Zombified (Book 2): Shady Oaks by Char Robinson Read Free Book Online Page B

zombie right in the middle of its chest and knocking it down.
    Sean pulled out the metal rod from his backpack as he hurried over to the zombie, kicking it in the chest as it tried to get up. "Told you this would come in handy," he said softly.
    "Well then, finish him," Scott whispered.
    Sean gave him a quick glance and Scott nodded toward the zombie. Sean looked down at the snarling creature beneath his boot. Wasting no more time, he pressed the rod to the zombie's eye then, using his body weight, drove it deep into the skull. A thick black fluid immediately welled from the ears and mouth and fortunately for them, the zombie immediately went still.
    "Flawless victory!" Scott said. He chuckled softly and patted Sean on the back.
    Sean snorted. "You play too many video games," he replied. He reached down and gave the rod a hard yank to remove it from the zombie's head. Reluctantly it came free, with a loud sucking sound. As he wiped off the slimy gore from his improvised weapon in the long grass, Sean looked up at his brother, who was watching him. "We better get back to our positions."
    "Yeah," Scott said agreeably.
    As they walked back, Sean asked, "Did you notice the other zombies making all that noise? Seemed to me they were responding to the zombie way up here."
    "I did notice," Scott replied. "Don't really know what to think of it right now. We all know they're doing some strange stuff."
    As they approached their positions, they were met by Corporal Riley. "Where were you two?"
    Scott jerked his head toward where they'd just come from. "Chasing a zombie, but we took care of him."
    Riley's eyes narrowed for a second before he nodded. "I see. Well, we gotta get going; Capt'n wants to see both of you pronto."
    Sean was relieved; he desperately wanted to know what the captain planned to do. One glance at his brother and he knew Scott was thinking the same thing. Without a word, they turned and followed Riley down the mountain.

Chapter Seven
     
    After being manhandled into the tent, Mick first took in his surroundings and then kept his gaze on Brooke, who was sitting across from him and Charlie. She sat between Jenny and Jimmy, Jake was nowhere to be seen.
    The inside of the tent was brightly lit and air conditioned, courtesy of the large generators outside. Several tables and desks with computer work stations on top were scattered throughout the area where they were now sitting on folding chairs. Behind them a plastic strip door obscured their view of what lay beyond.
    Charlie leaned forward toward Jenny. "Where's Jake?" he mouthed more than whispered.
    "Behind you," she whispered back. "There's a lab back there and he's trying to help them with their vaccine."
    Charlie raised his eyebrows and sat back without replying. He glanced at Mick, who was still staring at Brooke and smiling. Giving him a nudge, he whispered in Mick's ear what Jenny told him.
    "So they are working on a cure," Mick whispered back, never taking his eyes off Brooke. She scowled at him and he grinned. Now that he knew she was okay, he turned his full attention to Charlie. "Jake is helping, that's good, and maybe it will earn us some Brownie points."
    Charlie was about to reply when an extremely tall man passed by them from behind. Abruptly he stopped and turned to face them.
    He studied the group before giving them a tight smile. Then he focused on Mick and Charlie. "I imagine introductions are in order, so I will go first. I am Malcolm Greenwold, formerly from New York City."
    Mick nudged Charlie, who straightened up and cleared his throat. "I'm Charlie Thompson and this is Mick Carter. We're here to get our daughters and their friends back."
    "Very noble of you, coming to the rescue like that," Malcolm said with a chuckle. "Believe it or not, that is something we have in common."
    Charlie tilted his head, clearly puzzled. "Really? How so?"
    Malcolm walked over to a table that held Mick and Charlie's backpacks. He quickly flipped through a folder and