Terror By Night

Chapter 19

I can try to justify this surge of need to get out of here. I could reason it and blame the lack of consistency of supply deliveries. Or the sporadic meals. That would cause anyone concern for sure. When we first got here, mealtimes were a regular three times a day. After 38 days, we were down to two. Day 52 was the first time we only got one. Now, we never know. Some days are good, and we have breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Until the supply runs low. Then there are days... well. Nothing here is regular. On those off days, we do the best we can and use whatever stock of food we've managed to compile. In our own little haven, we have a collection of canned and packaged dry goods. Nothing left to require refrigeration.

But those things which are real causes for concern are not what has me out today. I see her face so clearly, as though she's standing right here with me now, urging me to go. I didn't feel this even after the incident at the office camp.

When we were still in the office suite, Sarah's ex-boyfriend found us. He came one night looking for her. I keep up my quick pace, walking and watching the streets around but seeing something else in my mind. My memory flashes back to the day.

I'm sitting in one of the office chairs near the windows, watching the stadium floor. The National Guard runs the show here. They're directing people to designated quarters. Across the field, there are canopied tables and stations for all manner of needs. Some are first aid. There's a lost and found. One is a people locator. They're working hard at trying to keep track of everyone in the facility and their whereabouts. This won't last long. I'm just watching the ebb and flow of bodies, like ants scurrying around. Zoe's in the sitting area near some bookshelves, playing music on the iPod dock she found. Sarah's laying down on a sofa close by, listening to the Christmas song Zoe's playing. I find it a little depressing. I really don't want to consider what Christmas is going to be like here, without the rest of family. Nolan sits just to my right, scribbling. Fortunate for him, there was a wealth of notebooks to be found. He'll probably never run out.

I glance over my right shoulder to watch Xavier came out of the back room. He's been working on moving furniture around in the smaller office. At the moment, the guys have taken that room for their own, and the girls have claimed the larger of the two. But there's still little privacy and we all have to pass through each other's spaces to either leave or get to the restroom. The little office has a door to the hall, but we've locked and barricaded it. For multiple reasons.

I'm turning my attention back to the scene on the ground when the main office door bursts open. We all jump at the sound; Sarah sits up from her relaxed position. "Dylan!" she says in astonishment.

I didn't know his name, but I immediately recognize him. The rude one from the gym the night Sarah joined our group. He marches into the room and grabs Sarah by the arm. "Get up. You're coming with me right now." He jerks her off the sofa and gives her a small shove. "Get your bag, we're leaving."

I've jumped to my feet, ready to interject when I catch movement out of the corner of my eye. Nolan walks swiftly toward them and in a smooth motion that I never imagined possible, pulls a gun from the back of his pants waist and points it right at Dylan.

I'm frozen in place. I don't know what's more shocking, that Nolan had a gun hidden under his shirt or that he's threatening to use it against someone.

Dylan stares at the gun in Nolan's hand, only a few inches from his face. The hand is steady. I gape at Nolan, wearing a calm but serious look on his face that seems hard as stone. He tells Dylan in clipped words, "Don't touch her again."

Zoe stands and pulls Sarah to her out of the line of fire. They huddle together in the corner. Xavier comes further into the room to stand just behind Dylan, who hasn't moved an inch. Xavier says less menacingly, "I'd listen to the man. You need to move on. Sarah's safe and she's staying with us. Take this as your Dear John dude. It's over."