Prep For Doom Read online

She didn’t want to talk about hauling dead bodies out of houses. Didn’t want to think about dragging herself back to her dorm this afternoon, drenched in sweat and so filthy she felt like she’d never be able to wash off the stink of rotten flesh. It had felt like the rot had penetrated the thin plastic of her HAZMAT suit and seeped into her pores until she thought she would go crazy. When Eve had arrived at the base, she’d promised to pitch in, and in exchange they would provide her with food and shelter. Everyone had to help out, but that didn’t make the process any easier.

  Hicks put his hand under her chin, tiling her face up and forcing her to meet his eyes. “I’m sorry you have to deal with all that. I know it isn’t fun, but it’s necessary. Lots of families living on base died in their homes.”

  “I know,” she whispered, mesmerized by the intense way his brown eyes swept over her face. A shiver shot through her when the rough pad of his thumb moved across the underside of her chin. It was as confusing as it was comforting. Having this attractive man in front of her after everything that had changed just didn’t seem to fit.

  Eve took a step back and Hicks’s arm dropped to his side. Her eyes moved to her car, parked only ten feet from where they stood. The desire to escape was so strong, she had a hard time staying where she was. Only she didn’t know if she was trying to run from her memories or her feelings for Hicks. Hell, she wasn’t even sure if she had feelings for Hicks.

  Eve backed away, and Hicks frowned. “I have to go,” she said, digging her keys out of her pocket. “I’ll talk to you later, okay?”

  She turned and rushed to her car, thankful Hicks didn’t try to stop her.

  * * *

  The sun had already set when there was a knock on Eve’s door, making something inside her jump excitedly. She knew without having to check that it was Hicks. He’d stopped by the last three nights. Even though she’d run out on him earlier, she was glad he’d stopped by. At the time she’d been desperate to be alone, but once she’d gotten back to her room it had felt even more oppressive. She was beginning to wonder if anything would ever feel normal again.

  She opened the door to find Hicks leaning against the railing. The smile on his face reminded Eve of someone who had just been told a joke and was still mulling over the punch line. She liked that about him. Her own personality bordered on being too serious at times—especially since the virus—and Hicks’s playfulness was a nice contrast.

  He had a box of Twinkies tucked under his arm.

  “For me?” she asked, pushing the door open wider.

  Hicks shoved off the rail and walked into the room, shrugging like it was no big deal. It was a big deal to Eve, though.

  “Remembered you liked them,” he said, throwing himself on the couch. Acting like he owned the place.

  Eve took a seat next to Hicks as he pulled out a snack cake. The plastic crinkled in his hands, a sound that was so familiar it made Eve feel warm and comfortable.

  “Thought you’d want to know what we talked about after you left the meeting,” Hicks said, passing her a Twinkie.

  She smiled as she took the cake. “I do, thank you.”

  “Nothing concrete yet.” He ripped into his Twinkie and took a big bite. His mouth was still full when he said, “Major Johnsen wants to give everyone time to think it over. He’s suggested sending a small group out first to make sure everything’s okay. We’d have a code set up before the rest of the group heads out, so when we reestablish contact, whoever is left behind will know it’s safe.”

  “Kind of like one if by land and two if by sea?” Eve nibbled on her Twinkie, savoring the delicious sponginess of the little cake.

  “Yeah, something like that.” Hicks shot her a grin, and Eve returned it. “We could let the people who are anxious to get there go first. Once they confirm the place is good, we send everyone else.”

  Eve nodded, but all she could think about was Tanner. There was no way someone like him would want to head out and join another group. He wanted to keep it small, so it would be easier for him to control.

  “There will still be people who won’t want to go,” she pointed out.

  “We’re not going to force them. If they want to stay here and fend for themselves, that’s up to them. Major Johnsen has already said this is voluntary.”

  Eve frowned and Hicks mimicked the gesture, but it seemed subconscious.

  “How did Tanner take all this?” Even though they hadn’t discussed the other soldier before now, she could tell he didn’t like Tanner any more than she did.

