The Safe Zone (The Dead Zone Book Two)

Chapter 11

 Paige is just leaving the lookout tower when Jason arrives, his smile nearly as white as the snow that covers the ground. She'd been trying to avoid him lately, but he was worse than a plague. She forces a smile, feigning politeness.

"Jason, what a surprise." She doesn't wait to see if he will follow her, because of course, he does.

"Don't look so happy to see me, angel eyes." She groans inwardly at the nickname, and it takes everything in her not to roll her eyes.

"It's always a pleasure, you know that." He doesn't look convinced, but it didn't seem to bother him. Every time she snubbed him, he had about a two second rebound rate.

"I came to ask you something important."

"Which is?"

"Well," He says, "I was wondering if you'd be interested in going on a supply run here in a few minutes."

Hearing this, her mood brightens considerably. "Really? What for?"

"Just a few medical supplies. There's a clinic on the east end of town we haven't been inside of yet, and I figured since that's your area of expertise, you'd be perfect for the job."

She eyes him suspiciously. "What about Doc? You could take him. Besides, last time I was at the clinic, we had plenty of supplies." He chuckles.

"There's no such thing as too many supplies, and Doc's not interested in leaving the safety of Lemuria. If you ask me I think the guys in denial about what's really going on out there. I'm not even sure he's ever killed a biter."

She shrugs. "I don't know. I guess it doesn't really matter, does it? He's pretty safe behind these walls."

"Of course it matters. Safety is never guaranteed. At any given moment, something could go wrong. One of the walls could get breached, we could be invaded, one of his patients could turn... Not saying that it will," He adds at her swift glance. "But you know what I mean."

"Yeah, I know. Thanks for pointing it out though."

 "Just stating facts."

They stop in front of the armory, where all the weapons were stored. Shelf after shelf was filled with guns and ammo as Jason pulled down a handgun, holding it out for her to take.

"I already have one."

 "Take another one. Just in case."

 She doesn't argue. She's glad to see there's a silencer on it, like almost all the weapons here. That away the shots wouldn't attract so much attention. Roamer attention. He tosses her an empty bag, which she slings over her shoulder.

"Alright, lets get this show on the road."

Apparently, this supply run was supposed to be fast and easy. Paige was a bit surprised when she learned that she and Jason were the only two going.

"So what's your story?" He asks as he drives, not taking his eyes from the road as he does so. She gives him a questioning look.

"Everyone has a story. Who you are. Where you came from. Why you're here now. Only the strong survive. I know why Bryson survived, he's a fighter. We both are. But you... you're soft in a way. But I still see fire in your eyes. I want to know what makes you different."

"Well," She begins, unnerved by the personal nature of the question. She'd never really considered herself to be strong, and to know that Jason revered her in such a way seemed odd. She was only strong when she had Bryson to lean on.