There was more to the story, but I didn’t push her. Whatever it was that she was holding back, it made her face contort until she looked like she was about to break into a million pieces.
“What does any of this have to do with your dad’s disappearance?” I asked instead.
She sucked in a deep breath, then blew it out like she was trying to steady herself. When she spoke again, her voice was thick with tears, but her eyes were dry. “A few people speculated that Dad was immune too, so when he disappeared it seemed to set something off in my mom’s brain. She lost it. Started having delusions that the CDC had taken him. That they were using him to create a new vaccine. The virus is genetically engineered to mutate every few years. Did you know that?”
“No.” But how did she know that?
“My uncle Joshua worked at the CDC,” she said, almost like she was reading my mind. “He was a doctor.”
“So you know someone in every important position?”
“Not anymore. Joshua is dead, which has only pushed my mom’s delusions farther. She thinks he discovered something about my dad and that the authorities killed him to keep him quiet.”
I drummed my fingers on the counter, studying her face for a second while I decided what to say. There was a lot that could be said to all this. It sounded far-fetched, but it didn’t. Honestly, I wouldn’t put much past the people in charge. Would they keep someone hostage for years so they could use him like a lab rat? Probably. Does that mean they did?
The question I settled on was: “What do you think?”
“I don’t know. At first I was thought Mom was losing her mind, but then someone gave me this crazy note and now…”
Her eyes darted around when her voice trailed off, but the place was nearly empty. There were a few guys sitting at the other end of the bar, their hazy eyes focused on Helen as she babied them. I’d noticed that was her thing—trying to mend the wounded men who wandered into this building. Glitter and Dragon hadn’t made an appearance yet, my guards had cut out the second they dropped me off, and the bouncers were back on the cots, sleeping.
I gave Meg a second to calm down before reaching across the counter to take her hand, pulling her attention back to me. “What did the note say?”
Meg looked at her hand in mine, then lifted her head her gaze was holding mine. “That my dad is alive, and that he’s immune.”
My first thought was that she might be as crazy as her mom, but then the conversation I overheard in the Regulator’s house came back to me, and doubt crept in. They couldn’t have been talking about Meg’s dad, right? It was hard to remember all the details, but they’d said something about a man who was immune. And something about taking him out of a coma…
Meg’s eyes narrowed as the silence stretched out between us. “What?”
“I overheard something strange yesterday.”
I gave her the details I could remember, and the more I said, the bigger her eyes got. Even though some of it still didn’t make sense—the conversation about the flu, for example—I had to admit that the rest was pretty incriminating in the light of Meg’s story. Even worse, I couldn’t help wondering if she found herself outside the wall today because of what Jackson’s father had said last night. Although, that part of the story I kept to myself. No point in freaking her out even more.
“It can’t be,” she said when I’d finished. “If my dad was immune, someone would have told him. Right?”
I didn’t know about that. “I think the people in charge will do whatever it takes to reach their end goal. The problem is, I’m not really sure what that goal is. Before I overheard that conversation, I would have said eradicating the zombies. Now, though, I’m not so sure. Let’s face it, they’ve been telling us for twenty years that they were trying to reestablish a democracy, but we haven’t had a real election yet. Every time we get close something happens to distract people.”
Like a new flu outbreak…
Shit. I couldn’t believe I hadn’t made the connection before now. The Regulator and his crony talking about taking out the scum of this settlement and bringing up another flu outbreak as if it was the answer to all their problems. Like population control or something.
“And they would have taken him earlier,” Meg mumbled, shaking her head and staring at the bar counter like she hadn’t heard a word I just said. “No. That can’t be right. Angus died nearly twelve years—” Her mouth moved, but no words came out for a few seconds. When they finally did, they were softer. “Right after Margot disappeared.”
“Who’s Margot?”
“My sister.”
I sat up straighter. Usually, I wasn’t one for conspiracy theories, but it seemed a bit odd that both her sister and her father would disappear. “Your sister disappeared just like your dad did?”
“No.” She still wasn’t looking at me. “She was killed during a breach.”
So much for that theory.
“We never found her body, though. Just her book bag. It was torn and bloody. We all just assumed…”
Of course. Why wouldn’t they?
Meg’s head snapped up. “But what if? What if it was staged? What if she inherited the immunity and they took her to create a new vaccine?” Her eyes grew to twice their size as they darted around the bar. She looked like she thought someone may be eavesdropping, but that didn’t stop her from spewing out the ridiculous theory. “We never did figure out how the zombies breached the wall. They just showed up and started killing people. Mom was walking us home from school and people came running down the street, screaming. It was like a wave washing us away from her. Margot and I were together at first—I was holding her hand—and it felt like someone ripped her away from me. There were so many people around that I couldn’t figure out what happened, so I kept running. Moving with the crowd. The stink of rot was everywhere…” Her lips moved just a little after the words had trailed off, and even though no sound came out, I was pretty sure she whispered her sister’s name.
