Outbreak: Brave New World Read Online Free PDF Page A

crippled ex-junkie did not strike her as a fair exchange in her opinion.
    The door slid open a few minutes later and Amy’s mom came out onto the deck. “Would you like a nother cup of coffee?” Jessica asked from the doorway. “There’s a little hot water leftover from breakfast if you do.”
    Rodriguez forced a smile. “Sure. I’ll take some if it wouldn’t be any trouble.” she said and then turned her attention back to the area around the house. It was nice and quiet…kind of like looking at a postcard or something. It was so different from Boston or Hanscomb or the tedious madhouse that had been that goddamn school… The door opened up again and Frannie turned in her chair when she heard the sound of tiny footsteps.
    “Hey F rannie!” Paul said with a big grin as he walked towards her. The boy had what looked like Matchbox cars in his hands which he held out for Frannie’s inspection. “Wanna play trucks with me?”
    Frannie smiled at the little boy, her heart melting into a puddle. “I’d like to, buddy but I’m working right now.” she said quietly. The little boy seemed disappointed and looked at the toy cars in his hands. “Why don’t you ask your sister to play?”
    Paulie went over to the table near the door and put his toys on it before coming back over to stand next to Frannie. “She’s doing more pitchers.” the boy said, his little face wrinkling up with distaste. “What you doing?”
    “Well…I’m… watching out for…stuff.” Frannie said quietly. The little boy stared at her as if trying to puzzle something out. He walked a little closer and rested his chin on her forearm as he looked up at her. Frannie could not help but feel a little uncomfortable, as if she could sense Paul’s big blue eyes pressing into the scars on her face and neck. She started to wonder when the boy would start to ask the same questions strangers always asked eventually.
    Paulie pressed his cheek against her arm. “What kinda stuff are you watching for?” he asked. The boy looked from Frannie’s face to the black carbine between her legs and back again. She gave an exaggerated sigh then leaned her M4 against the railing and let the boy climb into her lap.
    “Strangers and stuff like that.” Frannie said as she let the boy get comfortable in her lap and put her arms around him. She frowned slightly then sighed and smiled. “Tell you what, buddy. Wanna help?”
    The boy’s face lit up. “Really? Neat!” he said as he settled back against Frannie’s chest. The two of them sat there for a little while, enjoying the little noises of the forest around them. Frannie could only guess at what half of them were. She figured that most of the sounds were birds or bugs or something. There were little screeching chitterling type noises that made the little boy in her lap tense up every once in awhile. Paulie would look around then relax after a couple seconds when Rodriguez held him tight.
    The door slid open again and Jessica came back with a mug of coffee in each hand. Frannie frowned a little bit as she picked the boy up and set him down on the deck. “Thank you very much, Mrs. Frays.” Frannie said as she accepted the steaming mug. She frowned and looked at her lap for a moment. “I…um…really don’t know how to thank you guys.”
    Jessica simply smiled and patted the woman’s forearm. “Don’t think anything of it.” she said then turned her attention to the boy. “Hey Paulie, George and Carl were planning on going fishing. If you ask nice, I’ll bet they’ll take you with them.” The boy grinned widely and scampered off into the house in search of Carl and Mister Frays. “It’s no trouble at all taking you kids in.” Jessica said as she took a sip of her coffee.
    Frannie suddenly took a quick breath and covered her mouth. “I’m sorry. I’m sorry.” she said quietly as she stifled a choking sob. Jessica moved closer and put an arm around Frannie’s shoulders and took the younger