Dominion of the Damned Read Online Free PDF Page B

much from experience.”
    “Bites,” Louise said, nodding, “and scratches, fluids getting into eyes, mouths or open sores... it all happened so fast. The government, the military, the UN, everybody... they couldn’t keep it from spreading.
    “Then the vamps showed up. Nobody knew where they came from... hell, nobody even knew they existed. But they were immune, and stronger than those things and us, and they need us alive. They rounded what was left of us up and brought us to these camps, to keep us safe.”
    “To guard their food supply,” said Hannah.
    Louise gave her a hard look. “The way I see it, we’re at the bottom of the food chain now, and we’ve got two options: either get eaten whole by those things out there, or a little bit at a time by the things in here. Now which do you suppose will keep you alive longer?”
    “Alive as slaves.”
    “Better to be a living slave than a dead meal. Or worse... you could be one of those things. Now, come on. Let’s get you settled in.” Louise tucked the clipboard under her arm and went to a set of bunk beds mounted on the wall. The top bunk held stacks of orange jumpsuits and folded white towels. She gave Hannah an appraising look. “What are you, a size four?”
    Hannah almost didn’t hear her as the weight of everything Louise had told her fully sunk in. “A size eight,” she said distractedly, before adding, “but I guess I’ve lost some weight.”
    Louise laughed. “Haven’t we all? It’s the new diet craze. Basic survival. Everybody’s doing it.” She pulled down some jumpsuits and flipped through them, checking the tags. She selected two and handed them to Hannah, along with a towel. “Those are smalls. They’re men’s, though, so they’ll probably be a little big on you. But at least it’s something to wear.” She looked Hannah up and down. “When’s the last time you showered?”
    “Not since before… everything.”
    Louise let out a low whistle. “That’s a long time to go without a hot shower. Come on. I’ll show you to your bunk, then I’ll take you down to the showers.” She headed out of the cell as she spoke, and Hannah followed. “Normally, we all start lining up for the showers before breakfast. It’s not someplace you ever want to go by yourself.”
    “Why?”
    She looked back over her shoulder at Hannah. “Word of advice, girl. You don’t ever want to catch yourself alone in this place, not if you can help it. Oh, I know they gave you the speech about how we’re all safe here, and under protection. And it’s true, the guards get in a lot of trouble for helping themselves, if they get caught.” She let out a bitter laugh. “But you’d be surprised how often they don’t get caught.” She glanced back at Hannah again. “You’re pretty, too. They’ll all want a taste of you.”
    Hannah stared in horror at the back of Louise’s head as she followed her up a catwalk to another row of cells. She said a silent prayer of thanks for all of the self-defense training her dad had insisted on before asking, “So, exactly how strong are they?” Her hand went to her bruised face and rubbed the scratches Esme’s iron grip had left there. If that little display had been any indication, she doubted that her green belt in Krav Maga would do her much good if she got cornered by one of those things. “Here you go,” Louise said, showing her into an empty cell. “D 32.”
    Hannah stepped inside and looked around. It was a tiny square cell, about six feet by six feet, with a pair of bunk beds on one wall and a stainless steel toilet in the corner. A sink was mounted on the wall above the toilet, and a tiny shelf hung over the sink. High up on the back wall of the cell was a small, rectangular window, covered with bars. She’d have to climb up onto the top bunk to see out of it.
    “It’s getting close to lunch time,” said Louise. “I’ll get some clean sheets on your bunk while you’re down in the cafeteria. But