Page 65 of Night of the Living Manny
BRENDENwatched nervously as Liam paced outside, ten feet from the car.
He’d been unable to get a signal and had gotten out to catch one. Brenden hated not being out there too, but he would be a better backup in the car. He did reach into the back seat and grab the shotgun he’d put there.
His eyes were exhausted from keeping watch, from moving back and forth. They needed to get that sample and get back to the cabin. Brenden felt guilty because he was the one who suggested Liam call a government contact, someone he clearly didn’t trust.
Still, they needed to know something, right? And Liam had to share the antidote if it worked.
It had to work. He glanced around, making sure no one was coming at his lover. Because Liam was his now.
I love you.
He’d been eager to hear that from Liam’s mouth. He had, and it hadn’t sounded a bit fake. In fact, it had sounded like a promise.
Brenden smiled. Then frowned. What was that? Something was moving down by the front of the store, just under the shade of the awning.
When he looked at Liam, the man was waving his arm, shouting something into the phone.
Fuck. Fuck. He reached for the rifle, rolling down the window at the same time.
Liam looked at him, eyes wide, then turned to look behind him. He actually heard “Gotta go” before Liam stuck the phone in his pocket.
Liam sprinted for the SUV, a look of determination on his face. As he started around to the passenger side, out of Brenden’s line of sight, a shuffling creature came pounding up the slight hill of the lot toward them.
Brenden cocked the shotgun. “Come on, Liam!”
“Coming. Jesus Christ.”
Liam got to the passenger side just about the time the thing coming toward them got into range. Brenden knew better than to shoot with the gun in the car, so he leaned out and aimed, then squeezed the trigger like Susanna had taught him when it was unloaded.
It went down with a grunt, the thing… not human. Not anymore. It was a walking infection. He slid back into the SUV, then got it running. “Why are you not in the car?”
“I need to get a sample, don’t I?”
“Oh. Don’t you have gloves?”
“I do. In my pocket.” Liam pulled out a mask and gloves. “Good shot.”
“Thanks. Not a skill I thought I’d need.”
“No, but you have a future in it.” Liam pulled out a capped test tube. “Keep watching. That shot might bring more.”
“I’ll cover you.” God, he sounded like an action-adventure movie. It would be hilarious if it wasn’t for this… mess. He’d just shot someone who used to be human. Gory. Oh my God, gory.
If he thought about it too much, he’d lose his mind.
He wanted to go and hide and love on Liam.
Soon. They just needed to do this.
“Liam, there are more! Hurry up.” Three more limping, limb-dragging things were coming up from the shade of the building.
“I’m trying. I don’t want to get it on me!”
“No. No, you have to be careful.” The things were headed for Liam, though, and Liam was between them and the shotgun. Shit. “They’re coming. Oh God.”
Liam looked over, face going pale. “Dammit.”
“We got their attention. Come on!” He wasn’t sure whether to get out of the car or just try to find a better line of sight from inside. He reached for the door handle.
