Not giving me a chance to respond, he continued, “Your defensive skills are piss-poor, and you showed a complete lack of awareness out there. Do you want to be zombie chow, Miss Walker?”
“No, sir.” My stomach knotted. “Did I fail the test?”
A muscle ticked in his jaw. “Of course you failed the test. If Miss Miller hadn’t saved your ass, it’d be in pieces on the street.”
Trish stiffened. “Lee did take out the first Biter, and she showed a clear understanding of the rules.”
I gave her a look of appreciation. I could almost forgive her for setting me up. Almost.
Dominic let out a cold laugh. “Like rule number nine?”
Never leave a weapon behind. Oh, crap. I looked down at my empty knife sheath.
“Looking for this?” Dominic held up my blade and waved it under my nose.
When I grabbed for it, he pulled it out of reach. “You won’t need a knife like this where you’re going.”
And where will that be? I curled my hands into fists. “Am I going to be exiled?”
“We’ll discuss it on the way back to the safe house.” He looked over at Eric and Trish. “You two go on ahead. Dismissed.”
“Yes, sir,” they said in unison.
Trish flashed me an apologetic look. “Lee, I—”
“Out.” Dominic pointed at the door.
“Come on.” Eric dragged his sister forward.
“Wait.” Trish stopped at a row of gift baskets stacked near the door. With a hesitant look at Dominic, she snatched one.
“I saw that, Miller,” Dominic called out as Trish darted outside.
A moment later the door opened and Eric flung the gift basket back inside. “Sorry about that,” he said before closing the door.
No fruit pies for Trish today. I let out a choked laugh.
“Pull yourself together. There’s no crying in the apocalypse,” Dominic chided.
As if. I fisted my hands. “I don’t cry.”
Dominic’s expression hardened. “I’m your commanding officer, you will address me as sir.” He gave my knife an appreciative look and then slid it into his tactical vest.
What’s he doing? “Can I please have my knife back, sir?” The blade was much more than a weapon to me. It symbolized me conquering the nightmares of my childhood and I intended to carry it until my dying breath.
“It’s mine now. If you ever demonstrate sufficient skill to wield it, I’ll return it to you.” His mocking tone indicated how unlikely that was to happen.
Red crept across my vision. For the past several weeks I’d been forced to eat tiny amounts of tasteless food, spend all day in training exercises, and exist on meager bits of sleep. And for what? The protection of this man who’d just taken the only thing of value I had left.
Suddenly, the idea of being exiled didn’t bother me. Fine, let him throw me out. I won’t be as safe, but I’ll have my freedom.
Decision made, I let out a deep exhale. Since I have nothing more to lose… I leveled Dominic with a hard stare of my own. “Give me back my knife, Sergeant Pain in the Ass.”
He jerked his head around so fast he might’ve gotten whiplash. “What did you call me?”
“Are you hard of hearing?” I couldn’t believe the suicidal words coming out of my mouth, but I wasn’t about to back down. “Give. Me. My. Knife.”
His eyes glittered with challenge. He pulled my blade out and raised it over his head. “Make me.”
I jumped for it, but he raised it higher.
Damn it. More games. I’d never get my knife from him that way. And the very idea of me trying to take the massive soldier on in hand-to-hand combat was ridiculous. Unless I used an entirely different set of survival skills.
Channeling my brazen stripper persona, I unzipped my jacket and let it fall to the ground. The air felt so amazing on my heated skin, I went ahead and slowly peeled off my sweat-dampened T-shirt too. That left me in only a sports bra and jeans.
He inhaled sharply. “What are you doing?” It might’ve been my imagination, but the pulse at his neck seemed to kick up a notch or two.
Good. The sergeant isn’t immune to my charms. I moistened my lips. “Just getting comfortable. It’s so hot in here.”
“Put your clothes back on,” he growled, his gaze tracking the sweat trickling between my heaving breasts.
“Make me,” I said, throwing his words back at him.
