by Dawn, M. K.
The door shuttered again as infested slammed against it.
“His walkie-talkie is dead, plus that would draw attention to him.” Archer held open the door. “We’re out of time. If we stay in here, they’re going to force their way in. We need to get out of range, where they can no longer smell us.”
Even though Sloan knew Archer was right, her heart still ached at the thought of leaving one of their own behind.
“Slash.” Archer squeezed her hand as Axel passed out glow sticks, giving them a decent amount of light. They were much easier to travel with than the battery-operated flashlights.
“Shifter is a lot of things, but he wouldn’t leave us stranded here.” Tears burned her eyes as Archer barricaded the door to the waiting room.
Axel paced the narrow area set between the four exam rooms. “I’ll go after him.”
“No.” Archer stepped in front of Axel. “There are too many infested. They’d be on you before you even had a chance to call Shifter’s name.”
“He’d come after any one of us,” Axel argued.
“Would he?” Smith took a seat on a rolling stool. “He doesn’t strike me as one who’s put others before himself.”
Axel’s face tightened as he stormed over to Smith and got in her face. “You don’t know what the hell you’re talking—”
A couple of strikes against the emergency exit silenced the room.
Sloan sucked in a sharp breath. “More infested?”
Archer took a step closer to the door. “I don’t hear anything.”
Axel moved to Archer’s right and pressed his ear against the door. “The infested are never this quiet.”
Sloan’s stomach rolled as she watched Axel grip the exit bar. “What are you doing? Don’t open that!”
“Shifter could be on the other side.” Axel leaned into the door.
Archer grabbed Axel’s forearm and stopped him from pushing open the door. “Wait a second. We can’t open this door without being one hundred percent sure the infested aren’t waiting for us on the other side. If they get in, we’re screwed.”
“How to you suggest we do that?” Axel glared.
Archer clicked his tongue. “We need a way to signal that we’re in here.”
“Like knock on the door and see if he knocks back?” Axel asked, his tone sharp.
“Something the infested can’t copy.” A smile spread across Archer’s face. “Shave and a haircut.”
Everyone else seemed to know what that meant except for Sloan. “What does that mean?”
Archer knocked his knuckles against the door as he recited the line, “shave and a haircut.”
Sloan glanced at the others, who all watched the door expectantly. “What are we waiting for?”
Archer held up his pointer finger. “Wait for it, Slash.”
Two knocks and everyone silently cheered. Except for Sloan, who still didn’t understand what that meant.
Axel pushed on the emergency bar. “Shifter?”
“Fuck me!” Shifter’s bloody hand grasped the door, and he flung himself inside. “What took you so damn long? There are a shit-load of infested out there.”
Archer pulled the door closed and laughed. “Sorry, we didn’t know it was you banging on the door.”
Shifter collapsed to the ground and leaned his head against the wall. “Nice work on the knock. I was about to head to the front when I heard it.”
“Glad you didn’t.” Axel extended his hand and helped Shifter to his feet. “It’s bad out there.”
“Where the hell did they all come from?” Shifter asked, still out of breath.
“Don’t know.” Axel led Shifter into an exam room. “We should get you checked out. Make sure you’re okay. You got blood all over your hand.”
Shifter nodded. “While you’re at it, better check the kids for bite marks. Ain’t nobody going back to the farm who’s been bitten. Myself included.”
“Were you bitten?” Archer asked.
“Nah.” Shifter’s eyes fell on the twins. “But if I was, I would put a gun to my head and pull the trigger. There ain’t nothing I wouldn’t do to keep the people I care about safe.”
***
Sloan and Smith led Mia into the exam room across the hall from where the guys went. The room didn’t have much space, hardly enough for three women to move without bumping into each other. Exhaustion made it hard for Sloan to keep her eyes open, but she wanted to get the examination out of the way so she could get some sleep.
“Mia,” Sloan directed her to the table, “I’m going to check you over for bite marks. Let me find you a gown.”
