Stacey laughed and took Pepe's leash when Lenore held it out to her. Pepe danced around her feet, looking up at her anxious.
Together, they walked toward the Dollar Store.
Overhead, the skies opened up.
It began to rain.
3. Check In Time
Nerit took a deep breath and strode up onto the platform overlooking the hotel's designated point of entry. Clad in her old jeans, a button down shirt, and Ralph's hunting jacket, she was warm, despite the cool, damp wind gusting through the small fort. With her yellowish-white hair tied back from her face, her eyes looked keen and intense.
This was something she was good at. She felt like killing.
In Israel, things had been rough when the nation had first arisen.
She had fought bravely and with pride. Her almost eerie ability to nail any target from a great distance had given her an illustrious career. It had helped that she had the cool detachment needed to do the job of a sniper. Some had called her one of the most calculating and aloof women they had ever met. In reality, she was just good at her job.
There were moments when she was haunted and the nightmares came, but she had always kept herself focused on the greater good.
Defending Israel had been her priority. She had done her job well.
But now it was much more personal. She could still kill with skill and cold detachment, but it did not give her nightmares anymore. She was living in a nightmare. What she killed now were not terrorists or enemies of her homeland, but the undead citizens of her adopted country. The country had fallen. The fort was home; the zombies were the enemy.
If the bandits ever came to the fort and tried to do there what they had done to Ralph…
Pressing away thoughts of Ralph, she lit a cigarette and exhaled slowly. She was already in that calm cool place where the world was gray and devoid of anything other than her pulse and breath.
She was elevated above the construction site so she could see easily into the brick pen they had built around the old entrance to the hotel. It was high enough to keep any zombies out, and they had made the old wrought iron gate the doorway into the tiny courtyard. The pen was, essentially, as safe as it could be.
The dark gray clouds continued to sprinkle drops down on their heads, but the almost-black clouds in the distance spoke of a violent storm.
Slipping into position, she enjoyed the feel of the cold metal of her sniper rifle in her hands. Closing one eye, she became one with the gun; the sight became their mutual eye, harsh and unblinking. She could easily see everyone gathering to go in. She could see the bricked up entrance.
She was ready.
***
Travis was not ready for this. He was certain of it. His stomach was in knots and his hands wouldn't stop sweating. Looking around at the people gathered in small tight groups around him, he felt his panic building.
They were finally going into the hotel. The small walled-in courtyard with the wrought iron gate suddenly seemed so flimsy to him.
What if hundreds of those things had somehow gotten into the hotel? What hope would they have of holding them off? Thank God they had created the new secure area. It now seemed foolish that they had ever considered going into the hotel without making sure that the survivors were safely tucked away first.
He glanced over his shoulder at Nerit. She looked calm, deadly, and ready. His gaze flicked to Juan, who was talking intently to Jenni.
Travis knew Juan was very worried about Jenni going in to help clear out the building. He really couldn’t blame him. Jenni was a good shot, but the situation was fraught with danger. Travis was also worried about the woman he cared about.
He glanced toward Katie, who was standing nearby. He was worried sick about her going in. He knew she was a good shot and had more experience dealing with zombies up close than just about anyone. He had confidence in her abilities, but still he felt a sense of dread. Too many times before, he had come close to losing her.
The last few weeks had been hard. After their surprising kiss, Katie had drawn far away fr
om him. It stung him, but he could understand to some degree. Yesterday she had given him hope. Maybe it was misplaced, but when she had whispered 'please' to him, he took it as a sign she wanted time to deal with feelings she had for him. He had seen something in her eyes that had been surprising and encouraging.
He was willing to give her time, but now that they were both going into a dangerous situation, he craved one last significant moment with her.
Mike, the man in charge, moved to the center of his carefully chosen groups. A former military man, he had grouped people into teams and trained them to work together for the last few weeks. His dark skin was beaded with sweat and rain. He looked strong and unafraid.
“We're about to go in. Remember to stay with your group. Stick to your predetermined route. If you meet with a large amount of zombies, do not return to the fort, but call for backup and fall back to the main lobby. You are not to return to the fort until the hotel is clear. If something goes wrong, start climbing and go to a higher floor. ”