He turned his head to see all three of the rebels on the floor, dead. He hated the loss of life, but in this new world this was for the best.
“Very funny,” Nella said as she knelt down next to them. “Do you think you can stand?”
“Yeah,” Reece said. They helped him up, and he groaned. “My head is killing me.”
“You probably have a concussion.” Nella supported his left side. “I’ll take you to my house. It’ll make it easier to take care of you.”
“Let’s put him in my bed.” McKaye flushed bright red. “I—um...”
Nella chuckled. “No need to explain. I can’t think of a nicer girl for my big brother to shack up with.”
Reece could have killed his sister. But then McKaye laughed and the sound was so wonderful he was almost glad his sister was so sassy. “Nella—”
“Don’t worry, I’ll get lost after we drop you off. Just be good to each other when you get to know each other.”
“Of course,” McKaye said. “I’d never want to hurt him.”
Reece chuckled. “We have all the time at the end of the world.”
McKaye rolled her eyes, but when she looked at him he could see the love in her expression until her eyes darkened.
“Reece?”
“Yeah?”
“I just wish we could have a normal life.”
“We will, it’ll just be the new normal. I’ll try to make you happy.” He hoped she’d trust in him to try.
“You already do.” McKaye kissed his shoulder. “I’m not going anywhere.”
And she didn’t.
About Ashlynn Monroe
Ashlynn Monroe has been dreaming up stories all her life but didn’t share them with anyone until she was thirty. She’s a busy mom with a full-time job, great friends, and a unique sense of humor. She’s just a regular girl, who’s in love with the idea of happily-ever-after. She’s honored to be multi-published by some of the best publishers in the industry. Ashlynn survives each day by dreaming up her next tale of romance.
Ashlynn’s Website:
www.ashlynnmonroe.com
Reader eMail:
[email protected]
The Reset
by Imogene Nix
Elaine is just an ordinary woman, but when the apocalypse occurs, she must find a way to survive in an increasingly hostile world. Enter Liam, the policeman who saves her at their first meeting and provides assistance as they try to cope with the zombie outbreak brought about by an unknown infection that’s spreading out of control.
Together they form a community, trying to save as many lives as they can, a place where people can be safe. Even in the throes of disaster though, emotions creep up, taking both of them by surprise. Who knows? They might just get their happy ever after...if they can survive.
Acknowledgements
Thank you to Pamela and the lovely ladies I’m sharing this book with. It’s great to be working together again, and welcome to Connie!
As always, I owe a huge debt to my wonderful husband, daughters, and my almost sister Tracey. Also hugs to Keri, Sassie, and Suzi for your friendship and encouragement.
I hope, reader, that you enjoy this tale and keep an eye out, because I’m sure there will be more to this storyline down the track!
Chapter 1
Elaine’s fingers curled over the radio, her heart stuttering with fright.
“Officials are unable to determine the cause of the illness breaking out all over the city, but urge calm. If you are cornered by the infected, seek safety. Should you be bitten, seek medical attention immediately.”
Her fingers fluttered against her lips. The dirge rose, long moans as those infected, their skin turning a deep grayish green and their eyes milky white, howled outside the office. Elaine pushed the curtain aside once more and glanced through the glass. The collection had grown, their faces slack yet eerily aware that she remained inside.
“I don’t know what to do.” She turned back to watch as her boss, William Eckerman, rocked in his seat. “I mean, we’ve been holed up here for over two days. There’s no food in the kitchenette, the toilet is overflowing, and we can’t stay here, otherwise we’ll die.” The jitter of her stomach warned her that panic was rising up, about to overwhelm her.
“Elaine, relax. It’s just a precautionary measure. The police will come and…”
“The police have indicated that they are overwhelmed. Military forces are on the way, but communications are hampered by the…by the walking dead converging on sites with power. In the latest update, the government is ceasing all non-urgent tasks. They’re recommending that you hunker down and hope you can ride it out. Resources are limited, and it’s suggested that, if possible, you should stock up and find a safe location in which to secure yourself.” The announcer’s voice shook.
“See? They’re saying we need to find a secure location, stock up, and hide. Mr. Eckerman, we can’t stay here.” The urge to flee coursed through her veins like an exploding freight train. “We have to go to our homes. Be with our families.”
He flicked invisible specks of lint from his immaculate sleeves and rocked again in the seat. “Well, Elaine, I think, given your current level of excitation, you should certainly go home.”
She frowned at the cool tone. “Uhhh, Mr. Eckerman?”
“Yes?”
“Mr. Eckerman—”
“When this is over, I’ll give you an excellent reference for the four years of service. It’s sad that something has overset you to the point where completing your work is no longer your priority. I understand it is probably time to expand your employment horizon.”
As she stood there listening to the drivel he was spouting, growing anger warred with her terror. “Mr. Eckerman…”
“Go on and get your things together. It’s best you go directly home.”
