He immediately ducked as more rifle rounds thumped into the wall.
“What the hell is your problem?!” Hatcher screamed. “We’re just looking for a place to live!”
More rounds punched into the earthen wall then a voice replied, “It’s a big fuckin’ town! Look somewhere else!”
Hatcher popped his head up again, hoping to see Buck. He quickly ducked as shots echoed, peppering where he had just been. “Son of a bitch.”
He glanced over at where Will still stood, watching the gunfire exchange. He stiffened suddenly then turned to Hatcher, his face a mask of surprise. He pointed animatedly at the rear of the house and Hatcher nodded. He knew exactly where Buck was now.
He popped up again and fired three more rounds at the front of the house. He wanted the shooter distracted in case Buck accidentally made his presence known.
He dove low and rolled closer to the corner, peering past the edge before firing another volley. “Come out here and face me like a man!” he yelled.
“Fuck you! Come in here and we’ll settle this right now!” More shots sprayed the wall, sending bits of debris over Hatcher. Then he heard something that his mind couldn’t quite identify. Not knowing what surprises might be in store, he quickly poked his head out then took cover again.
Hatcher struggled to make sense of what he’d seen. What was different? He closed his eyes and tried to remember the front of the house. The tile roof, the thick adobe wall. The stucco exterior. The wrought iron gate.
“The garage?” Hatcher’s eyes open and he stared at his feet as he tried to zero in on what was different. With a curse, he poked his head above the wall again to verify. The garage door was definitely open.
As he sat at the base of the wall, waiting and praying that Buck safely got the drop on the shooter, he cursed himself for not being more observant and noticing the garage earlier. “I’m losing my edge.”
He took a deep breath and yelled, “You ready to talk this out?” His reply was more shots into the wall. With a groan he mumbled, “Yeah, I didn’t think so.”
“Congress?” Carol asked, her eyes wide. “What happened to them?”
Higgins gave her a deadpan stare. “Your cure happened.” He stepped away from the acrylic walled cells and took a seat near a workstation. “When the politicians first arrived, we were safely locked away. Little did we know that one of the secret service had been scratched and infected.” Higgins smirked as he recounted the events. “Funny…it took him much longer to turn than the others. Perhaps he had a stronger resistance to the virus?”
“You said it was the cure that did this, though.” Broussard stared at him, wishing the man could learn to get straight to the point.
“Yes.” Higgins crossed his legs and gave them a wan smile. “Well, the secret service agents spread the virus, and while the president was immediately evacuated offshore, his staff and these unfortunate souls remained trapped here in this glorified cave.” Higgins sighed as he recounted the past. “We eventually got control again and purged the mountain of the infected.”
“The cure?” Broussard asked again.
“Yes, well, after a series of unfortunate events, we were left with limited power, and of course, no communications.” He glanced at Carol then back to Broussard. “But then word came that your treatment was in the works and being released. Still, it was decided that we should wait, so we did.”
“And they were exposed once you opened the doors,” Carol said softly.
Higgins nodded solemnly. “We were so excited to be able to breathe fresh air…to see the sun again.” He sighed deeply then glanced to Broussard. “First a few of the service men tested the waters, so to speak. The following days we went out in small groups with armed escorts.”
“Were all of these people together when they were exposed?” Broussard asked.
Higgins nodded. “They went out to stretch their legs and get some air and just…enjoy being outside. After they returned we noticed that they were even more unruly. They began to act paranoid.” He raised a brow as he stared at Broussard. “Then they began to exhibit violent outbursts.”
“Eventually they reverted to this,” Carol finished for him.
Higgins nodded. “And, since they are the last remaining semblance of governmental authority, the president would like them cured…of the cure.”
Broussard raised a brow, slowly shaking his head. “We have only just discovered the, well… the problem with the cure.” He looked to Higgins. “We were hoping that you had perhaps broken ground on this.”
Higgins smiled and shook his head as he came to his feet. “Our best and brightest were the first to fall after the initial outbreak.” He sighed as he admitted the truth. “Utilizing sports analogies, what remains of the CDC isn’t even the second stringers.” He gave a mocking smile. “In fact, we wouldn’t even seriously be considered bench warmers.” He turned and eyed Broussard hopefully. “I’m afraid that this will be left to you and your brilliance.”
Carol glanced at Andre and watched as he slowly shook his head. “In that case, we may be in trouble. I have no idea how to combat this.”
Higgins gave him a tight lipped smile then nodded over his shoulder. Four armed men streamed into the room, weapons at the ready. “That is truly unfortunate for you then.” He turned and flipped a switch, illuminating another set of acrylic cells. “Because this is the vice president and some of his staff; our government won’t react well to your failing them.”
“That doesn’t change the facts,” Broussard stated, his fear and anger rising.
“I suggest you try.” Higgins’ face turned to stone. “To be completely honest, the president
