Z 2136 (Z 2134 Series Book 3) (24 page)

After losing the orbs that came looking for them, Katrina and Liam followed the three sets of footprints from outside the bank to where they abruptly ended at the doors of an old hospital. The building was massive: 20 stories high and wide enough to swallow a city block.

“How the hell are we going to find them in there?” Liam was growing more anxious. They’d lost their lead for good.

He didn’t think the man coercing Adam was running from them. He’d probably seen two people in the street fighting an orb and decided to take off before the fight spread to more orbs or people. Adam also probably hadn’t recognized Liam with his beard, eye patch, and thick dark jacket and pants.

Katrina motioned for Liam to follow her into the lobby. They made their way into a restroom.

“Watch the door.” Katrina threw her backpack to the ground. She found the box screen and searched the feeds.

Liam focused on the doorway, listening to the building’s noises—far off but still too close—mostly sounds of a building decaying loudly enough to be heard and maybe a few humans either living or undead. Whatever it was, Liam didn’t want to search more of the hospital to locate the sources. He was down to three blaster clips. They couldn’t risk a firefight or face a horde. Katrina was among the baddest of badasses, but Liam didn’t think she could take on a wall of zombies without getting plowed.

“Holy shit,” Katrina said.

Liam turned and looked down at the monitor: a view from just above the man with the gun leading Adam somewhere outside. Oddly, the orb wasn’t recording at a distance like they usually did. This orb was right on top of them.

“What the hell?” Katrina said.

“What is it?”

“I don’t think this orb is recording for The Games.”

Liam stared, confused. “What?”

She cranked the volume. The man spoke. “How much farther?”

Another man’s voice came over a com held by Adam’s keeper: “Just ahead to Carroway Street and into the manhole. Half mile until you reach a ladder with a red arrow. Let us know when you’re there. We’ll send a truck.”

Katrina said, “The orb isn’t recording them for the show, it’s escorting them. That bastard’s with The State.”

“What do you think he wants with Adam and the girl?”

“I don’t know. But we’re going to find out.”

They raced toward Carroway on a motorcycle stolen from a bandit who’d been stupid enough to stop for a pretty lady on the side of the road. The bandit probably thought he’d be taking advantage, but Katrina and her wrist blades did the taking.

They reached a manhole that seemed out of place given that there was no snow on the cover and several footprints stopping abruptly at it. Liam hefted the lid aside and said, “Ladies first” with a grin.

“Being a gentleman or do you just want my ass shot first,” she joked.

“Both,” he said, as she descended below the street.

He followed, pulling the lid back over the hole as he joined Katrina.

They raced through the darkness, splashing water as Katrina’s light bobbed. Eventually they found a blue orb glowing in the distance, illuminating a path for Adam and company.

Liam hoped they hadn’t been heard in their hasty pursuit.

Katrina killed her light, stopped, and aimed her rifle.

Liam wondered if she’d take out the orb or shoot the man first. She might not be able to take the orb down in a shot. That extra time could be all the man needed to put a gun to either Adam’s or the girl’s head and force them into a standoff.

If she shot the man, though, the orb could come at them strong before they could drop it.

She fired.

Liam watched as the man fell into the water. The orb’s blue light turned from Adam and the girl toward them.

“Fire!” Katrina yelled, dropping to the water. She took aim, shooting rapidly at the advancing orb. It fired off a bolt so close to Liam he could feel the electricity’s heat as it raced overhead.

It wouldn’t miss again.

He fired his blaster—one shot after another—as Katrina’s shots cracked like thunder against the narrow dark walls.

The orb raced toward them, cannon glowing blue as it recharged, readying itself for another shot.

Liam stood rooted, firing through his clip as he stared down the glowing death racing toward them.

His clip went dry.

The orb fired.

Liam dodged but not in time.

The blast hit him in the left arm, spread like wildfire, and left his limb in ashes.

Liam screamed as he fell face first into the water.

Above him an explosion. Katrina must’ve hit the orb. It didn’t matter.

Liam’s world decayed into darkness and pain.

“You can’t go!” Calla said.

“I have to.”

They were in an underground room one floor beneath the main level with Dr. Oswald and Elijah, both ordered to protect them.

“He’s going to kill you,” Calla insisted.

“No, he won’t. I’m the cure; that’s why Sutherland wants me. He came here to keep me alive, and if I don’t give myself up and meet him, I’ll be responsible for the deaths of more innocents. I can’t allow that.”

