Fighting to Survive (As the World Dies #2)(23)

You were supposed to make it to the end. Mike, does this mean this is the end?

Even Shane was solemn as Curtis laid the white tablecloth over Mike's still features.





Chapter 6





1. Pieces of Hell





“We keep going,” Bill said for emphasis. “We get this job done.”

“How could she turn so fast?” Katarina asked.

Katie looked up at her, holding the dead woman's hand. “She was bitten. Looks like one of them got her hand and she yanked it back. It's not a distinct bite mark, more like a scrape, but it was enough.”

“Ashley's been anorexic for years and has all sorts of health issues. Probably took her down fast,” Curtis said softly. “Poor thing.”

“So you have to kill whoever is bit immediately or we'll lose more people,” Nerit said in a cold voice. “We can't be sure how long it will take before they turn.”

Katie shivered at her tone and glanced at Travis. His head was down and he obviously knew the comment had been directed at him. He was staring at the gun in his hand in a strange, almost angry way.

“That's bullshit. What if they don't change? What if the bite don't take? We can't just shoot everyone like that lesbo bitch shot my brother!” Shane's voice was fierce and he glared at Katie.

“And what if we let one person with a bite live long enough to change and began spreading it through the fort? Then that is the end of us all. Do you want to be one of those things? Do you? Do you want to be the reason all the survivors of this fort die? Tell me. Do you want that on your hands?” Nerit gave Shane a cold, fierce look.

Shane didn't answer. He just looked away.

Bill began reorganizing the teams, trying to keep them evened out with skill level. Everyone was emotionally and physically exhausted, but they had to go on. This is what Mike had trained them for and even though he was no longer with them, they had a job to do.

Katie looked at all the bodies again and looked down at Mike's covered body. Jenni was standing nearby, her expression a little distant and disturbing. Katie reached out and took her hand and Jenni turned to look at her. Her eyes had a glazed look Katie hadn't seen since the first day they had met.

“Jenni?”

Jenni frowned a little, and said softly, “He wasn't supposed to die.”

Katie hugged her tightly. “None of us are. Not like this.”

Jenni nodded mutely, drew away, and clutched her gun tightly. “I just don’t want it to be the end.”

“It’s not,” Katie said firmly. “We just have to keep going. Fighting. For everyone’s sake, Jenni, we gotta get this done.”

Jenni looked up and her gaze seemed a little more focused. “Yeah, for everyone still alive.”

Bill looked toward Nerit, who was standing near the doorway watching the hall. “Nerit, we clear?”

“No movement. I think the rooms are what we need to worry about now,” Nerit answered.

“But be cautious anyway,” Bill reminded everyone.

There were nods and people visibly pulled on their inner strength as they prepared to go on.

Bill raised the walkie-talkie to his mouth and pressed the button. “Juan, we’re continuing on.”

“We heard gunshots,” Juan’s voice cackled through the receiver.

“Yeah, we lost some people. Mike and Ashley.”

“Shit,” Juan’s voice answered.

“We’ll be in touch.” Bill motioned to Nerit.

The older woman started down the hall followed by her new team of Katarina, Shane and Jimmy. The other teams followed as Bill pointed to them. They were back on schedule and heading to their assignments.

Katie looked toward Roger and Travis. They were talking softly. Roger nodded slightly, but obviously looked ill at ease. As she neared them, Travis sighed and looked toward her.

“I’m sorry, Katie. I won’t f*ck up again,” he said.

She shrugged and looked toward Roger. “No one thinks it’s easy killing what used to be your friend, Travis.” Forcing herself to look at him, she could see the pained expression in his eyes.

Travis said softly, “Just a living nightmare, isn’t it?”

Katie blinked, realizing what had happened. Travis had once confided in her that he had been struggling with his bizarre visions since the first day. He often saw his friends transformed into zombies for quick flashes. Now he was seeing those nightmares become reality. No wonder he had hesitated shooting Mike.

She reached out and touched his cheek. He nuzzled her fingers, comforting himself, then he straightened.

“Let’s do this.”





***

Room after room was empty. Offices, closets, bathrooms, empty…

Each time a door swung open, Nerit’s gut clenched and her finger prepared to squeeze the trigger. Nerit rarely flinched in the face of danger. In fact, she rarely felt afraid. Her calmness was something she was used to, but now, she felt fear struggling to gain a hold of her.

Each large piece of furniture could be hiding danger, every partially opened door a potential for death…

There were signs of violence. Behind the front desk there was an enormous pool of dried blood and pieces of intestine and organs. The manager’s office had all the furniture knocked over and the heavy desk shoved aside, but no blood. Maybe he had escaped.