Empty Bodies (Book 2): Adaptation by Zach Bohannon Read Free Book Online Page B

smiled, shaking her head, and continued to work on covering the gunshot back up.
    Holly rested her head against Will’s chest, and he ran his fingers through her hair. The two had become very close over the last few days, though they hadn’t actually had any time alone together. Will hoped that would change soon, as he wanted to be able to sit down with the girl and have an actual conversation without the others around. With the way things were going, he wasn’t sure when or if he’d have that opportunity.
    “We’re going to get there today,” Holly said.
    “I hope so. A three-hour trip has taken us three days.”
    “And we’re going to find your parents. I know they’re there, Will. And that they’re safe. I can just feel it.”
    Will continued to run his fingers through Holly’s hair, and he leaned his head back against the seat and shut his eyes.
    “Yeah. Yeah, I hope so.”
    The truth was, Will had begun to lose hope that he’d ever see his parents again. He wondered if the people around him would be the only family he’d have from here on out. He still had some hope, from the text message he received, but it was quickly fading. Added to that was the fact that every time he tried to call the number back, he got nothing more than a busy signal. Most times, though, the line was silent. Both his patience and his faith were wearing thin, fast.
    “I just want to meet them to tell you how much of a gallant hero you are,” Holly said, smirking at him.
    “Hahaha,” Will replied.
    Marcus turned around and looked at him.
    “Hey, man, don’t underestimate what you did back there for us. That was some serious shit.”
    Will laughed. “Dude, I was kidnapped. Not like I had much of a choice.”
    “The hell you didn’t!” Marcus said. He turned all the way around so that he could look directly at Will. “You could have kept driving when she waved at you.” Marcus nodded toward Holly, and Will looked at her. “But, you didn’t. You came to help her. Plus, you’re a smart dude, man. You probably could have gotten away if you really wanted to before you came to save my sorry ass.
    “Either way, the point is you didn’t. You helped us. And now, here we are.”
    “Yeah, but, what is here?” Will asked.
    “ Here is a hell of a lot better than back there,” Miranda said.
    Holly looked up and kissed Will on his cheek, then looked him in the eyes. “It’s much better. We’re going to be fine.”
    ***
    Gabriel
    For once, the road ahead was fairly clear. While there were some Empties and abandoned cars out on the highway, most of the vehicles had gone off of the road, making it much easier to maneuver. He hoped that this would be the day they finally reached Knoxville, so they could find Will’s parents, and head on toward the East Coast.  
    At the same time, Gabriel had other things on his mind.
    Ever since their talk earlier that morning, Dylan had been acting strange. He sat in the front passenger seat while Gabriel drove, but had yet to say a single word. While he wanted to continue their conversation, Gabriel really wasn’t sure if this was the time or the place, not with the others around.
    When he looked over to Dylan, the boy was tossing a small, red rubber ball that Donny gave to him. The kid looked as if he was focusing intently, and Gabriel wondered what the boy was thinking.
    Soon after, he stopped tossing the ball, and Gabriel didn’t have to wonder anymore.
    “Why are they here?” Dylan asked.
    The four that sat behind Gabriel and the boy stopped talking, and Gabriel could see in the rearview mirror that they were looking up toward Dylan now.
    “Why are who here?” Gabriel asked the boy.
    Out of the corner of his eye, Gabriel could see Dylan finally look up at him, and he glanced over at him while trying to keep an eye on the surprisingly open road.
    Dylan pointed to Gabriel’s left, and Gabriel looked out of the driver’s side window.
    They were passing a vast, wide-open corn field.