Rise of the Undead Box Set | Books 1-3 | Apocalypse Z

by Higgins, Baileigh

  Alex ducked back inside, and Dylan leaned against the wall with her back. She closed her eyes and sighed, trying not to cry.

  Nick moved closer. “Want another smoke?”

  “Please.” He handed her a lit cigarette, and this time, it was her hand that shook like a leaf. “Did you hear any of that?”

  Nick nodded. “I heard it all. Is it true?”

  “It’s true. I was on my second day, and these two guys jumped me. They tried to run me off the road. Anyway, long story short, I killed them. Ripped out the one’s throat with my teeth and drank his blood. I enjoyed it too. The virus was already taking control. I even tried to kill Alex at one point.”

  “That’s rough,” Nick said.

  “Be glad you got the cure so early. I still have nightmares about that day,” Dylan said, her heart heavy in her chest.

  “That was some performance, though. You even had me going at one stage,” Nick admitted.

  “Do you still think you like me? Do you still want to be with me?” she asked. “Be honest.”

  “I do, and what’s more, I think you want it too,” Nick replied, flashing her a grin.

  “Yeah, how do you figure that?”

  “Because I know everything about you. Every ugly little secret that you try to hide, and I still want you,” Nick replied. “I don’t think you can say the same about Ethan.”

  Dylan was silent, aware that he’d struck a nerve. As much as she liked Ethan, she didn’t think he’d be able to cope with her dark side. He was too good for that. “You’re probably right about Ethan, but that still doesn’t mean I’m going to fall into your arms.”

  “I don’t expect you to, but don’t be surprised if I club you over the head and drag you to my lair. I’ve got a dark side too.”

  Dylan smiled. “Oh, I’m counting on it.”

  ***

  Ten minutes later, Dylan stared up at the sky as the first snowflake tumbled to the ground. The temperature was dropping fast, and the wind speed was picking up. Her watch told her it was almost five o’clock, and she knew their time was up. Amy and Tara were waiting for them. The meeting with the major would have to wait until the storm had passed. At least, they had a signed confession now.

  Before she could call out to him, Saul stormed out of the storage room with a grim look on his face. “We need to get to the lab.”

  Alex was hot on Saul’s heels, his eyes wild. “Let’s go, guys.”

  “What’s wrong?” Dylan asked, her stomach forming a knot.

  “I’ll explain on the way, but right now, both Tara and Amy are in danger,” Saul said, striding toward the truck.

  “What about Harris?” Dylan asked as she ran after him.

  “Screw him. We’ll come back for him later,” Saul said, jumping behind the wheel. They tumbled in after him, and he started the ignition. With a roar of the engine, they spun away.

  During the drive, Saul told them about Harris’ confession. “There’s a lot more going on here than either of us thought. Not only is Lieutenant King and his men staging a coup, but they’re also planning on getting rid of us for good.”

  “How do they plan on doing that?” Dylan asked.

  “Bannock is supposed to kill Tara while King and his men take out the major. Amy’s just a bonus. They don’t even know about her or Alex yet. After that, they’re supposed to come for us at the house,” Saul explained.

  “How did they think to manage all of that? A coup and mass murder? Wouldn’t the other soldiers and civilians catch on?” Dylan said.

  “Not while the base is on lockdown during one of the worst blizzards of the season,” Saul said. “By the time the storm passes, the new command will be in place, and we’ll have disappeared.”

  “Wow, that is clever,” Dylan admitted. “King is one smart guy; I’ll give him that.”

  “He’ll be a dead guy once I get my hands on him,” Saul said as he spun to a stop in front of the lab’s entrance.

  Before any of them could move a muscle, Tara and Amy came running straight for them. They jumped into the car, red-faced and out of breath. A flurry of snow followed them into the cab, and Dylan leaned forward to crank up the heat.

  “Thank God, you came,” Tara cried. “I was so worried something had happened to you.”

  “Happened to us?” Saul said. “We were worried about you. We learned that Bannock was going to try and kill you.”

