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Page 228
and the rain. From all appearances, the rain'll turn you into one of them. But if you want to risk it, go on ahead. It's pretty clear to me that we stand the best chance by sticking together in here and holding down the fort.'
'They come in here with axes and shit, we're dead meat.'
'Yeah, what if they overrun us?'
Overrun.
The word sent a shock of cold through John.
'We're not going to let that happen,' he said, trying to keep his voice steady.
'Yeah, and how do we stop it? All they gotta do is bash in the doors, thirty of 'em coming pouring in with their damn hardware. We won't stand a chance in hell.'
'What'll we do then?' a woman blurted.
'We're all gonna die,' Tina muttered.
John saw panic spreading through the group like a brush fire on a windy day. Eyes widened. Faces blanched. Tina and another woman began to sob. A small, long-haired man near the back whirled around and ran off into the cocktail lounge. Men and women hugged each other and spoke in low, urgent tones.
As if sharing a silent cue, Lynn and Cassy both raised their arms at once.
'Please,' Cassy called out.
'Everyone just calm down,' Lynn snapped. 'We'll be all right.' As the group quieted down, she looked at John. 'Tell them, honey.'
Fighting his own fear, he lifted his voice. 'The guy's

 
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