Two Alive, стр. 61

“We don’t know whether Bates was infected but we can find out.” Julia pointed out into the crowd. “Dr. Manson took samples from the body and is going to test them to see if the boys were right.”

Manson, slightly startled but more irritated, turned to Julia and his eyes looked almost vacant behind his glasses. When the audience turned their attention to the scientist, he regarded them only for a moment with a small wave then continued on towards his lab in the back of the store.

Carver’s eyes left Manson and he stared Julia down, sucking at his teeth before stifling a cough. “And why does that matter? We just kill people before they even change?”

“No. We just kick them out and let them die on their own,” Julia fired back.

The major’s expression was so wroth that when he made the smallest step towards Julia, she backed down from his dark expression and overbearing size. After a beat, Carver turned to the audience and knew to quell his anger. He regained his composure and stood up straight, not speaking for another five heartbeats.

“Those circumstances were different, Julia. You and I both know that. But really, do you think that these two should go unpunished for possibly killing a man in cold blood?”

Julia took her time to respond. “Well they did just finish saving all our lives.” She said matter-of-factly.

It brought a smile to the major’s face. But before he could say anything back in retort, Antonio was shouting something and jumping up to his feet.

“This is bullshit! We fuckin’ took care of that hive for you, we risked our lives to get rid of all those strikers and shit and now y’all mad cuz we killed somebody who was already infected! When you get bit by a striker you turn hella fast!” The teen was so fired up Baker had to grab his shoulder to restrain him.

“He was about to turn.” Miles whispered. “He was about to turn and then he’d attack us and then he’d turn one of us. Better safe than dead.” He continued rocking and repeating the words. “Better safe than dead.” It was something the old man often said when making a tough judgment call.

The crowd looked sympathetic, even swayed by the boy’s timid behavior. Many couldn’t believe the child was actually capable of doing what Carver accused him of. But when some people saw Lincoln and Torrez carrying Bates’ body down an aisle, trying their best to go unnoticed, the gathering turned on the boys.

“They should be sent out there to die!” a voice shouted over the crowd.

“Let the freaks get ‘em!” Another called out.

“They’ve got people out there waiting to get us, we should find their people!”

“Those bastards killed Bates!”

“Kill them!”

The shouts continued and the collective seemed to be saying the same thing. Kill the boys. Kill Miles and Antonio and find their people and kill them too. Carver almost let slip a smile, but instead, just eyed Julia before he started coughing. Julia wasn’t sure what to say next or even what could stop this mob from turning even more intense. But in the midst of all the shouting, a man stepped out in front of the crowd of thirty or so survivors to get a better look.

“Miles… Antonio…?” The man was shaking and trying his best to hold back tears that were already running down his face.

The two boys recognized the man immediately and a similar expression of elation and I-can’t-believe-it’s-you, took them over. Miles got to his feet and went sprinting to the man. “Brandon!” the small boy cried out.

“Brandon!” Antonio broke away from Baker and went racing to the man and when all three of them met in the middle, they embraced each other as much as they could; the boys both still with their hands zip tied behind their backs.

“What the hell is going on now?” Carver asked, looking vexed.

“I don’t… know.” Julia shrugged her shoulders, just as vexed.

“How the hell did you two make it this far? Where have you been? What have you been…” Brandon was getting choked up again and wiped his face on his long sleeve shirt.

“Brandon! You’re still alive! Have you been here this whole time? How’d you get here?” Miles was rattling off just as many questions and getting just as emotional with the man who seemed familiar to the two boys. He was a similar shade of light brown as Antonio but beyond that, there didn’t seem to be any other similar traits between the three of them.

“Brandon, man. How the fuck is you still alive?” Antonio was shaking his head and tried blinking his tears away, trying to look tough.

“I could ask you the same thing. Oh my god. Where’s Johnathan? Francine?”

Both the boys’ expressions went sour and their smiles faded. They couldn’t look Brandon in the eyes, both turning away or looking at the floor. Before they could offer some answer to that, Carver was grabbing both the boys and shoving them aside.

“Brandon… you know these two?” The major asked, ignoring Antonio and Miles yelling at him.

“Uh, yeah… yeah.” Brandon wiped at his face again and tried to compose himself. “I was a teacher’s aide before all this. Those two went to my school in Oakland.”

Julia stepped up to the major and this time spoke only to him in a low, but stern voice, “You are playing a dangerous game Eric! Are you trying to kill these kids in front of these people? Are you trying to have a public execution?”

“No.” The major was abrupt and simple, speaking before looking down at the psychologist. “I only mean to convince the majority so that you and the others realize the seriousness of this. None of you seem to get