The First Days (As the World Dies 1)

Travis climbed the ladder first. Katie followed, gripping the rungs tightly with sweaty palms before slipping over the top of the wall and scooting down the ladder on the other side. The hurricane fence was their next obstacle.

Once Jenni and Juan joined them, they moved the ladder over to the chain-link fence, climbed it, and dropped down on the other side of the fence.

Katie took a deep breath as she looked back over the fence and new wall.

It seemed so much safer on the other side. Knowing how close they were now to the undead, she felt her heartbeat speed up.

Jenni dropped down as Juan waited on the other side. Noticing her expression, Jenni gave Katie's hand a reassuring squeeze.

"We'll kick their asses," Jenni said firmly.

"Of course. " Katie forced a smile and looked toward Travis.

Their companion lifted a ladder that laying on the ground nearby and leaned it against the truck barrier. He took a few moments to make sure it was steady. He looked back and gave them the thumbs up.

Juan handed the gasoline canisters over the fence to Travis and followed them over the fence.

"Remember, as soon as we pull up, drop down and get in the truck.

Nothing fancy. Just get in. We'll cover you," Travis said firmly.

Jenni nodded. "I got it. "

"No worries," Juan assured him.

Travis wiped his brow with his hand and looked toward Katie. "You ready?"

"Oh, yeah. A little scared, but ready. "

The men on top of city hall gave the all clear signal.

"Time to go," Travis muttered.

"Good luck," Juan said and shook their hands.

Jenni gave them both hard hugs. "Run like the wind. "

"Trust me. I'll set a new world's record today," Katie said with a wry grin.

"Let's hurry. " Travis turned and headed up the ladder.

Katie followed, trying hard not to panic. She felt a little dizzy and sweat was trickling down between her shoulder blades. Maybe it was the sun, or the stress, or even both, but she felt lightheaded and slightly unreal.

Reaching the top, she heaved herself onto the packed earth in the bed of the construction truck and looked around. The road looked clear. Juan passed the gasoline up to them and Travis set them near the edge.

No one spoke for the tension lining their faces said it all. Travis motioned to Katie what he was going to do, then dropped over the side. Katie handed down the gasoline canisters to him. He secured them over his shoulders with long straps, wearing them like a pack on his back. When he was ready, she handed down his spear.

Looking around one more time, she took a deep breath and swung herself over the side. As she dropped, she caught her forearm on the edge of the truck and ended up with a nasty scrape. Wincing, she took a brief look at it, but there was really no time to worry about it. Travis uttered one word "Run" and they ran.

They were halfway down the block, sprinting for the truck,] when Katie started to hear footsteps pounding on the brick road behind her.

Jenni-oh so sweet but not always thinking straight Jenni-screamed,

"Katie, there is one behind you!"

Travis uttered, "Shit!"

Katie ran with the gun tucked into her holster and her arms pumping.