CHAPTER THREE
He looked as if I’d smacked him on the head with a two-by-four. His hand, still gripping my knife, fell to his side.
A thrill shot through me. It’s working. Making no attempt to take the blade, I sauntered over to him wearing the come-hither expression that’d made me the headliner to one of the most popular strip clubs in town. “You’ve got to be burning up in that.” I reached out and touched the front of his tactical vest.
He swallowed hard and stepped back toward the door. “Stop whatever this is right now.”
“What do you mean?” I looked up at him through my lashes while raising the bottom of my sports bra.
He opened his mouth and closed it.
Excellent. I released the bottom of the bra with a snap. “Why don’t you show me some new moves? You said it yourself, my fighting skills need work.” I stepped closer, forcing him to brush against me or step back.
He stepped back. Something dangerous blazed in his midnight eyes. “You—”
“Shh,” I whispered, placing my finger against his warm lips. This close, the masculine spice of his cologne played havoc with my senses.
My breath caught as an unfamiliar ache pulsed inside me. My insides melted and a hot rush of desire pooled low in my belly. No. I can’t let him affect me. Battling my body’s traitorous response to him, I aligned our hips and lifted my mouth toward his.
His breathing shallowed. He whispered something that sounded like my name.
Now. Using the element of surprise, I yanked my knife from his hand at the same time I hooked my foot around his and swept it out from under him.
He fell back into the gift baskets with a crash. Packaged food, crinkle-cut colored paper, and cellophane exploded around us.
I kicked aside a box of candied almonds and waved my knife over him in triumph. “Looks like your defensive skills could also use work.”
He said nothing for a moment. “You may be right.” His lips quirked up.
My mouth fell open in shock. Is he actually smiling at me?
Dominic pushed pieces of broken basket off his chest and sat up. “Your methods are unorthodox, but you got the job done. You can keep the knife.”
“Thank you,” I muttered. It figures he’s turning my act of defiance into one of his tests.
“Help me up,” he ordered holding one hand out.
I looked at him through a narrowed gaze. Another test? I could just imagine him yanking me to the ground to teach me a lesson. My breath caught as my inner tramp warmed to the idea. Maybe he’ll roll on top of me and…
“No tricks,” Dominic said as if reading my mind.
I sheathed my knife and reached over for his outstretched hand.
His fingers wrapped around my wrist.
The sensation of his flesh against mine made goose bumps dance across my skin. I couldn’t help noticing how the muscles in his neck flexed like rip cords as he moved. Unable to tear my gaze away, I watched the sleeve of his sand-colored T-shirt ride up. It revealed a blood-crusted oval on the side of his huge bicep.
What? The air froze in my lungs. The mark was unmistakable. He’s been bitten. Horror had me twisting my hand free and shoving him back.
“What the—” Dominic broke off when he saw my gaze on his arm. He quickly tugged his shirtsleeve down.
“Is that a bite?” My voice shook.
An impassive mask fell over his face. “It’s nothing for you to worry about.” He pushed himself to his feet.
Like hell. “Were you bitten by a zombie?”
Confirmation was
in the stiffening of his shoulders. “We should get back to the safe house.”
I shook my head. Emotions blew threw me—shock, denial, and unexpected anguish. The idea of losing this insufferable, stubborn, domineering man gutted me. “S-safe house,” I echoed weakly.
He nodded. “I’ve got another training mission at nine hundred hours.”
Dominic’s cardinal rule ran through my mind. All infected must die. Under no circumstances were any infected survivors to set foot inside the safe house. He can’t go back. I couldn’t allow my feelings for him to endanger the safety of everyone else.
Dominic bent down and picked something off the ground. “This must be one of those damn fruit pies Trish was going on about. It looks safe to eat.”
With shaking hands, I reached for my knife. Wait. I can’t just knife him in the head like the monsters in the street. He deserves a better ending than that. I grabbed my gun.
