Six of us left. Me, Mankowski, Peretti, Janzen, and the new kids, Abercrombie and James. “Mankowski,” I barked. “Sit rep!”

“Ground floor’s infested, sir. Ghouls all over the place.” I could see the terror in his eyes, but he kept it out of his voice. Good man. Don’t scare the youngsters.

“Numbers?”

“Hundred, hundred and fifty. That we saw. They got Lt. Brown.” He glanced at Abercrombie, who was just staring out the window. Mankowski lowered his voice. “Turns out she was Ab’s cousin.”

Damn. Down our medic, and probably down Abercrombie, as well. Okay, plan B. “Peretti, what do the upper floors look like?”

“Hell, sir. Literally.”

I didn’t like the sound of that. “Meaning?”

“Demons, sir.” Oh, son of a… “Eight or nine of the biggest hell-spawn you’ve ever seen. Should’ve seen it coming.”

Peretti had that look in his eye. Before I could stop him, James asked, “Why?”

With a devilish smirk, Peretti said, “Everyone knows demons are a ghoul’s best friend!”

I think Peretti just volunteered for decoy duty.