Page 51 of Night of the Living Manny
God, they needed to talk. He needed to get this, because he didn’t. How could anyone create… this? Those things weren’t human, and how could a disease that did this ever do anyone any good?
Those people were diseased and broken and hungry.
Thankfully they didn’t seem to be working in groups like you saw in so many zombie movies. Oh God, he was living in a horror movie.
Did the manny usually die first? Surely not. Usually it was a teenager who’d just had sex.
“You’re very pale,” Liam said softly. “No passing out.”
“I’m not going to faint. I’m the manny, right? I have to be able to deal with anything.” Brenden hoped that might make them both smile.
“You are the supermanny.” Liam sounded so serious that he cracked up.
That got Peter and Britt both to giggling, so that worked.
“I am. No capes, though. What is it they say in thatIncrediblesmovie? They just cause disaster.”
“We don’t need capes, just a hell of a getaway driver.” Susanna was laughing with them now.
“I got this.” He slowed for the turn into the twisty road up to the cabin. No leaving skid marks to be seen.
Everyone got quiet, watching carefully.
Please, God, let them not be where we are.
“They aren’t magical beings, guys. They’re sick and contagious. We’re out in the middle of nowhere. They’re gonna stay where there are groceries and people.”
“Okay.” Peter sounded determined. “I still want to practice my baseball swing.”
“You do that, son. I want you prepared to help. I also got us all medical masks to wear if we do have to venture near town again.”
“I want to stay at the cabin with Moose. I want to stay there.” Britt was sniffling.
“We can probably do that now, honey.” Brenden tried to sound reassuring.
“Do you think, when we get to the cabin, you can do me a favor, Little Bit?” Liam asked. “Can you start sorting all the candy?”
“I can do that, Daddy. And I won’t let Moosey eat it. It’s bad for him.”
“Thank you. I need to know how much there is, so count all the kinds for me.”
“I will.”
When Brenden glanced in the rearview, her face was all serious but not freaked out anymore.
Liam never ceased to surprise him. The man was a good father. A good man, if he were honest. That didn’t mean he wasn’t going to grill Liam about this virus and what they could do to avoid it and keep them all safe.
He needed all the information. This hadn’t been contained like Liam had hoped. No, this was spreading like wildfire. They were pretty far from the epicenter, and it was here.
Liam got both the gates, and they rolled right into the garage. “No one touch the car,” Liam said. “I’ll wash it, and then we’ll unload.”
Brenden nodded. “Susanna, I need to take Moose out. Can you watch for me?”
“You know it.” She grabbed the rifle. “Peter, stay with me. Britt, you’re with Brenden.”
“Okay.” Britt crept inside with him, one hand buried in Moose’s fur. They would go out back for Moose to do his business.
“You’re doing fine, Brittany.”
