I heard his screams now. Panicked. Desperate. The sound of a man aware of his fate. We’d dealt with enough to know exactly what came next. After all, we’d seen it time and again, every one of us. Either they tore him apart or he became a zombie. The zombies descended on him, and I turned away. I had to accept defeat and the loss of one of my team. A man who left a family behind. One I’d have to notify personally. I swallowed hard as the bitter taste of sickness filled my mouth.

  “I’ll deal with it.”

  I knew what that meant, and I stuffed my fingers in my ears, horrified. The sound, the loud and echoing boom, told me everything I needed to know, and I dropped to the wooden base, sobbing.

  We were ushered through the gate and shuffled into the back area. Dove quietly set about the task of unharnessing the horses and releasing them from the cage while Abby and my mother hovered with Van and the two scientists. Allan demanded to talk to the leader in charge, and Leroy watched me in silence as I climbed off the dray.

  I looked into Leroy’s eyes and saw the compassion there. “I can’t… I have to tell his family. What the hell do I tell them?”

  “You tell them what you’ve told me. He was a good man. One who gave everything to protect his family. You tell them he was brave.”

  * * * *

  Leroy

  J was a mess. Not that it was unexpected. Every leader took the loss of those under their command as an assault on themselves. She’d found a quiet spot and cried—ugly, ripping sounds—while I stood guard, allowing her some dignity as she mourned. I waited patiently until the storm passed. The sounds of her clearing her face, wiping away the tears, and rebalancing herself.

  When she emerged, she looked tired but composed, only the red of her nose and eyes betraying the devastation she now hid. “Thanks, Leroy.”

  “You’re welcome.”

  She turned around. “Don’t say anything about that, okay? I mean, I need to be in control around everyone else. They rely on me.”

  I wondered if she realized no one would think less of her if they’d known she’d fallen apart, but I kept my thoughts to myself. After all, I was only here for a short time. I had no intention of hanging around.

  “Well, we should go find some food,” I said. “Liam said to meet in the back courtyard.”

  Julia sniffled and sighed. “Yes. Let’s go eat.”

  She strode ahead of me, shoulders firm and spine ramrod straight, and even though she still hobbled, there was a dignity about her. From the rear you’d believe her wholly unconcerned with the loss of a team member. She was a true enigma to my mind, and I wondered how much more she’d rise through the camp ranks.

  We entered what had once been a series of backyards, sheds dotted here and there, along with some posts which had been part of the previous fencing. Liam—the head of the compound—and his wife, Elaine, smiled in welcome. J took Elaine’s hand and murmured something. I trailed the trio to what appeared to be the leaders’ table and scanned the crowd, noting the rest of our party dotted throughout the throng.

  Liam cleared his throat, and the collective group quieted, taking their seats as did we. “Our men have attended to your man, Jack. He’ll be cremated in the morning and his ashes scattered in the garden with the rest of our losses. His sacrifice will never be in vain.” Liam spoke loudly, ensuring everyone heard, and I watched the way J’s knuckles turned white, though her countenance didn’t betray her emotions.

  When Liam sat, she rose. “Thank you for your kind words, Liam. We appreciate your hospitality, the opportunity to rest, and above all, that your people were prepared to take the risk to retrieve Jack’s body. He was a good man. A father and husband who only ever wanted to protect those he loved. A great friend, warrior, and team member. He will be missed by all whom he met.”

  The crowd was silent for a moment, their heads bowed in memory of those we’d lost. One by one, as the moment of solemnity passed, the crowd turned to their small groups, and the chatter rose.

  “You’re welcome to stay here as long as you wish,” Liam said, and J turned to him, her face pale but composed.

  “Thanks, but I need to get Allan back to base.”

  The conversation ended as vegetables were passed around, with succulent pork. It’s been far too long since I’ve eaten like this, I thought, helping myself to a portion.

