The Zero Trilogy (Book 3): End of Day Read Free Page A

would be doing something good.
    “We could really use your help, Elle,” Felix said.
    The smug expression on his face was gone. He looked tired in that moment – just as tired and scared as everyone else was during these terrifying times. He took a seat in a metal chair and folded his hands.
    “The truth is, Elle,” he went on, “is that this base’s survival depends on volunteers like you. We are not an army. We’re not technically military, either. We’re different. We don’t attackmilitary targets. We stay hidden and hope to stay off Omega’s radar. That’s how we operate.”
    Elle pondered this.
    She really had no way to find her uncle at this point. Sure, he was in Sacramento, but that was a long journey, and by the time she got there, he could be gone again. If she stayed here, she could survive in the seclusion of Bear Mountain, helping survivors of the Collapse.
    “If I stay,” she said, “Bravo is with me. He will be treated just like any other volunteer. Same rights, same treatment.”
    Felix nodded.
    “Of course,” he agreed.
    “And I want privacy,” she continued. “I don’t want to stay in the Civilian Ward. I don’t care if you give me a cardboard box to sleep in, I just want to be alone.”
    Felix smiled.
    “Absolutely,” he said. “You won’t regret this. We’ll be able to help you as much as you’ll be able to help us.”
    Elle wasn’t so sure.
    But something was bubbling up in the pit of her stomach, rising through her chest. Was it…excitement? Was she happy? She shook herself. It didn’t do any good to get her hopes up. This arrangement might not work out. She might have to leave tomorrow. She couldn’t get comfortable here.
    Still…she allowed herself to smile. Barely.
    “Welcome to the team,” Cheng said.
    Bravo rested his chin on Elle’s knee.
    So. We’re playing on a team now?
    “Thank you,” Elle said.
    Felix shook his head.
    “Thank
you
,” he answered. “You won’t regret this.”
    Elle licked her lips. Between Felix’s enthusiasm and Cheng’s grin, it was hard to believe that anything was wrong with this arrangement. Sure, she knew better than to trust them completely, but this was the best option they had right now.
    Survival was a game. Play it right, and you get to live.
    Elle was good at playing this game.
    This looked like the right move.
    “You can stay with Cheng’s division in the back of the compound,” Felix said. “He can show you where it is.”
    Cheng nodded, pleased.
    “This way, little ninja,” he said.
    Elle clicked her tongue and Bravo followed her out the door, right behind Cheng. They exited the Headquarters building and moved outside.
    “So. You’re working for them now.” Cheng tilted his head, each of his steps the length of two of Elle’s. “How does it feel?”
    “I don’t know. How should it feel?” Elle replied.
    “That’s a question only you can answer.” Cheng led them across the compound, past the Civilian Ward and the Chow Hall, to a smaller concrete building with the number one painted in red on the door. “This is where people like us stay.”
    “People like
us
?”
    “Hired help.”
    She stepped inside. The building was mostly empty right now. It was dark. Strips of sunlight slipped through cracks in the wall. There were canvas cots. Four or five people were asleep, huddled under blankets.
    “You can have the cot in the far corner,” Cheng said. “Mine is here by the door.”
    He gestured to a perfectly clean cot with one blanket and pillow.
    Elle dropped her field pack onto the bed.
    “Come on,” Cheng continued, “I want to show you something.”
    They closed the door and Elle and Bravo followed Cheng to the very back of the compound, behind the building. A concrete wall separated Bear Mountain Military Base from the side of the mountain. Metal stakes had been driven into the ground. There were punching bags, targets and a makeshift wrestling mat.
    “What is this supposed to be?” Elle