I felt for the girl, I did, but this story had gotten so crazy and far-fetched that it didn’t make a bit of sense anymore. If her father was immune, why not just tell him? Ask him to cooperate? We all knew the story of Angus James, and we knew that he died trying to get here to save the world—which was the main teaching of The Church. I was sure Meg’s dad would have done the same thing.
“Look,” I said, pausing to take a gulp of ale while I chose my words. “I’m the last person who would ever stick up for this shit show of a government—I don’t trust half the things they do—but even I know that theory is nuts.”
Megan’s eyes flashed like she was once again considering punching me. “Are you calling me nuts?”
“No. I’m saying that you’ve lost a lot and you’re struggling to make sense of it. Only it can’t make sense, and what you’re suggesting is just a touch past crazy.” More than a touch, only I wasn’t about to tell her that.
“You said yourself that you heard the Regulator talking about someone who was immune.”
“I don’t know it was the Regulator, I’m just guessing. It sounded like the prick, but nothing is certain in this world. Hell, for all I know it could have been that guy talking.” I jerked my thumb toward the end of the bar where a guy who couldn’t weigh more than ninety pounds was slouched over a glass of moonshine. His eyes were so bloodshot and sunken that it didn’t take a genius to know he was trying to kill himself with booze. “Whatever I heard may or may not have had to do with your dad, but my guess is it didn’t. Your uncle isn’t the only person they’ve found who was immune.”
“No.” Megan gnawed on her bottom lip. “That’s true. There have been others.”
I found myself hoping that I was getting through to her. She seemed like a nice girl, and I hated to see her lose her shit and start throwing around rumors that wouldn’t accomplish anything other than get her killed or shipped off to DC.
“I’ll keep my ears open,” I said, softening my voice. “Just promise me you
won’t repeat this story to anyone else.”
Meg’s eyes glistened with tears. “You will?”
“Sure.” It wasn’t going to hurt for me to pay attention, and hopefully when I didn’t hear anything else, she’d come back to reality.
The smile she gave was more than enough incentive to help her out. Since the moment she stuck up for me, I’d been drawn to her, and the more I got to know her, the stronger that attraction had become. It was stupid and I knew it. In a few days I’d be gone, dragged off to Key West to fight again, then some other place. It wouldn’t stop until I was dead and I knew it. Even if I found myself hoping against hope that I’d make it back to Patty one day, deep down I didn’t really think I would. I’d have a better chance of sprouting wings and flying away.
Meg was still smiling at me when Dragon called my name.
I turned, frowning when I found my guards standing in the doorway. They typically didn’t show up until after the fights, and they didn’t look the least bit happy to be here now.
Dragon waved and I headed over almost reluctantly. Something told me I was about to get some shitty news.
“What’s going on?” I asked when I stopped in front of the three men.
My guards looked ready to rip my head off, and even though I knew I didn’t do anything, their anger was aimed at me.
“Regulator told us to take a hike when we went back to his place,” the older guard said. “Guess we ain’t welcome under his roof no more.”
Shit.
Until now, I’d assumed that Jackson was talking out of his ass last night. The guy had so obviously been trying to snag Meg that I figured it would take a lot more than a little argument to make him back off. Guess I was wrong. Whatever she had done or said last night, it must have really pissed Jackson off. At least I didn’t have to worry about whatever messed-up plan he had cooked up for her anymore.
“Bound to happen,” I said, glancing back at Meg.
I sure as hell was going to miss that bed, but more than that, I was sorry I couldn’t keep my promise to keep my ears open. I’d have to let Meg know that it wasn’t going to work out. Later, though, after the fight.
“We have the cots in the back,” Dragon said, already turning away. “It’ll be fine.”
He left, but my guards didn’t. Apparently they thought if they glared at me long enough, it would kill me. Wrong, assholes. I was tougher than that.
“Dragon’s right,” I said as I turned my back on them. “It will be fine.”
Chapter Sixteen
Meg
Even after Donaghy headed into the back room and the bar started to fill up, I couldn’t stop thinking about everything I’d just heard. To me it seemed like proof that Mom wasn’t losing her mind, and that the note that crazy old man had given me had at least a little bit of truth in it.
People crowded into the bar and the air grew thicker while Glitter, Helen, and I served drinks. I could hardly focus on what I was doing. The other waitresses seemed to notice that my mind wasn’t exactly on the job, because they each sent questioning—and somewhat concerned—looks my way. Even if I could have explained over the crowd of people begging to get wasted, I wouldn’t want to. Donaghy was right. I couldn’t go around repeating this story to anyone unless I wanted to end up dead or shipped off to DC.
My crew popped up in front of me only a few minutes before the fight was scheduled to start, and just seeing them had my brain buzzing more than ever. I couldn’t forget the way they’d acted when I mentioned my dad, or how they wouldn’t meet my gaze when I asked them questions. They knew something, and I was going to get it out of them.
“Hey guys!” I called, ignoring how the younger of the three—the one with the beady eyes—gaped at my cleavage. I still hadn’t gotten their names, but it was something I planned on fixing. Tonight after the fight if I could manage it. “Drinks?” I smiled and batted my eyes, which earned me another look from Glitter.
