Page 153 of Afflicted

“I don’t need your favors, lady, I need these people, thesekids, to fucking survive.” Silas points behind him towards the buildings. “All these people-”

“Are my responsibility, and they’re safe here.”

“Well, we’re not staying here.” I meet Silas’s gaze and jerk my thumb towards the truck. “Let’s get out of here.”

“That gate isn’t opening.”

Silas and I both gape at Sutton. “You’re locking us up?” I ask incredulously.

“I’m keeping you both safe for the night. You’ll be free to leave in the morning.” Sutton waves to the guard. “Take them to lock-up. They're our guests til morning, then they’re free to do what they like.” She walks away, leaving us staring at her back.

“We are in lockdown until dawn,” a staccato voice says. “I repeat, lockdown conditions until dawn.”

The guard holds out his hands for the truck keys. “I’ll be taking those for now.”

Silas and I exchange a glance. We’re powerless here. Locked in with armed guards, and innocent civilians. Fighting back is futile. With a sigh, Silas drops the truck keys in the guard’s hand.

“Any firearms?” The guard asks, jerking his chin in the direction of the truck.

“Three, but no ammunition,” Silas replies. “There is a bag in there I'd like to get out, if it’s all the same to you.”

The guard’s eyes narrow. “What’s in it?”

“Just some clothes, a cassette tape, notebook and a locket. Nothing that can be used as a weapon.”

The guard scoffs. “No, you got those right in your mouth there.”

Silas squares his shoulders. “I’m not a danger to you.”

“Good.” The guard nods. “Go on ahead and get your bag. Then you gotta come in here with me.” He points to a building beside us with bars lining the windows. “It’s the isolation wing.”

“You’re going to lock us up?” I ask. “You didn’t lock me up when I was here.”

“Well, you weren’t here with a feeder then, were you?” The guard’s hands flex around the barrel of his rifle. “We’re not going to take any chances. Don’t worry. You’ll be plenty comfortable.”

“Fine.” Silas turns on his heel and takes the bag from the back seat, putting it over his shoulder before we follow the guard into the building. We walk through wide double doors, into the lobby of what appears to have once been a bank. The patterned carpet underfoot is threadbare but clean, the strange blue and yellow pattern faded.

We’re taken through a large room and up a set of stairs. Down a long corridor, the guard stops and opens a door, staying outside as he waves us in. The room looks like a motel room, with a double bed, a lamp and a door that I’m guessing leads to the bathroom.

“Towels are in there,” the guard says, pointing at the door. “Stay put and behave yourselves, you might even have a nice night here. I’ll have food brought to you, but it’s going to be quiet with a lockdown in place.” He moves to close the door, then stops. “Oh, and don’t turn the light on after sundown.” He regards Silas with a cocked eyebrow. “I guess with your freaky eyes that won’t be a problem.”

“Hey!” I snap, but he’s already closing the door. “Jesus, what an asshole.”

“Can’t blame him,” Silas replies quietly, taking the bag from his shoulder and placing it at the end of the bed. “Not like vamps have done a whole lot to gain anyone’s trust.”

“He still doesn’t have to be an asshole,” I grumble, and Silas gives me a smile.

“So defensive, angel. Anyone would think you liked me.”

“Ha, ha.” I put my arms around his waist and give him a weak smile. “So, what was that about a honeymoon?”

“Locked up in an old bank while World War Three is about to break out. Truly the stuff of dreams.”

I hate the feeling of dread that creeps up on me, the sick sensation of my stomach dropping as I take in what Silas just said.

“You think there’s even a chance that Sutton is right? That they’ll be able to contact them and stop an attack?

“Sure.” Silas sweeps my hair over my shoulders, dropping his gaze from mine. “Absolutely. If they send someone out, or put up signals, anything. It could work. If they find the frequency the Guard is on, they might be able to communicate what this place really is. It could all be fine. And maybe we really are in the safest place we can be.”

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