The Common Cold (Book 2): A Zombie Chronicle-Cabin Fever Read Online Free PDF Page B

and co.”
    Tom peered into the darkness and realised Brad was standing
over him. “Righto,” he whispered back and slowly disentangled himself from the
family nest. “Could have done with a few more hours but I guess I can catch up
when I’m dead,” he whispered. Laurie stirred and appeared to remain asleep. She
had a slight smile on her face, just discernable in the semi-darkness; there
was faint torchlight coming from the living area.
    Pulling on his heavy coat and boots, Tom followed Brad out
of the small bedroom and into the main area. Sergeant Hinkley had remained on
watch, nursing a rifle and peering past the edge of the hastily erected window
covering. Other than the small torch, it was dark in the room so there was little
danger of anyone inside being seen observing the occupants of the incoming
vehicle. The rest of the crew had managed to get some sleep but had been
disturbed by the activity around them and were now stirring.
    “The truck has no lights on. Sensible, I’d say,” Hinkley
observed. “They’re headed this way for sure. Looks like they know where they’re
going.”
    “I gave Danny adequate instructions so it probably is them.”
Tom picked up a rifle and checked a round was chambered. “Before they get here
let’s go outside so we’re not cornered. Just in case it’s not
Danny.”
    Tom, Hinkley, and Brad slipped quietly outside and took
cover. From his vantage point Tom could see the approaching vehicle was an M35
troop carrier, its rear covered in dark canvas. A second identical one followed
behind. “That’s new,” he muttered to himself feeling less certain of exactly who
was in the vehicles. Taking aim at the cab of the lead truck, he waited with bated
breath as they rumbled into the clearing and came to a halt. The silence that
followed was unnerving. Tom heaved a sigh of relief as the door clicked open
and Rob emerged.
    “Rob,” Tom called in a forced whisper. Clearly stressed and
on edge from the long journey, the driver swung around, gun up and aiming into
the darkness. Peering intently as Tom slowly stood up and stepped into the
moonlight, a smile crossed the man’s face as he recognised the silhouette.
    “Tom! Hi,” he replied in a similar whisper, his smile
visible in the moonlight. Sandy now stood behind her husband. Danny descended
from the second truck, rifle slung over his shoulder and pistol in a holster.
He was followed by Janet, the kids and the dog they’d rescued from the plane, a
black greyhound called Oskar. The dog took the release from the cab as a signal
that it could lay claim to one of the wheels. They gathered round to greet each
other; Brad and the sergeant emerged from their positions of cover and joined
the small reunion.
    “Hi there, Tom. It’s great to see
you again,” Daniel said with pleasure in his voice. “It was easy to get here,
your instructions were perfect.”
    “Yeah,” Rob agreed. “We stopped on the way across town and
availed ourselves of a sporting goods shop and have plenty of clothes and stuff
for everyone.”
    “That’s looting,” Hinkley responded, his face hard with
disapproval. Rob’s face darkened in welling anger; he had been told in detail
what had happened to Sandy at the hands of the military not twenty four hours ago
and to have one of their number challenge his actions was beginning to feel like
a step too far.
    “Whoa, Cliff. That’s a bit much,”
Tom protested on behalf of the newcomers. “Welcome to my humble abode, guys.
Glad you seem to have gotten here in one piece.” Tom then turned to the
sergeant. “Cliff. You still seem to be holding out for civilisation to return.
It won’t, not any time soon that is.”
    “He’s dead right, Cliff,” Danny interjected, recognising
Rob’s anger even in the darkness. “My name’s Danny, we came in on Tom’s flight
into Denver.”
    “You’re Brits?” the sergeant asked, detecting the accent.
    “Yes, some of us are. Considering the way this thing hit UK