Siege (As the World Dies #3)(11)

Peggy looked down, her expression clouded with fear and pain, and then she shrugged. “Nothing we can do but keep going and hope to God we don’t get eaten.”

There was nothing really to say to that, so Katie kept quiet. Everyone in the fort had their moments. It seemed to be happening more now. Travis was gloomy about the dampened spirits of the fort, but Katie thought it was probably only natural. There were more cold, overcast days than sunny. Also, illnesses had been working their way through the fort population. The flu had already made one pass and a bad cold had many people stuck in bed. Plus, the safety of the fort allowed people to actually have moments of peace. Strangely, it was easier to shove all that pain and terror away when fighting to live. It was the mundane daily routine that made things harder to handle. Old ghosts and old memories seemed to surface at unexpected moments. Realizing she may have upset Katie, Peggy looked back at the tall blond standing behind her. “I mean, we ain’t gonna get eaten. I mean, look at this place. We got it made compared to the poor bastards out there. I’m sure we’re all gonna be safe and sound. And your sweet baby will be fine.”

Smiling slightly, Katie reached out to pat Peggy on the shoulder. “I know.”

“And that team will come back packed to the gills with ammunition and more supplies, and I won’t be such a worried old hag.”

“Peggy, you’re not old and you’re not a hag.”

“I feel like it. Worn out and tired. Cody has got that damn cold something fierce, and I was up all night with him. I just hate seeing him suffer. It makes me feel so helpless.” Peggy sighed and shook her head. “I miss his daddy at times like these. He was so good at calming him down.”

Peggy rarely spoke about her husband who had died in the first days. Katie knew from things Peggy’s little boy said that they had seen him transformed into a zombie. Cody was a sensitive soul to begin with and the death of the world had crushed him. For months he had not left his mother’s side, always clinging to her and terrified whenever she was out of his view. But lately, with other children joining the fort, he had been braver. He was now able to be away from his mother a few hours at a time without panicking.

The door to the storeroom opened, and Nerit stood in the doorway. The older woman had her yellowed, silver hair drawn back from her face and her sniper rifle was slung over one shoulder. By her reddened cheeks, it looked like she had just come off duty.

“The team just got back, Peggy. I think Yolanda is struggling with the communication center and lost track of them for a few minutes. Could you go check on her? Make sure she has it down?” Nerit asked.

“Sure thing,” Peggy answered, handing off her clipboard to Katie. “I told Curtis that one CB was shorting out. But did he listen? Oh, no.”



Katie listened to Peggy complain all the way down the hall, her voice fading away.

“How are you feeling?” Nerit asked. She slowly stepped into the room, and Katie noticed that the she was favoring one leg again. She wasn’t sure if anyone else realized that the woman in her early sixties was moving more slowly than usual.

“I’m good. I just have a few more boxes to go through then I’ll have an updated list for you.” Katie motioned to the last shelf of ammunition she had to count.

Nerit tilted her head slightly, looking at the battered boxes nearby. “Well, I’ll finish for you. Jenni just got back and she’s asking for you. I think it got bad out there. She’s down in the paddock getting scrubbed down and checked for bites by Charlotte.”

“Ugh! She hates that.” Katie handed over the clipboard.

“It can’t be helped. Jenni has closer contact with the zombies than most. She punched one last week.” Nerit shook her head. “She’s taking too many risks again.” “I’ll talk to her,” Katie assured the older woman.

“Thank you. I would, but she really doesn’t listen to anyone but you.”



“That’s the curse of being her best friend.” Katie winked and trudged out the door. The hotel’s ground floor was packed with people as shifts finished. Weary groups were making their way toward the elevators while a few lounged on the plush couches chatting. A new group of people, looking shell-shocked and tired, were being checked into the hotel by Ken.



“Got Muslims now,” Curtis said, startling her. She hadn’t realized he was next to her.

“What?” Curtis nodded toward the older man and woman dressed in traditional Indian garb. “Muslims.”



“I think they may be Hindu,” Katie answered.

“Still heathens,” Curtis said, shaking his head. “Don’t know if we should be taking in heathens.”

Katie turned to gaze at Curtis, her disapproval clearly reflected in her expression. “Really?”

“Well, we’re a God-fearing group, Katie. Bringing in other kinds is gonna cause trouble,” Curtis answered, his boyish face flush with emotion. “It’s rough enough keeping things going as it is.”

“Curtis, people are people. We can’t start picking and choosing or we’ll end up just like the Vigilante. Offing people because we don’t approve of them.“ A look of horror washed over the younger person’s face and he stepped back from her. “I-I-I didn’t mean...“