The man’s features morphed from desperation to anger. “So you’re going to leave her here to die all alone in the middle of the road? What kind of sick monsters are you?” His fists clenched and he rushed Griz and Clutch.

Griz hit him in the stomach with the butt of his rifle just as Don reached them. “Get on the ground! Face down and arms stretched out!”

His daughter screamed, and the teenager rushed over and grabbed her to keep her from running to Don.

“Keep her quiet,” Clutch snapped.

“Don’t hurt my little girl!” Don cried out.

“Please,” Maggie limped forward. “Let’s all take a moment and talk. Don’s just worried about Brenda. He doesn’t mean anything by it. We’ve all been through a lot lately.”

“She’s going to be dead soon,” Clutch said. “It sucks, but wishing for something different isn’t going to keep her alive.”

“She’s not coming along,” Griz said. “If you want to stay with her, you can.”

Maggie wagged a finger. “We’re good people. We work hard and wouldn’t wish harm on anything. Please don’t leave us here.”

“The choice is yours,” Griz replied.

Don guffawed. “That’s no choice. I won’t abandon my wife.”

“Uh, guys?” I said, motioning to the tree line. “We need to make a decision and fast.”

Several deer ran out from the trees and across the road. Deer were skittish creatures, tending to hide unless spooked by a predator, and, there was one predator in abundance around here.

Zeds.

Chapter XX

 

I stepped around the Humvee. Don climbed to his feet. No one spoke while we waited to see how big a herd we had to deal with.

Finally, a single shape emerged. We all let out a collective sigh.

Maggie’s hand fluttered over her heart. “Oh, thank God.”

The huge, mangy wolf—or large dog; it was too hard to tell from this distance—stepped out from the shadows, eyed us as though deciding which would be easier prey, and then slowly turned to follow the deer. The deer had made a large U-turn around us and stopped only a couple hundred meters from where we stood. Wolves had multiplied since the outbreak. Large dogs were now joining their ranks, and these new packs feared neither humans nor zeds. Both became their dinner.

Once the wolf was a safe distance away and no others appeared, I let out the breath I’d been holding.

“Anyone in the mood for some venison for dinner?” Jase said from atop the Humvee.

I glanced at Clutch, and his lips curved upward.

We each raised our rifles. “I’ll take the big one on the left.”

“I’ve got mine,” Clutch said.

“Three,” Jase said quietly. “Two.”

We fired at the exact same instant.

Two deer fell, and I grinned, thinking of the first real meal I’d have since the catfish ordeal.

“Let’s hurry up and grab them in case the noise draws attention,” Griz said.

“They’re all yours,” I said, still smiling. While I enjoyed eating fresh meat, I hated seeing it when it was still literally doe-eyed and bushy-tailed.

Griz smirked. “I’ll haul them back, but I think I’ve got the better end of the deal. You guys will have to haul this group if they’re coming.” He gestured toward the small band of stranded newcomers. Then, his features hardened. “I’m sorry, but we can’t take in a casualty. It’s against protocol. You know that, right?”

I swallowed, glancing back at the woman who was starting to groan again, holding her stomach. The morphine was wearing off too quickly. Don was already growing tense again as he watched us.

“Get us a kit,” Clutch said tightly. “I’ll handle it from here.”

Griz gave the slightest nod before heading around the back of his Humvee.

“What kit are you talking about?” Don asked. “What are you doing?”

Clutch didn’t say anything, and Don turned to me. “What are you talking about doing to my wife?”

My lips tightened and I gulped before forcing the words out. “We can’t heal her, but we can take away her pain.” I liked to think I could bring peace for someone I loved if they were doomed, but I wasn’t so sure I had the strength for it. Seeing the agony on Don’s face, I was thankful it wasn’t my decision to make.

Griz walked back with a vial and syringe and held it out for Clutch. “We’ll meet you at the RP in twenty.”

Clutch took it. “See you there.”

Griz gave the group a troubled look before heading toward the van.

“What is that?” Don asked, backing up step by step.

“It’s an anesthetic,” Clutch said and held up the vial. “It’s called pentobarbital. Just one shot, and your wife will fall asleep. She won’t hurt anymore.”

“But she’ll wake up, right?” Don asked, his voice rising in octaves. “Right?”

“She won’t wake,” Maggie said. “That’s the same stuff they use to put down dogs for good. They want to kill Brenda.” She hobbled over to stand between Brenda and Clutch. She crossed her arms over her chest. “I won’t stand for it. I will not allow you to commit murder.”

I stood near Clutch, my rifle ready, in case they tried to attack. A quick glance at Jase showed that he had us covered.

Clutch held the vial out to Don. “It’s the humane way. Your wife won’t feel any pain. She has no chance of recovery and can’t come with us. I’m offering her a peaceful way out.”

Maggie scowled. “Who are you to decide who lives and who dies? Only God can do that.”

“Zeds do a pretty good job at it, too,” I snapped.

“Don,” Brenda said, her voice barely above a whisper.

He moved like she’d shouted. He dropped down and clasped her hand. His young daughter, being held by the teen, took a couple steps closer.

“You-you must keep Alana safe,” Brenda said.

He brushed hair from her face. “I won’t leave you. Not like this.”

She winced and fisted her shirt. “You have to go.”

His body shook as he held back sobs. “No.” He turned back to us. “You have to let me take her. We’ve been married eight years. We’ve never been apart.”

“You’re only prolonging her suffering,” Clutch said. “She has a day left at most. If you want to stay with her today, we can take one of you to get a vehicle. It’s your call.”

“You can’t give us ultimatums,” Maggie countered. “We’ve done nothing wrong. You’re taking all of us with you.”

“No,” I said, exasperated.

“Take us!” the other man stepped forward, pulling the teenaged girl alongside.

“Hugh,” Maggie chided. “We don’t leave anyone behind. We stay together. Always.”

“If that’s how you feel,” Clutch said with far more calm than I could manage. “There’s a vehicle not far from here. We’ll take one of you to go get it.”

“You can’t leave us!” Maggie cried out.

Clutch pointed to the man named Hugh. “You. I’ll take you to get the vehicle.” He turned and started walking back to the Humvee, and I stayed at his side. I glanced up to see Jase still standing at the .30, alert and ready.

Hugh ran forward, dragging his daughter with him.

“She stays. Just one of you can come along for the SUV,” Clutch said.

The man looked none too pleased, not that I could blame him. He didn’t know that Clutch was only protecting us by minimizing risk inside the Humvee.

The man glanced back at his group and then pulled his daughter with him. “I don’t need the SUV. Just take us with you,” he pleaded.

“Hugh!” Maggie shouted. “You can’t be serious!”

“They don’t get it,” Hugh continued. “We can’t stay out here. The herds are coming. I don’t plan on staying out here.” Then he thrust his daughter at Clutch. “She’s all yours to do with as you please. Just take us with you!”

The girl’s eyes grew wide and she shoved against her father. “Dad!”

Uncaring, he pushed her again at Clutch. “She’s pure! Hali will do anything you want. That should cover our room and board. Don’t leave us behind.”

Clutch grimaced at the daughter and then glared at the father. “Christ. Do I look like a pedophile to you? You’d sell your own fucking daughter for safety?”