  “I’m worried there’s going to be trouble, which is another reason I wanted to come by.” Hicks absent-mindedly twisted his empty Twinkie wrapper between his fingers, and the crinkling got louder by the second. “Tanner has a handful of people who are backing him up. You remember how he was when we found you?” His eyes held Eve’s, making her shift on the couch, but she managed to nod. “That’s nothing compared to how vocal he is with Major Johnsen. Not only does he not want to take anyone else in, but he wants to implement a pretty strict rationing system.”

  “What do you think he’ll do?” Eve asked, picking at her Twinkie like it had suddenly lost all its appeal.

  “Johnsen wants to go. Part of the reason is that he’s worried he’ll end up with a bullet in his back if he stays here. He plans to offer Tanner half the supplies, but I don’t think it will be enough.”

  “You think Tanner will want it all?”

  Hicks finally put his Twinkie wrapper down, his eyes holding hers, and Eve had the urge to lean on him for support. There was something else, too. Something she hadn’t expected to feel at the end of the world.

  “I think,” Hicks said, leaning closer to her, “that we need to be prepared for anything.”

  He took her hand, and the rough calluses on his palms were comforting against Eve’s smooth skin. These were the hands of someone who had worked hard and wasn’t afraid to keep doing it. It made him seem strong and capable.

  “What are you thinking?” Hicks asked, his eyes searching hers.

  “I won’t stay with Tanner. He isn’t going to look out for the good of the group, and I think he’s dangerous.” It was on her lips to tell Hicks that she wanted to stay with him, but she bit her tongue. It was too much too soon. They had only known each other for a week, and even though it felt like so much longer, it seemed wrong to form such a strong bond during a catastrophe like this.

  Hicks gave her hand a squeeze. “So you’ll come?”

  “Whenever they’re ready to go, I’ll be there,” Eve said, holding his gaze.

  Hicks wrapped his arms around her, pulling her against him. In his arms she felt some of her hesitation and fear melt away. She’d be okay as long as he was with her. She was certain of it.

  * * *

  Three. That’s how many more nights of peace they had inside the walls of Charleston Air Force Base. Deep down, Eve had known it couldn’t last. Tensions were rising with each passing day, and every time someone mentioned Staten Island, the arguments became more heated.

  It was the soldiers who really worried Eve, though. Major Johnsen had decided to send a party out, and over the next few days half of their supplies were loaded onto a C-17. Tanner hadn’t made a move to stop them yet, but it was going to happen, and everyone knew it.

  Eve was getting ready to crawl into bed on the third night when someone pounded on her door. Hicks had been busy loading the plane, and she couldn’t stop herself from hoping it was him. She’d been lonely without his company, and even though it was late and Hicks coming into her room now would take their relationship to a whole new level, Eve wanted to take that step.

  When she opened the door, Hicks rushed in before Eve had a chance to register that it was him. He was panting, and the sound of his heavy breathing set off warning bells in her head.

  Hicks slammed the door and grabbed her arm, pulling her toward the bedroom. “We have to go,” he said between gasps.

  Her heart rate sped up. Thudding in her ear
s. She almost couldn’t concentrate. She forced herself to focus as she pulled her arm out Hicks’ grasp and dove for her shoes.

  “What’s going on?” she asked, shoving her feet into her Sketchers. She tied them so fast the laces would probably have to be cut off later.

  “Tanner has his men gathered,” Hicks said, crossing the room to the window. “We don’t know what they have planned yet, but it can’t be good. We don’t have much time.”

  He pulled the curtain aside so he could look out as Eve grabbed the bag she’d packed two nights ago, as well as the family picture sitting on her bedside table. If she lost everything else she could handle it, but she couldn’t leave them behind. Not completely.

  Within seconds, they were out the bedroom, heading toward the front door. Once there, they paused long enough for Hicks to make sure the coast was clear before rushing out into the moist Charleston night. He grabbed her hand, pulling her toward the stairs. The night was so quiet their footsteps sounded like thunder. When a door opened just behind them, Eve jumped three feet off the ground. A scream stuck in her throat.

