Chapter 37
The lift stops at the next floor down. Here, there are more monsters. People who used to work here, guards and maintenance workers and whatnot else who are now infected.
Monsters who were people who were monsters. It's kind of funny in a way.
I take point and mow down the whole lot of them. It feels good, no matter how sick that sounds. It isn't sick - not when they deserve it.
I lead Claire through a storage room and boiler room. The next room is big and dark, made of stone. Water gushes under a catwalk, which leads to an elevator.
I stop to cock the guns. "These things are way more reliable than any person."
Claire looks at me with concern. It's been a long time since anyone was concerned about me. And I don't want anyone to be, not when it's bullshit.
I march toward the elevator, but she gets in my way. "Steve, what happened to you on this island? Who brought you here, and where is your family?"
I try to go around her. She puts a hand on my arm. I wrench away.
"I don't want to talk about it. Got it?"
"Steve -"
I fire into the darkness. The gunfire echoes through the room. I release the trigger. The only sound is that of the water rushing underneath.
Her face is still full of concern. It pisses me off and makes me sad at the same time. I swore months ago that I was done being sad. Sadness is weakness, and I am not weak.
Keeping my back to her, I snap, "Let's get going." Then I run for the elevator -