Brian Keene - Deluge - The Conqueror Worms II

“Get away from there!”

“I told you what Earl did to my friends and me. Whatever has him spooked, I want to hear him get what’s coming.”

“Mr. Garnett and Mr. Seaton were my friends, too,” Henry reminded her. “As for what’s outside, it’s two fellas. One of them has a flamethrower.”

“The Army?”

“I don’t reckon so. They’re wearing some kind of—”

He was cut off by a scream from right outside the door, followed by the pounding of boots on the metal stairs. Earl shrieked again—a terrible, high-pitched squeal that faded away into a sizzling sound. Sarah backed away from the door. She and Henry exchanged a frightened glance. He put his finger to his lips and motioned for her to come to him.

“We should hide,” he whispered.

“Where?”

Before he could answer, there was another knock at the door. Unlike Earl’s, this knocking was quick and self-assured. Five raps, a pause, and then two more.

“Shave and a hair cut?” Henry frowned.

The melody was repeated, and before Henry could stop her, Sarah—still in the grip of whatever emotional breakdown she’d suffered—ran to the door and flung it open.

“Shit!”

Henry brought the handgun up, pointing it at the two figures as they stormed into the room. Both of the new arrivals had their weapons ready, as well.

“Are either of you infected?” It was the figure with the flamethrower who spoke. A man’s voice, muffled slightly through the welding shield and respirator. “Are there any more of those things here?”

Slowly, Henry shook his head.

“How about you drop that pistol, kid?” This time, the voice belonged to the one with the rifle. Henry was surprised to learn she was female.

“Are you here to kill us?” Sarah asked. Her expression was enraptured.

“No,” the man said. “My name’s Novak. This is Gail. We’re survivors, just like you are.”

CHAPTER 73

“R-rescue…?” Sarah’s voice had a disbelieving, dreamlike tone.

“Sure,” Novak said, “unless you’d rather hang out here. Your call. But you should know we risked our asses coming here like we did, so the very least you could do is let us haul you out of here.”

“Yeah!” Henry nodded, tears running down his face. “Hell, yeah! Take us with you. But how did you get here? How did you—?”

“We’ve got a ship anchored out there. We were able to spy you with our binoculars. These observatory windows don’t give you much privacy. Anyway, we saw that there were two of you, and that you had lots of supplies. We could use them.”

“What if we’d been infected?” Henry asked.

Gail shrugged. “Then we would have killed you the same way we killed those things outside, and then taken the supplies.”

“Fair enough,” Henry muttered. “I reckon I’d do the same.”

“Look,” Novak said, “we don’t have time to stand around talking. I’m sure you two have been through a lot. We have, too. Why don’t we start by lowering that pistol?”

Nodding, Henry lay the weapon on the radio console.

“Good,” Novak said. “Now the two of you strip out of those forest ranger uniforms and let us check you out.”

Sarah made a squawking noise.

“It’s okay,” Gail soothed. “We just need to make sure you aren’t infected with the fungus before we take you back to the ship. We won’t touch you.”

“Come on, Sarah,” Henry said. “It’ll be okay.”

Slowly, he and Sarah stripped. Henry felt his ears turned red as he exposed himself to the two strangers. They stepped forward, had the two of them raise their arms and stand with their legs apart. Then they did a quick but thorough examination. When they were done, Novak stepped back and removed his mask.

“Good. You’re both clear. Go ahead and get dressed. Then you can help us load this stuff into the lifeboat and we’ll get you back to the ship.”

Henry and Sarah got back into their uniforms. Excited, Henry was full of questions, but he decided they could wait. It occurred to him as he buttoned his shirt that perhaps he was trusting the new arrivals a little too quickly. But then he decided that he didn’t care. He had no choice. He could go with them, and hope their intentions were true, or he could stay here and die.

The station shook again. All four of them grabbed on to supports until the trembling stopped. Then Henry and Sarah finished getting dressed.

“Is there anybody else here?” Novak asked.

“Nope,” Henry said. “Just us. There was a little mouse running around, but we haven’t seen it in a few days.”

“Okay. Gail will stand guard in case any more of your friends show up.”

Sarah moaned, and then collapsed. Her head struck the floor with a loud whack. Henry rushed to her side.

“Is she okay?” Gail asked.

“I reckon. Her head’s not bleeding or anything. I think she just passed out.”

“Is she sick?”

“No… at least, not physically. She’s had a rough patch. Couple of weeks ago, she had to kill her best friend. He was turning into one of them things. It’s been eating at her ever since.”

Novak stepped forward and put his hand on Henry’s shoulder. “What’s your name, kid?”

“Henry, sir.”

“Well, Henry. Help us get this stuff loaded up, and then we’ll introduce you and her to a bunch of new friends.”

Henry swallowed. “That would be nice.”

CHAPTER 74

Sarah regained consciousness while Henry helped Novak and Gail pack the supplies. She moaned, and her eyes fluttered. When she sat up, her expression was confused and alarmed. Henry rushed to her side.

“You’re okay,” he said. “You just passed out.”

“Who…?” She pointed at the new arrivals, unable to finish the sentence.

“Don’t you remember? They’re here to rescue us.”

Frowning, Sarah shook her head. “Everything… everything is messed up. I can’t think straight. What’s wrong with me, Henry?”

“Stress? You’re tired. I don’t know. But we’re safe, Sarah. Once we get onboard their ship, you can get lots of rest. And I’ll watch over you.”

Smiling, Sarah touched his cheek. “You remind me of… Kevin. He would have liked you.”

Henry opened his mouth to respond, but a shadow fell over them. He glanced up, and Gail stood there, holding several black garbage bags.

“Put these on,” she said. “You’ll have to tape or tie them around you.”

“What for?” Henry asked.

“To keep yourself from getting infected. You’re both clean now. We need to keep you that way until we get to the ship.”

“Make no mistake,” Novak added. “If either one of you comes into contact with the fungus between here and there, we’ll have to leave you behind. I don’t like saying that, but you deserve to know it before you go outside.”

The tower trembled and groaned again, silencing further debate. It listed to the side, and this time, it didn’t right itself.

“Jesus…” Gail whistled. “We need to go. This thing won’t hold much longer.”

“You two prep,” Novak said. “Gail and I will finish with the supplies. You guys will carry them, while we take the front and the rear. We’ll take care of anything that crosses our path. You think you’re up to hefting supplies, Sarah?”

She nodded. “I’m better. I promise.”

He studied her carefully, and finally said, “Okay.”

While Novak and Gail finished packing, Henry and Sarah covered themselves in plastic. They taped the bags around their ankles, wrists, waists and necks. Then added smaller bags to cover their hands. Then they fashioned ponchos out of more trash bags, covering their heads. When they were finished, only their eyes and noses were exposed. Novak and Gail helped them shoulder the packs.