  Hicks squeezed her hand and shot her a reassuring look. “Sergeant Hayes was alerting others while I came to get you. We’re trying to get as many people out as we can.”

  Eve’s hand tightened around his as she glanced over her shoulder to find a handful of people behind them, bags slung over their shoulders and terrified expressions on their faces. Ahead of them, more doors opened, and by the time they ran down the stairs there was a small group of people with Eve and Hicks.

  A van sat in the lot ready and waiting, the engine still running. Eve ran for the passenger seat as Hicks climbed behind the wheel, and the other survivors scrambled into the back. The utter silence of the group was more intense than anything Eve had ever experienced.

  “Hold on,” Hicks said through clenched teeth as he threw the van into gear.

  The vehicle lurched forward and Eve’s body slammed into the back of her seat. She gripped the canvas strap, the edge digging into her palm as Hicks sped across the base like a NASCAR driver, barely slowing at the turns. The tires thumped over speed bumps and Eve squeezed the seatbelt tighter. When they reached the entrance to the flight line, Hicks sped up.

  The C-17 loomed in the distance. Eve leaned forward to get a better look, biting her lip until it threatened to split open. The plane was probably the most beautiful thing she had ever laid eyes on.

  When they were still twenty feet away, Hicks slammed on the brakes. The van’s tires squealed across the runway and Eve lurched forward so hard the seatbelt locked, tightening against her chest until she was sure it would leave a bruise. Then the van stopped and her body was thrown back, but she barely had time to react before Hicks was throwing the door open, yelling for them to get out.

  Eve stumbled out of the van, the rumble of the C-17’s engines so loud she covered her ears. A vicious wind swept over the runway, blowing her blonde hair into her face and making it hard for her to see. But even above the roar of the plane, the distant sound of engines could be heard. Hicks grabbed her arm, and as Eve stumbled forward, she glanced over her shoulder long enough to see vehicles racing toward them.

  “Go, go, go!” Hicks yelled, pulling her harder.

  The C-17’s ramp was down at the back of the plane, and Eve gasped for breath as she raced toward it with the other survivors. She’d just set foot on the ramp when the first gunshot cut through the air. Screams broke out, and Hicks pushed her harder, practically shoving her inside. A bullet pinged against the side of the plane. All around her, people screamed as more gunshots rang out.

  They’d barely made it into the plane when the ramp’s mechanical groan filled the cargo bay. Hicks shoved Eve into one of the seats lining the walls, screaming at her to buckle up as he hurried to the front of the plane. Before the ramp was even all the way up, the C-17 began to move. Eve’s hands shook as she latched her belt, trying to block out the sounds of gunfire. Slowly, the aircraft picked up speed, moving them forward faster and faster. With each passing second, Eve was able to relax a little more. When the plane finally left the ground, her stomach lurched with the usual nausea that accompanied takeoff, but she was able to breathe a little easier too. They’d made it.

  Around her, the other survivors smiled, and Eve was thrilled to realize that more than just her little group had made it to the plane. At least ten additional people were on board, not including the dozens of soldiers. Stephanie, the grandmotherly woman who had tried to comfort her during the meeting, as well as Doug and four-year-old Blake. The little boy who reminded her so much of her brother Cade that seeing him usually made Eve want to burst into tears. Not this time, though. This time, when Eve looked at little Blake, she was filled with relief.

  Now all they had to do was make it to Staten Island.

  * * *

  The roar of the engines and the wind whipping against the outside of the plane was overwhelming despite the ear plugs the soldiers had handed out after takeoff. Hicks grinned and gave Eve a thumbs up as he went by, heading to the back of the plane. She tried to read his body language, but it was hard with everything else going on. They’d been in the air for over an hour and she knew they had to be getting close.

  Hicks paused on his way back, kneeling in front of her. His hand found hers, and he leaned forward, putting his lips close to her ear. “We’re going to be landing in about ten minutes!” he yelled over the noise. “Stay close to me and stay alert!”

  Eve nodded when he pulled back and his eyes held hers for a brief second before he stood. She watched him climb the stairs to the cockpit, her heart pounding from a combination of fear and excitement.

