Page 5

“Dad. Are you, um, are you saying that Michael killed my older brother?” Everything I thought I knew just slid sideways.
Michael killed someone?
“Yea. I am.” He pushes the laptop lid closed, sealing away the only proof I’ve ever seen of another brother.
“Why didn’t you tell me sooner? Why haven’t I heard about this?” Frantically, I try searching every early memory I have, but I keep coming up empty.
His sigh is so heavy, it drifts across the room. “Michael didn’t deserve the stigma. He was too young to know what he was doing. But, he’s old enough now.”
The wheels of his chair squeak as he rolls closer. Taking my hand off my lap, he holds it between his large palms.
“Promise me you’ll be careful.”
Captain Russo leads the convoy of trucks from the prison to the runway. Aunt Elly sits next to him carrying a short rifle. Everyone is armed in preparation of a potential attack from the dogs. A pack of three hundred pound beasts the size of small horses can strike fast with deadly accuracy.
“There was a half-breed spotted near here two weeks ago. So everyone be extra watchful.” He stands behind the roof mounted fifty caliber as he yells.
We’re all gathered in the center of the airfield with wide open views in every direction.
“What’s a half-breed?” One of the younger men in the back steps forward. He looks like he’s barely sixteen. This must be his first trip outside of the walls of the prison.
“Half dog, half human. They’re as smart as us but can direct the dogs. If you see one, haul ass back here. They usually walk upright, but can also be on all fours.” Captain Russo points at him. “I’m serious Ben, don’t fuck with them.”
I’ve never seen one, but I’ve heard the stories. My mom was ambushed by one and taken captive before I was born. They told me I was named after the lady that sacrificed herself to save her.
“We should kill them all,” Michael grumbles and kicks at a rock near his feet.
Shit, I forgot his dad was one. And a particularly smart guy to start with, before he mutated.
“What did your dad do again before the virus?” I try to keep my tone down, sometimes talking about his past makes him uncomfortable. From what I’ve heard, Mikey’s father wasn’t exactly a nice person.
“Besides kidnap girls and torture them?” He spits in the dirt like the words themselves are sour. “He was a judge or something. At least, that’s what Sam told me. He didn’t change much after he grew fur though, he kidnapped my mom. Maybe that’s why I’m a fucking monster. Like him.” Turning abruptly, he takes his hand saw and heads towards a new outcropping of saplings that are springing up in the cracks in the asphalt.
No one talks about the circumstances that brought him about. Jenny told me once she had been taken captive right after the virus outbreak, but never talked about it again.
She refused to leave the prison, right up until the day she went with the team of soldiers to Chicago.
I wonder if she was afraid there were more like Mikey’s dad?
“Hey!” My feet follow him like we’re tethered. “We’re supposed to stay together.” Gathering the trees he’s cut down into a pile, I grab them up to carry to the ditch away from where the plane will land. We work in silence for a long time before we take a quick break for a drink.
“Here, there’s more water in the truck if you need it.” Aunt Elly hands me a small canteen. She looks like my dad, maybe with a little darker hair.
“Zoey and Glenn didn’t come out today?” I looked earlier, but didn’t see any signs of my cousins. It’s weird to see her and Cap here without them.
“No, they stayed back. Glenn is working on shuffling supplies to make room for this shipment.” Her blue eyes drop and she traces her hand over the panel of the truck. “Zoey has her projects that keep her busy.”
That doesn’t surprise me. Zoey is so much more like her dad, Cap. Stoic, silent, watchful and a bit reclusive.
Captain Russo might be in charge of the camp, but he rarely is in the forefront except for missions outside of the walls.
Like Michael. He always volunteers to be away.
“I don’t think you’re a monster, Mikey.” The water is lukewarm after sitting on the floorboard of the pickup for most of the morning.
Even after what my dad told me yesterday, I can’t believe he’d ever hurt someone intentionally.
“Yea. Well, maybe I’m this way because I’m not supposed to get close to anyone.” His jaw clenches and I watch his Adam’s apple bob with every swallow.