Extraits

“There’s a lady slumped on the edge of the landing and her face is gone, replaced by melted skin and blood. Mark feels as if he’s been given a glimpse into hell.”

“¨They hugged, tight and warm and full of the promise he’d made upon waking up.¨”

“Alec took another bite and pushed it to the side of his mouth. “That’s the spirit.”

“Do they not teach manners in the army?” Trina asked. “You know, it’s just as easy to take a bite after you say something as right before it.”

Alec chomped on his bar. “It is?” He croaked a laugh and little pieces of granola shot out. Which made him roar even harder. He choked out a cough, composed himself, then was laughing all over again.

It was such a rare sight to see Alec acting like this, Mark didn’t know how to respond at first. But then he soaked it in, chuckling right along even though he’d forgotten what was funny in the first place. Trina had a smile on her face, and little Deedee was giggling heartily. The sound of it filled Mark up and washed away the doldrums.

“You’d think someone farted, the way you’re all getting on,” Lana said with a deadpan look.

That sent everyone into an even bigger fit that went on for several minutes, resparked every time it began to die down by Alec making gassy noises. Mark laughed until his face hurt and he tried his best to stop smiling, which made him laugh even harder.

Finally it did settle down, ending with one big sigh from the former soldier. Then he stood up.”

“That can’t be good. If something has a nickname, that means it’s big and being talked about. Not good at all.”

“Maybe. It’s now or never.” “Cameras and guards? It’s a big risk.” “But they have our friends.” Alec nodded slowly. “Said like a true soldier.”

“You have a knack for trying to get yourself killed!”

“Hey, Alec," he said.

The man was on his hands and knees, leaning his face into the middle of a bush; he grunted something that kind of sounded like a "Yeah?"

"Why are we spending so much time on this side of where we left them?"

Alec pulled himself out of the bush and looked back at him. "Seemed logical. I'd think they either followed us out of here to find us, or they were taken by the same yahoos who attacked us. Or... maybe they went to investigate the fire."

Mark thought that was all barking up the wrong tree. "Or they ran away from the fire. Not every person on earth is as wacky-brained as you, good sir. Most people see a huge roaring inferno coming at them? They decide to cut and run. Just saying.”

“There’s something really creepy about the doors being open,” Mark whispered. “And it’s so dark inside the rooms.” “What’s your point?” Alec asked. “Ready to turn around and go home?” “No. Just saying that you should go in first.”

“A roar cut through the melee: a booming growl, a noise that might come out of a she-bear protecting a cub. It was Alec- and suddenly bodies were flying everywhere.”

“But first, my friends, I need you to do something for me. We have two spies in the back of the auditorium.”