Back on the SS Survivor, I listen to the chorus of voices echo through Common B.

“Good God! You took on a Rabid?” Helen’s tone rises an octave as she stares at Asher. “All by yourselves?”

“We were lucky it was only the one.” Asher frowns, glancing at his dad.

Warren’s face showed complete impassivity.

Helen yanks Asher into a fierce hug. “I’m glad you’re okay.”

“We’re all fine, Mom.” His cheeks are pink.

“It is odd that he was alone,” Jamie observes, trying to capture Helen’s eye. “It was as if he were pretending to be like the others in his group.”

“But why would he be hanging out with a bunch of droolers?” Jesse takes a noisy bite of his apple.

“It is an excellent cover.” Val points out. “It took us a while to catch on. Almost too late.”

“I knew something didn’t feel right.” Sagging in my seat, I pout. “I should’ve spoken up when I first felt it.”

Val pats my arm. “No offense, Izzy, but you always think that.”

Asher covers his laugh with a cough.

I roll my eyes. “I can’t help my anxiety. She fears the worst.”

“We know, cupcake.” Asher ruffles my hair.

Rod rubs his face. “I am just glad we made it back in one piece and found something at that lab.”

Warren drums his fingers against the file sitting on the small table where we are. “With any luck, we’ll find some answers within these pages.”

“And rid ourselves of this awful outbreak.” Helen places a palm atop her husband’s, stilling his hand.

Warren sighs and glances at the clock. “Alright, let’s bring this meeting to an end so the Zombie Killers can get some rest. They deserve it after the past couple of days.”

“Yes, I’m ready to decode these files.” Helen stands with her husband, embracing our team in a tight hug. “I am so happy you guys are home safe.”

“Us too, Mrs. A.” Jesse rakes his fingers through his shaggy brown hair.

I stretch as I get out of my chair, and Asher places a kiss on my temple. His soft gaze meets mine. “Breakfast at our usual place tomorrow?”

“You bet.” I smile.

In my bunk, I relax into the cushion of my mattress, sighing as I wrap my blanket around my shoulders. “It’s so wonderful to be home.”

“Here, here,” Val mumbles from her spot, and quiet snores follow soon after.

I reach over and flip the light switch off. “Goodnight, Val.”

***

Asher sits in our booth when I plop down with my cafeteria tray full of waffles, sausage, and a bowl of fruit. I huff a breath.

“How did you sleep?” He tucks a stray curl behind my ear before popping a grape into his mouth.

“So great that I missed my alarm.” I spear a strawberry with my fork. “Sorry, I’m late.”

He waves me off. “Unnecessary. It’s been a long three days.”

“Mm-hmm.” I nod around another bite, trying to shake the adrenaline from my veins.

He smirks. “I wish I could sleep in, but each time I try, my body wakes me up every half hour. After two thirty-minute wake-ups, I stayed up.”

“That sounds awful.” I wrinkle my nose. If it weren’t for Val’s phone going off, I would still be asleep right now.

“I’m used to it.” He shrugs his shoulders. “So, what’s on the agenda for today?”

I squint. “I am hoping for a lot of nothing.”

Asher laughs. “What does that entail?”

“Probably a trip to the library to pick out a book for the club. I may also grab a movie or two to kill some time before Val returns from her ship duties.”

Asher frowns. “She got stuck with that on our first day back from a mission? That’s trash.”

“No,” I shake my head. “She volunteered. Said it helps her cope with the trauma we experience out there.”

“At least she’s being proactive.” Asher picks at the remains on his plate.

I finish the last of my waffles. “Yeah, her therapist suggested it when she was going through those rage fits.”

“I remember those.” Asher winces. No doubt recalling when he was on the receiving end.

“Whatever they have her doing on these brief assignments seems to work, so I’m all for it.”

I take a big gulp of my orange juice, savoring its tart flavor.

A chair scrapes across the floor, and Val straddles it, grabbing a sliver of watermelon from my tray. “What are we talking about?”

“Good morning to you, too.” Asher arches an eyebrow at her.

She waves a hand. “Whatever.”

“Just your oh-so-mysterious ship duties.” I scoot my dish towards her.

“Ah, you mean my therapy.” She grins, taking another slice of fruit. “You guys may be in luck, then, because we’re a little short-handed today. Could use a few extra sets of hands?”

I glance at Asher’s puzzled expression. “Doing what?”

Val’s eyes sparkle as she finishes what’s left on my plate. “You’ll see.”

Editor: Lucy Cafiero