Deathly Contagious

By Emily Goodwin

Safety is just an illusion during a zombie apocalypse. The second survival thriller in the Contagium series from the New York Times–bestselling author.

Orissa Penwell will do anything in the zombie-plagued world to keep her friends safe. After the discovery of a zombie-proof safe house, she thinks things may actually work out and they can get through the apocalypse together. The compound offers more than just shelter. It gives her and her friends a sense of community and purpose. It gives them a reason to keep living in the dead world.

But her chance at happiness is shattered when someone she recently let into her life—and her heart—is shot. Hell-bent on revenge, Orissa will do whatever it takes to seek vengeance and get even . . . without caring what the risk is for herself.

Things quickly go from bad to worse and she finds herself lost and abandoned—and forced to face the living dead on her own. When lies, secrets, and desperation are added to the already harrowing world, Orissa discovers that zombies aren’t the only things to worry about.

What—or who—will justice cost her? And just how far will Orissa go to avenge someone she loves?

Praise for Contagious

“I can’t give this post-apocalyptic story six stars but I wish I could!” —Tamara Rose Blodgett

“In her narrative storytelling, Emily Goodwin presents a refreshingly strong female hero in her zombie-infested, survival tale . . . Goodwin has shown that female writers can make flesh crawl, both living and undead, just as well as her male peers.” —HorrorAddicts.net

• Language: English
• Publisher: Open Road Integrated Media
• Release date: Aug 25, 2014
• ISBN: 9781618683465

Book preview

PART I

Chapter 1

A red dot hovered over my chest. I froze, abhorrence radiating through my body, heart pounding. My eyes flitted to Hayden. For a split second, he held my gaze, unmoving.

And then he jumped.

If anyone was to die, it should be me. I was no hero, no warrior. I had no true importance to the compound, could never make a big difference. I would not let him take a bullet for me.

But I was too late. The shot rang out, echoing throughout the barren field, splattering Hayden’s blood across my face.

Hayden! I screamed, my body frozen in absolute terror. Hayden! I pulled my gun and blindly fired in the direction the shot came from as I clutched his body. Hayden! I cried. Unable to hold him up, I sunk to the ground. His warm blood gushed and stained my skin. The bullet had hit him between his shoulder and his neck. No, Hayden…Hayden! My body shook. I emptied my magazine, dropped the gun, and wrapped my arms around my Marine’s body, crying.

I repeated his name between sobs as if that would make things better. I nuzzled my head against him, barely able to breathe. I didn’t want to go on without him. I didn’t think I could. All I wanted was to feel my fist crush every bone in the face of the person who shot Hayden. Then I wanted to die too.

I had no idea Hayden was alive until his fingers tightened around my wrist. In a true panic, I flipped him over. His eyes were open and locked with mine.

Ohmygod, ohmygod, I stammered. Hayden. There was so much blood. The entire front of his jacket was red. With shaking hands, I unzipped it to find the bullet hole. I screamed when another shot was fired. It ricocheted off the tailgate.

I have to get you in the truck, I told him, tears still falling down my face. You’re gonna be ok, you’re gonna be ok, I incoherently repeated over and over.

Orissa, Hayden mumbled as he reached for me. His fingers brushed my cheek. He tried to sit up but winced. I was completely hysterical. Feebly, he put his right arm around me and tried to help me hoist him up. Finally, I got him to his feet. I wrapped both arms around Hayden and dragged him to the passenger side. I opened the door and he fell into the truck. I slammed the door shut and dove around into the driver’s seat.

The keys were in the ignition. I slammed my foot on the gas as soon as the engine revved. We needed to get away. I needed to stop the bleeding. I looked at Hayden, forgetting that I was driving.

Riss, drive, he muttered. Don’t let them follow you! And then he was silent.

I drove with one hand and kept the other pressed to the bullet wound. He had been shot between his neck and his shoulder on the left side. A sob escaped my lips.

You’re gonna be ok. I’m not going to let you die, I promised, my voice coming out uneven as I tried to breathe.

Breathe? It didn’t look like Hayden was breathing…

* * *

We were almost there. Hayden was going to be ok. He had to be. The gate came into view. Stopping to open it would waste precious time—time Hayden didn’t have. I slammed the pedal down and drove right through it.

