CHAPTER 8
HUNTER
"This is the place?" I ask Sam as we pull the Rustbucket in front of a black metal gate. The building just behind the gate looks bland yet elegant.
"Yes. The house seems rather minimalist, don't you think?" Sam asks. Before I get the chance to answer, she resumes, making slight calculations in her head. "It has an indiscernible amount of stories, but I would guess three at the least. Approximately thirty feet up, seven windows in a checkerboard pattern, and acutely cut grass."
"Wow, I am so incredibly interested." Billy sarcastically chimes. "If I wanted a word problem, I'd be back in math class with probably some zombie teacher."
Sam bites her lip and looks down for half a second. She looks back to the house, and continues. "Large garage, I'd think Ms. Priddam has staffing, not uncommon for a wealthy person. Large staffing explains her need to purchase so many weapons, but why? There aren't enough zombies to compensate for every staff member to be armed." Her eyes glance around, and you can practically see the clockwork in her mind as she analyzes the house ahead.
I sigh and turn to the pillar on my left. A two-way video communicator sits next to a keypad on the stone. I press a big red button and the screen lights up. A black and white image of a man in all black presses his finger to an earbud in his left ear.
"Do you have an appointment with Ms. Priddam?" the man asks. His voice is very deep, sounding almost like a rumble.
"Uhm, no, but, uh, d- due to certain circumstance," I say. As I talk, I am aware that my voice sounds very small, and I try to sound more professional. "I think I would be best advised for you to let us in."
The man looks startled for a moment, then clears his throat. "I'm afraid that I cannot allow you in without authorization from Evelyn herself."
"Well, actually, sir," Sam cuts in, facing her phone screen to the camera. "Evelyn has made it very clear that she is interested in my, quote, 'intellectual ability' for someone of my age. I do believe that I, as well as my assistants, have authorization to enter your fine establishment."
The security guard looks slightly annoyed, but the screen shuts off and the gates open with a loud buzz and a creak.
"'Assistants'?" I ask Sam, rather peeved.
"It sounded formal enough." Sam says with a shrug. "How else could I explain why I need both of you to drive me places?"
We get out of the Rustbucket, and I pick up Pepper, setting her down on the manicured lawn. As Pepper relieves herself from the long journey, a woman in black uniform runs out.
"Your animal cannot have business on the premises, ma'am." She tells me. She sounds like she has a Boston accent, or possibly from Jersey. I apologize and put Pepper back into the backseat. I set out a small water and food dish.
The guard woman led Sam, Billy, and I inside the mansion, and we are seated in a huge living room. The lady leaves us alone whilst she goes to get Evelyn.
"This mansion is so big, I bet they have like twenty bathrooms!" Sam says, gesturing her arms wide. Billy laughs at this.
"Imagine the kitchen, though," Billy says, Southern twang thick.
"Please, with the size of this mansion, they probably just have restaurants in here. Like, a full food court!" Sam smiles.
"Why would she spend all of her money on food courts?" Billy asks.
"I would," Sam laughs.
"You couldn't possibly eat that much," Billy says as he pokes her stomach.
