“The fuel cell on my ground crawler died a few months ago. Without equipment, I couldn’t recharge it, and I couldn’t get any of your vehicles to work.”
He probably had no idea cars needed a key. Her vehicle, parked in her parents’ garage, was gassed, the key under the floor mat, ready to go in the event she needed to flee and had time to get to it.
She’d never considered getting in the car and driving. Why put herself out in the open and vulnerable to the death rays? Where could she go that would be safer or better equipped than the cave already stocked with supplies? Back roads would be passable, but freeways and major highways would be clogged by smashed vehicles. Cars had crashed into each other when the drivers and passengers disappeared.
She felt a sneeze coming on. “How did you get separated from your unit?”
He pursed his lips. “Not important.” He reached for the water and took a drink.
Not so fast, asshole.His avoidance indicated the answer to her question was significant. “No, tell me—” Laurel sneezed.
Once. Twice.
She opened her eyes to find Grav’s face frozen into an expression of abject terror. And then he went nuts.
Chapter Six
She’s infected with the plague!
Admiral Drek had reported he’d been sneezing frequently before succumbing to the disease. Later, the GM’s communique had warned what symptoms to watch for.
Oh, Zok, how long has she had it? What’s the incubation period? How is it spread? By air? By casual contact?The GM hadn’t provided any answers.I could already be infected!
He tore at the restraints.
“Stop it! What are you doing?”
“Stay back! Stay back!” His heart thundered in his chest.
“What the hell is wrong with you?”
He yanked at the chains, kicking over the bucket of urine.
“Stop! Grav, stop!”
He wrenched at the chains so hard he pulled the bed away from the wall and toppled the table. The lamp shattered, and the oil burst into flames. Burning oil spread across the floor. Flames leapt into the air, and thick black smoke filled the chamber.
“Jesus Christ!” Laurel whisked a blanket from the bed, flung it over the flames, and smothered the fire. The cave plunged into darkness reeking of char, burnt oil, and hot urine.
He heard scuffling. She was on the move, but he couldn’t see her.Don’t come any closer.I don’t want to die.He continued to yank on the restraints. Changing strategy, he grabbed ahold of a bedpost and shook it. He couldn’t drag the bed out of here, but he could carry a couple of posts and worry about freeing himself later.
A light clicked on, and he was spotlighted.
“Don’t come any closer,” he growled, trying to sound menacing, but he had nothing to threaten her with. They both knew it.
“Okay.” She sat on the bed on the other side of the room. “Do you want to tell me what is freaking you out so bad that you nearly killed us both?”
“I didn’t freak out.” But he had. Faced with the prospect of death, he’d panicked. Trying to control his breathing and racing heart, he said as evenly as he could, “You’re sick.”
“Sick? Sick how?”
“You’re infected with the plague.”
“No, I’m not!” She screwed up her face. “What plague? There’s no plague that I’m aware of.”
“The one that killed Admiral Drek.”And everyone else.Was that a tickle in his throat? Was he getting stuffy?
“Who’s Admiral Drek?”
