I position myself at the rear bumper, bracing against the metal frame. “Ready?”
“Go!”
I heave my weight against the car, muscles screaming as it inches forward out of the gateway. Movement flickers in my peripheral vision. A man in a torn suit stumbles toward me, faster than the others, mouth gaping in a silent scream.
I don’t have time for this. I let go of the car and reach for my machete just as the thing reaches for me, fingers inches from my face when?—
CRACK.
Its head caves in from the side, dark fluid spraying across my cheek. The body crumples, revealing Dakota standing behind it, bloody candlestick gripped in both hands.
“Dakota,” I growl, throwing everything I have into moving the sedan. “I told you to?—”
She does the same. “You’re welcome.”
Sienna appears at my other side, shoulder grinding against the sedan. “Less talking, more pushing!”
With the added force, the car rolls forward faster, clearing the gateway. Dakota rushes to one side of the gate and closes it.
Suddenly, the car starts up.
“I did it.” Cameron howls from inside.
“Don’t—” I start, but he’s already revving it, the sound carrying across the grounds. “Fuck! You’ll bring more of them!”
“They’re already coming.” He maneuvers the car forward, then cuts the wheel hard and backs up, positioning it against the gate from the outside before jumping out. “At least now it’s a barricade.”
He slams the gate closed, fumbling with the chain and padlock as the first wave arrives. The lock clicks just as decayed hands slam against the metal car. Behind us, the other zombies close in.
Close.
But we can still make it to the entrance without fighting.
“Inside!” I snatch Dakota’s arm and haul her after me. “Now!”
We run and stumble through the church doors, chests heaving. Cameron slams it shut behind us and locks it in place. Seconds later, nails scratch against the wood.
“That was too fucking close.” I wipe zombie gunk from my face with my sleeve.
My pulse hammers in my ears. Haven’t felt an adrenaline surge like this since my last combat mission.
Dakota steps away from me, her face flushed, chest rising and falling rapidly.
“You were supposed to stay inside.” Unease ripples through me when I think about how close that thing came to her. “Both of you.”
Sienna crosses her arms. “And let you two become zombie chow? Not a chance.”
Cameron wraps her in a hug. “That was incredibly stupid and incredibly brave.”
“Learned from the best,” she whispers, eyes locked on his.
My gaze lands on Dakota, who stands apart from all of us, staring at the blood on her hands.
“You okay?” I ask.
Her eyes flick to mine. “Fine.”
That fucking word again. I swear if I hear it one more time… I take a deep breath.
