“I’m aware of Sergeant Dean’s condition. If he agrees, I’ll allow him to take this so-called cure. He’ll be confined until I am certain that the treatment is effective. If that happens, I’ll consider clearing out the laboratory so that Dr. Lee may continue her research.”
Saul sagged with relief but quickly drew himself up again. “Thank you, Sir. In the meantime, may I suggest that she act as a consultant to your defense teams?”
“A consultant?” Major Reed asked. “What for?”
“Dr. Lee has extensive knowledge of the infected. More than anyone else on this planet. She was there from the very beginning, at the source. If anyone knows how we are to survive them, she does.”
“Thanks for the offer, but I think we have the situation in hand,” Major Reed said, seeming ready to dismiss them.
“Do you? Really?” Saul asked. “Let me be frank, Major. Fort Knox had a fighting force three times the size of yours, and their defenses were superior by far. Yet, they are all dead today. You don’t know what you’re up against, but Tara does.”
“Can she make such a big difference, Lieutenant?” the major asked.
“I promise you; she can. Dr. Lee is both brilliant and knowledgeable. Let her help you, or none of us will survive this apocalypse.”
Major Reed stood up from his desk. “Alright. Tell Dr. Lee she’s to report to me at zero seven hundred hours tomorrow. We’ll see what magic tricks she has up her sleeve. As for you, sergeant. Report to the infirmary asap. The cure is waiting for you. Dismissed.”
Sergeant Dean and Saul saluted and marched out of the office with barely contained grins. When the door shut behind them, Sergeant Dean blew out a deep breath. “Thank God. For a moment there, I thought I was a goner. You’re sure this will work?”
“I’m sure,” Saul said, pulling up his sleeve. On his lower bicep, a knot of scar tissue shone in the light. “I got infected, and Tara saved me.”
Sergeant Dean smiled with relief. “It seems I owe my life to you lot.”
“Don’t thank me yet. The episodes are nothing to laugh about,” Saul warned.
“Oh, yeah. I forgot about that. Is it bad?”
Saul shrugged. “Bad enough, but you’re getting the cure sooner than Dylan or I did. Maybe, you’re lucky.”
“Let’s hope so,” the sergeant agreed.
Together, they walked outside and headed toward the infirmary. As the cold air hit his face, Saul reflected that he’d won a major victory that day. They all had. Let’s hope our streak of good fortune continues.
Chapter 4 - Alex
Alex walked down the hallway toward Amy’s room, his steps light and energetic. After a full night’s sleep, a hot shower, and a solid breakfast, he felt good. Not even the smell of antiseptic could sour his mood, a scent he usually despised. He hated hospitals as well, but the community of Radcliff had done a lot to turn this one into a home.
While much of the place remained intact for its original purposes, such as the emergency wing, operating rooms, and the pediatric, ob-gyn, and intensive care departments, the rest was repurposed as civilian housing. Wards became dormitories, and the cafeteria a common area where everyone took their meals. The gift shop was turned into a kindergarten and the coffee shop into a school for the kids. More than that, curtains fluttered at the windows, ferns bloomed in vases, and throw cushions brightened up the wooden benches. It was a home, not just a place to live in until the zombies went away.
In the gardens outside, neat rows of winter vegetables grew alongside transplanted fruit trees. Chickens lay eggs inside coops built for the purpose, and there were even a couple of potbellied pigs and goats wandering around.
When he first arrived, the inhabitants accepted him into their ranks without protest. After his first successful supply run, they welcomed him with open arms, and he was only too happy to help out. He was due to join another much-needed supply run that morning but wanted to say goodbye to Amy first.
His boots squeaked on the clean floor as he turned the corner, and he was surprised to find Amy up and about. “Shouldn’t you be in bed? Resting?”
Amy tossed him a look of impatience. “I’m not an invalid, Alex. It’s about time that I started moving around. Dr. Williams says it will speed up my recovery.”
“Are you sure? You’re not making this up, are you?” Alex asked with a frown. “I know you’re in a hurry to leave, but you’re still weak.”
“Weak, schmeak,” Amy scoffed, waving him off as she tied the laces on her sneakers. “You can ask Dr. Williams yourself if you don’t believe me.”
“Where is he?”
“Right behind you, Mr. Donahue,” Dr. Williams answered from behind Alex. “And your sister is correct. The sooner she starts exercising, the better.”
“But —”
“No buts, Mr. Donahue,” Dr. Williams interrupted. “Amy is young and strong. She has shown remarkable resilience thus far, and her recovery is almost complete.”
Alex wanted to say ‘but’ again until he thought better of it. Instead, he managed to bury his reservations, and said, “As long as you don’t overdo it, Sis, I guess it’s fine.”
He watched as Dr. Williams took Amy’s blood pressure and temperature, marking her numbers down on a chart. Afterward, the doctor gave an approving nod. “Everything looks good. The infection is gone, and her wounds have healed without any undue scarring.”
“When can I leave?” Amy asked, her eyes bright and eager.
“A couple of days should do it. Once I’m satisfied that you’re strong enough to walk around and defend yourself, you can join the general population.”
Dr. Williams took his leave, and she turned on Alex. “Did you hear that? A couple of days!”
“I heard,” Alex said, “but that doesn’t mean you’ll be able to travel yet.”
“Why not?” Amy said with a groan of exasperation. “We need to get to Dylan. What if she goes to the safe house
