The First Days (As the World Dies #1)(69)

"Hey, guys, what's up?" Katie asked.

"Figuring out our next move," Travis answered. He couldn't help but study both of them rather suspiciously.

Jenni gave him her sweetest smile. Her long black hair was flowing around her face and occasionally she would wrinkle her nose at the stench.

He looked at Juan, who just gave an affirmative nod.

"What's up, guys? Seriously," Katie said, giving them both an inquisitive look.

Travis opened his mouth to answer truthfully, but Juan said, "Talking about the archery stuff. I don't know if anyone is going to remember their camp days good enough to figure out how to use it."

"Oh, well, yeah, but if we could use it instead of guns unless in highpressure situations, it could cut down on how much attention we attract,"

Katie said.

"Attracting attention," Juan said in a way Travis knew he wasn't talking about zombies.

"Um, yeah." Katie gave Juan an intense look.

Jenni just kept smiling at Travis. "What do you think, Travis?"

"That we're f*cked," Travis answered truthfully. "But we can do our best to get unf*cked."

Katie gave him a long look. "Sounding a little bitter there, Travis."

"Well, you know."

A voice called out and one of the construction workers ran over to them.

It was the big, black man named Mike. "Travis, Juan, we have a situation."

Travis noted that Mike was holding one of the rifles. It made him nervous despite the fact Mike was former Army. "What is it?"

"You better come see," Mike answered.

They all followed the tall man and ended up at the far end of the complex. There was a platform erected for the sentries to keep watch. They had created a sort of blind to keep the zombies from seeing the guards, but it gave the guards some hassles with its limitations on how much they could see. Mike had taken down the blind and he pointed down over the wall past the hurricane fence.

Four zombies were twisting on the metal spikes, groaning and pumping their arms and legs as if they could swim off of them. A fifth had landed headfirst onto the spike and was finally really dead. The four survivors saw the living staring at them and went nuts trying to get free.

"Fucking shit, they're climbers now."

Travis swallowed hard at Juan's words. "Some of them at least. Wake up some more people, Juan. We need to triple the guards. Get them armed. We don't need them swarming us in the middle of the night."

"We better check the entire exposed perimeter," Katie said softly.

Travis noted she and Jenni were holding hands. "Yeah, dammit. Just when this place was feeling a little safe."

"I knew those f*ckers were smarter than they appeared. Dammit, first they’re runners, now they’re climbers. They're breaking all the f*cking zombie rules!" Juan looked personally insulted by this development.

Travis turned to the two women and laid his hands gently on their shoulders. "Both of you get some rest. We'll watch the perimeter."

"Fuck that! I've slept enough. I'm gearing up," Katie answered firmly.

Jenni nodded, agreeing. "I'm with Katie. If there are zombies coming over our walls, I'm going to be there to shoot them."

"You're both crazy, you know that?"

"Yeah, but that's why you like us," Jenni said flirtatiously.

Katie flashed him her brightest smile. "We'll be right back, Rambo."

Travis watched them hurry away and turned back to Mike and Juan. He could tell how dire the situation was. Juan hadn't even glanced at the departing women.

"This isn't good," Juan said grimly.

"We'll deal," Travis answered. "We have no other option than to deal with it and not let them in."

Mike picked up one of the makeshift spears. "I'll deal with them."

"Make it quick," Travis answered. "We don't need to give the rest of them ideas."

"Climbing zombies. That's definitely breaking the rules," Juan said.

Travis ran his hand over his holstered gun. "Yeah, well, the rules are shit now. Let's get to work."





3. Not Fast Enough





Katie couldn't get dressed fast enough. Shoving her feet into her boots, she glanced over at Jenni, who nearly toppled over as she hopped into her jeans. Jason was fast asleep and snoring with Jack snuggled into his side watching the two women suspiciously. Their nonstop chatter had annoyed the teenager earlier in the evening as they had caught up on all that had happened while they had been apart. Katie had enjoyed that time immensely.

It had almost been like a slumber party. But now, dammit, reality had hit.

Zipping up her camouflage pants, Katie leaned over and quickly tied her boots. Her arms and hands were hurting like hell from the bruises and sprains she had received from dangling off that damned “elevator over hell," as Juan had put it.

"Think they'll all come over?" Jenni asked worriedly.

"No, or they would have already, but we need to move fast before enough figure it out to cause us real trouble," Katie grabbed her rifle and headed out the door. "Meet you down there."

"Okay! I'm almost ready!" Jenni flopped onto the bed and started in on her boots.