  At the end of the meal, J headed to the sleeping area we’d been allocated as a team. Not for the first time, I wondered what motivated her, except for the loss of her family and her loyalty to her friends. If we’d met earlier… I snatched that thought back, memories of the ring in my pocket scorching my heart and brain.

  If only… Two words I refused to utter.

  * * * *

  Julia

  I woke early. The sound of birdsong driving me back to the old life I’d enjoyed. The one pre-zombies. The team continued to sleep as I picked my way through the camp we’d set up in the living room.

  It was only when I opened the door that reality hit. This idyll offered us a home.

  “I wish,” I muttered. It would be perfect. Quiet and welcoming. No pressure or daily incursions from zombies. Liam had told us they rarely saw them now.

  I sat down on the steps, looked out across what had been the asphalt roadway and across to the now dilapidated buildings. The door opened, and I turned, made to rise, but it was Leroy, with two steaming cups in hand.

  “I saw you come out here. Thought you could do with some coffee.”

  I watched, my brain reminding me that he was young, athletic, and sexy. I tried really hard to curb the last thought, but as always it zinged into my mind.

  “Mind if I join you?”

  At my nod, he joined me on the step, passing the steaming cup to me, and I felt the frisson of connection as our hands glanced against each other.

  “It’s going to be a lovely day.” He spoke quietly.

  My smile bloomed. “Yeah. Perfect for traveling in a dray.”

  He laughed, and the sound ricocheted through me. “You’ve got this dry sense of humor, you know?”

  That killed my mirth. “Perhaps, but we’ve got to get Allan back to the base. Whatever he has on those computers and papers, they’re needed urgently.”

  “And the serums?”

  “I think Ramon, Liam’s brother, co-opted them. He’s an epidemiologist, so this kind of stuff is what he was trained to deal with.”

  “Huh. But you’re worried.”

  I nodded. “We didn’t see a lot of movement until we got here. The zombies are congregating in certain areas, just like we’ve done. It’s like they—as much as us—need each other. It feels… I dunno, odd? Did you notice the way the dogs and the zombies were together? Not attacking or…”

  Until now, I hadn’t been able to quantify why this felt odd. What appeared off and disquieting. But suddenly it made sense that they were forming enclaves. Those of mindless, flesh-eating individuals. I shuddered.

  “You’ve considered what you just said?” The worry was clear in his tone.

  “Yeah. It frightens the life out of me. I mean, why? What possible aim could there be for them to congregate?”

  I couldn’t help but notice the way Leroy’s eyebrows drew together above the bridge of his nose or how the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes deepened.

  “Strength in numbers? They’re learning to attack en masse?”

  Nausea rose at his words. “Surely not?”

  “They don’t attack a heavily armed outpost. In fact, there were only a few uncoordinated attacks until we reached here, then there was a nest. They didn’t attempt to hit on the fence, simply went for the travelers. What does that say?”

  A greasy knot formed in my belly. “We need to round up the team and get out of here.” I rose, but Leroy reached out and grabbed my hand.

  “Liam offered us alternative transport. They have an old, shielded bus, a fortified horse float, and truck. They’ll take us back later today. It’s all arranged.”

  For a moment a shaft of anger blazed. I nearly demanded that he stop arranging everything, because I was the leader, but the words died before reaching my mouth. He was right. We’d be there in a matter of hours instead of days. We’d all arrive safely.

  “Are we all…” I couldn’t finish, because I’d caught sight of Abby and my mother settling in last night. Talking dresses and hair. I wondered when was the last time they’d had that kind of companionship. Or conversation.

  “Allan’s returning here after he’s completed his mission, whatever that is. Your mother and Abby have already elected to remain here.”

  “Oh.” There didn’t seem much else to say. “Well, we should get the team up. Tell them what’s happening.” And I needed to say goodbye. Properly this time, in case it was also the last one.

