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“Uh-huh. ”

Lenore frowned. “No, he doesn’t. ” She hated how the thought of Felix having interest in her made her pulse speed up.

“He likes you. Why else would he sit in our beauty shop for hours waiting for you to trim his hair?”

“Because he knows I know how to trim his black hair and that your white ass does not. ”

Ken shook his head. “No, no. He likes you. Which is kind of funny if you think about it. Dale signed up to be part of the fort. I signed up to impress him with my prowess. You signed up to save my ass. And Felix signed up to watch yours. It’s the circle of life. ”

Lenore wasn’t too sure about that, but she didn’t want to think about much more than getting into the hospital, grabbing what they needed and leaving. She wasn’t just doing this for Juan, but for everyone in the fort that may one day need the supplies.

After awhile, they lapsed into silence. Ken dozed off with his head against her shoulder. She loved the idiot, but she hated to admit it. He was the most loyal friend she had ever had, even if he was annoying. Sighing, she checked her crossbow and the bag of bolts.

When the truck came to a stop, she mentally prepared herself for the worst.

The doors opened and Dale looked up at them. “It’s pretty clear except for some dead guys in wheelchairs inside the front doors. Weirdest shit I’ve seen in awhile. ”

“Thank God for that,” Ken said with relief. He hurried over to leap down, while Lenore pulled herself to her feet and grabbed her bag.

“Let’s get this done so we can go home,” Lenore grumbled as she tried to get down off the moving truck and still maintain some dignity.

Dale grabbed hold of her and helped her down with surprising ease. She flashed a grin at Ken’s jealous expression and slung her bag over her shoulder.

Felix, Bill, Jenni and Roger walked toward them, their weapons out, looking around cautiously. Lenore also swept her gaze over their surroundings. It was surprisingly calm and zombie free except for the two creatures inside the glass doors of the hospital. Linda came around from the front of the truck, braiding her hair back from her face.

“Kinda feels too easy all at once,” Dale decided.

“Never say that!” Ken chided him.

“It’s bad luck,” Linda added.

“Oh, sorry. ” Dale looked sheepish despite his huge size.

Bill pulled his belt up over his stomach and looked grim. “We go in. We get the stuff. We come out. Alive. ”

“Sounds like a plan,” Felix said as he fell in beside Lenore.

Feeling shy after Ken’s declaration about Felix’s intentions, Lenore cautiously stole a look at him. Felix flashed a big smile and lightly took her hand in his. Giving it a soft squeeze, he seemed amused by her startled expression. Since she was not very good at the whole flirting thing, she ended up scowling at him, which elicited an even bigger grin.

“So, it’s zombie killing time,” Dale declared, stretching, his huge muscles flexing under his t-shirt.

“Yep. Better zip up your jacket and pull on your gloves. ” Bill motioned to Dale’s exposed chest. “T-shirt ain’t protection. ”

Lenore made sure her thick wool scarf was tight around her neck and yanked on the thick leather gloves that would allow her the flexibility to fire her crossbow. All of them were in zipped u

p leather jackets, jeans, and heavy shoes. Leather gloves protected their hands and anyone with long hair had it braided and pinned up on their heads.

“We should use motorcycle helmets,” Ken pouted.

“They’d limit our hearing,” Bill answered.

“And they get ya from behind easier. I’ve seen it,” Dale added.

They had yet to come up with an effective way to protect their faces and necks, though a few people back at the fort were working on some ideas.

Lenore finished messing with her clothes and looked up to see that everyone else was ready, too. Jenni looked pale and worried as she stared at the hospital. Linda cocked her shotgun and looked toward Bill, waiting for the word.

“Let’s do it,” Bill said grimly. “Let’s get it done. ”