When Monsters Bleed (The Monsters Among Us Book 2) by Debbie Cassidy

Author:Debbie Cassidy [Cassidy, Debbie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2023-02-23T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 20

BASTIAN

All windows and exits are secured with metal shutters. There is no way for anything to get in, and Tumiel assures me that they’ve done several sweeps of the mall, killing all the monsters that had made a home inside.

The mall is separated into sectors. Thick metal grill shutters are pushed up to the ceiling at every junction. We could cut something off, imprison it in a section of the building if need be. But the system for working these shutters is offline.

I can fix that.

This place is physically secure, but there is no security system in place to alert of a breach. Everything relies on the watchers patrolling and alerting one another.

I can fix that, too.

The thought of getting started sends a buzz of excitement through me. After the initial setup at base fifteen, there wasn’t much in the way of technical support required. I spent my time in the radio station tinkering with the machines. Getting old ones up and running while boosting the signal on the existing ones. Still, the job fell short of satisfying.

Here, at this colony, I have a clean slate. I can set up a security system and mechanical systems that will act as secondary security. A way to shut down specific areas of the mall and not compromise the whole structure if there’s a breach.

I explain this to Tumiel, and he listens avidly, eyes lighting up with an excitement that echoes mine.

“If you can get the grill barriers up and running, we can trap the threat and then go in and clean up,” Tumiel says.

“Yes. Clean up and re-establish security of the breached sector.”

“I have a map on the complex in my rooms. We can go over it later and mark out the sectors.” He goes silent for a moment then asks, “How long will it take to have everything operational?”

“It depends on manpower. Give me a team and I can have it ready in a few months.”

He goes silent, and it looks like he’s mulling over whether to say something. “Will you have enough time?” he says finally.

His words slug me in the chest, and my stomach drops. I forgot… For a moment there, I forgot.

I keep my expression cool and unaffected, even though my pulse is racing, and nausea turns my belly. “I can train some people. You won’t be left without the knowledge and expertise you need to finish what I start.”

“You did an honorable thing,” Tumiel says. “Taking the serum when knowing what it would do to you.”

“Honorable? No. It wasn’t an honorable act. It just made sense at the time. I had no one to leave behind. Rather me than a father or mother.”

“You’re not afraid of death?”

“No. I’m afraid of losing the people that I love. Two are gone. One remains. My only regret is that I won’t be able to stay long enough to see the mission through and protect her.” I swallow the lump in my throat and look away. I don’t want to see the respect mingled with pity in his eyes.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.