“Isn’t that what we are trying to stop?” #zombie #book2

“Isn’t that what we are trying to stop?” Ben blurts out with a smile in an attempt to lighten the mood.

The unit looks at him as if he has lost his mind.

“You know . . .dead men walking? Get it?” Ben adds making exaggerated, stiff movements.

Ty interrupts Ben, “By the way they were all acting, it’s like they sentenced us to death.”  Not seeing the humor in the bad pun, the unit continues towards their vehicles. As the men reach their vehicles and stand around looking at each other. Surprising to everyone, Jayce turns to Paul.

“Will you swing by a store and pick up some beer?” He asks.

“Coronas?” Paul clarifies.

Jayce nods with a smile, adding that they will meet back up at the beach.

“Do you mind stopping by my house and picking up Anne?” Pat asks Andre.

“We all wanted to hang out with her anyway, definitely your better half,” Andre sarcastically remarks.

“We will meet you guys there.” Jayce states.

Ben and Ty once again race for the passenger seat in the Jeep. This time, Ben makes it to the seat first.

“Dead men walking!” #zombie #book2

“Boss, is calling.  We will see you in the morning.”  Andre states as they leave her.

Andre and Paul catch up to the other members of the unit.

The corridor directly outside the theater is packed with the high ranking officials and their assistants.  Their post debriefing conversations are loud as the men enter the corridor.  Once they see the unit approaching, their conversations grow mute.  Not a single word is spoken as the crowd begins to part to allow the unit to pass.

Jayce hears Ty mumble and turns to see what he had said, but finds him looking straight forward.  Deciding that whatever he had said is better left alone in the present company, Jayce does not question Ty further on the matter.  He notes that not a single person is willing to make eye contact with any of them.  He turns around to look back towards the door, wherein the doorway stands Stan and Tracy.  He returns his attention back to his men as they leave the corridor and move towards the military police on post.  The two soldiers salute the unit.

“Have a good night, guys.” Jayce politely offers.

The unit has not spoken a word to each other since the presentation.  Once clear of the door, Jayce questions Ty on what he had said in the corridor.

“Dead men walking!”  Ty repeats.

“It’s a little hard to swallow, isn’t it?” #zombie #book2

Tracy sits still, stunned by what she has learned.  Stan sees the men preparing to leave and begins to approach.  Jayce, Ty and Ben move in to meet him halfway.

The silver haired man extends his arm.  As Jayce reciprocates the motion, Stan pulls the Captain in and wraps his arms around him.

“You guys need to be careful!”  Stan cautions with concern painted across his face.

Jayce nods, breaks free of Stan’s hold and walks solemnly towards the door.  Ty and Ben shake the Colonel’s hand before catching up to Jayce.  Pat and Adam leave from where they had been sitting, and briefly stop to salute the Colonel.  Andre stands and raises his arms above his head to stretch.  As he joins his brothers, he alone notices Tracy still sitting in silence.

“Tracy, you good?”  He questions as he puts a hand on her shoulder.

“Sorry, what did you say?”  She asks, startled.

Andre, again, asks her if she is alright.  Her eyes quickly glance around the room and then lock on his as she explains that she will be.

“It’s a little hard to swallow, isn’t it?”

She anxiously nods her head.  Paul, who had waited behind with Andre, makes an attempt to change the topic and he inquires as to whether or not she will be at the hanger in the morning.  She only nods in acknowledgment to the question.  Tracy looks towards the door.  Paul and Andre’s eyes follow.  Jayce’s silhouette is motioning for them to join him.