by Perrin Briar
Dana paused at that. She was at the door, her hand on the handle.
“No purpose?” Dana said. “I’m going to rescue my sister from the real monsters in this world. That’s my purpose.”
“That’s your goal, not your purpose,” Miss Jenkins said.
“They’re one and the same,” Dana said.
“There’s all the difference in the world between them,” Miss Jenkins said. “But you’ve already made your mind up about what you think. I tried for years to drill home how the world really is, how you can operate inside it. But you never listened. We both know where you would have ended up if all this-”
She gestured out the window at the broken world.
“-hadn’t happened. You always had drive. That wasn’t your problem. Your problem was in directing it toward a worthy purpose. You want to rescue Max, and I don’t blame you. But your purpose is to protect her, forever. And you can’t do that on your own. You need other people. You need a community of people. And you need to be considered valuable in that community, so they can never get rid of you nor Max. Your value is not what’s in here-”
She touched Dana’s sternum. Her heart.
“But what’s in here,” she said, touching Dana’s temple. “Knowledge is, and will always be, the most powerful weapon we have. Stay with us a little while. Get the knowledge you need to attain your purpose. Then, you can leave, find Max, and give her the home she deserves.”
Dana desperately wanted to leave. Immediately. The thought of Max being in a place like Eden made her blood boil. But she had to be logical. For once in her life, she needed to think before she took action. She’d always been reactive, emotional, in the past.
Was she ready to protect Max forever? Honestly? No. Not yet. It took more than blind belief and guts to survive. It took knowledge. And she would have some time before they could use Max for their evil purposes. The better prepared Dana was, the more likely she was to both get Max back and protect her.
“How long would it take?” Dana said.
“To get a good grasp of the basics?” Miss Jenkins said. “A few months.”
Dana snorted and turned to leave.
“Although an intensive course could take just a few weeks,” Miss Jenkins said. “It’ll be time well spent, believe me. And I want you to be as well prepared as you can be out there. You and your friend might well be our only hope.”
Chapter Thirty-Five
THE SPEED with which knowledge and skills can be learned by a properly motivated individual cannot be underestimated. There are few subjects that cannot be mastered quickly if the right amount of time and passion are administered.
Everyone has a passion—secret or otherwise—that they care desperately about. Some passions don’t have a place in polite society, meant to occur strictly behind closed doors. Some may be misunderstood, others shunned. And there were those that should never have been expressed at all.
Each of the juvenile delinquents at the center had such a gift. Spark, predictably, could start a fire in moments using a multitude of different materials. She didn’t have enough time to show Dana and Hugo everything, only the basics, enough for them to practice later by themselves.
Edge was a knife expert. He had more cuts and scars on his hands and arms than ten Michelin star chefs. This might suggest he wasn’t particularly good with knives, how else could he have such scars unless he continuously missed the mark? When Dana pointed this out, Edge gave her a demonstration of his skills. He tossed a knife in the air, caught it by the blade, and hurled it at a small target a dozen yards away. It thunked into the heart of the target with a satisfying thud.
But Edge didn’t teach them how to throw. It was not useful in the limited time they had, so instead he taught them correct posture and technique. He rounded his shoulders and held the knife in his right hand. She showed them how to thrust the blade up under the undead’s chin, where to make a deep incision, where they could cut the spinal cord, and so on.
Fist taught them how to defend themselves when they were unarmed. He pointed out that they were never unarmed if they were properly trained. His first rule was to wear pads over arms and legs at all times. They were the kind of thing usually used for police dog training.
Dana excelled at self defense. Hugo did not. He was slow and cumbersome. Fist showed him how he could use that to his advantage and, when possible, pin the undead beneath him. That way he would have time to carry out his attacks. Fist focused the majority of his time on Dana, showing her more advanced techniques with elbows and knees.
Snatch taught them how to set traps—both for wild game, as well as for defense. She told them to carry a length of wire at all times. It was reusable and could one day save their lives.
The more they learned, the fewer of the books Hugo had stolen from the bookshop he needed. He gave them to the juvies, knowing they would almost certainly be used for kindling and not education. But he kept the books and the chapters that dealt with subjects none of the young offenders knew much about: sustainable farming, reusable energy systems, planning for the future.
Though it wasn’t expected of them, Dana and Hugo repaid their teachers by heading out into the battlefield to bring back more weapons. They never ventured far from the facility, and only ever brought as much as they could carry on their own person. They even took special requests, looking for specific weapons for individual fighters.
Relations thawed and Dana could even have a laugh with a couple of them, but Dana was certain what was in the back of their minds: what would happen if she showed the merest sign she was turning? Where would their allegiance lie then?
Dana and Hugo tested their new skills on the undead whenever they approached them. Even Hugo was getting pretty good at slicing an undead’s throat, or jamming the blade through an eye socket.
And whenever they headed out, Dana couldn’t help but notice a figure high in the building watching them. Henry, Dana assumed. Soon, they would be getting their training from him—weapons.