“Just get it over with,” Mia said in a meek voice as she stripped off her clothes.
Sloan turned her back to the young girl and dug through the supply cabinets until she found a gown.
“Here.” Sloan passed it over her shoulder to give Mia as much privacy as possible. “Use this. Please.”
Mia took the gown from Sloan’s hand. “Thanks. You can both turn around now.”
“I’m sorry we have to do this.” Sloan proceeded to examine Mia’s bare skin. “If it makes you feel any better, I check everyone who’s new to the farm.”
“Why you?” Mia asked, her eyes focused on the ground.
“I’m a surgeon.” In all the commotion, Sloan didn’t have the chance to introduce herself to either of them. “I’m Sloan, by the way.”
Mia looked up at her from underneath her eyelashes. “So, you’re a doctor? Were you any good?”
“One of the best in the country. I’m going to check your back now, okay?” It was important Sloan ask for permission to touch the girl as to not startle or scare her in any way.
Mia nodded. “It’s open. I couldn’t tie it by myself.”
“Sorry. I should have offered.” Sloan pulled back the thin material and scanned her back. There were no signs of bite marks or any other wounds, only a symbol on Mia’s shoulder. “The cross with claw marks. What does it mean?”
Mia sniffled. “It’s a brand.”
Sloan’s eyes met Smith’s, who only shrugged. “A brand?”
“Yeah. A brand. Like they use for livestock. It’s metal and you stick it in fire to get it hot. Then press it against the skin.” Tears streamed down Mia’s cheeks.
“Who did this to you?” Sloan moved the gown away to get a better look.
“The Children of the Apocalypse.” A quiet sob escaped Mia’s lips. “They held me down. I tried to fight them off, but they were too strong.”
“You fought while they branded you?” The edges of the brand were smooth. Usually when an animal fought the brand, the edges would become uneven from the movement.
“Of course, I fought them!” Mia snapped. “What do you think I’m crazy or something?”
Sloan covered the brand and tied the back of the gown. “No. I need to check the front of you now. If you don’t mind laying down, it’ll make things easier.”
Mia averted her eyes. “Whatever.”
“Just think of it as a yearly physical.” Sloan examined her quickly, knowing how uncomfortable these sorts of things could be. “And we’re all done. No bite marks.”
“Great.” Mia sat up and scooted off the table. “Can I get dressed now? Alone?”
“Sure.” Sloan motioned for Smith to leave the room and followed.
Smith frowned at the closed door. “Think we should leave her alone?”
“There’s nowhere for her to go.” The lack of windows made it an ideal place to spend the night.
“Do you believe her?” Smith asked in a hushed tone. “About the brand. She got pretty defensive.”
“I’m not sure. It doesn’t appear that she struggled when it was done, but there could be a reasonable explanation.”
The door across the hall opened, and Archer walked out followed by Eli.
“Everything okay?” Sloan asked.
Archer patted Eli on the back. “No bites.”
“What about Shifter?” Smith as
ked.
As if hearing his name, Shifter and Axel joined them in the hall.
“No bite marks here,” Axel said. “Twins okay?”
Sloan smiled at Mia who’d emerged from the exam room. “No bite marks for Mia. Archer examined Eli, though I feel as the medical professional, I should take a look as well.”
“You don’t trust me?” Archer clutched his chest. “You wound me, Slash.”
“It’s not that I don’t trust you, it’s just that you might have missed—”
Archer’s laughter cut her off. “I’m messing with you, Slash. Relax a little.”
“Oh. Sorry.” Sloan furrowed her brow. “But where does that leave us on me re-checking Eli?”
A few of the others snickered.
“He’s fine, Slash.” Archer shot her a little wink. “But you’re welcome to take a look.”
“No.” A yawn tugged at her lips. “It’s getting late. We should eat and get some rest so we can head out early tomorrow morning.”
“Can we talk for a few minutes first?” Archer’s eyes darted to the twins. “Alone, if you two wouldn’t mind heading into one of the exam rooms.”
