind me. “We’re done. Did you see anything?”

  I shook my head. “Nothing. It’s completely deserted.”

  Rex eyed me sadly. None of the kids in our group had parents left. Either they’d turned, or been killed by the creatures. My story was no worse than anyone else’s. “I’m fine,” I forced a smile.

  He shook his head, one hand coming up to touch my face softly. “Don’t do that,” he urged. “Don’t hide your pain. Not from me. If we can’t share with each other, who can we share with?”

  “You’re right, I know… but I don’t want to risk…”

  “What? Letting me see that you’re a human girl who misses her parents?” he asked.

  “You,” I answered. “I don’t want to risk you. If I open up, I will cry. I can’t risk that with you. I wouldn’t…” Survive, I finished silently. If either Rex or Jake ever turned or were killed… I don’t think I could survive the experience.

  He nodded, as if understanding what I’d left unsaid. A sad smile crossed his face, and he withdrew his hand. “I know. I feel the same. So don’t go getting yourself captured or killed, okay?”

  I straightened up and grinned. “Not gonna happen, Rex,” I assured him. “We’re all going to be fine. And we will find answers. I need to talk to this guard, then we’ll figure out what to do. If they have other test subjects as prisoners, we need to rescue them. At least, if it’s possible. If not, then we need to figure out who the other ones are, and keep them from getting captured.”

  “No kidding,” he agreed emphatically. “If they’re right, and getting you all together gives them control over the horde, we definitely need to keep as many of you away from them as possible.”

  “See?” I said brightly. “There’s no way I’m going to let myself get caught. Too much to do. Alright, keep watch, and I’ll be back once I’ve eaten.”

  The next couple hours passed uneventfully. The most excitement came when Jake located the small camping stove, and a couple canisters of propane.

  Due to our potential meeting with the guard, Kate and Shanti remained with us. If we had to, we could fall back on our original plan to have them go out and find the location of the guard’s stronghold. If we were lucky, that location would also be where the experimenters were holed up.

  By the time a patrol came back, I was watching while Rex rested. Jake was watching from the back, and everyone else was out in their hiding places, ready to help if needed. Rex would keep an eye out from here to let us know if more guards approached. Up until now, no others had even come close to our area. The vehicle stopped a couple houses down from mine, and the now familiar form of Zach stepped out.

  He made a show of looking around, but his weapon was still holstered, and he seemed to be waiting.

  I shook Rex. “He’s here. Get to the window. Alert us if anyone comes. I’ve gotta get Jake.”

  Jake met me in the hall. “I heard the vehicle. Nothing happened out back. Kate’s spot gives her a vantage point to this direction. She’ll warn us if necessary.” He placed a hand on my shoulder. “You sure about this, kid?”

  I nodded firmly. His lips pressed together, but he gave a returning nod.

  “Good luck!” Rex called.

  Despite being about ninety-nine percent certain Zach knew where we were, we still crept out the back door and made our way through a few yards before doubling back to where the guard was waiting.

  My heart pounded in anticipation as we slowly approached. Our weapons were in plain view, but not drawn. I wasn’t sure exactly what to do at this point. We walked up behind the guard who was still glancing around as if waiting for someone.

  Before we could announce ourselves, he turned and saw us. “You!” he exclaimed. “I thought I’d gone crazy. I knew someone was w
atching, but to have found you… You shouldn’t be here. It’s dangerous.”

  “I know,” I answered. “But I had to take the chance. If I want any chance at figuring out what happened to me, and how to stop it, I need to find the people who caused the outbreak.”

  He huffed. “Find them? They want you, so finding them wouldn’t be much of a problem. Finding them without being captured? A much harder proposition.”

  “Z, we should get on with it,” Jake suggested.

  I turned toward him, and nodded. Turning back to Zach, I pushed on. “Are they here? Are the people who did this to me in this city?”

  He shrugged. “The main bosses wouldn’t risk living in an infected zone. They come sometimes, to test the kids they still have. The visits are always unannounced. I don’t think they’re around right now.”

