“You can go straight to the counter over there,” said Maddie as she motioned us toward a metal counter meant for food service. “We have to ration, of course, so there’s always someone dishing food for you. It just works best that way.”
“Sounds fair,” said Emilie.
“Once you have your trays, go ahead and sit at the empty table in the back of the room. Jorge will join you soon to ask some questions and get you assigned to work duties.” She had pronounced the name as Hor-hay.
“Thanks, Maddie,” said Gus.
Maddie looked down at her wrist, where she wore a watch. “I’m due outside for a spell, but I’ll check in on you later tonight.” She smiled and turned, and walked quickly out of the small cafeteria.
“Let’s go grab some food,” said Boggs.
We walked as a group to the counter, where two teenagers greeted us. One of them was missing her right arm. We were each given a small scoop of rice and a measured cup of stir fry. It smelled delicious, but I found myself wishing the portions were at least doubled.
“There’s glasses and water against the back wall,” said one of the two girls serving us.
“Silverware too,” said the other young lady. She was the amputee. “When you’re finished, dishes go in the big gray bins on the cart.”
“Thanks,” a few of us said at the same time.
We walked to the table that Maddie had instructed us to sit at and took seats, us girls sitting across from Boggs, Nathan and Gus. I saw Abbey waving at us from several tables over. I winked at her and waved back.
“Let’s eat,” said Susan as she stuffed a chunk of broccoli into her mouth. “Ohmigawd,” she said while chewing. “So much better than fish!” She had closed her eyes and I swear she was close to having a food orgasm.
“That’d be black bear,” said a rough voice from behind us.
Susan stopped chewing for a minute, her face holding an odd expression, then just as quickly she resumed chewing. Em and I both turned to look at the stranger, and Gus and Boggs both stood. Nathan remained seated. I wondered if it was an intentional statement on his part.
“Name’s Jorge,” said a Hispanic man who resembled our departed friend, Julio. His memory caused sadness to stir deep within me. “Welcome to our little fortress.”
Boggs stretched his arm across the table to shake hands with Jorge, and Gus followed suit. Nathan simply nodded and continued eating. Jorge sat next to me in an open chair and set his bowl of rice, bear meat, and veggies in front of himself.
“Nadine filled me in. Sorry to hear about your home burning.”
Gus nodded. “Thanks.”
“We’ll welcome you here, of course. We’re willing to share resources as long as you’re willing to contribute. Security, hunting, cooking, cleaning. We just ask that everyone do their share.”
“We appreciate it,” said Gus.
“Please, eat. The next shift is due in soon, so we’ll need to clear out. Give me an idea of your strengths and I’ll find jobs for you.”
“Do you have horses?” asked Emilie. “I used to work with horses.”
Jorge shook his head. “No horses. Yet. But we have chickens and pigs and can always use help there.”
“Ok,” was all Em said.
“Maybe I can help too?” I asked, hoping to stay close to Emilie if possible.
“I can put you both on Farm Duty and kitchen duty,” said Jorge. “And gardening come spring.”
“How about you?” he asked, looking at Susan.
“I’m not particularly good at anything,” she said honestly.
“We can always use help with laundry, kitchen, cleaning the shower rooms, taking hot coffee or tea or soup out to the guards. Helping in the kids’ playroom. I can put you down as a float helper of sorts, does that sound ok?”
Susan shrugged. “Sure. Can Kelsey float with me?” She tilted her head toward the girl sitting beside her.
“Of course. And you men?” asked Jorge.
Gus sat up a little straighter, and looked deep in thought. “Nadine mentioned you have an infirmary.”
Jorge gave a curt nod. “That we do.”
“I’m a nurse. Or was, a few years back, in the Army.”
“I’m sure we can use you on-call, of sorts,” said the man beside me. “How are you with a gun?”
“Fair, I suppose,” said Gus. I knew better. He was an experienced military man and an excellent mark.
“We can always use men on guard duty at the perimeter. We take six hour shifts. We also have hunting parties we’ll put you on in time.”
