Deathly Contagious (17 page)

“Look, I’m sorry, alright?”

“Gee, what a great apology.”

“I-I am, ok? And, for what’s it’s worth, I really thought you were dead. There was no way anyone could have taken on all those zombies and lived to tell about it. H-how did you do it?”

I wanted to make up some idiotic story to tell him about how I killed every son of a bitch. But I wanted to get back to Hayden more. “I climbed a tree and waited until they left.”

“Oh, that’s simple…and smart. If I thought you had a chance, I wouldn’t have left. Sorry,” he repeated and stuck out his hand to shake. “Truce?”

“Truce? Uh, no. A truce would mean I did something wrong and we agreed to stop fighting. I was the victim. I was the one that had to find my way home with no food, water, ammo, or car.”

He dropped his hand. “Fine. Sorry.” He brushed past me. I let out a breath, not wanting to get angry. It was so tempting to throw my bottle of shampoo at him. I hurried to our room and found Hayden sprawled out in his own bed. I dumped the armload of stuff on my bed and sat next to him.

“Are you sleeping?”

“Hmm,” he responded.

“Hayden,” I whispered. “Wake up.”

He opened his eyes for a brief second and laced his fingers through mine. “I can’t.”

“You can’t?” I laughed.

“I took the pills,” he mumbled.

I realized he meant the pain medication and remembered him saying he didn’t like taking it because it made him tired. “Oh, ok. Does your shoulder hurt?”

“Yea…no, I mean no.”

I brushed his hair back. “You don’t have to pretend like it doesn’t hurt. I already know you are manly and tough,” I told him with a smile. “Go back to sleep.”

I put my dirty clothes and sheets in my laundry basket and hung up the clean clothes that had been piled on the floor at the foot of my bed. I lugged the basket to the laundry room at the end of the hall and threw my stuff in the washer, grabbed new linens and made my bed.

I pulled the comforter up to Hayden’s chin, kissed him on the lips and went down stairs to play with Argos, twisting my hair up into a bun as I walked. It had warmed up into the sixties today. I was surprised to feel the warmth in the air when we went outside. I threw a ball for him for a while before going back inside to find Raeya. She loved the first warm days of late winter.

Fuller was walking out of his office right as I went down the hall. I almost spun on my heel and walked away. He caught my eye, stopped walking and waved me into his office. With a roll of my eyes, I followed him.

“Yes?” I asked, already impatient.

“Sit,” he said, beckoning to the chair. He leaned on his desk. I sat, hating having to literally look up at him. “I think things got off on the wrong foot the other day. You had gone through a lot and I failed to see that side. However, you have to understand the importance of protocol. I know the way things are run are less than normal, but it is incredibly important to keep order. You know how hard it is to keep the compound going.”

I nodded but didn’t say anything.

“Take some time off—until the bruises heal—and then you are to get back to your routine. I know you didn’t ask to be a role model, but as an A1 you are. You are seen as the person who provides the food, brings back other living people—which gives hope— and eliminates the enemy.  If the compound is attacked or surrounded, you are our first line of defense. If you don’t follow the rules, then who will?”

He crossed his arms. “Orissa, this has been hard on all of us. And I want you to know that I do give all twelve of you credit for going out there. You might not think I care, but I do. I don’t want to lose any of you. I’ve lost enough—even before the infection.” His eyes flew to the picture on his desk.  “But, you must follow orders.”

“Or what?” I asked slowly, knowing there was more to come.

“You won’t be an A1 anymore. There are several A2’s that would be great out there.”

I felt my heart speed up. It wasn’t like I enjoyed going out and risking my life. But being trapped inside…
that
was scarier than zombies. “Fine. I’ll do my best.”

“Thank you. Underwood is an excellent soldier; I suggest you follow his example.”

“I think I can do that,” I said with a half smile, thinking about how Hayden was excellent at so many other things. “Uh, bye, sir,” I added, the word sounding fake and forced. I quickly excited his office, wondering what kind of bruises he was talking about and glad that was over.

Raeya wasn’t in her room. I wandered around some more until I found her in the theater room, sitting with Ivan, Brock, Sonja and Olivia. I waved to her as soon as our eyes met.

“Hey Rissy!” she called.

I sat on the arm of the couch. “Hey guys.”

“Where’s Underwood?” Ivan asked.

