* * * Epilogue * * *

I sniffed the wind before heading toward the east gate. Luke noticed my change of direction and came over to walk beside me, "I assume Kelly and Travis are finally coming?"

I nodded, "That is their scent on the wind."

We had been expecting them for the last couple of days. They were a bit late, but I could finally pick up their scent so they wouldn't take long to arrive now.

I heard familiar footsteps come running up behind me. I glanced back as I growled at Liz. She ignored my mild growl as per usual as she launched herself onto my back. She was big enough to manage it now. I growled at her once more and she growled right back in a playful manner.

Her growls were much better after practicing for well over a year. She could hit the exact tone and note that she wanted. She also knew what they meant. It was hard to tell hers apart from an actual zombie's growl at this point.

I snorted faintly in mild amusement, "Why don't you go bother Nicky? She loves any excuse to get out of work."

Liz wrapped her arms more tightly around my shoulders in an attempt to not fall off as I resumed walking, "She is currently hiding from Daniel at the moment."

I sighed heavily, "What did she do this time?"

"Ummm... She somehow managed to sneak soap into his food and used a herb to cover the scent."

Luke shuddered lightly as he recalled his own encounter with soap so long ago. I turned my head as I eyed her up suspiciously, "Why do I suspect that she had help in this one?"

Liz ducked her head sheepishly, "Can I blame Logan?"

Liz knew that lying was futile and only got her into trouble. She probably found out about the herb from Logan or Nina, and judging from her comment, I was going with Logan.

I narrowed my eyes, "I think I am going to have to report your behavior to your mother at this rate."

Liz started giggling so hard that she almost fell off my back, "You know that she would never discipline me in a way that would satisfy you."

Liz had been adopted by a couple that happened to spend the evening practicing archery. For some reason, they were unable to have children and were very lenient with Liz. But the rest of the Stronghold also had a say in discipline if she overstepped a boundary...

I bared my teeth in a silent threat, "But I bet that Logan would not be impressed with you abusing such knowledge. He would tell Daniel who the real culprit behind all of this was."

"Uh oh." She had a right to worry. Logan would make sure that Daniel would know the scent of that plant for the future so that they couldn't do such a thing again. He also did not like people using his knowledge to harm or bother others and he would likely give her some rather unpleasant chores as punishment.

Daniel would also likely find some sort of fitting punishment since she had helped Nicky with such a prank. Luke opened up the gate for me and my passenger. The sentries on top saw nothing odd about Liz dangling from my shoulders. I wasn't helping her stay on and if she fell off, then that was her problem.

Liz peeked over my shoulder, "Where are we going?"

"To greet Kelly and Travis."

She had been waiting for their arrival eagerly the last few days, "I can't wait to see them again! They haven't stopped by since last month. Did you tell Nina or Logan?"

I smirked, "Not yet. Why don't you go let them know that we have company?"

She was still as suggestible as ever, "Okay!"

She dropped off of my shoulders before turning to run back inside the fence to locate the two lovebirds. Luke grinned at my underhanded tactics, "You did that just to get her off of your back."

"I am sure that the little monkey will figure it out eventually."

Luke just shook his head and chuckled. It wouldn't take her long to locate those two. What Nina and Logan saw in one another baffled me, but they got along admirably well. It had taken Nina almost two months to realize that Logan had a crush on her. Well, technically Daniel had figured it out first, but that was beside the point. Daniel had actually been amused with his discovery and he was happy for Nina since she also liked the quiet man.

Logan turned out to be pretty decent with the lab equipment and often helped create large batches of the cure, serum and controlex which were sent to other Strongholds via the trading routes. All of the places we had stopped at during the third wave were more than happy to send the boxes of precious vials to more distant Strongholds on their next trip.

In fact, Kelly and Travis should be bringing back news from several remote Strongholds. Most places were unaware that they were actually zombies and thought that they were just traders who were so claustrophobic that they couldn't stand the thought of going inside of a Stronghold fence.

Movement in the trees caught my attention and I grinned as the two Nightstalkers emerged from the shadows. Luke growled a low greeting and they both growled in response. I bared my teeth in a welcome, "We were beginning to think that you got lost."

Nightstalkers simply did not get lost, especially over terrain they had traveled through several times. Kelly snorted, "You obviously need to get out more. Honestly, when was the last time you spent more than two days away from the Stronghold? You are going to turn into a human at this rate even without the cure."

I rolled my eyes, "For your information, I took off for a four day vacation two weeks ago."

