Apokalypsis Book Six

By Kate Morris

Rescuing young women who were taken from their families seems to be becoming a full-time job for Tristan and the others as they also deal with new problems at home.
Making new friends and allies is tricky during a pandemic apocalypse when not everyone is trustworthy. Some of them are already familiar with such trust issues.
Procuring supplies for their ever-growing and evolving base is dangerous but a risk that has to be taken and often. Traitors and enemies within and without their group will cause even more strife and hardship on the survivors.
Surviving the virus will prove the least of their problems as a new threat in the area presents itself. As relationships deepen and their bonds grow within their group, they also face just as many outside threats that could take everything from them.

Find out what happens next in Book Six of Apokalypsis!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Kate Morris
• Release date: Mar 15, 2021
• ISBN: 9781005390679

Kate Morris

Kate lives in Ohio on a small farm with "John" and is a huge advocate for the U.S. military and promotes the rights of gun owners everywhere.

Book preview

Chapter One

Tristan

He knew where he was going from studying a map he found in the mansion of the human sex trafficker, Jeff, who was recently departed from this earth by his hand. Tristan wanted to go back there tomorrow to raid it for more stuff. The message tonight from the government did little to squelch the unsettling feelings he’d been having lately that this thing was going to drag on for a very long time. The government didn’t have this under control, but he didn’t fault them like most other people were doing, either. The Russian Flu was concocted in a lab by people who meant to do harm with it. There was just no way the United States or any other country could’ve known what they were doing in those labs. Now they only had to learn how to survive it.

Everyone have a mask? he asked the others in the truck, in the quiet, dark of the cab. They all answered to the affirmative. This place is supposedly in town, in a neighborhood, an older one, he explained. We should be able to park a few streets over and come in quietly.

If the crawlers are sleeping, Alex pointed out.

They won’t be, Roman said. This is their time, remember?

Great, Stephanie said from the backseat. As long as we get those girls back, then that’s all that matters.

What’s your deal with this? Alex asked.

What do you mean?

Elijah’s brother paused, You seem like this is personal to you. Your hand’s bandaged from burning it today, but you still wanted to come.

Wait, you’re injured? Tristan asked, unaware of this situation.

No, I’m fine. I got this. Trust me. Before my dad took off, he used to take me shooting. I know what I’m doing. I’d snag my step-dad’s guns sometimes and go out to the abandoned quarry and shoot. It’s a good way to let off some steam.

Geeze, Roman said with a chuckle, Remind me not to piss you off.

You’re reminded, she joked. And to answer your question, yes, this is personal. No girl deserves this. Let’s just leave it at that.

Understood, Alex agreed.

Roman said, Steph can handle herself. We’ve been going out together. Back when we were still looking for our missing friends, that is.

Tristan gave a nod but still worried.

He turned onto the side street that went past the urgent care as he had already done earlier this week. This time, he drove all the way to the red light, which was actually working, strangely enough. Of course, it didn’t change to green. It was just stuck on red. He paused only long enough to check both ways before pulling through the intersection and continuing on without worrying about the traffic camera or a cop pulling them over. A few of the street lamps were working, and one of the drugstores actually had lights on inside. Tristan wondered if the government was running a pharmacy now. Not likely. Someone probably forgot to turn them off the last time it was open, or it was running on a natural gas generator. Some stores had those and were still operating with electricity when things started going bad. As long as the natural gas kept flowing, he assumed the generators would continue to work. This county was natural gas-rich, which he knew from patrolling it.

He drove them to the dead-end where the road crossed with the state route. Then he turned left and drove past the old fairgrounds, which Avery said used to draw quite a crowd during fair week. It was definitely abandoned now. One single solitary streetlight inside the fairground’s tall boundary fencing was lit in between two long rows of one-story barns where animals were likely kept during the festivities. The lamp cast an eerie orange glow around the barnyards as a light, misty snow fell. Since he was driving on untreated, snowy roads, he couldn’t look away from more than a second or two, but Tristan was pretty sure he caught the shadow of someone sprinting between those long barns on the fairground property. It was moving very fast, too fast for the average person in these conditions of unsure footing and snow-covered land. Seeing those things always send a preternatural chill up his spine.

He turned left and went down a steep hill, the truck’s rear-end sliding back and forth.

Shit, Stephanie said under her breath, clearly worried.