He was a gun nut, knew more about weapons than most in the military. At least, that was what the others said. Dana and Hugo had kitted him out with enough gear to arm a small army. He must have been thrilled. But he never showed it. The more they brought back, the more angry he became.
Dana’s whole life she’d spent trying to find what she should do with herself. She’d been blinded by the sheer choice on offer. Then the world had changed and forced her into this situation. And now, she realized, it was what she was meant to be doing all along.
The juveniles were surprised at how fast she learned, how few mistakes she made. And if she did make one, she never repeated it. Or maybe it was because her sister was relying on her. You were prone to learn more quickly when you had no choice but to learn, especially when your life was on the line. And that of your loved ones.
Soon, the juveniles had taught them as much as they could in the short time they had. Dana and Hugo were by no means experts, but they knew enough to practice by themselves. Dana already knew there were parts she excelled at and wanted to continue improving. She also knew that those parts she did not find easy ought to be practiced more often, not less.
Dana had no time to waste, and so, as soon as the other lessons were complete, she approached Henry. He was storing the weapons, polishing them to a high shine and putting them in their right place.
“You’re meant to show us how to shoot,” Dana said. “According to everyone here, you’re the best shot.”
“That’s what they say,” Henry said.
“Well, I think it’s about time you taught us to shoot, don’t you?” Dana said.
Henry weighed her up with his eyes.
“Have you completed all your other lessons?” he said.
“Yes,” Dana said.
“All of them?” Henry said, eyebrows rising slightly.
It pleased Dana to see that. She folded her arms.
“Uh-huh,” Dana said.
“They all passed you?
” Henry said.
“With flying colors,” Dana said.
Henry nodded.
“What about you?” he said to Hugo.
“I struggled on the rope tying part,” Hugo said. “They just said I need practice.”
“Fair enough then,” Henry said.
“That’s it?” Dana said.
It was her turn to be surprised.
“Unless you want to gab all day,” Henry said.
“No,” Dana said. “Let’s go.”
“The best way to learn is by doing,” Henry said. “You should come with us. We’re going on a scouting mission tomorrow morning. Early.”
That night, Dana and Hugo crawled into bed, exhausted. Hugo grunted as he climbed onto his bunk. The spring squealed under the pressure.
So, it was finally over, Dana thought. They had finished their training and she was itching to get going. There was something she’d kept meaning to bring up with Hugo but had never found the time. At least, that was what she told herself.
“I’ve been thinking,” Dana said.
“Of all the things to be doing in this new world of ours, thinking is not high on the list of priorities,” Hugo said.
Dana could hear the smile in his voice.
“You should take up Miss Jenkins on her offer,” Dana said.
“What offer?” Hugo said.
“About you staying here with her,” Dana said.
“Why?” Hugo said, the smile no longer present.
“Because you could do a lot of good here,” Dana said.
She didn’t want to say it was because he got under her feet, that he was in the way. By the heavy silence, you would have thought she’d just said exactly that.
“You don’t want me to come with you?” Hugo said.
“It’s not that,” Dana said.
She was meant to follow it up with something else, but there was nothing else to say. It was that.
“You don’t want to be with me anymore?” Hugo said.
Why was he acting like a child? Dana thought. This wasn’t personal. It was about survival, and she was more likely to survive without him.
“I just think it’s better if we part ways,” Dana said. “I’ll have to do some dangerous things if I’m going to find Max. You won’t want to be a part of that.”
“How do you know that?” Hugo said. “I might be really useful. I will be, after I learn everything.”
“There’s more to survival than just knowing how to survive,” Dana said. “It’s a feeling, a courage, it’s knowing you’ll do anything to protect the people you love. Can you honestly tell me you could do that?”
“I could if you gave me a chance,” Hugo said. “Bravery isn’t always throwing yourself at something, going into the unknown, you know. It can be about not doing things.”
Dana rolled her eyes again. She did that a lot when she was with Hugo.
“And how can it be about not doing things?” she said.
“It can be when your father tries to make you do something you don’t want,” Hugo said. “When he beats you to make you do it, but you still won’t. That’s not doing something. And that’s bravery too.”
A silence mawed between them, thick and dark. Dana wished she’d never brought up the subject. She heard Hugo roll over, but he did not snore as usual. He stayed awake all night. So did Dana.
Chapter Thirty-Six
“I HEAR your classes are going well,” Miss Jenkins said. “After you get your sister, you might consider coming back to join us.”
Dana caught sight of Henry, talking to one of the other juvies. She didn’t trust him. Everything about him seemed off to her.
“Maybe,” she said.
Miss Jenkins smiled and nodded, no doubt picking up on Dana’s apprehension. She offered her hand.
“Good luck out there,” she said. “Be careful. The slopes look treacherous today.”
Miss Jenkins held Dana’s hand and her eyes, a meaning passing between them that was not to be underestimated. Dana shook the hand. It felt very much like a permanent goodbye.
