Reset: A Post-Apocalyptic Sci-Fi Fantasy (Contaminant Series Book 1) by Eli Frost Duham Read Free Book Online Page A

borrowing a pair of boots and had taken off his suit jacket and button-up shirt during work.  He didn’t put them back on but instead, left the garden somewhat wet.  Peter insisted that Michael take a more rugged shirt or two from him.
    They made a brief stop at a storage closet which doubled as, Peter’s quarters.  When Michael gave him a questioning look, Peter only responded, “What?  It comes with a lock.” He shook the keys at Michael.  With a fresh pair of shirts, and somewhat clean hands, the pair headed towards the cafeteria, tickets in hand.
     

Chapter Seven
    It had been three months since Michael joined the university.   He settled nicely into the routine of work, friends, and the bloom of a relationship.  Jenna had been put off by him at first, ignoring him for a few weeks.  And she had good reason.  Politics had tied up the efforts of science for so long that it’s a wonder she even spoke to him.  But the day she did, they each learned that they were more curious about each’s other’s world than spiteful.  The questions rolled out faster than either could answer but they were quick to go with the flow.
    Sometimes, Jenna would let Michael watch her work; she could see on his face that he felt nothing but awe and respect for science.  Other times, Michael told Jenna stories about the Oval Office.  She didn’t believe half of them, especially the one where Michael prevented a declaration of war, diffusing a heated discussion between the two world leaders simply by offering refreshments.  He enjoyed being able to tell his stories of the craziness of the Oval Office.  Nobody would believe how many crises are averted and threats offered on a day to day basis.  He was glad that she was interested in them and in him.  There was nothing to hide now that everything was on the fritz. 
    Jenna had a soft laugh.  The first time Michael had heard it, Jenna realized that she hadn’t heard it in a while either.  That twilight, they sat close together on the roof and let the cold evening air whip around them until they had snuggled together.  Neither of them moved for a long time but looked up at the stars or looked across the city.  Every now and again, they’d see a person darting between buildings or vehicles. 
    There wasn’t too much worry for outside threats.  Their facility had received defensive resources in the form of military reinforcements.  Having troops inside changed the feel of the whole place.  But then again, having found someone to share himself with changed the feel of the place.  Having hope changed the feel of the place.  And that night on the roof, Michael was less neurotic than he’d been in a long time.  He watched the stars and felt Jenna’s breath alternate his own…
    Now, he sat with Peter listening to the story about how he stole two of the first chickens from some farm.  It ended with Peter having a huge chunk of his buttocks chomped by some guard dog and Michael gasping for air, out of breath with laughter.  Peter was threatening to show off the scar when Anna appeared out of nowhere.  She greeted Peter with a hug from behind, resting her hands on his chest.  Jenna pulled up a chair next to Michael and gave his hand a light squeeze.  He looked over at her smiling.  Anna playfully rolled her eyes at their bashfulness.
    “What’s the word?”  Michael and Peter asked almost in complete unison.  They were both eager to hear about what the other department had to say.
    Jenna and Anna went from playful to more solemn and serious.  Jenna began in a low tone, “Jeff informed us today that he made the decision to notify Lieutenant Vasquez.”
     “You’ve got to be freaking kidding me.” Peter growled, “How can anyone have that much blind faith?!”
    Michael gritted his teeth too.  Even after being around high-ranking military officials, and in the White House and spending his days with the president , he couldn’t deny that the reinforcements