Benton: A Zombie Novel: Volume One Read Online Free PDF Page B

mangled pretty badly. The bodies inside the mangled car appeared dead. There were also two zombies circling the car. We didn’t stop to investigate the crash, so I don’t know if they ever got inside the car to get at the humans or not.
    I look over at Mark again. All I want to do is bask in the quiet and pretend we’re all on an innocent road trip. But I have to stop pretending.
    “It’s going to be a long time before we reach Texas. Do you think we’ll make it?”
    Mark shrugs his shoulders. I’m stunned.
    “I was a person who planned for the future. Now, I just take it one day at a time.” He looks at me. “I believe in God, and I believe he’ll fix this.”
    I don’t know a lot about Mark or his religious background, but it doesn’t surprise me that he’s spiritual. Yet, just because he’s all into God doesn’t mean I have to be. “It’s God who got us into this mess in the first place.”
    Mark shakes his head. “That’s not what I believe.”
    “God didn’t save Andy.”
    Mark isn’t rattled. “We don’t know God’s plans, but that doesn’t mean they’re evil plans.”
    “Let’s not talk about this. I don’t want you to hate me for not being as religious as you.”
    Mark smiles and grabs my knee. “I could never hate you. I’m not preaching or anything, and I’m not super religious. I just believe in God, that’s all.”
    Sometimes I say things I regret, especially when I’m with someone so composed. “I’m sorry. I know you’re not preaching. I suppose some faith could help me now.”
    “What are you guys talking about?” Katie says, stretching her arms.
    I smile. “Nothing, Katie! Go back to sleep.”
     
     

10.
    EVERYONE IS AWAKE IN THE VAN NOW. It’s been three hours, and we need to stop. We have our eyes set on an old, white farmhouse sitting next to a cornfield. Mark suggested we go check it out.
    We could keep driving, but inching our way to Texas and stopping at places that look safe along the way is the best thing to do. We can cross our fingers and hope for the best by trying to make it there in one long drive, but that wouldn’t be wise.
    We’ve made contact with our CB radio. There’s a place in Memphis where people are going. But we have no interest in checking it out. We’d rather travel to Texas and make it on our own.
    We don’t know if the farmhouse is empty or not. If it’s occupied, we’ve decided we’ll ask whoever is in the house if we can hang for a bit. If the answer is no, we’ll continue on our way.
    We’re all in agreement that we should knock on the door and wait for someone to answer. But Gary suggests we take it over like we’re on some enemy mission. Everyone shoots down the idea.
    The farmhouse, with a wraparound porch, is big and historical with peeling white paint. Barns sit near it.
    When we approach it, it’s then that we see them. Zombies.
    “Ah, shit!” says Gary.
    “Those are the only ones I see around here,” says Mark. “I think we should go for it.”
    “No! I don’t think we should do it,” says Sara. “What if there are zombies in the house? Then we’ll have to deal with those zombies over there and zombies in the house and that would just be too insane!”
    “You’re worrying too much,” says Gary. “We got this.”
    “Gary, damn it! This isn’t a fucking game,” says Sara. “This is fucking serious!”
    “Shit, girl! Calm down,” says Gary. “It’s not my fault your little faggot friend died.”
    “Back off, man,” says Eli.
    I give Gary the dirtiest look I’ve given someone in a while, but all he does is grin at me. “Sara, it’s gonna be all right.”
    Sara just shakes her head and folds her arms.
    We’ve managed to sneak by zombies before by driving slowly and not making much noise. But this time, we’re not so lucky.
    “Let’s get out of here,” says Katie. “They’re coming!”
    Mark ignores Katie and stops the van. He gets out. Gary slides the side door open and leaves as well. I