“Boggs is a fair shot too,” I said between bites. I nudged Emilie when I caught her sneaking a spoonful of her lunch into my bowl.
Nathan spoke to Jorge for the first time. “I’m pretty good with building bombs.”
I choked on a bite of rice, not having expected what he had said. I quieted myself by sipping at water.
Jorge looked at Nate and was apparently speechless as well.
“Ok, we’ll start there. Duties may be added to or changed in time. Once you’re done eating go ahead and rest up. We’ll see to a full tour tomorrow and start you all out with jobs.”
Jorge stood and excused himself, bowl in hand.
“He seems ok,” said Susan as she scooped the last bite of her stir fry into her mouth.
Boggs and Gus each gave me a spoonful of their rice. I glared at them, not wanting the extra attention.
“You need it Zoe,” whispered Gus. “You’re looking too thin.”
I sighed and ate the rest of my meal. A soft buzzer sounded and the other people in the room were quickly picking up their tables and leaving the cafeteria.
“I think that means it’s time for us to clear out too,” said Boggs. “Let’s go get some sleep.”
We stood and put out bowls and trays in the ‘dirty’ bins. Emile took a damp rag that smelled of bleach water and wiped our table down, following suit with what we had witnessed the other people do just before they left.
As we neared the exit, men started filing in. Mixed in were just a few women. Group two. They all looked cold, and smelled like the crisp outside air. In the pit of my stomach I got a sinister feeling as three men passed close to me. Each of them looked tired, and I took notice that one was the teenager with green streaks in his cheek. He looked directly at me and smiled wickedly, then winked. I clung to Boggs, who was tensed and obviously ready for a fight.
“No, Boggs,” said Gus under his breath. “Leave it be, brother.”
We left the room. I felt cold all over. “He knows,” I whispered.
“Zoe, what do you mean?” asked Gus.
“He knows I’m like him.”
Emilie wrapped her arm around my waist and Boggs growled under his breath. Before long we were back to our cramped rooms. Boggs held my hand and pulled me inside. The others followed us.
“Let’s go ahead and sleep,” suggested Emilie. “I think we all need it.”
“I’m cold,” I mumbled.
Boggs wrapped his arms around me and held me close to him. “I think we all are. I’m sure heating this place would drain the generators. Climb into bed, Zo, it’ll get warm soon.”
I nodded, knowing there was really nothing else to do. I took comfort in the feel of Boggs’ hands gripping the back of my head, and his forehead touching my own. I felt my heart speed while my soul itself calmed.
“I know we have two rooms,” said Nathan. “It doesn’t feel right to be split up though.”
“I agree,” said Gus. “I think we should all bunk in here for now. Kelsey, can you and Abbey share one of the top bunks?”
“Absolutely,” she answered.
“Jane can sleep with me and Boggs,” I said.
“Zoe, you’re one of the lightest of us. How about you and Jane take the other top bunk?” suggested Boggs. “I can bunk with Emilie and Gus or Susan and Nathan.”
“You sure?” I asked.
“Ya. I’d hate the top bunk to crash down fr
om one of us heavier guys. And it makes sense for Jane to sleep with you.”
I didn’t like the thought of being apart from Boggs, but knew he was right.
On cue, Abbey and Jane walked into the room. Kelsey quickly explained to them that we were all going to share beds in the same room. The girls seemed to understand and didn’t question it. Abbey and Jane climbed into the top bunks and settled in under the covers.
I felt Emilie touch my back. “Climb into bed,” she said softly. “Sounds like it’ll be a busy day tomorrow.”
I heard the bunk bed across from our own squeak and looked over. Kelsey was climbing under the covers, still in her clothes. Susan and Nathan were across and below me, already tucked in.
“Night Em,” I said quietly.
“Night Zoe,” she said in reply.
Boggs was below me, against the wall, with Emilie in the middle and Gus on the outer edge.
