Roads Less Traveled Read Online Free PDF

Sarah…” He started to push his door open when Jake grabbed his shoulder. Zack looked at him with eyes wide with panic. Jake simply pointed back the way they came. Everyone turned their heads, simultaneously seeing what Jake had before jumping in the Jeep. Two zombies, still “alive” and on fire, had Sarah on the ground. She was burning, her arms had been torn off, abdomen splayed open, and half her face was missing. Kyra covered her mouth to keep from screaming, Mike simply stared with his mouth open, and Ben beat his fists against the window, cussing like an ironworker. Zack’s hands fell from the door as he stared at what was left of Sarah.
    “Get us out of here,” he said, his voice again disturbingly composed. Jake shifted the Jeep and hit the gas, speeding away and maneuvering through the parking lot.

Chapter Three
     
     
    Later that day
     
    The ringing of the phone and Gus licking my face startled me awake. After showering and doing another check around the house, I had decided there was nothing left to do but sit and wait. Falling asleep evidently fell under that category. I jumped up and ran for the phone.
    “Hello,” I said as I rubbed dog slobber from my cheeks. I pointed a finger at Gus, mentally making note never to fall asleep on the job again.
    “Kasey, it’s me. We made it out of town and we’re headed to the old McKinley farm.” Ben didn’t sound right, but what the hell did anymore?
    “Good. How soon will you be there?” I asked as I drummed my fingers on the kitchen counter and kept a careful eye on the yard.
    “It’s been slow going. A lot of cars were left in the road, and we’re having to run over a lot of people.” Ben really wasn’t sounding very good. I empathized with him and tried to comfort as best as I could.
    “They’re not people anymore Ben. You need to remember that.”
    He sighed and I could hear other people talking around him. I was glad he wasn’t alone, or else he’d probably be holed up in his dorm room preparing for starvation.
    “Yeah, I know. You’re right. Listen, Jake says it will probably take about three hours to get to the farm with all the holdups and obstacles. With any luck Bill and his wife are home and okay. How are things there?”
    “Still quiet,” I answered. “Listen, I’m safe and secure here so don’t distract yourself worrying about me. Just stay alive, and get in touch with me when you get to the McKinley’s. Oh, and don’t forget weapons.” The McKinley’s were Jake’s grandparents, and we had already decided some time ago that their farm was far enough away from town to serve as a safe way-station for a short time.
    Ben chuckled. “Yeah, you know I won’t forget that. Jake’s had a hard-on for them since we hit the road.” Ah yes, Jake was a man after my own heart.
    “Good, I’ll talk to you soon,” I said laughing, and hung up. I walked over to the fridge and grabbed a Dr. Pepper as I thought about their trip. It was hard to comprehend what would normally be a twenty minute trip taking three hours. But of course they weren’t in rural America like I was. Here, everything outside appeared as it should. It was early fall, the leaves had just started to change, and the air was getting that familiar crispness we associate with football and hunting season. I sighed, realizing there would likely never be another football game played.
    As far as hunting goes, I knew I would be doing a great deal of that if I wanted to eat this winter. I couldn’t assume the power would stay on long, though with the high-tech of the 21 st century, who knew? I drained the pop can and tossed it in the garbage as I headed to the basement, taking the phone with me just in case. I wanted to gather the remaining rifles from the gun safe and set one up in each of the second floor windows. Sooner or later, they would come, and I wanted to be ready.
     
    * * *
     
    The first one arrived about an hour after I talked to Ben. I had just finished