Dark Days (Book 1): Contagion

by Dyer, Marcy G.

  "While she's grieving have you figured out a way to sneak out of this town of weird humanoids?" she whispered.

  "I'm working on it, but until your mom's ready I can't do anything."

  "We'll worry about Mom later. Just figure out how to get us out of here."

  Since they'd left Silver Penny, Belle had matured way beyond her years. His heart ached again for the havoc he'd wreaked on human kind. Good thing he didn't believe in any gods because none would forgive his treachery.

  Chapter Thirty-Two

  Josh shot the infected who had a tight hold on Adriana. The others turned at the sound of the gunfire and ran for him. He fired at the first one, but something grabbed him from behind. Shots rang out, and the infected tugging on his shirt fell to the ground. Xever ran to his side, and they cleared the room.

  "Adriana, come down." Xever reached his hand toward the woman. "It's safe, now."

  "I'm never leaving this shelf."

  Josh swallowed his contempt for the spoiled witch and again reminded himself that many of her actions were due to overwhelming grief. "You can either climb down right now, or we're going to finish loading up the trucks and leave you here. It's your choice."

  "No!" She glared at him. "You can't leave me."

  "We sure as shootin' can't load up your shelving unit and haul your rear back that way. Now can we?" Josh muttered a few choice words under his breath, grabbed hold of the shelves, and swung himself up. He grabbed Adriana's hand. "Now, down."

  "I'm scared," she whispered.

  "Toughen up, princess. Your sister and I warned you, yet you've fought us and acted like a royal...you only got a small taste of life. Randi's been out when there were many more of these things attacking."

  She gripped his arm so tightly claw marks probably peppered the skin. "No way. This was horrid."

  "Yes. She's dealt with more than your hateful behind ever thought about." Josh stared into her eyes. "It's time to grow up. I'd better not ever hear you harass your sister again. Now, you can either get yourself down, or I'll throw you off these shelves. Got it?"

  "Don't you dare!"

  "Try me," Josh said in as menacing voice as he could muster. If Adriana wasn't Randi's sister, he'd leave her in the building for a couple of days to learn to fend for herself. She held eye contact with him for a few more seconds and must've decided he wasn't kidding because she took a tentative step. She continued to cling to him tight enough to leave bruises but managed to climb as long as he stepped beside her.

  They reached the ground, and Xever glared at her. "You sat up there screaming like a ninny and let one of them grab Josh. Why didn't you shoot?"

  Adriana shook her head. "I can't." Tears flowed down her face. "Y'all think it's easy to kill people, but I can't do it." She turned to Josh. "Not even to save your life."

  Xever's jaw clenched. "Yet you can berate and belittle your sister for not saving Leon when shooters had them cornered?"

  "That's different."

  "How? You allowed an infected person to grab Josh. While you watched no less. Your sister didn't even have Leon in sight when he was shot, yet you blame her." Xever shook his head. "Had Josh been bitten, Randi, and the rest of the family, would've been gracious enough to not blame you, and Randi's not even a Christian. You're acting like horrible hypocrite. Full of hate and animosity, yet you rest in Jesus' grace and forgiveness. You need to spend time in the Bible and figure out what Jesus says about your demeanor." After Xever said his piece, he turned on his heel, and stormed off.

  Adriana stared at his retreating figure for several seconds before following him. Josh and Adriana took the fencing truck and headed back home. God only knew why she chose to ride with him. "Do you have any bites? Scratches?" Josh asked. When Adriana didn't answer, he shook her. "Answer me, now."

  "No."

  "You'll excuse me if I don't trust you. When we get back, Jill will have to check you over."

  "Y'all don't get checked out when you come back from a run."

  "Because none of us would lie about a bite or a scratch."

  "Man you have a low opinion of me." Adriana crossed her arms. "I'm not about to put my family, my children at risk."

  "Nevertheless, Jill will check."

  "Whatever."

  They drove over a hill, and a tall, black man stood on the side of the road waving. Josh slowed the pickup and prayed this wasn't a setup. He eased his hand around his pistol as he opened his window. "What's the problem?"

