Last Man Standing (Book 2): Cordyceps by Keith Taylor

of Abilene, Texas." She pauses for a moment, as if to collect her thoughts, and lets out a heavy sigh. "Folks, it's been a rough night here in the Lone Star State, and all across the country. We don't know much, and details are still emerging by the minute, but we know that the nation has been dealt an almost killing blow with widespread attacks on dozens of cities and hundreds of towns from coast to coast. We're also hearing rumors - and I'd like to make it clear that they are, at present, unconfirmed - that an attempted coup at the government facility Site R has resulted in the death of Acting President Lassiter. We're doing everything we can to firm up that information for you right now, but right now we can't seem to raise contact with the facility. As it stands we're..." The voice suddenly fades out.
     
    "What did you do? Get it back!" I demand.
     
    Warren shrugs. "I didn't do anything, the battery died." He sighs. "I got some more in the car, but unless somebody wants to ring the dinner bell for the dozen or so hungry fuckers down on the street it'll have to wait until morning."
     
    Over in the corner Vee's trying to coax Bishop out of his depression with a candy bar, and strangely enough it seems to be doing the trick. He's stopped crying, at least. "Hey, guys?" I call out quietly. Vee looks up while Bishop struggles with the wrapper of a Three Musketeers bar. "Word is the President's dead."
     
    I don't know what I expected. Joy? Relief? I've no idea, but I didn't expect anger. Vee looks furious, as if she's personally offended that she won't get the chance to kill him herself. She makes a fist and punches the wall beside Bishop, making the big guy flinch away from her and drop his candy bar. "Fucking piece of shit coward prick, dying in his bunker like a God damned cut price Hitler. I wanted to string him up above a pit full of infected, hand a knife to the families of everyone who died in that camp and watch him beg for fucking mercy. Jesus ," she sighs and slumps against the wall beside Bishop.
     
    Warren and I exchange a look. "Warren, let's never get on her bad side, OK?"
     
    He chuckles. "Hey, you don't have to tell me, brother. Couple weeks ago she pushed a guy off the roof of a 7-Eleven for bleeding on her boots."
     
    "Infected, right?"
     
    He shrugs and gives me a sly smile. "Well, she said he was, but..."
     
    "He was infected," Vee testily insists. "I just really loved those boots, OK? Had to throw the damned things out once they got covered in infected blood." She looks down at her heavy standard issue boots and breaks the slightest hint of a smile. "This apocalypse has been murder on my wardrobe."
     
    Warren smiles and tucks the dead radio back in his duffel. "Well kids, I'd love to stay up all night and regale you with gory stories about the trail of dead Lieutenant Reyes has left in her wake, but I think it's a good idea for us all to get a little shut eye. Come morning we have to make some big decisions, and I don't want you guys all cranky and uptight while we're planning how to stay alive." He lifts himself from the floor and hikes his rifle up over his shoulder. "I'll take first watch."
     
    I glance at my wrist, as if the time of night really matters any more. "I think I'll join you for a while if you don't mind. Don't think I'll be able to get much sleep, knowing what's outside."
     
    Warren nods. "Yeah, it takes a little getting used to, I'll grant you that. Come on, I think I've got a little scotch in my pack. That should help knock you out."
     
    "You good, Vee?" I look over to Reyes to find her smiling, leaning against Bishop's large, pillow-like shoulders. "Yeah, go ahead. This might be the best night's sleep I'll get in weeks. Bishop here's like a big teddy bear."
     
    Bishop flashes a cheerful grin, his mouth surrounded with a ring of melted chocolate, and shuffles his ass forward until he's resting comfortably against the wall. "Huh huh," he chuckles, closing his eyes. "Teddy