A couple of others joined her. They, too, had spotted the car. As more and more followed, the horde began to move. Its attention shifted from the silent house to its new prey. As one, they streamed down the highway, a shapeless mass intent on one thing alone: Food.
Chapter 19 - Tara
Tara lowered herself into the chair Ethan offered with care. After a short examination, he had confirmed her suspicions. She was suffering from a mild concussion and two fractured ribs. There wasn’t much he could do for either injury besides strap her chest and give her a cold compress.
During this time, she’d given him an abbreviated version of the events that led to her capture. She also told him about Dylan and Saul. Judging from his expression, her story didn’t come as much of a surprise to him.
“Here, drink this,” Ethan said, handing her a glass of water and a couple of tablets. “It will help with the pain.”
“Won’t these make me drowsy?” she asked.
“No, it’ll just take the edge off, nothing more,” he said, sitting down across from her.
“Thanks,” she replied, taking the medication with a sip of the water. “I appreciate your kindness. Your friends aren’t exactly the welcoming kind.”
“They’re not my friends,” Ethan said in abrupt tones. “I fell into the same trap you did.”
“How long ago was that?”
“A couple of weeks, maybe more,” he said with a shrug. “It’s hard to keep track.”
“I’m sorry.”
“That’s okay. Now that you’re here, I can put my plan into effect.”
“Why do you need me?”
“You’ve got a Humvee, and I assume you were heading to a safe place before you got caught. I have neither.”
“We were on our way to Fort Detrick. As of a couple of days ago, it was still operational,” Tara said. “It’s as safe a place as any in these crazy times.”
“Fort Detrick? I find that funny.”
“Funny?”
“Before this,” Ethan said, waving a hand at his surroundings, “I was on my way to Fort Knox looking for a friend. I got sidetracked and ended up going in a different direction. That’s when this lot got hold of me.”
“You’re a lucky man, Dr. Hayes,” Tara said. “Two days ago, Fort Knox was overrun.”
Ethan’s face grew pale, and he stared at her for a couple of seconds. “Are you sure?”
“Positive. My friends and I barely escaped, and as far as I know, very few others did,” Tara said. “I’m sorry, but your friend is likely dead.”
Ethan looked away, his expression strained. “I see. Thank you for the news. Now, let’s get to business.”
Tara understood his need to carry on. Grieving could come later. “Of course.”
“Right now, it’s just me and one other girl, Mara.” Ethan sighed. “The rest are either rotten to the core, or cowards willing to go along with whatever Seth and Lila decree. Even James.”
“James?”
“He was a victim like us, captured in a raid. They tossed him into the stocks and made him fight his friends,” Ethan explained.
“Did he?”
“He killed them. Every single one. Now he’s the last man standing. From what you’ve told me, he’ll become one of them if he wins tonight.”
“I can’t believe that,” Tara exclaimed. “He killed his own people?”
“Believe it. Fear of death can bring out the worst in people, and he wasn’t a shining specimen to begin with.”
“Is that what they’ll do to my friends? Make them fight to the death?”
“Yes. Once they’re in the ring, one, or more likely both of them will die,” Ethan said. “Lila will make sure of it. She’s a cruel woman who delights in causing pain.”
“Aren’t they worried about drawing zombies with all the noise?” Tara said. “And where do they get their electricity?”
“They’ve blocked off most of the streets leading here and cleared out the surrounding buildings. That coupled with the fence makes them feel safe. Their power comes from a couple of generators in the basement. They think they’re invincible.”
“It will never last.”
“No, I’m afraid not. One of these days the undead will find us, and it’ll all be over,” Ethan said. “All it would take is for one of them to get drunk and fire off a few pot shots.”
“Then we’d better make sure that doesn’t happen,” Tara said, leaning forward. “Tell me about your plan.”
“It’s simple. The group always celebrates after a big score, and a Humvee definitely counts as one,” Ethan said, producing a vial of clear liquid. “The booze will flow freely tonight like it always does, but this time, it will be drugged.”
“Are you certain it will work?” she asked, studying the vial.
He nodded. “I’m sure. It’s a concoction of my own design, and alcohol will augment its effect. They’ll be unconscious within thirty minutes or less of ingestion.”
“They can’t taste it?” Tara pressed, looking for a flaw in their plan. “And what if one of them doesn’t drink?”
“It’s tasteless, and Mara will mix it into everything, even the water. Once they’re all asleep, she’ll call us, and we’re out of here.”
“Are you sure you can trust her?”
“Enough to know she’s on our side. After everything Lila put her through, she’ll gladly slit their throats and watch as they bleed out,” Ethan replied.
“That bad, huh?” Tara said. “How will you get the mixture to her?”
“I’m allowed a certain amount of freedom. It’s you they don’t trust,” Ethan said, tucking the vial back into his pocket. “Just make sure you’re ready when the time comes.”
“What’s my role in all of this?” Tara asked.
“Once they’re all knocked out, I’ll grab your weapons and the keys to the Humvee. I know where they keep all their loot. When I’ve got everything, I’ll meet you by the entrance. Your job is to free your friends and meet me there.”
“How do I know you won’t leave us behind?”
“You’ll just have to trust me,” Ethan said.
“Trust is a scarce commodity these days,” Tara said.
“Maybe, but it’s not like you have much choice, do you?”
Tara remained silent for a