“But you can’t leave
me.
”

Calla sobbed against Ana’s chest. The girl was usually so tough. She had a way of making Ana think that she took everything in stride, but now she wasn’t too proud to let her terror show on her face, body, and in every tremble.

The wall’s speaker crackled with Sutherland’s voice.

“Tick tock.”

The com hissed as it passed from one hand to the next; then Egan’s voice took Sutherland’s place.

“He’s serious, Ana. If you don’t come down here, this . . . man will start shooting more people.”

“I have to go,” Ana said to Calla and Oswald.

Clinging to Ana, Calla repeated “please don’t go” over and over.

“I have to.” Ana couldn’t look at her.

“Then let me go with you. I’m brave. I can do it. I have the virus too. If he won’t kill you, then that means he won’t kill me. If I go, we can be together.”

“Absolutely not. He’d take you from The Station with me, leaving your father all alone. No way he or I will let that happen. You’ll be safe here with Oswald.”

“I don’t want Oswald,” she screamed. “I want you!”

Ana pulled Calla into a tight hug, then ordered Oswald to open the door. He did. As she stood in the doorway, the doctor set a small pouch into her hand.

“What is this?”

“It’s flash powder. They’ll almost certainly take your gun, but you should be able to sneak this in.”

“OK.” Ana felt hopeful. “Then what?”

“Use it if you need to make a quick escape or disarm the enemy. Throw it to the ground and you’ll get a blinding flash. It will disorientate everyone, including you. Detail your surroundings
before
using it. Know where you’re going to go, because you’ll have to run blind the second you throw it.”

“Got it.” Ana nodded, deliberately turning away from the still-sobbing Calla.

“Go quickly.”

Ana turned from Oswald and walked down the hall, heartbroken, pretending not to hear her newest friend’s muffled cries. She slipped the pouch into the back of her underwear and stirred her hate for Sutherland as she walked.

Ana stepped into the common area, where friendly faces, warm discussions, and children playing were replaced with scared residents, some crying over those who’d already been killed, guarded by heavily armed men in black City Watch chem suits.

She passed a sobbing child. His mother tried to soothe the boy by running a hand over his back. Tightly hugging her son, she stared at Ana with something between fear and accusation, as if to say
you brought this here.

Two guards stopped her in the hall just outside Egan’s office. The first took her gun as Oswald predicted and patted her down. She kept herself from flinching as his gloved hands groped her breasts and then ran over her backside where the pouch was concealed.

“I believe I’m wanted,” she said before he could notice the protrusion.

“I want you,” he leered. She didn’t even bother to respond and turned to the other guard.

“This way,” he said, leading her into Egan’s office.

The redheaded bastard was inside, helmet off.

Sutherland smiled like Ana held freshly baked cake. He crossed the room and pulled her into a hug. Full and large, it caught Ana by surprise with no hope of escaping. She forced herself to relax and accept the embrace, promising herself to surprise him with an upper hand later.

He pulled away.

“Why ever did you leave, Ana? You were such an important cog in our community. It never was quite right after you left. The place has truly gone to the zombies.”

“I left because you’re crazy.”

Sutherland frowned. “Oh, I’d hardly say that. You and I might have different perspectives, but you can’t say I’m crazy. Cunning, maybe, though I’m not sure that’s it either. Deadly, definitely, but there’s more than that. I rather like righteous.”

Sutherland stopped. He made his eyes big and cocked his head. He looked around the room, stretching his neck as if trying to see behind Ana. “Where’s Liam?” He turned his frown into a knowing smile. “Trouble in Paradise?”

“Liam ran off with that whore Katrina,” she lied.

Sutherland’s knowing smile split into friendly laughter, compassionate as he wrapped an arm around Ana.

“I’m really sorry, though neither of us should be surprised. The only shock is that Liam would be that stupid. The world is full of idiots; he didn’t strike me as one. But Katrina is a woman of many charms. I’ve been a victim myself. I can see where sweet Liam could have been led astray. Let’s not blame him. The poor man will already suffer for having left you.”

“What do you want from me?”

He shrugged. “I’m not
exactly
sure. I do know I need you to help with this nasty plague. You’re just special enough to help end the zombie virus forever and bring the other Cities down. I’m not sure about the order.” Sutherland sighed. “I still haven’t figured out what I’m going to do about
this
place. Either way, where there are labs, there is work to be done. You can help with all of it.”

Egan looked like he was going to say something but bit his tongue.