  “He did, but we got out. He set the lab’s captive infected on us,” Tara said. “Thanks to you, we were armed, but Dr. Patel wasn’t so lucky.”

  “She’s dead?” Dylan asked.

  “The zombies got her,” Tara confirmed. “Bannock will pay for that, I swear it.”

  Dylan looked at Saul. “What now? You said they were going after the major.”

  “Not if we can stop them,” Saul said.

  “Wait, how many of them are in on this?” Dylan asked. “We can’t be outnumbered. These are trained soldiers.”

  “So am I. Alex and Nick, too,” Saul pointed out. “Besides, there are only three of them left. King and two of his henchmen. Harris was supposed to join them, but he’s going nowhere.”

  “What about Bannock?” Dylan pointed out. “He just tried to kill Tara. Won’t he be there?”

  “Apparently not. He’s supposed to wait it out in his quarters. Tara was his one job,” Saul said.

  “So, it’s four against three,” Dylan said.

  “Not this time, Dylan,” Saul said. “You, Tara, and Amy will wait in the truck. If anything goes wrong, you get the heck out of here.”

  “You expect me to do nothing?” Dylan said, her blood up at the mere thought.

  “I do. If something happens to us, I need you to look after Tara and Amy. You’re the only one I trust enough to do that,” Saul said, his expression serious.

  Dylan stared at him, shocked to the core. “You mean that?”

  “I do.”

  “At least, let me watch the entrance,” she bargained.

  “Fine, you can watch our backs, but if things go south, you get out of there. Deal?” Saul said. “You get them somewhere safe.”

  “Deal,” Dylan replied.

  “Don’t we get a say in this at all?” Tara asked with an exasperated frown.

  “Yeah, what she said,” Amy cried.

  “No,” came the single answer spoken in four unanimous voices.

  Saul glanced at them in the rearview mirror as he gunned the truck, heading toward the major’s office. “Sorry, ladies, but it’s four against one. The majority has spoken.”

  Chapter 20 - Saul

  Saul burst into the major’s office with his rifle at shoulder height, ready to shoot. “Nobody move!”

  Nick appeared beside him, followed by Alex. They each took up a position near the door with their guns aimed at the four figures within the room. In the passage behind them, Dylan stood guard, ensuring no one could sneak up on them.

  “What the hell is this?” Major Reed shouted, his face flushing with hot blood. “How dare you barge in here and point a gun at me? I’ll have you flogged.”

  Standing at attention in front of the major were two soldiers, Pete Miller, and Bobby Jackson. Pete was the one who’d accosted Dylan in the cafeteria while Jackson was the bodyguard who held a grudge. Next to the major stood Lieutenant King, his face a blank canvas.

  Saul hesitated, unsure how to proceed. He’d busted into the office, confident he’d interrupt an attempted coup. Instead, he faced what looked like an ordinary meeting between a major, his right-hand man, and two soldiers.

  Nick broke the silence. “Our apologies, Sir, but we’re here to save you.”

  “Save me from what? Old age?” was the major’s sarcastic reply.

  “No, Sir. We’ve uncovered a conspiracy involving these men. They’re planning to overthrow you and take over the base, Sir.”

  “That’s preposterous,” Major Reed burst out. “Pete Miller and Bobby Jackson? No offense, boys, but they’re not smart enoug
h to pull off something like that.”

  “Maybe not them, but the Lieutenant is,” Nick continued.

  “And what proof do you have of these wild allegations, Sergeant Dean?” the major asked.

  “During the operation inside the lab, one of Lieutenant King’s men, Harris, tried to murder Dylan and me by separating us from the unit. When we radioed for back-up, the lieutenant delayed for as long as possible before rescuing us. No doubt, he hoped we’d be dead by then.”

  “Lieutenant? What do you say to that?” Major Reed asked.

  The lieutenant shrugged. “Nothing. It’s all lies.”

  “I hope you’ve got something more to offer than that, sergeant,” the major said.

  “We do. We have a signed confession from Harris, revealing the entire plot. It’s all on paper, Sir. Witnessed and signed,” Sergeant Dean said with a smug smile. “Even better, less than an hour ago, Dr. Bannock tried to kill Dr. Lee on orders from the lieutenant. He failed and killed Dr. Patel instead.”

