Dead South Rising (Book 2): Death Row by Sean Robert Lang

gleaming floor, aimed them at the hulking man headed his way. “Lenny. Everything okay?” The exhaustion in his tone mirrored that of his gaze.
    “Janitor, listen. I hates to bug you. I know we gots bigger things going on.” He nodded at Roy’s room, acknowledging the most recent crisis. “But them three stoners…”
    “They giving you trouble?”
    “Nothing I can’t handle, but they’s asking for guns. And a car. I didn’t figure on no car, but… well… I’d feel mighty bad if they couldn’t defend theyselves from rattlers…” Or other people.
    Gabriel’s hand found its familiar perch on his chin, and rubbed. With all the chin-rubbing he’d done as of late, he’d make it clear to the bone by evening. He thought for a moment, gaze scouring the hall as the mental cogs spun, their axles loose and wobbly. After a moment, he said, “We can spare a shotgun. Couple boxes of shells, too. They got knives or any sort of hand weapons?”
      “Don’t know about knives. Don’t think so, though.”
    Waving his hand dismissively, the Janitor added, “Ah, hell, give ‘em each a knife.”
    Lenny nodded, started to turn away to fetch the shotgun and shells.
    “Lenny?”
    He stopped, turned around to face the Janitor.
    “Do you feel… safe… here?”
    He looked at the Janitor for a long moment, gathered that the old man was driving at a deeper concern, but decided to dodge his drift. “I believe so. Them fences is strong and the courts seem to be holding—”
    The Janitor shook his head while slicing the air with his hand. “No, no, no. I don’t mean from the rattlers.” He tossed a look down the hall, then leaned in closer, lowering his voice. “Do you feel safe here… with ourselves?”
    Lenny frowned. He’d certainly feel safer once the druggie trio left, but he strongly suspected— knew —that the Janitor didn’t have them in mind. Nor was he referring to David’s group. “You mean the Infirmaries?”
    Gabe’s lip curled to the floor slightly, and he nodded.
    “I don’t believe like they do, but I’s being careful ‘bout what I says around them.”
    The old man laid a hand on Lenny’s shoulder. “I know it’s tough for you, everyone not getting along. As much as I need the overt support, I think it’s wise and smart, you keeping somewhat in the middle. Playing your poker face like you’re doing. For now, at least. I just… I don’t feel right about things, where they’re headed.”
    Lenny placed his hand on top of the Janitor’s. “I know, boss. I know things ain’t going good ‘round here right now.” He thought for a moment, then said, “You think we should leave? Maybe find us a new place?”
    “Cutting our losses, moving on… makes the most sense. I’m hanging on to this place like some sinking ship’s captain, damned determined to go down with it. Hell, maybe I never was the captain. Maybe it’s been Luz all along.”
    “Where you go, me and Taneesha go. Don’t have to ask us. We know the truth. Don’t gotta be no genius to see it.”
    “I appreciate that, Leonard. I really do.”
    “What about David? And them demons of his?”
    Gabe shook his head, raked his fingers through his silver hair. “He’s on our team.” He hesitated, then added, “I think. And he’s still fighting ‘em.”
    “So he…” Lenny nodded toward Roy’s room.
    “Oh, yeah. Shot ‘em both. Didn’t deny it one bit.”  
    “Was Roy… you know… a rattler?”
    Another nod. “Looked like it to me. Nasty bite on his arm, that’s for damn sure. But still hard to tell. If he did turn, Dave shot him as soon as it happened. I get why he did it. Hell, truth be told, I’d’ve probably done it myself. Just wished he’d a let Roy be, at least for a little while. Given Luz a first-hand look-see for herself. Might have helped sway the Infirmaries.” He shook his head. “Now, they just see Dave as a killer and me in denial.”
    “You think it’s gonna get dangerous? For