He didn’t need to say any more. In thanks, or maybe in apology, Jack put his hand on Jared’s shoulder briefly, and walked back to the others.
“Let’s give them a little time. Just a little,” Jack said to Carla.
* * *
The four of them sat behind a podium near the main entrance of Griffith Observatory. It had become our refuge from the insane outside world. Or so they had thought. Last night’s attack from dozens of crazies obviously had proved otherwise. If they were going to find sanctuary here, they would have to sweep the building first. To secure every entryway and take care of those who had succumbed to the infection. Until then, and only then, there would be no respite for the weary.
Jack spoke of this and waited for a reply. Everyone was still trying to wrap their heads around the fact that Anna had been the latest bitten. Doomed to become a zombie!
Mike replied first, changing the subject, as he often did when things became too emotional. “We’ve got radios, right? Walkie-talkies?” He glanced at Carla, the cop. She had been close to being Carla, Jack’s girlfriend. But this ain’t the optimum time for romance.
That can wait, Jack thought. Maybe permanently.
“Yeah.” She rubbed her eyes. “I’ve got some. They’re in the office.”
“How many?”
“Three. There’s another one in my patrol car.”
“We can do with three for now, I think,” Mike said. None of them wanted to go outside, despite the daylight. “How about if Joe and I start a security sweep? We can start from the roof and work our way down. We can share a radio, if we stay together.”
“We’d better stay together. Two by two is a lot safer,” Joe said.
“Carla, can you cover them?” Jack asked.
“Of course, but—”
“Good. Use one of the radios and I’ll stay behind with Anna and Jared.” Jack paused. “I can’t leave Anna alone for a minute. Not now—”
Carla shook her head. “No, Jack. Let me stay behind with her.”
“But I want to be near her in case....”
“I know,” she said softly “But you’re too close to this right now, Jack. Let me stay. You need to find something to take your mind off Anna.”
“I need what? Take my mind off my daughter?!” Jack couldn’t help the icy tone that frosted his words.
Carla raised her hand in peace. “Facing you is probably going to be the most difficult thing for her. I know you’re heartbroken. We all are. But right now, we need to take care of business. And our first priority, for the entire group, is security.”
Jack couldn’t believe what he was hearing. Especially when his brother said, “She’s right, Jack. Let Jared work his magic on Anna. She’ll come out eventually. And those two couldn’t be in better hands than Carla’s right now.”
“I’m her father, goddammit!”
“I know,” said Joe, lowering his tone. “And, I’m her uncle. I’m in no hurry to lose her either. You and I taking care of Anna will be next on the list once we secure the premises.”
* * *
The security sweep took longer than anticipated.
They began on the roof, armed with loaded weapons and padlocks. The roof held more crazies than they’d expected. But the infected were sitting ducks. Shooting them and getting their bodies out of the way took a while. The group was relieved to find the huge telescope escaped damage. Internationally famous, perhaps there would be a use for it again some day. They hoped so.
They closed and padlocked the telescope’s door to keep the smarter zombies from vandalizing it. Then they made their way down through three levels that had once hosted hundreds of visitors daily. Before the outbreak, of course. Now, the only visitors to Griffith Observatory were the undead kind. Jack hated killing, even in the military, but this... this was so alien and absurd. The emotions involved in taking another’s life felt completely different.
The worst aspect of killing zombies was that there was no real chain of command, or support, or anything but flying by the seats of their pants, knowing they could join them at any moment. Completely on their own and reliant on one another. In considering every dire scenario, though, Jack was glad Carla had his back. God, if she became infected, what in the hell would he do?
Drown her, maybe? Or, cure her?... Well, no way in hell I’m losing her. Or Anna. Or anyone else I give a damn about.
During the security sweep, they found a few open windows and doors. Hard to understand how this monumental facility had been left unsecured. Then again, the last security shift was likely frightened away without locking up. Perhaps infected. Jack hated to think they were killing people like them. But, the law of the moment was ‘Kill or be killed’.