INFECTED (Click Your Poison) (9 page)

“No bites?”

Rosie moves her rifle defensively between her and the man. “No bites,” she says, all business.

“Then I’d say we’re even,” Lucas replies.

She nods. “Fair enough. There’s supposed to be a compound north of here. Civilian-owned, but paramilitary-run. They were broadcasting before the networks went down.”

Lucas smiles. “We’re headed there ourselves.”

“Then let’s get going!” she says, her youthful spunk completely back. She begins walking out of the marsh.

Lucas hangs back, claiming his sword from you. He whispers, “How could you just stand there? Her life was… I don’t think she knows, and I won’t say anything, but you need to reassess your priorities. We’re about to join a community and you’ll be expected to help.”

He shakes his head in disappointment and falls in line behind her.

•
 
To the compound!

MAKE YOUR CHOICE

G
as is running low, and the only service station you passed was on fire. This cabin had better be stocked. There’s a big sign on the road: “CABINS – Turn Here.” You’re wondering how many people already had this idea.

You turn down the dirt road, your car rising and falling with the grooves in the trail. It’s twilight, and your bobbing headlights probably look like a lighthouse beacon to anyone—or any
thing
—nearby. Soon you make it to the first cabin. You park, turn off your engine, and claim your weapons: a knife and a hammer.

Moment of truth: time to find out who or what’s in there. With a deep breath, you step out into the open wilderness and walk over toward the cabin. It’s that perfect time of evening where you can’t see anything. Just enough light so your eyes haven’t adjusted to the darkness, but not enough to see the details.

You go around to the passenger side of your car and claim a flashlight from the glove box. You don’t want any surprises. Being deliberately cautious, you step gingerly toward the cabin door. There’s a padlock on the outside; that’s a good sign. You should be safe, unless someone locked an infected family member inside. It takes a bit of leverage, but by using your hammer, the lock finally breaks loose.

You push the door open, scanning with your flashlight and weapon at the ready. It doesn’t take you long… no one is here. The cabin is small, with a kitchen connected to the main room and a bedroom/bathroom off to the side. Time to look for supplies.

The kitchen has a few nonperishables: kernels for popcorn, chicken bouillon cubes, and three packs of gravy mix. There’s also a sack of marshmallows, a box of graham crackers, and a chocolate bar. You slide all of this into a backpack.

There are several implements with which to light a fire sitting on the mantle above the fireplace. You take these too. Iron fire poker? Could come in handy. On the wall, there’s a mounted first aid kit. You’re in the middle of raiding it when you hear the door creak open behind you.

You turn around to see a man wearing a fishing vest. There’s dried blood around his mouth and more bodily fluid flecked across his chest. He’s happy to see you.

•
 
Time to try this new fire poker out.

•
 
That hammer worked so well on the lock, why mess with a good thing?

MAKE YOUR CHOICE

D
eleon spreads out a blueprint of the school across one of the tables. He holds a walkie-talkie in his right hand and waits, studying the blueprint, soaking in the details. “The barricades should hold, but who knows for how long?” he announces. “We should push the tables up against the cafeteria entrance when they get back.”

Cooper unfurls a blanket filled with tools from shop class. “Newbie, help Guillermo and me out. Board up the windows.”

You nod and claim a hammer. There are a
lot
of windows. Why’d the planners have to give these kids so much goddamned sunlight? You hammer away, listening with one ear as Deleon communicates with the guys.

“Area One, clear,” Tyberius reports in.

“Copy that, come on back. Hefty, are you in position?”

“Area Two, clear,” Hefty calls.

“All right, Hefty. Bring it home. Sims, what’ve you got?”

“Area Three, clear.”

“Copy Area Three clear, hurry back.” Deleon sets down the radio and scours over the blueprints once more.

•
 
Finish boarding up the cafeteria as the guys head back.

MAKE YOUR CHOICE