Without bothering to grab any food, I sat down at the table and waited for Nicky to show up for breakfast. I took a drink of water while waiting, watching the crowds, although it looked like a regular morning.

Nina and Daniel entered the room before Nicky did. Daniel took one small pancake while Nina took a bit of everything on the buffet table. As I half expected, they headed in my direction.

Nina slowed as she approached my table. "Mind if we join you?"

"Go for it."

I refused to admit that I'd hoped she would show up. She had said something about talking with my sister over the radio today, and I had a few other questions for her as well.

She relaxed and sat on the other side of the table, across from me, leaving Daniel the outer seat, which was also the farthest one from me. The seat next to me was left open for Nicky, who happened to walk in the door right at that moment.

As Nicky grabbed a plate, someone in the line ahead of her conveniently took both coffeepots into the kitchen, presumably to refill the half-full decanters.

Nina glanced over her shoulder, trying to see what had captured my interest.

"I'm waiting to see if the coffeepots appear before or after Nicky leaves that side of the room," I murmured, my eyes never leaving the redhead.

"If both of them are gone, I doubt they will reappear until she's on her way over here. They usually disappear if she's in the line."

The people here were apparently quick learners. Admittedly, Nicky had given them plenty of incentive when it came to coffee. Nicky's gaze lingered on the empty spot but grabbed a glass of water instead and continued in our direction.

Reassured that Nicky was cutting her losses on the coffee front, I turned my gaze to Nina. "What time is my sister calling?"

"About one o'clock our time. Do you know where the radio relay room is?"

I shook my head. I'd seen the tower standing in the meadow outside the fence, but there wasn't a building beside it.

"It's in the main building, on the ground floor. I can show you after we finish eating."

Nicky reached us and sat down with a yawn. "So, you decided to return after all."

"If Jess is coming here, it's pointless for me to leave."

"True, but I know quite a few people who would've panicked if they'd learned someone was interested in their blood type. Particularly if that someone was a scientist keen on unlocking the secrets of the zombie universe."

"Technically, I'm a medical researcher," Nina commented.

Nicky gave her a long look. "Do you have a white coat and play with vials and those weird circle dishes?"

A few people were close enough to overhear our discussion. From the lack of surprise in their expressions, they must have heard I was now aware of what Nina's real job was.

"Yes," Nina replied, "the lab coat is for protection, and I have vials and Petri dishes."

"That sounds like a scientist to me."

"A medical researcher is a type of scientist that specializes in human diseases and on ways to prevent or treat them." Nina was apparently trying to educate Nicky, although I wished her luck with that task since I didn't see any difference either.

Nicky ate a forkful of scrambled eggs before saying, "I actually met a scientist before. I seriously hope you're smarter than he was. He once told me the world is made up of protons, neutrons, and electrons. The idiot completely forgot to mention morons, and I've seen an awful lot of those."

Nina looked absolutely dumbfounded, and I heard a couple of quickly suppressed chuckles from eavesdroppers.

"Nina is quite smart," Daniel said. "She's made more discoveries than any of the other researchers we occasionally communicate with via the radio towers. The only downside is that you won't understand half of what she's saying once she starts talking in technical terms."

From the bantering tone in his voice and Nina's grin, this was an old joke between them. Nina glanced between me and Nicky.

"I'm kind of surprised neither of you have asked why we didn't tell you earlier," Nina said.

Nicky snorted. "Why ask a question I know the answer to? Sometimes Trinity's mind works like mine. If you had mentioned the words scientist, lab, or tests while we were on the road, Trinity would have pulled a vanishing act that no magician could ever hope to replicate."

I growled grumpily. "My mind works like yours? I highly doubt that." I wouldn't be able to pull off some of the stunts she had managed.

"How else could I get along with you so well?" Nicky asked, grinning at me.

I took a drink of my water and pointedly ignored her.

Nina nodded, looking somewhat surprised at Nicky's deduction. "You're right. We didn't mention it because we were worried Trinity would leave before we reached safety. The other reason is that we didn't expect her to stay here for more than a week or so. Needless to say, we're truly sorry for not telling all of you about it before we arrived."

"So, are we really staying here, or are we planning on meeting your sister halfway?" Nicky asked me.

Several people within hearing range tensed up at that question, concerned I might be leaving, although some exchanged blank looks, possibly at the mention of my sister. A semi-silence fell across the tables around us as a number of people anxiously awaited my reply.

I turned my head toward Nina. "You don't have to hold your breath in suspense. I'm willing to give this place a second chance and continue staying here, but I do not want any information withheld from me, or any more secrets."

