Zombie Mountain (Walking Plague Trilogy 3)

Chapter Five

Anna pulled her jacket tightly around her.

She leaned back against a wall on the observatory’s roof, lifting her gaze to the stars. The nights were getting colder now. Soon the rains would come. The sky was clear and, since half the lights down below in Los Angeles were out, a billion stars illuminated the sky.

“I wonder why they did it,” Anna commented. Her uncle Joe was shoulder to shoulder with her. Although she had wanted some time alone to think—and both Jared and her dad had offered to join her—it was her uncle Joe who had insisted on accompanying her. Yes, she had wanted to come up here alone, as she’d done at least a hundred times. But she was glad her uncle was here with her. He had, after all, been infected himself. And he was so down-to-earth. He relaxed her.

“Why who did what?” Joe asked. He also looked heavenward.

“Send us this infection,” she said. “The aliens.”

“Maybe we have something here they don’t have.”

She shrugged. “Or maybe they made a mistake—maybe those things should have come a thousand years ago, or sometime in the future.”

“It doesn’t really matter now, does it, kiddo?”

Anna pulled away and stood. Grateful there was no fog tonight. From up here she could see a few zombies roaming the grounds below. Looking for a way in.

The sight of them made her sick. But she didn’t turn away; she wanted to see them, to feel their presence. She wanted to know what made them tick. Because that’s what she soon might become.

Initially, Anna had been horrified at the possible alternative treatment the group offered her. They didn’t think the infection had spread. Cut her ear off to save her life. That was their suggestion. She shuddered. They wanted to spare her the terrible ordeal of drowning. Of course, that cure was only available to her after she’d turned and went mad....

* * *

Joe watched his niece, could tell what she was thinking. He’d wanted to come up here with her because... well, they hadn’t had a moment together since God knew when. He thought she might talk with him more freely than with Jack. The truth was, Joe was the true guilty party. He’d been infected first, along with Mike. Joe had been responsible for bringing this sickness to others, including his brother and now to Anna.

“You know, I’d do anything for you, sweetheart.” It was all he could say for now.

Anna smiled a little. “I know.”

He decided to change the subject from zombies to something he knew she loved. “You’ve been fascinated by the stars ever since you could walk.” He got up and joined her.

“Yeah, I guess so.” A chilly breeze came upon them. Anna leaned into her uncle for warmth. He took comfort in the fact she had always looked at him as someone she could confide in when she didn’t want to talk with her dad. “I feel so bad,” she told him now.

“You feeling sick?” he asked

Anna smiled at his concern, or so he hoped.

“No, not that,” she said. “I feel bad. Guilty. This was my doing. Because I was not careful and I was distracted by what I figured was a free laptop I could grab.... I still can’t believe a thing was able to get close to me and bite me. Now, everyone has to figure out what to do with me. Because I was focused on something other than security and personal safety. I was greedy. And I totally blew our security protocol.”

Joe wanted to smile at hearing his niece say “security protocol.” But he knew he had to set her right. No way in hell he could let her take the blame. Jesus, she was just a kid.

“Anna, listen to me. None of this is your fault. If anything, it’s mine.”

“But now I’m going to slow everything down! There’s no time for me to be sick, or have my ear cut off,” she choked the words out, “Or to turn into... into....”

Joe lifted her chin, looked into her eyes. “You didn’t choose this. You never meant for this to happen. You’re a good girl. It’s bad, yes. But we’ve all been there for each other... you were there for me.” He wrapped his arms around her waist to draw her close. “Oh, honey, whatever you decide will be all right. Believe me. You’re my favorite niece. Always.”

She giggled. “I’m your only niece.”

“Oh, right,” he said, chuckling. “There’s no way in hell I’m gonna lose my only niece. I’m right beside you always. No matter what.... Okay?”

Anna pulled on his arms to hug her tighter. They stayed that way, sitting on the roof that overlooked Los Angeles. A car alarm sounded in the distance until it died on its own. The wind brought with it the scent of surrounding pine trees.

He hoped she was beginning to feel better. He felt her relax further, and prayed her worries were slipping from her.

“Thank you, Uncle Joe.”

Her loving tone made him smile. “Any time, kiddo.” He playfully socked her shoulder. She socked him back.

“Oww,” he faked. They both chuckled.

“Come on,” Anna said, standing. “It’s freakin’ cold up here.”

* * *

The delicious smell of food wafted toward them as Anna and Joe made their way back to the others. Carla had been busy, putting Jared to work. They’d found a little hibachi in the basement, along with some charcoal.

Uncle and niece found Jared tending hamburgers on the grill and Carla preparing the buns.

“A hot dinner!” Anna exclaimed in delight.

Jack came out from the corner in which he’d been brooding and approached his daughter. Anna pushed the pain in her ear away and gave him a big hug. “I love you, Daddy.”

Jack embraced her, catching Joe’s eyes. Joe gave him a thumbs up. “I love you, too, darling.”

They dined on what seemed like a feast. At least compared to lately. Carla had brought mostly canned goods to their sanctuary, but also some perishables; the beef patties and buns, pre-made potato salad and crisp apples. Along with chips and soda, they ate to their hearts’ content. Jared remained close to Anna. He seemed relieved by her calmness. But she knew he was dying to ask her what had changed, but wouldn’t dare, lest he jinx her good mood.

He didn’t have to wait long. The group had finished dinner, grateful for full bellies, when she spoke, “I’ve been thinking about the ear thing.” Anna glanced around to see all watching her. “The thing is, we don’t know if it will work.”

“But honey, we don’t know that it won’t work either,” Jack countered.