Dominic studied the brightly colored package in his hand. “I’ll send a team back to gather the food here—” He broke off when he saw my gun pointed at his face. “What are you doing?”
“I can’t let you go back to the school with a bite. I’m sorry.” My eyes burned as I released the safety. Every muscle in my body tensed. The gunshot would draw Biters. I’d have to run like a demon the moment I pressed the trigger.
“Christ, wait!” He licked his thumb and rubbed it vigorously over the bloody mark on his bicep. “Look.” Tension rolled off him as he held out his arm.
I blinked in disbelief. There was nothing under the blood but pinkened flesh. No bite. “Thank God.” Letting out a shuddering breath, I lowered my gun. The loss of adrenaline left my knees weak and rubbery. “That looked just like a bite.” So much so I couldn’t imagine anything else that would’ve left a mark like that.
Dominic’s gaze narrowed. “You were ready to kill me.”
“I-I’m sorry,” I stammered. Crap. Well, if I wasn’t getting thrown out of the safe house for failing the field training test before, I certainly am now. Wanting the floor to open up and eat me, I studied the tops of my sneakers.
Dominic’s shiny black combat boots stomped into view. “Lee, look at me.”
Bracing myself for his rage, I slowly looked up into his eyes.
“I’m not mad.”
“Y-you’re not.” I searched his face trying to translate his unfathomable expression.
“Christ, no. That was a very brave thing you did. You’ve passed the field training test.”
My mouth dropped open in shock. “What? You’re shitting me.” I’d nearly killed him, a commanding officer, in cold blood and he was passing me?
He pressed his lips together as if fighting a smile. “I assure you, I’m not.”
A wave of dizzying relief swept over me. Despite my bravado, the idea of trying to keep my family alive outside the safe house terrified me.
Dominic cleared his throat. “Today, you’ve demonstrated resourcefulness under pressure and a solid understanding of the rules of survival. Here.” He pressed the fruit pie into my hand. “Go ahead, have some breakfast, you deserve it.”
Eyeing him warily, I opened the palm-sized package. The intoxicating aroma of baked apples filled the air. It’d been weeks since I’d smelled something so divine. With a moan, I bit into the decadent pastry. Each bliss-filled bite was more delicious than the last. Only when I was licking my sticky fingers clean did I realize he was watching me with rapt fascination.
A flash of self-consciousness had me wiping my mouth with the back of my hand. “Did you want one?” I gestured down at the scattered pile of pastries on the ground. “They’re amazing. Trish said it’s even better than se—” I broke off before I could totally embarrass myself.
Dominic’s gaze fell to my lips. “I doubt that.” His voice was low and rough. He took a step forward, closing the distance between us.
My mouth went dry and the pie wrapper fluttered from my hand. Suddenly, all I could think about was pressing my mouth against his. Unable to stop myself, I tilted my head up at the same time he lowered his. My eyelids fluttered shut as the warmth of his breath ghosted my sensitized skin.
Bang.
I jerked my eyes open and found a scrawny Biter slamming into the window behind the cash register. The creature’s rotting face left a revolting trail of zombie goo on the glass.
Cursing, Dominic stepped away. “Get your clothes on and knife out. You’re going to put this one down. This time, remember your training.”
Welcome back, drill sergeant. With a deep sigh, I yanked on my shirt and jacket. By the way Dominic averted his gaze as I dressed, it was clear whatever connection we’d temporarily made was gone.
Bang.
The Biter hit the glass again.
I eyed the creature without a trace of fear. How could I be afraid of that sad, skeletal husk when I’d just gone toe-to-toe with one of the most dangerous men in the world, and won. Smiling, I drew my knife.
Dominic eyed my weapon. “You’ll have to keep proving you’re deserving of that blade.”
“Oh, I will…sir.” I returned his challenging stare with one of my own. And you’ll have to keep proving the safety you offer is worth putting up with your high-handed attitude.
His dark eyes flashed with something I could’ve almost sworn was approval. “Then let’s move out.” He shoved open the shop door and led me back into hell.