Hang on, he told them and fought the deep ruts in the snow as the truck waged its own battle of machine versus mother nature.

They made it to the bottom of the road, and he slid into his left-hand turn, which was fine because there wasn’t any traffic coming in either direction. Then it was up another hill and off to their left again. It was a white-knuckle drive for the passengers, but he felt no fear. For Tristan, it took a lot more than driving in adverse weather conditions to panic him.

Avery said her family would come over into this neighborhood and park to watch the fireworks every Fourth that the county let off at the fairgrounds, he told them. There’s supposed to be a small park at the end of this street. We’ll leave the truck there and walk in. Where we’re going is two streets over.

What about you, Tristan? Roman asked. You were shot last night. Are you sure you can walk far?

Yeah, I’m fine, he answered honestly. Before he left the house, he had plunged a tiny dose of local anesthetic into his side to numb the pain from the wound so it wouldn’t slow him down. It should last a few hours or so. Good enough for the tasks at hand.

Where’s the other girl? Roman asked.

Two are supposed to be at this house, he told them. The other is a few miles outside of town. Our buddy Jeff said it’s a sketchy place, more like a bunker in the woods kind of situation. He sold her to a man there.

Great, Alex said. Glad that asshole’s dead.

Everyone, lock and load, he ordered as he pulled into the small community park. Tristan cut the engine after parking near a dumpster and a tall wooden fence at the end of the city park’s parking lot. He could see swings moving in the wind, a security light buzzing and snapping and flickering. It made him uneasy. Memorize the route we take in. If something happens to me, get back to the truck. I have a key hidden under the bumper in a small magnetic box. It’ll always be there if we get separated from now on.

We should stick together, Roman said.

I know, but if I go down, you’d better get to this truck.

Alex said, We will. Same for everyone. We stay together unless it goes south. Spencer knows that if we’re not back by noon that whoever survives will try to make it to that country-western bar. It’s only a few streets over. Do you guys know where?

Yeah, I think so, Stephanie said, and the other two agreed.

Tristan reminded them, The bigger picture is the younger ones back home. This is all to protect the kids so they can survive. We have to think about them.

Let’s not screw this up, Stephanie said.

Get the girls. Kill the bad-guys. Get out, Tristan said and half turned in his seat.

How do we know who’s bad? Stephanie asked.

Anyone in there is bad, he answered. Don’t worry about it. If they’re in this house where girls are being abused, they’re there for it. They’re in on it. Kill them all. Jeff said there would probably be two or three dudes in there. Don’t hesitate. Got it?

Got it, she said firmly.

Tristan wished Spencer was with him, but there were bound to be situations like this when they couldn’t work together. He had to get these kids trained and ready, and there was no better time than the present. He felt slightly better since Roman and Stephanie were wearing borrowed Kevlar vests.

They exited, he locked the truck, and they sneaked quietly across the park, avoiding the lighted area. Tristan was highly aware of the fact that the infected ones could be anywhere right now. It was only just completely dark, so they’d be out on the move, hunting, feeding, and whatever the hell else they did. Unfortunately, covert missions were also better done at night.

This way, he whispered and led them behind the weathered brown, tongue and groove small building labeled for restrooms on one side and staff-only on the other. Then they went down a short hill and ended near a ball field. He wished he had some night-vision gear, but the occasional street lamp gave off a slight bit of phosphorus lighting.

He led them toward another building with a small sign out front that read, City Garage. There were two school buses in the lot, a big snow plowing truck, and a few pickup trucks.

Hey, we should come back here, he said, pointing to a gas tank. Syphon it and…

Shit! Stephanie screeched and lurched backward, stumbling into Roman. He caught her before she fell, just as one of the infected ran at her from around the corner.

Tristan drew his dagger and lunged. Alex did the same, and they were able to tackle the madman to the ground.

Hold it! he ordered during their wrestling match. It was so strong.

Kill it! Alex returned in a lot louder voice than Tristan would’ve preferred.

Tristan was able to get an arm free and stabbed the thing in the thigh. It howled. Then it screeched loudly, too damn loudly, even louder than Alex. It would surely draw others.

Hurry, Tristan, Alex said with urgency.

He grappled as Alex also struggled.

Oh, shit! Stephanie said. Guys, hurry the fuck up. We’ve got more coming!

What do we do, Tristan? Shoot? Roman asked.

