The First Days (As the World Dies 1)

"Oh, well, yeah, but if we could use it instead of guns unless in highpressure situations, it could cut down on how much attention we attract,"

Katie said.

"Attracting attention," Juan said in a way Travis knew he wasn't talking about zombies.

"Um, yeah. " Katie gave Juan an intense look.

Jenni just kept smiling at Travis. "What do you think, Travis?"

"That we're fucked," Travis answered truthfully. "But we can do our best to get unfucked. "

Katie gave him a long look. "Sounding a little bitter there, Travis. "

"Well, you know. "

A voice called out and one of the construction workers ran over to them.

It was the big, black man named Mike. "Travis, Juan, we have a situation. "

Travis noted that Mike was holding one of the rifles. It made him nervous despite the fact Mike was former Army. "What is it?"

"You better come see," Mike answered.

They all followed the tall man and ended up at the far end of the complex. There was a platform erected for the sentries to keep watch. They had created a sort of blind to keep the zombies from seeing the guards, but it gave the guards some hassles with its limitations on how much they could see. Mike had taken down the blind and he pointed down over the wall past the hurricane fence.

Four zombies were twisting on the metal spikes, groaning and pumping their arms and legs as if they could swim off of them. A fifth had landed headfirst onto the spike and was finally really dead. The four survivors saw the living staring at them and went nuts trying to get free.

"Fucking shit, they're climbers now. "

Travis swallowed hard at Juan's words. "Some of them at least. Wake up some more people, Juan. We need to triple the guards. Get them armed. We don't need them swarming us in the middle of the night. "

"We better check the entire exposed perimeter," Katie said softly.

Travis noted she and Jenni were holding hands. "Yeah, dammit. Just when this place was feeling a little safe. "

"I knew those fuckers were smarter than they appeared. Dammit, first they’re runners, now they’re climbers. They're breaking all the fucking zombie rules!" Juan looked personally insulted by this development.

Travis turned to the two women and laid his hands gently on their shoulders. "Both of you get some rest. We'll watch the perimeter. "

"Fuck that! I've slept enough. I'm gearing up," Katie answered firmly.

Jenni nodded, agreeing. "I'm with Katie. If there are zombies coming over our walls, I'm going to be there to shoot them. "

"You're both crazy, you know that?"

"Yeah, but that's why you like us," Jenni said flirtatiously.

Katie flashed him her brightest smile. "We'll be right back, Rambo. "

Travis watched them hurry away and turned back to Mike and Juan. He could tell how dire the situation was. Juan hadn't even glanced at the departing women.

"This isn't good," Juan said grimly.

"We'll deal," Travis answered. "We have no other option than to deal with it and not let them in. "

Mike picked up one of the makeshift spears. "I'll deal with them. "

"Make it quick," Travis answered. "We don't need to give the rest of them ideas. "