She shuffled to her desk, shock assaulting her as she gathered the few personal items she’d stashed. The photo of her parents, the Mickey Mouse cup she’d bought at a major attraction. The hairbrush and small clutch of cosmetics joined the rest of her belongings, then Elaine straightened, turned, and headed for the door.
“Aren’t you forgetting something?” Mr. Eckerman held out his hand, and she blinked.
“Umm, what?”
“Keys.”
She blinked again then made an ‘O’ with her mouth. “I forgot them when I came in. I’ll have to drop them off once everything is done.”
He snarled and opened the door. “Go on then. I want them back here as soon as the situation is cleared.”
She looked outside, glad he’d insisted on staff using the back door, which was protected by the security fencing and remote-controlled roller door. She hurried to her vehicle, pleased it was older and heavier, sure it would protect her until she reached home.
Leaving the building was scarier than she expected. As she drove the short distance she constantly glanced around, seeing small huddles here and there of those who were infected. Each time they lurched in her direction she panted, heartrate increasing, adrenaline spiking until she was past them.
Turning onto her street left her amazed. Smoking wrecks of cars littered the street, and several gray-skinned individuals loitered. She drove carefully, hoping she could make it home without being waylaid.
When she reached her house she swung in to park on the road, thinking she’d have plenty of time to get in the house without any of the walkers in the way. She found the key for the front door, checked the rearview mirror to make sure none of the infected were close by, then got out of the car. Slamming the car door shut, she engaged the locks and sprinted to her front door.
Fighting the jamb until the door eased open, Elaine slid within and pushed the door shut. The tiny house on the outskirts of town she shared with her best friend had a deserted feel to it.
“Emily?” Once sure the door was securely latched she hurried up the hall, calling her friend’s name. Every door she opened and peered inside was empty,
and at the end of ten fruitless minutes she slumped down in a kitchen chair.
* * * *
Liam wasn’t sure what to do. The supermarket was empty, and shelves of food were scattered on the floor as he picked his way along the aisles.
“They said to lay in supplies then hunker down.” He glanced at the phone in his hand.
“They didn’t say to break into the supermarket though.” Ramon, his half-brother, snickered into the camera of the phone, and Liam shrugged.
They’d flown into Canberra three days ago and settled into the tiny B-and-B on the edge of this township. The location seemed great, only a few miles from Parliament House. It was close to the venue of the three-day conference he was attending on policing in emergency situations. Ramon had come because he’d concluded his last contract in an African country with a bubonic plague epidemic and was at a loose end.
No one could have expected something like this outbreak to occur though, and food was a priority. Liam had insisted Ramon stay at the B-and-B. Having a brother who was an epidemiologist and infection prevention specialist meant he might be called upon by the authorities for assistance, and they couldn’t afford for him to be infected by the virus.
“Okay, I’ll see what I can find and get back there as quickly as I can.” Liam disconnected the call and turned to scan the shelves. “Long-life milk, because it will be good for at least a year on the shelf, sugar, coffee. Bottled water. Some powdered milk as well.” He thrust them into the trolley and moved as quickly as he could toward the end of the aisle.
A groan stilled him. He’d already seen the results of those infected, the way they set upon victims, the dripping, bloody teeth. If that moan was anything to go by, he was no longer alone in the shop.
“Get back!” The startled words of a woman almost had him jumping.
“Hello?” He cursed inwardly for now making himself a target as the sound of shambling footsteps echoed, moving in his direction.
“He’s heading your way!” the woman yelled as the gray man turned the corner, eyes blank, mouth slack through dripping trails of scarlet. The outstretched hands moved toward him.
He didn’t have anything on him that would be considered a weapon and cursed that decision. The paperwork for going armed in public—something the department had been cracking down on lately—would have been worth it after all.
The creature extended its arms and gave an “uhhh” sound, and he pondered for a moment whether there was some way to disable it. The thought came and went when the woman screamed and a second and third shuffler made its way in his direction.
The handle of the trolley was just in reach and he tugged it backward, braced his legs, then ran in the direction of the shuffler. The trolley hit the creature in the chest, and it went down, legs and arms waving frantically until it rolled. Now the sound that emanated from its mouth became more of a growl of fury.
He reached out, his hand curling around the nearest can. Saying a silent prayer, he aimed and threw. The crack of heavy metal on bone and the spray of blood as the man went down without a whimper gave him momentary pleasure, but not before the woman from the next aisle scurried around to him.
“There’s two more,” she screamed.
He didn’t glance at her, merely reached up, grabbed another tomato soup can, and lobbed.
It hit without the power to cease the onward march.
“Dammit!”
“I’ve… There’s some kitchen string here. Would that help?”
He turned briefly and acknowledged the beautiful, curvy, red-haired woman thrusting the plastic-wrapped item at him, but he shook his head as they stumbled backward.
“We’re going to need something a little more useful.” He considered what might be here in this tiny store as the woman disappeared before returning with two long, metal-headed rakes.
“What about these?” she asked.
