Kevin glanced down at his food and was momentarily shocked that it wasn’t raw, bloody human flesh. He glanced back to the sailor and gave him a weak smile. “The faster you eat it, the less you can actually taste.”
The sailor snorted a laugh and raised a glass of the generic fruit-flavored drink that they called bug juice to him in a mock toast. “I’ll drink to that.”
Kevin smiled broader and tried to put himself back into the lustful mindset he had been in. The harder he tried to imagine the food as something else, the more elusive those thoughts became.
“I keep telling myself that it must be some kind of food or they wouldn’t be allowed to serve it.” The sailor appeared almost flustered as he lifted the grey patty from his plate. “But nothing will convince me that this is real food.”
Kevin sat back and gave him a smile. “Just keep telling yourself that it’s a bacon cheeseburger. Maybe you can convince your mind that it really is.”
The sailor shook his head and plopped the meat back onto his plate. “Yeah, no. That ain’t happening.”
Kevin tried not to stare at the large vein pulsing in the young sailor’s neck. He felt his mouth watering again and he gave the kid a gentle smile. He slid his tray down the table and scooted directly across from him.
Extending his hand, he said, “I’m Kevin. Kevin McAlester.”
The kid accepted his hand and shook it. “David Eubanks.”
Kevin smiled again. He sat back and wiped his watering mouth with the paper napkin. “It’s nice to meet you, David.”
Simon stood at the open doorway of the store as the darkness fell on the silent town. He patted Clyde’s arm and motioned outside. “It’s time. Go find me the rest of the Quee. Bring them here.”
Clyde cocked his head to the side and blinked at him. “More Quee.”
Simon nodded. “All of them.” He turned and looked to all of the hunters. “Find them all. Bring them here. Kill whoever you have to, but bring them all.”
The hunters stiffened slightly at the order and glanced to each other. Clyde finally turned back to him. “Kill who?”
“Whoever leads them; anyone who refuses.” Simon smiled. “We need to gather all of the Quee together.” He sniffed at the air and pointed into the darkness. “Quee are stronger together...” He slammed his hands together and interlaced his fingers. “Together. As one.”
Clyde barked at the other hunters and they all trotted into the darkness. Simon watched them fade from view and turned to look back at the people he had gathered. “Soon.”
Chapter 14
Hatcher rolled his sleeves down in the chill night air. The sentry manning the front gate nodded to him. “You okay, boss?”
“Yeah.” Hatcher squinted as he peered into the inky blackness. “Anything happening?”
“Not tonight. Quiet as a graveyard.”
Hatcher shivered slightly. “Anybody leave?”
“Sir?” The guard turned to him, confusion painted across his face. “Should I be aware of anything?”
Hatcher shrugged. “A few got word that I had their meds recalled. They got butthurt, so I told them to leave if they wanted.” He glanced at the man. “I was just curious if any had.”
The guard sighed and shook his head. “None that I’m aware of.” He toed a small rock at his feet. “Can I ask why you had their meds pulled back?”
Hatcher gave a long sigh. “I’m sure you’ll hear the rumors soon enough.” He sniffed at the chill air and leaned against the main gate. “People have been catching a sore throat. Mild fever. That kind of stuff. Vic thought it was strep and handed out antibiotics.”
“Makes sense.”
“Yeah, well…turns out that the symptoms they’re suffering from are tied to the government’s attempt at a cure.”
The sentry gave him a wide eyed stare. “Seriously?”
“But when have you ever known the government to actually get something right?”
The sentry capitulated. “You got me there.”
“Anyhow, they got upset that I didn’t announce it and give them a reason why we pulled the meds. I just couldn’t risk people losing all hope.”
The sentry nodded slowly. “I can see both sides.” He tugged at his shirt pocket and pulled out a cigarette. “Want one?” Hatcher shook his head. “I’ve been limiting myself to one a day. Usually during the night watch.” He chuckled as he lit it and blew a grey column of smoke into the air. “Wife says I should just quit.”
“Smart lady.”
“Smarter than me.” The sentry turned and gave Hatcher a reassuring look. “I understand why you’d hold back. But as a member of our little community here, I can also understand why people would get their feelings hurt that you didn’t trust them with the truth. We don’t get much info from the outside. Every bit is precious.”
Hatcher turned and gave him a raised brow. “So you wouldn’t blame them for leaving either?”
The sentry chuckled. “Hell, you’d be a damned fool for leaving a set up like this.” He turned back to the gate and peered through the bars. “But it’s still a free country, last I heard.”
Hatcher patted the man’s shoulder. “If anybody does leave, let me know about it, would ya?”
“Right away, boss.” He watched Hatcher reenter the lobby then turned his attention back to the perimeter.
“To hell with the girl. I want Broussard back here.” General Vickers stood slowly and extended a long finger at the junior officer. “You made sure he was ‘vaccinated’ before he boarded the ship, didn’t you?”
The younger man nodded nervously. “Of course, sir. As was Dr. Chaplain.”
Vickers waved off his comment. “If she wants to run away from home, let her. But Broussard was on loan from the French.” A wicked smile crossed his features. “That means we’re responsible for him.”
The young officer swallowed nervously as Vickers rounded his desk. “The president himself wanted Broussard handy when we completed the seeding operation.” He stepped closer, obviously invading the young
