Page 62 of Night of the Living Manny
“I can’t let you go alone. It’s so much safer here. Susanna can do it.” Brenden looked guilty for saying it.
“What if they… what if….” What if they both got infected?
“I know, but what if something—” They stared at each other, both of them scared to death.
“Don’t be stupid, Dad.” Susanna stood in the doorway, arms crossed over her chest. “Why can’t you call your CDC guys? They can provide you with a test sample, I’m sure.”
Because he didn’t trust them. The military would be involved. He didn’t believe for a second that they would leave them alone—leave the kids and Brenden here in relative safety. “Maybe. I could drive to town and make contact.”
She frowned. “They’re not gonna hurt us, are they?”
“I don’t know. I really don’t. I want this to be our bolt-hole.” He tried to be completely up-front with Susanna. He’d tried to train her, but how could you prepare your almost-adult kid for ruining her life?
“That’s fair. So you and Brenden drive out, do your thing. I’ll deal here, and then you both come home.”
“I—” He looked at Brenden, who nodded. “Okay, but no calling anyone but us, and Moose stays with you.” He had to trust her to do what he’d taught her to do.
“I promise to God, Dad. I won’t endanger Peter and Brittany.”
“I know you won’t.” Liam went to her to hug her. “I trust you. I just know how scary this is. How hard.” He sighed. “I hate it, but I have to try this.”
“I know. I understand, Dad.” She held on, and he thought he’d die with how proud he was of her.
“I love you. You’re gonna have to help with Peter and Britt, okay? They’re gonna freak out when we both leave.”
Brenden made a noise he couldn’t identify. “They will. Moose will help. He’s a good guard.”
“Right. If you’re not home by dark….”
“We’ll be home by dark,” Liam promised.
“If you’re not,” she persisted.
Liam stepped back, hands on her shoulders so he could look into her eyes. “Don’t call me. Call Brenden. Keep trying. If things get bad before we get back, the gun safe is full and we have plenty of ammo. Do you understand?”
“Uh-huh. I love you, Daddy. Please be careful.”
“I promise. I love you more than my life.”
“I know.” She hugged him one more time, then moved to hug Brenden. “Be careful. You’re family now, okay?”
Brenden looked a little misty. “I will. Take care of Moose until we get back.”
“Sure. He’s going to freak out.”
“He is, but he follows orders and loves to have a job.” Brenden winked, but he was pale.
“He can guard Britt. Can we watch a movie?”
“Yes. Be careful filling the generator. You know what to make for food, right?”
She nodded. “I got this, Dad.”
“Okay. We’re gonna go ahead and go before it gets any later. We have to drive into Montrose if I’m gonna call in. If that doesn’t look like it will work, we’ll try to get a sample and come back.”
“Cool. Get more gas. Just because.”
“We will.” Liam hated to rush, but dread was pressing on him. They needed to go. “Let’s do this, Brenden. Now.”
