He barked something at the Rager that was supposed to be “Fuck you;” it sounded more like a muffled wet fart.
Simon leveled the shotgun and squeezed the trigger, blasting the man through the midsection. The shotgun’s report caused most of the Ragers to jump, drop or cower, but none left the scene, their curiosity more than piqued.
Simon watched the pipe drop to the filthy carpet and the Rager crumpled, his hands cupping his ruined midsection. The creature landed hard on his bony knees and stared at the blood and gore that coated his hands. He slowly looked up at the attacker and came eye to eye with the shotgun barrel.
Simon pushed it closer, pressing the warm metal to the creature’s eye socket. He grunted something that was unintelligible as he pulled the trigger again.
The backwash of bone, brains and blood smeared his aviators and Simon sighed as he stepped back and stared at the assembled crowd.
He beat at his chest as he stared at each of them. He tilted his head back and howled, announcing to the world that he was the new leader of the pack.
Simon stared at them with a grim satisfaction as they all slowly bent to their knees, their eyes averted. They knew who the alpha was now. And with his boomstick in hand, he had no doubt that they’d do exactly what he ordered them to do.
Chapter 5
Roger gently shook Hatcher’s shoulder and jerked back as Hatcher sat up suddenly, his eyes wide and his fists balled. “Who’s that?”
Roger watched him blink rapidly for a moment or two then settle on him. “You awake, Sleeping Beauty?”
Hatcher swung his legs off the narrow bed and rubbed at his eyes. “How long was I out?”
“Not long enough, but they’re about to clear the chow line. I thought maybe you’d want to get a bite to eat before they shut down the kitchen.”
Hatcher lifted his head and stared him, his eyes blinking but the gears not quite registering. “I’m not hungry.”
“Dude, you haven’t eaten all day.” Roger pulled a chair closer to the bed and tilted his head as he measured the man sitting before him. “Candy saved you a tray from breakfast but it looked pretty gnarly after lunch so we trashed it.”
Hatcher yawned and covered his mouth. “What’s on the menu?”
“SOS, brother.” Roger grinned at him then sat back. “But it was a lot better than I remember it being.”
Hatcher shook his head and leaned back against the wall, his eyes drooping. “I think I’ll wait until breakfast.” He stifled another yawn then turned suddenly to Roger, his adrenaline reacting and suddenly alert. “Is everything okay?”
Roger held a hand up to stop him. “Everything is quiet. I just thought you might want to grab a bite then go back to bed.”
Hatcher shook his head. “I just need coffee.” He sat up and looked to the darkened window. “What time is it?”
“It’s almost lights out.” Roger stood from the chair and pushed it back. “I’ve got extra sentries stationed for the night, just in case. So far, it’s all quiet.”
Hatcher sighed and slumped his shoulders. “I should be out there. In case anything comes up.”
“Hatch. We got it.” Roger clapped his shoulder. “You go back to sleep. Trust me, if anything even begins to look suspicious, we’ll come get you.”
Hatcher raised his head and met Roger’s face. “Are you okay?”
Roger gave him a lopsided smile. “I crashed for a few hours this afternoon while Candy took over. I’m good.” He stepped toward the door and reached for the light switch. “Catch up on your beauty sleep. You need it.”
Hatcher stood and shook his head. “No, I’m awake now.” He stretched and grunted. “Maybe I will get something to eat. Better to force myself now than wait.”
Roger sighed and held the door. “I knew I shouldn’t have woke you.”
Hatcher hitched his pants up and ran fingers through his hair. “You’re okay. I would have been up shortly anyway, and mess would have been closed.” The pair stepped into the hallway and Hatcher’s first instinct was that something was wrong; the place was too quiet.
“I uh…I wanted to ask you about something.”
Hatcher turned and gave him a knowing look. “I knew something was up.” He waited for Roger to say something as they made their way to the dining room.
Roger lowered his voice so that the few stragglers couldn’t overhear. “After you crashed, that Trevor guy brought his…” He shrugged, unable to find the right words.
“Patricia.”
“Yeah. He brought her out to the play room.”
Hatcher held the tray out while the lunch ladies plopped their labors onto a plate. “Okay. So?”
“So, there were kids in there.”
Hatcher turned and raised a brow at him. “Cause a stir?”
Roger sat down across from him and held a coffee cup in his hands. “Actually, no. They got along great.”
Hatcher shoved a mouthful of the gray stuff into his mouth and was surprised when it tasted good. “So what’s the problem?” he asked with his mouth full.
“I just…” Roger sighed again. “All she’d have to do is scratch one kid. Bite one.”
Hatcher nodded. “Yeah. If she’s going to play with other kids, she should be watched.”
“Oh, she was watched. Trevor was with her and there were two moms next to them; they didn’t take their eyes off her the entire time.”
Hatcher nodded, shoving in another fork full of the slop. “Good. She probably needs…” He stopped talking midsentence when he saw the look in Roger’s eyes. “I take it you’re more concerned.”
Roger nodded. “Candy and I are about to have a kid, Hatch. I don’t want to worry about…”
Hatcher held a hand up, stopping him. “If you want them gone, just say the word.”
Roger sighed and sat back in his chair. “I don’t know what I want. I just wanted you to be aware.”
Hatcher gulped down half a glass of grape juice then pushed the tray back. “Did you talk to Candy about
