I sat on the edge of the bed beside Taryn and ran my hand down her arm slowly. She was still too hot, but her breathing was steady.
Minutes passed.
Or maybe hours.
It was hard to tell because everything felt stretched.
Sounds were too sharp and loud.
Then I heard voices from downstairs.
I tilted my head slightly and focused.
“…can’t leave her like that…”
Bull.
“She turns, she’ll take him with her,” Nash took a sip of something.
“We wait,” Stain cut in. “Give it time.”
“You’re not in charge, boy. I make the decisions here.” Nash growled, “I’ll take care of her tonight.”
My grip tightened on her arm.
I heard shifting, then Bull. “You want me to come?”
Nash didn’t hesitate. “Yeah. I might need help with Worthless. He’ll thank us when he realizes it’s for his own good.”
Something inside me went cold.
I sat on the bed and pulled Taryn into my lap. “They’re not coming near you. I’ll kill them first.”
She didn’t answer, of course.
I needed a plan. It was time to get the fuck out of here.
CHAPTER THIRTY
BEN
Ileft the guys to make sure the way out was clear, then crept toward the front doors. Every step placed just so, every breath measured. The doors came into view down the aisles. Still barricaded, just like we’d left them.
Good.
A sound broke through the quiet.
Soft.
Dragging.
Slightly off to the right. I angled toward it, seeing that an infected now stood near the entrance, its back half turned. Its head was twitching in small, broken movements as if it couldn’t decide where to look.
I scanned the area, but it seemed to be alone. Good.
I crouched by the barricade. Applying just the right amount of pressure, it slowly began to move. The metal shelving unit shifted enough to create a narrow gap.
I quietly moved closer to the infected without making a sound and drove my knife through the side of its head, caught it in my arms, and dragged it clear of the entrance.
