Andrews listened intently to every word his XO had to say, considering the implications and the many outcomes to such decisions. Each of the men in the small room had heard him as well, although they continued doing their jobs and acted as though they had heard nothing. It wasn’t there place to speak. Their job was what they were there for and nothing more.
“The tall skinny one, the one with the little girl, I noticed something on his left arm around his hand. It looked like a bandage, however, due to what we’ve all experienced since this all began. If he or the other guy were infected, then they would have turned by now – hours ago to be exact.” He spun toward the XO and continued. “And what of the little girl?”
The XO stood there and ran a fingernail over his lips a few times, back and forth, thinking about the little one.
“Can you just kill a little girl as easily as you could someone who was infected; that you were certain was a threat?” Andrews asked him, his eyes watching the young XO closely.
“No, sir. I couldn’t,” the XO replied. “And that’s the problem, sir. If they are infected, then so is she.”
“Neither could I,” Andrews said and turned away from him. “For now, let them do what they think is best. As long as no one gets hurt with their little stunt… let them do it. And as far as the infection goes, until we know more about it, how it starts, what it does, and how long it takes to activate, we treat them just like anyone else. With dignity and respect, is that clear?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Good,’ he stated. “I’m going to rest for a while, but if anything changes, call me.”
“You know I will, sir,” the XO said as Andrews left the small room. When he was certain the captain was gone he spoke aloud. “Anyone else in here feel they may be infected and could possibly cause a serious problem?”
Several of the men raised their hands, and then went back to working.
The End
If you’ve enjoyed this story and would like to see how things wind up for Brandon, Kember and the many other characters I have forgotten to mention, as well as all of the crazy shit that can and probably will go wrong with the world at its utter end… then please stay tuned for the second book in the Day One series.
Coming soon.
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