AVERY’S POV
The man was well built and I noticed the scars littering his forearm as he gripped his rifle tighter, that smirk still playing on his lips.
Nadia’s breath hitched from behind me, her body trembling as she stared at the man.
Without thinking or looking back, I grabbed her arm and pulled her behind me, shielding her.
“We’re not looking for trouble.”
The man poked the inside of his cheek with his tongue.
“Neither am I. That’s why we can make this very simple. No need to make this any worse.”
Joel gripped his crowbar even tighter and stepped forward.
“Let us through.” His voice shook slightly.
Noㅡ
The man raised his rifle, directly aimed at Joel who went still beside me.
“Back off, boy. Or I’ll shoot your head right off.”
Shit.
Without thinking, I raised my pistol, my chest heaving as I aimed at the man.
“Don’t you even dare it.” I warned through gritted teeth.
“Or I’ll put a bullet through your head.”
The man’s gaze slid to mine, taking in the level of threat I was to him probably.
Probably wondering how easy it would be to simply dispose of me right now.
“Sure you can handle that, princess?”
Something crawled under my skin and my palms felt sweaty.
“Oh, Trust me, I do. We don’t have to do this, you know.” I kept the gun steady, ready to fire if necessary.
“One shot and we bring the undead down on us.”
For once, the man’s gaze darted briefly to the block of apartments.
I kept my finger lightly pressed against the trigger.
“Put down the weapon and I’ll put mine down.”
He backed up a bit.
“I’m willing to take the risk, princess. Why don’t you slide that bag over. Just one, I’m willing to make a compromise. And I’ll walk away.”
Hannah stepped forward.
“Let’s just get rid of him.” She muttered under her breath.
I didn’t take my eyes of him but judging by the snarl on his face, he heard her.
And he wasn’t pleased.
“I’ll shoot. I don’t care if I bring down the whole block on usㅡ” Read this novel at g.com for the best experience.
A sudden snarl echoed from a gap through a close building and a Fractured lurched out, straight at the man.
“Shitㅡ” I stumbled back with the others, eyes wide, as the man struggled with it, throwing it to the ground with a sickening thud before he pulled out a knife and slashed at it’s throat.
Blood pooled out of its throat and I looked away, shielding Nadia who was struggling to peep.
Slowly, the man struggled to his feet, blood now staining his face, a crazed look in his eyes.
“Now. Or no one leaves.”
There was a sudden snarl in the distance, followed by the sound of rushing feet.
My heart plummeted.
We couldn’t go back.
Going through the buildings was a death sentence.
We had to get past him and he looked like he was willing to shoot at any given moment.
I nodded at Hannah.
“Give it over.”
She stared at me like I was crazy.
“Are you nuts?”
The man cocked his gun, raising it again.
“Now!”
Hannah let out a sound of defeat, unslinging the bag before sending it flying across the pavement.
For a split second, I thought about shooting.
Right when he was distracted.
But I wouldn’t be able to live with myself.
So I took a step back as soon as he caught it.
“Now, let us through.”
He smirked, looking at the path ahead, where the snarls were coming from.
“All yours.” He stepped aside.
I caught the first sight of a Fractured dashing down the block, moving at an incredible speed.
Shit.
“Move! Move!” I grabbed Nadia and ran, barely looking back at the man who had slinked into a gap I hadn’t noticed, effectively staying out of sight.
We moved fast, weapons raised and our hearts racing as we navigated through the block of buildings.
I spotted a restaurant that seemed sturdy enough and slowed to a stop, my eyes wide.
“Here. Now!”
The door didn’t budge and I could hear the steps getting closer.
“Come on!” Hannah whisper yelled, her voice trembling as she stood in front, ready to take down any Fractured that got to us.
“Shit. Step back.” He pushed me aside, barely fazed as he brought the crowbar down on the glass.
It shattered with an awful sound and he slipped his hand through, unlocking it from inside.
“Go!”
“Hannah!” I pulled her from where she stood, dragging her into the dim restaurant.
Immediately, we shut the door and Hannah was looking around the environment while Joel and I dragged a large table, effectively barricading the door.
As soon as that was over, we let out a breath, still staring at the door as though we thought something might crash through.
Nadia tugged at my hand.
“Avery?” She was looking at something behind me.
Hannah had ventured off to scout the restaurant, a flashlight in her hand to illuminate the dark building, to make sure this place was safe.
I slowly turned around to see her staring at something behind the counter.
Joel wiped his hands on his trousers.
“What’s that?” He whispered.
She didn’t move.
“Guys…you may want to check this out.”
A frown pulled at my lips and I gripped my gun, slowly making my way towards her with Nadia and Joel.
When I got the counter and looked over the dusty top, my heart stepped.
Right next to the walk in freezer, someone was huddled in the corner trembling.
Oh shit.
I immediately raised my gun, watching him carefully.
“You…” I whispered.
“Who are you?”
Slowly, the man raised a head revealing a panic stricken face.
He seemed to be in his late thirties, his dark eyes wide and he was dressed in a shirt that said, “Smiley’s restaurant.” He worked here.
He wasn’t fractured.
Just…really terrified.
I lowered my gun slowly, still watching him very carefully.
“We mean no harm.”
He didn’t answer.
I looked at the others who shook their head at me, then I turned back to the man.
“Let’s talk.”