They headed out—a team of six—leaving a few behind as defense. The sun was just beginning to rise. The juvies were fully armed, locked and loaded. They couldn’t have carried more weapons if they tried. The ground was paved. Detritus dotted it, making it slippery underfoot.
“Like everything you learned over the past week, you don’t really know any of it until you start putting it into action,” Henry said. “When your life depends on your knowledge of your surroundings you have to learn to adapt. That’s why we won’t head outside anymore without one of these.”
He screwed something onto the end of his rifle.
“A silencer?” Hugo said.
“No more pesky noisy gunfire,” Henry said. “To bring all those hungry jaws down on top of us. It still makes a sound, enough to get infected close by interested in you, but not enough to bring a whole city on top of you.”
Henry divided the team into two. Half one way, the other with him. He took Dana and Hugo. The rest of the team headed in a different direction. Spark cast glances in Henry’s direction until they disappeared round a corner.
Henry took them through the remains of a destroyed building, knocked down by the overly enthusiastic military in their attempt to defend the city. It was dark down there. Dana’s instincts were screaming at her. She reached into her jacket and slipped her hand over the handle of a pistol.
They reached the bottom of the crevasse. Dana and Hugo began to scale the steep slope on the other side.
Be careful. The slopes look treacherous today.
Dana spun round to find Henry with his gun trained on her.
“What’s going on?” Hugo said.
“You’re disgusting,” Henry said. “A freak of nature. An abomination. You shouldn’t be allowed to live. No offence.”
“Oh, none taken,” Hugo said.
“I’m afraid I can’t let you blow us away,” Dana said. “I’ve got a sister to rescue.”
Dana aimed the protrusion in her jacket pocket at Henry and, without hesitation, pulled the trigger.
Clack.
Nothing.
Clack, clack, clack.
“It’s empty,” Henry said. “That’s something you’d have known had you had the correct training and experience.”
Dana breathed in through her nose, her mind working a mile a minute. All this time, surviving so far, and now she was going to be blown away at the beginning of her journey. She sighed and shook her head. She wasn’t going to beg. She wasn’t the type.
“So, what are you going to do now?” Dana said. “Riddle us with bullets and dispose of our bodies?”
“That would be the smart play,” Henry said. “Miss Jenkins has a good heart, but it’s going to get us killed one of these days.”
“But not today,” Dana said.
“No, not today,” Henry said.
The tension was thick. The gun barrel didn’t move from Dana’s chest. She was the real threat. Taking out Hugo afterwards would be a piece of cake.
Dana had to give Hugo credit for staring down the gun barrel without quaking in his boots. He didn’t cower, and showed a courage she never thought he possessed.
And then something bizarre happened.
Henry shouldered his rifle and tossed the bag he was carrying onto the ground at Dana’s feet.
“In there you’ll find most of your things,” he said. “Plus extra ammo, food, water.”
Dana looked from the bag to Henry. It didn’t make sense.
“Why are you doing this?” Dana said.
“I told you,” Henry said. “I can’t have you around us. Not when you could turn at any minute.”
“I mean, why give us these supplies?” Dana said. “If you think we’re going to turn anyway, you’re just wasting it.”
“I wasn’t going to,” Henry said. “I fully intended on blowing you away. But hey, I don’t claim to know everything. Maybe Miss Jenkins is right
and you’ll be our saviors.”
He chuckled to himself. He clearly didn’t give that thought much credence.
“I can’t believe that’s the case,” he said. “But what do I know? Plus, there’s a chance you won’t turn. There’s a lot we don’t know about the world right now. New rules are still being written. I’m sure you and your kind won’t have a place in it. And two more undead aren’t going to make a big difference.”
Dana picked up the bag. Henry stiffened, preparing to bring the rifle round if necessary.
“You’re not so bad,” Dana said. “If I were you, I would have killed us.”
“Lucky for you that you’re not me, then,” Henry said. “But I’ll tell you this: if I ever see you near here again, I won’t treat you any differently to the other infected.”
“That’s more like it,” Dana said.
Dana and Hugo turned and walked away. At the top of the incline, Dana stopped, turned, and looked back.
“Did you bring everything from my locker?” she said.
“No,” Henry said. “Why?”
“I left something in there,” Dana said. “You might find it useful. It’s no longer my concern. Consider the torched passed. Don’t forget it. It might be important.”
Dana and Hugo disappeared over the side, leaving Henry to his thoughts.
Chapter Thirty-Seven
“WELL, THERE’S gratitude for you,” Hugo said. “You arm them, give them all the weapons they need to defend themselves against the army of the apocalypse, and then they toss you out on your ear!”
“He didn’t need to treat us so well,” Dana said. “He could have shot us and moved on. We got lucky. Something tells me we won’t be so lucky in future.”
“Luck is overrated,” Hugo said.
“But so necessary sometimes,” Dana said.
“I’ve decided I’m going to come with you,” Hugo said. “You can try to ditch me, but I’ll just come find you again. I won’t be around forever. Just until you find your sister. Maybe along the way I’ll find somewhere safe to be too.”