“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.
“We appreciate what ya’ll are doing,” Henry said. “But I’ve got to tell you, it don’t feel right going outside without a weapon.”
“Understandable,” Gail said, “but can either of you manage a weapon and the supplies?”
“I’ve got a Taurus,” Sarah replied. “It’s a short barreled .357, and I can holster it over the plastic.”
“How about you?” Gail nodded at Henry.
“Just a hatchet,” he said, “and this here knife. It belonged to our friend, Mr. Garnett. I reckon I can tape the knife to my hip and carry the hatchet.”
“Okay,” Gail agreed. “But understand—if those things are close enough to fight off with a hatchet, then chances are you’re going to get infected. And we won’t hesitate to fire.”
Henry nodded. “Fair enough.”
He and Sarah quickly armed themselves.
“Ready?” Novak asked.
They nodded.
“Then let’s do this. I’ll take point. Gail will bring up the rear. Stick close. If we get spread apart out there, they’ll be on us in seconds. Just let me clear a path with the flamethrower, and then follow right behind me.”
He opened the door and stepped out onto the stairwell. Swallowing hard, Henry followed. He heard Sarah rustling along behind him, and then the light disappeared as Gail shut the door.
“Soft…” a chorus of voices rasped from below. “Soft…”
Henry said, “Oh shit…”
CHAPTER 75
The rain fell like nails and sheets of mist curled up from the ground far below. It was hard for Henry to see anything on the landing, but he assumed that one or more of the creatures must have made it back up the stairwell, because Novak unleashed a gout of flame and shouted at him and the women to fall back. The liquid fire lit up the dark, and something inhuman shrieked.
“Back inside,” Novak yelled.
“We can’t,” Gail hollered. “I shut the door already. We fall back now and they’ll have us trapped. We’ve got to push through!”
“God damn it.”
More fire erupted from the nozzle of the weapon, and was followed by a second shriek. Henry closed his eyes against the sudden flare of brilliance. The heat from the blast brushed against him. He smelled something like burning hair, and hoped it wasn’t his. When he opened his eyes again, there were spots in his vision.
“Okay,” Novak said. “Stick close.”
The tower buckled and swayed as they made their way down the stairs. Henry gasped when he saw the extent of the damage to the steel beams and girders that held the structure aloft. They were overgrown with white fuzz, and twisted and bent in places where the metal had grown soft and started to liquefy.