The A3s at the second gate didn’t know what to do. I laid on the horn, yelling at them to open the gate. I rolled down the window.

What the fuck is the matter with you? Open the goddamn gate! I clamored. Jason’s familiar face flashed in the tower. The gate opened and I sped past. I could see them running after me but didn’t care. I needed to save Hayden.

Cars weren’t supposed to drive close to the old house. Maybe it was because of the compound underground. I didn’t know; I didn’t care. I stopped just feet away from the front door. Leaving the truck running, I got out and raced to Hayden’s side. I tore open the door and put my arms around him, trying to ease him to the ground.

His body was cold. I felt like I was going to puke. Why wasn’t anyone helping me? I wanted to scream. I made it five feet before I collapsed under Hayden’s weight. I struggled to my feet, cradling him against me.

Orissa, a voice called from behind me. I turned to see an A3 running at us.

A3s were different than A1s. Everyone in the ‘A’ group was trained to defend the compound in some way or another. A3s did basic guard duty—not too dangerous but very necessary. They stood watch around the fences and the gate that led in and out of the shelter. A2s patrolled the farm and fields, a job with a bit more risk than the A3s. And A1s—which Hayden and I were—faced the most danger. We went on missions, leaving the safety of the compound, in search of food and supplies, taking in other survivors, and killing as many zombies as we could.

Help me get him inside! I demanded, on the verge of hyperventilating. Someone put their hands on my shoulders. Thinking the two guys might lift him, I backed off. The A3 rushed to Hayden, dropping to the ground and looking at his body. Jason pulled me a few feet back.

Orissa, I…let’s get you in…inside, he stammered.

No, I have to save him! I cried out, pulling away from him. Jason tightened his grip.

Let them, he suggested quickly.

I sunk to the ground, crying. The whole thing played through my mind. If Hayden had time to jump in front of me, then I had time to move away. It was my fault. I was mad at him for being so stupid. I wasn’t worth dying for.

What a shame, the unknown A3 said to his buddy. Underwood was the best.

Yeah, should we tell Fuller now? He’ll want to know before we burn the body.

My blood boiled. What? I screeched, madly rising to my feet. Jason tried to hold me back, but I easily elbowed him in the ribs. He’s not dead! I stumbled over, protectively holding onto Hayden’s body. He wasn’t bitten! He’s not dead!

Orissa, the first A3 started. He looked like he might burst into tears at any second. I’m so, so sorry.

No! I yelled. Go get help! Go get Padraic. He can fix this. Hayden’s not dead! The two A3s didn’t move. I pulled a small pistol from Hayden’s ankle holster and pointed it at them. Go! I shouted. He’s not dead!

Jason moved over, his hand extended. Oris…

No! I screamed, turning the gun on him. Don’t touch him! He’s not dead!

Jason put his hands up and froze. I turned back to Hayden, burying my head against him, unable to catch my breath. I had no sense of time. Seconds or minutes could have passed before they came running out. Ivan got there first, dropping to his knees next to Hayden.

He’s not dead! I yelled at him, though he wasn’t telling me otherwise. He pressed his fingers to Hayden’s neck. I looked at him; his eyes were wide as he desperately attempted to find a pulse.

Without explanation, Ivan and Brock lifted Hayden up. Wade put his arm around me, having to help me walk since my legs suddenly turned to noodles and could hardly hold me up. Padraic ran down the hall, meeting us halfway. He ushered the guys into the exam room, closing the door in my face.

I pounded against it, demanding I be let in.

I heard Padraic bellow, Start compressions.

Why? a frantic voice asked incredulously. He’s gone! Padraic, he’s…he’s gone!

I banged on the door harder, drowning out their voices. I needed to go in. I needed to know what was going on with Hayden. He couldn’t be gone. No…he wasn’t. My fists dropped to my waist, and I suddenly felt weak.

How the fuck did this happen? How did we come to this?

I took a step back, blinking away the dots that speckled my vision. If my stupid appendix didn’t need to be removed, I wouldn’t have met Padraic, Jason, Sonja…or Zoe. Zoe! The little girl who had died of cancer right in the middle of the apocalypse. Unwelcome tears stung the corners of my eyes. All the people we had lost—including a man who reminded me of my grandfather—and now Hayden!