“Here.” Smith handed them her water canteen and a small pack of beef jerky.
“Thanks. Come on, sis.” Eli took the supplies and guided Mia into Exam Room 2 and closed the door.
Archer cocked his head to the farthest point from the room the twins now occupied. “Over there. These rooms aren’t exactly soundproof.”
They huddled in a circle and waited for Archer to speak.
Archer addressed Sloan first. “Did the girl have a brand on her back? A cross with slash marks across it?”
“Yes. Did Eli?”
“He did.” Archer cracked his neck. “Said the group they escaped from held him down and forced him to get it.”
Smith peered over her shoulder. “That’s the same story the girl gave.”
“Do we believe them?” Sloan asked.
“I’m not sure.” Archer eyed Sloan. “What do you think?”
Sloan took a moment to gather her thoughts and make sure what she was about to say didn’t come off as her being certain. “There is no concrete evidence to dispute their claim—”
“But,” Axel pressed.
“But,” Sloan continued with a sneer. She detested interruptions. “The edges of Mia’s brand were smooth as if she held still while they seared her skin.”
“They both said they were held down,” Axel said.
“Still.” Sloan rotated her shoulder, uncomfortable with just the idea of a hot piece of iron forced against her back. “It would be difficult to hold someone still enough for them to not move their shoulder.”
“So, what you’re saying,” Axel gazed up at the ceiling, “is you don’t trust them?”
“Not one hundred percent, but that’s to be expected,” Sloan said. “We’ve only just met them.”
“If we can’t trust them,” Axel frowned, “how can we bring them back to the farm with us?”
“We shouldn’t.” Shifter leaned against the counter and crossed his legs at the ankle.
Smith snorted. “That’s real humane of you. Leave a couple kids out in the world to die. You didn’t see them when the infested showed up. They were terrified. Had no idea what to do but run.”
Shifter huffed. “What a coincidence that moments after we find these people in the middle of the road, a hoard of infested show up.”
“You think they set this up?” Smith laughed. “Why? To get themselves killed along with us? They’re kids, for Christ’s sake!”
“Kids?” Shifter raised his voice. “You’re out of your damn mind.”
“Enough.” Archer moved between them. “Lower your voices and calm the hell down. They haven’t done anything to suggest they’re dangerous. And we can’t leave them out here alone on the grounds of a suspicious brand on their back. It was decided a long time ago that we would help all that we could. But, it’s not my decision. We vote, majority wins. All in favor of taking them back to the farm with us?”
Everyone but Shifter raised their hand. Sloan had hesitated for a second longer than the others and was sure Archer had noticed, but he wouldn’t bring it up. Not in front of everyone.
“Majority wins. They come back with us tomorrow.” Archer yawned. “I’m exhausted, as I’m sure we all are, but someone has to take first watch.”
“I’ll do it.” Shifter volunteered. “I’m too wired to sleep.”
“Fine.” Archer headed back toward the exam rooms. “I’ll stay up with you. Axel, Smith, you have second watch.”
“What?” Shifter clenched his jaw. “You don’t trust me?”
Sloan didn’t like the fire in Archer’s eyes as Shifter questioned his orders. Even though she knew Archer would never act with anything other than respect, Shifter had a temper.
“I trust you.” Archer took a seat next to the emergency exit. “But with so many infested outside, one guard is not enough. Got a problem with that?”
Shifter sneered and sat down next to the door that led to the waiting room. “Nope. If that’s the actual reason.”
Smith took Sloan’s arm and whispered in her ear, “We should take a room. Let these two hash this out without an audience.”
“Okay.” Sloan squatted beside Archer. She knew better than to argue about him staying up when he was already having to deal with an unruly Shifter. “I’m going to get some sleep. You good?”
“Yep.” Archer patted her knee. “You don’t want to eat something first?”
Her exhaustion had erased all thoughts of food. “I’m too tired to eat.”