Usually about once a month or so I took off for several days just for some alone time. I could only handle people, zombies, and Nicky for so long before I simply needed a break from it all. Kelly grinned, "And Nicky managed to survive for that long without you?"

Luke chuckled, "She survived while Trinity was gone that time, but whether she lives to see the sunset tonight is a different story."

Kelly was endlessly amused by Nicky and the things she did, "Oh?"

Luke gazed at the sky with a grin on his face, "She put soap in Daniel's food and added a herb to cover the scent of the soap."

Travis made a face and Kelly started cackling. Kelly tried to get herself under control, "Oh, I wish I had been there to see his face!"

I grinned, "Well, she is currently in hiding, so you may have to go rescue her."

Kelly nodded enthusiastically, "Why don't we go do that? The poor misunderstood thing. I know that Daniel won't bother her if she is with us."

I shook my head as I turned around to walk back. Kelly's view of Nicky was completely irrational. Perhaps she needed her head checked, or to actually be present on the now-rare occasions that Nicky went off the deep end.

Kelly walked beside me, "We stopped at quite a few Strongholds and also stopped to visit some zombies, but we have found no trace of the sneezing with this last wave."

I wasn't exactly surprised. The wave before this one had only reported two infections and both had been given the cure in time. I shrugged, "We can keep tabs on it, but it really looks like the seventh wave was the last one. The new radio towers relayed information from as many Strongholds as possible for Nina, but there were no reports of anyone sneezing or showing signs of infection in the eighth wave."

Travis commented, "Between the sneezing period being so short that last time and the number of people now vaccinated, it doesn't really surprise me."

The vaccination had a 90% success rate and, to the best of my knowledge, the vast majority of the surviving humans within a three week drive were now vaccinated. They knew it wasn't guaranteed to be 100% effective, but that just made the reckless idiots a bit more cautious.

Luke was once more the gentleman as he held the gate open for us. Kelly gazed around. She wasn't entirely thrilled to be inside the fence, but it didn't bother her like it used to. This was the only Stronghold either sibling would even consider coming into.

The residents knew them on sight and gave them space so they wouldn't feel crowded. Kelly sniffed the air, "There is a second Runner here?"

I nodded, "Yes. Her name is Davina and she arrived about a week after you left. She is staying in one of the cabins by the fence."

This was still one of the very few places that had no problems with sane zombies and we expected more might show up. We had word that sane Runners had been approaching various Strongholds for the cure or controlex. Those who became human usually remained there, while those with the controlex tended to keep traveling.

Kelly and Travis packed both of those drugs with them in case they met a sane zombie while traveling. Kelly tilted her head, "I will have to go meet her afterwards. We actually found a tiny village with a dozen sane Runners in it to the east. All had taken the controlex, but they had quite the interesting setup. I even brought sketches of their pigeon coop for Luke."

Luke looked intrigued, "Thank you."

Kelly nodded and looked around, "You're welcome. Now, back to our original rescue mission. If we were Nicky, where would we hide?"

Travis thought for a second, "Someplace that Daniel either couldn't or wouldn't go."

I considered various places that fit within those criteria. One in particular stood out. I growled faintly, "She better not be where I think she is..."

I altered my path and the other three followed in silent curiosity. Luke realized my destination when I approached the secondary building, "I can't see her getting into your room. You lock the door when you leave."

Kelly bared her teeth in amusement, "A lock wouldn't stop me, so I highly doubt it would stop Nicky."

I pulled out my key as we climbed the stairs. The door was still locked, but my keen nose knew who was hidden inside. I unlocked it and glared at the intruder who was sprawled out on my bed, "And just what do you think you are doing in here?"

"Well, I was attempting to nap, but that plan is out now." Nicky spied the latest arrivals behind me and sat up. "Kelly! You're back!"

Kelly tilted her head. "I'm back, but I am trying to figure out how you are still alive."

Nicky chuckled and grabbed several cans of tomato juice from where she had put them on my dresser, "Some days are harder than others and I think I may need your help with survival today. Can you please hold these for me? I am hoping Daniel will hesitate to approach if you are carrying them."

I caught the can she had gently tossed my way. Kelly caught hers as well. Nicky didn't bother tossing one toward Travis since he didn't humor her very often. Both now knew the age-old joke about the tomato juice cans.

Luke picked up a can and examined the mostly harmless object, "I am awaiting the day that Ben tells Daniel that you only use them as airborne missiles."

Nicky made a face, "We have a deal and he promised to uphold it. He has permanent immunity in exchange for his silence. If he speaks of it and Daniel realizes the truth, then that immunity goes bye-bye. I have an energy drink stashed in my room for that day and he knows it."

