Transformation: Zombie Crusade VI by J.W. Vohs, Sandra Vohs Read Free Book Online

about fast and light anymore.”
    “What the heck does that mean?” Maddy demanded. “You’ve never had any interest in commanding troops—“
    Gracie interrupted, “Luke, this isn’t like you. You usually talk things out with us, or at least with me. What’s going on?”
    He stared at the ground for a long moment, searching for the right words to explain what he was feeling. “Well, you guys, you know I didn’t exactly have a plan when I said I wanted to head west. Now, I can sense a plan forming in my mind. Maybe forming is the wrong word—it’s more like the plan has been there all along, and I’m just starting to discover it.”
    Gracie sighed. “You should have talked to us before you set things in motion with Terry. We’re a part of everything you do, and I shouldn’t have to remind you that I’m your wife. You don’t need our approval, but you shouldn’t blindside us.”
    “I’m sorry,” he softly replied, “it’s like I said, I’m just discovering the plan myself.  I didn’t know Terry would come to us tonight, and the rest just sort of happened spontaneously. But it feels right.”
    “Okay, zombie-boy,” Maddy offered, “consider yourself forgiven. Now what’re some of the other ideas we should know about?”
    Luke scratched his head and began to explain, “Well, I know there’s no way I’m gonna be able to pass up settlements along the way. I want to know what people are thinking and how they’re living. And If we find any situations like we found here, I’m gonna fix the problem.”
    “Hey,” Zach replied, “you gotta know we’re with you on that.”
    Maddy and Gracie nodded their agreement as Luke continued. “Yeah, and I don’t mean to be a jerk about it, but I know I’ll fix things my way. I just don’t want you guys to feel like I’m bossing you around all the time.”
    Zach smirked. “Dude, that’s never bothered you before,” he teased.
    “I’m serious,” Luke protested, “I can’t promise that I won’t, what did Gracie call it—blindside you again. I didn’t know what I was going to say to Terry before I said it, but now I have a clearer vision of what I, I mean we, need to do.”
    Maddy decided to end this question of authority once and for all. “Hey look, amigo, I know I give you a lot of crap, but I will follow you to hell and back. Heck, I’ve already done that a couple of times. And I know I speak for Zach on this subject too; you are our brother, and our leader. Jack and Carlson may be the brains of the resistance, but you’re the heart and soul of it. Now that you’ve managed to survive a bite, your stature’s only gonna grow in this country.”
    Gracie put her arms around her husband. “See, I’m not the only person who believes those things.”
    Luke allowed himself a slight smile as he conceded, “I’m not fighting it anymore. If I thought I was just one of many before the bite, I know better now. I want to help mankind return to the top of the food chain on this planet and kill the bad guys while I’m at it. I’ll need an army to do that.”
    He hesitated, and Gracie stepped back to peer at her friends around the fire.  She added her perspective, “I think there may be more survivors living along the world’s rivers and lakes than we thought there were. But if all they’re doing is cowering behind their walls in fear, they’ll be there until they starve or get sick; the flu or something will get them, or malaria will make a comeback. Saving humanity is about more than simply killing off the hunters.”
    Luke felt a knot tighten in his stomach, even though he agreed with every word Gracie said. He added, “Barnes and the people who do his bidding are the real enemies. My gut tells me that we have the winter months to work with before he makes his next big push, so we don’t have to be in a hurry as we head west. We’ll inform all of the communities we find about what’s going on in America. Hopefully, some of the young