“Wyatt has bigger plans than hiding up in the woods for the rest of his life. He’s a soldier before anything else.” I move to the door, unwilling to talk about leaving anyone behind at this point. We just need to get through phase one of this plan in one piece—something my sister definitely plans on hindering.
Paul grabs my hand and says, “Thanks for saving me, Alex.”
“There’s one rule in the apocalypse, Paul. You taught me that.”
“What’s that?”
“Never separate. It won’t happen again.”
We walk out of the room, the light blinking off behind us where we meet the rest of the team at the bottom of the stairs.
“Ready?” Davis asks us, prepared to lead us out the same way he led us down here days ago. The plan is to meet Wyatt just outside the fence.
Not one of us knows what to expect. We don’t know how we will get out of here or where this day will end, but one by one we follow him up the stairs, each of us apparently deadly enough for my sister to hunt down.
Chapter 24
The Vaccine Center is normally a quiet system of daily upkeep, incoming survivors, medical staff moving from building to building and guard patrols, keeping a clear watch over the fence. After the attack by the Eaters, no one wants to chance luring any of the remaining infected toward the base, so things adjusted to an ever lower tone. It’s not like we have the same ambient noise any longer. Vehicles are kept far from the area and the electricity the engineers rigged up is pretty futuristic.
But when I stick my head out of the dark, hidden stairway, shielding my eyes from the glaring sunlight, the change is palpable. I can’t see anything at first, but even down one sense, it’s clear that the volume level hasn’t changed much. A coiled, increased energy courses through the compound. The Fighters up on the fence are on high alert, fingers on the trigger. The scientists, the few visible, walk with speedy purpose.
It’s like they’re aware of being observed.
Like their boss is nearby. Or maybe they sense her army lying in wait just outside the gate.
My heart kicks into gear as my eyes adjust and I follow Davis quickly through the shrubbery, taking only a moment to glance back to see Jude carefully lowering and covering the shelter door.
I feel a tug on my pack and see Paul wavering on his feet. “Stick with me,” I tell him, straightening my back. His grip tightens.
We get to the edge of t
he main building and Davis says, “One at a time, head to that part of the fence.” He holds up a bronze key. “Behind the dumpster is a small gate. Unlock it and head for the woods.”
“What if we don’t all make it out?” Parker asks.
“If something happens, run and hide. Wyatt will find you. He’s already out there.”
Jude volunteers to go first and he snatches the keys from Davis. He darts away from the building, shoulders back with calm confidence. By contrast, I hold my gun with clammy hands. I have no idea what I’ll do if I need to use it. These are humans we’re escaping from. People—civilians—I’ve come to know.
Jude’s Fighter-issued backpack disappears behind the dumpster. We wait a beat. Then two.
“Parker—go,” Davis says, in a hard, efficient voice.
She moves quickly—faster than I thought. Our little team is coming together, and I breathe easier when she slips behind the dumpster to safety.
“Alex, you go next,” Davis commands. Cole’s face is blank, hiding his worry.
“What about Paul?” He’s still clinging to my back.
“Cole will take him. Get ready.”
I step away from the building but feel a hard, painful jerk against my back. My feet lift off the ground as I’m flung against something hard. It’s Davis’ chest. Damn. With his breath against my neck, I watch two Fighters cross the grounds not ten feet away. I press my back against him, trying to sink into the shadow of the building’s overhang. The men pass us by without notice.
“Holy crap, that was close,” Cole says with an exhale.
Davis releases his grip and shoves me in the direction of the dumpster, adding, “Take it slow—no running.”
With my heart lodged in my throat it’s hard to take his advice, but I step off the sidewalk and into the grass. The dumpster isn’t far away. The camp itself isn’t massive.