  "Man you're the first people I've seen in days." He shuddered. "Other than those things."

  Josh pitched him a bottle of water, and he guzzled it. "What's your name?"

  "Ethan Burke. Do you know of somewhere safe I can spend a night or two?"

  Josh glanced in his rear-view mirror.

  "I'm not asking you to take me with you." Ethan rubbed a hand over dark his face. "I need somewhere safe to rest for a while."

  "Do you have any bites? Scratches? Fever?"

  "No man, I'm clean."

  "Where have you been? How did you end up out here?"

  "My parents live in San Antonio. I was trying to get to them when my car died on me. More like the sixth car I've had. You wouldn't believe the detours I've had to make and the trouble I've encountered."

  Josh relaxed his grip on his weapon. "Been there." He motioned to the truck. "Climb in. You can go with us, but if you cause any trouble, you're out. You'll also need to be checked for scratches and bites."

  "Are you crazy?" Adriana hissed. "You don't know this person."

  Josh turned to her. "So I should leave him on the side of the road to die?"

  "That's not what I said."

  "You voted to allow crazy Mel into the compound."

  "That was different."

  "It sure was. Ethan hasn't threatened us." Josh turned to the man. "As I said, any trouble, and you're out."

  "No problem. I only want a few hours of sleep. If you're not comfortable with me after that, I'll leave. No questions asked." Adriana scooted to the center of the seat, and Ethan climbed next to her. Josh prayed he hadn't made a huge mistake.

  Mark met them as they pulled into the dead space between the fences. "You found more than I expected."

  "See what you think." Josh opened the doors to the truck trailer. "If you need something else, we can go back."

  Mark checked the inventory. "You've got what I need. What else do they have in the warehouse?"

  "Any kind of fencing material you could want."

  Mark raised an eyebrow. "Let's go back after we've unloaded this stuff and load up on everything we can. We don't know how long we're going to be here. Fence repairs are inevitable."

  "I'll help," Ethan said.

  Mark frowned. "And who are you?"

  "Ethan Burke."

  "He was stranded on the side of the road."

  Mark shook the man's hand. "You know anything about electricity?"

  "No, but I can follow orders."

  "We're building an electric fence."

  "What do I need to do?"

  The guy had bags under his eyes.

  "First, we need to check you for bites and scratches. Then you can eat, get cleaned up, and rest." Josh motioned for him to follow. He took Ethan to the nearest tower and checked him over for bites and scratches. Once they finished, they headed toward the inner part of the compound. "Faustina will take care of you. After you rest, you can help us."

  "What's up?" Randi walked toward them eyeing Ethan.

  "This is Ethan Burke. I found him on our run."

  A huge smile spread across Ethan's face as he looked at Randi. "Nice to meet you, ma'am."

  "Don't call me ma'am. I'm just Randi."

  "Sorry."

  "No need to be." Randi's smile softened her harsh tone. "You taking him to Mom?"

  "Yep. You headed to the tower?"

  She stretched her arms behind her back. "Yeah, I'm relieving Jill."

  "Send her to me. Adriana got cornered, and I want Jill
to check her for bites."

  Randi headed toward the tower as Ethan watched every move she made. "Where did you find her?" Ethan continued to stare after her. "She's the prettiest woman I've ever seen."

  "Come on." Josh jerked the man's arm a tad too hard. He had no business eyeing Randi like she was dessert.

  *****

  Reginald took a seat on their bed and rubbed his wife's back. He stared at the blank wall. Why didn't they have any artwork in the prison cells? "Sweetheart, we can't stay here."

  "Don't start." She waved her hands in the air in a stopping motion. "It's not up for discussion. If you don't want to stay, there's the door, but the girls and I aren't leaving. We're tired of fighting to live. Tired of going thirsty and hungry. These people have invited us to be part of their family. You can either learn to get along with others, or go."

  "Things aren't what they seem here."

  "What do you mean? Is this another zombie feeding group?" Mary Anne raised an eyebrow. "Had we stayed at the diner, David would still be alive. Are you in such a hurry to get to your precious property because your floozy is waiting there for us?"

  "No."

  "She's not heading there the first chance she gets?"