  Chapter 5

  Leroy

  I watched as J spoke with the team. When she’d briefed them prior to the mission, I hadn’t felt any real connection with any of them. This time, she was just as brief, but I could read the nuances of her. The way she looked at each member of her team, as if committing their faces to memory. She didn’t mention her mother or sister, but Allan was spoken of with a brief hesitation, and her hands balled, white-knuckled.

  “Liam and Elaine have made available the services of a bus and a truck, plus a reinforced horse float. We’ll be home in hours instead of the three days we’d originally plotted.”

  Most of the team signaled relief, with smiles and nods. Only Dove didn’t. Instead, there was an odd hesitation in his manner. I’ll investigate that later, I thought.

  “We leave in a couple of hours, but until then, I have a list of some tasks you could complete for the camp. They’re not going to take a long time, so once completed we’ll meet back here.”

  She sent them off to join with members of the camp who’d take them about assigned duties until only J, Dove, and myself remained. “Dove, there’s been a request for a couple of marriages and some baptisms. The members are looking only for private affairs, which is why they didn’t request it last night.”

  He frowned. “I don’t have robes or…”

  J smiled. “Liam and Elaine were on top of that. They found a church nearby and searched—is it called the vestry? They found robes and books they thought you’d appreciate. Plus, a registry book if that helps.”

  Dove blinked once, twice. “It’s called the sacristy. And yes, I’ll perform the ceremonies, but I haven’t celebrated either in a long time. Not since…”

  J reached out a hand, and for the first time a dark emotion slid through me. Jealousy. Why didn’t make any sense, just that it was there. “It’s okay. But these people are believers, and they need you now. They need the faith that’s part of you.”

  Liam entered the room, a box in his arms. “I hope this is everything you need. We got a chalice and some wine. There wasn’t much left, and the church was a mess. Someone had ransacked it, but these were in a cupboard and obviously not high on anyone’s list of necessary items.”

  Dove accepted the box, treating it like the most valuable gift. “Thank you,” he said tremulously.

  Once they’d left the room, I sidled up to J. “What’s Dove’s story? I get he was a priest but…”

  “He was in the hospital giving last rites when the lockdown occurred. He taught in the private school nearby but took his turn on a roster. A week or so later, he was pressed into assisting with one of the early hunts for goods and uninfected. He came across a bunch of the girls from his school, but they’d become zombies. The others in the team had to pull him away as he tried to give them last rites. After that, we realized that while he had many skills, he couldn’t, under normal circumstances, be called upon for anything that requires him to fight. We include him in the teams because he’s a reasonable medic, good with animals, and for the emotional support he can offer.”

  Listening to her expounding the man’s positive traits, the green emotion bit a little more sharply.

  “He likes you.” The words just kind of slid out.

  J sighed. “I know. Before you ask, he also knows I know. We discussed it a couple of months ago, but I’m not…” She bit her lip. “I’m not sure what I want other than for the world to return to normal. Or at least our country, which it seems is the only one with a rampant infection.”

  Her words tweaked the questioning section of my mind. Australia had been a mostly stable and calm country, so why would they release this virus here and not everywhere else? And why… I cut that thought off before it could form.

  “Why only Australia though? I mean, if it’s a plot with terroristic leanings, you would expect this would be released worldwide.” That idea burned me deep inside.

  “I don’t know, but I rather think Allan might. But for now, let’s just get through the next few hours.” She stalked off at with a loose hobble, and I let her go, with no task or the future of one for the first time in a while.

  Eventually Dove returned, in his gown and stole, and the families and couples filed in. The service took place while Liam and Elaine used a camera to take photos. Then, with the deed done, the families trotted back out.

  Liam caught my eye and beckoned me over. “J said you were an itinerant. I was wondering where you were heading next.”

  I shrugged. “I hadn’t really planned anything yet. Why?”

