A few moments later he reappeared with another box of canned goods. “I worry, that’s all. They could come back. They’re dangerous.” He paused and gave her a sad smile. “All I know is, I want out of this town. Muy-fucking-pronto. The longer we stick around, the higher the chance of running into them again…or Simon.”
He shivered involuntarily as memories came back to him. He swallowed nervously and shook his head. “I’d kill Simon before I’d let him hurt you.” He reached out and rubbed her head. “I promise. Nobody is gonna hurt my little girl.” He turned back toward the store, his jaw set. “Ever.”
Trevor appeared a few moments later with paper bags filled with items. He set them inside the door and wiped at his brow. “It’s warming up. And yes, it still smells like shit in there…just so ya know.” He gave her a knowing look. “We’re gonna have to work on getting you housebroke. An accident like that in here and…well, we’d just have to trade this thing in on another one. I don’t think we could get the smell out.”
He carried out the last of the goods and started stacking things inside the RV. “It’s nice to have air conditioning though.” He smiled at her as he crammed more goods into the cabinets.
He shoved items under the bed in the rear, inside the couches, and everywhere else he could find an empty cubby.
When he finished he sat up and looked around the inside. “I think we’re good to go.” He pointed to the small chair nestled behind the driver’s seat. “Let’s buckle you in. Safety first.”
He strapped her in then slid into the driver’s seat. He turned the ignition then glanced back at her. “Yeah, I really think we’re gonna be okay, kiddo.”
Chapter 4
Buck held Skeeter close as Candy and Vicky tried to walk Hatcher to his room. “What got into you Daniel?” Vicky chided. “It’s not even noon and you’re…” she trailed off, her eyes falling on the teenagers. “He’ll be okay.”
“I can smell him from here,” Buck said as he slipped away from Skeeter and took Hatcher’s arm from Candy. “I’ve got him.”
He walked the man down the hall and Candy pushed his door open. Buck walked him to his bed and dropped him on it. Hatcher groaned as he rolled over and pulled his pillow across his face to block out the sun.
Vicky pulled the blinds shut then waved the other from his room. She shut the door quietly and turned to Candy. “Let’s search the office. If there’s any more liquor, we take it.”
Candy turned and headed down the hall until Buck cleared his throat. “What’s wrong with him?”
Vicky hung her head, embarrassed. “He’s been drinking.”
“Obviously. My question is why?”
Candy sighed heavily. “He’s just got a lot on his mind, Buck, that’s all.”
Buck shook his head. “Naw, that don’t cut it.” He stepped toward the two women and lowered his voice. “That’s not the same guy I met at Yellowstone. He’s definitely not the same guy that brought me out of that hellhole.”
Vicky finally squared her shoulders and looked him in the eye. “He’s got a lot of worry on his shoulders right now. We’ve taken on these marauder people…and the move. And the attack. And…” She shrugged, her eyes beginning to water. “He’s been stressing since before the move. He’s afraid he’s missed something that he should have seen, but…” She turned to Candy for support. “We can’t convince him to let it go.”
Buck nodded. “He needs a break.” He glanced at Skeeter knowingly. “I’ll take over. Let him rest.”
Candy chuckled and shook her head. “I appreciate the offer, but if anybody has to take over, it will either be me or one of the older people. Somebody with more experience.”
Buck raised a brow at her. “More experience? With what? Dealing with the Zulus?” He crossed his arms and smiled at her. “Have you forgotten that I lived in the wild with them at ground zero for months? And survived.”
She shook her head. “No, sir, I haven’t forgotten that.” She stepped closer and placed a gentle hand on his shoulder. “But you haven’t had to deal with human threats, have you? People like this Simon and his cronies. They’re more dangerous than the Zulus. They can think.”
Buck nodded slowly. “Okay. You got me there.”
“And no offense, young man, but I was a peace officer when you were still poopin’ in diapers.”
“Check and mate.” Buck smiled at her. “But if you need someone to help you run the place, I’m game.”
“And I’m sure you’d do a hell of a job.” She glanced to Vicky then quickly added, “But Hatcher won’t be giving up the reins any time soon. I’m sure once he sleeps this off, he’ll be right back to his same brooding, worrying self.”
“I hope not.” Buck took Skeeter’s hand and pulled her close to him. “We need the old Hatcher back.”
“Agreed.” Candy waved to Vicky. “Let’s go through that office and relieve him of any crutches.”
Carol stood outside of Kevin’s stateroom and spoke in a lowered voice. “His symptoms have disappeared?”
Broussard nodded. “Other than a slight sore throat, oui. He hasn’t even had any pain relievers.”
Carol sighed and leaned against the door. “Thoughts?”
Broussard shrugged. “Perhaps the genetic modifications we made? I truly do not know.” He gave her a weak smile. “But he keeps insisting that we release him. I told him that it was the captain’s orders to keep him quarantined to protect the crew.”
“Good thinking.” She crossed her arms and tried to think. “Are we prepared to call the test a success?”
Broussard glanced down the hall and shook his head. “To truly test this…we need someone infected.”
She nodded knowingly. “Perhaps he could come into contact with the virus ‘accidentally’?”
Broussard gave her a concerned look. “Funny you should say that. He suggested the exact same thing. Except
