“Cole, what has she done,” I ask again, this time barely a whisper.
“There are two vaccines. The Eater Virus Innoculation-1 and Eater Virus Innoculation-2.” He pins me with a look. “The first is an actual vaccine. If someone who has the EVI-1 is exposed, then the vaccine should fight off any parasitic infection.”
“And the EVI-2?” I ask.
“It’s a bit more complicated. The second inoculation saves an exposed person from the full threat of the parasite. People maintain mental and physical functions but are not immune to the actual infection.”
“What do you mean?”
He sighs, not out of exasperation but out of regret. I can hear it in his exhausted voice and see it in the lines on his face. “EVI-2 manipulates the virus, turning the parasite into a functioning part of the victim’s brain. It burrows into the part of the brain that incites violence and rage. It manipulates the amygdala, which triggers aggression and fear. But ultimately, the parasites form lesions on the frontal lobe, impairing independent thought and decision making, which keeps them malleable.”
“Cole…” I press. He’s getting a little too science-y for me.
“Basically, she’s creating a controllable group amped up and wanting to fight. They’re perfect workers—soldiers really, waiting for the trigger to pull. Then they’re fighting machines.” I shake my head, unbelieving, and he adds, “I know it sounds crazy.”
I scoff. “What it sounds like is Jane has built herself a super army, controlled and dictated by her—and has been for months.”
I continue my pacing, trying to absorb everything he just said. It’s a lot, but knowing my sister and her need for power, I’m not surprised in the least. If anyone could build an Eater army, it would be her. Psychotic bitch.
Finally I ask, “Which vaccine did she give us?”
“According to the records, you were given EVI-1. As was everyone else at this compound and most people at the Fort.”
“Then who is she targeting for her army?”
“That’s an answer I don’t have, but the experiments have been going on for months—if not before the original wave of deaths started. I suspect she’s gathering data from the testing we all get when we go through processing at The Fort or places like this, and then sorting people into specific groups.” His eyes narrow. “Jane is fully entrenched in biological warfare. She’s not trying to save the world. She’s trying to control it.”
“Holy shit.” I finally stop pacing and sit in the middle of the room, unable to do anything but try to process. I blink at Cole and spot his tense jaw. Nope. It’s not working for him, either. “What do we do?”
“I don’t know. What can we do?
“We can stop her.” I will stop her.
He moves to the floor and takes my hand. “I’m not sure there’s much we can do. The vaccines are already out there. This isn’t the only medical compound she’s created. Her operation is huge. Also, Chloe is still at The Fort. I can’t risk Jane going after her.”
“Does Walker know?” I swallow. “Wyatt?”
“I don’t know how much they know, if anything. I did do some digging on Wyatt. He’s definitely a favorite of your sister’s. She did a lot of blood work on him. I’m just not sure to what end.”
Army guys that follow directions, with a quick temper and extraordinary skill. I can’t help but think about Wyatt. He’s got a little bit of each of those—except it doesn’t totally jive. I know he’s got independent thoughts. He brought Cole here. I know he’s in control. I’ve seen it.
Haven’t I?
Shaken even more, I ask, “Then who do we trust?”
He presses his forehead against mine and his hands are warm and strong. I know the answer before he says it, but listen anyway, needing to hear the words. He doesn’t fail me when he replies with the only answer I need.
“Each other.”
r /> Chapter 20
The team waits in the main room of the bunker, drinking instant coffee and eating MREs they found stacked high in the cabinets. Cole and I exit my room together, and I can’t decide if I’m more annoyed by the implied “walk of shame” or the fact any or all of these people could be an enemy. Add trust issues to post-apocalypse gifts my sister has given me.
Parker and Jude look skeptical when they spot Cole behind me—I don’t blame them, they have no idea who he is. Wyatt doesn’t look up from whatever he’s studying on his lap but Davis gives him a short, friendly nod.
I give a quick introduction, explaining that Cole came from The Fort to check on Paul and the others.
“How is Paul today?” I ask. Jude volunteered to stay with him overnight, although I’m rethinking leaving anyone alone with him for long. We don’t know what vaccine he was given or how he’ll react if triggered somehow. Cole says it’s possible that the infection is dormant.