Fight the Tide by Keira Andrews

his uniform well-tailored and badge gleaming. He was only missing coffee and a donut.
    As Adam slowed, the man lifted a hand in greeting. Adam stopped the bike a good twenty feet away.
    “Morning,” the man called. “Nice day for it.” He didn’t specify what it was, and Parker’s pulse drummed. Looking around, he couldn’t see anyone else, or any obvious signs of a trap. Adam would be listening anyway.
    “Morning,” Adam replied.
    “I’m Officer Hanson. Do you need any help?”
    “Just passing through,” Adam said.
    “All right. If you need supplies, there’s a gas station a mile down the road that hasn’t been completely stripped yet.”
    Nice place for a trap. Parker gripped his gun a little tighter and said, “Thanks,” with a fake smile.
    “Shouldn’t be any infected around. I take care of any I spot. Try to keep the area safe for those of us that are left.”
    The radio in the patrol car crackled. Parker could barely make it out. “Hey, babe. It’s me. Can you find some more Claritin after your patrol? Ollie’s allergies are acting up.”
    Hanson leaned in the open window and picked up the transmitter. “Copy that, hon. Over and out.” He grimaced. “My son’s affected by every tree and weed there is. Don’t know what we’ll do when the meds dry up. Guess we’ll have to figure out some natural hippie-type treatment.”
    Despite himself, Parker’s curiosity got the better of him. “You patrol every day?”
    “Yep.” He smiled ruefully. “Guess I don’t know what else to do. At first, we were waiting for the army to sweep in, but… Well, now I just try to keep the peace. Rounded up the bodies in the beginning, but it got to be too much.”
    “Many people coming through?” Adam asked.
    “Fewer and fewer.” He opened the car door. “I should get back to it. Stay safe, and God bless.”
    They nodded and were soon back on their way. Outside the gas station, Adam listened intently before giving the all-clear. Inside, the dark fridges stood open and empty but for a few toppled bottles of soda. Glossy magazines littered the floor.
    Lose weight the Hollywood way! Get a bikini bod in eight weeks! Taylor’s secret new romance revealed!
    Parker kicked a few aside and moved deeper into the store, pleased to find the shelves were still partially full, as promised. “We still good for visitors?” he asked.
    “Yep.” Adam turned in a slow circle. “Let’s load up.”
    Parker was examining a slightly dented can of tomatoes when he realized Adam was standing stock still by the windows, a box of pasta clenched in his hand.
    “Adam? What is it?” He took out his gun and crept up behind. Peering out the dirty glass, he could only see the abandoned gas pumps and the empty road beyond. On the other side of the road, a field appeared empty as well.
    Adam breathed shallowly through parted lips, his eyes focused on something in the distance. Parker looked again and still couldn’t spot anything. He whispered, “What do you see?”
    For a strange moment, it seemed like Adam might burst into tears. Then he blinked and spun away from the window. “Nothing. Let’s get back.” He strapped one of the backpacks to his chest.
    “Wait. That wasn’t nothing.” Parker glanced out the window again. “Do you sense something?”
    Cramming cans in the other pack, Adam said, “Yeah. Creepers nearby. We have to go.”
    “Shit, really?” Parker grabbed the pack from him and swung it onto his back. “We should get gas, but I bet we can siphon from the cars at the marina. Pumps won’t work without electricity anyway.”
    “Sounds good.” Adam was practically running outside to where they’d left Mariah by the door. He gunned the engine, and Parker was barely on when they zoomed back onto the road.
    Worry tugged at Parker’s gut. Something had spooked Adam, but when he looked behind, no creepers appeared.
    *
    “This is delicious, Parker.” Abby dipped her spoon back into her soup. “I love