“It would depend on the conditions.” Realism always won out over positivity. She wasn’t disagreeing; picturing herself in that sort of situation wasn’t the same as actually physically being in the situation and forced to test her own limits. “And whether I had someone with me who was capable.” Her thoughts went back to Jeremiah and the flaming zombies. Without his guidance, she wasn’t so sure she would’ve been able to get away unscathed. “You, on the other hand; your medical knowledge and whatever your brother and sister have taught you would be an asset in getting you out of a spot of trouble.”
There was a noticeable pause that followed Cassie’s question about Logan. Carly didn’t want to outright say that her cousin didn’t like Lydia - she honestly wasn’t even certain if it was a blatant dislike so much as taking pleasure from getting under the woman’s skin. Nor did she know how far that dislike extended to the rest of Cassie’s family. “I don’t foresee any issues from asking her, but it’s often hard to tell when she’ll be called over for security tasks.” That was a safe answer. Not a no, but not a definite yes either.
The compliment, slight though it was, had her ducking her head, maintaining her small smile. Carly wasn’t sure she agreed with that statement. A creature of habit and routine had a difficult time adjusting to spontaneity. It was only out of necessity that she was managing. “I haven’t done anything more than be available. Or welcome to company, if I am doing something.”
In pressured situations, it was like her thoughts kicked into overdrive, taking control where immediate action was needed instead. Carly knew that they couldn’t waste time in barricading the door, yet she couldn’t seem to get moving. Couldn’t decide which bit of furniture would be best to move first and form their first line of protection.
Fortunately, once again, she was in such a situation with someone who was very well accustomed to high-pressure situations. Someone who could keep her head, keep focused. Carly snapped to attention when Cassie said her name, and she realized she was wringing her hands, wasting time.
“Right. Right, of course.” Moving over to the couch, Carly rested her hands on the arm and shoved, adding her muscle to the effort. Alone, they wouldn’t have been able to manage quickly enough, but together, it was much more easy to shift the heavy furniture.
With the couch in front of the door, Carly reached up to flip the safety lock in place. “This should at least slow them down.”
Her heart was pounding in her ears and it took her a moment to realize her hands were shaking. She clenched them into fists. “Weapons.” That was what they needed next. She had her sniper rifle, but that was about it. There were a few miscellaneous things around the hut that could be used for melee. Carly gave her head a shake, realizing her thoughts were threatening to take control again. Now was a time for action. “Do you have a weapon?”
Outside, shouts and screams were getting louder. Banging and creaking wood. Splashes, as if bodies were hitting the water.
“Why would a group of living people be attacking us? Who do you think they could be?”