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It wasn’t until the tension of their escape dissipated that Juan leaned forward again. “Who did you see, Rune?” He sounded afraid to hear the answer.

“Ed.”

“Shit! What did he say?”

“Nothing.”

Juan’s expression in the rearview mirror was not a happy one. “Nothing?”

“Who is Ed?” Macy asked.

“A friend who left the Fort,” Juan said.

Macy’s second question was directed at Rune. “And he’s dead and not talking?”

“Nope. But he did relay a message.”

Emma slowed as they neared the Fort’s outer gate.

“So what was it?” Juan demanded.

“He pointed.”

“Pointed at what?” Macy asked.

“That’s what we need to find out,” Rune answered.

“Maybe he was pointing to other survivors,” Juan muttered. “Maybe Belinda is alive.”

“Those runners were a good chunk of Ed’s group. We’ll be lucky if there are survivors.”

Sounding close to tears, Juan whispered, “Fuck this apocalypse.”

The gate creaked open and Emma drove forward.

14

Sunset Woes

Emma parked the car where she was instructed by Juan and hopped out of the driver’s seat. Handing the keys over to a mechanic, relief washed over her. She was back behind the high walls and she’d never felt so safe. Her heart rate was gradually returning to normal as the tightness in her chest diminished. It was scarier being out with a group than it had been out killing zombies alone. She’d only been accountable for her life then, and the increased responsibility added stress to dealing with the zombies. But, she had to admit, she liked the feeling that came with bringing someone into the safety of the Fort walls.

Macy cautiously stepped down onto the blacktop, taking in the bustle of the Fort. She looked about with awe in her dark eyes. Now that the terrible deed was done, Macy stood straighter and the worry that had shadowed her face was gone. While Emma suspected the woman would never admit that she was relieved to not be struggling to contain her zombified son, she looked like a great burden had been lifted from her.

“I didn’t expect this, Emma.”

“They’ve got some operation, huh?”

“It’s impressive,” Macy admitted.

Juan jumped down from the truck and landed with a thump beside Emma. To her surprise, he briefly clapped his hand on her shoulder. “You did good out there,” he said with a broad smile. “Great driving.”

Emma’s cheeks heated up. She was never good at accepting compliments, but she was glad that things had worked out, especially because it had been her idea to approach Macy. “No problem. Just doing my job.”

“It was nice not to be running for my life or dealing with those traps,” Macy added. “So thanks.”

“We have to take care of each other,” Emma said, reddening further. It was incredibly awkward feeling heroic.

“Speaking of taking care of each other,” Juan peered past Emma and Macy. “Where’s Rune?”