The First Days (As the World Dies 1)

They stopped outside of the back steps to city hall and Katie took the time to stretch out her muscles. "I'm due for the shower. "

"Okay. I'll talk to Juan and Jenni next. I figure they can go with us. "

"Juan?"

"Yeah, he's read the Zombie Survival Handbook a million times. I think he'll be a great backup. "

"Okay. And Jenni and I can carry our guns and take you to Ralph's. "

Travis nodded his head, his gaze intense. He shifted on his feet and crossed his arms over his chest slowly. "If you don't want to go back out there-"

"I'm in. No worries," Katie said quickly. "I'd rather be proactive than not. "

"So we got a plan?"

"We got a plan," Katie assured him.

His gaze met hers in that way that made her avert her eyes. She suddenly felt a little flushed and she shifted nervously on her feet.

"Okay, five minutes until my turn in the shower," she said with a glance at her watch.

Travis nodded and looked a little flushed, too. "Okay, rendezvous back here in twenty minutes. "

Katie laughed. "I'm a girl. Make it forty. " She turned and ran into the building.

Travis gazed after her with his expression showing all too clearly he knew she was a girl.

"She's gay, dude," Juan said in his thick West Texas accent from behind him.

"Shut up," Travis said gruffly, then swung his arm around Juan's bronzed shoulders to lead him away. "So, this zombie handbook you were telling me about…”

Chapter 10

1. Rush of the Dead

Katie stood next to the ladder leading over the wall, hugging Jason before leaning over to give Jack a kiss. Jenni stood nearby, her dark hair tied up in a high ponytail, a backpack slung over her shoulders. The sun was higher now and Jenni looked pale, but confident.

After hugging Katie, Jason moved back to Jenni and hugged her again.

"We'll take good care of each other. I promise," Katie assured him.

Jack whined at her, lifting a paw to scrabble at her knee.

"Jack, stay here and take care of Jason, okay?"

The dog looked from Katie to Jason, then walked sullenly to the boy's side.

It felt strange to leave the dog behind after he had been such a constant part of their life the last two days, but Katie and Jenni both agreed it was time to let him stay behind and let Jason have the comfort of his company.

A car alarm was going off over and over again on the other side of the complex. Standing on the roof of city hall were two men, one with binoculars, watching the zombies in the street below. It was agreed they would not give the all clear signal until the road leading to the truck was de

void of the undead.

Katie stood quietly, hands on her hips, sunglasses covering her eyes to keep the sun's morning glare from blinding her. She wore the same old tank top and pants (and made a mental note to pick up more clothes at Ralph's) and Travis wore a T-shirt, jeans, and heavy boots.

Juan shifted his spear. "I cannot wait to have a decent gun. "

Travis grinned. "You'll have one soon enough. Let's get moving. "