“I’ll make sure I pass her a note when we get back,” Xander said with a snigger.
“Asshole. I think Zahara is rubbing off on you.”
“I hope so,” Xander said, his mouth twitching.
“Fuck-stain. Let’s get these things in the pit and get out of here. Oh, shit, look,” Ethan said, pointing up the road. Xander followed his direction and coming around the corner was a large group of about twenty zombies.
“Well, shit. What should we do? I don’t want to waste ammo on these things. They are far away from the farm but letting them roam, that’ll be someone else’s problem,” Xander said.
“Zahara left her sword in the truck and she even sharpened it. There’s a machete in the storage box. We could just decapitate them. They’re spread out enough, what do you think?”
Xander looked at Ethan and then back at the zombies. It was possible.
“Okay, if we look like we’re getting into trouble, we can use our weapons or run for it,” Xander said.
“Or, you could, you know, turn into the wolf,” Ethan said.
“Yeah…no. We don’t have any water on us other than drinking water and I don’t want to get blood and gore all over my upholstery.”
Xander unlocked the storage box and retrieved the machete as Ethan got the samurai sword. They spread out and walked toward the oncoming horde. Xander knew he needed to be careful in human form. Shay’s mother had died or rather been turned into a zombie. He walked to the first and swung hard and the head left the shoulders of the zombie. The sound of metal on bone filled the air and he moved to the next zombie. It was a large man and he was coming fast, having realized Xander was there. Xander kicked out and hit the big man’s knees and toppled him to the ground and he brought the blade down, severing the head. He knew that after a few more decapitations, the blade would begin to dull.
Ethan seemed to be holding his own, then three came at him in a rush and Ethan pulled his Walther PPQ and began shooting and swinging the sword.
“Back up, damnit. Don’t let them get on you!” Xander snarled, he could feel the wolf trying to surface. Ethan was backing up and tripped and fell on his ass. The gun bounced out of his hand and skittered across the road. He was scrambling to get onto his feet as two zombies were nearly on top of him. Xander pulled his own weapon and shot the two creatures in the head. It wasn’t worth trying to save ammo if they got bit. Ethan awkwardly staggered up and retrieved his weapon, looking chagrinned.
“Best laid fucking plans,” Ethan said as he turned and shot another zombie. He was breathing hard and his face covered with sweat and road dust. They’d done it, killed the zombies and Xander walked back to the truck.
“Let’s get the hell out of here and get to the other property. We see any more groups and I say leave them the fuck alone,” Xander said.
“Shit, got that right. No good deed goes unpunished.” Ethan spat onto the ground and walked over to the truck and threw the bloody samurai sword in the bed of the truck. He used his shirt sleeve to wipe at the sweat and grime on his face.
“When we get back, I want you to turn me into a werewolf,” Ethan said, slamming his door closed.
“I told you that is just some fairytale bullshit. I was born this way.”
“Yeah, I get that. But you’ve never actually attacked anyone who lived, right?”
“No, but I’m pretty sure you can’t turn into a fucking werewolf. It isn’t worth your life, Ethan. I might kill you, if the infection doesn’t. Everyone I’ve ever attacked, I’ve killed. My teeth are five inches long for fuck’s sake.”
“You can do a controlled bite. Look, it will be worth it if I do live and I can become a werewolf. I can help protect Rose, the kids and the farm.”
“Well, it sure as shit didn’t do anything for Shay’s parents,” Xander said, exasperated. The drive back to the farm and the next property was done in silence. Ethan knew he had to do this. As they passed numerous fields and farms, he saw the creatures wandering around in the fields. He thought that it would be prudent to go out on patrols in the farm’s vicinity and keep an eye out for the zombies. Also, maybe reinforce the fencing that surrounded Rose’s property. As much as he hated it, he’d have to talk to Reggie. Knowing that the man had been associated with the Klan burned his ass, but there wasn’t much Ethan could do about that. As long as Reggie didn’t start spouting racist bullshit, he’d be okay, he guessed.
Ethan knew it was chancy to be bitten by Xander. He got that. But to have that ability to turn into a killing machine and protect Rose and the children was priceless. The ammo they’d used on those zombies at the gravel pit was now less for when or if zombies came to the farm. He’d also suggest to Xander to head to the nearest gun shop and pick up more guns and ammo. If not for him, then for Rose and the children. All these thoughts kept swirling in his brain and he felt as though he were drowning. The only way to stay above the hordes was to be well armed and well trained. He’d have to teach Rose and Lauren how to handle and uses weapons as well as their bodies to fight. It would at least give them a chance. Reggie seemed to know his way around weapons. It was just a matter of talking Xander into biting him. He’d ask Zahara,
