Kick at the Darkness (25 page)

Adam nodded. “Thank you, Angela.”

“Oh, do you have a phone charger?” Parker asked.

“Yes. You can drop by my office later and pick one up. Although none of us have had any service in weeks.”

“I know. I just want to see if it still works. It got wet.”

“Well, I hope you’ll be with us for some time.” She smiled warmly and turned to go. “Oh, there’s one more rule: no weapons. We’re keeping everything locked safely in my office. We have a full security system and four guard outposts, including the front gate. If there’s an event, we’ll have plenty of time to arm ourselves. With children in the hotel, we don’t feel comfortable with anyone having weapons in their room. Of course when or if you leave, they’ll be returned to you immediately.”

“Right. I guess that makes sense.” Parker glanced at Adam, who nodded. Parker unstrapped the machete and passed it along with the gun to Angela, who held them as if they might bite.

“Thank you, gentlemen. I hope I’ll see you later today.”

They closed the door behind her, and Parker kept his voice low. “How about her? She seems nice, but what’s your lie detector saying?”

“She’s on the level.”

“Okay, good.” Parker hung up his sodden jacket and whistled. “Check out this view.” The windows were floor to ceiling, affording a perfect snapshot of the surrounding snow-capped peaks and miles of pine forest and brilliant orange and red autumn colors. “And this room is sweet. King bed and a sitting area.”

“Mmm.”

Adam wasn’t even looking, instead apparently preferring to stare at his shoes.

Parker flicked on the bathroom light and turned on the tap in the nearest sink in the double marble counter. He scrubbed at his hands with a bar of creamy soap. “Dude, there is the biggest shower I’ve ever seen in my life in here, plus a separate hot tub built for two.”

“Didn’t you grow up with stuff like this? I thought your family was rich.” Adam was still not looking at him.

“There’s rich, and then there’s this.” Parker shifted self-consciously. “We spent most of our vacations on our sailboat. Which I admit was pretty big and expensive. But I can still appreciate a nice room. Especially considering our accommodations lately. And it’s not like my dorm room at Westley was fancy. I wasn’t
that
spoiled. I’m not saying I wasn’t privileged, but…” He stopped before he sounded any more ridiculously defensive.

“I didn’t mean anything by it,” Adam said and turned to the window.

“Fine.”
Then why’d you say it?
Parker unlaced his sneakers and kicked them off. “You know, if you want your own room, you should’ve said something.”

Adam turned, his brow furrowed. “Why would I want my own room?”

Seriously?
“You just seem kind of…whatever, it’s fine. You’re okay staying in here with me?”

Adam looked at him like he was crazy. “Of course, Parker.”

A soft rap on the door stopped Parker from biting out anything else, which was probably a good thing. He opened the door to find a girl and boy of about ten and maybe twelve. The redheaded boy held a tray carrying covered plates, while the brunette girl’s tray had a pitcher of orange juice and two icy glasses.

The girl smiled widely. “Hi. I’m Evie, and this is my brother Jaden. I hope you’re hungry.”

Parker grinned back. “Hey, it’s my two new best friends. Is that bacon I smell? Come on in.”

Giggling, the kids carefully placed the trays on a small dining table by the wall of windows. “Are you going to come downstairs later?” Jaden asked. “We’re going to play soccer in the ballroom at eleven.”

“We’re a little tired, but we’ll try to make it. Thanks for breakfast. Tall, dark, and brooding over there is Adam, and I’m Parker.”

“It’s fun having new people,” Jaden said. “We’re going to watch
Avengers
tonight, so you should definitely come for that.”

“Music to my ears! Believe me when I tell you I wouldn’t miss it.” Parker raised his hand and gave both kids a high five. “See you then.”

“Oh, and we’re supposed to tell you to bring down your laundry later, and you can use the machines.”

“I’ve never uttered these words in my life, but laundry would be heaven. Will do.”

The kids waved to Adam, and Parker closed the door behind them. “Clean clothes. I bet they even have fabric softener. And a movie! That’ll be fun. Nice to do something normal for once, right?”

“Mmm. Uh-huh.” Adam took off his leather jacket and hung it on the back of a chair.

Parker bit back a surge of irritation and tried to keep his tone light. “What’s up with you? This is all pretty cool, isn’t it?”
Can’t we even enjoy a bit of comfort now?