Nina sighed in relief and nodded in agreement with my terms. It was an extraordinarily shaky second chance, but the reasons for cautiously remaining in this Stronghold outweighed the ones for leaving.

I didn't give any indication I'd assist with Nina's research. It might have been petty of me, but I considered my silence on that topic more like subtle revenge, even though I'd already made up my mind.

Looking at Nicky, I said, "Since Jess is coming here, the chances of us traveling along different roads and missing one another are far too likely. If you still plan on following your dream of visiting every Stronghold in the country within ten years, I'm sure this place will approve your transfer."

She gave me a disbelieving look. "As if I'd leave while you're here. It's far more entertaining to hang around you than attempting to set a new record in how little time it takes me to annoy a new Stronghold."

Oh, lucky me... I thought. Just what I needed. Someone who magically turns into a maniac with just a single sip of coffee...

Nicky grinned at my expression and continued, "Besides, who else is capable of putting up with me or dragging me back to the realm of reason if I go on an insanity blitz?"

I glowered at her wordlessly, and Nina and Daniel exchanged a glance.

Nicky turned her head to look at Nina with bright eyes. "Since Daniel claims you're so smart, how is it possible the two of us balance each other out when both of us are considered unstable and unpredictable?"

"How am I unstable or unpredictable?" I muttered with a growl in my voice.

Ignoring me, Nicky gestured between herself and me, still talking to Nina. "Just look at us. Trinity is a Nightstalker with temper problems, although you might not have noticed since she's more wary around Daniel, but Ben had a few close calls. And I have a personality disorder that uncannily specializes in pissing people off in a fashion that shouldn't even be possible. Putting the two of us in the same area should be like putting a lit match in a box of dynamite; yet, the two of us actually get along in a way we can't seem to manage with normal people."

"A few people have actually commented about that," Nina replied, "although I haven't studied your interactions enough to give an educated hypothesis. We noticed you seem to take the edge off Trinity's temper if she gets worked up. But you're saying she can affect your mood as well?"

Nicky shrugged. "It was Trinity who noticed a big breakfast and no coffee makes a huge difference. It actually does more than the doctor's pills ever did, and they sure never thought of that. Once my outbursts start, I often become unmanageable. You saw what I was like that morning when Daniel tied me up. Ben and Hank can testify to similar events."

Daniel made a face at the mention of the event, although I had seen Nicky much worse, and I fully expected she'd dive off the deep end again.

Nina mused over that, then asked me, "What do you do when she acts like that?"

With a shrug, I replied, "I just distract her, so it isn't as if I actually do anything. I just pretend she's a four-year-old with a short attention span."

"In that case, you get to deal with her next time," Daniel grumbled.

"Good," Nicky replied, taking a bite of her bun. "I'd rather deal with Trinity than with you. She at least makes sense, and I know where I stand with her. You're more unpredictable than she is."

Nina gave Nicky an odd look. "I fail to see that. Daniel is very predictable."

Nicky stared at her as if she was crazy. "On the surface or when he is calm, maybe, but not when he gets stressed or angry. His control gets sketchy, and he tends to snap. Regardless of how angry Trinity gets, at least I know how she'll react."

Nina and Nicky frowned at each other in disagreement. My opinion sided with Nicky's, of course, since I'd previously noted that Daniel didn't understand zombie rules, and it affected his behavior when his instincts rose.

I interrupted the debate before it got too out of hand. "So, is there anything else I should know about this place? Like a hidden dungeon?"

Nina shook her head. "My work and the research here were the only secrets. Most Strongholds have no idea that I'm a researcher or that there's a lab here. They know Daniel's a Terror and that he lives here, but they think he mostly helps defend this place and the people in it – which actually is his primary job. A couple of other places with labs know more details."

"Does everyone here know?"

"Yes. Other than those who arrived with us, everyone else here knows I'm searching for a potential cure or vaccine. So feel free to talk about it. We'll be telling Ben, Hank, and the others what goes on here as well."

That explained a lot. I was halfway curious to see if people would act differently around me now that I knew this place's secrets.

"I know it can't be easy trying to stay in a Stronghold after being by yourself for so long," Nina began tentatively. "If you need something, or if we can do anything to help with the transition, please tell us. We know it's going to be hard for you, but we're willing to help."

I exhaled slowly at her chosen topic. "Having me here isn't going to be easy for anyone, including myself. Over the last few days, people got a clearer glimpse of what my behavior is normally like. Nightstalkers really don't do well with large groups, and we tend to get a bit snarly." I glanced toward Daniel. "The same goes for the presence of zombies with a similar or higher rank, as I'm sure you've noticed. I'll be a constant thorn in your side."