“Moonshine.” The guy ogling my tits managed to look me in the eye long enough to order.
“You got it.”
I poured three glasses and slid them across the bar top, slyly waving away the credits they tried to hand me. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Glitter shoot me a look, but I didn’t turn long enough to be able to figure out what she was thinking. I wasn’t sure if Dragon would fire me for giving out free drinks, but I did know that I needed these guys at least a little loosened up.
“Thanks.” The oldest of the three guys winked as he took his glass.
He was the best looking of the three, even if he was about ten years older than me. Not that things like that mattered much anymore. The apocalypse made for strange bedfellows.
“See you after the fight?” I replied, smiling.
The guys nodded just as Dragon’s voice bellowed over the crowd. The blond guy gave me a little wave before heading off after the other two, and I watched as they pushed their way through the crowd in hopes of getting a better view of Donaghy and the zombies.
All around us, the crowd moved toward the ring just like my crewmembers had. Glitter came up beside me but I didn’t look her way. I wasn’t sure if she was going to rat me out to Dragon—they seemed to be close, so anything was possible—or what I’d do about it if she did. I needed this job, but the idea of getting on Dragon’s good side made me cringe.
“You going to tell me what’s going on?” Glitter asked when I didn’t turn her way.
On the other side of the room, the zombies were being carted toward the ring, and I kept my eyes on them as I shrugged. “Just need some information. Thought I’d grease the wheel.”
Glitter grabbed my arm and forced me to turn. “You have to be careful about handing out free drinks. Not because of Dragon, but because these guys will kill each other over shit like that.” I shot her a doubtful look, but she nodded. “I’m serious. The wrong guy sees you giving out a freebie after he’s used his hard-earned credits, and the next thing you know it’s a bloodbath in here.”
Shit. She had a point. On the streets, I’d seen fights break out over much smaller things, and that was when alcohol wasn’t involved.
“I hadn’t thought about that.”
“I know, that’s why I’m telling you.” Glitter’s gray eyes moved over me and her lips pulled into a purse. “What else is going on?”
“I just have a lot of crazy family stuff going on, that’s all.”
She shoved her pink hair off her forehead and looked away, and I suddenly felt like a piece of shit. This girl had no one but Dragon and Helen in her life. Compared to her, I’d had it easy.
When she turned her head, the lights shining down from above hit her just right, casting shadows across her face that highlighted the dark circles under her eyes. I hadn’t noticed them before, probably because she’d tried to cover them with makeup. She’d done a good job too, but standing right under the light like this made it impossible to hide them.
“You feeling okay?” I asked, wondering if anyone had ever looked out for this girl before. She claimed Dragon had saved her life, talked about him like he was a father figure, but I had a hard time picturing him as the paternal type. Helen, maybe.
“I’m exhausted. I have dreams. Strange dreams that are fuzzy, but terrifying at the same time. In them I’m always getting poked and prodded, and I’m tied to a bed. When they get really bad, I have a hard time sleeping.” She looked my way, and when her eyes met mine, they were big and round. “I’m sure they’re just leftover hallucinations from my druggie years.”
I shivered at the thought of having nightmares like that. “What do you remember about your life before Dragon found you?”
“Not a whole lot.” Glitter’s gaze moved to the ground like she didn’t want to look me in the eye.
I stared at the scars on her arms, trying to imagine a life where a person had become so dependent on drugs that their past had been totally washed away. It seemed crazy, but these days there was a lot of that.
“How o
ld were you?” I whispered, my eyes still on the scars.
Glitter covered them with her hands and I looked up to find her gray eyes swimming with tears. Helen stood behind her, listening to us as she smoked. There was a frown on her face, but something else flashed in her eyes. Anger. No, more like rage.
“As far as Dragon could tell, I was ten.”
Ten? It seemed crazy to think that this girl barely remembered the first ten years of her life. Like she had just dropped out of the sky or something. Even crazier: I couldn’t believe she was still standing here if that was how the first decade of her life had gone. Addicts didn’t usually make it more than a few years. There were just too many illnesses and bad drugs out there.
“How long have you been with Dragon?”
Glitter gave me a sad smile. “I’m legal.”
“That wasn’t what I asked,” I said defensively.
“Eight years.” Helen finally came over to stand next to Glitter, putting her wrinkled hand on the girl’s shoulder.
“Dragon let me start tending bar two years ago even though I wasn’t quite legal. It gave me something to do.” Glitter’s smile morphed from something sad to something a little more genuine. “Before that I spent my days learning to read and write, catching up on all the things I’d missed out on.”
“Her parents were probably junkies too,” Helen said. “They probably started her out on drugs at young age so they could sell her on the streets.”
I shivered, but Glitter didn’t bat an eye. Helen’s hand had tightened on the girl’s shoulder, and she leaned into it like it was a lifeline.
“It happens,” the older woman said, as if I needed an education in how rough this world was.
“I know. Doesn’t mean I have to like it.” I reached out and touched Glitter’s arm. “I’m sorry that happened to you.”
Twisted World Series Box Set | Books 1-3 & Novella Page 16