Finally, he got his arm free enough, swung a leg over, and straddled the thing. Then he stabbed down straight into its heart. Within seconds, it stopped beating, and the thing ceased thrashing around. Alex was already up and on his feet. He extended a hand and pulled Tristan up. His side was getting sore already, and he hoped wrestling around with that thing hadn’t opened up his wound.

Where?

Roman pointed from the direction they’d come, from that park probably.

Let’s move! he whispered and turned.

They ran as fast as they could through the snow and made it to a chain-link fence at the other end of the property likely owned by the city garage. He scaled it quickly and landed on the other side. It wasn’t that high, probably six feet. When he turned back, Alex was helping Stephanie over, and Roman was waiting for her. Then the guys followed her over. They retreated into a dense tree line where it was darker.

What do we do? Roman whispered.

Shh, Tristan said and stood half behind a tree. He watched as the others did the same.

It was difficult not to open fire on the things coming toward them. There were three. Two stopped at the dead body of the one he’d just killed. One stooped and smelled it, which he found odd. Then it let out a scream that surely would break all the glass out of the windows in nearby homes. Beside him, Stephanie stepped back as if she were about to bolt. Alex grabbed her arm and pulled her up against him.

Shh, he whispered.

The other two monsters ran off in a different direction. The third ran in theirs. When it came to the chain-link fencing, it slammed into it and fell down as if it if hadn’t seen any fencing at all. Tristan held his ground and waited. When it realized what it had done, it growled psychotically, pounded on the fence with its fists, and stood again. Then it surprised him again and stuck its nose in the air like a dog would when trying to catch a scent. It was so creepy that he had a hard time looking at it. Fortunately, it didn’t try to scale the fence but lumbered off towards the garage and then up the other road.

He tapped Roman’s shoulder, who nodded. They moved out again, and he didn’t remind anyone to be careful.

1322, he told them the address number as they came into a neighborhood at the top of the hill. Two-story. Gray.

Somewhere a dog barked. Then it whined. He hoped those things weren’t hurting it, but it sounded more distressed than in pain. It grew quiet again as they walked down the street toward the house. The house was supposed to be on the right-hand side. The neighborhood was old, and Jeff told him it was near the former high school, the one that was converted into a rec center and office space for the city workers after the new schools were built.

The road was sloshy as if people around here had been driving on it more frequently than out near their properties away from town. That bothered Tristan. Traffic down this road could indicate men were coming here for those girls. It could portend that many people were currently at the house of horrors he was about to bust into. He tried to cool his temper and quell his nerves.

There it is, Alex announced quietly.

They stopped a few houses away and knelt behind a full-size van with a flat rear tire.

Alex, pair up with Stephanie and come in through the rear, he ordered and didn’t get any guff. Roman will come with me through the front. I don’t know if we’ll get in or have to kick in the door or what. We’ll play it by ear.

No lights are on, Stephanie whispered, the nerves in her voice exposed by the slight quiver.

I know, he said. Could just be doing that so they don’t bring in the sick ones, same as we do. He couldn’t imagine anyone would use lights at night anymore. Not if they valued living.

They nodded in agreement.

Try a back door, a window, whatever, he instructed. Just be aware that we’re coming in from the front. Don’t shoot us.

Yeah, Alex said. Us either.

They rose in unison, and Tristan crept forward slightly bent over and at a slower pace than running this time. Roman mimicked him, which he did often. The kid was a fast learner, and that was good. He easily took direction and followed his orders well, too. However, Stephanie was right. The house was not lit at all, which made their job a lot harder. No boards were on the windows. The house was dark, and no cars were parked at the curb or in the driveway, which surprised him. The traffic lines in the snow on the road went right past the house as if they hadn’t stopped here. For all intents and purposes, it looked abandoned. There was a slim possibility that Jeff had lied to him. It was slim because Tristan had beat the shit out of him, tortured him to talk. Once people broke from that, they didn’t tend to lean toward deception.

He stepped carefully, the snow crunching under his combat boots. Mindful of being silent, Tristan stepped up to the front door and tried the handle, which seemed flimsy. This didn’t seem like a particularly expensive area, mostly older homes from the sixties or so. Roman was already trying a nearby window.

Suddenly, the front door opened, and Alex was standing there.

Back door was wide open, he whispered and stood aside to let him and Roman inside. Tristan gave a nod and suggested they split up by using hand signals he hoped Alex would understand.

