Fighting to Survive (As the World Dies #2)(10)

Nerit nodded. They had called her over when no one could get a clear shot at the zombie or zombies. They had seen her in action and knew she was a deadly shot. All the survivors were fascinated by her past as an Israeli Army sniper. It amused Nerit, but at the same time it gave her a sense of purpose in her new home.

Nerit had brought her old Galil sniper rifle with her from the hunting store she had shared with Ralph. Over the years it had developed a few issues, but Ralph had carefully restored it. Her ammunition for the weapon was limited, but she had shunned several hunting rifles offered to her. It was a good weapon, but also it was a reminder of her deceased husband's thoughtfulness and appreciation for her skills.

“I can get him,” Nerit assured Ed.

“You ain't seen him yet,” Ed answered.

“I can get him or them,” she repeated.

Ed looked at her for a long moment, a thoughtful expression on his grizzled face then shrugged. “We'll get you up on the roof.”

Nerit smiled warmly at Jenni as she passed the much younger woman. The brunette was holding an ax smeared in foul, congealed zombie blood and looking at the older woman worriedly. Nerit knew Jenni had confidence in her abilities and did not doubt her. The look of concern was because Nerit had lost her husband to the bandits. What Jenni didn't understand was Nerit had accepted that loss. It was not easy to let Ralph go, but he was gone. She was part of a new family: she was determined to help them survive.

“Good luck, Nerit,” Jenni said.

“Thank you, Jenni,” she answered with a warm smile.

They entered a darkened store and Ed lead the way to a staircase near the back. The store smelled of mold and mildew, the wood floor creaked as they walked. Motes of dust swirled around in the few shafts of sunlight that managed to puncture through the grime covering the large plate glass windows in the front. The stairs moaned as she ascended them. She was careful with her footing, as it was obvious that the store had stood empty for nearly a decade. Rat droppings and dead insects littered the wood floor of the second floor.

“Got windows here, but the view is blocked out by the Dollar Store. It's a newer building and comes out further than the rest of the stores in the back. Probably built out a bit for storage and loading,” Ed explained.

Nerit glanced out a broken window. A spider had taken great pains to fill in the gap between the glass and the wood frame with an intricate web. Nerit could see into the back alley that opened up behind the Dollar Store into an empty dirt lot. She could hear the zombie or zombies howling and slamming up against the loading doors of the Dollar Store, but she could not see the undead.

“Roof is this way,” Ed said, and guided her up another set of very rickety steps.

Nerit was rather worried about Bill and his weight, but he followed them, treading very carefully. Ed pushed open a rickety door and they stepped out into the sunshine. The roof was not in the best condition, but seemed sturdier than the stairway.

The town spread out around them in a panorama. The red brick buildings of downtown looked quite lovely against the scenic green hills surrounding the town. The large hotel hovered behind them, untouched, waiting for them to invade. It actually was quite beautiful until you took in the cement brick walls closing off the construction site, the long abandoned storefronts, and a few zombies wandering around in the distance.

Nerit walked to the edge of the building as the warm air buffeted her yellowed silver hair from her face. The zombie was hidden from view by the side of the building. Only one leg was slightly visible as it braced itself and shoved hard against the back doors.

“See? Can't get to 'em,” Ed pointed out.

“I can,” Nerit assured him, and unslung her sniper rifle from her shoulder. As usual, the sniper rifle felt good and comforting in her arms. It was like an extension of her. She closed one eye and focused through the sight. Her senses narrowed down to just her vision and she removed herself from the world around her.

She pulled the trigger.

A gout of black blood erupted from the shattered ankle of the zombie. It lost its balance and tumbled. When its body fell into view, Nerit quickly adjusted her aim and fired. A plume of blood and gore erupted from its head, then it lay still.

Lowering her gun, she listened.

The pounding and growling had ceased.

“You got him,” Bill said in an awed voice.

“Yes.” Nerit shrugged. She watched the shadows dwelling behind the Dollar Store. “He was it.”

Ed gazed down at the body, then looked toward the small field where a bike was laying on its side. “Looks like the Ramirez boy. I heard he was in trouble for dating some girl in town. His Dad worked on my farm.”

Bill sighed. “Betcha he is the one who bit the girl and they managed to lock him out.”

“And then it went to hell from there,” Ed agreed.

Nerit looked back toward the fort and the people gathered to watch what they could of the proceedings. “Let's get some sentries up here to watch for anymore approaching this way.”

“Yeah. And get the Dollar Store stock cleared out.” Ed shook his head and headed back toward the stairs.

Bill looked down at the remains of the young man. “I bet he only wanted to see her and he ended up killing her instead.”

Nerit could hear the sorrow in Bill's voice and knew it had nothing to do with the boy, but everything to do with his own loss.