Raven suppressed an instant dislike. Her grandfather had taught her the importance of a good, firm handshake and this woman did not have one. It usually spoke of a lack of character and morals, or so Grandpa had said. Raven hadn’t found much evidence to the contrary.
“How’d you end up out here?” Raven asked, wanting to get a bit of Monique’s backstory before they went back to the store. She needed an accurate sense of the woman’s character.
“I was separated from the group I was with. My friend and his brother are still with them, hopefully,” she added. A frown spread across her face.
Raven wondered just how old she was. A moment ago she would’ve guessed early twenties but the fine lines that appeared on her forehead and by her eyes made Raven up the number.
“I was thinking we could help her find her people,” Henry said, smiling. His gaze traveled down Monique’s body but she didn’t notice.
Raven snorted. Damn her brother, a pair of tits and striking eyes had taken him in. Not that Raven could blame the man. This woman was beyond beautiful.
Raven gave him a look that said they’d talk about this later and turned to Monique. “I’m sure we can fit you in,” she said, smiling brightly. It did not quite reach her eyes.
Monique’s expression faltered for a moment. She frowned slightly. “Anything you can teach me about defending myself would be helpful but I can make my own way.”
Raven’s opinion of the other woman changed slightly. She liked that Monique did not wish to take advantage of Henry’s obvious infatuation. “We can do that,” Raven said nodding.
“Raven!” Liz cried, pulling at Raven sleeve. Her visage showed pure terror. She pointed to the tree line about fifty feet away.
“Shit!” Raven exclaimed. She swung the axe around and pulled the leather case from the blade, pocketing it.
Walking out of the trees was a group of zombies. It was the largest they’d seen. Raven counted seven undead and they were still appearing from beneath the shadowed branches.
“Motherfucker,” Henry murmured. He pulled out his knife and moved closer to Raven.
“Monique, can you run?” she asked.
The woman bobbed her head fearfully, blond braid settling artfully across her shoulder. She gripped the kitten tighter, whether out of fear it would bolt or just plain terror, Raven did not know.
“Take Liz and make for that store.” She pointed back the way they had come, toward the Mom and Pop.
“No, Raven,” Liz begged. “I want to stay with you.”
“I’m sorry. You can’t right now.” She gripped the girl by the shoulder, digging her fingers in. “Go with her now and we’ll see you soon. I promise.”
Liz nodded. Her eyes were wide and her expression was filled with terror.
“Hurry it up, Raven,” Henry spoke in a tense voice. “They haven’t noticed us yet. The wind is in our favor but that won’t last forever.”
“Can I take Rocky?” Liz asked.
“Yes, of course,” Raven answered. “Go now hurry. Run.”
Liz bolted back toward the store and Rocky followed her with a little prompting.
She grabbed Monique’s arm before she could follow. “You keep her safe,” Raven said. Her eyes darkened. “I will take it personally if you don’t.” She released Monique’s arm.
The kitten peered at Raven with large yellow eyes.
Monique nodded, eyes wide and fearful. She ran after Liz and Rocky.
Raven turned back to her brother. “You ready?” she asked, steeling herself for the confrontation to come, harnessing her fear.
“Let’s do this,” Henry answered.
They crept diagonally toward the growing pack of undead, numbering in the teens now, not wanting to come at them head on. The zombies milled about, stumbling from the trees. There were all types, tall and lean, short and fat; their skin ran the gamut from dark to light, but they were all covered in blood and dirt. Those telling red lines ran across the skin of every one. Their clothes were tattered, some wearing hardly any and others covered in the full dress of winter. The noises that the individual undead made, grumbling and growling and moaning and snapping their jaws, were multiplied tenfold, sounding like a crowded room full of deranged mental patients.
“You ready, sis?” he asked in a low voice.
By some miracle the zombie horde had not seen them and she meant to keep it that was as long as they could.
“Yes,” she responded in the same pitch.
“How do you want to approach?” Henry asked.
The zombies were all in front of them now, milling about. Their numbers kept increasing. They would need to do something soon.
“Let’s stay together,” Raven said. She was sure that didn’t surprise Henry.
His mouth twitched into a smile. “Fine, sis,” he answered.
She held his gaze for a moment, memorizing the features that she had seen most of her life. Her brother was dear to her and she did not want him to die today. Try to keep yourself alive too, her grandfather’s voice whispered through her mind.
“Ready, steady,” Henry spoke.
Raven smiled thinly and nodded. She broke into a run and Henry was right by her side. Raven lunged at the closest undead, swinging her axe and slicing through the skull of a short woman wearing a blue Afghan-like dress. She fell to the side and immediately another zombie took her place. Slamming her axe into the side of his neck for he was very tall, Raven cursed. The man growled and snapped his jaws menacingly, reaching for her with outstretched arms. She pushed him away and slashed through the meat of his face. His skin sloughed off and his eyeballs popped but he didn’t go down. He leaned forward and his weight brought her to her knees. Jaw snapping and spittle flying, the undead grabbed for her and