“If anyone needs to use the bathroom tonight, best wake me or Nathan or Boggs to go with,” said Gus sleepily. “Just to be safe.”
I snuggled up to Jane. The sheets and blanket felt cold and I welcomed her warmth. She wrapped an arm around me. I rested my face close to hers and closed my eyes in an attempt to sleep. Her hair smelled like flowers. Images of our cabin burning filled my mind. Worry about our future crept in and mixed with my fears over becoming a mother.
“What’s wrong?” whispered Jane.
“Nothing sweetheart,” I whispered back.
The little girl found my hand and squeezed it. Eventually we slept, but the chill in the building made it a restless sleep.
It was the sound of alarms that woke me. They were loud, like the old fashioned bells in schools. Jane clung to me in fear. My heart pounded in alarm.
“What is it?” asked Susan, her voice filled with trepidation.
“Fuck if I know,” grumbled Gus. “But I want my gun.”
“Something’s wrong,” I whispered. When we fell asleep there were dim lights on in the hallway. Now it was dark aside from muted orange flashing lights that I assumed were for emergency lighting.
“Can’t we just sleep for one night without a crisis?” moaned Emilie, irritated.
My hip was starting to ache. At first I thought it was from lying on my side too long, but before long the familiar buzz in my head began. Along with it came a wave of nausea.
“There’s a Runner here,” I said.
“Zoe do you know where?” asked Gus.
I shook my head, even though I knew it was too dark for anyone to see the gesture. “I see a hallway, but I’m not sure where. There’s a few red lights flashing, otherwise it’s dark. I think it’s just the one. It’s angry. So angry.”
Commotion was beginning in the hallway outside of our cramped room.
“I’ll be right back,” said Gus.
“No, Gus, no!” said Emilie. Her voice was pleading.
“It’s ok Em, it’s not that close,” I said, referencing the proximity of the creature.
I heard Gus fumble with the door knob, followed by a slight metallic squeal as he opened it. Next came footfalls running down the hall. The beam from a flashlight lit our room.
“Stay inside,” said an unfamiliar male voice. There’s one inside and we can’t risk shooting other humans that are running around.”
“Need help?” was all Gus asked.
“No, we got it. Close your door and lock it.”
Gus did as instructed, but I could tell by the little grunt he made he wasn’t happy about it. Jane had wrapped both arms around me, and I took comfort in her touch.
“There are a couple of men with guns standing in front of it. I can see them through its eyes, but its vision is kind of foggy. I think one of the men is the guy who checked us in. Sasha? He’s aiming a rifle at it.” I waited for the sound of gunfire to echo through the concrete building. It wasn’t happening. “What the heck?”
“What is it?” asked Emilie.
“He’s still aiming at it but the other guy is walking toward it, keeping it back with a baseball bat. It wants to kill them both but is also afraid of them. I’m not really sure what the deal is. The other guy, the one with the bat, grabbed a chain. Oh God,” I moaned. “There’s a chain around its neck!”
“Zoe, what do you mean?” asked Boggs.
I watched through the creature’s eyes as it stepped toward the man who had grabbed at its chain. It reached its arms out in an attempt to get to the man, who held it back with the end of the baseball bat. Its arms ended in two stumps, missing hands. The skin of its forearms was gray and wrinkled, dried and aged. I listened inside my head, the moans from the creature not quite like what we’d heard before. Muffled. I caught a glimpse of the creature’s face as the man holding the chain approached it. The glow from the flashlight was enough for me to see the creature’s image as it stared at the man, who wore a helmet with a plastic face shield. The creature saw its own reflection, and through its eyes I saw the same. Its lower jaw was missing. It had no teeth. No tongue. Bone, muscle, and flesh mixed with clumps of dried blood in a gnarled mess that extended down to expose a ripped opened windpipe.
“Zoe?” asked Gus more sternly. “Talk to us, darlin’.”
