I’m holding him off, Wyatt, but we need to get these two in the boat and make it back to help the others, Ezekiel said. You got a pulse there?
I don’ feel one. Let’s do it. When we’re in the boat, we’ll search them, just to make sure they don’ have any weapons they can get to if Braden found a way to resurrect them once they’re dead.
He’s probably got a shock collar on them, Ezekiel said. You go first, Wyatt, dump the body in and climb in. I’ll keep this guy at bay until you do.
Wyatt knew enough to hurry. That much blood in the water was going to attract more than one alligator and it could get ugly fast. He went to the surface, trusting Ezekiel to keep the alligator from grabbing at his legs while he hoisted the soldier’s body back into the boat and then pulled himself in.
Ezekiel was fast, dumping the second body while Wyatt was stripping the soldier of all weapons. Ezekiel followed suit and then took up an oar. Wyatt used the other one and they guided the boat back to the pier.
Wyatt took one last look at the dead soldiers. They’re not breathin’. No heartbeat. No pulse. Nothin’ at all. That doesn’ mean they’ll stay that way. They could rise any minute, the new zombie warriors. Maybe it’s Braden whose gonna be responsible for the zombie apocalypse.
Ezekiel glanced at him, shook his head, his mouth twitching as he tied to the boat to the pier. They look dead to me. I don’t think they’re getting back up, Wyatt.
That’s the point, Zeke. They rise after they’re dead.
He heard Pepper’s soft laughter, still betraying a little of her anxiety. Her face had been so strained. She’d looked so alone, so vulnerable when he’d left her. He kept her with him, bridging the gap so she could hear the conversations as the team reported in. He’d needed to hear her laughter even if it was tense.
They slipped out of the boat and onto the pier, two dark shadows reclaiming the night, moving into the trees to make their way around the house toward the east and Mordichai.
Mordichai heard the soldiers coming. With enhanced hearing, vision and smell, it wasn’t that difficult to locate the exact position of each of them.
I’ve got my sights on a big bastard. He’s got to be a good six-six, Malichai informed them from the rooftop. Can’t see his partner yet.
Mordichai saw the big man’s partner and for just one moment he stopped and shook his head. The man’s entire body was distorted, bones so thick the skin stretched taut over them. He looked like a caricature of a man.
Whoever this Braden is, he’s no Whitney, Mordichai informed the others. I’ve got eyes on his partner, Malichai; it’s going to take a bit to bring this one down.
Wyatt didn’t like the sound of that. He pushed his way through the grass and brush, moving fast, trying to swing around to get into a position to aid Mordichai. Coming in from your right. Malichai, take the shot if you have it.
Malichai didn’t hesitate. He squeezed the trigger, once, twice, a third time. Aiming for the eyes and throat. He didn’t think the soldier’s thickened bone armor was going to stop a high-velocity bullet from his sniper rifle, but still, Wyatt was worried about the zombie apocalypse and he didn’t want to take the chance of helping the other side.
He watched the big soldier go down hard. He kept eyes on him, certain he wouldn’t get back up again, but one never knew, not with enhancements and some kind of healing super drug. The soldier didn’t so much as twitch.
A sound warned him. A soft footfall, or maybe the breeze switched directions for just one moment. He rolled fast, nearly going off the roof. He’s on me. They’re diversions, Wyatt. I fucked up.
He felt the bite of the knife sliding into him. The blade was razor-sharp and it cut through skin, muscle and everything else in its path without even slowing down. He knew he was going to die. The knowledge hit him even as the soldier withdrew the knife and came at him a second time.
The soldier’s body jerked, his expression changing from satisfaction to shock. His eyes went wide. He staggered, recovered and turned. Behind him, Malichai saw Pepper, the knife in her hand dripping blood.
What the hell? Pepper, get out of here.
She backed away from the soldier, focused totally on the huge man. Malichai knew she was drawing the threat away from him in order for him to get on his feet. His wound was low, kidney low, and he couldn’t exactly get back there to staunch the flow of blood, but she was so small and fragile, looking more vulnerable than ever.
Malichai’s down. I’ve got one on the roof and three others in the yard getting close to the house.
Pepper didn’t sound fragile and vulnerable. She sounded totally cool and in absolute control. She looked so small. He hadn’t even been able to see her around the soldier. She was that small in comparison. Malichai was terrified for her. He had to get on his feet. He had to.