“I’m Alexander and this is Ethan,” he said. She smiled, her mouth trembling. Xander knew she was trying to hold it together. Being trapped and not knowing if you’d be rescued had to take its toll. He wondered again about Jess and his family and why the man had waited so long? He could understand here, the corridors and rooms were filled. But he was sure at some point, Jess could have taken his family and left Huntsville.
“I’m Rose. This is Julia and Mrs. Gilbert. Can I ask a question?” Rose asked, now seeming very nervous. At Xander’s nod she continued.
“Um. Did that woman that was with you, well…did she really turn into a werewolf? Honestly, I wasn’t sure if I were experiencing a psychotic break or a group dilution,” she said and the other women nodded in unison.
“Simple answer is yes. She’s our friend and she won’t hurt you,” Xander said softly. Rose relaxed though her face was still clouded with uncertainty.
“It’s a long story,” Ethan added and they turned when there was a loud bang from one of the rooms. The two women who were clutching each other squeaked.
“Let’s get the supplies and get out of here. Do you ladies have a way to get home? Do any of you have a weapon?” Xander asked. They looked at each other with varying degrees of indecision.
“I came with my husband, he was waiting in the car,” Mrs. Gilbert said and her lips began to shake and her eyes filled with tears. That wasn’t good.
“I’ve got my car, I can take you home,” Julia offered and Mrs. Gilbert nodded.
“I caught the bus in. I don’t suppose the buses are running,” Rose said, a weak smile quivering on her lips.
“That would be a no. Maybe we can commandeer an ambulance from the ambulance bay?” Ethan suggested.
“I don’t drive, or at least I’ve not driven in years,” Rose said apologetically. When both men stared at her, she blushed.
“I have a mild form of narcolepsy. I can’t drive nor can I perform surgery,” she said and shrugged.
“What do you think, Xander? Do you want to trade up from your truck to an ambulance? A little more room and we can carry more gear and supplies?” Ethan asked.
“How about you drive the ambulance, we take my truck and get Rose to where she wants to go and then figure it out from there?” Xander suggested.
“Sounds like a plan,” Ethan said and smiled. A dark blond eyebrow went up as Xander looked from Ethan to Rose. She blushed prettily and when he eyed Ethan, the man was blushing as well. He sighed and looked around.
“Let’s get those supplies and get out of here,” Xander said.
Ž
Reggie’s throat was frozen, a scream of terror locked deep inside as he watched the massive creature make its way toward them. The zombies were bad enough but this thing in front of him was something made from nightmares. Its jagged teeth were dripping with saliva and blood. His body let go his bladder and his heart was nearly beating its way out of his chest. There was no way he could save Shay from this thing. His eyes looked up as it towered over him and he waited for it to bite his head off like it had done to those zombies.
The wet nose snuffled and sniffed around his head and neck and then did the same to Shay. If he’d had an extra bullet, he’d have shot the child to spare her from being ripped apart. His head and ears were still ringing from the gunfire and Shay’s steam whistle shrieks. He could barely breathe as the animal sniffed at the little girl and when he heard Shay giggle, his eyes widened even more. Shay wasn’t afraid? How was that possible? He was about to vomit and she was giggling. He saw her thin arm reach up and she was petting the damned thing. Shay was petting a werewolf. He was stunned.
“You look like my mommy,” Shay said softly and Reggie’s heart did a triple bump in his chest. Shay’s mother was a werewolf? There were really werewolves? Not just make believe, but real werewolves in this world? He understood the zombies, they were made by the mysterious virus, but werewolves? He watched as the werewolf’s mouth stretched back, displaying serrated molars. Was the damned thing smiling? Then the animal stepped back and before his eyes, it began to shrink and the sound of popping tendons and bones echoed around him, like someone was popping and cracking their knuckles. The thing shrank and the muzzle began to sink back into what appeared to be a human head.
Zahara stretched her neck back and forth and smiled up at the little girl.
“I’m Zahara, who are you?”
“I’m Shay Belvier, I’m seven.”
Zahara looked at the redheaded man who smelled of piss. A tapered eyebrow went up in question and the man swallowed hard, his eyes nearly bulging out of his head.
“I’m Reg, Reggie. I…I can’t believe it. Werewolf? Thank you for saving us.”
“I need to rinse off and find some clothing. Where’s the water aisle?” she asked, looking up at Reggie. He jutted his chin off toward a display that had cases of bottled water. She turned and felt the heat of his gaze over her back and rump. Her mouth twitched in humor. She looked down when Shay ran up to her and grabbed her hand. She looked down into the honey gold eyes of the child.
“You’re a werepup, aren’t you?” Zahara asked gently. The little girl smiled softly and nodded; her face
