Jack stroked her hair, fingers lingering on her jaw and neck. She quieted after a while. “Shh,” he whispered. “It’s okay.”
“God, I’m glad you’re stubborn and followed me,” she said as she wiped her nose on her sleeve.
“Me, too. Let’s get the hell out of here,” he said.
Carla nodded and grabbed her gun from the floor.
Jack slipped his arm around her and they stepped over what was left of Sergeant Manning.
As they drew close to the holding cell, the younger guy yelled out, “Please let us out. Please. We’re sitting ducks in here!”
“I’ve got to let them out,” Carla whispered. “It’s the humane thing to do.”
“Yeah,” Jack replied. “I don’t think they’re going to get due process of law any time soon.”
She took her keys from her belt. “Listen,” she told them, “you guys better remember that I’m doing you a favor. Get safe and stay out of trouble. Whatever any of you are in here for... take this as your last chance to redeem yourselves.” She waited to turn the key in the lock, looked each of them in the eye. “Understood?”
The three nodded enthusiastically and stumbled over each other running for the door like the hunted prey they still were.
Jack caught her arm when she turned to leave. Drawing her close, he pulled her body against his. “I’ve been waiting a long time to do this,” he whispered into her ear, caressing it with his lips. He drew her mouth to his and kissed her long and hard.
She kissed him back, maybe even harder.
Chapter Seven
Over the next few days, back at the observatory, there was much to do.
As everyone got to know each other better, they drew on each others’ knowledge and skills. Jack knew how to set traps. Although he didn’t care to kill animals, he understood the need for protein. Carla was extremely resourceful; she gathered furniture and other goods. Before long, their ‘living section’ at the end of the hall was fairly comfortable. She organized the stock and kept track of what was still needed.
Mike and Joe set about increasing security and taking out wandering zombies nearby. They also brought the SUV down to the lower level at the back of the building, parking it at a loading dock used to haul large equipment and machinery. The likelihood of someone taking it from the front of the premises was slim, but they didn’t want to take any chances. Julie’s squad car finally ran out of gas and they left it in Jack’s garage at home. That left his truck and the SUV. Both had about a half tank.
Although they had cleared the building of bodies, a stench began to rise from outside. Carla boiled water and orange peels to help sweeten the air.
Anna’s sickness crept into her mind slowly. Everyone could see it. She cared less and less about anything. By the second day, she was already weak. Later that afternoon, Jack found Jared reading to her from a book he’d found in one of the rooms.
“How you feeling, angel?” asked Jack, sitting down next to her.
“I’ve been better,” she answered. Her voice was weak, monotone. She’s starting to not care, he thought as he brushed her hair back from her face. He wanted to remember the old Anna.
Not yet, please not yet...
“How about we take a little walk outside?” Jack suggested. “It’s safe right now.”
Anna smiled a little but didn’t move.
“That’s a good idea,” Jared said. “Come on.” He took her hand, helped her to stand up. They left the office and headed toward the front door. Joe was there with the keys and a rifle. Jack took comfort that his brother would cover the grounds while his niece took a walk. Maybe it would make her happy for a little while at least. Jack mused to himself that they all could use some fresh air, truth be told.
* * *
With Jared and Jack on either side, Anna wandered the grounds barefoot, although they mostly kept her close to the building. Anna seemed to be enjoying the cool, soft grass against her feet.
She headed east, to a slope down the hill, flanked by her protectors. Suddenly, she stopped and cocked her head, listening.
“Come on—” Jared started.
“Don’t you hear it?” she said, cutting him off. “It’s beautiful!”
Jack shushed them both. Yes, he thought he heard something, too. Down the embankment. He motioned for Jared and Anna to stay back while he took a few steps toward the sound, then paused and listened again.
All was quiet, but something moved in the bushes nearby. Jack focused his eyes on the bushes and what he had seen. But there was nothing else; not even a bird chirped. He paused, staring at the bush and unable to shake the feeling he was being watched. Jack had to admit, he felt like he was being watched.
Probably a rabbit or a fox, he told himself. Or a raccoon, maybe.
He turned, took Anna’s hand and led her back. All the while, he couldn’t shake the feeling of being watched.
* * *
The agent in black named Cole crouched a little way away in the bushes. He felt exhilarated by what he had just learned. The girl named Anna was indeed infected. She heard the sound he was transmitting, the sound that would bring her first—and then everyone else. Not yet... but soon.
He moved back to the camouflaged tent, merrily whistling a soft tune.
* * *
That evening, Anna had trouble staying focused.
Jared did not leave her side for more than a few moments at a time. He talked with her, read to her, and finally let her sleep. When she could no longer eat or drink, he held her hand in the dark office. He knew what was coming. He knew he couldn’t stay with her for much longer. It was only when her eyes lost focus and she seemed to look through him rather than at him that he finally broke down. He held her tight for a moment. Then, in a fit of rage, she shoved him back against the office wall and growled. Jared dashed out, and closed the door.
* * *
Jack waited nearby, taking in Jared’s pale face and shaking hands, and hugged the boy for the first time. “It’s gonna be all right, son.”
Jared nodded bravely. “I know. It’s just hard... we haven’t even talked about how we are going to contain her. The door opens inward so we can’t put stuff against it to block her exit.”
He allowed Jack to lead him to the eating area, a picnic table and some folded chairs Carla had dug out from storage.
“Don’t worry about it, Jared,” said Jack. “We’ve taken care of that.” Jack guided the kid to one of the chairs, where Carla set a bowl of vegetable beef soup in front of him.