Adam didn’t meet his gaze. “Sorry. I’m tired. Going to get cleaned up. You go ahead and eat.”

“Are you sure? It’ll get cold.”

“Yeah. Don’t wait for me.” Adam disappeared into the bathroom and closed the door.

Parker listened to the shower come on.
He’s tired and stressed. It’s fine. We’ll be fine
.

The bacon was perfectly cooked—just crispy enough, but still tender— and the scrambled eggs and buttered toast melted in his mouth. Parker scarfed down the first hot meal he’d had in weeks and tried to enjoy the view. Instead he obsessed about Adam, dissecting every word and glance, wondering what he’d done wrong.

“THIS IS YOUR last reminder. Lights out in two minutes, please. Dinner will be served shortly in the staff lounge, followed by a movie. Remember to turn off all flashlights by uncovered windows.”

When Angela’s announcement was over, Parker pressed the button for the blinds, horizontal wooden slats that descended with a whisper from the very tops of the high windows. When they were in place and closed, they blocked out the last rays of sunset. He switched on his flashlight, sweeping the beam over the room. “We’ll have to take one of these when we go.”

“Hmm.” Adam was stretched out on the bed, fully dressed aside from his boots and jacket, his ankles crossed as he stared at the ceiling. He’d shaved off his beard, leaving only artful stubble. It was delightfully vain that he’d made the effort to get his facial hair back to the way it had been at Stanford. Parker wanted to tease him about it, but bit his tongue. Parker had shaved the scrubby bits of facial hair he’d grown, and it felt nice to have his face perfectly smooth again.

Adam frowned and shielded his eyes with his hand. “That’s bright.”

“Shit, sorry.” He sat at the table and aimed the beam at the floor. “It’s kind of weird, right? This place? I mean, it’s nice—more than nice. But after what we’ve seen out there, it’s like…it’s weird. Rules and movie nights. I guess it’s not bad. But you know what I mean?”

“Yeah.” After a long moment, Adam added, “It’s surreal. I think I’d just gotten used to the way things are out there, and this feels like…playing house.”

“Exactly! Although the bacon was amazing, I have to say. Come on, let’s see what’s for dinner. Might as well get all the hot food we can. We’re going to leave tomorrow, right? Or the next day at the latest? We’ll be nice and rested.”

“Mmm.”

“So, ready for dinner? And
Avengers
?”

“You go on.”

Disappointment flared. “You don’t want to come?”

“I’ll catch up with you. I need some fresh air.”

“Oh. Sure.”

“I don’t want you to miss the start of the movie. You’ve been looking forward to it. Go ahead.”

“Okay.” Adam was clearly distracted and distant, but Parker didn’t want to be clingy. Maybe Adam just wanted some time to himself. It wasn’t unreasonable. Parker shouldn’t get upset about it. “I guess you can see without a flashlight. But they’re in the drawer in the desk just in case.” He opened the door. “Later. Try to make it in time for when Bruce Hulks out and fights Black Widow. It’s the best part.”

“I will.”

Flashlight bobbing, Parker made his way down the stairwell to the basement. It was the first time he’d been voluntarily separated from Adam in weeks, which was a strange feeling. Part of him wanted to march back upstairs and get Adam to talk.
No. Give him some space.

Downstairs, Parker could hear the hum of voices and smell something that made his stomach growl.
Don’t get used to it
. “No, but I can make the most of it,” he muttered to himself.

The basement corridor was lit with long fluorescent bulbs that seemed unnaturally bright. The door to the staff lounge was open near the stairwell, and Parker poked his head in hesitantly. Dozens of pairs of eyes turned to him, and he shifted from foot to foot and raised his hand. “Hey.”

“Parker!” Evie shouted. She pushed back her chair from one of the many small tables that reminded Parker of a food court. The room sprawled out beyond the eating area to include video games, ping pong and game tables, and a distant den with couches and a big-screen TV. After squeezing by some other tables, Evie grabbed his hand. “Come meet everyone!”

She took him table to table, reciting names and relationships that Parker would never remember, even if he and Adam weren’t leaving tomorrow. Parker shook hands and smiled endlessly before Evie took him through a swinging door to the kitchen. A stout chef of about forty stood by a counter filled with serving dishes.

“A newcomer. Welcome to the Pines,” he said. “I’m Mario Moretti.”

“Parker Osborne. Great to meet you.” Parker offered his hand.

