The Ruins Part 2 (Sequel to The Ruins)

Chapter 67

Lalon tried to fight the hands that pulled him from the pit, but his attacked bent close and in a fierce whisper said, "Lalon- it's me."

Lalon stopped struggling. The figure let go of him and moved into a patch of starlight.

"Tom!" Benny began to cry out, but Tom clamped a hand over his mouth.

"Shhhh!"

Benny nodded. "How'd you find us?" Lalon whispered.

Tom quickly explained how he'd left Mal and Negan back at the way station, and about his encounter with Sally Two-Knives.

The sounds of laughter and applause, the screams and jeers, were much louder. The noise was coming from behind the place, past the line of close-parked wagons. There were a few small Infected pits out here, but Tom suspected the real attraction was over there.

"Mal and Negan are here somewhere," Tom said, "and I have a bad feeling about where they are."

As if to counterpoint his comment, the crowd erupted into furious applause.

"What are we going to do?" Benny said.

"First things first," said Tom. You guys look pretty banged up. Are you all right?"

When Lalon took too long to answer Tom pulled him into a patch of light that was screened by hedges.

"Tell me," he ordered.

Lalon turned and showed him his shoulder. "I was bitten."

Tom closed his eyes for a moment and sagged back against the edge of the porch.

"In the pit. They made us fight. We won... both times, but I got bit."

"How long ago was this?"

"I don't know. Five, six hours. I can't really tell."

Tom gave him a puzzled frown. "How are you feeling?"

"Like I got bit. Damn, everyone is going to be pissed at me."

"Have you been vomiting? Any double vision? Pain in your joints?"

"Just a little dizzy and nauseous."

Tom looked at the bite again. "You should be showing symptoms by now."

"It differs from everyone. Takes only a day or less than an hour."

Benny knew that was true. Some people got sick right away; others took as long as a day before they felt it. In the end it was going to be the same. The plague had a 100 percent infection rate. No one ever survived it.

From behind the building they could hear Preacher Jack making a speech.

"Have you seen other prisoners?" Asked Tom.

Benny shook his head. "No, but I heard people talking about them. There's supposed to be a bunch of other kids here. In the hotel, I think."

"Then that's where Mal and Negan will be. Preacher Jack took them."

Lalon touched Tom's arm. "There are things you bend to know. While we were still in the pit, I heard White Bear talking to someone. I'm pretty sure it was Preacher Jack. White Bear is Charlie's brother and he... he called Preacher Jack 'Dad.'"

Tom grabbed Lalon's wrist. "Preacher Jack is Charlie Pink-Eye's father?"

"I know... it's scary, but it make sense. Can't we had enough of the Marion's."

Benny looked to the west. "Tom, where's the Saviors? Alec, Lugh? Sam? Vix? Oh, God, the kids?"

Tom shook his head. "I don't know how far they are."

Benny licked his lips. "What do we do now?"

Tom handed him and Lalon a set of each a knife. "We go find Mal and Negan," he said.