Off one decision, the entire compound unraveled.
The gray sky hung low over the camp, heavy with clouds that looked ready to split open at any moment. A bitter wind drifted through the yard, carrying with it the distant snarls and shrieks of infected gathered beyond the perimeter fences. Every few seconds, something heavy slammed against the reinforced gates, rattling the metal with a deep, echoing clang.
Normally, the workers had learned to ignore it.
Today, nobody could.
Not after what was happening.
"MARGARET!"
Adira's voice tore across the compound.
She strained against the intelligent infected restraining her, her boots dragging grooves through the frozen dirt as two of them held her by the arms.
"Margaret, don't do this!"
The woman stopped.
Her shoulders trembled beneath the oversized winter coat she'd been wearing for weeks. One hand clutched her son's tightly enough to make his fingers pale. The other remained curled against her chest, shaking uncontrollably.