“Upstairs. He sorta passed out.”

“Wear him out, did ya?” he teased.

I laughed. “No, his pain meds make him tired.”

“Sure they do,” Ivan continued. Raeya laughed a very obvious, fake laugh, which gained an odd look from Ivan.

“What’re you guys doing?” I asked to change the subject.

“Nothing really,” Raeya said with a sigh.

“Good. I came to get you. It’s warm outside.”

“Really?” Her eyes lit up. “How warm?”

“Like sixty, I’d guess.”

“Oh my God, can you take me?!”

“Of course! Let’s go!”

Ivan cleared his throat and looked at Brock. “Penwell, you’re not supposed to do that.”

“Why not?” Sonja asked. “I thought we’d all be able to go outside when the weather got nice.”

“You will, eventually,” Brock continued. “Once it’s safe. We don’t have a secure area.”

“The compound’s not secure?” Olivia asked quietly, looked panic stricken.

“No, it is,” Brock assured her. “You are safe down here; trust me, it would take a hell of a lot more than zombies to get through the concrete and metal. The premises are surrounded with fences, and we added a very high voltage wire around that. It will kill anything with a heartbeat.”

“So how’s that not safe?” Sonja asked.

“We are secluded out here. But that doesn’t mean zombies will never wander. We’ve seen them and they have always passed. With everyone underground, there is nothing here for them.”

“We can’t say that anymore,” Ivan mumbled. “Don’t forget about the livestock now.”

“Right,” Brock said. “But the problem isn’t so much just the zombies seeing us. What happens if everyone is outside and a herd comes by? It would be mass chaos getting back inside. Someone could get hurt.”

“What if small groups went out one at a time?” Raeya suggested.

“That’s a good idea,” Ivan complimented. “Still, I’d feel better with a tall fence surrounding everyone.”

“Will it look like a jail?” Olivia asked.

“Yes,” I answered honestly. “But you’re not trapped here,” I explained, recognizing her fear. “You’re not trapped in, they are trapped out.”

“That makes sense,” she told me with a small smile.

“Let me talk to Fuller,” Ivan said to me. “Then we’ll see about going outside.”

“Alright,” I agreed, sitting back on the arm.

We stayed in the theater room talking with each other and other residents until dinner. I slipped away and up the stairs to check on Hayden. He was still sleeping but mumbled that he wanted to get up and eat dinner when I gently shook him.

Groggily, he followed me down the stairs. I was a little worried he might trip and fall in his dizziness. He sat heavily next to Ivan; I said I’d bring him a tray. We watched the movie with Raeya and our other friends after dinner. Hayden was still pretty out of it. He rested his head on my shoulder and closed his eyes before we were even ten minutes into the movie.

He laid down as soon as we got into our room. I changed into my pajamas, popped a movie in the DVD player, locked the door, and snuggled close to him.

He put his arm around me. “What if someone sees us?” he asked. It wasn’t the first time he had asked me that.

“I don’t know. Tell them the truth?”

“No,” he said, taking me by surprise. “I’ve been thinking about it. If Fuller knew, he might assign us to different partners. And probably different roommates.”

“Oh. I don’t want that.”

“Me neither.”

“Ray knows.”

“I thought so. She was acting odd.”

“Yea, she can’t keep a secret to save her life. And I don’t keep any from her. She’s one of the only people I have a hard time lying to.”

“Am I one of those people?”

“Yes,” I said honestly. “You are.”

“Good. Will I always be?”

“Of course, Hayden. Always.”

The next several days passed in a similar fashion: spending time with Raeya, Padraic and Olivia, sneaking off to be alone with Hayden, playing with Argos and wandering around being bored. Five more people had to be put in the sick ward with the flu. Padraic was worried about everyone getting sick at once.

A week after I came back, I went to training. Even though I hated with a passion getting up early, it felt good to be active again. Later that day, Brock, Ivan, Wade and Rider left on a supplies mission. I could tell it bothered Hayden to not be able to go out with them. He was healing well, but he wasn’t ready to go on a mission anytime soon.

Lisa asked us to watch a movie with her that night. Hayden and I sat close together on the couch. There weren’t too many people in the theater room tonight; more people had come down with the flu. We had all been reminded of the importance of hand hygiene, getting plenty of rest, drinking lots of fluids, and staying in our rooms if we felt ill.