Daniel looked amused. "If you ever feel the need to vent or strike out at me, feel free to do so. I'll probably end up pinning you, but I won't harm you."

Even though I half expected the bizarre offer, I still wasn't overly sure what to think about it. He may have meant it as a reassurance or as his way of helping, but his lack of concern about possibly losing was also a blow to my pride, especially since we both knew I wouldn't win such a match.

"Is there anything you need?" Nina inquired, tilting her head slightly as she continued eating her breakfast.

"Mostly, just more space and time alone. Would there be any difficulty in me going outside the fence every night? I'm tired of being cooped up in my room like a bat in the belfry when the night calls to me."

"That's no problem at all. You're free to come and go as you please."

I turned my head toward Daniel. "Will it bother you if I travel outside of that small forest?"

He shook his head. "Feel free to explore."

I didn't think he'd care if I wandered around, but if he had objections, then that would have been a red flag for another possible secret.

"If it suits you better, you could always try being a night guard instead of peeling vegetables," Nina commented.

"I was thinking about that, although I'm not exactly sure what a night guard does. I don't know what other tasks I could try during the day since most animals won't tolerate my presence."

Nina tilted her head as she thought. "Since feral zombies don't pose a risk to you, you'd have several options as a night guard. You could sit in a guard post, or patrol inside or outside of the fence, whatever you prefer. If you keep an eye on things for most of the night, then you've worked more hours than anyone else here does, and you don't need to do anything during the day."

Daniel added his own thoughts. "People here often just need a hand from someone stronger than them for a few seconds. The hunters would welcome you. The quads and horseback riders lure the regular zombies away every few hours, but the guards will be relieved to know you're around, especially if you're willing to help if a Runner shows up and starts scaling the fence. But as Nina said, if you guard this place most of the night, then there's no need to work during the day. Most people here don't work more than nine or ten hours a day."

I shrugged. "I'll still help the kitchen today, and I think I'll try patrolling outside the fence tonight and see how that goes. Just make sure the guards don't shoot at the zombie wearing sunglasses."

"Certainly," Nina replied, "I'll let the person in charge know to spread the word. Please don't strain yourself trying to do too much."

I nodded. I was already looking forward to roaming the forest tonight. The rest of my questions were reserved for whenever I decided to let them know I was willing to help with Nina's research, but I wasn't ready to broach that topic yet, especially with so many ears listening in.

There was one last thing though.

"I want to see this lab."

"Sure. I can take you there, and on the way, I can also show you where the radio relay room is," Nina agreed without any hesitation.

I nodded, then turned my attention to Nicky, inclining my head in her direction. "Nicky, if I don't come back, you have my full permission to drink an entire pot of coffee and do whatever you please."

"If they chain you up in that lab, I happen to know where the night guards hide their high-test coffee. I'll bring this place down around their ears."

I would have been tempted to chuckle at her words, had her tone and expression not been completely serious and almost threatening.

"I doubt they'll chain me up." It was still a dim possibility, which was partially why I had asked Nicky to watch for my return from this unknown place, wherever it was.

"We'd never do that," Nina said, frowning at the insinuation that she might do such a thing.

"There aren't even any chains in the lab," Daniel added. "Otherwise, I would have been tempted to tie Nicky up the other morning when she was on the loose."

"Well, your track record for successfully tying me up leaves something to be desired, so you really need to come up with some better ideas," Nicky retorted, no longer so serious.

Daniel growled faintly at the insult. Having these two in the same vicinity was almost as problematic as putting me and Daniel together.

Since Nina had just finished eating, I stood up. "Let's go see this lab."

Without any indication I was rushing her, she nodded and stood up, taking her plate and cutlery with her. Unsurprisingly, Daniel also got to his feet to accompany us. I waited for them to take the lead.

"I'll give you until noon to return. After that, the tides of my patience shall take a turn," Nicky sang in a completely off-key voice.

"Since when do you sing and rhyme?"

Her singing alone was bad enough that most people within earshot were cringing. I had no idea what to make of her rhyming. This was a first.

She grinned at me with a slightly wild look in her eyes. "It only happens on days of gloom and doom, when I might get to make something go boom."

"And that is my cue to leave this room. No blowing anything up at least until lunch time."

"If you don't appear by the time they ring the noon bell, then I'm going to raise a little hell."

I shook my head at her strange words and sing-song voice as I followed Nina and Daniel. If I didn't make it out of the lab within five hours, Nicky going crazy was the least of my worries. At least she'd be on my side. I hoped.