Nick chimed in, “Yes. Thank you for your hospitality.” Henry nodded at him. Then Nick continued, “Okay, here’s the deal…”
Henry put his hand up. “Wait a moment. Keep in mind that I am calling the shots here.”
Nick was appalled and barked out, “Who the fuck died and made you captain of this ship?!”
“Shut it, Nick,” I snapped. “He’s the only one here right now that is equipped to deal with this situation.” Nick sat down, crossed his arms in front of his chest, and glared at Henry. He was pouting like a five-year-old.
“Thank you, love. Now, you all deserve an explanation.”
“You’re damn right,” Nick mumbled.
“Nick, we aren’t going to get anywhere if you continue to give me shit,” Henry said in an irritated tone.
“Whatever.” Nick rolled his eyes, turning so he could look out the window.
“Anyway, I’m not American, obviously. I’m English. My real name is Liam. But, please, continue to call me Henry. I don’t go by Liam, for more reasons than I want to discuss at the moment. I’m a Special Forces agent for the English government. Check that…I was an agent.” He was purposely leaving out some information, and I went with it.
“Perfect. A secret agent.”
I walked over to Nick and got between him and the window. I grabbed him by the shirt collar to get his attention. “You will shut the fuck up, and you will listen to Henry, or I will lock you outside and let the undeads have their merry way with you. Got it?” Nick rolled his eyes and nodded, but he wasn’t amused. “Tell me you understand.” I then looked around the room. “I want everyone here to understand. You aren’t going to go all batshit crazy on any of us. We’re all going to work together. We’re taking this on together. If anyone wants out, go now...without supplies.” Nick cleared his throat. I’m not sure if he believed my threat, but no one moved an inch. I had a feeling they would stay, knowing that we had weapons.
“Uh...I’m sorry, Henry. You’re in charge and I will follow your orders...humbly,” Nick grumbled, and everyone else agreed.
“Thank you.” I let go of him and went back to stand next to Henry.
“I owe you one, love. Anyway, this is a man-made, rapidly spreading virus that was somehow released into your country. All it needed was one host, and boom…it’s a bloody epidemic.” Claire shuddered. “I’m not going to stand here and apologize for all that has happened. We have to move forward and live in the now. If you are here, plan on staying here for the duration. We’re a team and I’m in charge. I will do my best to keep you safe, as you will do your best to keep yourselves safe.”
Nate got up and headed toward the door. “Uh…I didn’t sign up for this so I think I…”
Before Nate could finish his thought, Henry aggressively jumped toward him and got in his face. Angry Henry had returned. “You will sit the fuck down and listen! You’re stuck with us now. Elaina gave you your chance to leave. No one, not even me, signed up for this motherfucking bullshit.” I went and pulled Henry back before he made Nate piss himself.
“Right. Okay, okay. I’m sitting. Geez, you brute.” Nate readjusted his ill-fitting shirt.
“Sophie, another agent, is on her way and will be here in a few hours. She will also have a vehicle and an arsenal of weapons. You will respect her and follow her direction, as she will be second-in-command.”
I really hoped Roger’s behavior hadn’t rubbed off on him. I wasn’t sure if his behavior was for show, or if he was really bonkers. Claire raised her hand, tentatively, like she was in grade school. “Yes, Claire.”
“I have a question. Is there a cure?”
Henry sighed and looked down. “No. I’m afraid not.”
“Then what do we do?” Claire sounded like she was ready for revenge. I looked over at Henry.
“We fight it,” Henry said.
“Fight it?” Claire questioned.
“Yes.”
“Like what we did earlier? Kill people?”
“They aren’t people once they are exposed to the virus.”
“Do they die when they are exposed? We haven’t seen anyone turn yet.”
“I have,” Nick spoke up. “Jenna lost a lot of blood after she was bit by my father. Then she passed out…or died, I guess. I don’t know. I couldn’t wake her. I held her for a bit, then started to leave to find help. I got about twenty feet away when I heard some sort of moaning growl.” He took a deep breath. “She started to sit up. I ran to her and her eyes were this…this lifeless, putrid gray. I went to grab her and she lunged at me, mouth open.”