The old hardwood floors creaked every now and then underfoot, but they pressed on. After a search of the first floor, he suggested Alex and Stephanie should go to the basement while he and Roman checked the second floor. Then they separated again.

The stairs were squeakier than the first-floor hardwoods, and it made him cringe every time they did so. A disgusting odor lingered in the air like death and moldy newspapers. On the second-floor landing, it opened up into a wide hallway with three doors and a corner that went to the right down another hall.

Tristan pushed open the first door and didn’t find anything, just a bathroom. It was filthy and smelled stale and foul like an old porta-potty, so he pulled the door shut again.

The second room proved to be a bedroom, and it was in complete disarray and was also empty. No sheets were on the mattress, which was turned onto its side against a wall. Clothing and blankets were on the floor, as well as drug paraphernalia and empty beer bottles. The third was the same but was totally cleared out, nothing whatsoever in the room other than an area rug and used needles scattered around. They turned the corner and faced the last door, which was closed.

Roman turned the handle and pushed, but it didn’t move like the others. He twisted the doorknob. It was locked. He found a deadbolt at the top of the door, which was an unusual place, not to mention a door that locked from the outside, but even after Tristan slid it unlocked, the door wouldn’t budge. It was also locked from the inside somehow. He nodded to Roman and indicated he should stand aside.

Let me, Roman suggested, to which Tristan agreed. He didn’t really want to break his stitches open anyway. Avery would be upset. And the way that thing was sniffing the air earlier made him wonder if they could smell better than a normal human now. He knew they could hear better but that their vision was poorer. He also had an odd feeling they could smell better than people, too, and if one of them sensed an open, bloody wound, maybe that would draw them in.

Roman kicked one time and sent the door crashing in, but only about an inch because something heavy was on the other side. Together, they pushed until something was knocked over onto the floor behind the door. It was a tall dresser that crashed over loudly.

Jesus! Roman swore and rushed in.

Tristan followed and wished the kid would’ve let him go in first. On the floor was a girl in a t-shirt and underwear. She was handcuffed and also leg-shackled to the brass bed leg and lying on her side. There was about a four-foot length of chain connected to the ankle cuff. Roman was kneeling at her side before Tristan even had his flashlight out and shining around. He spied the heavy wooden dresser she must’ve pushed against the door to prevent anyone from coming in and wondered how such a slight girl could’ve pushed it at all.

I think… Roman said as he rolled her over. She didn’t move, didn’t moan, nothing. I think… wait! She’s alive. I’ve got a pulse. I think this is her sister.

Finally, she made a tiny sound.

What? What is it? Roman asked her.

Alex and Stephanie joined them in the room a second later. Stephanie gagged. The room reeked of human waste and many other offensive smells. As in the other bedrooms, there were clear signs of alcohol and drug use littering the room. Near the girl’s prone body were empty cans of tuna and chicken broth, which was what she must’ve survived on for God knew how many days. The cans were mangled and dented, the tin lids pried open rustically as if she’d had to use some tool other than a traditional can opener to get at the contents inside.

Shit, Alex remarked. Is she dead?

No, he answered.

Stephanie said, There’s one turned in the basement. Looks like someone killed it.

Where are the others? Was the one in the basement the man who had her tied up here? Tristan questioned aloud, not really figuring on getting an answer because none of them would know any more than he did. Where’s the other girl? He had two.

Dead, the girl in Roman’s arms whispered. All dead. Turned. Sickness.

Then she passed out.

Jesus, Roman said. How long has she been in here like this?

Is she sick? Stephanie asked. Does she have it?

It didn’t matter. They couldn’t leave her behind. Tristan stepped forward and pulled a face mask over the girl’s head and secured it there. If she were sick, maybe that would keep them from catching it from her. They all had their masks on, but he usually opted for a bandana or neck gator so that he didn’t use up their cache of masks.

I’ll carry her, he offered only to have Alex step up.

No, you were shot. Let me. I’m good, he said and handed off his rifle to Roman. I got this.

Stephanie grabbed a sweatshirt from another room and helped pull it over her head.

Shit, she doesn’t even have on shoes, she remarked.

Alex said, It’ll be okay. I won’t put her down.

Damn, she swore with what seemed genuine sympathy. Wish the assholes who did this were still here.

