The Fox, the Hound and the Virus

The Trap

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Chapter Eleven

The Trap

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Will squinted at the little screen that showed the footage captured by the drone. It was a gorge of sorts with a small farmstead property.

'It's perfect. Narrow at one end and only two possible exits,' Josh said cheerfully as he inspected the area.

'Or at least, only two exits from what you can see,' Will said with much less confidence.

'Don't worry,' Rob said, placing a bracing hand on Will's shoulder. 'From what we can tell, the infected that have been following you have come from quite far a ways. This territory isn't familiar to them either. We have the added advantage of technology. We are going to set you up in the little farmhouse. You won't be alone. Josh will be with you. Trudy, Creed, and I will stay on top of the outcrops. We have plenty of tranquillisers. Nothing will get close. Peter will stay with the trucks and your sister.'

Will couldn't help but seriously doubt this plan. 'Can I ask how many of these retrieval missions you've done?' he asked.

'This will be number fourteen,' Rob said calmly.

'And... Ash?' Will asked weakly. It's not that he was trying to be an asshole or rub Rob's recent team loss in his face, he just needed to not feel like he was grasping at sand with open hands.

Rob's face darkened. 'She was the newest member of the team. She ignored orders. I ordered a retreat when we lost the high ground, and it was clear the infected were trying to retrieve their comrade. Ash wouldn't give up her position. I won't pretend her loss doesn't hurt. I don't normally lose members of my team. Will, I know we don't know each other very well and we have even less reason to trust each other, but I'm not out here to get you killed.'

Will looked into the man's face. His five o'clock shadow had become quite pronounced over the last few days though it did nothing to hide his chiselled jaw. If anything, it made the soldier look more roguishly charming. Will had never had to worry much about facial hair. It was a good thing the baby-face complexion suited him because it was next to impossible for him to grow a beard. There was something genuine about Rob.

'Alright,' Will agreed quietly.

Josh's nose wrinkled. 'How are we so sure the hound will be able to find the kid?'

Will didn't look away from the grainy image of the farm property. 'It will find me,' he said. He could feel their eyes on him, but he didn't elaborate.

'Alright. Get some rest. Put some food in your bellies. We leave in an hour.'

—

'How are you holding up?' Trudy asked as she handed Zoe a bottle of water. The girl glared at her.

'Where's my brother?' Trudy fought back a sigh. The young lady certainly had a one-track mind. Rob had filled Trudy in on the plan with careful instructions not to say anything to Zoe. The girl was an absolute spitfire despite her petite size. Trudy had briefly wondered if she could convince Zoe to join the training program if they managed to get them back to the city. It was a fleeting thought.

People like Creed and Rob didn't have much to lose. That's why they could afford to be out here. Zoe had her brother. So long as they cleared the city security, they had lives to live.

'Your brother is fine.'

'You keep saying that, but you won't let me see him,' Zoe growled. It was strange, but when she was especially angry, her honey brown eyes almost looked orange. Must be a trick of the light.