If I hadn’t gotten sick I wouldn’t have had to wait to go to Purdue University to rescue my best friend, Raeya. I wouldn’t have to wonder what happened to my aunt Jenny or my grandpa. We could have gotten to the Kentucky farm in time and been safe from the zombies that roamed the earth. We would have never ended up with a band of survivors holed up in an underground base run by military personnel—Marines and army who had come together under a united entity along with a group of civilian survivors.

But if none of these things had happened, I never would have met Hayden…

I looked at the door. Hayden. He was bleeding to death—if not dead already—and it was my fault. I wrapped my bloodstained hands on the handle and turned it, trying to bust the lock. Wade tried to subdue me. I pushed and swatted him away. Ignoring my attempts to seriously hurt him, Wade patiently let me scream and hit the door for a few minutes before he put his arms around me and picked me up. He carried me into another exam room where Dr. Cara was waiting with a syringe. Before I knew what was happening, she plunged the needle into my shoulder. Something cold rushed into my vein, burning as it coursed through my body. I screamed and protested, hitting Wade in the face more than once. Then everything went black.

* * *

When I woke, I immediately knew what was going on. My brain was fuzzy and I had little control over my body. I swung my legs over the hard, foam bed and fell onto the floor. Ivan, who was sitting in a chair by the door, got up to help me.

Freak out and you’ll get another shot, he warned me. Doctor Cara’s orders, not mine, he added. His face was grim. I felt sick.

Is he ok? I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

He’s still in surgery, he responded. Another surgery now. He just keeps…

What does that mean? I asked as Ivan helped me back on the bed. I hated being drugged.

He lost a lot of blood.

But…?

But he’s not conscious yet. We don’t know if that much blood loss…losing that much blood can mess up a lot of things.

No shit, Ivan. What are you getting at?

They don’t know.

So he’s ok?

I don’t know, Orissa. I’m waiting, just like you. He sat next to me and sighed heavily. What happened?

We were eating. Someone fired at us from the trees. I…I don’t know where they came from.

This wasn’t an accident? he asked, taken aback.

You think I shot him?

Well…no, I didn’t think…I’m sorry I even possessed that thought. What happened?

We thought we saw someone that night. I think we were followed.

Followed?

Oh God, I breathed, suddenly realizing the importance of Hayden’s last request: don’t let them follow you. I closed my eyes in a long blink and the memory of sitting on the back of Hayden’s truck flashed before me. We had just collected the samples for Dr. Cara and were headed back here. We should be in the quarantine room right now, not in the hospital ward. Maybe then I’d know what Hayden was trying to say. He’d been trying to tell me something, just before he was shot.

The guys that shot him…they could have followed us, I said. Horrified, I looked at Ivan. He jumped up, told me he’d be right back, and raced out of the room.

* * *

The samples we’d been trying to collect for Dr. Cara were blood from the S1, S2 and S3. These were the names assigned to zombies based on certain criteria. A freshly infected S1—or crazy, as Raeya liked to call them—were the most dangerous. They were very much alive, and liked very much to rip into human flesh and eat fresh meat. The virus made them into homicidal cannibals. Pain and fear didn’t register in their infected minds anymore. The only way to fight them off was by killing them.

The virus progressed into the zombie stage, more properly called S2s. Then, as they deteriorated, their skin slothed off and their movements slowed even more as their bodies rotted. Raeya liked to call the S3s ‘gummies’ since they were, in fact, usually sticky and gummy.

I wiggled my toes, trying to force feeling and control back into my legs. I got to the point of being able to extend my knees when Ivan came back in.

Rider, Brock, and Wade are taking care of it, he told me. If anyone followed you here, they’ll be dead soon.

Save them for me, I sneered, attempting to get up again. I wobbled, my legs unsteady as if they were asleep. What the hell did Doctor Cara give me?

Sit back down, Ivan said shortly.

I can’t just sit here while he’s in there.

It’s hard, I know.

No, I don’t think you do, I spat, suddenly annoyed at how calm he was. You don’t know what it’s like to—

Orissa, he’s my friend too, he stressed. If we go in there, we’d be in the way. Padraic will get us when Hayden’s stable.

