Page 16 (1/2)

Katie grinned, but then it faded as she saw a sign for a town

"Checkersville What do Ralph’s notes say?"

Jenni irew serious and studied the ot a small population It’s Eer"

Katie sighed, noting that according to the road sign they were ten et ready"

Jenni dutifully drew her gun and snapped off the safety

They hit the s in both directions and appeared completely deserted The truck cleared the first block and Katie expertly swung it around a car stalled in the ood," Jenni said with relief

"Don’t curse it," Katie chided her and the truck started down the second block

Afast, and screa It was not a zombie scream, but "Stop! Stop!"

The truck sailed past him in a flash and Katie slammed on the brakes and shifted into reverse

"Get ready to open the door, Jenni"

Jenni whipped around in her seat as Jack raised his head blearily, curious as to the dra, and clutching one of his arled mess

"Go" Jenni said softly

"What?"

"He’s infected"

Katie looked into the review ainst the steering wheel "Fuckfuckfuckfuckfuck"

Therelieved

Behind hiures appeared

"Just go," Jenni sighed

Katie glanced into the rear viewzoears and truck lurched forward as more zombies, slower ones, shuffled into view

"No," the man shouted His voice was full of disbelief, despair and terror "No! Don’t leaveout theand actually hitting hih to kill him instantly seemed just impossible She tried not to look behind her, but her eyes strayed to the side ht by the faster zorabbed Katie’s Katie held it tightly and they both sat in silence as the town vanished behind them

After a few miles, Katie withdrew her hand and put it back on the wheel as they drew near Eo down this side road It will help us avoid the main part of town FM 1342"

Katie nodded "Okay Got it"

Jenni looked at Katie again and thought of Katie’s words last night They did share a bond She felt it Yes, she had been a little confused about it last night, but not anymore She understood now And she felt comfortable noith the warmth in her heart when she looked at Katie She had a new friend, a sister, a co used or hurt

Katie turned onto the far truck, both aware that the larger toere deathtraps Jack softly woofed froht ahead with a very serious look on his face

Three large buildings looh school all in one row The parking lot was cra But the gates were down in one section

Two cars evidently had rammed into it and the car doors were open No one was inside, but the doors were sood," Katie said softly

Jenni flicked off the safety on her gun "They must have made the school the rescue center" She twisted around in her seat and studied the buildings as they passed Blood and bits of bodies were littered across the courtyard in front of one of the buildings The doors to what appeared to be the gym ide open

"Katie, floor it!"

Two zoym toward the truck and it was if a da zo, atoward theled corpses lurched out behind them, intent to join in the feast

"There is a fuckload of zoan to bark anxiously at the approachingwhy she wasn’t hurrying it up