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Didn’t help Still completely freaked out

On the other hand, I was tanked up on brains darn near as high as I’d ever been Even though it was dark, I could see every blade of grass, hear the buzzing of the ine of Ed’s truck froht shift of ht my attention as surely as if theHe had a rifle pointed at ain But with any luck the combination of zombie super-speed and the reserve of brains I had on hand would be enough to counteract the daht now that was the only plan we had

A breeze swirled pastlike an aniht the scent of two people They were by the south end zone, and I recognized both scents My dad and McKinney So Ed was right, the sniper behind the bleachers was a new player Howslowly I extendedout scents andside bleachers, and also with a rifle PossiblyProbably one rifle trained onhith and speed I wouldn’t be able to avoid bullets while also shieldingon the Power of Brains

I clenched and unclenched my hands A creak of metal alerted me, and I spun toward the south end zone to see ate They paused at the goal line, then ait but clearly doing his best to hurry I breathed shallowly, straining er or aof rass It seemed to take forever, but he finallyGod, he felt so frail

"You okay?" I asked, releasing hiaze over him

He nodded, sed harshly "Yeah I’et out of here, baby"

"No, you have to keep walking," I said, gesturing to the other end of the field "A friend of et the hell away froan to ease toward the pick-up point

He scowled "I ain’t leaving you You fuckin’ kidding? I’hter who needs to kick soave hi the time it was his ass I had to kick--or threaten to kick, at least

"Please, Dad, you have to go," I said urgently "I have to know you’re all right"

He hesitated, clearly agonized He wanted to be there for me, help save the day He’d dropped the ball too many times to count in the last few years, but he’d been there for me when it had counted most, when he had to make the choice between his wife and ht thing I can’t…do what I have to do if you’re here"

Sing hard, he pulled elkins I’o kick whatever ass needs kicking"

"I will," I said with a shaky set to safety"

It had to have been the hardest thing he’d ever done, but he did it--kept walking and left me there in the ate and my dad cliunned the engine to get the hell out of there I broke into a sprint

I kneas fast, but the snipers ood I felt two hits in my lower back, but I si Sure, two shots would slow s didn’t want to work properly What the hell? I was so high on brains that should’ve barely caused a hitch inin the side pocket of my pants, but h hlike the other times I’d been shot

Not shot--tranqued, I realized in horror as I watched a white van speed across the field and stop in front of me I had no choice but to watch since I couldn’t ed the parasite will take care of it, I tried to reassuresense of horror, that it wouldn’t be quickly enough My senses were fading, and I felt the first stirrings of hunger, but that was probablyits best to siht now?