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

we're ahead and to their right.
    Now, we wait. The water is to our backs, sloshing hypnotically against the pilings. The effect is eerie, conveying a deceptive peacefulness that's about to be shattered in the oncoming carnage.
    Mira is like a statue, sighting the Festers through the scope of a high-powered rifle as they walk down the darkened road towards us. I keep my primary focus on the infected freaks, but I still glance at her often, how her long, elegant fingers curve around the barrel of the gun, the nearly imperceptible movement as she tracks her shot, her breathing steady and calm, no sign of nervousness or jitters anywhere in her body.
    Everything in my nature recoils against letting this beautiful girl take on this group by herself, but she insisted. I know she wants me to feel confident in her abilities, and I want to give her the benefit of the doubt, but despite what I promised, I’ll take whatever action I have to if it comes down to it.
    The Festers are almost directly in our path now, and I hear Mira release a slow, soft breath and hold it. She’s as still as a rock now, the only movement from a wisp of her hair dancing lightly in the breeze. I know the shot is about to come, and the powerful rifle kicks with a puffing sound as the bullet leaves the silenced barrel.
    What happens next is unbelievable. Three of the Festers’ heads explode in almost instantaneous succession as the bullet passes through each one. She lined the shot up perfectly and caught them when they were almost in a straight line to each other.
    Dang! Why haven't I ever thought of trying that?
    She’s bounding over the barrier almost before they hit the ground, leaving the rifle and me behind.
    Startled by the sudden demise of their comrades, the other two Festers are turning to scatter when Mira’s boots hit the pavement and she blasts a shrill whistle. They turn in the direction of the sound and charge headlong at her, teeth glinting in the streetlights, snarling and crazed.
    Mira doesn’t move, but stands quietly waiting as they charge. She stares them down, unflinching, immobile, exuding perfect confidence. When they’ve covered half the distance between them, she puts both hands behind her head and slides the two swords from their sheaths, lowering each blade down and to her sides until the tips are skirting the ground, and waits.
    “Uh…Mira?” I start to move in her direction. The Festers are coming in fast and my instinct is to jump to her defense.
    “Stay back,” she says over her shoulder, no trace of strain or stress in her words. “I got this.”
    I wish I felt as confident as she sounds. My body trembles with the tension, everything in me screaming to act.
    The Festers streak towards her, side by side, their diseased muscles pushing them to inhuman speed. When they’re no more than ten feet away, Mira makes such a quick spin to the side that it’s almost hard to follow, and the screams of the Festers are abruptly silenced as one of the blades sweeps cleanly through their bodies, each neck severed. I’m so shocked I just stand there as the headless bodies flop to the pavement, blood spurting from the open necks.
    That was awesome and frightening all at the same time. Her movements were fast and powerful, but also smooth and seemingly effortless. She turns to me, a picture of grace and power, like the goddess Athena come to life. I suddenly find myself wondering how I would fare if it ever came to a fight between us.
    Shaking off my stupor, I hop over the barrier and make my way to her. She’s grinning mischievously, standing over her prey like a huntress, a beautiful angel of death.
    “Still worried I might slow you down?” she asks.
    “Slow me down?” I say, looking at the lifeless bodies of the Festers, putrid blood pooling around their severed necks. “I’m starting to worry if I can keep up.”

Chapter 9
    Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport in Atlanta, Georgia, used to be the busiest