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“Full daylight,” I said, understanding.
“Exactly.”
“So we stay and we wait. We have enough supplies to last for months.”
We both knew that wasn’t an actual option. Before the others on the radio went silent, we’d heard stories about how the dogs would claw and chew their way through anything, if given enough time, to get to a human. The dog would try to get through that door tonight, and we couldn’t be here waiting for it.
I shivered and knew that was why Adam wanted to leave before dark. The door wouldn’t hold for very long.
There was a flurry of movement on the screen for the barn. The infected grabbed another heifer and dragged it out of the main door, eviscerating it on the way. I could see Adam’s jaw clench.
“We’re as good as dead either way. If we stay and do nothing, we lose our future source of food. If we go out there, we die.”
I set my hand on his shoulder and gave it a comforting squeeze.
“Keep trying the radio. We’re not out of livestock yet.”
Another hour passed, and I made Adam take a break from the radio. He willingly let me watch the monitors and went to double-check our bug-out bags. Since he was meticulous about checking them once a week, I knew it was more than an inspection. He was getting us ready.
The infected in the main barn started to move, and the blue coat guy slipped out the side door.
“Something is happening,” I called to Adam.
As he entered the room, several more infected merged with the larger group.
“Where’d they come from?” he asked.
“Not the side door or the silo. The hallway, maybe?”
Neither of us looked away from the screens as the infected herd moved toward the main doors, which were shut, and waited there.
“The blue coat guy went out the side door. This might be another trap to bait us out,” I said, already knowing what Adam would be thinking.
“Trap or opportunity, I’m not sure it’s safe to keep playing the waiting game.”
“I’ll suit up.” I swallowed hard, feeling sick to my stomach.
“Everything’s by the door. Let me know when you’re ready.”
Nodding, I hurried to the hall where our bags and jackets waited along with an insane knife arsenal. The jacket was warm but not too bulky, which meant the knife harness Adam had made for me fit comfortably and I could move freely. Once I had everything on, including the bag, I called out.
“I’m ready.”
“I don’t think it’s a trap,” he said, emerging from the room. “It’s like they’re waiting for something to come through those main doors. I don’t want to be here to find out what.”
He picked up his bag and settled it on his back.
“You open the door and stand behind it. I’ll clear the hall.”
I nodded and got into position. Adam stood a few steps back, giving himself room to fight whatever was out there.
“We’ve got this, June. I’ll keep you safe.”
We both knew there was no guarantee for that anymore, so I said the only thing that was still certain.
“I love you. Ready?”
At his signal, I pulled the latch and yanked the door open.