I was overcome by emotion. The zombie on the chain was saddened by its own image and that sadness flowed through me. “They hurt it,” I said in a low voice, tears streaming down my face. Both men now each held a chain, keeping the monster from moving toward either of them. “They took its hands, and half its face,” I sobbed. “They’re keeping it here and it hates them.” The men led the zombie through a heavy door. The creature looked down a dimly lit set of stairs and dread echoed in my mind. It didn’t want to go down the stairs. Once the door shut, my mind was free of the mutilated corpse, its visions, and its rudimentary thoughts and emotions.
I forced myself to take several deep breaths. “They’re keeping it underground,” I said. “They’re hurting it down there.” I climbed down from the bunk and sat on the edge of one of the bunk beds.
“Zoe what do you mean?” asked Boggs, who was now sitting beside me and holding my hand.
“They took the lower half of its head off,” I said. “And its hands.” I wiped a tear away. “I hate these creatures, don’t get me wrong, but it was…sad. It was scared to go back downstairs.”
Gus sighed deeply. “If they took its mouth and hands it must be to prevent bites or scratches. But why would they keep one?”
Susan cleared her throat. “Maybe they’re experimenting? Trying to find a cure?”
“Likely,” said Gus. “But why keep it secret? I think we have a right to know.”
“Agreed,” answered Boggs.
“Zoe do you sense any more of them?”
“No. Once they shut the door to go down the stairs my mind was clear.”
“Let’s try to sleep, then. We’ll ask someone tomorrow what the alarms were about. Beyond that we’d be giving them too much information about Zoe, if you know what I mean,” said Gus.
Emilie sighed. “I still have a bad feeling about this place,” she said. “This just makes it worse.”
“I feel like we’re stuck, Red,” said Gus. “We have no possessions. They have our guns. All we had is gone.”
“I know,” she said. “I’m just worried. It’s just a reminder of how fragile we all are.”
“It’s a fucked up world, Red.” Gus proceeded to reach out and pull Em down onto his lap. “But I promise we’ll all do our best to take care of each other. Of that I have no doubt.”
“I want to leave this place,” said a small voice. Jane had crawled into the upper bunk with Abbey. That was all she said.
We let the two younger girls sleep together. Kelsey climbed into the bunk I had shared with Jane, and I joined her for warmth. I lay awake for some time after that until my mind shut off enough for sleep to claim its hold over me again.
CHAPTER 14
I woke during the night feeling sick. It was different than my typical morning si
ckness. My throat was dry, my head hurt, and my joints all ached. Our room was still dark and I didn’t hear anything aside from the breathing of my friends. I desperately needed water, so I climbed down the flimsy metal ladder until my bare feet found the cold concrete floor. Gus’ warnings to not leave the room without a companion were far from my mind, which was filled with a haze of sorts. I felt my way along the edge of Gus and Emilie’s bed and let my eyes adjust to the faint light that shone into our room from the hallway.
I finally found the doorknob and as I opened the door I heard Susan snoring softly. I slipped into the hallway, which felt even colder than our room. A shiver ran up my spine and my head spun. I rubbed my eyes, which were unusually dry, and quickened my pace. My goal was the common bathroom in which we had showered when we first arrived. The hallway felt different in the dim nighttime lighting than it had my first trip through. Time seemed suspended as I made my way forward. I could see the swinging doors to the shower room not all that far away.
“Zoe.”
I heard my name, but it seemed garbled. I wasn’t even sure where it had come from.
“Zoe, stop.”
I turned around and saw a figure approaching me.
“Gus?” I called out as he came into clearer view.
“Zoe, whatcha doing darlin’?”
“I woke up feeling sick,” I said quietly. “I need water.”
“Ok, but let me come with you.”
He put an arm around me and gave me a quick squeeze. We walked side by side to the shower room. We had gone to bed early for the night, and by now it must have been past midnight. We didn’t see anyone else milling around. Once we got to the restroom, Gus held the door open for me and waited for me to walk through.
“Thanks,” I whispered.
The Grace Series (Book 2): Tainted Grace Page 14