Outside, something screamed. It wasn’t a human- at least, not anymore. With Alex forced to carry the weak girl, he couldn’t run.

I’m going after the truck, Tristan explained after he spied through a nearby window a night crawler run past the house and keep on going. A moment later, two others zipped between the two houses across the street and disappeared in the shadows and snowfall. We’re down one person, so I’ll take Roman with me. Stephanie, stay with Alex and help guard the girl. Shoot anyone who isn’t us that comes into this house.

Got it, she answered.

And Roman’s coming with me. You lock this house after we’re out.

Yes, sir, Roman said, which was mirrored by her nod of agreement.

They went down the stairs again and out the front door since nobody seemed to be around other than crawlers. Then he and Roman ran as fast as they could back to the truck in the park, taking the same route. They vaulted over the chain-link fence again and across the field, nearing the park. Unfortunately, when they got there, it was surrounded by four or five night crawlers who were smelling and circling it.

He and Roman skidded to stops in the slick snow and threw themselves to the ground behind a jungle gym apparatus on the playground.

Shit, he swore.

What do we do? Roman whispered.

He thought a moment before saying, We need to draw them off so one of us can get to the truck.

They’re so fast, though, Roman said.

Tristan nodded and considered that. He was right. The snow made them less sure-footed, too, but the monsters might not be. They needed silencers on their weapons because firing them would only draw more, and this town clearly had no shortage of them. After tonight, he planned on figuring out how to make one homemade.

Can’t we just shoot them? Roman asked.

It could draw more, he said. A lot more.

He knew Roman was waiting for an order, but Tristan was unsure. This was new territory for him. Typically, decisions came fast and were always right, or most of the time were right. Other times, he improvised. This could not be one of those times. Too much was riding on it. Plus, he never cared before whether he lived or died. Now he was responsible for a lot of people, including Avery and the kids. Alex and Stephanie were waiting with that girl, and Alex could hardly just carry her all the way home. He knew he couldn’t just wing it this time.

The bathrooms, he said, inspiration striking.

What about them, Roman asked.

C’mon, he told him and nodded over his shoulder.

They ran quickly but stealthily until they reached the building. Unfortunately, the bathrooms were locked with padlocks for some reason.

Damnit, he swore and dug out a tiny screwdriver he kept in his pack. Working in the dark was difficult, but he managed to get the lock undone and removed. Get in, Roman.

The bathroom must’ve been treated with antifreeze because none of the pipes were burst yet, probably the reason the city must’ve locked them up.

What are we doing? Hiding?

No, let’s create a diversion, he said.

Like most public park restrooms, the tops of the stalls were open to the outside for cheaper ventilation. There was probably a good two feet of open space at the top around the entire wall of stalls.

He whipped his pack to the ground, Hold a flashlight for me.

Roman quickly took his out and aimed it at Tristan’s pack as he dug around to find what he needed. Then he grabbed handfuls of paper towels from the dispenser, found a whole unopened roll of them sitting on top of it, and some toilet paper rolls, which he unfurled, and stacked against the outside wall, which was rough-cut painted pinewood. Working swiftly, he unrolled a lot of the paper products until he had a pile about three feet high.

Next, he took out his lighter and flicked it to life.

Once this takes, we’ll clear out and wait where we were before, he said. This ought to bring them this way.

Got it, Roman agreed.

Ready? We’re gonna have to be fast, he said.

Roman nodded, Yes.

Here we go, Tristan said and lit the pile in front of him.

Within seconds, the dry paper products were blazing.

Let’s go! he whispered and rushed to the door, where he paused and slowly opened it. Come on!

He left the bathroom door hanging wide open to allow more oxygen flow for the fire. They ran back to the playground and squatted again behind the large jungle gym made of wood and having multiple plastic tube slides, bridges, and climbing apparatuses. Tristan could see the orange flames and puffs of dark smoke through the open space above the bathroom walls. Soon, it seemed as if the walls themselves were lit, as well, which was his intention. A fire this size should garner the attention of every night crawler in a one-mile radius.

He could see them still looking at the truck. A few were rummaging the dumpster. It was taking too long. If his fire fizzled out, they’d miss it altogether.

Get ready, he warned right before he whistled loudly.

That got a few to look, and when they did, they screeched like damn hyenas or something. It was awful. However, it worked, and all of those things went running for the building.