  “What?” the major roared. “Where’s Bannock now?”

  “Waiting for his reward like a good little henchman. I’m sure he’d be happy to confess under a little pressure. He doesn’t strike me as the manly type,” Sergeant Dean said.

  “Alright, it seems the gig is up,” Lieutenant King said. Faster than any of them could blink, he pulled out his gun and pointed it at the major’s head.

  Major Reed glared at Lieutenant King. “Is that how it is? I give you everything, and you betray me?”

  “You gave me nothing but orders, Sir, and now you’re going to get me out of here in one piece.” King’s pale gaze traveled over Saul and his friends. “I’m leaving now, and if any of you try to stop me, the major will die.”

  With those words, he began to edge toward a door set in the far wall, his gun trained on the major’s head. His free hand reached for the handle.

  “Stop him,” Major Reed said, his face twisted with rage.

  Saul hesitated. Starting a firefight in the confined space of the major’s office was not a good idea. “What about you, Sir? He’ll kill you.”

  “Forget about the major. What about us?” Miller said. “You’ve got to take us with you, King.”

  “Why should I?” King asked. “You’ve served your purpose.”

  “You’re leaving us here? You coward,” Jackson said with a sneer twisting his lips.

  King shrugged. “You know what they say. There’s no honor among thieves.”

  “Screw that,” Jackson said, pulling out his sidearm. Before anyone could react, Jackson fired several shots at King. One of the bullets hit the major in the chest, and red bloomed on his jacket. He coughed and collapsed to the ground without another sound.

  King fired back at Jackson, but most of his shots went wild, and Saul ducked as bullets punched into the wall above his head. Moving faster than a striking snake, King ducked through the door at his side and disappeared into the night.

  Miller was on his knees, shooting at Nick, and Saul let loose a volley on full-automatic. Three of the bullets found their mark, and Miller went down like a sack of potatoes. Saul whirled toward Jackson, but either Nick or Alex had gotten to him first. The soldier lay on the ground with half his head blown away, staring into the unknown.

  Nick jumped to his feet and ran toward the door King had escaped through. “Come on. He’s getting away!”

  Saul sprinted after Nick, followed by Alex, and they ran out into the gathering storm. As one, they stopped, disoriented by the raging winds and icy sleet. Already it was pitch-black outside, and the temperature was well below freezing.

  Saul turned this way and that, but King was gone, lost in the storm. He could barely make out the figures of his friends, let alone an escaping criminal. “It’s too late.”

  “No, we have to find him,” Nick cried.

  “It’s impossible. We’ll die out there, Nick,” Saul said, grabbing Nick by the arm. “We have to get to shelter.”

  “No!” Nick said, unwilling to give up.

  “Listen to me. He won’t get far. Not in this. We’ll find him once the storm has passed if he doesn’t freeze to death first.”

  Nick hesitated. “What if he gets away?”

  “Where would he go, Nick?” Saul asked. “There’s nothing out there but death and zombies. We’ve got a whole base full of people to look after right here.”

  Alex added his pleas to Saul’s, and they managed to coax Nick back inside, where a grim scene awaited them. The major was dead, shot through the heart. There wasn’t much they could do about it, though, not with the blizzard raging outside.

  Working fast, they dragged Major Reed, Miller, and Jackson out into the cold. It would preserve their bodies until they could be dealt with at a later stage. They could do nothing about Dr. Patel inside the lab, however.

  Next, they collected a frantic Dylan and ran back to the truck. Amy and Tara welcomed them back with glad cries, kept warm by the vehicle’s heater. Somehow, despite the snow being inches thick already, Saul managed to drive them back to the house.

  They stopped in the driveway, and Saul switched off the ignition. With the wind howling around the truck, he stared at the house. It was dark, cold, and unwelcoming. Yet, it was their home now, and he reminded himself that it was the people inside who made it worthwhile.

