Two Alive, стр. 87
Carver turned his head just slightly enough to see Brandon. “I’m sure you wanted to have a moment with someone from your past life, but this boy is a foreigner to this community… and that makes him a threat.” The major quickly disregarded him. “Lincoln.”
The big black man shook, and his face went white. “Uh, I uh… Captain Baker told me to take him back to the office after he finished with Brandon.”
“I just got here!” Lesly piped up and was trying to exclude herself from the major’s wrath.
Carver closed his eyes and waited a beat. “This boy is dangerous. We can’t have him wandering around the store.”
“Sorry Major Carver.” Lincoln was the one who apologized but Brandon and Lesly also hung their heads in shame.
Antonio sniffed and ran a hand over his chin. He stared down Carver and the major returned the measuring eye. Carver was big but Antonio considered his coughing might slow him down if they were in a fight. Even if he took the bastard down, the other two men would be on Antonio. Don’t kill to die, the old man would always say. Don’t make a kill just to get yourself killed in the process. So even though Antonio was certain he could take out the other men individually, he still decided against trying to beat them and the major at the same time.
“I’ll take him to the office now sir… Major Carver sir.” Lincoln went to usher Antonio along and Carver put up a hand to stop him.
“No. I’ll take him and make sure he goes this time.” The major waved the boy over. “Lincoln get back to your rounds.”
The big man took off down the aisle and hit a corner as quick as he could. Brandon started to back away, rubbing the back of his neck, “Sorry Major Carver. It was good seeing you Antonio.” Brandon said his goodbye and turned to leave.
“Yeah. Thanks for the cut Mr. Brandon,” Antonio patted his head then eyed the store manager, “See you later, Ms. Lesly.” He smiled and spoke with a high-pitched voice.
Lesly gasped and spun on her heels to leave. Antonio laughed as he watched her go and Carver cleared his throat. The major started moving and expected Antonio to follow while the two nameless gunmen stood on either side of them. Antonio did follow and they made their way down the aisle where more people started to peer out and watch. They crawled from tents and opened doors to sheds-turned-homes, eyeing the major with pride.
“All these people came looking to get stuff in the store too?” Antonio asked, looking around at everyone filling the aisles as they passed. “Why you let them stay?”
Carver scoffed at the boy, “Everyone living here has been from the start. They came here for the quarantine stations they put up outside. This store was only open for a week before the outbreak.”
“And you and yo army men protected the people and ran in the store when it went bad out there?”
Carver paused. “Yes. I saved these people when the monsters came, and I got everyone into the store. And I saved them when outsiders came looking to break into the store. I’ll do whatever it takes to keep the people here safe.”
“Oh, so you did it all? Nobody else helped you?” Antonio’s tone was contrived and irritated the major.
“You’re goddamn right I did it all!” Carver coughed and coughed so hard he stopped walking and put a hand on his knee for a minute.
“Damn, you hella sick though. How you do all that by yo self?”
Carver grit his teeth before spitting on the floor and smearing it with his boot. He stood up straight, stared Antonio down and put his hands behind his back. “Be quiet and c’mon.”
Antonio rolled his eyes and followed the grizzled major. After a small moment of silence though, the teen started up again, “Y’all got a nice little set up here. It’s coo.”
Carver didn’t respond.
“But you know it won’t last right? Nothin’ like this lasts that long. Too many people and too many problems to deal with. Y’all got lucky it was just me and my brother or whoever y’all ran off the last time. Y’all kept people out or kicked them out to keep y’all safe. But what’s outside ain’t the problem. Inside is. Big groups of people eat theyself. That’s what the old man always said.”
Carver prepared to turn and give the young man a piece of his mind but stopped when he saw Captain Baker and Ben going down an aisle adjacent to them. “Captain!” The major shouted and Baker saw him, then trotted over.
“Major Carver.” Baker saw Antonio with him and looked around for a second. “Where’s Lincoln and Brandon?”
“I found them taking this boy on a tour of our facilities and showing him our movie room. I thought I’d show him the pool and the gym.” The major’s tone was playful and sardonic, but his eyes were stone.
Baker took a moment. “Sorry sir. Brandon just wanted--”
“I’ve already heard this from both Lincoln and Brandon and quite frankly I don’t care what excuses you have captain.” Carver stifled a cough.
Baker sighed deeply. “Of course. I’ll take the boy to the office now.”
“No. I will. I want to make sure he actually goes this time and you don’t get distracted by some request for Julia.”
Baker bit his tongue and just turned his head. “Well I’ll still go with you major. Just for the added support. This kid is extremely dangerous.” The captain took a more formal stance, similar to the major’s, but with a dull look on his face.
Before Carver could comment on Baker’s mocking expression,