Chapter 32 #2
Gray and Ripper joined the group as they walked, and in the cafeteria, James was waiting for them, standing at the head of the cafeteria with a brunette woman as crowds gathered.
After a moment, Allie recognized the woman from earlier—it was Nicole from their orientation, although without her lanyard and looking a great deal more serious.
They were joined by another man who was wearing what looked a bit like riot gear.
“Thank you all for coming down and pitching in,” James said. “The other buildings have been alerted, and they’re gathering as well. I’m sorry that we’re having to do this again so soon after the last attack.”
The crowd buzzed a bit, but James lifted his hands. “There are Zs coming at the western barriers. We’ve got our diversion towers going, but you all know that sometimes we can’t distract the Zs completely. So we’re in need of pikers, first and foremost, who’ve been trained.”
James watched the hands rise, and he nodded. “Great. Now, y’all know the drill. If you’ve served on piking duty, follow Nicole and Vince out to the north side for arming and organization.”
About a quarter of the gathered crowd left with Nicole and Vince, who must’ve been the man in riot gear. That group included Ripper, who gave a quick wave to them and over to the far corner, where Allie saw Manny. Jen and Ginger must’ve stayed behind due to Ginger’s injuries.
“The rest of you—either you’re new or new enough that you haven’t gotten past general orientation and into a rotation.” James paused and looked over to them. “Keyshawna!”
Key held her head high and walked over and up the short set of stairs to James, who said, “We’ll divide volunteer fighters into two factions.
Many of you know Key. One group will go with her, one with Liam.
” He pointed at a lean, broad-shouldered man dressed in black on the other side of the room.
“We’ll be flanking the pikers to hold the line if any Zs get through.
Apparently the horde is big enough that we might have an issue with that. ”
Allie’s heart seized, and she looked at Cam, who was concentrating on Key, his expression grim. Cam would be going with her group. She knew it.
“Now we’ll mobilize support,” James said. “Anyone with medical or field-medic training, we’ll need you with Odette and Frankie.”
“How many Zs are out there?” came a voice from somewhere in the crowd, which sparked murmurs among the group.
Herd animals, all of us.
“We don’t know exactly,” James said, raising his voice but maintaining his calm, soothing tones. “But we’re ready for them.”
Odette took Cam’s hand and squeezed it. She looked at Allie. “You’ve learned some. I think you should come with me.”
Allie nodded, grateful to have a direction and purpose. On impulse, she thought, Morrigan?
Go with her. Be of use.
“Medics,” James said, “come up front with me.” He motioned to Frankie, who’d made her way to the front, hair sticking out in all directions and her sweatshirt on backward. “Frankie will organize you and set you up.”
He nodded to Frankie then turned back to the crowd.
“Fighters, head over with Liam and Key.” He motioned to where Key and the tall man now stood together.
“They’ll organize you, arm you if you need weapons.
Everyone else, stay with me. We’re going to need plenty of folks to carry necessary supplies back and forth and help the wounded get to the medics as needed. ”
Rachel began moving across the room, heading for Liam.
Cam looked at Allie, jaw tight. “I’m going to stay with you and Dette. I’ve got more field medic training.”
“Cameron,” Dette said quietly. “I think you should be with your mama. Keep an eye on her.”
A muscle ticked in Cam’s jaw, but he nodded. “I will.” He stepped to Dette and kissed the top of her head. “Stay safe, mami.” Then he turned to Allie.
She stepped into his arms, and they held each other hard. With a final look and a quick, searing kiss, Cam headed over to join Key on the other side of the huge room.
When Allie and Dette reached Frankie, the other woman’s worried hazel eyes met Allie’s. “Hello again,” she said, a wry smile twisting her lips.
Allie pointed at her sweatshirt, and Frankie looked down.
She let out a short, amused breath. “Great.” Then she swung into action while Odette began passing out kits.
“We are looking for bites, always,” Frankie said, pulling her arms in through the sleeves and rotating the sweatshirt, which seemed to be for a sports team Allie didn’t recognize, “but mostly we see friendly-fire-type injuries. This many people, this many pointy weapons—it means injuries of all kinds, and some can be fatal. Hopefully, we can get them patched up enough to head back out if they’re needed, but at least enough to hold them until they can get to the hospital.
” She nodded toward Odette. “In the event of a breach, we will try to help anyone not on the front lines retreat when possible. If that happens, look to me or to Odette, whichever of us is closest, and follow instructions.”
Everyone was issued an easy-draw knife and a field medic’s kit.
“Use your knife when you need to,” Frankie instructed. “You know the difference between an injured person and a Z who’s turned. Don’t hesitate. I’ll be with you—”
“You bloody well will not.” The man in black, Liam, strode over, looking furious. His British accent was faint but clear. “Malcolm explicitly called you to the labs.”
She shrugged. “Then James shouldn’t have put me in charge of the medics.”
“James,” he said witheringly, “wasn’t aware of Malcolm’s orders.”
Allie, fascinated, couldn’t take her eyes off them even though she knew she should be helping someone do something.
“Gee, imagine, in all this confusion.” She shook her head and directed a woman in PJs and rubber boots to help Odette hand out the supplies.
“I have the most medical experience outside of the actual hospital—aside from Odette, who probably has me beat. James has plenty to deal with right now, as do you and Nicole.” She raised her hands then put them on her hips.
“Got someone else handy who helped set up this part of the new emergency plan?”
Liam glowered down at Frankie, which was fun because she shrugged and gazed coolly up at him. The air between them nearly crackled. Allie would have laughed if the situation were different—the confrontation was like watching a honey badger stare down a tiger.
Liam’s mouth curled, sour with something that wasn’t quite anger. “I’ll stay with you, then.”
“No,” Frankie groaned, rolling her eyes, which did not help Liam’s composure. “I don’t need you. The fighters need direction, and you’re the best there is at that. Go stop this from becoming a tragedy. I’m doing my part. I’m not taking risks.”
He looked over at Key then back at Frankie, his expression a near mirror of Cam’s from a few minutes before.
“Trust me,” Frankie said, reaching out but not quite touching his sleeve. “Go. Be safe.”
Liam clamped his teeth together, nodded down at her, then turned and walked away.
Frankie took a deep breath, as if to collect herself, then plastered a smile on her face. “Everybody ready? Let’s head out.”
Allie and Odette clasped hands and followed the small group of half-determined, half-terrified people outside.
“I don’t get it,” Odette murmured worriedly. “The Plant doesn’t usually deal with big Z attacks. Did we bring the zombies here somehow?”
“I don’t think so. It feels different, like there’s a reason behind it, but... I’m not sure what it is.” Allie thought back to Morrigan. “Their coming was inevitable.”
This attack wasn’t like what had happened at the Armory. This was something else—and Allie fully intended to find out what. Assuming they all survived the night.