Plague Nation Read Online Free PDF Page A

pissed-off tone of his voice.
    Swell.
    “Kai was demonstrating the efficacy of Silly String against the enemy... sir.” I kept my voice as neutral as I could, but I guess the sarcasm of the “sir” snuck through my limited acting ability, because the look Gabriel shot us could have started another fire.
    “I can’t believe you three.” He shook his head in disgust. “Can’t you take things seriously, even for a few minutes?”
    Tony and Kai exchanged sheepish looks. I, on the other hand, walked straight up to him until we were toe-to-toe, and glared up at him.
    “In case you haven’t noticed, sir —” I didn’t even try this time “—we have a dead zombie here, which would intimate that Team A takes our mission very seriously. The fact that Lando chose to utilize an unorthodox weapon would show that he’s capable of thinking outside the box, if the occasion necessitates it.”
    Out of the corner of my eye I saw Kai and Tony look at me with new appreciation as I piled on the bullshit. Gabriel, on the other hand, did not look impressed.
    “The occasion didn’t necessitate it. This was just sloppy work.”
    Since I actually agreed with him, I kept my mouth shut. But that didn’t stop me from chanting “douche” over and over in my head.
    “Is that clear?” He glared at the three of us.
    The Wonder Twins nodded. It hurt my neck and my pride to do so, but I did the same.
    “Good,” he said. “We’re done for the day. Debrief in Room 217 in an hour. Don’t forget to mark the doors.” Turning on his heel, Gabriel strode out of the store without a backward glance.
    This time I didn’t even appreciate the sight of his retreating butt; I just wanted to plant my foot on it and push hard. Really hard.
    I couldn’t believe that three days ago he and I had engaged in hot monkey sex, and then fought the zombie swarm. Together. At some point between our victory and now, something had gone wrong. Or, more specifically, something had definitely gone fubar with Gabriel. Maybe it was his meds, maybe something else, but whatever it was I didn’t know whether to be worried or pissed off. So I went for both.
    “Sorry, Ash.” Kai put a hand on my shoulder. He sounded sincere, so I resisted my first impulse to shrug it off.
    “Yeah, okay.” I turned and faced him. “Just... no more shit like the Silly String, okay?”
    Kai and Tony both nodded, expressions too solemn for comfort. But at least they were trying.
SAN FRANCISCO FINANCIAL DISTRICT
    Mika studied her reflection in the window that separated the pharmacy from the rest of the drug store. She nodded slightly, approving of the shine of her long glossy black hair and the contrast between her olive-toned skin and lush red lips, courtesy of Cover Girl’s “Desire” lipstick.
    Then she looked past her reflection out into the store, and sighed.
    “What’s wrong?” Emmet, one of her fellow pharmacists at the Sacramento Street Walgreens, took a swig of his fourth Coke of the morning. He averaged two per hour, and it showed in the comfortably expansive stomach that lurked under his white coat.
    “Check out the line,” she said.
    Emmett hoisted himself out of his chair and peered around Mika at the dozen or so people snaking down the medications aisle, at least half of them coughing, sniffling, or sneezing. He groaned, and then sat back down.
    “What, did the entire San Francisco Financial District get sick at once?” he said. “Tell me these people aren’t all here for vaccines.”
    Mika held out the sign-up sheet. All twenty-four slots were filled, each one with a check indicating the flu vaccine.
    “This is just the top sheet,” she said. “Every reservation is full, and we have walk-ins.”
    “Well, slap my ass and call me Sally.” Emmett shook his head. “Guess Walker’s Flu came to visit.”
    Mika giggled as she always did when Emmett used one of his incomprehensible Mid-western expressions. Tossing her hair over one shoulder, she looked at