Bloody Sunset by Gwendolyn Harper

Author:Gwendolyn Harper
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2020-02-13T20:00:00+00:00

Chapter Ten

Passing the door to the group’s makeshift clinic, Caitlin thought twice and backed up.

“Hey,” she said to Scott and Nicole, poking her head in. “Have either of you seen Donna?”

Nicole looked up from the textbook she was making notes in. “Not today. Why?”

“There was a… well, a kind of incident,” Caitlin said, faltering over the words. “We just wanted to ask her a few questions.”

“Have you tried the maintenance work detail?” Scott asked. “Last I heard she was put in charge of it since she had so much experience from the Iowa camp.”

Nicole frowned. “Wait, what incident?”

“Just something connected to the Geek swarm,” Caitlin said, not wanting them to worry.

Yet.

Stepping back into the hallway, she added, “I’ll see you at dinner.”

“Is it ‘cause of the chopped up rotters?”

Caitlin’s sneakers squeaked on the tile as she pulled to a stop.

“Desi?” She scowled, scanning the room.

From beneath one of the tables, Desi emerged with a screwdriver in her hand.

“What were you…?”

Desi jerked her head at the piece of furniture. “The leg was wobbly. I fixed it.”

Nicole tested the table’s sturdiness and smiled. “Good as new.”

Stepping further into the room, Caitlin pegged Desi with a firm stare. “Back up. What did you say about the Geeks?”

Stuffing her hands into her overall pockets, Desi shrugged. “I saw them this morning out my window.”

“What time was that?”

“I don’t know… Early. The sun was barely up.”

Caitlin leaned in. “Did you see anything else?”

“Like did I see the person cutting them up?” Desi shook her head. “Nope.”

Inhaling, Caitlin tried not to let her disappointment bleed into her expression. After a moment, she squatted in front of Desi.

“I’m really sorry you had to see that,” she murmured.

Desi looked off, trying to seem disinterested. “They’re just dead rotters,” she said. “It’s no big deal.”

It was like looking in a mirror fifteen years prior. The tough-gal act, the refusal to admit when something was upsetting for fear of being told to quit being a wimp or to stop being dramatic.

Caitlin’s heart ached behind her sternum.

“Well, you’ve got a stronger stomach than I do,” she said softly. “It really got to me seeing those Geeks like that.” She paused, waiting for Desi’s gaze to drift back. “It’s okay if it got to you too.”

Pressing her lips together, Desi only gave a jerky nod, but didn’t say anything else.

“Hey, I bet Max and David would let you play with Fancy in the gym if you want,” Caitlin said, tone brighter. “Want to go ask them?”

Desi glanced over her shoulder at Nicole and Scott. “Is it okay if I don’t finish the chapter today?”

Scott smiled. “Of course. Go play, Desi.”

“Cool,” she said, already sauntering towards the door.

Caitlin turned to Nicole. “Chapter?”

Holding up the high school chemistry book, Nicole grinned from ear to ear.

“She’s through half the book already,” Nicole said. “If the world hadn’t ended, she probably would be in all advanced placement classes.”

“She has what it takes to graduate high school before she’s even able to get her driver’s license,” Scott added proudly.

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