Dead or Buried – Augmented book 2: A Post-Apocalyptic Zombie Series by STUART KENYON

Author:STUART KENYON [KENYON, STUART]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Darkest Hours Publishing
Published: 2019-08-16T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter 41

Unlike John, who tried to hide his distaste, Amber was vocal in her criticism of the cafeteria’s food.

John smiled, as if it were his fault. Which, in a way, it was: at the moment, he was unemployed, afforded the most basic of credit allowances. The meal, his attempt to offer an olive branch, was the most his budget would allow. Unfortunately, the mediocrity of the cuisine was matched by that of the setting. It was supposedly East Sector’s premier eatery. But with its peeling paint and lopsided tables, it was tawdry at best. People making do, Neraka in a nutshell.

When the bill arrived, however, she scorned his attempts at chivalry. ‘Sake, John, which century were you born in?’

‘Just…’ he stammered, ‘I wasn't being sexist or anything.’

‘You were just being nice, I know. Don't worry, I'm only teasing.’

He laughed; the tension evaporated. ‘You don't like “nice”?’

‘Of course I do. And this is nice. Whatever the food quality. And even with those guys here.’ She tipped her head at the two soldiers seated near the entrance. One was male, the other female. Both scowled at everyone and everything.

He winced. ‘Sorry about that.’

‘Stop apologising for everything! I'd rather they were here than Cyril’s psycho friends. Speaking of soldiers and psycho friends, why did you insist on Casper being released?’

‘I didn't “insist.” Blink isn't the kinda guy you insist at. And Casper’s not a psycho! He seems like a good man, and I don't like the fact he's locked up when he helped get us back into Neraka.’

‘So you've not seen the light?’ Amber cocked her head to one side. ‘Decided to make alliances, play the game?’

‘What's the point? We're small fish here, in a big pond.’

‘The point is that we have enemies. Once those soldiers have gone —’

‘I'll have Frank back.’ John pushed away his plate of pork chops.

‘He didn't protect you when you were hounded out of Neraka.’

‘No, but we'll be ready next time.’

Amber speared a button mushroom, twisted her fork and let the juices mix with gravy. ‘What happened to wanting to find out the truth? Making those responsible pay for ending the world as we knew it? Making a difference?’

John rubbed the back of his neck. He didn't want to upset Amber again, with talk of soulmates and happy families. Equally, he was unwilling to lie to her. There must be another reason for his abandonment of idealism. He explained that the idea of changing the world was a fine fantasy when one was isolated, living alone in a factory. In practice, the success of such a crusade was unlikely. Neraka was a big place with a lot of big characters, and if John and his friends put themselves in the firing line, they were likely to get shot. He endeavoured to explain his rationale without portraying himself as a coward.

It didn't work. To Amber, John was simply ‘giving up.’ They had to make Neraka a better place; it was their duty as citizens. What other option did they

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