Once Bitten, Twice Dead - By Bianca D'Arc Page 0,96
the rope ladder, caging Sarah in his arms and reaching around her to grab relatively secure handholds.
“Take us up, Reno!”
“You’re not secure, sir.”
“Don’t argue, just get us away from this group. Set us down on the other side of the house and we’ll do it right.”
“Roger that, Captain.”
A second later, they were soaring over the roof of the mansion. Reno lowered over the small clearing in front of the house, hovering. Sam was working his way back up the rope into the copter while Xavier jumped down to the ground and held the rope ladder taut for Sarah to climb. She made steadier progress this time, and Kauffman leaned over and pulled her into the chopper even as Xavier made the quick climb up himself.
When everyone was aboard and the doors shut, Reno sped upward.
“Where to, sir?” Reno asked, but he already seemed to know what Xavier would say. It was obvious from the direction he’d sent the bird in.
“Police station. I want McCormick to look at Sam. Meanwhile…” Xavier unzipped the bag holding McCormick’s precious serum. The pouch included some serious-looking needles, and she’d given Xavier instructions on how and how much to administer. He hadn’t thought he’d need to try it—at least not so soon—but it was the only hope for Sam. Already, Sam was going into shock. Death from the contagion was fast.
Xavier prepared the dose and stuck Sam in the heart muscle with the long needle McCormick had packed. It was nasty and caused Sam a huge amount of pain, but it was better than dying and rising to become a fucking zombie.
“Come on, buddy. Make this work,” Xavier prayed under his breath.
Sam’s heart distributed the serum fast, sending it throughout his system, where it combined with the contagion. They’d know in the next few minutes whether Sam had the right antigens and whatever other voodoo he’d need to stay alive.
He started to convulse when they were setting down on the helipad behind the police station. Reno had radioed ahead and Dr. McCormick was waiting for them, escorted by the SWAT commander and a few of his men. She ran up to the chopper as the blades slowed, and Kauffman pulled her inside to help Sam while Xavier let Sarah out the other side to make room.
Sarah balked at the idea of leaving before they knew Sam’s fate. Xavier stood beside her, looking into the chopper as Dr. McCormick examined Sam. The roar of the engines lowered as Reno shut down the chopper and they were able to talk and be heard without the use of headsets.
“Will he be okay? What was that shot about? And who is she?” Sarah asked, leaning against his side as they watched Sam settle down on the floor of the chopper. He’d stopped convulsing, at least.
“She’s a scientist who was part of the original navy team. Sellars was courting her, trying to get her to work with him. She gave us the location of that house where he was keeping you. The shot was something she cooked up. It might counteract the contagion and save Sam’s life. Or not. It’s experimental.” Xavier’s words were clipped as he watched his best friend fight for his life.
He put one arm around Sarah’s waist, supporting her against his side. It was good to have her back safe. She was a little banged up and her uniform was a mess, but she was alive. Thank heaven. He kissed the crown of her head, not caring who might be looking. The time for hiding his affection for Sarah was over.
McCormick looked up from her patient and sought Xavier’s eyes.
“What’s the verdict, Doc?” Xavier asked. Sam looked better, but Xavier wasn’t a doctor. He didn’t know for sure.
“I think he’s one of the lucky ones.” McCormick sat back on her heels, hands on her thighs as she crouched inside the helicopter. “He’s started to stabilize and I think he’s out of danger, but I’d like to keep an eye on him. Is there any way we can get him back to my lab? I can rig suitable facilities to make him comfortable, and if he takes a turn for the worse, I have the toxin on hand to deal with it.” Her expression was grim. “I don’t think it’ll be necessary, but I wanted you to know that I’m equipped to handle any contingency. Your friend won’t suffer if he does turn into one of those creatures.”
Xavier weighed his options. They still had a lot of