The Night Sweeper: A Zombie Conspiracy Novel (The Sweeper Chronicles Book 1) by J. Steven Butler Read Free Book Online

night after night, it’s not fun, but it’s necessary. Somebody has to do it.” I realize I didn't stumble over my words. Talking about work feels more natural. The jitters are easing off a little. Was that her intention?
    “What made you decide you wanted to be a Sweeper?”
    “Uh, well, I kinda didn't. Not like that. Archer found me; he asked me to join. He thought I would be a good fit.”
    “Because of your abilities,” she says.
    I risk a casual glance. She's looking straight ahead, watching the road.
    “My abilities,” I repeat, unsure if it's a question or a statement.
    “Archer told us all about your gifts.”
    I feel betrayed, but that's stupid. It's no secret what I am.
    “Yeah. I'm...” I struggle with the right word. “Different.”
    She studies me in the darkness. “You make it sound like that's something bad.”
    “No, I mean, yeah...at times. It hasn't always been a blessing.”
    “I think what you can do is amazing,” she says. “I like different .” As soon as she says it, she looks at me quickly, like she may have pushed me too hard.
    Was that a simple compliment, or flirtation?
    “Anyway,” she continues, “sounds like your job is pretty tough.”
    “Is yours any better?” I say.
    “Maybe,” she says cryptically, a teasing smile crossing her face.
    It’s obvious by her manner she doesn’t intend to expound on it any more. She stays silent for the rest of the ride and now I’m more intrigued by her than ever. Whatever her intention, I'm breathing easier, no longer feeling sick. I can do this. I'm even feeling a prick of thrill being with her.
    I occurs to me that she's very close. The car is small, tight. Her arm is only inches from mine, and suddenly, it's all I can think about. It seems like the car is driving itself. Every ounce of my awareness is focused on her. I imagine I can feel the heat radiating off of her body. I breathe, and all I can smell is her. My stomach starts churning again, but in a different way. A good way. But in too short a time, I pull into the abandoned parking lot, and it's back to business.
    I climb out of the car, keeping an eye on our surroundings. It’s a dark night. Blue-gray clouds obscure the moon and stars, but there’s enough ambient light to see by. I can already hear the call and response of Festers nearby as one cries out, an eerie, mournful wail, and another takes up the call. They’re far enough away that we’re safe for the moment, unless there are quieter ones lurking nearby.
    I quickly remove our gear from the trunk, stuff I had put there earlier in the day.
    I look over as Mira pulls something from behind the passenger seat and hoists it onto her back, slipping her arms through straps on either side. She hooks a clasp in the middle of her chest. My curiosity overcomes my shyness.
    “What is that?” I say.
    She angles her back towards me in response, pursing her lips playfully. “Just some toys I brought with me.”
    I can see the outline of two sheathed swords forming an “x” across her back.
    “You brought swords? Guns are more efficient.”
    She rolls her eyes in pretend mockery. “Where’s the fun in that?”
    But then something else occurs to me. She didn’t bring them from the armory. These are her personal weapons, and I know my car was locked.
    “Wait, when did you…?”
    “Oh come on,” she says. “I wouldn’t be very good at my job if I couldn’t get past a locked door now and then.”
    She walks away in the direction of the Festers, leaving me standing there, feeling again like an idiot.

Chapter 8
    Thirty minutes later, we crouch behind a concrete barrier, tracing the path of five Festers with our eyes as they wander in our direction. Once we left the car, we followed their sounds until we saw them at a distance. I could take them in the open, but Mira insisted on handling them herself, and for the sake of experience, we track them together, making a long semicircle, always keeping them in sight, until