When, I repeated. Not if. Hayden was going to be ok. Padraic might be the only doctor I really knew, but I had no doubt in him. I nodded and leaned against the bed. Hayden was going to be ok, I told myself again. He was. He had to be.

I should have moved out of the way. Instead, I sat there like a dumbass deer in headlights. I felt like a failure. I let Hayden get hurt—possibly lethally. If he died, I’d never forgive myself. A hard ball of fear formed in my heart as well as my stomach. I realized that simply avoiding a lifetime of guilt was not the only reason I desperately wanted Hayden to live. The thought was almost equally as terrifying.

Ivan stood, distracting me from my complicated thoughts. He walked over to the counter, opened one of the cabinets, and tossed a thin, white sheet to me.

You’re shivering, he stated. I think you’re in shock.

No, I’m just cold, I retorted but gladly took the sheet.

It’s ok, ya know, to admit you’re scared.

I’m not scared, I said, knowing that it was a horrible attempt at a lie. Ok, I am.

Me too, he said softly. He leaned against the bed and sighed. The tunnel’s open, he said rather suddenly.

I looked at him dubiously.

Oh, you don’t know, he went on. There’s a tunnel that goes from the weapon storage room out to the fields. It was blocked off. Now it’s open.

Don’t try and change the subject. It won’t work.

Alright, he said softly.

Neither of us spoke while the minutes painfully ticked past. When I heard someone grasp the door knob, I jumped off the bed. Thankfully my legs were functioning again.

Fuller looked stricken when he walked in. He nodded at Ivan and frowned at me. I felt like someone dumped a bucket of ice water over my head. My heart plummeted to the ground. My ears rang and I felt weak.

He’s alive, Fuller informed us, taking in our horrified faces. He’s alive…for now.

I had to put a hand on the bed to keep from falling.

Barely, he continued. I could tell Fuller was working hard to choke back his own emotions. He cleared his throat. Orissa, come with me.

No, I said simply.

Fuller’s face twitched slightly. That’s an order.

I’m not a soldier or a Marine, I countered. I’m not leaving.

I’m not taking you away, he affirmed. I need to know what happened.

I can tell you here, I pointed out. Without waiting for him to argue I said, We were eating, sitting on the tailgate. Someone shot at us. Hayden got hit. I got Hayden into the truck and floored it all the way here. We didn’t see anyone. They were hiding in the woods.

Fuller nodded and swallowed hard. Do you have any idea why someone would shoot at you?

A necrophiliac wanted a fresh body? I have no clue. As I said, we didn’t even see them.

Fuller nodded again, taken aback by my statement. He made a big deal over looking at his watch. You need to go to the quarantine room.

Fuck off. I’m not going.

Excuse me?

Ivan stood. Sir, I think she’s in shock. She’s obviously not thinking clearly.

I can see that, Fuller said. Orissa, he said gently. It is a rule. You of all people should understand.

I’m not going, I repeated. I’m staying here until Hayden’s ok.

That…that might be a while. Fuller’s eyes became glossy.

I can wait.

You can wait in the quarantine.

No. I wasn’t bitten. Here, I said, unbuttoning my shirt. Look me over. You’ll see.

Afraid I was going to get myself into trouble, Ivan stepped in again. Orissa, how about we wait and talk to Padraic, then go into the quarantine?

Maybe, I agreed just to get them off my case. Yes. I can do that. I watched Fuller and Ivan exchange worried glances. Finally, Fuller agreed. He pulled Ivan aside, spoke quickly and quietly to him, and left the room.

You sure you’re alright, Penwell? Ivan asked again.

Are you really asking me that right now? I said incredulously.

Sorry, dumb question. It’s just I’ve never seen you…freak out like this.

I was too worried to be embarrassed. Well, what would you do?

I’d probably wig out just as much. But I’d never tell Fuller to fuck off, he said with a chuckle.

I shrugged and started picking at the dried blood I was covered in.

You want to shower? he asked.

No, I said. I’m not leaving. I want to be here when Hayden wakes up.

Ivan nodded, his eyes narrowing in question. You really care about him, don’t you?