  He offered me a seat, and I settled in. “I have a number of younger members who need to be taught the basics of combat. We have some older members, mainly ex-soldiers and the odd police officer.” He shrugged. “But I need a trainer for the younger generation. If this is going to be our new existence, I want the people here to be safe into the future. To be able to man the gates and watch towers and keep us safe from the zombie waves. To protect what we’ve built. If you’re looking for somewhere to stay for a while, or even put down roots, we’d love for you to join us.”

  That had my throat tightening. I hadn’t considered permanency in so long. Not since—

  I took a moment to suck in a steadying breath. “I’ll certainly consider it.”

  * * * *

  Julia

  Leroy settled himself in beside me, and I was uncomfortably aware of him. His scent and his overall presence. It wasn’t as though I hadn’t sat next to a man since the invasion, or for that matter had a lover. I’d had a couple of brief encounters that hadn’t really overwhelmed me, but something about Damien Leroy grabbed my attention like a dog with a bone. Just being next to him set off some kind of internal alarm system in my body, and it was difficult to ignore the instinctive reaction.

  Instead, I settled on looking out through the window, hoping to calm the sudden giddiness and erratic heartbeat. Not to mention the damned heating of parts of my body! Once we were loaded up and the truck pulled out with our horses, we would follow the other vehicle. Liam had included a crack team of seven to keep both vehicles secure from any ambush.

  The engine revved and excitement grew. I didn’t look back. Mum and Abby were already over at the old school section of the encampment, setting up their home in one of the hastily erected shed houses that had sprung up in certain locations around their camp. Elaine had explained they’d come across kits in a warehouse and had appropriated them for family habitation and erected as many as they could so when newcomers or new families needed them, they were ready.

  I’d said goodbye to my sister, who still appeared untouched by the reality of the zombie invasion, and my mother, who assured me Allan would return to her soon. She hadn’t made any requests of me and I felt at arm’s length. All in all, it was a strange and unsatisfactory situation, but I had a role to fulfill. A team to lead and a commitment to keep.

  My reverie was smashed as the gears of the bus ground and we lurched forward. I reached out and grabbed the bar in front of me.

  “These old clunkers never rode well,” muttered Leroy, and I couldn’t stop myself from glancing at him.

  “You know about them?”

  “I drove them for a while before I joined the army in Townsville. The gears are shit.”

  I blinked. He’d just shared far more than he’d ever done before with me, and I felt a kind of connection. “Were you in Townsville when this…”

  It was always hard to say ‘the virus breakout’, so I usually avoided it. But he appeared to understand, and he shook his head.

  “No. I was in Brisbane at the time they made all the announcements, and my… The news came through and I tried to get home. I made it eventually. Between the state of the roads and trying to get hold of resources, it took three weeks to get there. By the time I arrived, everyone—” He cleared his throat, and I waited, unwilling to break the spell. “Everyone was gone or dead. There didn’t seem much to stay for, and I heard things were worse the further south you went. Especially once you got past Brisbane. So, a group of us who were left, headed out, planning to help clear up the mess.” Leroy shrugged, and I decided it was best to leave it alone for now, but I wondered what happened to the rest of the crew he’d set off with.

  Silence descended on us, and for the first time, as we trundled down the road and as I gazed over the landscape, the reality of the losses hit home. “I didn’t realize…”

  Leroy grunted. “We came to Canberra through as much of the unpopulated areas as we could, but the bus and truck travel better on the roads. We’ll get a better idea of the devastation this way.”

  Cars and trucks filled the roads. Remains—little more than bones—littered them too. Every mile unwrapped more death and carnage. While I’d known our area was certainly a hot zone, this amplified that knowledge. I realized quickly enough we weren’t taking any of the main roads and asked the driver why.

  “We’ve gotten reports that the zombies have taken over sections, waiting in overturned vehicles and making it impossible to get through. This way, since we’re traveling with the horse and truck and moving slow, it’s better and safer. Not so many roadblocks, and it keeps us away from the worst of the hot spots. It’s slower, but even with all the reinforcing, by going the other way we can’t be sure we’d reach our destination intact.”