Fighting to Survive (As the World Dies #2)(43)

“Well,” Nerit said slowly, “that is why you should talk to Juan and Travis. I think they will be able to help you figure it all out.”

Jason fidgeted with his notes, then finally agreed. “Yeah, I guess. I’m just used to older guys not listening to me. My Dad never gave a rat’s ass what I thought or said.”

Nerit took a long sip of her orange juice, pondering her response. “Well, Jason, I think you need to do what your mother is doing. Make this a new life.”

Jason stared at her, then ducked his head down. “Yeah. I guess.” Shoveling more cereal into his mouth, he looked up at her through his bangs. She could tell he was considering her words.

Nerit stood up, stretching her still stiff body, and picked up her rifle. “I will see you later, Jason. I need to get to work.”

“Thanks, Nerit,” Jason answered. “You know, for listening.”

She nodded and walked on, her dog falling into step behind her. Today she felt stiff and ungainly. Nothing seemed to work just right. It was hard for her to accept her age when most of the time she did not feel her years at all, but today she did. That she had sat down alone and not with the other seniors had been deliberate. This was not a time for her to give into time, but to fight it. With Mike gone, she had a role to play.

Approaching the front desk, she found Peggy typing away on a computer. People still remained on the Internet where there was still service. The Mayor had told her that several servers were up because the workers barricaded themselves into buildings and were trying hard to keep the Internet up and running-so information could be exchanged between the surviving scientists. There were forums to contact other survivors, Peggy often logged onto them to monitor other groups. It was stressful whenever another group vanished off the list. News was hard to come by. No one had any idea if there was any semblance of the government left. The Internet was rife with rumors.

“Do you have the duty roster?”

Peggy started, then laughed. “Gawd, you gave me a fright. Yeah, right there. I updated it like you asked.”

Nerit checked it over and noted Jimmy was already on watch where she had assigned him. “Excellent. I’ll make sure to get the updated schedule for the next few days to you as soon as possible.” With Mike and the others dead, the roster would look very different.

“I can go ahead and take you off kitchen duty, since you took over for Mike,” Peggy offered.

Nerit shook her head. “No, no. Cooking is relaxing. Keep me on it.”

Peggy shrugged, then cocked her head. “Nerit, I was wondering. Could you show me how to shoot?”

With a grin, Nerit answered, “Of course. I’m thinking about making lessons mandatory, not voluntary.”

With a little sigh, Peggy bobbed her head in agreement. “I just don’t want to feel so useless or helpless.”

“That seems to be the theme of the day,” Nerit answered and strolled away. She was halfway across the lobby when she saw Curtis. “Curtis, I have something I need to attend to. Mind joining me?”

Curtis hesitated. “Sure. What are we dealing with?”

“Jimmy.”

Curtis frowned. “Yeah. I talked to Travis and Juan about what he pulled yesterday. Juan wants him pulled from anymore excursions.”

“We need all the people we can use. He just needs to learn a lesson,” Nerit answered coolly.

She entered the elevator and Curtis followed.

“I don’t know, Nerit. He’s always been twitchy.”

“We’re all twitchy.”

This brought guffaws from Curtis.

She raised an eyebrow at him.

“You’re the coldest of us, Nerit, a true killing machine. You’re never twitchy.”

Nerit shook her head. “I’m just well-trained.”

“We don’t need cowards,” Curtis said in a low voice. “We don’t need people who will sacrifice others to protect themselves.”

“No, we need well-trained people,” Nerit answered in such a way Curtis fell into silence.

Jimmy was up on the second floor, positioned over the front door. He was sitting on the windowsill looking over the street with a bored expression on his face when they entered.

“Jimmy,” Nerit said.

He looked up, startled, and quickly slid to his feet. “Hey, Nerit.”

“Good morning, Jimmy. How are you?”

“Good…good…” He looked decidedly nervous as his gaze darted between Nerit and Curtis.

“Curtis, can I have the gun you used yesterday to shoot the zombie with the metal plate in his head?”

“Sure,” Curtis said, looking confused. He pulled a small .22 from his side holster. “It’s my backup weapon.”

Nerit nodded, stepped up to the window, and fired down at the zombie still languishing on the street lamp below the window. It took four shots, but the zombie collapsed into final death. Silently, she handed the weapon back to Curtis.

“Sometimes, with small caliber, the bullets glance off hard surfaces. Not just metal plates, but bone. You just have to keep firing. If you shoot them through the eye, the bullet will bounce around their brain and make mush of it. The lesson here, Jimmy, keep firing.” Nerit's gaze grew steely. “Never leave anyone behind. If they are bitten shoot them, but if they are alive cover them. Understood?”