Rewrite the Apocalypse dream (by Dee Cari) novel Chapter 80

Chapter 80 First stage of the infection

Ared waitress-drifted over to their booth, pad in hand. Jake didn’t even look at the menu. “We’ll take two plates of the barbecue ribs, extra biscuits, and two chocolate shakes,” he said, his deep voice slicing through the quiet hum of the diner.

The waitress nodded sleepily and shuffled toward the kitchen. Within minutes, she returned, balancing two thick ceramic plates loaded with steaming, greasy hot ribs and a basket of golden biscuits. She set them down along with the shakes, offering a faint smile before walking away.

Joanna leaned back against the vinyl seat, looking across the table at Jake as the savory aroma of the barbecue sauce filled the booth. She couldn’t help but appreciate his silent, grounding strength. What struck her most was how he always paid attention to her little habits-like knowing exactly what she wanted to eay without her having to say a word.

Amusement tugged at her lips as she picked up a rib, lowering her voice. “How does a lethal, powerful soldier like yourself always remember what I like to eat?”

Jake’s eyes shifted down to the napkin dispenser, a rare hint of embarrassment crossing his rugged features. He cleared his throat gruffly, completely deflecting the question. “Just logic, Boss. You haven’t eaten all day. and you always pick the heaviest thing on the menu when you’re stressed.”

Before Joanna could tease him further, Jake’s entire posture shifted. His muscles locked up, and his gaze suddenly sharpened, locking onto the front entrance. “Check the last man in the green coat.”

Four men had just pushed through the glass doors, laughing loudly and aggressively cutting through the quiet atmosphere of the diner. They grabbed a large booth right near the front door.

Joanna followed Jake’s line of sight, her eyes instantly landing on the man wearing a heavy green coat. A cold spike of recognition hit her. The man looked incredibly flushed, beads of sweat gathering at his hairline despite the cool night air. His eyes were glassy, staring blankly at the tabletop, and his skin had a distinct, dull grayish tinge to it. He was in the first stage of the infection.

The man slumped heavily into the booth with his friends as the waitress approached their table, handing

out menus.

Joanna’s pulse quickened, but her mind remained sharp. She leaned across the table, her voice a barely audible whisper. “Jake, pull out your phone. Take a picture of the guy in the green coat without being noticed. Then send it to the group chat and tell them we just found an infected one.”

Jake didn’t hesitate. Keeping his large frame relaxed to avoid drawing attention, he smoothly slid his phone from his pocket. He brought it up just high enough to clear the edge of the table, using his massive hands to mask the screen. With a quick, practiced motion, he zoomed in on the flushed, dull face of the man in the green coat and snapped a clear photo.

Under the table, his heavy thumbs tapped the screen with surprising speed. He attached the image to the team’s group chat and sent a direct warning: Found an infected one at the diner. Look at the guy in the green coat. Flush face, glassy eyes, dull skin. This is the early stage. If you see anyone looking like this at the stores, stay away.

With the alert sent, Jake quietly pocketed his phone and picked up a rib, his eyes never truly leaving the front booth as he and Joanna ate.

Both Jake and Joanna quickly ate their food, their movements efficient and practiced as they kept their eyes

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Chapter 80 First stage of the infection

tracked on the front booth. Despite the tension thick in the air, they finished the greasy ribs and warm biscuits in a matter of minutes, never losing focus.

While they were eating, Joanna’s phone buzzed against her leg. She slid it out and saw a message from Allen in the group chat.

Just saw a couple at the 24-hour car dealership lot looking exactly like that too, Allen texted. Sweating buckets, flush, and stumbling. We didn’t get close. Moving to the next gas station now.

One by one, the rest of the team pinged back in the chat. Julian, Rachel, and Raven all confirmed they received the image and would keep a sharp eye out during their remaining errands.

Up front, the four men put their order in with the waitress. As soon as she walked away toward the kitchen, the man sitting next to the guy in the green coat leaned over, a look of genuine worry clouding his face. “Ben, are you sure you feel alright? You look terrible, buddy.”

The man, Ben, murmured something completely unintelligible under his breath. He didn’t lift his head, choosing instead to grab his glass with a trembling hand and gulp down the ice water, spilling a few drops down his front.

Joanna slid out of the booth and pulled a stack of bills from her pocket, leaving more than enough cash on the table to cover the meal and a heavy tip. She looked at Jake and spoke in a quiet, decisive undertone. “Let’s get going.”

They left quietly, slipping past the front booth while the men were preoccupied with Ben’s worsening condition. The cool night air hit them as they pushed through the glass doors and climbed back into the secure cabin of the heavy van.

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