He moved forward at that impossible speed, Mackenzie right behind him. I looked down at my booted feet and snapped, “You will move just as quickly!”
They obeyed, shocking me all over again. I quickly caught up with the twosome, and we soared through neighborhood after neighborhood, searching for any sign of zombie activity. I lasted one hour...two...three...before the swiftness of my movements began to take a dangerous toll.
My limbs trembled lightly at first, then more noticeably, then more violently. After a while, I was barely able to remain upright.
“Guys,” I huffed, and stopped.
A mistake.
Suddenly I could feel the heaviness of my feet and could barely maintain my grip on the ax.
I hated to admit it, but Cole and Frosty were right. Stamina was important. I needed to up my training.
Gavin slowed and turned to face me.
“Rest,” I said.
So hungry, a ragged voice whispered, claiming my attention.
I spun, but no one stood around me.
Will eat. Food will scream. Yes. Yes!
Hmm, what’s that smell? Must have.
Hard bands wrapped around my upper arms. Instinct took over, and I raised my fist to attack the culprit. I turned.
Gavin ducked, avoiding impact. Straightening, he frowned. “What’s wrong with you?”
“I—I don’t know.”
Your condition, the man in the car had said.
“The smell of rot is in the air.” Excitement bubbled in Mackenzie’s tone.
Smiling, Gavin released me. He shot a flare in the sky to alert Cole and Lucas, then palmed two daggers. “Yeah, baby. The zombies are nearby.”
I inhaled deeply, but I smelled only the pine of the trees. And...Gavin. I smelled Gavin, and it was better than the pine. It was delicious. Mouthwatering.
“You able to fight?” he asked me.
I wasn’t actually sure, wasn’t even sure I cared. I leaned into him and sniffed. Hmm. Snack time.
He looked as if he wanted to question me, but a male with a hunched back and a twisted ankle ambled from the side of a house, drawing his attention.
The zombies weren’t just nearby; they were here.
This one wore a dirty, ripped suit, and his tie was askew.
Three other zombies moseyed out behind him, and five more behind them.
Must have, must have, must have.
Mine, all mine.
Gonna be so good!
The voices stacked one on top of the other, insistent and loud. I shook my head and tugged at my ears, even as I licked my lips and stared at Gavin’s neck.
He tossed something small and black at the zombies and shouted, “Down!”
He hit the ground. Confused, I remained standing.
Boom!
A minigrenade exploded, ripping through the first line of zombies. Arms flew one way and legs another, minus the bodies. A white-hot blast of air shoved me backward. When I landed, twigs and grass and body parts rained over me.
Gavin and Mackenzie hopped up and rushed headlong into battle, hacking and slashing at the creatures still standing.
I gritted my teeth and forced myself into motion. “I can do this. I can do this.”
But...as I carved through the spine of a female zombie, she reached for Gavin, ignoring me. As I cut off the arm of another, he bit at Mackenzie, as if I wasn’t even there.
WILL TASTE.
MINE, MINE, MINE.
HURT. MAIM. KILL.
GOOD, SO GOOD.
Argh! The voices. Louder now, screaming at me. I dropped the ax to clutch at my ears. Stop. Please, stop. But they didn’t. They only grew louder. My knees gave out, and I collapsed to the ground. The zombies stepped over me, desperate to reach Gavin and Mackenzie.
What are you doing? Get up. Fight. Help your friends. You’re better than this.
Finally Pep Talk Ali, a voice of reason. Barely discernible over the noise. I palmed a dagger with a trembling hand and stood. My legs quaked, and I swayed, but I somehow found the strength to lumber forward.