  My heart sank, and I’m sure my disappointment was clearly written on my face. Then I realized what else he’d said. “Wait… the kids that are here. We need to get them free. We can’t leave them to be continuously tested. They should be free.”

  “Maybe,” Zach nodded. “If you have some way to keep them safe. They don’t have your experience at protecting themselves.”

  I stood tall as Jake shook his head. “Not a problem. We’ll keep them safe. If we can get them out.”

  “The most important thing is to keep her out of their hands,” Zach gestured toward me. “I’m not sure how much you overheard earlier, but they will imprison you without a second thought. You’re the goose that lays the golden egg, girlie. With you there, they say they’d be able to control the horde.”

  The guard was watching me curiously, as if trying to work out why I was so important. Not something I was willing to share after a five minute conversation. “I will do what I can to avoid capture,” I assured him. “But I need to get the other test subjects out. They shouldn’t be held prisoner.”

  “How many are there?” Jake asked. “How many other kids did these people turn into science projects?”

  “Besides her?” Zach jerked his head in my direction. “I think five. But there could be others I don’t know about.”

  I nodded. Okay, so possibly two with my group, which left for sure three unaccounted for. “How many are prisoners?” I asked.

  “Two. A girl and a boy. They’re siblings, actually. The boy is sixteen, the girl is fourteen. He’s a bit of a handful, but does what he’s told to protect his sister. She’s a bit quieter.”

  Two others. It would be worth this trip just to get them free. Without the others, I couldn’t control the horde. Once they were free, they could choose to go with us, or go their own separate ways. No more being forced to do anything they didn’t want to do.

  “How can we get to them?” I asked. “Where are they being held?”

  Chapter Fifty-Four

  Guards strolled in and out of the fortified building. Even in the midst of the most dangerous quarantine zone in the country, they moved freely and without fear. Nothing could threaten this group. I struggled to figure out how we could possibly find a way in to save the two teens trapped inside.

  “This place is a fortress, Z.” Jake’s voice held a warning tone. As much as he would approve us saving the two captives, I knew he worried more that we would be captured in the attempt.

  I sighed. “I know. Zach did say it would be nearly impossible.”

  One possible plan was starting to form. It was hard to say whether it would work or not. I needed to get closer to the building to see what would happen. Unfortunately, I wasn’t sure if we would be able to get close enough without being seen.

  There were monsters nearby, but they all seemed to give this building a wide berth. Any guards moving away from the fortress grew tense, readying their weapons as soon as they hit about fifty yards past the exit.

  Interesting. It was as if they knew the creatures wouldn’t approach. My idea held some merit. “Shanti and I will need to get in close,” I informed the group. “I need to see if anything changes when I’m closer.”

  “Why Shan—? Ah, right,” Rex realized. “The abilities. They get stronger when you’re around the others. The test subjects inside, plus Shanti. You’re hoping to draw the guards out by bringing the horde in close, aren’t you?”

  Everyone else looked at him in surprise before aiming their eyes at me. He knew me well. It surprised me that Jake hadn’t figured it out first.

  “Pretty much, yeah. If what Zach was saying is true, then I should be the one with the most control over the enemy. So, if the siblings are the ones keeping the creatures out of this area, I should be able to hijack their connection to the hive mind, and bring them here.”

  Jake and Scout nodded, but Kate and Shanti seemed unsure.

  “So… my part in this is what? To stand next to you and just hope we aren’t seen?”

  With a shrug, I answered, “Pretty much. You make sure the horde can’t see us. I’ll make sure we’re in a place the guards won’t see us. Once the guards and the horde are keeping each other busy, Scout, Jake, and Rex will go in after the prisoners.”

  “What about me?” Kate questioned. “What am I supposed to do?”

  “You’re going to be our cover from outside. You’ll be here with our best rifle. If anyone or anything gets too close to me and Shanti, or tries to go after the boys, you stop them.”

