Zocopalypse (Death Fields 1)

“On the count of three, open the door, and then duck behind me.” I lean around him and grip the door handle. “One, two…three!”

I don’t hesitate and once I’ve released the lock Wyatt kicks the door open. It doesn’t budge so he kicks again, this time getting a little movement. A deep moan sounds from the other side and he says, “That mother f-er is blocking the door.” To my absolute horror he thumbs the lighter and the torch bursts to life through the tiny opening.

The fiber glass door melts but the moan outside turns to a screech of pain. We’re able to get the opening clear and even from my spot behind Wyatt I can see the Eater waving his fiery, blazing arm in panic. The other Eaters are only attuned to us for attack and they come straight toward the flame with no concern for their welfare. Truly their brains must no longer be functioning. I jump as each one lights up like dry kindling.

“Holy crap,” I say swinging my hatchet at one coming from behind. His head splits in two and when he falls I see that dozens have surrounded the boat. Wyatt may be able to blow-torch our way out of here but we’ll most likely end up on fire ourselves. “The fire’s not stopping them!”

I got ready to attack an Eater stumbling my way. Her upper body engulfed in flames but she stops, dropping with a thud to the ground. Before I can react two more drop and I glance at Wyatt, who has tossed the bug spray and has out his gun but hasn’t pulled the trigger.

Thwick.

Thwick.

Two more of the Eater’s drop. This time I notice the yellow tinged feathers sticking out the body. Arrows. I glance around and say, “Someone’s shooting them.”

“Them or us?”

Thwick. Thud. Thwick. Thud.

“Them,” I say, because each arrow is a direct hit and none have come close to us.

“Let’s get out of here,” Wyatt says tugging on my arm. We hop off the boat, Wyatt holding on to the railing and kicking an Eater in the face. The motion tears the wound on his side and I hear the rewarding sound of a snapped neck. We fight our way through a small group, slashing and hacking. Once we’re through we race down the dock as planned.

“Who do you think that was?” I ask trying to catch my breath. Wyatt favors his left side, leaning away from this wound. I’d like to look at it—to see how bad it is but it’s

not my place.

“No clue but I’d like to give them a big kiss.”

“Well,” I huff. “You may get your chance.” I point to the two people walking in our direction. From the edge of the tree line I make out a couple—male and female plucking arrows from the bodies of fallen Eater’s.

“I don’t know,” he says, his voice hard. “I don’t like being in someone’s debt, and we owe them big.”

“Well, I don’t like the idea of not thanking someone for saving our lives.”

We watch the pair come closer and Wyatt’s body visibly tenses as they cross the dock. For a moment, I think he may just bolt and leave—he has the right to, but he holds position. He waits by my side, and I get the feeling maybe we really are a team after all. I’m not sure what to make of that.

“Last chance,” he whispers, but it’s already too late. They’re too close and the male, his eyes are locked with mine. And the female? Well, her eyes are raking over Wyatt. When I glance at him I realize he’s watching her back.

Crap. Things just got way more complicated.

Chapter Twenty-Eight

~Before~

Five Weeks Earlier

My mother relies on me to navigate. She doesn’t have the experience of combing every inch of the neighborhood like I have since childhood. The games of Hide and Seek or Capture the Flag. The familiarity is good. The woods seem safe. It’s quiet. So very quiet.

Even though my mother has never been back here she still has her sense of direction and when I take a detour she notices. “Where are you going?”

I decide to be honest. “To check on Liza. I haven’t heard from her since the phones went out.”

She hesitates. “This is not in the plan. It goes against all the rules.”

“Mom, I have to check on her.”

“Alex, it’s too dangerous.”