Ana said, “I’m not going anywhere with you.”

“Great,” he said. “That’s one vote for staying here.”

Ana could take his “crazy,” but she couldn’t take that along with him being so smug. She was about to tell him exactly what she thought but was saved from her fury by a loud knock.

The door opened and Horrance entered, his helmet also off. She’d never really talked much with him when at Hydrangea. The few times she had seen the big, ugly man, Sutherland was ridiculing him for something. She had felt sorry for him but couldn’t afford sympathy now when he was invading The Station. However, his presence might not be all bad. Her gears were spinning, wondering if maybe she could use Horrance against his master.

“Yes, Horrance?”

“There’s a girl, Sir. She lives here. She’s infected.”

Good thoughts about Horrance were doused.

“Oh?” Sutherland raised his eyebrows. He looked at Ana and gave her a light, disapproving shake of the head.

“Yes, Sir. It’s this man’s daughter. Her name is Calla Egan.” He nodded at Egan. “Ana’s helping them work to cure her.”

“Is this true?” Sutherland looked at Ana.

Shit. He’s going to know that Oswald is here, too!

Sutherland beamed. She couldn’t read if he were genuinely happy to hear that they were also working on a cure or if he were just formulating some crazy scheme in his head. He turned to Egan. “Is your daughter infected? That makes you and Ana like family. And any member of Ana’s family is welcome to stay with me!”

“Leave my daughter alone!”

Sutherland crossed his arms and stared at the man, as if daring him to go further.

“Leave her alone!” Egan repeated. “Or you’ll be sorry.”

“I highly doubt that.” Sutherland grabbed the com.

“Attention, I’m looking for one Calla Egan. Please report to your father’s office within five minutes, or I will turn everyone you know and love into zombies. Thank you, that is all.”

Sutherland turned to Egan. “Let’s hope your daughter’s a good listener.”

Calla stared at the speaker from where Sutherland had issued his threat. She’d never felt so isolated before—separated from both her father and Ana. She turned to Oswald, fists tight, eyes furious.

“I’m not letting you go,” Dr. Oswald said, before she could open her mouth to ask him. “Sutherland must want you for his experiments. Believe me, you don’t want that.”

“He’ll kill everyone here!”

“He’ll kill them anyway.” Oswald sighed. “Your father instructed me to keep you safe—no matter what. I let you out, and Sutherland
will
hurt you.”

“Elijah?” Calla pleaded with the boy who was practically her older brother. “Please, let me go.”

Elijah looked at the doctor, then back at her. “Sorry, Calla, I agree with Oz. We can’t take the chance.”

She stomped her feet, staring at the speakers as though Sutherland was inside them. “We have to do something!”

She turned to Oz, meeting his half-human–half-robot gaze. He was usually a nice—and reasonable—man. Of all the people in The Station, Oswald and Father Truth were the ones she enjoyed debating most. They didn’t let feelings get in the way. They respected logic and would cede to a compelling argument. Until recently, they also treated her least like a child.

“What do you think happens if you don’t let me out?”

Oz thought for a moment. “I think they’ll gas us.”

“And what then?”

“Well, everyone in The Station will become infected, except maybe for you, Ana, and me. We should be immune, though anything is possible.”

“And what happens then?”

“The virus will immediately kill a certain number of people. Those not killed, and not somehow immune, will become infected: alive but mad with rage, more dangerous than the undead, if you ask me. They’ll start killing one another, trying to feast on whoever’s left. Pandemonium.”

“How long do you think you can keep me safe from either the infected or Sutherland’s men once they start tearing this place apart looking for me?”

Oz thought more but had nothing to say.

“Not long, I bet,” Calla said. “And then what? They’ll come and take me, maybe killing you and Elijah. Then they’ll take me anyway. Right? The exact thing you’re trying to prevent. But everyone will have died and for what?”

Oz swallowed. “I swore I’d protect you, Calla. And that’s what—”

Sutherland’s voice returned to the speaker, now like a nursery rhyme.

“Oh, Calla? Where are you? You’ve just two minutes to save your father . . .
and The Station
. You really don’t want to be responsible for
everyone’s
death,
do
you?”

Calla turned to Oz, begging with tears. “Please!”

“Oh, by the way, could you please bring that traitor Dr. Oswald as well? Immediately.”

Calla turned to see Oz’s one wide human eye. His mouth hung partly open.

Calla looked up at him. “Well, looks like we don’t have a choice.”

Oz swallowed. “I know.”