Now, he whispered fiercely and rose with Roman.

They ran for the truck as fast as possible with the slippery conditions. He hit the remote, which, unfortunately, made a shrill beeping sound as the security system disengaged. It pissed him off, and he made a mental note to remove whatever part of the vehicle that made it do that.

Crap! Roman shouted as he ran to his side of the truck.

His shout was followed by a quick pop of gunfire, a single round.

Tristan ran toward the front of the truck past his door in case Roman needed help.

Get in! Roman yelled. Go, go!

He ran back and hopped in, hitting the locks and firing it up.

What happened?

Crawler, he said. Sorry, it startled me. I didn’t have a chance to do anything but shoot. It was right on me, squatted on the ground on my side.

It’s okay, he said and backed up, spinning out.

A loud thump made the truck shake.

One of ‘em’s in the bed! Roman yelled.

He hit the 4x4 button, let it engage, and stepped on the gas. The truck jolted forward.

Wait till we’re out on the road, he said to Roman, who knew what he meant.

Once they were moving and on the street again, Roman rolled down his window, twisted backward, and leaned out it. He fired one round, which was followed by an inhuman scream.

It’s gone, he yelled and eased back in, rolling up the window. Jesus!

It’s okay, he said, trying to reassure the kid. We’re good, right? You okay? You hurt?

No, sir. I’m fine.

Tristan drove as fast as he could, given the conditions, and hurried back to the house where men had done horrible things to young women.

Alex literally walked out the front door carrying the girl the second he pulled into the driveway before he’d even put it in park. Tristan noticed that Stephanie was doing a good job covering him, too.

Get lost? she asked in a snide tone once they were all in the truck and on the road again.

Steph, we had trouble, Roman told her as if irritated by the girl with the bad attitude that was always lurking beneath the surface. Tristan had known girls like her before, and they usually had a reason for the chip on their shoulder. The thread of commonality was because they’d been abused or mistreated. This girl was probably no different. She was downright mean, but he didn’t mind her. She was still alive and was probably a pretty tough cookie to be so. She had fire, and Tristan admired that. The meek would now perish. They would not, in fact, inherit the earth, not in this scenario.

What kind of trouble? Alex asked as he cradled the girl on his lap in the backseat.

Night crawlers, he answered. Had to create a distraction.

Nobody hurt? Alex asked.

Nah, we’re good, Roman answered as Tristan navigated their way back to the main road.

Let’s get her home, he said quietly and turned up the heat a little since she wasn’t wearing much.

Beside him, Roman removed his coat and handed it back to them. Stephanie covered the girl’s bare legs.

We have another one to go find tonight, he told them. We’re far from done with this.

Chapter Two

Jane

She’d been snoozing on the sofa in Avery’s living room when the driveway gate’s intercom system that connected to the house buzzed. Roman told her to send Abraham up with a shovel because the snow had drifted the gate shut. Then she’d gone downstairs to awaken Avery’s brother, who was the same age as her, but who somehow seemed older. Maybe it was because of what the family had been through losing their parents and siblings, or perhaps she was just more naive. Jane felt bad about Abraham having to open the gate, but she also didn’t want to go out and do it by herself since she’d seen one of those things while looking out the back window of the Andersson home. It had been chasing stray dogs in Elijah and Alex’s field. She did, however, put on her coat and gloves and offered to go with him to watch his back, which he accepted. By the time she and Abraham had their coats and boots on, Avery and Kaia had come into the foyer, as well. Everyone looked tired.

The snow was falling hard now and coated her hat and gloves quickly as she held a flashlight for Abraham while he shoveled. It didn’t take too long, and they hitched a ride in the bed of the truck back down to the house.

It wasn’t very long after they’d left that they showed back up again, maybe a little over two hours, and everyone who was waiting at the house rushed outside to see them. Mostly, she needed to see that Roman was safe. She was quite sure the others had their own agendas on that front, as well. Even Spencer and Renee came down from the apartment to see them.

However, Alex got out carrying a small, nearly naked girl, and their concerns for people in their respective groups flew out the window.

Oh, dear Lord, Avery exclaimed and ushered them all inside.

Clara! Remmie screamed and pushed her way through the crowd toward the girl, who was presumably her sister.

