Carol’s hands shook as she went to the lab doors and unlocked them. She pulled the doors open and stepped halfway into the gloomy hallway. She cocked her head slightly and heard the scuff of feet on stairs as the woman made her way up to the second floor.
Carol felt her entire body tremble as the door at the end of the hallway opened, and for a brief moment, she thought that she could disappear into the lab, seal the door and hide. The woman wouldn’t be able to tell which room she was in, and she would remain safe.
Instead, Carol forced her legs to remain in place and her breath caught in her throat when a nearly bald head poked into the hallway.
“Over here.” Carol’s throat went dry. “I have food. And water.”
The woman slowly emerged into the hallway and locked eyes with her. She took a tentative step forward then froze. Carol waved her on. “It’s okay. I won’t hurt you.” Please don’t hurt me.
The woman stepped closer then glanced back toward the stairs. She let the door close behind her and slowly made her way toward Carol. With each step, both women could feel the tension rise.
The hair on the back of Carol’s neck stood on end and she stepped aside to allow the filth-covered woman into the lab. “It’s okay. Maybe not the most comfortable place, but it’s safe.”
The woman peered into Carol’s face as she stood outside the door. Through all of the grime and filth, Carol knew that she had once been beautiful. Her vivid blue eyes shone with intelligence and she gave only the slightest nod of her head as she stepped into the lab.
Carol let the door close and stepped aside. “I’ve got food.” She walked to the storage closet and pulled out canned goods. The woman’s eyes widened as she stared at the food and she gave another nod.
“Th-thank you.” Her broken voice sounded dry and hoarse.
Carol handed her a bottle of water while she began opening the canned goods. “We’ll get you fed and cleaned up a bit.” She gave her a soft smile. “Maybe you can tell me your story afterward.”
The woman’s face fell and she appeared to become even paler. She slowly closed her eyes and shook her head. “It’s…a nightmare.”
“More females leave.” Clyde stood tall as he reported his findings. “Not know where.”
Simon clenched his jaw tight and squeezed his eyes shut to keep from screaming. He waited a moment for his anger to subside then opened his eyes. “How many?”
Clyde shook his head slowly. “Some. Not all.”
Simon came to his feet and pushed his way through the small group of hunters. He peered toward the front of the store and the sun was obviously still up. “How?”
Clyde shook his head again. “Don’t know.”
Simon walked to the front of the store and shielded his eyes from the lowering sun. He thrust his arm into the light and hissed as his skin felt like it was blistering.
He growled low in his throat and spun on his hunters. “No more. No more leave.” He pounded his chest. “I am Alpha! Nobody leaves without my say so.”
Clyde nodded and looked to the other hunters. “Keep watch during sleep. Take turns.”
“If that’s what you have to do, then do it! Nobody else leaves unless I tell them to.” Simon fought the urge to lash out at his hunters. He knew he needed all of them for the attack on the Cagers.
“Most are well now. We make war?”
Simon nodded. “Get everyone practicing with their weapons. Have the old make more arrows.” He pulled an arrow from the homemade quiver one of the hunters carried. He ripped a rag of t-shirt material from a nearby hunter and wrapped it around the arrow just behind the arrowhead. “Have them wrap cloth to the arrow like this.”
Clyde gave him a confused stare. “Why?”
Simon smiled broadly. “We set it on fire before we shoot it. We burn the slow dumb ones alive. Eat what is left.”
Clyde simply nodded then marched off to find the old ones.
Simon turned to his other hunters. “Every blade sharp. Every spear hardened. Everybody fed before we leave. Understand?”
The hunters nodded then broke off.
Simon inhaled deeply and closed his eyes, his mind seeing the Cagers burning alive behind the walls of their compound. The smile that crossed his face was genuine; he could almost smell their flesh charring.
Chapter 23
“Are you certain you want to do this?” Hatcher asked, concern painting his features. “It might be better to wait until morning. At least you’d know the roads would be clearer.”
Trevor rubbed at the back of his neck, his eye on the dropping sun. “I know, but Patricia is pretty adamant about us leaving. I wish I knew why.”
Hatcher eyed the RV where the little girl hid in the shadows. “I wonder if she knows something we don’t?”
Trevor shook his head. “Beats me.” He offered a weak smile. “Who knows? Maybe another kid hurt her feelings and she wants distance.”
Hatcher nodded as he walked Trevor back to the RV. “Good luck out there. And remember, you and Patricia are welcome back at any time.” He looked back at the compound and a thought struck him. “Would it change things if we offered you a permanent spot inside?”
Trevor shook his head. “She wants to go so we’ll go.” His eyes brightened when he saw Donna appear in the courtyard, a duffel in her hands. “At least we won’t be alone on the road.”
Hatcher’s eyes widened when he saw her approaching. “You’re going with them?”
She seemed to fluster a moment. “Yeah.” She smiled at Trevor. “Maybe things weren’t so bad as I remember them.”
Hatcher narrowed his gaze at her. “After what you said before? You’re just…” He trailed off, unsure of the proper words.
Donna sighed heavily and looked up at him. “I’m sorry, but I watched two of those fights today. They were over