  “What do we do now, Saul?” Tara asked in an uncertain voice. The events of the night had taken its toll on them all, and they looked to him for guidance.

  “Now?” Saul asked. “Now, we wait out the storm, and once it’s gone, we rebuild. And this time, we do it better than before.”

  Epilogue - Dylan

  Just like Saul had promised, the storm passed, and the sun rose on a new day. The snow began to melt, and each day it was a little warmer than the one before until it felt like an ordinary winter. Cold but bearable.

  With the loss of Major Reed and Lieutenant King, the burden of command fell on Sergeant Dean’s shoulders. It was not a role he accepted with grace, preferring to take orders rather than dish them out. Despite his reluctance, he did his best, and Dylan saw little of him during the passing weeks.

  The storm had wreaked havoc on the base, and the task of rebuilding loomed large in all their minds. Even so, Nick and the remaining soldiers gave it their all. With the help of the civilian contractors and workers, they repaired the damaged structures and defenses and restored power to much of the base.

  Raiding parties were sent out to bring back fuel and supplies, returning triumphant most of the time. It seemed the storm had brought about one good thing, at least. It drove away most of the zombies within a large radius, which granted the base breathing room to recoup its losses. Plus, with winter still holding sway, it didn’t look like they’d be back any time soon.

  Tara surmised that the cold slowed their metabolic functions and made them less active. It certainly looked that way with the new infected they kept captive inside the lab. This time, there was a whole list of extra security measures set in place to prevent another tragedy. Not only was the manual override measure removed, but the infected themselves were chained to the walls with a steel chain and collar around their middles. They weren’t going anywhere.

  Lieutenant King was never found, and neither was Dr. Bannock. Both disappeared into the mist as if they’d never existed at all. With time, people forgot about them. Except, Tara and Dylan. Tara swore she’d find and kill Bannock one day, while Dylan was convinced they hadn’t seen the last of them. Men like Lieutenant King didn’t give up that easily.

  Major Reed, Miller, Jackson, and Dr. Patel were cremated along with Harris, who froze to death inside the storage room. Nobody shed a tear for him.

  Tara resumed her research while Saul became Nick’s new second-in-command. Alex joined the army once more and spent much of his time inside the workshop, tinkering on trucks and engines.

  Ethan approached Dylan with the offer of going on a date, but she refused. He was sweet and kind. A gentleman.
But that wasn’t what she needed. She’d realized that much after everything that had happened.

  At her rejection, he moved out of the house and kept pulling late nights at the infirmary until another doctor forced him to take time off. Amy refused to set foot inside the lab ever again, and returned to the classroom with the rest of the teens on the base.

  As for Dylan, she tried to keep herself busy by joining raiding parties and training with the soldiers. She was dead-set on learning how to handle a rifle. Even with all of that, she often found herself staring into the distance feeling a little lost and without purpose.

  It was on one such a morning that Nick found her sitting on the patio watching the sunset, a thick blanket warding off the cold. She jumped up when she saw him and threw herself into his waiting arms. “Nick, it’s you!”

  “In the flesh.”

  “It’s been so long, but I know you’ve been busy, and I —”

  He smothered her garbled words with a kiss that left her trembling and breathless. With a teasing grin, he asked. “Ready to be clubbed over the head and dragged to my lair?”

  She found herself smiling back, all thoughts of loneliness fading away like mist under the sun. “I’m ready.”

  He grabbed her around the waist and tossed her over his shoulder while she shrieked with surprise. “Good, because I’m done waiting.”

  “Are you really going to haul my ass all the way back to your quarters?” Dylan asked.

  “God, no. You’re far too heavy for that. I’ve got a truck waiting outside,” Nick replied, whacking her on the bum. “Let’s go home, my beautiful monster.”

  The End.

  Turn the page for a sneak peek at the next books in the series, now available on Amazon!

  Do you want more?

  So we’ve reached the end of Apocalypse Z - Books 1-3 (Boxed Set), and I really hope you enjoyed reading this collection as much as I enjoyed writing it. If you did, please consider leaving a review as that makes it so much easier for an author like me to reach more readers like yourself and to keep writing.