The First Days (As the World Dies #1)(47)

They stopped outside of the back steps to city hall and Katie took the time to stretch out her muscles. "I'm due for the shower."

"Okay. I'll talk to Juan and Jenni next. I figure they can go with us."

"Juan?"

"Yeah, he's read the Zombie Survival Handbook a million times. I think he'll be a great backup."

"Okay. And Jenni and I can carry our guns and take you to Ralph's."

Travis nodded his head, his gaze intense. He shifted on his feet and crossed his arms over his chest slowly. "If you don't want to go back out there-"

"I'm in. No worries," Katie said quickly. "I'd rather be proactive than not."

"So we got a plan?"

"We got a plan," Katie assured him.

His gaze met hers in that way that made her avert her eyes. She suddenly felt a little flushed and she shifted nervously on her feet.

"Okay, five minutes until my turn in the shower," she said with a glance at her watch.

Travis nodded and looked a little flushed, too. "Okay, rendezvous back here in twenty minutes."

Katie laughed. "I'm a girl. Make it forty." She turned and ran into the building.

Travis gazed after her with his expression showing all too clearly he knew she was a girl.

"She's gay, dude," Juan said in his thick West Texas accent from behind him.

"Shut up," Travis said gruffly, then swung his arm around Juan's bronzed shoulders to lead him away. "So, this zombie handbook you were telling me about…”





Chapter 10





1. Rush of the Dead





Katie stood next to the ladder leading over the wall, hugging Jason before leaning over to give Jack a kiss. Jenni stood nearby, her dark hair tied up in a high ponytail, a backpack slung over her shoulders. The sun was higher now and Jenni looked pale, but confident.

After hugging Katie, Jason moved back to Jenni and hugged her again.

"We'll take good care of each other. I promise," Katie assured him.

Jack whined at her, lifting a paw to scrabble at her knee.

"Jack, stay here and take care of Jason, okay?"

The dog looked from Katie to Jason, then walked sullenly to the boy's side.

It felt strange to leave the dog behind after he had been such a constant part of their life the last two days, but Katie and Jenni both agreed it was time to let him stay behind and let Jason have the comfort of his company.

A car alarm was going off over and over again on the other side of the complex. Standing on the roof of city hall were two men, one with binoculars, watching the zombies in the street below. It was agreed they would not give the all clear signal until the road leading to the truck was devoid of the undead.

Katie stood quietly, hands on her hips, sunglasses covering her eyes to keep the sun's morning glare from blinding her. She wore the same old tank top and pants (and made a mental note to pick up more clothes at Ralph's) and Travis wore a T-shirt, jeans, and heavy boots.

Juan shifted his spear. "I cannot wait to have a decent gun."

Travis grinned. "You'll have one soon enough. Let's get moving."

Travis climbed the ladder first. Katie followed, gripping the rungs tightly with sweaty palms before slipping over the top of the wall and scooting down the ladder on the other side. The hurricane fence was their next obstacle.

Once Jenni and Juan joined them, they moved the ladder over to the chain-link fence, climbed it, and dropped down on the other side of the fence.

Katie took a deep breath as she looked back over the fence and new wall.

It seemed so much safer on the other side. Knowing how close they were now to the undead, she felt her heartbeat speed up.

Jenni dropped down as Juan waited on the other side. Noticing her expression, Jenni gave Katie's hand a reassuring squeeze.

"We'll kick their asses," Jenni said firmly.

"Of course." Katie forced a smile and looked toward Travis.

Their companion lifted a ladder that laying on the ground nearby and leaned it against the truck barrier. He took a few moments to make sure it was steady. He looked back and gave them the thumbs up.

Juan handed the gasoline canisters over the fence to Travis and followed them over the fence.

"Remember, as soon as we pull up, drop down and get in the truck.

Nothing fancy. Just get in. We'll cover you," Travis said firmly.

Jenni nodded. "I got it."

"No worries," Juan assured him.

Travis wiped his brow with his hand and looked toward Katie. "You ready?"

"Oh, yeah. A little scared, but ready."

The men on top of city hall gave the all clear signal.

"Time to go," Travis muttered.

"Good luck," Juan said and shook their hands.

Jenni gave them both hard hugs. "Run like the wind."

"Trust me. I'll set a new world's record today," Katie said with a wry grin.

"Let's hurry." Travis turned and headed up the ladder.

Katie followed, trying hard not to panic. She felt a little dizzy and sweat was trickling down between her shoulder blades. Maybe it was the sun, or the stress, or even both, but she felt lightheaded and slightly unreal.