The Zombie Chronicles - Book 2 (Apocalypse Infection Unleashed Series) by Chrissy Peebles Read Free Book Online

pretend I’m only three feet off the ground.
    I hadn’t even reached the middle when a gust of wind hit me in the back. It was as if I was being pushed by an invisible bully. I looked at the finish line, only a few feet in front of me, and continued forward. My foot suddenly caught on something, nearly sending me toppling into the sea of zombies below. What was that? Everyone else had managed to cross over without difficulties, with the exception of Claire. Holding my breath, I looked down. Nails ? I hadn’t seen them when we’d picked up the board. Why couldn’t they have been pounded in from this side? I complained in my head, furious that I had to pick my feet up to get over them. Another gust filled my shirt like a sail, and I waited for the cruel draft to die out. One foot was over, and the second foot followed. The wood wobbled, and a bead of sweat rolled down my face. I had to play it cool, fighting the urge to just sprint over. One slip and… I glanced over my shoulder. Nick was right behind me, just out of the reach of the zombie intruders who were flailing their hands out the window.
    Finally, I reached the end and jumped in to the barn window. The zombies trying to get to Nick, who was still crossing the plank, shoved the board with their bodies as they struggled to reach him. Nick must’ve felt the board about to drop from the house window, because he shifted from slow-motion tightrope walker to a full running leap off the end of the board. Just as his feet left the board, it tumbled from the window, careening into the screaming mob below. With his arms out, his body seemed to sail through the air until he collided with the barn window frame, clutching with all his strength. Before we could reach down to pull him up, he hoisted himself into the window with one mighty push.
    Claire and Jackie le d us inside. I couldn’t have been happier, even though I knew we weren’t out of the zombie-infested woods just yet. I pulled out my axe and was grateful I was able to bring it safely over without losing it or—even worse—cutting myself during that little risqué circus act.
    “ Let’s figure out where we are,” Nick said.
    “ We’re above the stalls, in a hayloft,” Jackie said.
    Her voice sounded like heaven. I rushed over, and she wrapped her arms around me as I squeezed her body tightly against my own.
    “ All right. I’m gonna make a second sweep,” Lucas said, slapping my back. “C’mon.”
    I glanced down to make sure it was safe. I didn’t see anything, so I clambered down the hayloft ladder. Beams of sunlight filtered in through the high windows and shone on my face. The barn was pretty much a giant room with a high roof and arched entrances at each end, but there wasn’t anything we could really use—no equipment, no supplies, and no tools. “This place has been stripped down to the bare bones.”
    “ Just our luck,” Nick said, rasping in a low breath.
    Claire squeezed his hand. “It may look hopeless, but I’m not giving up—not after all we’ve gone through to get here.”
    He pulled her close. “None of us here are quitters.”
    “ I don’t wanna die, Nick. I’ll do whatever it takes.”
    Jackie slipped her hand into Claire’s and squeezed it in assurance. “We’ve survived this long, and we’re not gonna let anything stop us now.”
    The barn doors shook violently, and zombies began pounding on the wooden walls, making a terrible racket.
    “ Let’s go take a look in the back,” Claire said, her voice wavering. “There has to be something around here.”
    “ There’s nothing but useless farm machines. A John Deere’s of no use without keys,” Lucas said.
    “ Farm machines?” Jackie asked. “I used to help out on my grandparents’ farm.” She tugged Claire’s arm. “Let’s go check it out.”
    “ No!” yelled Nick. “You shouldn’t separate from us. We should all stick together.”
    They ignored Nick, except to turn and roll their eyes at him, then