It’s exactly what we want but it’s not enough. I need more and bigger fires.
I grab several more bottles and throw two unlit ones at the fire, causing it to flare up in a whoosh of heat and smoke. The flames spread, engulfing more zombies and distracting more and more undead around it. I throwmore bottles—both lit and unlit—to create two more huge fires. The stench of smoke and petrol is thick in the air, the wind carrying the noxious fumes towards Haven and causing me to choke.
Through watering eyes, I can see that the stream of zombies coming through the gate has slowed to a trickle. But there’s still an overwhelming amount of undead inside Haven.
I could set some zombies on fire inside and hope that it’ll be enough to distract them so they can be put down. But there’s a chance that the fire could reach the car, and I’ve seen what happens when lithium batteries burn. Not to mention I’d be putting everyone at risk because I can’t confidently spot the living in the sea of undead.
Unless I set somethingelseon fire…
My eyes fall on the small shed that sits a few metres in front of the watchtower. It’s used as a break room and storage by the guards when the weather’s bad. I know there are a couple of things in there, like a small wood-burning stove, a wooden table and chairs, blankets and other furniture. All things that would be lost if I set it on fire.
But it might be the only way for us to survive the fight.
Fuck. Rhys is going to kill me once he realises what’s going on. If Alex doesn’t do it first.
I make sure no one’s close to the shed before embracing my inner pyromaniac. Since the shed is made of wood, I don’t bother using unlit bottles and throw three lit Molotovs at it. Maybe three is a bit overkill because the next thing I know, the entire shed erupts into flames, the heat almost unbearable even though I’m not that close. The light from the fire is also blinding considering we’ve been fighting in the dark for so long.
Immediately, zombies turn and shuffle towards the blaze. The first few stumble straight into the flames, setting themselves alight and only growing the fire. This attracts more and more undead until a good half of the horde inside are distracted by it.
I watch, both awed and nauseous, as they move toward their impending doom without a single care. It’s times like this that remind me that these creatures are no longer human. Unfortunately, I see one or two security uniforms within the horde, telling me we’ve lost at least a few people. Much to my relief, I don’t see my guys, my brother or anyone I know.
With so much of the horde distracted, the living cut down the remaining zombies. With trembling limbs, I climb down and help until the only ones remaining are those so engulfed in flames that they’re burning to ashes in front of our eyes.
The gates are shoved closed, ending the nightmare.
I don’t know how long it takes us, but I’m pretty sure it’s well past midnight. We’re all exhausted, our is skin slicked with sweat and our bodies are covered in gore and soot. The only sounds that permeate the night are our laboured breathing and the roar and crackling of the fire. I think we’re all in a state of exhausted shock as no one says or does anything; we simply watch the shed and zombies burn.
Rhys is the first to rouse himself from his stupor. “Let’s move to the dining room. We need to have a meeting and check for bites.”
At the mention of bites, grief slams into me, and my eyes find Andy as he stands on the other side of the fire. He’s staring deeply into the flames, his brow furrowed and a look of heavy sorrow on his face. He glances up and catches my gaze before nodding his head toward where everyone else is moving.
I swallow hard and go to move, only to get tackled by Theo and Alex as they hug me between them.
“Thank fuck you’re okay,” Alex breathes into my hair, a slight tremor in his body.
Theo cups the side of my face and tilts my head upward. “Youareokay, right?” His eyes flick over me, but with the low light and the gore covering me, he won’t be able to find any injuries.
Not that there are any. I got surprisingly lucky.
Unlike Andy.
I’m once again struck with a toxic cocktail of grief and guilt that clogs my throat and burns my eyes. Some of it must show on my face because the guys tighten their hold on me.
“It’ll be alright,” Alex murmurs soothingly as he rubs my back. “Everything will work itself out.”
Theo nods and strokes my cheeks with his thumbs. “Exactly. Even if Rhys will probably want to spank you for vandalising Haven property.” He gives me a small smile and a wink.
I let out a watery laugh but the amusement dies as quickly as it came. “I’m not worried about myself.” My eyes flick around just to make sure we’re alone before I speak. “Andy got bit on his shoulder and I don’t know if—” I break off on a choked breath. “I don’t know if it broke skin.” From the way the older man is acting, it seems likely.
“Oh, sweetheart.” Alex crushes me against his chest. “I’m so sorry.”
Theo gazes at me intensely, and I know he can see right through me. He can see the guilt I’m harbouring about Andy’s potential death, and he’s silently telling me with his gaze that it’s not my fault. Of course he is. This is the same man I’ve confessed my deepest, darkest secrets to. The man I rely on when the darkness becomes too heavy and I need someone to lighten the load.
I close my eyes and allow myself to lean on them for a moment. Alex continues to whisper soothing words of comfort while Theo cradles my head. I know I don’t deserve these amazing, sensitive men, but there’s no way I’m giving them back.
They’re mine now and I’m theirs.
All too soon, I pull myself together and move away from them. “We should go to the dining room and get this over with.” I don’t want to go, not when there’s a high chance Rachel’s dad will have to be put down before he turns. But I’m not a coward.