Of course. He’s my friend and partner.

Just that? he asked suggestively.

I shook my head and sunk down in the chair. I didn’t look up or speak until the door opened again…

Chapter 2

Dressed in bloody scrubs, Padraic smiled weakly at me. Riss, he breathed.

I rushed over to him. I wasn’t expecting him to envelope me in his arms the way he did. The warmth from his body was comforting. I hugged him back, feeling emotional.

Is he ok? I asked with my head against Padraic’s firm chest.

He’s not stable, he responded. I can’t keep him stable.

I let him go and blinked. And that means?

He’s not conscious. I can’t do a full assessment yet. His vital signs aren’t what they should be and…I…I did the best I could.

The best you could? My heart raced again.

Padraic stepped into the room and faltered. I reached out for him, catching him before he fell.

Sorry, he mumbled. I had to give blood.

I led him to the chair and knelt down next to him. Once he was sitting, I continued. You gave your own blood?

Padraic nodded. So did Jason. We’re the same blood type. I didn’t trust anyone else’s blood to be clean enough.

I put my hand on Padraic’s knee and waited for him to continue.

I got all the bullet fragments out. I did the best I could given what I have.

"What does that mean?" Ivan asked. I felt him pacing behind me, wanting to hear and not wanting to hear.

This place isn’t equipped for surgery. I can’t tell if nerve damage was done just by looking. I’d normally order an MRI plus a slew of other tests and labs. There aren’t even IV pumps here. I can’t tell you the extent of the damage because I don’t know.

Can I see him? I asked suddenly.

He’s not awake.

That’s ok.

Padraic’s blue eyes met mine for a second. No.

Why not?

First off, he needn’t be disturbed. And, he said before I could protest, you’re dirty. After a normal surgery in a sterile environment, we keep outside contact to a minimum. The conditions here are less than ideal.

I couldn’t argue. What if I shower?

Tomorrow, alright? Padraic mumbled, looking too tired to fight with me.

I want to be there when he wakes up, I admitted, feeling my cheeks redden. To thank him for saving my life.

"If he wakes up…it won’t be for a while. If! Padraic told me. These first few hours are the most crucial. Orissa, I want you to be prepared for…"

He’s strong, Ivan said. He’s strong and… He didn’t finish, but continued pacing.

I nodded, not knowing what else to say.

Ivan strode over to Padraic. He extended his hand. Thank you, he said seriously and shook the Irish doctor’s hand. We are lucky to have you with us.

Taken off guard, Padraic dumbly nodded.

Ivan said he’d be right back and slipped out the door.

I extended my hand to Padraic, pulling him to his feet. We walked to the door.

You look exhausted, I told him.

I am, he sighed.

You should go to bed.

You should too.

You know I can’t sleep when I’m stressed, I said with a wry smile. I slowly walked down the hall with Padraic. Are you gonna be ok? I asked.

Yes, he assured me. I’ll be better in the morning.

Ok. We stopped in front of his room. Padraic, thank you.

He smiled slightly. It’s what I do, Riss.

I know, but…all I could think about was getting him back here to you. I knew you’d be the one to save him.

Padraic didn’t look at me. Thanks, I suppose. He cast his eyes to the ground. He asked for you, Padraic said softly.

What?

The first time he was stabilized before…before he crashed again. He asked if you were ok.

Something sparked inside me. The corners of my lips twitched as if they wanted to smile. I shook my head and scraped blood from under my fingernails.

* * *

Fuller gave me permission to take my best friend Raeya with me to the quarantine room that night, and he gave us a few minutes to gather our things. Raeya and I detoured to her room. We walked slowly, avoiding the curious stares from the compound residents.

What happened, Riss? she asked when we got to her room. I eyed the door. Taking my hint, she opened it. She flicked on the light and sat on her bed. Since I was covered in blood, I remained standing.

It started in Texas, I confessed. We found these houses with symbols on them. And they had electricity and running water. I closed my eyes, vividly remembering the fan blades moving. We knew someone was around so we went looking but didn’t find anyone. That night, Hayden said he thought he saw someone outside the truck.

What do you mean?

A shadow or something. I didn’t see it. I shook my head. But then nothing happened, well, nothing with humans. We got the samples—which are still in the truck—and were on our way home. Wait, I paused, going over the memories.

