Free Successors by Felicia Jedlicka Page A

They each offered Danato a respectful nod, just short of a salute.
    He was also relieved to see and feel the warm sunlight streaming through the high windows of the level. 
    “Let's check out the infirmary, you can get your cheek looked at while we're there.” Danato said and guided them toward a glass enclosed section just off to the right, labeled Infirmary.
    According to Danato, the infirmary held a central position on the floor, with entrances on both the east and west ends. The animal cages were located parallel to it, skirting the outside walls in environmentally controlled sections.
    Ethan followed Danato through a small entryway, followed by another hall of windows. On either side, were rooms with hospital beds. Some were just basic cots, divided by curtains and others were fully loaded gonna-be-there-for-a-while beds.
    At the end of the hall was a c-shaped reception desk. Two women leaned against the counter talking. They were both well into their forties and neither had an exceptional figure, but he was thankful to see someone of the opposite sex that wasn't on the verge of a dissociative disorder.
    The woman saw Danato and jumped to attention. “Yes, sir, how can we help you?” The older of the two said, before she caught sight of Ethan's cheeks. Her eyes widened and she waved at her partner. “Ah, Marcy, get the ointment.”
    The nurse bypassed Danato and grabbed his hand. “You poor dear. Is this your first day on?” She drug him forward into an exam room just off the hub. “It's a rough ride the first go around, I tell you what.” She continued to babble as  she gathered supplies. “Don't you worry, next time it will be easier.”
    “Next time?” Ethan asked.
    “Ethan is going to be full time,” Danato answered his question from the doorway.
    The nurse froze and looked over at him. She gave him a small smile that looked like pity. “Just you wait.” She returned to her chipper mood. “You are going to see things that will make you renew your faith in God.”
    “And hate him,” Danato mumbled at the door.
    “I didn't hear that,” the nurse said in a sing song voice.
    “Excuse me, warden,” a tiny voice spoke from the hall, and Danato shifted to let the nurse Marcy into the room.
    “Ah, here we go,” the lead nurse said as she plucked the  ointment from Marcy's fingers. “Those grimy little buggers are ripe with infection causing bacteria. You be sure to come see us anytime you get a scrape down in the darks . Okay?”
    “Okay.” Ethan smirked and leaned forward for his treatment. He hadn't had this much doting in a long time. He was almost glad for his stupid mistake now.
     
     
     
    13
    Cori ducked on the other side of the island, dodging Twinkie and Ding Dong grenades. Her attempts to infiltrate the kitchen had so far been denied, but she still had hope that she could penetrate the northern defenses and make off with the remnants of the chip inventory.
    She stayed low, crawling between the island and dining room table. She peered around the corner, by the fridge. It was all clear, but she could already see the shrapnel of downed potato chips. It may have been too late for the salty snacks cupboard.
    Determined not to be beaten by the foreign invaders she  scooted further in, to flank the front line. Just as she suspected, the powdered-sugar festooned buggers were preoccupied defending their position on the south.
    She moved forward, ducking low, and avoiding the plastic crinkle wrappers that littered her path. Two feet away in the pantry cabinet, she gathered the lone surviving bag of tortilla chips and a fiesta trail mix that no one was going to eat, because it was ridiculously hot.
    She searched for the others, but they were gone. Chocolate chip cookies. Gone. Cheesy crackers. Gone. Those little doughnuts covered in that coconut crap. Gone!
    Overcome by digestive grief she stepped wrong and planted her foot right on a cupcake package. The crunching plastic might as well have