taking what others told him and adapting it to fit his needs. When the virus broke out, he had been but one year away from tenure, and perhaps another two from chairing the history department. In the intervening years, he had laughed at his former self and the concerns that once plagued him.
“If they got separated at the hospital, they would have holed up within the vicinity,” he said as the two placed the desk atop its twin in front of the doors.
“If they survived,” Paul countered.
“Until we see proof that they didn’t, we’re operating under the assumption that they’re still alive.” The tone in Mike’s voice clearly indicated he would hear no argument on the subject.
“That still leaves a lot of buildings for them to hide in.”
Mike nodded, “So you agree that they would have stayed in the area?”
“Jon was with Lisa under the lieutenant. There’s no way he’d leave them behind. Especially not with all those Tils surrounding the hospital.” Paul’s sense of loyalty made any deviation from his statement inconceivable to him.
Sliding a four-drawer filing cabinet across the green marble floor, Mike, his voice strained from the physical effort, replied. “I saw three buildings near the hospital with enough height to offer some security.”
“So we start there tomorrow?” Paul asked.
“Tonight.” After he spoke the word, Mike waited for the coming debate.
“Tonight? So that’s it, huh, you’re just trying to get killed?” Paul’s voice quickly rose from its previously hushed tone. “It’s suicide to go out there at night and you know it! Why the hell are we barricading the damn door if we’re just gonna give ourselves to the bastards anyway?”
Mike knew his second meant well in his frustration, so he did his best to keep his voice level. “Because in here at least the four of us can get some rest without having to keep watch. It’s just after noon now. That’ll give us six or seven hours to sleep before the sun goes down. We know Tils are less active at night unless agitated. If we stay…”
Paul cut him off saying, “And the four of us traipsing blindly through the streets isn’t going to agitate them?”
“If we stay alert,” Mike continued, “we can slip past them. If the others are in those buildings they know to keep a light shining in the window for rescue. You and I both saw what this place is like during the day. And after our rescue stunt, those Tils aren’t going anywhere for a while.”
Jaw clenched in frustration, Paul remained silent.
“Look, I’m not saying it’s the best plan, and I’m open to suggestions. But come sunrise tomorrow, those streets are going to fill up with hundreds of hungry Tils hell-bent on finding the meal that got away.”
“You’ve always said travelling at night is too risky,” Paul reminded him, his voice lower, but still gravelly. Lisa and Andrew continued clearing the debris in the cage feigned disinterest, but his previous volume and body language had already caught their attention.
“I know. And it is. But, this time I don’t see any way around it,” Mike conceded. He did not continue, having laid out his argument as fully as he could.
A moment of silence passed between them.
Paul raised his eyes slightly to the ceiling, his head shaking side to side as he took a deep breath. “You’re a crazy son of a bitch. You know that right?” Paul responded, the slightest of smiles breaking across his face, signifying the end to the debate.
Chapter Seven
Sleep claimed its mastery over the huddled mass of students that filled the faculty room floor. Though not an overly large room it did, however, provide adequate space for the sixteen students Mike Allard watched over. Unlike the others, sleep did not enslave the teacher that night. Propped in one of the soft leather chairs that once encircled the conference table, he stretched his legs out in front of him. The relaxed manner of his body failed to accurately
“If they got separated at the hospital, they would have holed up within the vicinity,” he said as the two placed the desk atop its twin in front of the doors.
“If they survived,” Paul countered.
“Until we see proof that they didn’t, we’re operating under the assumption that they’re still alive.” The tone in Mike’s voice clearly indicated he would hear no argument on the subject.
“That still leaves a lot of buildings for them to hide in.”
Mike nodded, “So you agree that they would have stayed in the area?”
“Jon was with Lisa under the lieutenant. There’s no way he’d leave them behind. Especially not with all those Tils surrounding the hospital.” Paul’s sense of loyalty made any deviation from his statement inconceivable to him.
Sliding a four-drawer filing cabinet across the green marble floor, Mike, his voice strained from the physical effort, replied. “I saw three buildings near the hospital with enough height to offer some security.”
“So we start there tomorrow?” Paul asked.
“Tonight.” After he spoke the word, Mike waited for the coming debate.
“Tonight? So that’s it, huh, you’re just trying to get killed?” Paul’s voice quickly rose from its previously hushed tone. “It’s suicide to go out there at night and you know it! Why the hell are we barricading the damn door if we’re just gonna give ourselves to the bastards anyway?”
Mike knew his second meant well in his frustration, so he did his best to keep his voice level. “Because in here at least the four of us can get some rest without having to keep watch. It’s just after noon now. That’ll give us six or seven hours to sleep before the sun goes down. We know Tils are less active at night unless agitated. If we stay…”
Paul cut him off saying, “And the four of us traipsing blindly through the streets isn’t going to agitate them?”
“If we stay alert,” Mike continued, “we can slip past them. If the others are in those buildings they know to keep a light shining in the window for rescue. You and I both saw what this place is like during the day. And after our rescue stunt, those Tils aren’t going anywhere for a while.”
Jaw clenched in frustration, Paul remained silent.
“Look, I’m not saying it’s the best plan, and I’m open to suggestions. But come sunrise tomorrow, those streets are going to fill up with hundreds of hungry Tils hell-bent on finding the meal that got away.”
“You’ve always said travelling at night is too risky,” Paul reminded him, his voice lower, but still gravelly. Lisa and Andrew continued clearing the debris in the cage feigned disinterest, but his previous volume and body language had already caught their attention.
“I know. And it is. But, this time I don’t see any way around it,” Mike conceded. He did not continue, having laid out his argument as fully as he could.
A moment of silence passed between them.
Paul raised his eyes slightly to the ceiling, his head shaking side to side as he took a deep breath. “You’re a crazy son of a bitch. You know that right?” Paul responded, the slightest of smiles breaking across his face, signifying the end to the debate.
Chapter Seven
Sleep claimed its mastery over the huddled mass of students that filled the faculty room floor. Though not an overly large room it did, however, provide adequate space for the sixteen students Mike Allard watched over. Unlike the others, sleep did not enslave the teacher that night. Propped in one of the soft leather chairs that once encircled the conference table, he stretched his legs out in front of him. The relaxed manner of his body failed to accurately
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