Chapter 494 Questions for Chocte

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    They didn’t go back right away but stayed on the sixth floor, keeping a close eye on Theresa’s group.

    After surveying the area, Theresa’s team decided this floor was perfect for setting up a zipline to the Military Garrison across the way. And wasting no time, Graham hurled the hooked head of the zipline toward one of the garrison’s windows.

    With a sharp ing/ii, /iittched on. He tested the hook, tightened the line, and anchored it on their end. Then he clipped in and was the first to slide across.

    With a low whizi, /ihis lighter build carried him smoothly over the swarming mass of zombies below. Hended in the garrison, checked the room for danger, reinforced the hook on that side, and waved for the others to follow.

    Only eight of them hade out on this run. When it was Lucas‘ turn, Theresa said, “I’m staying. I’ll hold this side.”

    Her gaze shifted toward the strangers watching from the doorway. With outsiders this shrewd, someone had to stand guard, and she wasn’t about to leave it to anyone else.

    “Got it. I’ll be quick,” Lucas said.

    “Make it fast.”

    He clipped onto the zipline and glided across the 30–plus feet to the other side. Even though this was the shortest crossing they could find, it was still a good distance. Beneath them, 60 feet down, was a sea of churning ck–zombies crowding in at the sound, their guttural cries wing at the nerves. No one dared to look down.

    A single fall would mean no body left to recover, not even bone dust—just clean–picked nothing. The creatures, starving for years, snapped their jaws open as the “food” sailed overhead, eyes locked hungrily on each passing body.

    Theresa stood watch at her end, her eyes finally rxing a little once Lucasnded safely.

    Then she heard footsteps. Turning, she saw a woman in an oversized men’s shirt carrying two cups of water toward them.

    The woman was painfully thin, skin stretched over bone. Malnutrition had aged her prematurely–though likely in her twenties, she looked like a worn woman in herte thirties or forties. Her skin was dry and wrinkled, but her features were fine, enough to tell she’d once been a beautiful city woman before the apocalypse.

    “Here, Water,” the woman said softly, eyes down the entire time.

    “Where’d you get it? Rainwater?” Theresa asked.

    The woman kept her head down, lips pressed tight, saying nothing.

    “Answer a few questions and I’ll give you something to eat,” Theresa offered.

    The woman’s throat bobbed at the word “eat,” her stomach clearly empty, but still, she didn’t speak. She

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    Chapter 494 Questions for Chocte

    b+5 /bFree Coins

    only looked up briefly, meeting Theresa’s eyes. They were dull, lifeless, like she had no interest in anything

    at all.

    Theresa nced at Quentin, giving him a signal.

    He stepped forward, grinning. “Beautiful, I’m Quentin. Can I get to know you?”

    The moment he drew closer, the woman bolted like a frightened rabbit. Quentin scratched his jaw. iHas /iimy /iicharm /iireally /idropped ithat /iimuch/ii? /iiShe /iijust /iran.

    Another female voice called out, “Don’t bother with her. Zuberi’s like that with everyone. You said you’d give food for answers, right?”

    “Mm.” Theresa reached into her pack and pulled out a chocte bar.

    The woman’s eyes lit up instantly, fixed on the treat.

    Chocte–sweet, rich, high in energy. She hadn’t seen one in years. She looked ready to snatch it and tuck it away in her shirt right then.

    “Ask,” she said quickly. “I’ll tell you anything you want to know.”

    “How many of you are there?”

    “Fifteen.”

    That man speaking earlier–your leader?”

    “Yeah. His name’s Desmond Trask. He used to be the general manager of Grand Homes Realty on the seventh floor.”

    “You’ve been living here the whole time?”

    Her gaze never left the chocte bar. “Yes.”

    “Three years. What do you eat and drink?”

    At that, she finally lifted her head, eyeing Theresa with sudden caution.