Until the End Read Online Free PDF Page A

remembering Zombie Boys warning. “But I’m sorry now.”
    “Well, first thing is, you’ve gotta get out of the city.”
    “Why? Shouldn’t I just barricade the door and wait for help?”
    “Ha.” he barks a laugh and then his face falls. “Oh wow, you’re serious. No. We cannot do that. How much food do you think is in this apartment? Most importantly, how much non-perishable food is there? Enough to last us a week? A month? You want to hang out with those dead bodies that long? Help isn’t coming, that’s something you have to remember, so waiting it out is a bad plan.”
    “What’s all this we talk?” I ask sharply, feeling uncomfortable with the idea of teaming up with a stranger. Or with anyone, really. “And what do you mean help isn’t coming. Of course there will be some kind of help. Quarantines will be set up—“
    “Of which you will be on the wrong side. I’m getting out before that happens. If they decide to quarantine the entire city, whoever is left will be nothing but hens locked in with the wolves. You can’t outlast the undead. They won’t die off naturally and eventually you’ll run out of resources and they’ll either kill you or you’ll starve. Also, the government might just decide the ends justify the means and firebomb the city to contain this thing. It’ll be a loss of life, but it will disputably be an acceptable one for the sake of the rest of the planet.”
    “It’s been a matter of hours. You’re getting ahead of yourself, don’t you think?”
    “You also have to stay off the freeways when you leave.” he continues, ignoring me. “Too many people going that way, we’ll never make it. Sorry, I’ll never make it. You can do what you want. Why are you looking at me like that?”
    I didn’t realize my head was cocked to the side and I had my eyes narrowed at him but he’s right, I’m looking at him quizzically.
    “I was just trying to figure out how much time you must’ve spent thinking about this.”
    He smirks at me. “A lot and it’s saving your life. Again.” He heads for the door. “I need to pack up and leave. Good luck to you.”
    “Wait, you’re leaving? Just like that?” I ask, surprised by the suddenness of his departure.
    He pauses at the door and looks over his shoulder at me. “Two seconds ago you didn’t want to be lumped in with me. Now you’re sad to see me go?”
    My phone starts ringing loudly in my pocket, causing me to nearly jump out of my skin. My adrenaline spikes and my heart is racing as I fumble to pull the phone free and silence it, holding up a finger to Jordan in a wait one second gesture and hoping he heeds it.
    When I see my caller ID, I smile reflexively.
    “Hey, Uncle Syd.”
    “Are you hurt?” he asks gruffly, but calmly. He’s all business.
    “No, I’m fine.”
    “You need to get somewhere safe. Where are you?”
    “I’m in my apartment and the doors are locked. I’m safe.”
    “Are you alone? Where are the other girls?”
    I don’t answer. I don’t exactly know how to. I can tell him that they’re dead, but then I have to explain how and neither of them has a pretty story. Luckily, my silence speaks for itself and he understands.
    “Keep the doors locked and stay put. I’m going to come and get you.”
    “No!” I cry, horrified by the idea of him coming here and getting hurt. He’s all I have left. I look at Jordan, who is standing by the window now, gazing out and pretending he can’t hear my conversation. “I’m leaving the city. I’ve got a… friend who has offered to help me get out. I’ll come to you.”
    Jordan shakes his head but doesn’t look away from the window. There’s silence on the other end of the line and I know Uncle Syd debating so many things. The Fever, the city, the distance between us, my… friend. Yeah, that’s not gonna sit well with him.
    “Can you trust this person?” he finally asks, sounding annoyed.
    “He’s already saved my life once.” I say, my voice