  Everything seemed to be logical. I knew at least a couple guards would look the other way at a group of people trying to rescue a couple kids. If they realized what was happening, anyway. We couldn’t count on their help, but at least Zach was going to be inside. He’d said he would make sure the rescue party could get inside when the time came. He was waiting for a signal. I hoped he would recognize it when he saw it.

  “Does anyone have any objections to the plan, or anything else that might help make it better?” I asked. “This is going to be dangerous. I don’t want to make anyone do anything they aren’t okay with.”

  Shanti seemed ready to say something, but shook her head and looked at me steadily. “Make sure I have a gun. I’ll need to help cover you.”

  “Crossbow,” I amended. “It’s quieter, and less likely to draw immediate attention to our location.”

  Rex and Jake seemed to relax a bit, and Rex rested his hand on Shanti’s shoulder for a moment. The two exchanged a smile.

  “I won’t lie,” I added, staring at our target. “I may lose control of myself down there. You all know it could happen. If it does…”

  Shanti covered my hand with hers. “If it does, I will do what I need to do to keep you safe.”

  It was a nice sentiment, and I appreciated it. I allowed myself a small smile. “Thanks. But that’s not what I’m worried about.”

  Rex’s face dropped, a frown now where the smile had been before. “You’re worried you might hurt her,” he said. “Like you would have me, if you’d had leverage in the car.”

  I cringed, but nodded. “Yes. The bloodlust makes it hard for me to tell friend from foe. Honestly, Scout, you and your people should consider yourselves lucky that I had so many of the enemy to deal with after you abducted me.”

  It was Scout’s turn to cringe, this time at the memory of what he’d initially planned to do with me. “Yeah. Well… we’d have deserved it.”

  “No. You wouldn’t have,” I disagreed. “You’ve proven that by joining us, and helping us. There was no reason for you to keep traveling with us. I appreciate everything you’ve done, even if our friendship did start on a dark note.”

  He laughed wryly. “Yeah. I’m glad we moved on from there. You sure about all this? We could just leave. Keep you out of their hands and call it a win.”

  I started shaking my head before he finished speaking. “Not a chance. I can’t keep living like this, and I don’t want… no. I can’t leave those kids there.”

  He shook his head, a smile crossing his face. “You are quite the kid, Zero. Younger than either of them, and going in like a hero to rescue them.”

 
The others nodded agreement. “We’re with you, Z,” Jake said. “You and Shanti get into position, and we’ll follow your lead.”

  The weight of their trust was difficult to bear. If anything went wrong… It had to work. “Thanks everyone,” I said in a voice choked by emotion. “Let’s get moving.”

  Chapter Fifty-Five

  Sneaking through the streets toward the fortress was not as easy as hiding in my old neighborhood. My heart pounded, and breath caught in my throat every time we got near one of the guards patrolling around the building. My ability to tap into the hive was growing stronger as we approached. Even from about a block out, I could tell my sense of the horde had changed. They hovered on the periphery of my mind as if awaiting orders.

  The only order I sent so far was to gather as many creatures together as possible. I forced my will into the hive, and they listened. “Can you feel that?” I asked Shanti, unsure how the proximity of the horde—or the other test subjects—would affect her. We were crouched near a brick building across the street from the guard’s fortress.

  “Only that I feel stronger in my shielding. Like I could make a bunch of people disappear off the horde’s radar, instead of just you and me,” she answered softly. “I can’t feel the horde, except in a general sense. I know they’re out there, and I know I need to stay hidden.”

  I met her dark eyes with my own. “Good. Stay hidden and safe. I’m doing okay so far, but I can’t guarantee I’ll stay that way once I send the attack order to the creatures.”

  A flicker of fear crossed her face, but she soon set a mask of strength over it. She patted the crossbow and assured me. “I’m ready. Let’s do this.”

  I watched the guards, motioning Shanti to follow me quickly once an opening presented itself. We managed to get to the side of the fence outside the fortress. The fence was large and imposing, but for girls our size, we could slide through the bars, into the yard. A shed was near the edge of the fence line, so we hid there.