What is it?

Smoke. We smelled cigarette smoke. I closed my eyes again, mentally cursing myself for being so incredibly dumb. They followed us and waited until we were vulnerable.

How were you vulnerable?

We were eating and talking. That’s when I saw the laser.

Laser?

You know, like in movies when the gun has a laser pointer?

Oh, yeah.

It settled right over my heart. I didn’t know what to do. No matter which way I moved, I was dead, I just knew it. And then Hayden jumped. Tears pricked my eyes. I felt so guilty.

I’m glad you’re ok, Raeya said. He was very brave, saving your life.

Yeah, and stupid, I added. I sighed. It was a relief to admit the whole truth to someone. I took in a ragged breath.

Raeya put her hand on mine. He didn’t take a bullet for you just to die, Ray tried to convince me. She smiled broadly. I told you he liked you.

Shut up, Ray, I said, struggling to stay serious. Hayden is a Marine. He’d do that for anyone.

Ohmygod, Riss, will you just adm—

I closed my eyes and shook my head; I was losing it. I should go shower, I said and made an exit, motioning Raeya to follow. She accompanied me to my room to get my pajamas.

She was impressed and slightly jealous of the quarantine room. She played around with everything in it while I showered.

It surprised me how tired I was when I sank down on the couch after showering. It wasn’t long before I fell asleep.

* * *

I was bombarded with questions during my first meal with the rest of the compound. I was polite to the first three people who asked about it before I snapped and told everyone to fuck off and leave me alone. After I ate, I went up to my room, picked out clean clothes, and showered, scrubbing myself thoroughly with soap. Then I marched down to the hospital ward.

Hello, Orissa, a nurse said. She was the same nurse who had taken care of me the first time I set foot in the compound. I glanced at her name badge.

Hi, Karen. How’s Hayden? I asked nervously, pulling and snapping the band around my braid.

No change, she told me.

Can I go in there? I’m clean, I added.

Actually, that would be nice.

I eagerly nodded and followed her into the sick ward. She stopped inside the room and motioned to the sink. I know you said you’re clean, so don’t take offense. But can you please wash your hands?

Yeah, I easily agreed. Where’s Padraic? I asked as I scrubbed my hands clean.

Sleeping, hopefully. He was up all night.

Oh. It’s ok for Hayden…if he wakes up and Padraic isn’t here? I asked, not caring if I offended her.

Yes, she said patiently. I’ll be there and, honestly, there isn’t much else we can do other than wait and see.

Karen led me down the row of beds. Hayden was at the end, and the curtain was pulled around his area. When Karen pulled it back for me, I was shocked. Hayden just lay there, looking gray and lifeless. The head of the bed was slightly elevated, and Hayden’s left arm was taped in place to his bare chest and resting on a pillow. Gauze covered the incision and an IV was hooked up to his right arm. His eyes were closed and his skin was pale; he looked nothing like the way I was used to seeing him. I made myself go forward.

You’re alright with blood, aren’t you? Karen asked me. I nodded. Good. I’m going to clean the wound before he wakes up.

I simply nodded again and pulled up a chair. My fingers graced Hayden’s hand, careful to avoid the IV line. His skin was cold. I watched as she took the gauze off the bullet wound. My stomach churned when I saw the damage done to Hayden.

I linked my fingers with his and closed my eyes. After she was done, Karen looked at her watch. She smiled, told me she’d be nearby, and left us.

Gently, I ran my fingers through Hayden’s hair. There was so much I wanted to say to him when he woke up. I wanted to tell him that he was stupid for letting himself get shot because I would have been alright. I smiled to myself, thinking of the dubious stare he’d give me when he heard that.

Hayden, I said softly. Can you hear me? I continued to run my fingers through his hair until Karen came back in to take his vital signs. She jotted them down on a clipboard and told me his blood pressure was too low again.

You can talk to him, she suggested. I’ve had a lot of patients tell me that they remember voices when they were in comas.

