by one of the dead and did not change.”
Chad cocked his head. The girl was telling him what happened, but he had a feeling that he was missing an important part of the story.
“So these people are hunting you down because you are immune to the bite?” Caroline voiced Chad’s thoughts with an obvious tone of skepticism. “Care to tell us why?”
“They feel that those who are immune to the bite are damned souls that have committed some great sin that prevents their acceptance to Heaven.”
“Melody Whittaker!” a voice shouted from much closer than Chad would like. “Come out, girl. You know how this has to end.”
“I don’t think they are gonna be pleased with the re-write,” Caroline quipped when she saw the firm looks of determination on Chad and Ronni’s face.
***
“…and we can confirm that at least one of the turret occupants was alive as of this morning,” Pitts said to the group clustered around the front of the patrol barracks.
“I say we stomp a mud hole in these fucks!” George Rosamilia growled.
Jody was not surprised. The big man was perhaps Danny’s best friend. While he and Danny had patched up their differences (as they always seemed to do), George and Danny had built a very strong friendship over the years.
“If George gets to go, then so do I,” a female voice sounded, causing everybody that had gathered out front to turn around. Margarita Rosamilia was standing in the shadow of the nearby post office.
Margarita and George were what Jody always considered an “interesting” couple. They would have been a disaster in the old world. It was not uncommon for one or both to be sporting a black eye, busted lip, or other assorted bruises. Whether it was from their “enthusiastic” lovemaking, or a heated argument that got out of control, nobody ever knew; and what’s more, nobody ever asked. The two seemed to thrive on whatever it was they had between them.
“I have not made any choices,” Pitts said. He sort of choked on that last word as Margarita came to a stop directly in front of him with her arms folded across her ample bosom. “But I guess I will add you two now.” He looked at the rest of those gathered around. “Any other volunteers?”
Jody was not surprised when every hand went up. Not only was this community very serious about its security—and the reality was that this was a security issue first and foremost—but Danny was a popular person in the community. You could bet the taverns would stay open late on the occasions that he came to town for one reason or another.
Jody almost felt bad that his hand was almost the last to raise. In truth, with all the people who had stepped up, he was not actually necessary. Still, Danny was a friend. The fact that they were not as close meant nothing.
His reasons for being reluctant were across the street. When Pitts announced that they would muster at the patrol barracks at four in the morning, Jody peeled away from the group and headed for the park.
“Daddy!” the little girl squealed at the sight of him.
Leaping from the swings, the little girl ran at him with her arms wide, her curly blond hair streaming behind. Jody knelt to catch her as she leaped into his arms. Looking up, he smiled as Selina came up carrying the baby.
“Hi, sweetheart.” Jody stood as Selina reached them and greeted her with a kiss. “How have they been?”
“Alana has been an absolute angel. She helps mommy with changes and feedings,” Selina said. “Haven’t you, baby girl?”
“I’m not the baby!” Alana huffed, crossing her arms indignantly. “Jenna is the baby. I’m a big girl now!”
“Yes, you are the big girl.” Selina winked at Jody. When he only managed a weak smile in return, her own expression faltered. “Go show daddy how high you can swing, okay, Alana?”
The girl wriggled from her daddy’s arms and took off for the swings. Calls of “Watch me, watch me!” being hurled over her shoulder even
Chad cocked his head. The girl was telling him what happened, but he had a feeling that he was missing an important part of the story.
“So these people are hunting you down because you are immune to the bite?” Caroline voiced Chad’s thoughts with an obvious tone of skepticism. “Care to tell us why?”
“They feel that those who are immune to the bite are damned souls that have committed some great sin that prevents their acceptance to Heaven.”
“Melody Whittaker!” a voice shouted from much closer than Chad would like. “Come out, girl. You know how this has to end.”
“I don’t think they are gonna be pleased with the re-write,” Caroline quipped when she saw the firm looks of determination on Chad and Ronni’s face.
***
“…and we can confirm that at least one of the turret occupants was alive as of this morning,” Pitts said to the group clustered around the front of the patrol barracks.
“I say we stomp a mud hole in these fucks!” George Rosamilia growled.
Jody was not surprised. The big man was perhaps Danny’s best friend. While he and Danny had patched up their differences (as they always seemed to do), George and Danny had built a very strong friendship over the years.
“If George gets to go, then so do I,” a female voice sounded, causing everybody that had gathered out front to turn around. Margarita Rosamilia was standing in the shadow of the nearby post office.
Margarita and George were what Jody always considered an “interesting” couple. They would have been a disaster in the old world. It was not uncommon for one or both to be sporting a black eye, busted lip, or other assorted bruises. Whether it was from their “enthusiastic” lovemaking, or a heated argument that got out of control, nobody ever knew; and what’s more, nobody ever asked. The two seemed to thrive on whatever it was they had between them.
“I have not made any choices,” Pitts said. He sort of choked on that last word as Margarita came to a stop directly in front of him with her arms folded across her ample bosom. “But I guess I will add you two now.” He looked at the rest of those gathered around. “Any other volunteers?”
Jody was not surprised when every hand went up. Not only was this community very serious about its security—and the reality was that this was a security issue first and foremost—but Danny was a popular person in the community. You could bet the taverns would stay open late on the occasions that he came to town for one reason or another.
Jody almost felt bad that his hand was almost the last to raise. In truth, with all the people who had stepped up, he was not actually necessary. Still, Danny was a friend. The fact that they were not as close meant nothing.
His reasons for being reluctant were across the street. When Pitts announced that they would muster at the patrol barracks at four in the morning, Jody peeled away from the group and headed for the park.
“Daddy!” the little girl squealed at the sight of him.
Leaping from the swings, the little girl ran at him with her arms wide, her curly blond hair streaming behind. Jody knelt to catch her as she leaped into his arms. Looking up, he smiled as Selina came up carrying the baby.
“Hi, sweetheart.” Jody stood as Selina reached them and greeted her with a kiss. “How have they been?”
“Alana has been an absolute angel. She helps mommy with changes and feedings,” Selina said. “Haven’t you, baby girl?”
“I’m not the baby!” Alana huffed, crossing her arms indignantly. “Jenna is the baby. I’m a big girl now!”
“Yes, you are the big girl.” Selina winked at Jody. When he only managed a weak smile in return, her own expression faltered. “Go show daddy how high you can swing, okay, Alana?”
The girl wriggled from her daddy’s arms and took off for the swings. Calls of “Watch me, watch me!” being hurled over her shoulder even
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