About Dia Cole
Dia wanted to be a writer from the time she could hold a pencil. A lover of science fiction, urban fantasy, horror, and paranormal romance, she writes action-packed stories featuring kick-butt heroines and the alpha male heroes who fall for them. She is currently working on a post-apocalyptic paranormal romance series.
13
Alone Against Zombies
by Alathia Paris Morgan
It was time for my monthly trek down the mountain and into civilization. While I loved my life as a teacher in this rural community, it was so nice to visit the city.
Most of the time, I got up before it was light, loaded the cart and hitched it to the horse to get a good start down the mountain. The small place I’d grown up in was made up of only a couple hundred people who had never seen a TV or eaten at a fast food restaurant. People told me I was crazy to go back home to teach, but someone needed to give the children a taste of the outside world in case they wanted to try it out sometime. I knew firsthand how much the “outside” world, as the townsfolk called it, was a shock if you weren’t prepared for it.
So I made my monthly trip down to bring the “outside” world homemade goods, like quilts and canned vegetables, to sell in exchange for things the town couldn’t make or buy for themselves. What I didn’t tell the folks was that I enjoyed the outside world, but I wasn’t going to find a man in town to marry, and the trips down the mountain gave me a chance to be myself for just a few days. I was related to most of the guys that hadn’t left Bethel, and the others were more old-fashioned than I really liked. In the last hundred years, the only people that had stumbled upon our fair town were moonshiners trying to hide or hunters that were lost.
The truck that the town had bought for bigger trips into the world was sitting in a shed to keep others from messing with it in-between trips. It didn’t take long to unload the cart’s contents into the truck and put Elmer into the corral with food to last for the three days that I would be gone. Also, my Uncle John had a house about a mile over, closer to the road. He would check on Elmer in case I didn’t come back on time.
While the truck still looked new, it was over thirty years ago that my dad bought it, before he had returned to the mountain with my mom. It was normal for the guys to go out and find a wife, and then tell her where their family was from after the day long hike up to the town.
I flipped on the radio, but all I heard was static. “Huh, that’s weird,” I muttered.
The antenna was still attached, but that didn’t mean anything, really. I shrugged and pushed the Loretta Lynn tape in the s
lot, glad that the tapes still worked, even if the radio didn’t at the moment.
After what seemed like hours of driving, I began to get this strange feeling as I reached the outskirts of town. Something was off because it was just after daylight, and normally there would be cars on the road, hurrying to work before the weekend got started, but there were no signs of movement anywhere.
The closer I got to town, I realized that the few cars I was seeing were pulled to the side of the road, abandoned. Buildings were boarded up where the windows had been broken, and the intersection’s light was blinking instead of turning red or green.
I pulled up and stopped, which seemed silly since there wasn’t anyone on the road, much less a car driving on it. Lee’s house was only a few blocks from the intersection, but with the abandoned feel of the town, I was pretty certain I wouldn’t find him at home.
Approaching his driveway cautiously, I scanned the windows for some sign that he was alive. The empty windows still held the glass, but there was no movement to show that anyone was lurking inside. The worry I’d been holding back grew as I grabbed the rifle from the rack behind the seat of my truck.
Unsure of what I’d find inside, I lifted the gnome and took the key from the bottom where it was hidden, and put it in the keyhole.
“Lee, are you in here?” I called out quietly, not wanting to yell for fear that something would pop out.
Silence greeted me as I moved farther inside, making certain that the door latched behind me. There was a layer of dust on all the furniture, and the house gave off that smell when it’s been closed up for a while.
“Where did you go?” I mumbled as I made a sweep through the house to reassure myself that it was empty. The lack of people was starting to remind me of that time when I’d watched the Twilight Zone, and all the people had mysteriously vanished.
Trying to decide what my next course of action would be, I noticed a note taped to the fridge with my name scrawled in Lee’s handwriting.
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