“Why would it worry you? An untouched grocery store? They could have all kinds of canned food, diapers, formula…toilet paper!”
He nodded. “Yeah, they could. The glass front is all intact, no Zulus running around the place, no vehicles…but think about that.” He paused and gave her a chance to connect the dots. “That could also mean that we’re the only uninfected in town.”
The words struck like a blow and her hand automatically went to her mouth as she stifled a gasp. “I hadn’t thought of it like that.”
Henry nodded slowly. “As much as it would help us out, the idea that nobody else in town has survived this?”
She placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. “I don’t even want to think about that.” She turned and stared at the fuzzy green sign across town. “Have you mentioned it to Candy? Our supplies are getting dangerously low.”
He nodded. “I did, but she said we have a possible bigger threat coming our way. The bikers that Hatch ran into. She thinks they could be working their way here.”
“All the more reason to hit that place now.” She had to fight to keep her voice low. “If they do show up, and if they find it first? They’d pick it clean and we’d be left…”
Henry nodded. “Stuck with our dicks in our hands.”
Vicky gave him a confused smile. “That’s one way of putting it.”
“So maybe you can convince her.” He pulled her back toward the door. “If we put a skeleton crew on watch, send every abled body, we could strip that place and have everything we need loaded in no time. Use a couple of our best shooters to keep an eye on those working…we could do this.”
Vicky nodded, her mind seeing the activity in her head. She turned and gave him a tight-lipped smile. “I’ll talk to her. I’ll convince her that this needs to happen.”
Henry broke into a toothy grin. “If anybody can do it, I know it’s you.”
He watched her walk away and not for the first time since Hatcher left, wished the man was still here. He would listen to reason.
Chapter 9
Hatcher stepped from the chopper and watched as the soldiers worked in a flurry of activity. A truck met the craft just as the wheels set down and soldiers took a defensive perimeter while techs worked at refueling the bird.
He tried to stay behind their defensive wall, but his eyes took in the carnage that was once a military base. Makeshift blockades and chain link fences were erected around a portion of the buildings. Bodies could be seen hanging from razor wire and buzzards circled the dead.
He approached Hollis, who was talking over a radio. The man had just returned the mic when he turned and eyed Hatcher. “Amazing, isn’t it?”
“What’s that?”
“The damage that unarmed infected can wreak against those who are well-trained and well-armed.”
Hatcher nodded. “Force in numbers.”
“Exactly.” Hollis glanced at his watch and tapped it. “We’ve only got a few minutes. If you need to hit the latrine…”
Hatcher shook his head. “I’m good. But I’m curious.”
“About?”
He turned and pointed to the makeshift blockades. “Where’s the patrols?”
Hollis grinned and turned Hatcher to look at the two buildings on either side. “Instead of being on the ground and risking their troops, they stack them in those windows. They can snipe anything that gets close without fear of being bit.”
Hatcher had to squint in the sunlight, but he could just make out shadows and barrels in the windows. “So, there are no roving patrols?”
Hollis shook his head. “They can see out hundreds of yards from their positions. And anything on the ground might actually attract the infected.” He pointed to the other blocked areas. “They put shooters in the buildings. The highest positions cover up to 500 yards out. Each floor covers their own areas. Although the infected might seem pretty stupid, they quickly figure out where they can and can’t go without getting themselves dead.”
Hatcher turned and gave him a curious look. “They know to steer clear because of the fear of death?”
Hollis nodded. “It appears so.”
Hatcher turned back to the secure areas and shook his head. “They’ve gotten smarter.”
“How’s that? Even a rabid dog knows to avoid places that will get it shot.”
“They didn’t use to be so cautious. I watched them storm armed troops and…” his mind flashed back to the fight Mitch Richardson had with the crazy naked lady. She showed no fear, even after Mitch had sliced and diced her. “This just seems out of sorts for what I experienced.”
“Even old dogs can be taught new tricks.” Hollis turned his attention back to the techs who were pulling their equipment back. “We good?”
He got a thumb’s up from the chief and he keyed his coms. “Load ’em up boys. We’re on the move.”
Hatcher hesitated before taking his seat back on the chopper. His eyes told him that Hollis was right, but his mind was having trouble accepting it. He remembered that first night almost too vividly.
He had seen somewhat normal people do things he still had trouble accepting. The thought that those same people could now understand basic concepts like ‘safe place’ or ‘death’ escaped him.
He reluctantly took his seat and strapped in, but his mind was still in Yellowstone. Blood and gore splattered across every surface as the virus tore through the crowds. He watched people go from screaming in fear and pain to screaming before they attacked their best friend, their spouse, their own kids…
He shook his head and forced himself back to the here and now. Hollis was waving a hand to get his attention. He pointed to the headphones and Hatcher nodded, pulling them back on and adjusting the mouthpiece.
“I was supposed to brief you when we stopped for fuel.” He gave him an innocent smile. “Sorry I got sidetracked.”
Hatcher nodded. “It’s okay. We can
