The Virus Within (Original rough draft)

Chapter 122

The old lady led us over to a fifth sneezing person. Daniel didn't even bother approaching her, "She only has a cold. Is there anyone else?"

The old woman shook her head, "Not that I know of, but we can finish up the last bit of the tour if you like."

Daniel nodded courteously and I refrained from rolling my eyes. One shed looked much like another in my opinion. The lady started tottering off in a different direction and I subtly inspected the chain link fence. This part of the tour did interest me since I planned to sneak over that fence undetected. I saw several potential ways.

I glanced to the side as a man started approaching our group with a hopeful expression. My eyes blinked slowly as the familiar looking man came right toward us. Nicky followed my stare, before her jaw dropped, "Shit. That guy looks almost exactly like Luke."

Glad I am not the only one to think that. Nicky's comment had caught the attention of Nina and Daniel and they paused to look. The old woman looked confused as she greeted the man, "Ron, how are you doing today?"

His eyes barely left us, "I heard this group knew of a Luke who was looking for a John McComfry?"

Nina took a few steps forward, "Yes, Luke is at our Stronghold and is looking for his brother. Do you happen to know where he might be?"

I was a step ahead of Nina since my nose finally caught his scent. Even with Luke being a zombie, I could tell that he was somehow related to Luke. Luke had managed to discover the fate of all of his immediate family members with one exception...

The man nodded slowly, "That would be me..."

The old woman scratched her head, "I thought they were looking for a John?"

He smiled gently at her, "No offense, but I tried to correct you a few times. My name is John, not Ron."

She shrugged, "I ain't no spring chicken and my hearing isn't as good as it used to be either."

John turned back to us with excitement, "How is Luke? I looked for him for a bit and hopped between a few Strongholds, but I never found any trace of him."

I remained silent to let someone else tiptoe across this minefield. I had barely spoken a few words, so no one here was about to expect me to step up either. Nina took another step forward, "He is okay and is currently at Ironwind Stronghold. He looked for you for months. There is one detail that may make you not want to see him though..."

John shook his head, "He is my brother. As long as he is alive, I don't care."

Daniel focused his dull red eyes on John, "Good to hear you proclaim that since he is actually a sane Runner."

John paused and stared at Daniel as if expecting that he was trying to pull a bad joke off. He shook his head before inquiring, "He is sane though, right?"

When John didn't react poorly, Daniel relaxed marginally and replied, "Yes. The only difference is that his eyes are red and he is a bit easier to irritate. You will have to be careful with direct contact, but it isn't too bad."

That seemed to reassure John, "Where exactly is Ironwind Stronghold? I have heard of it once or twice, but I have no clue where it is."

Nina perked up, "It is to the north. A day or two of driving. If you don't mind traveling with us for a week, we will be going back there and will be happy to give you a lift."

I suppressed a groan of exasperation at the thought of another traveling companion. I reined in my growing irritation. He was Luke's long-lost brother after all. Luke was going to owe me big time for this...