Page 52 of Once Upon an Apocalypse

Amos silences the murmuring voices. “Since we are the only community in Central Pennsylvania with a direct line of communication to The Wall, I’m putting together four groups of two to go out to our sister communities and warn them about what Dr. Tuwile is up to. If any of you find yourself in the direct path of the Praetorian Guard, kill them. We are not taking hostages.”

His words surprise me. What surprises me more is that I agree with him.

“Lucas is going to remain here and reinforce the watch around the perimeter. Kelly is with Andrew. Ryan with Olivia. Ben with Kyle. Lori is with me.”

All eyes turn to me as my skin flushes a deep red. The embarrassment I was expecting to feel at such attention fades away as Amos calls everyone’s attention back to him.

“The rest of you will stay here to guard The Valley. Lucas will assign your duties and stations. Stay vigilant and prepare for the worst.”

“Yes, sir!” the squad shouts in unison.

Amos turns on his heels, Kyle, Olivia, and Andrew following, then Ryan, Ben, and Kelly join behind. I remain unmoved until Amos looks up at me, tilting his head in invitation to join him as well. Excitement and fear blend inside me, creating a jittery feeling I can’t quite control. Amos whispers something to Kyle, who nods his head in understanding. Then Amos slows his pace, letting me catch up to him. His hand captures mine and the sharp tinge of fear fades.

“Are you okay, Copperhead? You’ve gone deathly pale.”

I squeeze his hand before saying, “I’m fine. Just my natural coloring.”

Amos stops suddenly, whipping me around to face him. Those golden eyes are dull with concern. “It’s okay to not be fine.”

“I…you…are you sure you want me to go with you?”

A chuckle from deep in his throat brightens his golden eyes. “You’ve been begging me to assign you to a mission for months, Copperhead. Now you doubt yourself?”

“I thought I’d be pilfering for supplies or scouting terrain. I didn’t think you’d let me so close to the action.”

“I asked you to join the fight. If you aren’t ready for this, you don’t have to come with me.”

Amos does his best to convince me with a steady voice and unblinking stare. I can see how much he wants me with him on this mission. I want to be by his side too. I’ve been desperate to be by his side again. I won’t let him out of my sight.

“No. I want to come. This is just…a lot. It’s an important mission. There are others who are better trained, have more experience. I just want to make sure you are choosing me because I’m the best choice for the job.”

“Lori, I can put you against anyone on that training mat and you’d wipe them across the floor in minutes. You are incredible with any weapon I’ve given you, steady under pressure, and you’ve survived horrors those guys couldn’t even dream up in a nightmare.”

Amos points toward the indoor track where the rest of the squad huddles around Lucas. As he pulls back his hand, he grasps my chin between his finger and thumb, lifting my face up to look him in the eyes. “Only part of my decision was for selfish reasons. I missed you. I need you with me on this mission.”

His thumb lightly brushes my lower lip as he lets go of my face and I immediately need that hand back on my skin. But I push the urge down and say, “Then I’m with you.”

After Amos gives instructions to the other pairs, we make our way to the parking lot where Anna and Jeremy are filling up four cars with clothes, food, and other supplies. My mom is there too, nervously pacing back and forth. When she sees me approach, she runs to me, throwing her arms around my shoulders.

“I know I can’t stop you. Your father could never resist the need to help others in peril. Just promise me you will not do anything foolish,” my mom says against the side of my skull.

“I’ll be back in no time,” I promise. “I love you, Mom.”

“Love you, too, my sweet girl.”

Amos guides me into a red Honda CRV, the same car he’d rescued me in. I wonder if my blood still stains the back seat as I buckle myself into the front passenger seat. It’s hard to tell as the interior seats are black leather.

Amos slides into the driver’s seat, backs us out of the parking spot, and drives up to the gate. As the others line up behind us, the gate opens, and we are off. To where? I don’t know. Amos only gave the instructions for the other pairs. He didn’t say where we were going to. So I ask him, not that I’d know where anything is. I grew up in New Jersey. Before Amos rescued me, I’d never been this far into Pennsylvania. I’d only ever driven through it with my family for trips to D.C. and Gettysburg.

“Lancaster. There’s a small community that’s been built around an old manor house. We should be there in about an hour, depending on the state of the roads.”

I nod my head, staring out the window as I prepare myself for whatever awaits us. Zombies. Doctore’s Praetorian Guard. Fallen trees on the road. I know I’m ready, but I can’t shake the anxiety that causes my leg to bounce uncontrollably. Amos’ large, warm hand slides onto my thigh, giving it a squeeze and calming it down to a slow bounce.

I take a deep breath and look up at his face, which is focused on the road ahead. “Tell me something about yourself.”

He laughs, stealing a glance my way before saying, “You know more about me than any living person. What else do you want to know?”

“Anything you want to tell me.”

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