I rested my hands on my lap. Hayden shyly took one, pulling it in between us. I glanced at him and he nodded, letting me know he didn’t care if anyone saw. A week of being secret lovers wasn’t fun or romantic; it fucking sucked.  Being afraid of getting caught didn’t make sex more fun like it does in the movies; it was rushed and Hayden constantly had to remind me to be quiet so we wouldn’t be heard.

Sonja, Olivia and another girl I think was named Felicity walked past us, taking seats on the couch behind ours. Felicity smiled coyly at Hayden and her eyes flicked to his hand in mine. Her eyes widened and she stared at me, not paying attention to where she was going and walked into Olivia.

“Hi Hayden!” someone said excitedly. We turned to see Parker wavy madly. Hayden took his hand from mine and waved back.

“Hey Parker, how are you doing?”

“Better now. I was sick for a few days. Now my dad has it.”

“Oh, well glad you’re doing better.”

“And I got to help out more with…with operation…Operation Bulldog,” he said with a wink.

“Awesome,” Hayden told him with a smile.

“Are you better?” Parker asked. “You look better. I brought you a card in the hospital.”

“Thanks, Parker. I remember your card. And yea, I’m feeling better.”

Parker beamed. He looked at me and then Hayden. “Did you tell her yet?” he asked quietly.

“I finally took your advice.”

“And?”

Hayden linked his fingers through mine again. Parker’s smiled widened and he gave Hayden a thumbs-up.

“Way to be inconspicuous,” I whispered. He tightened his grip on my hand.

“Hello, Orissa.” There was no mistaking that accent. I yanked my fingers from Hayden and turned to see Padraic coming into the room. “And Hayden. Good evening.”

The dejected look on Hayden’s face stayed for a second before he said hello to Padraic. “Are you watching the movie with us?” I asked.

“Yea, I promised this one I would,” he said endearingly to Lisa. He sat next to her, leaving little room for Ray, who, surprisingly, was running late. She rushed into the room right as Sonja pressed play.

“Sorry,” she breathed. “We were making blue prints for the cabins! Fuller wants to start building them soon!” she whispered excitedly. “Maybe we can get one together!”

The thought was exciting. We all squished together on the couch, which was fine with Hayden and me since it meant we were forced to be very close. Hayden put his hand on my thigh and I stiffened. He raised an eyebrow and removed it. He leaned away from me and crossed his arms.

Once the movie was over, we walked Lisa and Raeya back to their room. Their third roommate was laying in bed.

“Does she ever do anything?” I quietly asked Raeya.

She shook her head. “Every night when I come in, I’m scared I’m going to find her dead in her bed. She makes me so sad.”

I nodded in agreement and hugged Ray goodnight. Hayden snatched up my hand on our way down the hall.

“Am I allowed to touch you now?” he only half teased.

I subconsciously slowed my gait. “You can touch me anywhere, anyway you want, baby,” I said with a coy smile.

“Well in that case…” he pulled me to him and kissed me. “What was that all about in there?”

I shook my head. “Nothing, I just, uh, don’t want to risk being separated from you.”

“Bullshit.”

“Padraic kissed me,” I blurted.

Hayden stopped walking and gapped at me.

“It was a long time ago, before I met you.”

“Do you have feelings for him?” Hayden asked, seeming like the question poured out of his mouth uncontrollably.

“No. Well, like friendship feelings. But nothing more. He’s like family.”

“But he still has feelings for you,” Hayden speculated.

“I’m not sure. It’s been a while. I tried to avoid him after it happened. I didn’t want to hurt his feelings.”

Hayden nodded.

“Are you upset?” I asked carefully.

“No. I just didn’t think I’d have to fight for you. I thought you’d fall head over heels for my good looks and charm,” he joked.

“You won’t have to. Unless you’re fighting zombies and crazies. I’m all yours.”

“Good.”

“What about you, am I gonna have to chase you down?” I asked.

“Nope. I’m not going anywhere.”

“Promise?” I tested with a smile.

“Of course.”

Chapter 8

Four days after they left, Brock, Wade, Rider and Ivan came back with a truck full of everything on their list. Hayden had been eagerly awaiting their return; I knew he was worried about their well-being but I think he mainly was looking forward to hearing the details of their mission. He spoke quickly with Ivan before he trudged into the quarantine room.