Life After The Undead (Book 2): Death to the Undead (39 page)

Like
me,
they
scanned
the
area,
their
guns
pointed
into the
darkness,
fingers itching
to
fire.
Another
moment
passed.
Still
nothing.
I
relaxed
slightly,
taking a
deep breath.

“I
think
we’re
clear,”
I
said aloud. I
cocked
my
head
to the
side
and
listened.
If
anything
was
going
to
draw
out
more
zombies, it
was
speech.

Quinn
nodded.
“I
think
you’re
right.
Come check
this out.”

I
joined
him
by
the
crate
and
examined
the
body.

Like
the
others, it
was
dressed in
business
wear. A
white,
button up shirt
and
gray
pants.
Clipped to his
pocket
was
a
badge.
I
stepped forward
and
grabbed
it.
Wiping
off
the blood,
I
read
the
writing.
“He
was a
scientist,”
I
told
the
others. “Dr.
Stanson. Civilian
position,
but
he did
work
for
the
Army.”
I
handed the badge
to Quinn.

“What
is this place?”
Tanya
asked.

We
all
looked
at
each
other, hoping
someone had
an
answer,
but no one
did. Without being
able
to
access
the
information
in the
computers,
there
was no
way
of
knowing
what
went
on
in
the
cave.

“We
don’t
really
have
time to worry
about
it.”
Quinn
tossed
the
badge
onto the
floor. “Whatever
went
on
here
hasn’t
happened
for
years.
Let’s
see
if
there’s
anything
we
can
use
and
move on.”

Pam
and
I
nodded
before
heading
off
to
check
out
crates.

“Tanya,
why
don’t
you
come
with
me. I
could
use
an
extra
hand,”
I
said.

I
still didn’t
want
her
getting
too far out of
my
sight.
Anything
could
happen
in
that
cave,
and
anyone
could
escape
undetected.

“Do
you
think they
did something
with zombies
here?”
Tanya
wondered
as
we
approached
a
crate.
“I
mean,
those
rooms
seem
so
weird.
Do
you
think they
put
infected
people
in
there
and studied them?”

“Tanya,
honestly,
I
don’t
know.
There
is
that
possibility.
But
where
are
those
people?
If
they
did
turn
into zombies and
infect
the
others
here,
where
are
they?
We
can
speculate
all
we
want,
but
we’re
never
gonna
know.
In
reality,
we
shouldn’t
waste
our
time.
Here,
help
me
with
this lid.”

We
placed
our
hands
on the
top of the
crate
and
pushed.
With a
scraping
sound
and
squeak
of
wood, the
top
crashed
onto the
floor. I
glanced
in. I
couldn’t stop
the smile
from
spreading over
my
lips.

“You’ve
got
to be
kidding
me!”
It
was
a
dream.
It
had to be. I
reached
into the box
and
pulled
out an
AR-15.
The
laugh
wouldn’t
be
contained.
“Pam,
Quinn.
Check
this out.” I
turned to show them the
weapon.

Something
slammed
into
my
back, knocking
me
to
the
ground.
Both
guns
slid
across
the
floor.
I
gasped
for
air,
pain
exploded
through
my
shoulder,
fear
gripped
my
chest. Panicked,
I
tried to roll
over
onto
my
back. I
wasn’t
going
to
get
bit without at
least
putting
up a
fight.
Why
hadn’t the others
shot?
What
were
they
doing?
A
hand
grabbed
the
back
of my
hair
and
pulled
me
to
my
feet.

“Do
something!” I
screamed.
“Help
me!”

“You
do,
and
she
dies.”

I
knew
that
voice.
My
blood
went
cold. I
risked
turning
my
head.
Out of
the
corner
of
my
eye,
I
saw a
familiar
face.

“Liet.” The
name
rushed
out of
my
mouth in a
breath.
I
couldn’t
believe
what
I
actually
said.

“Who
were
you
expecting?”
he
snarled.
“Another
zombie?”

“I
would
have
preferred
one,
yeah.”

He
tightened
his
grip
on
my
hair
and
pulled
me
against
his
body.
The
barrel of a
gun
rested
against
my
temple.

“I
guess
you’re
not
that
lucky,”
he
hissed
into
my
ear.

“Liet,
come
on now, let’s be
reasonable.”
Quinn
held
his hands out in
front,
talking
calmly.
“There
are
three
of
us
and
one
of
you.”

“Oh,
I’m
well
aware
of that. And
I
have
no doubt
you’ll
kill
me. But
at least
I’ll
take
Krista
down
before
you
can
get
a shot off.
I’ll
die happy
knowing
I
took
her
away
from
you.”

My
throat
tightened.
He would do it.
He
was
more
than
capable.

“Liet,
we
don’t
want that.
I’m
sure
we
can
come
to
an
understanding.”

“Then
I
suggest
you
put
your
weapons
on the
ground.
Now
!”

My
head
rattled
as
he
yelled
at
the
others.
Tears
threatened
to
fall.
How
did it come
to
this?
Was
this
really
happening?
The
others
did
as
he
commanded.

“Undo
your
arm
sword!”
H
e
practically
yelled
in
my
ear.

It took a moment, but I complied. It clanked onto the concrete floor.

“You.”
H
e
gestured
toward
Tanya.
“Stand
with
the
others.”