He planted a light kiss on her lips. “Get some rest. Tomorrow might be rough.”
“You, too.” Sloan rose to her feet and followed Smith into Exam Room 2.
“I can take the floor.”
Sloan stared down at the hard tile. “You don’t have to do that.”
“I’ve slept on worse.” Smith pulled a stack of gowns from the cabinet. “How many you want? They might not look like much, but with enough imagination, they make a decent pillow and blanket.”
“A couple is fine. Use the rest to make yourself a bed.” Sloan settled in on the exam table. The second she closed her eyes, the horrors to the day came flooding back.
***
“Why don’t we just go out the back?” Shifter asked, adjusting his backpack. “Book it to the SUV before the infested, if there are any left, have a chance to sniff us out.”
Sloan had asked Archer the same question not five minutes ago. After yesterday, she didn’t want to risk another encounter with the infested.
“It’s too risky.” Archer gathered the last of his supplies and shoved them into his bag. “We need to survey the area, make sure there’s no surprises once we leave.”
Shifter opened his mouth as if he wanted to argue but said nothing.
Good thing because Archer was in a mood. His usual upbeat temperament was non-existent this morning, replaced by impatience and irritability.
“Axel, Smith.” Archer headed for the waiting area. “You’re with me. The rest of you, stay inside.”
Sloan would agree to stay inside but would assess the situation herself by way of the window. “We’ll wait for your signal from the waiting room.”
“Fine.” Archer cracked open the door, gun ready.
There had been no indication that the infested had made their way inside, but Archer tended to err on the side of caution.
“Room’s clear.” Archer propped open the door and headed in.
Axel, Smith, and Shifter followed.
The twins hung back. They hadn’t said a word all morning, not that they’d been given much of an opportunity. Ever since they’d woken, they’d been rushing around preparing to leave.
“Are you coming?” Sloan asked them.
Mia inched closer to Eli, who pulled her close.
“My sister’s scared.”
“Of the infested?” Sloan aske
d the twins while trying to hear what the others were saying. “Because Archer and Axel are both competent soldiers.”
“Not of the infested,” Mia said in a hushed voice. “Shifter.”
Mia’s response was unexpected and a bit unnerving. She hadn’t realized the twins had any further contact with Shifter since they’d first met outside. “I know he can come off a bit uncaring but—” Sloan paused at Mia’s wide eyes full of fear. “Did he do something?”
Mia focused on the floor. “It’s just...just...the way he looks at us. There’s so much hate in his eyes. And we’ve heard him talking to the others. He doesn’t like us. Doesn’t trust us. We’ve done nothing wrong. We only want to find a safe place to live.”
“Shifter can be skeptical, but he’s very protective of our town and the people who reside there. You have nothing to fear.”
“We get that,” Eli said. “But if he’s going to treat us like crap, then we’d rather live on the streets.”
“Living on the streets?” They hadn’t mentioned that before. “I thought you said that group was holding you captive?”
“They were up until a few days ago.” If Eli was lying, Sloan couldn’t tell. “After we escaped, we moved into an abandoned building.”
Sloan wanted to point out the technicality of street living versus staying in a shelter but thought better of it. “I understand. We should go check on the others.”
“Could we wait back here?” Mia asked.
“Slash!” Archer called out from the other room. “You need to take a look at this. Bring the twins.”
“Sorry.” Sloan smiled, grateful for Archer’s orders. She had no intention of leaving the twins alone so close to an exit. “We find it safer if we all stick together.”
“Fine.” Mia tucked her arm in the crook of Eli’s elbow, and they walked side-by-side into the waiting room.
Sloan trailed close behind. “Stay here.”
“I don’t understand,” Smith said.
“Understand what?” Sloan joined them at the small window. “What are you all looking at?”
Archer stepped aside to allow her a better view of the dead infested sprawled out on the ground.
“Did you kill this many yesterday?” Sloan asked. During the commotion, she never had a chance to get an accurate count.