  Reginald didn't answer. What could he say?

  "That's what I thought." Mary Anne crossed her arms. "We aren't leaving. You can decide if your girlfriend is more important than your family. If she is, leave, because I sure won't waste any tears over you. I'm done with that."

  "I don't care if she ever shows up or not. You're the only one I want."

  "Then make yourself happy staying here. Show me your family still means something to you." She turned to the girls. "Time for bed. Are you ready?" Belle and Katie stared, wide-eyed, at Mary Anne for a moment before nodding.

  Chapter Thirty-Three

  Mary Anne lay on the bed staring at the wall without blinking. Her cheeks were sunken and dark circles rimmed her eyes. Reginald grimaced. How could he help her?

  "Sweetie, please get up."

  "Why?"

  "We could take a walk?"

  "Go ahead. No one's stopping you." She flopped over turning her back to him. "I want to be left alone."

  "Okay, then. I'll go check on the girls. They went to the park to play." He walked out of the room and leaned against door. His chin dropped to his chest, and his shoulders slumped.

  "Hey, Reginald." Phil walked up. "Where are ya headed?"

  "To the park to check on the girls." Could he trust this guy or was he trying too hard? Did Vixen plant him to find dissidents? They strolled down the street. "As peaceful as it is in here, it's difficult to believe chaos reigns just past these walls."

  Phil nodded. "I know what you mean. My biggest fear is those creatures will learn to scale the walls."

  Peals of laughter reached them. Reginald watched the girls playing on the swings with other children. He could almost believe he hadn't unleashed Armageddon on the world.

  "What I don't get, if these things are infected with rabies, how come they live so long? It don't make a lick of sense. Rabies kills fairly quickly, so why do these undead creatures keep coming?"

  "Good question." Reginald refused to tell the man his team had mutated the virus to increase the neurological effects and decrease the mortality rate. The derelicts they'd experimented on were still alive when Reginald fled Silver Penny. Just another stone in his bag of guilt.

  How had he ever allowed human experimentation? Mary Anne knew he'd been the lead on the team of scientists that developed the virus, but if she ever found out the lengths he'd gone in order to make a virus that affected people, not animals, she'd despise him. She'd have the right to do it, too.

  "...and we could take back our world."

  Reginald had zoned out and didn't hear what the man said. "Sorry?

  "Where'd you go?"

  "I was contemplating why the infected people don't die within a few months like they would from a regular rabies virus." Reginald smiled. "I tend to lose myself in my thoughts sometimes. What were you saying?"

  "We need to capture a coupla these creatures and find us a scientist to fix it. I'm tired of living in this world."

  This guy was a clueless nut full of jabberwocky. "Do you know of any scientists who could do that?"

  "Naw, but once we find one, how hard could it be to reverse?"

  "It takes years to develop medicines so probably as long to manipulate a virus."

  Phil crossed his arms and frowned. "You saying we're doomed?"

  "What do I know?" Reginald didn't want to cross Phil. Especially when the man liked to pontificate on any subject. Maybe he could draw out more information from him. "If Vixen keeps bringing in more people, how will we expand?"

  "So you're wanting to stay now?"

  "My wife does." Reginald shrugged. "You know how it is. Gotta keep Momma happy."

  "Yeah. My ex was never happy. Nothing I did was right." A big smile spread across his face. "She was one of the first ones I saw get this virus. Believe me, it was the highlight of my life."

  Shivers skittered along Reginald's spine. "I thought your wife was here with you?"

  "Second wife." Phil's right eyebrow shot up. "It was the first wicked witch that caught the virus. She'd been berating me over her stupid spousal support, so I stopped by her house and found her wandering around the yard slobbering. It was hilarious. Couldn't have happened to a nicer person."

  "Did she have kids?" Reginald couldn't imagine someone taking delight in another person's demise.

  "Yep, but they lived with her first husband. I was number three. A judge decided she was an unfit mother and removed the children from the house." Phil put his hand on Reginald's shoulder. "I wouldn't be happy about her contracting this death sentence if those kids of hers had to watch it. But I didn't mind seeing it for myself."

