More blood.
More scent.
Another reason for them to follow me.
I tore a piece of my shirt and wrapped my hand, then slid back into the driver’s seat and turned the key. The engine roared to life.
Heads snapped in my direction. I slammed the door, shifted into drive, and let the car roll forward. Then I kicked the door open and bailed out.
I rolled across the pavement and under the line of bushes nearby.
I watched as the car picked up speed on its own, rolling straight down the lane.
Infected surged toward it, drawn by the smell of blood and the sound of the engine.
Rising slowly, I cut back toward the building, staying low, weaving between vehicles.
I felt something grab my leg, and I jerked to a stop. An infected, with only its torso remaining, was using it as leverage to pull itself closer, within biting distance.
I pivoted and drove the knife straight through its jaw and into its skull.
Another came from the side.
I shoved it away, feeling fingers scrape across my sleeve, and kept moving.
Don’t stop. Don’t slow down. I kept telling myself.
The horde was moving now, pulling away from the pharmacy and following the car.
Following the blood.
But not all of them. I knew that was a possibility when I came up with this plan.
A handful still lingered near the building. One stood directly between me and the wall.
I didn’t have time to go around, so I took a deep breath and charged. My shoulder hit an infected chest, and we fell hard. Itsteeth snapped inches from my face. I drove the knife down again and again until it stopped moving.
Then I pushed to my feet and ran.
I reached the wall and grabbed the pipe, hauling myself up without looking back. My hands slipped, and my muscles burned as I climbed. The pipe groaned under the strain, but thank God it didn’t break. I pulled myself onto the roof and rolled away from the side.
Then I listened before peeking over the edge.
The mass had continued moving. I could still see and hear them, but I’d bought myself some time. I lay there for a moment, catching my breath. I wasn’t as young as I used to be, and even though I stayed in shape, my body was letting me know it.
I pushed myself up, knowing the window I’d bought us wouldn’t last.
I opened the hatch and dropped back inside.
If those two showed any sign of changing, I’d take care of it and find Taryn. I’d wasted enough time.
I made my way back through the duct, faster this time.
Less careful, because time mattered now.
The panel came into view, and I pushed it aside and dropped back into the pharmacy.
Everything appeared the same.
