“Yes. I’m not sure how safe we really are here, but I couldn’t leave him and the kids without protection. Catlettsburg is a ghost town. We passed it on the way back.”
“I’m glad they’re all safe and yeah, I’m not exactly sure about this place either, but they’re targets for the Hybrids outside the walls.” We move to the small seating area. “So has Hamilton given you a job?”
“He wants a pure vaccine. The people up here are not vaccinated and they have to be incredibly strict about quarantine and possible outbreaks of the E-TR virus. The parasites are still out there looking for a host.”
“You guys can do that, can’t you? I mean, that was Dad’s original goal, right?”
“Yes, with the right tools, which Hamilton has provided, we should be able to produce what he wants.”
My sister is odd. She has strange mannerisms and an ability to make everyone feel lesser at all times. She’s brilliant with a touch of narcissism that must remain in check. She’s come a long way since she first unleashed the E-TR virus on the world, trying hard to redeem herself. Right now though, she’s twisting her hands together and I can tell something’s got her on edge.
“What’s wrong?”
“I need you to understand that Hamilton is dangerous.”
“I watched him execute Erwin and Green. I know that.” But that image has been softened by the display at the orientation meeting. That was just war, right? There’s more though, the familiar words he used at the close of his talk—the ones that matched Jane’s view when she unleashed the virus on the world. That makes me more nervous than anything else.
She shakes her head. “He’s serious about getting rid of all the Hybrids and Mutts. I have faith in the EVI-3. He’ll never know but if something came up, a side effect or reoccurrence, he’ll kill you on the spot. I have no doubt.”
“What about you? You took it too.”
“He needs me and I can make sure he always does. Same with Dad, but you guys? You need to get out of here fast. Follow orders. Get on the road. Track down Hybrids.”
“For how long?” Because that is not where I picture my life going in the long run—although to be fair, God knows how many of us have a long run.
“Until we know the EVI-3 is not a problem. Until you find Paul and Cole and come up with a better plan. Just don’t fight back. Not now.”
I lean back against the sofa. “I wasn’t planning on it. Wyatt and I already agreed to follow orders.” She gives me a wary look. I hold my hands up. “I’m serious.”
“I know you think you’re serious but neither you or Wyatt are great at sticking to a plan or following directions.” Her next sentence comes out in a whisper. “Hamilton is dangerous—his ideas…”
“They’re extreme.”
“It took me a long time to understand why my actions with the E-TR virus were wrong. I was convinced I was helping the world with science and not emotion.” She looks at her hands. “It wasn’t until I created Chloe and she turned on me that I realized my mistake. You, Dad, Avi and the others…you helped me see that. Not everyone has a support system like you guys.”
She’s tip-toeing around something but I sense she’s done talking. I take her hand and squeeze. “I promise we’ll be careful. You do your work—we’ll do ours.”
Her face and shoulders relax and I think she finally believes me. I have a million other questions about why she’s so concerned about this—does she think the EVI-3 is going to be a problem? If so, she’s taken it, too. We knew it was a risk. It was a trial—rushed to fight Chloe and the Hybrids. But as of now I feel fine. Sleep and food helped.
“Walker says we’re leaving in the morning. I’m not sure where we’re going or how all of this is going to work, but I think it will be fine.” I smile. “Just another day in the apocalypse.”
“I’m sorry you’re having to clean up my mess.”
My jaw drops. “Dude, it isn’t a ’mess’, it’s the freaking apocalypse. I’m on like, mutant-patrol or something.”
“I know. I know.”
“Make the vaccine and take care of Dad. That’s your job.” I bump her on the shoulder with my first. “I’ll take care of everything else.”
“You’re an amazing little sister, did you know that?”
“Honestly? I sort of did know that.”
She laughs and I give her another hug. It feels like a goodbye.
Maybe it is.
*