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We sorted through the volunteers and trained hard, often well past dark. Waurlyn kept me involved in decisions and updates, especially regarding Molev’s progress.
A week passed quickly. Our volunteer numbers increased by increments. Waurlyn slowly moved thirty of the ones who’d been with us the longest to the waypoint for one reason or another, making room for the forty-five we added.
At the start of the second week, Waurlyn sent for me just after I gave the welcome speech to the fresh group of volunteers.
“We might have a problem,” she said as soon as we were in the conference room. “Since the latest trial failed, the research team has been running more tests on the hound corpses. They’re running a comparison between the three source samples: Hound, Undead, and Molev. They believe they’ve identified the infection and the piece that is stopping the hounds and undead from dying.”
My stomach dropped. “They’re working on a way to kill them that doesn’t involve Molev?”
“Worse, Andie. They’re splitting the research team. Half will continue working on isolating the source of the infection. The other half will start working on isolating what makes them immortal.”
I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. “The infected and hellhounds aren’t immortal. They’re decaying. Dead. What are they thinking?”
“It’s easy to pretend things are not as bad as they are when they’ve hidden away on an island. They aren’t facing the hardships and realities we’re facing. Which is why I think we need to move up the timeline. The team isolating the infection will need more samples soon. I need you to be ready to join Molev by the end of the week.”
“We could be ready in fifteen minutes if needed,” I said. “How many volunteers can you move this week, and how many can we take with us when we leave?”
“I’ll start moving what we have. Molev is securing locations daily so no one will question reallocating personnel to help with the influx of supplies. Having that many people in one place so close to the barrier does concern me, though.”
I agreed. After Molev’s warning, I wasn’t sure it was smart either.
“What bases are the closest to the barrier?” I asked. We looked over the map together and found a base in New Mexico that would work. It was running on a skeleton crew due to the difficulty to reach without an aircraft, which kept it isolated.
“They’re due for supplies soon. I’ll move up the timeline and throw in some personnel. Yours and some additional soldiers to keep the commander there quiet.”
“Do you have a way to let Molev know what’s happening?” I asked.
“I do. Be ready, Andie, and keep quiet. With Molev gone, you’re a person of interest. A safety net for his return.”
“And you’ll be kicking the hornet's nest by sending me away.”
CHAPTEREIGHT
Five days later,I woke with a slight headache that I couldn’t shake.
“What’s going on with you?” Roni asked when I collapsed on the ground after the volunteers left for lunch.
“I feel like I drank too much last night.”
“You didn’t drink,” she said.
“Exactly. I must be coming down with a bug or something.”
“Or maybe you’re just low on vitamin D. I bet Molev’s dreaming of when he gets to give you another dose.”
I shook my head and sat up. “I would say you have a one-track mind, but we both know you’re too focused on the day-to-day to accuse you of that.”
She flashed me a smile. “Speaking of…if you approve of the names we’ve checked, that’ll put us at two-twenty-seven total. Exactly two hundred women, counting us.”
“I approve,” I said without looking. “How many are currently in housing?”
“Just the ones from the last group. Waurlyn wanted to give them a few days before moving them.”
“Okay. Let her people know this is it for now. Groups are temporarily suspended while we take a few days to rest.”
We both knew we wouldn’t be resting. We would be making final preparations.
That evening, Waurlyn’s knock on our door wasn’t unexpected.
