Dawn of the Apocalypse: A Zombie Apocalypse Novel Read Online Free PDF Page A

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                Upon landing, I quickly informed them there was a big mistake.  I wasn't in the military any longer.  Hell, I got out four years earlier.  I wasn't the only one in the group who was ex-military and was caught up in the fight back in DC.  But instead of letting us go, we were trucked to Camp Williams to the southwest of Salt Lake City.  More former military men soon joined us.  I learned the government was rounding up all able-bodied ex-military.
                That did not bode well for me.
                I only had one tower on my phone, so my connection was spotty at best.  I was forced to leave my tent to wander around the camp until I had two towers.  I called my wife immediately.
                "Jenny," I asked.  "Are you all right?"
                "We're fine.  When are you coming back?  I've been trying to call you."
                "Sorry, but either this area has the worst cell phone coverage in the world, or the attacks took out some of the towers," I said.  "I've been walking around trying to find a connection."
                "Where are you?"
                "Still in Salt Lake City.  I think they are going to force me back into the Army."
                "They can't do that!  You did your time," she shouted, and then started to cry.  "We need you here.  It's very scary.  Zombies have attacked us, but we killed them.  Some of the cabin owners came up here and are starting a guard force to patrol for zombies and looters.  There's a homeowners meeting tomorrow to set up our defenses or something."
                My hand tightened on the phone.  My duty was to protect my family, and the government was keeping me from them.  If anything happened to them…
                "Baby, listen, I'm going to do anything and everything in my power to avoid being impressed into service," I said.  I could feel my resolve hardening.  "I'm coming home for you and the boys.  I promise.  I will find a way."
                My phone went blank.  All of the lights in camp went off.  Running vehicles went silent as well.  Someone tried to restart his vehicle, but it wouldn't start.  There was just one vehicle with light.  It was a Tactical Operations vehicle.  I hurried over.
                "What just happened?" I demanded.
                Soldiers inside turned to stare at me.  They looked pale.
                "Someone just nuked the US," one of them said.  "I guess the EMP from the air bursts took out the lights."
                I stared numbly at them.  When I turned away, my eyes went to Salt Lake City.  It was dark.  No light.  No nothing.  Did I just witness the end of civilization?
                Within the hour we had light again, and most of the vehicles were up and running.  I was heading for my bunk, dead phone in hand.  My chance of finding a working phone was slim.  If Jenny's phone was taken out, too, then we were screwed.  A deep sense of desperation was starting to build within.
                "Gilley!  We're moving out," the Command Sergeant Major in charge of the camp called.
                Sergeant Major Russell was a big, gruff man in his late-forties or early fifties.  He had a gray crew cut and piercing gray eyes.  He'd retired just six months earlier, but looked eager to continue his service now.
                "Where are we going, Sergeant Major?"
                "We have our assignment," he said.  "We're going to guard the border."
                "The Canadian or Mexican border?"
                It didn't matter to me.  Either way I was breaking free of them at the first chance.  I just wanted to know if I'd be returning home across the northern tier of states, or the Southwestern deserts.  So I was hoping hard it was the Canadian