Trial by Fire by Baileigh Higgins

Author:Baileigh Higgins [Higgins, Baileigh]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Independent
Published: 2022-03-28T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 22 - Robert

Robert’s heavy boots crunched across the gravel that lined the walkway to the door. The smell of disinfectant filled his nostrils. His gear reeked of the stuff, and he wondered if he’d been a tad overzealous earlier when he cleaned it. Maybe use a lighter hand next time, he thought with a rueful shake of the head.

In front of him loomed the entrance to a house—Brigg’s old home. The front door yawned wide open, and a smear of blood marred the cream-colored paint. It boded ill for the fate of Brigg’s family, but Robert needed to make sure there were no survivors.

Mason waited in the truck, ready for a quick getaway while Susan and Clare followed close on his heels. The suburb was quiet so far, with not a single hint of zombies. That didn’t mean they weren’t around, however, and Robert was ready for anything.

After a careful look around, he closed the distance. When he reached the bottom of the steps, he nodded at Clare. “You wait here. Warn us if any zombies show up and cover our rear, but don’t be a hero.”

“I’ll do my best,” Clare said with a tight nod.

She looked a little off in the gear he’d given her, but it was the best protection he had to offer. The thick material, helmet, boots, and gloves were an excellent defense against zombie bites, while the ax was an efficient weapon. Still, she looked swamped in the heavy outfit, and he made a mental note to get her something better for future excursions. Not just her. Everyone, firefighter or not, will need protective clothes in the months to come.

He left her there at the bottom of the steps and continued upward to the entrance. A quick examination of the blood revealed that it was old. Dried and crusty. Whatever had happened there, it had been a while already.

“Ready, Susan?” Robert asked when he reached the door.

“Go ahead. I’ve got your back,” Susan said.

Robert gave the door a nudge, and it creaked as it swung open on unoiled hinges. He winced, certain a zombie would come raging out at any second. But nothing happened.

A couple of seconds passed before he stepped inside. Immediately, a thick wave of decay hit him in the face. His eyes watered, and he was suddenly grateful for the smell of disinfectant on his clothes. It took the edge off, at least.

“Oh, man. That’s rank,” Susan said in a low whisper.

“Uh-huh. Something died in here,” Robert answered. Or someone.

“Be careful,” she warned as they moved deeper into the house.

Robert nodded, acutely aware of the danger they were in. His eyes roved across the dim interior of the foyer, noting the smears of dried blood on the walls. In the living room, a trail of rust-red droplets led across the carpet and into the kitchen.

Robert inched forward but stopped when he saw a pair of feet sticking out from behind a counter. A woman’s feet clad in jogging shoes. He took a few more steps and rounded the corner.

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