Silence fell, broken only by a couple of fierce whispers. Tara stood frozen, a sliver of hope blooming in her chest. If they spared her life, she might be able to find a way to save Saul and Dylan. Please, say yes.
Finally, Seth spoke in a smooth voice. “Alright, we’ll give her a shot. We already have a resident doctor, but I suppose a spare wouldn’t hurt. You know, in case something happens to the other one.”
Laughter rose all around them, but Tara didn’t care. She was being spared, that was all that mattered.
“Take her to the infirmary. She can stay there with Dr. Hayes for the time being,” Seth commanded. “As for these two, rough them up and throw them into the stocks.”
Rude hands shoved Tara toward the exit, and she cast a despairing glance over her shoulder. The last she saw was Saul and Dylan being beaten into the ground by two men armed with police batons.
She bit back a cry and concentrated on putting one foot in front of the other. They’re not dead yet. There’s still a chance to save them.
Tara was led to the infirmary and handed over to a guard at the door. “She’s to join Dr. Hayes, but keep an eye on her. She’s new and likely to try something.”
“I’ve got her, don’t worry.” The new guard eyed her with a look of pure menace. “Don’t try anything, okay?”
Tara nodded, her head hanging low, and her expression meek. She had to make them believe she was harmless.
“Good,” he said with an approving nod.
The guard opened the door and shouted. “Dr. Hayes, I’ve got someone for you.”
A dark-haired man around Tara’s age turned to face them. “Another patient? What did you do this time?”
“Don’t sass me, Doc. She’ll work alongside you from now on. You’d better get acquainted.” Without ceremony, the guard shoved Tara through the door. It slammed shut behind her, and she was left to face the mysterious Dr. Hayes.
He walked toward her and extended a hand. “You’re injured. Let me help you. I promise I won’t hurt you. I’m as much a captive here as you are.”
Tara allowed him to help her toward the nearest bed, and she slumped onto it with a grimace of pain. “I’m Dr. Lee. Tara Lee. A Research Scientist specializing in virology.”
“I’m Dr. Hayes, but you can call me Ethan.”
“Nice to meet you.”
“That would be true if the circumstances were different,” he replied, studying her with a somber gaze. “But, I have a feeling you were sent here for a reason.”
“A reason?” Tara asked, her brow knitting together.
Ethan nodded. “I’ve been waiting for someone like you.”
“Someone like me?” Tara said, her confusion deepening with each passing second.
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“To help me escape.”
Tara smiled, though there was no humor in it. “In that case, we’re agreed. The sooner we get out of here, the better.”
“Let’s shake on it,” Ethan said, offering his hand.
Tara accepted the offering, and the deal was struck.
Chapter 16 - Saul
Saul endured the beating with gritted teeth and zero resistance. The only thing he did was tuck his body into a tight roll to minimize the damage. It was to be expected — a tactic meant to cow them into obedience. He understood this, but Dylan did not. She fought back, which meant her punishment far exceeded his. When they were finally tossed into their cages, she lay unconscious.
Saul used that time to assess himself and their situation. The people who had them were amateurs. None of them possessed any real training. They were simply a bunch of people who’d banded together and decided to prey on other survivors. In his opinion, they were the worst of the worst — the scum of the earth.
That did not mean they weren’t dangerous, and he had to hand it to them. They were inventive. The bus had come as a complete surprise, and he wanted to kick himself for falling into their trap. I should’ve known better.
It was too late for recriminations, however. What mattered now was getting out of there. In that regard, Saul knew he could rely on Tara. She was smart, and he was willing to bet she had a plan in mind already. But, he couldn’t leave it all up to her.
The stocks turned out to be a series of cages placed next to each other in the open air. He counted six. Three were occupied: His own, Dylan’s, and another which contained a stranger. Saul attempted to talk to the man, but he avoided Saul’s gaze and refused to answer any questions. It looked like he’d been there for a while.
Saul examined the cage around him. It was a simple affair of planks nailed together. A dirty blanket and a stinking bucket were its only furnishings. As the sun began to dip toward the horizon, a man emerged from the nearby building.
He carried three bottles of water and three packets of potato chips which he tossed into each cage. “Eat up. You won’t get any more until tomorrow, assuming you live to see it.”
Saul eyed the man. “What are you going to do to us?”
The man grinned. “Didn’t you listen back there? You’re going to fight for your lives tonight. The last one standing gets free citizenship.”
The other captive’s head jerked up, and he spoke for the first time. “Me too? You’ll let me out of this cage if I win tonight?”
“Yeah, you too, dumbass, though I’m not too sure I want you for a bunk buddy. You stink,” the guard said before pointing at Dylan. “I’d much rather she be the one to live.”
“Are we to fight each another?” Saul asked, pressing for more information.
The guard shrugged. “Each other, a couple of Pitbulls. Maybe a zombie or two. We’ll see what Lila comes up with tonight. That woman is batshit crazy, but she sure can think up some wild surprises for our prize fighters.”
“Do we