  The sound of the landing gears being lowered rumbled through the cargo bay, and Eve’s stomach twisted as the plane began its descent. She gripped the edge of her chair and squeezed her eyes shut, swallowing down the nausea that tried to force its way out like it always did when she flew. The wheels touched down and the entire aircraft shuddered. Eve sucked in a deep breath as her body was jerked to the side in response to the plane’s change of momentum. Gradually, the plane slowed until it seemed like they were moving no faster than a car driving down the freeway. Even then, Eve kept a tight hold on her seat.

  Soldiers climbed down from the cockpit and started to gear up, putting on armored vests and helmets, gathering weapons. The soldiers who were already in the cargo bay followed their lead. Eve searched the mass of camo for Hicks, but the men were like a giant blob of military preparedness and she couldn’t find him. Dread formed inside her, heavy and intense. Almost like she had a boulder resting in her stomach.

  The plane turned, then slowed even more. When it finally stopped, Eve and the other survivors stayed where they were, staring at each other like they weren’t sure what to do. A few seconds later the engines cut out and silence engulfed the plane. Major Johnsen came down and got busy putting on his own gear. His eyes swept over the survivors like he was taking stock of precious cargo.

  When they were geared up and ready, the soldiers headed to the back of the plane, but Major Johnsen stopped to address the survivors. “They’re here. We’ve been talking to them on the radio and everything seems good, but my men and I are going out first. I want all of you to stay where you are until I tell you it’s okay. Understand?”

  His tone made Eve feel like she was on the way to a firing squad.

  She nodded and a few people around her murmured quiet words of acknowledgement, but most looked like they couldn’t figure out how they’d gotten into this situation to begin with.

  The Major followed his men toward the back, and Eve caught sight of Hicks just as the mechanical groan of the cargo bay door filled the plane. He gave her a reassuring smile, but it didn’t reach his eyes.

  Once the ramp was down, the men headed out, disappearing into the dark New York night. Eve pulled out her earplugs, hoping to hear something and get an idea of what was going on. Voices floated back, carried on the wind, but she couldn’t m
ake out the words. It was like being underwater and trying to listen to the people on the surface as they talked. The tension in her stomach built with each passing second that Hicks was out of sight.

  Eve undid her seatbelt and stood, but she’d only taken one step when the man next to her grabbed her arm.

  “We’re supposed to stay,” he hissed.

  “Right.” She glanced toward the ramp, but couldn’t sit back down. Her worry for Hicks was eating at her.

  In the darkness, movement caught her eye. Eve held her breath as footsteps pounded up the ramp, and a few seconds later, Major Johnsen came into view. He was frowning, but didn’t appear ready to leave. Hicks was with him, and one other soldier Eve didn’t know, but no one else. At least twenty of them had gone out, but only three had come back. It didn’t look good.

  Eve found herself crossing the cargo bay to Hicks. “What’s going on?” she hissed.

  He pulled her toward the back of the plane, and through the darkness she caught sight of a group of heavily armed men, as well as two buses. They must have been waiting to take them to Staten Island.

  “Something feels off—”

  Hicks’s words were cut off when footsteps pounded behind him. He spun toward the ramp, and his eyebrows shot up. Suddenly, he shoved Eve behind him, putting himself between her and the ramp. Her back was pressed against the wall, making it impossible to see anything over Hicks. The pounding of footsteps got louder. There had to be dozens of men. Eve’s heart pounded in perfect synchronization with the footsteps while a cry broke out in the plane. Major Johnsen started yelling, ordering his men forward as another man did the same, only to a different set of soldiers. In front of Eve, Hicks was as stiff as a board. His gun raised, his back pushing her into the wall like he was her only chance for survival.

  “Put your weapons down!” Hicks yelled, his voice booming in Eve’s ears. “These are civilians. They’re only looking for a safe place.”

  “Lower your weapon, soldier!” someone else replied, his voice deep and strong. Like a bass drum that echoed off the walls of the plane and could be heard even over the cries of Eve’s fellow survivors. “You’re outnumbered. You came to us and you’re going to do things our way. Cooperate, or my men will open fire.”