“Careful?” Dylan said with a snort. “I don’t mean to be a downer here, but six-hundred miles might as well be six-thousand. I nearly died several times on the way to Fort Knox.”
“She’s right. It’s rougher than hell out there; I can vouch for that,” Alex said. “It’s not just the zombies you have to worry about. It’s the people. You can’t trust anybody.”
“Look, I don’t expect you to come with me,” Tara said. “This is my responsibility. You’re welcome to stay here. It’s as good a place as any if you lie low and keep quiet. Or, you can take what supplies you want and go somewhere else.”
Tara paused, chewing on her lower lip before she resumed. “But I’d like it if we could all stick together. We’re stronger in a group. I need you guys.”
Dylan sighed. “I don’t know. It seems like a mistake to run from one Fort to another. What makes Fort Detrick any different? How do you know it won’t fall to the zombies just like Fort Knox did?”
“That’s a risk I’m willing to take,” Tara said, folding her hands together. “Besides, last we heard they were still standing and fully operational. It has great strategic importance, so it stands to reason there’d be more security.”
“You’d go alone?” Alex asked.
“She’s not alone. I’m going with her, and I’ll make sure she gets there,” Saul said with a determined look.
Alex looked at Amy. “I’m sorry, but I’ve got to think about my sister. Such a journey will be incredibly dangerous. I don’t think we can go with you.”
Tara nodded, but her face fell. “I expected as much. Dylan?”
Dylan shook her head. “I agree with Alex. I’d rather stick it out here until we can find a safer place to ride things out.”
“Won’t you reconsider?” Tara pleaded. “You’ve got the cure in your veins. You’d be very valuable to my future research.”
“You’ve got Saul for that,” Dylan replied.
“Yes, but you are different people and might react to the cure in different ways,” Tara pressed. “We still have a chance to save the world, to save everyone. Think about it. With a vaccine, no one would have to fear getting infected anymore, and the cure could help those that are still in the window period.”
“That’s a tall order, Tara. Even for a brilliant scientist such as yourself. First, you’d have to make it to Fort Detrick, assuming it still stands. Then you’d have to mass-produce the cure while working on a vaccine. Is that even possible?”
“It won’t be easy, I know that, but have a little faith,” Tara said. “Even if we fail, at least we tried.”
After a few moments, Dylan shook her head. “I’m sorry. I owe you my life, and for that, I’ll always be grateful, but I’m sticking with Alex and Amy. I owe them too, many times over. They’re my family now.”
Tara brushed a hand over her face, feeling defeated. She’d hoped the group would stay together, but now it looked like it was just her and Saul again. She stood up, pushing her chair back. “Well, I can’t force you to come with me, and I respect your decision to stay. Let’s all get some rest and reconvene at dinner.”
The others nodded their assent, and she walked up the stairs, shadowed by Saul.
He hovered in her doorway. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine. Just tired. It’s been a long night,” she said.
“You stayed up late again, didn’t you? Working.”
“You know me,” she answered with a rueful smile.
“Too well. You’ll kill yourself one day,” he said with a grunt.
“Probably, but at least I’ll die happy. I love my work. I always have.”
He studied her with dark eyes. “I know, but there’s more to life than work and other things that can make you feel that way. Like me.”
Tara stared at him, and a thousand unsaid words lingered on her lips. For a moment, she longed to throw herself into his arms and give him the chance to make her happier than she’d ever been. But, she couldn’t allow herself to be distracted. Not now. “Saul, I’m sorry. The time isn’t right. Maybe one day, when—”
“When you’ve saved the world and paid for your sins?” he said, finishing her sentence. “I get it. Let me know if that day ever comes.”
“Saul, please. Try to understand,” Tara pleaded, wringing her hands. “I need you. I…”
“I understand very well. It’s who you are, and it’s one of the things I love about you. Your dedication. Your focus,” Saul said. “But don’t let your guilt guide you. It’s a mistake.”
Saul shut her door, and Tara was left with an empty hole in her chest. He was right. She knew it, but couldn’t make herself take the leap. Not when billions of people were monsters, and the last of humanity clung to a fragile existence. I’m sorry, Saul. I love you, but this comes first. It will always come first.
Chapter 8 - Alex
After Saul and Tara left, Alex sat for a while longer playing with his empty cup. He stood up and reached out a hand to Dylan. “Want more coffee?”
“Please,” she said.
“Amy?” he asked.
She shook her head. “Not for me, thanks.”
“Alright.” He filled up the kettle and placed it on the gas stove to boil. “Strong and sweet, right?”
“That’s the way I like it.”
“I’ll do the dishes,” Amy said, gathering up the dirty plates.
With the sound of boiling water and the clinking of plates in the washbasin, it sounded almost normal in the house. Domestic. As Alex spooned coffee, sugar, and creamer into the cups, he wondered if anything would ever be the same again. After stirring in the boiling water, he handed Dylan her cup and sat down once more. Moments later, Amy joined them with a glass of water in her hands, and the trio eyed each other.
“Do you think we made the right decision?” Alex asked.
“You mean by staying here?” Dylan said.
“That’s
