We crossed the weedy road at a run, not even botherin’ to crouch. The sounds of gunfire were echoing off the buildings all around us, but for the moment we weren’t in anyone’s crosshairs. The fella named Eric stopped at an open doorway and gestured for me and Jimmy to go in. I could see stuff painted on the walls inside. Not vengements and tags but insignia. This had been the barracks for the soldiers.

“The vault isn’t under this building,” I said. “It’s behind this one, on the next block over.”

Eric said, “We sealed off that entrance years ago, back when Captain Stanford took control of the camp. Can you imagine what could have happened if he’d found out what we had down there?”

I nodded. “He never would have left.”

Eric pointed to the metal box Jimmy was carrying for me. “Maybe now that you’ve brought that back, Dr. P will consider leaving. She says she stayed for the safety of the camp, or for the generator, but maybe she–” Eric’s head snapped back and a small round hole opened in his forehead as a gunshot snapped like thunder from the open doorway.

“Go!” Jimmy yelled and yanked at the back of my shirt.

There was movement inside the building. Hunters scrambling. We’d walked right into their nest. I was turning to run when I saw her in there with them. My daughter.

“Go!” Jimmy yelled again, but I didn’t move. A bullet buzzed past my face as I raised my rifle one-handed and fired.