As the days went by, she got to know more and more of the people around her, from Captain Mills in the motor pool, to Reverend Bixby who oversaw the civilian encampment. She spent more time with Doctor Gorman for her physical exams, as well as her civilian counterpart, Doctor Willis. All of them were good people, each in their own way, working together to keep from falling apart.
Bunny felt like she was part of something during that time, a necessary piece of holding society together. Others felt it, too, she learned, as Tanner provided her with lessons from his own training, further augmenting her own, and Mills showed her the basic workings of the helicopters, adding to her mechanical skills.
The days were often hard, filled with work, but there was laughter as well, and it was that she cherished most. It was never far from her mind that beyond the walls of the camp, the dead roamed the streets, ever hungry for those who lived inside. In her dreams, she often saw them, and would lie awake in the wee hours of the night trying to forget.
Through it all was the boredom, however. A tangible feeling that wrapped itself around her and refused to let go. Try as she might, she couldn't ignore it fully, even when she told herself it was nothing more than the sensation of reasonable comfort in the aftermath of a nightmare.
She knew it wasn't that. If she were to be honest with herself, she could pinpoint what it was but didn't want to acknowledge it. If she did, she'd have to do something about it. That, though, was the one thing she didn't want to do right now.
After a week, she found herself standing outside the motor pool, the engine of her Camaro almost reassembled, hanging from a chain over the chassis behind her as she stared up at the cold blue sky. The chill of winter was coming fast, and she wondered how they would all deal with it when it arrived. Chicago winters were notoriously harsh, and they were ill-prepared to face its full brunt.
As she pondered that, she saw several soldiers run by in full gear. Curious, she stepped out to watch them as they raced across the lawn. Looking over her shoulder, she saw more coming, Tanner among them. As he drew near, she flagged him down, but he barely slowed as he passed her.
"What's going on?" she asked.
"A talker!" he called back. "A talker is at the gate!"
Bunny felt a surge of hope run through her. Was it, perhaps, Marco, come seeking her, and escape from the never-ending nightmare out there? If it was, he would need someone to vouch for him. Bunny tossed the rag in her hand back in the shop and jogged after the soldiers, suddenly eager to lay eyes on the dead she had avoided seeing for the last seven days.
As she drew near the gate, she saw that the military was taking no chances. Dozens of soldiers held their weapons at the ready, others manning the heavier caliber guns mounted on various vehicles stationed near the gate. She tried to move ahead, but was warned back, and ended up circling, trying to get a good look at the figure standing on the other side.
Frustrated, she looked for a better vantage point, and saw Colonel Williams moving towards her. Sensing an opportunity, she moved to intercept him, knowing that if she could just get close enough, she could verify that her friend was no threat.
"Colonel!" she called, moving to his side. "Is it true there's one at the gate talking?"
"Not now," he told her. "Stay back with the other civilians."
"Wait!” she called after him. “I met one before that could talk.”
Williams stopped, turning slowly back to face her. "Say again?"
"I met one before that could talk. When I was trying to get here. He helped me," she said.
Williams stalked back up to her. "And you just now thought to mention this?"
"I didn't think he'd ever come to the Park, to be honest," she said. "He's a bit afraid of being turned into a lab rat. I'm sure you can figure out why."
Williams nodded slowly. "Alright. Come with me. If it’s this friendly Gaunt, we'll talk."
Bunny smiled and fell in step beside him as they approached the gate. She passed Tanner on the way and threw him a grin, but he was all business and only gave her a warning look, his eyes asking her to be cautious. She doubted there would be any need, knowing Marco was no threat to her, or anyone else.
As they reached the gate, Williams stopped, inspecting his preparations. Whatever lay beyond would be reduced to dust in a flash. Satisfied, he signaled his men to move the heavy truck that barricaded the entrance.
Bunny's blood ran cold as soon she laid eyes on an unobstructed view of the lone figure. It wasn’t Marco that stood on the other side, but Pete, still wearing the same mechanics uniform. The dead had moved away from him, leaving him standing alone in a small clearing as they shuffled behind him, his hands clasped at his back, a smile on his face. But his eyes were cold, she saw. Cold and cruel.
He was as dead inside as he was out.
"That your friend?" Williams asked.
Bunny shook her head. "No. That's a different one."
Williams nodded. "So, there's at least two then."
"Yeah," Bunny said. "But you shouldn't trust this one. I only saw him once, back before I met up with Tanner, but it was enough to make me about piss my pants." She shivered a little as she
