Saul stepped forward. “There’s more. After you two radioed me, the Lieutenant refused to go to your aid. He kept saying he couldn’t risk his men, and that they needed to clear out the rest of the lab first.”
“He delayed the rescue action?” Nick mused. “That means the lieutenant is in on this as well.”
“Do you think the major is part of it?” Tara asked. “The lieutenant is his right-hand man, after all.”
“I’ve thought about it, but I don’t think so. The major has a strict moral code. If he wants you dead or gone, he’ll play by the book,” Nick said.
“What do we do now?” Dylan asked. “Do we leave?”
“I can’t. I need the lab to do my research,” Tara protested. “We have to stick it out.”
“Stick it out how? If they tried once, they’ll try again,” Dylan protested. “Call me finicky if you like, but I don’t fancy ending up dead.”
An uneasy silence reigned over the once cozy kitchen.
“Are they only after Dylan?” Alex said. “Or, is it all of you?”
“We don’t know yet,” Tara replied.
“Then, I suggest we find out,” Alex said. “Identify the culprits, gather evidence, and lay it in front of Major Reed. If he’s such stickler for the rules, he’ll do something about it.”
“Alex is right,” Nick said. “I have a list of everyone who was on King’s team yesterday. All we need to do is find the one who tried to kill her and question him.”
“Won’t that be dangerous?” Tara asked. “In fact, what if we’re all in danger?”
“Tara is right. Let’s make two rules. None of us go anywhere alone, and we’re armed at all times,” Saul suggested.
“The major won’t like that,” Nick said. “He doesn’t approve of civilians carrying guns. Other weapons, yes, but no guns.”
“The major doesn’t have to know. Not if we conceal it under our clothes, and the weather is perfect for that,” Saul said.
“Good thinking,” Nick agreed.
“What’s the plan then?” Dylan asked. “How do we go about this?”
“Ethan needs to report to the infirmary, or he’ll be missed,” Tara said. “Besides, it’s unlikely they’ll go after him. Out of all of us, he’s the most valuable.”
“Alex and Amy need to register for rations,” Nick said.
“Do they both have to go?” Saul asked.
“No, not really. Alex can register for his sister seeing as he’s responsible for her,” Nick said.
“How about this, everyone?” Saul said. “Nick, Dylan, and I can accompany Alex to the rationing offices. At the same time, we’ll fetch our week’s supply of food and drop it off here before the storm breaks. We’ve got the truck now, so it’ll go fast.”
“What happened to the Humvee, by the way?” Alex interrupted.
“The major confiscated it when we got here,” Saul replied. “Anyway, after we unload the rations, we look for this guy of King’s and question him. If we can get him to spill the beans, we can go to the major with the evidence. Then, he’ll have to do something about it.”
“What about Amy and me?” Tara asked.
“They’re expecting you at the lab, Tara,” Saul said. “It will look suspicious if you don’t go, and you can take Amy with you. It’ll be safe there with the other scientists around.”
“Yeah, once we’re done with our things, we can swing by and pick you up,” Nick said. “Ethan too, and we can all get back here before the storm hits.”
“Sounds like a plan of sorts,” Tara agreed. “But what if the major refuses to help?”
“If that happens, we’ll have to consider other alternatives,” Nick said.
“Such as?” Dylan said.
“Leaving for good.”
“You’d do that? You’d leave here with us?” Dylan asked.
“If it came to that, but first, we should exhaust all other options. As Tara said, she needs a working lab.”
“Agreed,” Saul said, standing up. “Let’s eat and get dressed, people. It’s going to be a long day.”
Tara picked up a spoon and began dishing out bowls of oats. “It might not be bacon and eggs, but it will stick to your ribs and keep you warm.”
“Hear, hear,” Dylan said, topping hers with half a pound of sugar.
“Jeez, not that much, Dylan,” Tara admonished.
“But that’s the best way,” Amy said, copying Dylan.
Tara sighed. “Looks like I’ve got two kids to look after now.”
She didn’t mind, though. Not in the least. It felt great to have everyone together again around one table. This is my family now. My apocalyptic family.
Chapter 18 - Amy
Amy stared at the infected woman locked up in her glass cage. She was middle-aged and wore a stained pair of jeans, and a sweater that had seen better days. Her greasy ponytail hung limply down her back, and she swayed back and forth as if in a trance. But she wasn’t. Her eyes, as black as ink, flickered back and forth while the slightest sound caused her to snarl.
It was the first time Amy got to study a live zombie up close without it trying to eat her, and she found it fascinating. I wonder if she can still think and feel? Maybe she’s trapped in there? I hope not, for her sake.
With a wild shriek, the woman threw herself at the transparent barrier. She scratched at the glass until her fingernails tore. Failing that, she bashed her head against it until dark blood ran down her forehead.
The other two infected in the cages next to her reacted in the same manner. Within seconds, the air was filled with their howls and screams. Amy backed away on trembling legs and pressed both hands to her ears. The sound reminded her of the basement.
“Come on, sweety. You shouldn’t be here,” Tara said, taking her by the elbow. “It’s far too morbid for someone your age.”
Amy eyed the cages. “Are you sure they can’t get out?”
“Not a chance,” Tara said. “The glass is bulletproof, and the door is solid steel with an automatic locking mechanism.”
“What if the power goes off?”
“There’s a built-in failsafe. Even with no power, the
