Free The Hunger (Book 3): Ravaged by Jason Brant Page B

keeping to the shadows.
    They darted between the trees, taunting the fearful guards.
    Lance walked up and down the line, encouraging all who would listen.
    “They can’t hurt you in the light. Stay in a line, stay calm. We’re safe here.”
    He repeated the mantra over and over, hoping that some of his words would sink in, praying that someone would believe, even if he didn’t.
    Sweat slicked his palms.
    His fingers worked around a rifle he’d grabbed from a stockpile by the nearest RV.
    A torrent of shrieks came from straight ahead of him.
    Dozens, maybe hundreds, of Vladdies responded with their own ear-piercing howls.
    “Christ,” Lance muttered. “How many of them are there?”
    They were surrounded on all sides as the infected slowly pressed closer.
    At that moment, Lance realized their folly.
    They’d assumed that the compound would keep them safe, that the lights would hold back the ravenous devils.
    But what could a few lamps and flashlights do against a nation of vampires? How long would it be before the monsters stormed the field in a Normandy-like blitz? If they were becoming organized, who was running the show?
    How long before their leader decided that losing a few dozen of his troops was worth it? A few hundred? A thousand?
    Lance had allowed the hope of safety to cloud his judgment. He’d been deluded by the dream of a secure place for his unborn child.
    There was no safe place.
    They would struggle until the day they finally succumbed to starvation or disease or being torn asunder by one of the infected.
    He closed his eyes.
    Took a deep breath.
    The tendrils of panic worming their way through his mind receded. No matter how dire things seemed, he had to keep himself under control. If the others looked at him for advice, for courage, then he couldn’t let them see any cracks in the veneer.
    Lance backpedaled from the line until he bumped against one of the tall lampposts. He leaned against it, letting the cool metal soothe his aching back. His eyes roamed the field, ensuring that no one had broken ranks.
    Everyone stayed put, though they flinched at each maddening wail.
    Cass spotted Lance and cocked her head questioningly.
    He gave her a thumbs up. She nodded and turned back to the forest.
    Something thudded by his feet.
    Lance searched the trampled grass for the source of the sound, but didn’t see anything.
    Another thump came behind him.
    He spun around, bringing his rifle up.
    “What the hell was that?” he whispered to himself.
    A sharp stab of pain twisted into his forearm.
    He jerked his arm up, twisting around to see what had attacked him.
    A rock thudded in the grass by his feet. He picked it up, rolling it in his fingers, squinting in confusion. “Did someone hit me with a rock?”
    The sharp ting of struck metal came from above him.
    Another rock dropped by his face, leaving an indent in the lawn.
    And another.
    Lance peered up at the bright lamp and watched as dozens of rocks flew past the bulb. Some hit the pole holding it. Others went wide. Two more struck him.
    “Oh my god.” Lance’s stomach twisted as he realized what was happening.
    Then one of the rocks hit the bulb, and it shattered.
    Darkness washed over him.

Chapter 11
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    T he panicked screams of the guards were barely audible over the Vladdies’ shrieks.
    Cass ran over, the beam of flashlight waving in wild arcs. “What happened?”
    Lance gaped up at the broken bulb, dumbstruck. “They broke it with rocks?”
    “What?”
    “They broke it with rocks!”
    Cass looked up. “How? They don’t have any fucking eyes!”
    Gunfire erupted from directly in front of them.
    Two of the guards spun around and fled for the RVs.
    “Hold the line!” Lance ran at the two men and grabbed the arm of the closest. “Hold the goddamn line!”
    “They’re pushing up! We need to get out of here, man!”
    Lance jerked on the man’s elbow and dragged him back to his place. “There won’t be anywhere to go