He laughed, grabbed one out of her hands as the walkers came within reach, and thwacked it down hard on the head of the nearest one. The rake dropped with a thud and rolled under the shelving unit.
She made a sound, rather like a moan, and turned away as he snatched the other implement and used it to push the other shuffler back.
This time he lined up the male, sidestepped its attempt at grabbing him, then swung this new rake like a bat. The infected individual fell to the floor, and he brought the rake down on its head. She turned and retched while he waited.
“They’re… Those were humans! Why did you—”
“No, they aren’t humans anymore. They were zombies, and they’ll kill you as soon as look at you. Now grab what you need so we can get out of here.”
He glanced down one last time at the remains he’d left on the floor. He felt bad about what he’d had to do, but sugarcoating the truth wouldn’t make it any better. The only thing they could do was stock up and get back to safety.
He threw tins and jugs into the trolley, along with frozen items, which he was sure would only be available for a little while longer. He also tossed in other essentials such as toilet rolls. He noted that the woman, tears flowing down her cheeks, followed his lead.
Then, with both trolleys full, they left the store and headed to the carpark. This was the danger time. He pulled out his cellphone and dialed Ramon. “Hey, I’ve got a full load and I’m heading in.”
“Good, ’cause I’m hungry and the radio is just repeating what we already know.”
He turned to the woman. “Will you be all right to get home?”
She sniffled inelegantly and nodded. “I’m just over the road there.” She pointed to the tiny cottage beside the B-and-B residence where he was staying, and he laughed.
When she glanced at him, he sobered. “I’m right next door.”
“Oh.”
Chapter 2
They ran toward the road, the wheels of the trolleys crunching and whirring as random bits of asphalt made themselves known. Headed directly for her front door, Elaine spied something or someone from the periphery of her view. She knew the blue dress, the bright red hair. But that was where anything she knew ended. The sightless gaze of the walker had her gulping.
“You okay?” the man beside her enquired, but all she could do was shake her head.
No, I’m not okay. My best friend Emily is one of the walking undead. I’m pushing a trolley toward my front door and trying to dodge spattered bits of… With great effort, she halted the hysterical answer in her mind.
“I’ll be fine.” It took every ounce of willpower to answer as the bile rose up, threatening to swamp her with nausea.
His gaze zeroed in on Emily, or whatever was left of her, and he frowned. “You could come to our place.” They’d almost reached the other side of the road, but she shook her head, needing time alone to regroup and settle the thrumming nerves.
“No, I’m good. But look, at the end of the garden there’s a small gate between the two yards. I’ll pop over later, when I’m a little more settled.”
He grunted as they pushed the trolleys up the concrete lip and sprinted to the door. “Do that, or I’ll be over there checking on you.”
Elaine fumbled for her keys, found them, and shoved them into the lock. It turned, and she whispered a prayer of thankfulness. Shunting the door open, she moved past the trolley then pulled it up the tiny step into the house just as Emily turned the corner toward the front door.
As much as she wanted to help her friend, she’d seen exactly what she was. Dead. Or undead, though that truth was so confronting! Elaine slammed the wooden door just before Emily made it to her.
Staring at the door, Elaine heard the grunting and scratching on the wood. In her mind she could picture Emily’s long nails clawing at the door. She waited for Em’s familiar, ‘Hey, let me in!’ sure that she wasn’t really dead but merely playing some stupid trick. The words didn’t come. In truth, having seen Emily, or what remained of her, she guessed she hadn’t really expected it, but it was so damned hard to accept.
In the narrow hallway, she slumped on the floor, breathing deeply while waiting for the adrenalin to wash away. She was thankful the heavy door lay between her and what was outside.
With a sigh Elaine stood and dragged the metal trolley to the kitchen so she could empty the contents into the fridge and cabinets. The silence that now reigned was deafening, so she reached over to the tiny kitchen television and flicked it on to the cable news channel she preferred.
A harried-looking woman sat at the news anchor desk. “Government sources have informed us that the situation is deepening, while those on the street, infected or changed, have increased in numbers. You are asked to stay inside your home where it’s safe. To hunker down and expect little assistance at this time from the police or armed services. Our own intelligence shows the number of infected is rising exponentially. However, we’ve been unable to contact any form of security forces, and the situation is grim. Please, take all care. If in danger from those who are walking, we have ascertained that any bites or scratches rapidly spread and infect those injured.”
The woman reading the update stopped and shook her head, her face starkly white under the lighting.
“If you’re bitten or scratched, our sources indicate that infection transferal is one hundred percent. We’ve seen this firsthand, and have received reports of those infected and carrying extreme injuries continuing to attack long beyond what could normally be expected.”
Without thought, Elaine reached for a chair and slumped into it. “How can this be? They’re talking about zombies on the news. Zombies!”
The rising tide of hysteria threatened to overwhelm her, and she had to work at controlling it, with deep, lung-cleansing breaths.
She’d get through this. “I have to.” But right now, it didn’t seem like an easy proposition, and tears dripped down her face.
* * * *
Love at the End of the World Page 18
