Free The Zombie Chronicles by Chrissy Peebles

Getting together with another group won’t guarantee our safety. You could stay here with us.”
    “ There’s safety in numbers, and staying here is crazy,” I said.
    “ You don’t think we can make it on our own?” she asked.
    “ Not without concrete walls and an army.”
    “ Do you think we could just stay for the night? I know Claire will see things differently in the morning, and so will I. We’re just so tired after everything we’ve been through.”
    Nick peeked his head in. “Absolutely not! This place isn’t safe. We need to get some supplies and load them and our butts in those Jeeps.” He grabbed my shoulder. “Get moving now!”
     
    Chapter 7
    Val, Nick, and I quickly loaded up the two Jeeps with bottled water, a case of Pepsi, and canned food we found in the pantry. I also packed the black bag holding the precious vials. I started up both Jeeps; they ran great. Val found a few red plastic gas cans in the garage next to the lawnmower, which was great; we didn’t want to stop anywhere if we didn’t have to. It would be wise to get a head start, with nothing to slow us down.
    We were all set to go, but my heart sank. I couldn’t imagine leaving Claire and Jackie to their fates. I just hoped I could convince them to change their minds—especially Jackie, who I was really taking a liking to. Nick gave me ten more minutes to try and convince her to go with us. I found her in the humongous master bedroom on the bottom floor. What made the room really neat was that it extended from the house with three glass walls and a glass roof. “Hey,” I said, noticing she had cleaned up and changed into new clothes. They were a size too big, but they were much more practical than what she’d been wearing earlier. I was sure Val would be impressed with her blue jeans, white t-shirt, and black tennis shoes. She’d also put her hair up in a long ponytail. “We’re getting ready to leave, but I wanted to talk to you first.”
    “ Don’t worry. I’ve got the gun you gave me.” Jackie glanced out through the spacious glass wall, watching as the setting sun flooded the sky with brilliant colors . She placed her hand on the clear glass. “It’s so beautiful, isn’t it?”
    “ Yep. Something like that could even fool you into thinking the world hasn’t gone to hell in a hand basket.”
    She frowned and sat down on the bed. “I was trying to block all that out, if only for a minute.”
    I sat next to her. “This is a cool bedroom. It’s kind of like a glass cube.”
    She glanced up. “Yeah. I bet it’s neat to see the stars shining at night.”
    I stared at her black hair with blonde streaks. It was striking, original, and beyond cute. I loved her bold look. “So, what’s your story?” I asked.
    “ My story?”
    “ Yup. Everyone’s got one, right?”
    “ Right, but I guess right now I’m only concerned about the ending.” She sighed. “I just want to live another day. Tell me, Dean, is it really possible to survive in such a hostile, undead world?”
    “ Yes, and that said, I have to make one last-ditch effort to try and convince you to change your mind and come with us. We’re leaving in a few minutes.”
    She continued to stare off into the sunset. “Give it your best shot.”
    “ Jackie, there are plenty of cities out there that are still safe, like the island in Ohio where Nick and I live. I’ve been there since the outbreak, with no problems. The zombies aren’t immortal beings. They can’t bust through brick walls or get through our military. We have machineguns, bombs, and all kinds of ways to stay safe. Supplies are flown in every day to help people survive the battle.”
    She met my gaze. “If it was so great, so safe, then why’d you leave?”
    “ I didn’t—not on purpose anyway. Our helicopter crashed on a trip for make-believe supplies.”
    She cocked a curious brow.
    I continued, “I know it sounds weird, but it’s a long story. I can tell you all about it on our