Luke made a face, "Give me warning and I will take a long hike with Trinity in the forest."

Kelly grinned at Nicky, "Let me know as well. I want to sit on the rooftop and watch."

Nicky chuckled and rubbed her hands together as she imagined that scenario. Kelly and Nicky could be a bad combination at times. I mock scowled at them, "You two should be separated. For my peace of mind, if nothing else."

Travis inquired, "Why are you in Trinity's room anyway?"

Nicky gave him a look that clearly said how dense she thought that question was, "For starters, with my room next door, Daniel wouldn't be surprised to pick up my scent in this hallway. The biggest reason is that he won't enter Trinity's room even if he realized that I am in here. He knows that Nightstalkers are easily pissed off if someone invades their personal domain."

"And yet you enter her room?" Travis thought she was nuts. Had anyone else tried it, I would have snarled at them for invading my room. Nicky was pushing my patience as well...

She shrugged, "I am pretty sure that Trinity prefers me alive. Besides, I was well behaved. I didn't snoop through her drawers or color anything."

I growled faintly, "You might have died had you attempted that."

"That is why I didn't even consider it. But that reminds me," She turned to look at Kelly, "I managed to get my hands on a new package of markers. Can you slip the empty wrapper under Daniel's door when you head out? The suspense will kill him as he waits for me to strike."

It was official, Nicky liked to live life on the line. She wasn't even out of the woods after her last stunt and she was already busy digging a deeper hole...

Kelly shook her head, "I will pass on that one. He will pick up my scent on it and I don't feel like having him blaming me for being involved in this fiasco."

Nicky sighed as she accepted defeat, "Fine. I assume you are going to the roof for a visit?"

Kelly nodded, "That was the plan. I am sure Nina will find us before too long. She is as curious as any cat and has no fear of zombies either."

"I'll tag along then. I am pretty sure that three Nightstalkers and a Runner can make a Terror think twice. Or maybe he has calmed down by now."

I rolled my eyes and grumbled irritably, "Get out of my room already."

Nicky headed into the hallway and I made sure to close and lock my door. At this rate I was going to have to look into locks that took zombie strength to unlock. Luke shook his head before heading for the stairwell. I took up the rear as I followed the others to the roof.

Liz, Logan, Nina, and Daniel had guessed our destination and beat us up here. Daniel eyed up Nicky before growling, "Is there perhaps something you wish to explain?"

Nicky put her hand over her heart as she pretended to be shocked, "You are blaming me?!"

Daniel's eyes never left her face, "Yes." He had no doubt whatsoever.

"I feel so wounded that you suspect me of being guilty for soap somehow appearing in your salad."

Daniel was unimpressed, "And yet you somehow knew exactly what I was talking about."

Nicky shrugged as she flopped into her chair, "Of course I knew. I did it, but someone else put me up to it."

Daniel sniffed and realized she was telling the truth. His eyes narrowed in thought before skimming over to me as he tried to think of the second culprit. He didn't even consider the other two Nightstalkers, then again, they would never taunt him so.

I made a face at him, "You can't blame me for this one. You might want to ask the little monkey over there for the details if you want them."

Liz started fidgeting guiltily as Daniel looked at her. He frowned at the child, "You and I will be having words later on."

Liz ducked her head repentantly, "Yes Daniel."

I knew that Daniel would go easier on Liz than on Nicky. Liz at least had the excuse of being a child. Nicky was more like a stray marble rolling down a hill when all you do is stand there and watch in bemusement as it rolls out of sight.

Nina started talking with Kelly and Travis as they told her of where they had gone and that there had been no trace of anyone sneezing. I halfway tuned them out as I absently gazed at the Stronghold below.

It had been a long year and half since I first stumbled across Liz and the other three with her. As crazy as it sounded, I counted everyone on this rooftop as my friend at this point. There had been ups and downs, bumps and bruises, but we had all pulled through.

This was a strange place. One where sane zombies walked among humans freely, and they were glad to have us here. A place where there was mostly harmony, provided we could keep Nicky away from the coffee.

The old cabin up north no longer interested me. As much as I hated to admit it, I had gotten accustomed to the humans here and tolerating them was easier than I would have ever imagined. Daniel and I still had minor clashes on occasion, but that was to be expected with stubborn zombies of different ranks. Strangely enough, I was actually happy here.

In an ironic twist of fate, the Stronghold that I had originally sworn I would never enter had somehow become my home.

Perhaps I actually had more luck than I had ever realized.