  He had to change the subject and fast. This guy was a world-class creep. "Do you think Vixen is trying to build the town?"

  "Yeah. Why else wouldn't she want us to leave? Not that I want to, mind you."

  That wasn't what he said the other day. "I hear ya. At least it's safe in here." For now.

  Phil motioned to the other side of the park with his head. "Let's keep walking. I need to stretch my legs. This standing around is rough."

  They reached the back of the park, and Phil leaned against the fence. The swings, slides, tables, and grills were all visible from the fence. "Gotta watch what you say around here, man. Vixen has spies everywhere."

  "Really?"

  "Oh yeah. If you ever want to get out of this place, keep your thoughts to yourself. She'll kill you before she lets you and your family leave."

  Reginald's eyebrows shot up. "Why? We're no threat to her."

  "Maybe not, but she's on a mondo power trip." He leaned closer. "If you cross her, she'll have you and your family taken out of the town and tied to a tree. While you're still alive. It won't be a fast death when those things eat you."

  *****

  The lightening skies of dawn brought cold temperatures. Josh hated waking everyone before sunup, but he wanted to get started on the fencing as soon as possible.

  He climbed out of his tent. Mel's kids sat near the fire. The older, a girl, smiled. "Mr. Barker, you said today was fencing day. Christopher and me's ready to help."

  Christopher nodded sending his shaggy brown hair flying in all directions.

  "Let me round up everyone else, and we'll get started." Josh woke up those who were sleeping and asked them to meet at the fire in ten minutes. He then walked to the kitchen area and asked Adriana and Faustina to join them.

  "Give me about ten minutes." Adriana smiled. "I'll have breakfast ready so we can eat before we get started."

  Josh stared at her for a moment. He'd never heard a civil tone out of the woman's mouth. Maybe she was coming to terms with her grief. The trip to get the fencing that scared her half out of her mind probably had an impact, also.

  Ethan, Josh, Jill, and Randi had gone
back to the warehouse late afternoon the day before and loaded up two more trucks parked in the loading bay. Now, they would have enough supplies to do repairs to the fences and electrical lines for years.

  Mark outlined his plans while they ate eggs and tortillas. "Xever and I will lay out the stakes in the correct order. Remember they fit together to form an angle at the top. That'll prevent anyone from climbing the fence and jumping to miss the electrical lines."

  "Sounds good." Ethan put his hand on Randi's shoulder. "We'll start on the stakes."

  Josh clenched his teeth together. Ethan needed to figure out that Josh and Randi were a team and quit encroaching.

  Miguel held Candy's hand and smiled. "Candy and I'll run the wires."

  "We'll follow behind and secure the wiring to the stakes." Adriana turned to Josh. "If that's okay with you?"

  "Sure." He bit back a smile. The woman had never been this compliant or polite. "While Miguel and Candy get a head start laying out the wiring, I'm going to check on Faustina and Jill in the guard tower."

  Josh checked on the women in the towers, and joined Adriana at the outer fence. "Your mom and Jill are fine for now."

  They worked fitting the wiring into the posts that Ethan and Randi had set up. Adriana swiped at sweat beading on her forehead. "I didn't expect to get this hot since it's cold out."

  "Know what you mean." Josh pointed to the wiring they'd strung. "We've made good progress so far, though. Maybe we can finish by nightfall."

  "If I don't croak first," she muttered. Her hands were swollen and red, and each movement she made was deliberate and slow.

  "You're in pain." Josh frowned. "Why don't you join Faustina in the tower?"

  "I need to prove to you I can do my part."

  "No, you don't." Josh touched her shoulder. "I can tell by looking at you that you're not feeling well. Go join your mother. Xever and Mark'll be back around this way soon, and they can help me string the wiring."

  "I don't want Randi to call me lazy."

  "She never has." Josh put his forefinger under her chin and gently lifted her head to face him. "In fact, she's the one who told me you had Lupus. She worries about you because we don't have access to the right drugs. No one'll think you're shirking duty. Besides, I'm concerned about your mom. She's been up there most of the day after taking duty last night, and cooking. Why don't you relieve her so she can rest?"