Hatcher and Vicky watched as the little girl made her way back to the rear seat and struggled with the seat belt.
“She listens well,” Hatcher added.
Trevor shook his head. “Not really. She’s a visual learner–but she does learn quickly.” He came to his feet and stuck his hand out to Vicky. “Thank you for checking on her.”
“Don’t worry about her temperature. I really think it has to do with a higher metabolism which causes an increase in everything else.”
“Yeah, she’s run pretty hot since we found each other.” His mind flashed to them sharing the bed at the motel; her heat had caused him to sweat profusely. “I’ll definitely keep an eye on her fluid intake. Maybe find some electrolytes if she becomes sluggish.”
Vicky cocked her head to the side. “Were you a medic or something?”
Trevor shook his head. “I was about to be an EMT but…life had other ideas.” He slipped back into the driver’s seat. “Thanks again.”
Vicky turned to Hatcher and lowered her voice. “We could use another trained medical technician.”
Hatcher gave her a wide eyed stare. “Did you miss the part where the girl is infected?”
“She’s docile as a house cat.”
Hatcher nodded. “But if a house cat scratches you, even accidentally, it isn’t usually fatal.” He shook his head again. “There’s too much at stake here, Vic.”
She sighed heavily and lowered her eyes, nodding. “I know. I just hate to send them out there alone.”
Beating on the side of the RV had all heads turning. Hank opened the door and stepped into the camper. “I have an idea. Call it a hail Mary, but…” He glanced at Trevor. “What if they parked this thing in the greenfield behind the compound? That way if there’s any trouble, we can pull them inside the walls and provide protection.”
Hatcher gave him a confused look. “I’m not following…”
“They park outside the wall. That way Patricia can’t infect anybody, but we can share our resources. We can provide protection.” He smiled at the little girl. “Maybe they come in and mingle for new company once in a while.”
Hatcher opened his mouth to rebut but Vicky stepped forward and interrupted his thoughts. “We could definitely use another med tech. Even if it’s for the smaller stuff.” The pair turned to Trevor. “What do you say?”
He glanced at Hatcher who still had his mouth open. “I’m game if Mr. Hatcher agrees.”
Hatcher stared at Hank and his sister then turned to Trevor. “I…really don’t have an objection.” He watched as a slow smile began to form on Trevor’s face. “But we have to respect the other people who live here. If they get uncomfortable with Patricia mingling about, she’ll have to go back to the camper.”
Trevor slowly came to his feet. “I wouldn’t want anybody living in fear because of us.” He held his hand out to Hatcher. “If worse comes to worst, we can pack up and move on.”
Hatcher took his hand and gave it a solid pump. “Welcome to the neighborhood.”
Broussard stared at the screen and watched as the drone made lazy circles in the sky. The aircraft had finished spraying the area and he assumed it was making its way back to reload.
The Chief Petty Officer yawned and stretched, shifting in his seat. “Is all of science this slow and boring?”
Broussard nodded. “Only the best of adrenaline junkies can handle our jobs.” He cracked a grin at his joke.
“I can tell.” The chief’s eyes seemed vacant as he stared alongside the researcher. “Tell me again what we’re looking for?”
Broussard shook his head. “Anything out of the ordinary.”
“Will this cure be pretty quick?”
Broussard shrugged. “It is designed to be fast acting but it could be days to weeks before the infected see results.”
“Days to weeks?” The chief sat up and stared at him. “Why are we watching then?”
Brossard slowly shook his head, his eyes glued to the monitors. “I just want to see something other than the steel walls of this ship.”
The chief nodded knowingly and came to his feet. He gently clapped the man’s shoulder. “You watch all you want, Doc. I have things I should be doing.”
Broussard turned and gave him a sad smile. “I’m sorry if I gave you a false sense of hope.”
The chief shrugged. “No sweat off my sack, Doc.” He stretched his neck and gave the man a crooked smile. “I guess I was hoping that cured people would just start walking out of buildings looking scared and confused.”
Broussard nodded. “Hopefully one day.”
The chief excused himself and closed the door behind him. Broussard turned his attention back to the monitors and didn’t turn around when the door opened again behind him.
“You couldn’t have woke me up for the party?” Carol slipped into the chair beside him, the wool blanket pulled snugly around her shoulders.
“You should be in bed.”
“And you should have told me that they started the operation.” She sniffled and turned to the screens on the table. “What are we seeing here?”
“This is…” He paused and gave her a wide eyed stare. “I’m not even sure what city this is.”
She chuckled lightly and swayed to the side to bump him. “Just tell me what we’re looking at.”
“They believe that a large population of infected live in these areas. They were saturated and we observed at least one subject get sprayed. I sincerely hope he’s taking it back to the population.”
“Where are the good guys?”
Broussard tapped the other monitor. “Behind those barricades and chain link fences. I think it used to be a military base.” He sighed and gave her a sidelong glance. “Not many survived.”
She nodded solemnly. “Anything of note?”
He shook his head slowly. “I keep hoping to see…something.”
She leaned over and rested her head on his arm. “Eventually.”
He nodded slowly. “That’s what I told the chief.” He sighed again and leaned toward her, adding support. “Hopefully soon.”
Shooter slowed the car and tapped the brakes. He watched as figures darted across the street and disappear into the