Ok, I said, not really knowing what to say. Hayden, I spoke quietly. It’s Orissa. Thanks for saving me, though it was really stupid. You shouldn’t have gotten hurt just for me; I’m not worth it. And I would have been fine on my own, you know. I put my hand over his. Everyone’s really worried about you, I went on to say. You better heal fast, cuz I don’t want to get stuck with someone stupid. You and me, remember? We’re the best zombie killers.

I smiled and blinked back tears. You’ll be okay, I told him. You have to be. I ran my fingers through his hair again, unable to keep a tear from rolling down my cheek.

Wake up, Hayden. Please. Why won’t you wake up?

* * *

Brock, Wade, Ivan, and Rider came back that evening. They had found the guys who were following us. Along with Ivan, the five of us crowded into Fuller’s office. I sat across from Fuller with Wade at my back, Brock sat beside me and Rider leaned against the far wall with his head in his hand.

There were four, Brock explained, raising his head, in a black Mustang, ‘69 by the looks of it. Nicely restored but odd to be driving given the zombies. We found them ten miles from here. He paused, looking at Wade and Rider.

They opened fire right away, he continued. We had no choice but to take them down. One got away, but he got clipped in the leg first. He won’t make it long; I bet he’s dead already. Especially on his own, since he was used to running with others. When we examined the bodies, all three had the same tattoo of a skull wearing a crown. It was painted on the door of the Mustang as well.

Gang members, I speculated.

Yeah, Rider said. One of them had ‘Imperial Lords’ tattooed on his back.

Now what? I asked, mad I didn’t get to feel my fist crush the cheek bones of the bastards who shot Hayden.

They’re dead, Wade said, giving me a look like I just asked the world’s dumbest question.

We’ve come across gangs and small groups before, Brock explained. They’ve never shot at us, and they’ve never wanted to come to the compound. Can you think of anything that would have made them want to shoot you guys?

The back of the truck is full of weapons, I stated. We raided a hunting and camping store. Maybe they were…desperate for supplies or something. Plus Hayden’s truck…you know, with the mounted machine gun? It does come in handy.

There was a murmur of agreement. Fuller sat up and looked at Ivan. Bring in the weapons and have them inventoried. Have someone check the fuel supply and report back to me.

So that’s it? We just carry on as if nothing happened? I interjected.

Yes, Fuller ordered. "They are dead, Penwell. But we aren’t. We have to carry on if we want to keep it that way."

I crossed my arms. I didn’t know what I expected Fuller to do, but leaving the bodies of Hayden’s shooters on the side of the road to get eaten by zombies was just so anticlimactic. I stared Fuller down and left the room.

Four members made a small gang. What if there are others?

* * *

Since I wasn’t allowed to see Hayden again, per Padraic, I spent the rest of the evening with Raeya. I stayed with her until she was ready to go to sleep; I didn’t want to be in my room alone. Seeing Hayden’s empty bed—yes, as A1s the two of us had been assigned to share a room—was something I wasn’t ready to do.

I didn’t go to training the next day. I wandered the halls, stopping by the hospital ward enough to annoy Padraic. This stop, his brow was furrowed with worry as he rooted around through the dwindling medications.

What’s up doc? I asked, leaning against the counter.

Orissa, hi, he said in a monotone voice. It was the third time I had stopped by to check on Hayden that morning. He still hadn’t opened his eyes. According to Padraic, if Hayden hadn’t woken by now, there was a good chance he wouldn’t. But I didn’t want to believe that. I refused to believe that.

What are you looking for? I had also become incredibly nosy; I wanted to know what was going on with Hayden at all times.

Medication, a certain medication. He moved one box aside and tore through another. Then he went for the cabinets.

Morphine?

No, he said shortly, taking a bottle down and reading the label. Antibiotics.

Hayden?

He…I don’t… Padraic stopped and sat down hard on one of the boxes. Orissa, I’m sorry. Hayden is sick. I don’t have what I need to take care of him. I…I think it’s best if you stay close, just in case…

No. No fucking way I believed that. There had to be another way.

An infection is the last thing he needs, Padraic sighed and ran his hands over his face. Dark circles were prominent under his eyes.

You need to sleep, I told him,

I need to take care of my patient.

Can I help?

Yeah, if you can get me some Cipro, he said with a slight laugh.

I can, I said, straightening up. I can get anything. Just tell me where I’d find it.