She’s sick, Tristan said and held out his hand to stop Remmie. We think she’s sick. There wasn’t any heat where she was. Barely food or water, either. She woke up long enough to tell us that the others died. I think they got RF2, and she locked herself in the bedroom where they had her shackled to keep them away from her. The back door of the house was open when we got there. I have no idea how long she’s been there by herself. She could have the virus or just pneumonia.

As he explained, Avery led Alex toward a room down the nearest hall. She opened the door to a small, quaint guest bedroom, and he laid her on the bed. Avery quickly snatched a throw blanket from a nearby chair and covered her. Jane could tell the girl was wearing other people’s garments. Roman’s coat was wrapped around her bare legs.

Tristan kept on, I figure whoever survived took off and forgot she was in there. Lost interest or something, maybe got killed while they were gone. I don’t know when the last time she ate or drank was. Seems like she’s burning up. I’m not sure if it’s the virus or if she’s just sick from exposure or dehydrated.

Oh, dear, Avery said again. Everyone out!

There wasn’t enough space in the room anyway as most were loitering in the hall.

Go wash up! Tristan ordered. We don’t know if she’s infected.

I can help, Jane offered quietly.

No, dear, Avery said. Just go now. I’ll tend to her. I’m immune.

Ave, Tristan pleaded.

Go, she told him, too. I’ve got this. Alex, you can help. We’re the only two who are immune, right?

Yes, I am, he answered.

Avery added, Spencer is, too, but he’s not going to be able to do much with a broken arm. We need to get her cleaned up and try to get some liquid and food into her.

Jane retreated with the rest, although she wanted to be of some help.

Jane! Avery called. Make sure everyone washes up, and also make sure Tristan disinfects the truck.

Yes, I will, she promised and went about that chore.

Roman was waiting for her in the hall.

What happened? she asked as they went to the small bathroom near a room that was always closed up. Kaia told her that it used to be their mother’s home office. Tristan was already carrying a bottle of some sort of disinfectant and a rag toward the front door, and she could hear Abraham telling Alex and Stephanie where they could also wash up.

Roman told her everything while he scrubbed his hands up to his arms before removing his face mask. She washed her hands, too, although she hadn’t touched the girl.

I want to go with you to get the next girl, she said.

Roman scowled, I don’t think that’s a good idea. Tonight was probably the worst I’ve been in. The next place could be even worse. Tristan said it’s more remote and…

I don’t care. I don’t want to sit here. I want to help.

Jane! Avery called again.

She rushed to the door. I’m here.

Get me a bucket of hot water and some washcloths, dearest, she ordered. Tell Kaia to heat up some chicken noodle soup. I have cans of it. I think that’s all she’ll be able to handle right now. And a Gatorade or some water with electrolyte powder and a vitamin packet mixed in. Get Kaia. She knows where everything is.

Yes, ma’am, she said.

See? You’re needed here, he said. Besides, Steph did okay out there. I think we’re going out again with the same team. Then we’re switching up in the morning to go get the rest of the stuff in the wrecked semi-trucks.

She nodded and departed quickly to find Kaia, leaving Roman standing there. Something about the situation bothered her, but Jane didn’t want to admit it. To admit it would imply she was petty. However, she didn’t trust Stephanie. She knew Stephanie used to date Roman, used to have feelings for him, and possibly still did. She didn’t know if Stephanie had an agenda of her own in all of this.

Kaia gave her a bucket to fill with water and told her where to find washcloths in the hall closet. Jane rushed back to Avery.

I have the bucket of hot water, she said from the doorway.

Come in, Jane, she said. Here’s a mask.

She took the mask and pulled it on but was nervous because she didn’t have latex gloves. Instead, she set the bucket down on the floor next to the bed.

I don’t think she’s infected, Avery told her. Just to be safe, I don’t know if I’ll have anyone but Alex and myself in here. Just in case. But I will have you or Kaia fetching things for us, so stay close so you can hear us call for help.

Sure, that’s no problem. I want to help, she said.

Good, Avery said as she wrung out the excess water from the washcloth and began wiping down the filthy girl. Try to keep Remmie calm. I’m sure she’s going out of her mind with worry.

Yes, we will, she said and retreated again.

In the kitchen, she told Remmie and Kaia what was going on, and Remmie volunteered to take the orange drink that was fizzing from the vitamin packet to the bedroom. Jane handed the girl her new mask since she didn’t need it. She could only imagine what was going through her head right now. Remmie had paced so much while they were gone that