Zocopalypse (Death Fields 1)

“Well, it says here that you’re getting a shot.” He points to the file in front of him.

“Um, since when do you inject me with stuff?”

“Since I was told to by my supervisor.”

I cross my arms over my chest, hiding the inside of my elbow. “I need to talk to my dad.”

LabGuy blinked. “He’s the one that requested this injection, Alexandra.”

“Awesome.” I give him two thumbs up. “You just wait here. I’ll be back.”

He looks around unsure of what to do but while he decides what action to take I’ve left the room.

“Hey!” he calls, but I’m already searching the lab for my father.

I check his office first. Nope. Then some of the rooms with tiny windows. Large yellow and red signs warn me to stay out of the room. I don’t read the small print but the general gist is “Danger! You’ll catch Ebola if you enter this room! And maybe eat your neighbor!”

Sure enough that’s the room I find him in. Right in the middle of the most dangerous one. Covered head to toe in protective gear. I’m beyond curious to know what he’s working on. I’m also realistic as hell to know he’ll never tell me.

I tap on the window. He looks up in surprise. I wave him over.

It takes a minute for him to come out. He has to undress and decontaminate himself. I get this. I understand the procedures. By the time he’s in the hallway with me, he has deep frown lines on his forehead. “What’s wrong? Is it your mother? Did something happen to your sister?”

“What?” I ask. “No. They’re fine. I’m just trying to figure out what this injection is LabGuy is trying to give me back there.”

“LabGuy?”

“The guy. In the lab? You know the one that takes my blood sample. Why is he doping me up now?”

Understanding washes over his face but not enough to counteract the stress and exhaustion etched in the lines of his forehead. “Alex, I’m busy, very busy. I recommended the injection. It’s nothing. Just a vitamin that goes along with the blood test and experiments we’ve been doing. Nothing harmful, but it is very important for you to take it.”

I stare at him for a minute. Something seems off. He seems off. “You should have told me. I don’t like all this secrecy.”

“There’s no secret,” he replies, softening his expression. “How many times have you told me not to talk about boring lab work at home?”

“Lots,” I admit. “Your lab stuff is boring but when you start injecting me with unknown substances, my interest in it piques.”

“I’m glad you have a sense of self-preservation, but I need you to trust me on this. It’s all part of the experiment. And trust LabGuy, he does a very good job around here. Don’t give him a hard time.”

“Fine. But I better not grow weird hairs or break out or something from whatever this concoction is made up of.”

He smiles. “No hair growth or pimples. Promise.”

“Okay.” I start back down the hall but stop before turning the corner. “Will it make my boobs bigger? Because if it does I’m okay with that.”

“Alexandra,” he says with a sigh. “Just follow directions.”

“Fine,” I mutter giving him one last look. Our eyes meet and I can see his love for me. His respect. I do need to trust him. No matter what secrets he’s got hiding in that back room.

Chapter Eleven

~Now~

I’ve barely stepped out of the barn before I hear the anguished moans nearby. Dealing with more Eaters is the last thing I am physically and emotionally able to handle right now, but I did not just shoot my mother to go down in a blaze of consumed glory.

Dashing fast across the yard, carrying two backpacks, a gun and a hatchet I head straight for the first thing I see; the truck. I have to put something solid between the Eaters and me.

“Please be open, please be open, please be open,” I chant, refusing to look back. There’s no need to. The Eaters are close enough behind