Lost Coast by Camille Picott

Author:Camille Picott
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: zombie, zom-poc, apocalypse, Post-Apocalyptic, ultrarunning, running
Publisher: Camille Picott
Published: 2019-12-08T16:00:00+00:00

33

Language Department

KATE

I hadn’t expected every inhabitant to be awake and anxiously awaiting our return. Apparently Jenna, who had been on watch when we slipped out, woke everyone when she saw us leave. Everyone is standing just inside the gate when we arrive.

“Mom, what the hell?” Carter says. “If you hadn’t left with Ben I’d be out there right now looking for you!”

“We were worried,” Reed puts in. “I could hardly believe Mama Bear and her old man just waltzed out of here with Eric like it wasn’t the apocalypse.”

“I had an errand,” I reply. Then I wheel the alpha into the compound.

Silence greets the introduction of the zombie strapped to the dolly. Then everyone starts talking at once.

Susan is incredulous. “You’re jeopardizing Creekside and bringing that thing in here?”

“Mama, are you sick?” Reed puts a hand to my forehead.

“’Bout damn time we caught one of these!” Johnny says. “We need to study it.”

“Are you stupid?” Ash says. “We need to kill it, not study it.”

I hold up my hands to quiet everyone. “We’ll discuss my actions just as soon as we secure the alpha zom.”

“An alpha?” Susan gapes. “God, this just gets worse!”

“How did you catch an alpha?” Reed looks impressed. “Man, I wish I could have seen that.”

“Creekside common room,” I bark. “Everyone go inside and wait there. Ben, Eric, and I will be there shortly.”

“Do you need an extra hand?” Johnny steps forward, eyes thoughtful as he studies the alpha. “I can help.”

“I’ll help, too,” Carter says.

“Me, too,” Jenna adds.

“We have it covered, thank you.” I make my voice firm to let them know I can’t be wheedled. “Creekside common room. We’ll be there in fifteen minutes.”

They’re not happy, but they disperse.

“Well, it wasn’t a full-scale riot,” Ben mutters beside me. “That went over better than I expected.”

I frown at him. “Ash called me stupid and Susan accused me of putting our entire compound at risk.”

Ben shrugs. “They aren’t wrong.”

I’m too tired to argue. He, Eric, and I deposit the alpha zom in the second floor of Juniper, one of the unused and uninhabited dorms in our compound. We leave the thing strapped to the dolly and lock the door.

As we return to Creekside, Eric draws up beside me. His expression is somber. “I agree with you on this. We need to adapt. We need to face this alpha threat and get ahead of it.”

“Thanks, Eric. That means a lot.”

Ben grunts, scowling at nothing in particular. “You know I always have your back. No matter what.”

I give him a grateful smile. “I know, Ben. Thanks.”

This mollifies him. His expression softens and he gives me a curt nod.

Now it’s time to face my people and explain my plan for this monster I’ve brought into our home.

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