She shookher head no, and closed her eyes.
I could notwait to introduce her to Kelly and the kids. I knew Poppy would love her. Ithought about what they were doing now. Did they have enough to eat? Were they stillsafe? Did they know I was coming back for them? I soon realized that Nia’sbreath was coming in deep and slow indicating that she was sleeping. I bentdown and kissed her head and whispered, “I will get you away from this place tosafety, I promise.”
I lay downnext to her and after the long day we’d had, I was soon fast asleep.
A few smallknocks woke me from my sleep but Nia slept on. I tapped her gently on the armand she shot up straight into a sitting position with a terrified look on herface. “Shh it's just me, it's George,” I assured her.
She lookedat me for a few seconds and then slowly nodded.
“Will is atthe door,” I said getting up to open it. In walked Will, Billy holding a bowlof soup and handed me my coffee, Jim, Suzie, Charlie and Kandace from thekitchen.
I closedthe door and turned to them. Billy and the three women had gone to sit by Niaand were comforting her, Billy had brought up the soup and given it to her, Jimsat on the desk chair and Will sat on the desk. The room suddenly feltmuch smaller, I stayed where I was and looked at each of their faces. All ofthem had a scared look about them but they also had a look of determination.
“ThanksBilly,” I said holding up my cup of coffee.
“No problem,”he grinned back his goofy grin that was totally infectious.
“Hi all,thanks for coming. Deacon asked me to get together a group of trusted peoplefrom both the men and women to advise you of a serious situation,” Will saidfrom the corner of the room. All eyes were now on him and the room was silent.“As you all know there has been an increase of zombie activity around theperimeter over the last few days and when myself and George were driving homefrom the supply run today we saw hundreds on the road under the bridge, headedthis way.”
Suzie andCharlie grabbed hands and started to whisper quickly to each other, whilstKandace went awfully pale very quickly. Billy and Jim tried to keep a braveface on, but I could see the fear in their eyes. I knew the look well, it was the same one I saw in the mirror every day.
Will got upand walked over to stand next to me. “I have spoken with Deacon about thesituation and he seems to think the fence will hold against the horde. I don't.He has agreed that we should get a group of about ten people and start fillingup backpacks with supplies, the backpacks will need to be labeled as food,drinks, medicines and toiletries, etc. Then Billy, you are to fill bags withguns, ammo and other weapons. At the moment you will be on your own doing it,Deacon won't let anyone else into the weapons part of storage. This isjust in case things get bad. Also you need to get any clothes and personalitems packed in your own backpack. We are trying to keep it quiet at the momentto avoid a panic so do it as inconspicuous as you can. Deacon has doubled theguard duty and the guards check in every half an hour. Is everyone clear onthis? We need to be ready to leave quickly. To avoid suspicion, I'll go downwith the women, then you guys go down. Deacon has authorized a ‘stock check’ tosee what we have that's your cover story just in case. George and I will beoutside the warehouse checking the fence for weak points, and possible escaperoutes.” He looked at me and I nodded. “We are missing John and Lewis tonight,the mechanics, as they have already started checking over all the vehicles tomake sure they are ready to go. We start at eight in the morning. Anyquestions?” Will asked.
“Hundreds?Really? I mean hundreds?” Jim asked, there was no attitude to his voice justpure disbelief.
“Yep therewas a field full of them. It's possible that they would have been distracted bysomeone or something else but we can't take that chance. Last we saw them theywere about 20 miles away and headed this way,” I answered before Will could.
A roomfulof head nods and solemn faces. “We will meet back here at one pm tomorrow forupdates under the ruse that you’re visiting Nia. Ok that's it! Thanks all forcoming. See you in the morning.” Will finished.
Jim andKandace left first. Billy, Suzie and Charlie made sure again that Nia was okbefore leaving.
“Ni’ areyou sure you don't need anything? Something to eat or drink, some painkillers?” Billy fussed over her.
“Billy I'mfine honestly. I have all I need for the moment. Thanks for the soup it waslovely,” Nia answered.
“Oh ok,” hereplied, disappointed he could not help her.
Seeing thisNia grabbed his hand and said shyly, “Maybe we can have breakfast up here inthe morning together before you start work?” She blushed knowing that we couldall hear the conversation between them.
Will and Ilooked at each other and smiled.
Billy’ssmile was huge. “I would really like that. Is seven thirty ok?”
“Yes that'sgreat,” Nia answered yawning. “Sorry.”
“That's ok.Get some rest, I'll see you in the morning,” Billy said jumping up andpractically bouncing out the door, closing it behind him.
I couldimagine him just outside the door doing a little victory dance. I chuckled tomyself.
“Will I'llmeet you in the dining hall about seven to go over the plan for the day. Isthat ok?” I asked him.
“Yeah I'llbe there. Listen this is a great opportunity to store stuff in our ownbackpacks ready to leave. Billy and Charlie are on board with this and will addsmall bits and pieces to their personal backpacks.