Padraic looked at me unblinking. You shouldn’t go out on another mission right now.

Why not?

You went on two in a row.

So?

So, he said exasperated, maybe you should stay here a while. Luck hasn’t been on your side.

Yes it has. I wasn’t the one who got shot. And I don’t think luck has anything to do with anything anymore, Padraic. I stared him down. He shook his head and sighed again. I strode past him and uncapped a pen. Tell me what you need. I’ll give the list to Fuller. He’s the one who has the say on if I’d go or not. I didn’t care what Fuller said. I was going no matter what. I would be faster than everyone. I would make sure they hurried. I would do it for Hayden.

Padraic hesitated. Fine. Cipro, he said. And benzodiazepine. He had to spell that one out for me and went on to rattle off a few more medical items. There’s actually a lot we could use here, he started. Equipment, like IV pumps and vital sign monitors.

I’ll write them down too, I told him and listened intently as Padraic described what we needed. I was unable to pronounce most of the items.

I folded the list and stuck it in my pocket. Can I see him?

Padraic shook his head before giving in. Five minutes. He needs to rest. He stood and took my hands in his, Orissa, listen…If you go on this mission, I can’t promise that he’ll still be here. I don’t know that he’ll still be alive when you get…

No! I shook my head and pulled my hands away. Just no!

I went to the sink, rolled up my sleeves, and washed my hands before going into the sick wing. I walked around the curtain, still angry at Padraic. How could he say something like that? Hayden was going to make it. I was going to get him medicine, and he would get better.

Hey, I said softly and sat on the chair by the bed. I put my hand on top of Hayden’s. His skin wasn’t as cold as before. But he still looked awful. I swallowed the lump that was rising in my throat.

I’m going to get you medicine, I told Hayden. It won’t take long. Padraic told me what to get and it will clear the infection. You’ll be able to wake up and start healing.

I ran my fingers up his arm, tracing the outline of his tattoo. I wiped away tears with the back of my hand, feeling guilty and heartbroken. I hated seeing Hayden like this.

I miss you, I confessed when a wave of emotion crashed over me. Please be awake by the time I get back.

I sat with Hayden for a few more minutes then got up to leave.

* * *

I ran into Dr. Cara on my way to the C level. The underground compound was broken up into floors. The ‘C level’ housed our living areas and most of the sleeping quarters. The next level down was called the ‘B level’ since anyone working in the hospital ward was assigned to the B category.

Thanks for the samples, she said, her voice monotone.

Oh, yeah, I told her. I had forgotten about them until now. You got them already?

Yes. Blood doesn’t stay fresh. I had to test them right away. I might need more.

I nodded curtly and took a step forward, but Cara grabbed my arm. She flipped it over and ran a finger over the vein in my wrist.

Can I have some blood?

Uh, sure.

Her thin lips pressed into a smile and she motioned for me to follow her back into the hospital ward. My eyes scanned the door that separated me from Hayden.

Hayden won’t last too long with that infection setting in. The vaccine is in jeopardy.

I didn’t try to hide my ‘why the fuck would you say that?’ expression. Hayden was right: Dr. Cara was so socially awkward. She snapped on rubber gloves, hastily rubbed a cotton ball of alcohol over my arm, and slid the needle into my vein. I watched the deep scarlet blood rush into the vial.

Are you getting any closer to finding a vaccine? I asked, knowing the answer would most likely be ‘no.’

Possibly. I’ve found some similarities between Hayden and Parker’s blood, but they’re not identical. I need both. I’m gonna need both for quite awhile. When I have the samples to compare it to I might know more, too. Of course, having someone to test the vaccine on would help. She scribbled my name on a sticker and wrapped it around the vial. Can you bring me a monkey?

Huh?

A monkey. You know… She imitated a monkey, complete with scratching her head and jumping up and down while making a horrible noise.

Yeah, I know what a monkey is. Why do you want one?

Primates share most of our DNA. I might be able to infect one.

Oh, yeah. If we don’t have enough problems on our hands already, let’s throw in a crazy, homicidal zombie-monkey.

I’ll let you shoot it in the head if it goes crazy.

Gee, thanks. I raised my eyebrows. "If I find a monkey, I’ll