Free Apocalypse Empire (Book 1): Apocalypse Origins by R.A. Neely Page B

understanding.
    "We'll wait a few more minutes and then try to get out
of here," Jackson said.
    "What about the infected?"
    "If it doesn't leave we'll just have to try our luck.
We can't stay in forever. We don't have any food or water."
    Shirley nodded. "Alright. I'm ready when you are."
    Jackson nodded and they spent the next few minutes in a
companionable silence. After around fifteen minutes the creature still hadn't
left the room and Jackson decided it was time to act.
    "I think we should go ahead and make a break for
it," Jackson said.
    Shirley nodded. "How do we get past the infected?"
    "We'll try to sneak past. If he notices us, I'll take
care of it."
    "Okay," Shirley replied and she got up from the floor.
She shook out her jacket to get some wrinkles out and then quickly stopped when
she realized how pointless that was given what had happened today. What was the
point of being wrinkle free when there were people running around trying to
kill you?
    Jackson motioned for her to come closer. "Ready?"
he asked.
    Shirley nodded.
    "Alright, stay close."
    Jackson quietly turned the handle and opened the door wide
enough for them to slip out. He stealthily made his way out of the
office. Shirley took a moment to remove her heels, then followed after him.
Jackson glanced at the creature and saw that it was still shuffling around the
room. So far so good. They made there way over to the stairway when Shirley
glanced towards the creature and tripped.
    She managed to catch herself and prevent a broken nose but
the creature had heard them. It roared and started running towards them.
Jackson helped her to her feet and pushed her behind him. Spying a briefcase,
he picked it up and readied himself to meet the infected's charge. Jackson
stepped to the side as the creature reached him and gave it a solid blow to the
head with the briefcase. The creature was knocked flat on his back and Jackson
moved closer to take advantage.
    Shirley watched in awe as Jackson delivered several brutal
blows with the briefcase to the infected's head. After the third blow, it
stopped moving. Jackson dropped the briefcase on the infected and slowly walked
towards Shirley. He appeared hesitant at the look on her face.
    "Hope that doesn't bother you, but I've no intention of
dying anytime soon."
    Shirley shook her head. "It doesn't bother me. I'm just
amazed you took care of it so easily."
    Some of the tension left Jackson's shoulders. "Good.
'Cause it'll probably be some more of that before the day is done. Just so you
know, I'll do the same if anyone attacks us, infected or not. Hope that's okay
with you."
    "I feel safe with you, Jackson. You do whatever you
need to to protect us. I'm a practical woman. I'm not gonna faint at a little
blood."
    Jackson nodded. "Alright. Let's get going then."
    "Wait," Shirley said, "there's one thing I
can do before we get out here."
    "What's that?" Jackson asked.
    "I can warn everyone about this."
    Jackson looked thoughtful for a moment and then nodded.
"Alright. That'll give some people a chance. Let's do it."
    It didn't take them long to get everything set up.
Fortunately, the equipment they needed had survived the attack from the
infected. Shirley thought to make herself more presentable but changed her
mind. Better that her viewers saw her as she was so they would take this
seriously. She took her seat at the anchor desk and waited for Jackson to give
her the signal. He counted down from three on his fingers and nodded his head.
    "This is Shirley O'Hara, reporting live from   WKJ   TV.
I'm here to deliver a message. If you saw my interview this morning, I want to
let you know that was only part of the story. The truth is that we're facing an
outbreak. Those infected become extremely violent and will attack anyone around
them. I have only barely survived an attack here at the station myself."
    Shirley nodded towards Jackson and he took a moment to pan
the camera around the room.
    "As you can see, it was a brutal