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“Then it was a mercy kill,” Arnold said. Nerit studied their surroundings with a critical eye. “Which means we have at least one survivor. Ed probably stuck with the group to help

them get to safety, but he must have been close enough to turning before they reached their destination that he was put down.”

“Or he lied about getting bit, huh?” Arnold rolled his eyes. “People who do that are shit.”

“Ed wouldn’t have done that. He was an asshole, but he was a noble asshole,” Monica said.

“Who abandoned us,” Arnold shot back. “When we needed him most.”

“Monica is right,” Nerit interjected. “Ed would’ve have told his people he had a bite. He was probably close to turning and a liability. Someone gave him an out. Someone who might still be alive.”

Juan vehemently nodded. “So Belinda and the others might be up there waiting for rescue. Can we go now?”

“Not yet. I don’t like the way this feels,” Nerit admitted. “Too many unknowns.”

Juan gripped the section of the pole above Emma’s hand. “If Belinda and the others are up there, we have to help them!”

Emma could feel the heat radiating off his body and his breath brushing over the top of her head. The uncomfortable response of her body was a reminder of just how long it had been since she’d been with a man. She focused all her attention on Nerit, who gave Juan a withering stare.

“We’re not turning back, Juan,” Nerit said. “But you need to consider the worst, while hoping for the best.”

“I can’t accept the worst. I have to save Belinda.”

Monica sighed, frustrated with her cousin. “Juan, we don’t know who is alive up there. Belinda might not have made it this far.”

“Until I see her body, there’s a chance to save her.”

Emma winced, his words reminding her of the deep denial she’d experienced the first few days after the apocalypse started. She hadn’t considered the possibility that Billy was dead until it was evident he couldn’t feasibly be alive.

The thick juniper trees swayed in the wind, creaking loudly. The shadows beneath the leafy canopy didn’t give birth to zombies. The bus had been stationary for a few minutes without being attacked.

“Zombies aren’t coming for us,” she noted.

Nerit nodded. “A good sign that the area isn’t as infested as we feared.”

Juan breathed out in relief. “Maybe this will be easier than we thought.”

Nerit clucked her tongue at him. “No, no. Never say that. Never jinx the mission.”

Monica punched his arm. “Pendejo.”

“I may be a noob, but even I know that,” Emma drawled.

“Sorry. I’m fuckin’ going nuts here. I just want to get up there and find out what or who Ed was pointing at.”

“We all do, cuz,” Monica said, clapping him on the shoulder.

Realizing everyone was staring at him with concerned looks, Juan relaxed his shoulders and averted his eyes in an apparent attempt to look calmer. “I’m ready when y’all are.”

“Arnold, drive on,” Nerit said.

The short bus rumbled up the road and past a sign that said “Lookout Point.”

Nerit gestured to Emma to get her attention. “When we disembark, stay close to me. You’re my partner, watch my back. Monica and Juan will veer right. We’re going left. Arnold will provide cover from the bus.”

“I’m also your comic relief and getaway driver,” Arnold said jovially.

Nerit’s lips set into a grim line. “This isn’t a bank robbery.”