The man gave a curt shake of his head. “I never shake hands. Even before all this nonsense. Don’t want to pass on any illnesses to my diners. You wouldn’t believe how easy it is for the common cold to wreak havoc.”

Parker shoved his hand in his pocket. “Right. That makes sense.” He inhaled deeply. “This smells amazing.”

With a flourish, Mario removed the lids from the platters. “Pan-seared venison steaks with wild mushroom risotto and grilled zucchini.”

“Wow. Evie, what are you guys going to have? Because I’m pretty sure I can eat alllll of this myself.”

She giggled. “Save room for popcorn.”

“Oh my God, seriously?” His mouth watered at the thought.

“Yes, my popcorn is very good,” Mario said with a satisfied smile. “Now, one piece of venison, or two?”

When Parker’s plate was loaded up with steaming food, he took a seat at a table with Angela and a thin older man who was oddly wearing a lab coat. Gray flecked his black hair, and dark circles shadowed under his eyes. Parker wanted to shovel the food into his mouth, but forced himself to shake hands and be polite. “Parker Osborne.”

The man took his hand with a firm grip. “Doctor Andrew Yamaguchi.”

“Oh, are you two related?” Parker waved his fork between Angela and the doctor before scooping up a mouthful of risotto. He moaned softly. “God, that’s good.”

Angela smiled. “Only the best here at the Pines. And yes, Andrew’s my big brother. He’s a researcher with the University of Denver at the Rocky Mountain Center for Conservation Genetics and Systematics. He and his assistant were able to escape with a good amount of their equipment and supplies.”

Andrew laughed hollowly. “To think I was worried about saving my research on the Canada Lynx and continuing the project. Now it’s the preservation of humanity we must concern ourselves with.” His lips quirked in a half smile. “The lynx are on their own.”

Parker sliced into the tender venison. “Zombies put everything into perspective, that’s for sure.”

“Zombies?” Andrew’s voice rose sharply, drawing looks and a sudden hush from the room. “The subjects I’ve seen were still alive but consumed by an unknown virus spread into the bloodstream through a bite. Have you encountered any infected without vital signs?”

“Um…” Parker glanced around and felt his cheeks flush. “No. It was just…I didn’t mean it literally.”

Angela put her hand on her brother’s arm. “It was a figure of speech.”

Andrew loosened his iron grip on his fork and placed it down neatly on his plate beside an uneaten strip of zucchini. “Of course. My apologies, Parker. It’s that I’ve been conducting my research on the principle that the affected are still alive, and if that’s not the case, it would change everything.”

“I understand. So you’re doing research? Here? I was wondering about the lab coat.”

“Sometimes I think he sleeps in it,” Angela noted wryly.

Andrew chuckled. “Yes. It’s not a…what’s the term? A fashion statement. We’ve set up a lab on the other side of the basement. I can at least put my knowledge to use. We haven’t been able to contact anyone at the CDC, or any other regulatory bodies. Communication is a huge challenge right now. I’d love to reach my colleagues in Europe, but it’s proving difficult. I feel my research could be vital.”

“Wow. What is it you do, exactly? Not that I’ll understand any of it, I don’t expect
.” And what do you know about werewolf physiology?

His tired eyes lit up, and he gestured with his hands. “I use molecular genetic tools to address conservation issues. I analyze DNA, and study population dynamics and viability, gene flow, and genetic diversity. So now I’m applying my knowledge to the biggest conservation issue we’ve ever faced. I completed a fellowship in epidemiology, and I’m using those principles to—”

“Movie will be starting in ten minutes,” a man announced loudly. “Can we see a show of hands so we can bring over enough chairs?”

Parker dutifully raised his hand.

Andrew wiped his mouth with a thick paper napkin and folded it neatly. “I should get back to work.”

“Why don’t you relax? I’m sure Neil has everything under control in the lab. You need a break, Drew.” A furrow appeared between Angela’s sculpted brows.

Let the man do his work! Sleep, shmeep
. Parker wisely kept his mouth closed for once.

“I’m fine. I came to dinner, didn’t I? I’ll see you later.” Dr. Yamaguchi smiled tightly and gave Parker a nod before leaving.

Parker cut another piece of meat. “So you guys have a whole lab down here? That’s amazing.”

“It’s strictly off limits.” She practically barked it.

Parker blinked. “Of course. I wasn’t…I didn’t mean…”