Saul sighed and held up his hand. “Let me stop you right there. Has nobody bothered to tell you what’s going on?”
“No, but to be fair, they all know not to disturb me when I’m in the middle of something serious,” Tara said. “Why? What’s going on? Why are you back so soon?”
“Now, you want to know?” Saul raked one hand across his head. “Honestly, my love. Remember when I said you were going to work yourself to death?”
“Yes,” she admitted with reluctance.
“Well, this is what I’m talking about.” He pointed to the couch and pulled out a chair for himself. “Sit down. You need to hear this.”
Saul spent the next ten minutes explaining to Tara what Nick and his team had discovered. By the time he was done, Tara sat frozen with wide-eyed shock. “Tens of thousands?”
“That’s right,” Saul said. He frowned when another thought occurred to him. “Do you know about Rita?”
“What about her?”
“Oh, my God. You don’t know what she did at the party?” Saul said with a groan.
“She was fine when I left. I think,” Tara said. “Now that you mention it, I didn’t see her that morning. I was in such a rush to get home, I never said goodbye.”
Saul stood up and waved at the door. “Grab your stuff. We’re going to the infirmary.”
“The infirmary?” Tara asked with a look of confusion.
“That’s right, and after that, we’re attending Nick’s meeting. I’m sure he could use your expertise. We all could.”
“What about my work?” Tara objected. “This is huge, Saul. Don’t you understand?”
Saul ground his teeth together in frustration. “Your friends are important too, Tara. Besides, if we can’t stop this horde, you won’t have a lab to come back to, let alone continue your work.”
Tara’s shoulders drooped. “I guess you’re right, but let me inject the rats before we go. It’ll only take a moment, I swear it.”
“Okay, but hurry up. Every second we waste is a second we could’ve spent preparing,” Saul said. “Make no mistake, Tara. We are in for the biggest fight of our lives.”
Chapter 11 - Dylan
Dylan slipped through the crowded room until she reached Nick’s side. She stood on tiptoe and planted a quick kiss on his cheek before looking around. “Did you invite the entire base?”
“No, but it was close,” he answered, rubbing one hand across his forehead. “How’s Rita?”
“She’s doing much better,” Dylan said. “Her arm is healing fast, and she seems to be in better spirits.”
“Well, she got what she wanted. She has to be happy now,” Nick said with a shrug.
“I suppose you’re right, but I still can’t see how she did it,” Dylan said, her mind flashing back to a bloodied Rita lying on crimson tiles. “The pain alone must’ve been unimaginable.”
“She’s one tough cookie, that’s for sure.”
“Oh, yes, before I forget. I ran into Saul and Tara along the way,” Dylan added. “They should be here any moment now.”
“Good. I need them,” Nick said.
Dylan eyed him through slitted lids. “Have you slept at all since we came back yesterday?”
“Not much,” Nick admitted.
“Have you eaten anything?” she pressed.
“I had a protein bar this morning,” he said.
Dylan groaned. “You can’t do this to yourself, Nick. We rely on you. You’re our leader, and what good will you be if you end up in the hospital?”
“I know, but there’s just so much to do, and so little time,” Nick said.
“Then delegate. That’s what we’re here for,” Dylan replied. “You can’t do everything on your own.”
“I know. That’s why I called this meeting. We all need to play our part in the coming days.”
“Okay, but let me grab you something to drink, at least. You look like you’re about to pass out,” Dylan grumbled.
“Fine, but hurry up. I’m about to begin,” Nick said.
Dylan pushed her way toward a snack table in the corner by Mandy, the lady in charge of their rations and the thrift shop.
Mandy flashed her a frazzled smile. “Hey, Dylan. How are you?”
“I’m okay, but you look worn out,” Dylan said, scooping up a bottle of water, an energy drink, and two cereal bars.
“It’s been hectic,” Mandy admitted. “But I’ll be okay.”
“Do you have enough help?” Dylan asked.
“I could use more hands,” Mandy admitted.
“I’ll see if we can arrange something,” Dylan replied.
“Thanks. I’d appreciate that.”
Dylan made her way back to Nick and handed him the energy drink and one of the cereal bars. “Here. Take this. It’s not much, but it’ll have to do for now.”
He flashed her a grateful look before clearing his throat. “Listen up, everyone. I’d like to start the proceedings. Is everyone present?”
A chorus of assent rumbled across the room. Dylan spotted several familiar faces, including Corporal Parker, Nick’s second-in-command, Grissom who used to be King’s man, and Mac, who was in charge of their munitions. There was also Andrew, the principal of the school, Davis, the civil engineer, Saul, Tara, and others. The rest were unknown to her.
“Right. As you all know, I called you here because a horde of infected is on its way, and we need to prepare for its arrival,” Nick began.
“Are you sure they’re coming here?”
“How many zombies are we talking about exactly?”
“Have you seen them yourself?”
“Where are they coming from?”
The questions kept flying until Nick raised his hands for silence. “I haven’t seen the infected with my own eyes, and we don’t know anything for sure yet. Scouting groups are setting out as we speak to determine the horde’s exact course and numbers.”
“So, they might miss us?” someone asked in a hopeful tone.
Nick shook his head. “I doubt it. Their trajectory puts them on a collision course with this base.”
“If you haven’t seen them, how do you know they’re coming?” a man in civilian clothes asked.
“We first picked up on it when communities to the far south went off the air,” Nick explained.
“But how do you know it was zombies that
