“I don’t know for sure, but it doesn’t feel like it.” Sure, the symbol had been there and all, but it had felt new, whereas the occupant of the unit had been there for decades. It was more like the symbol had been used to wake it up. “Here’s hoping it’s not. We’re not ready. But honestly, it’s the instigator, but I don’t think Hugo’s Nachtmar is it.”

“Good. I’ve got plans. I’m getting my hair done next week.”

“Thanks for not yelling at me for procrastinating murdering my dad to prevent Armageddon.”

“Don’t beat yourself up. We don’t know what’s going on yet, and besides, your dad’s probably delusional.” Julie quickly changed the subject because we both knew he probably wasn’t. “It’s been pretty quiet up here. The only things I’ve seen through the windows down there are people angry about being stuck in quarantine.”

“How can you tell?”

“On twenty power I can’t exactly read lips, but I can certainly read body language. The situation’s getting rowdy in there, which is why I didn’t ask for any more help up here. I figured we needed all the Hunters we could get inside.”

“Speaking of being needed inside…”

“I knew you’d get around to asking that eventually.” Julie knew me far too well. “You want to know why I volunteered to be out here, on lookout duty that anybody else could do, instead of being my usual diplomatic, take-charge self, herding cats downstairs?”

“Pretty much.”

My wife leaned on the railing and watched the barricades. She took a long time answering. “Because I lost my temper and hit that stupid Hunter.”

“Personally, I thought that was awesome.”

“Yeah, you would, Mr. Solves All Problems with Bludgeoning.”

“That’s actually my Indian name. I’m one sixty-fourth Cherokee.”

“You don’t get it. I’m supposed to be the rational one. I’m supposed to be the calm one that makes good decisions. If you lost it on that guy, nobody would’ve been surprised. I’m supposed to be good with people.”

“You do have a bit of a reputation. Julie’s the brains. I’m the one that’s good at lifting heavy things and reaching items on the top shelf.”

“When he accused me of being like my dad…I don’t know. I just…Well, that wasn’t me.”

“Your dad was tricked into doing some awful things. Of course you got mad. You’re only human. One cheap shot deserved another. Dumbass got what he deserved.”

She reached up and rubbed her neck absently. Her voice was so low I could barely hear her over the wind. “Maybe.”

I reached out gently and caught her wrist. “Cut that out.”