Free Transformation: Zombie Crusade VI by J.W. Vohs, Sandra Vohs Page B

the runway. “I certainly wish I could wear the same clothes as you, but I haven’t had a figure like yours in thirty years, if ever.”  
    As the jet rose into the air, Andi concentrated on trying to will an engine failure that would send all of them hurtling to the ground to explode in an impressively fiery crash.  She gave up when they reached cruising height, and Thelma trotted off to make lunch.
     
     
    After a morning spent interviewing the dozens of volunteers and putting them through some physical tests, Luke and his lieutenants accepted thirty-five new recruits into their small, but growing army. The rookies from the oxbow settlement were now considered veterans, and training the incoming group proceeded at a faster pace than when it was four working with thirty-two. Plenty of weapons and armor were available to outfit the new force in a uniform manner, but even though they quickly looked like soldiers, they still needed to learn how to fight the way Luke wanted them to.

 
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    CHAPTER 6
     
    Once the recruits had received their new gear and training assignments, they were instructed to take the rest of the day off and report for official boot camp at sunrise the following morning. For the first time in weeks, Luke and Gracie found themselves alone, without a pressing list of responsibilities dictating their every move. Zach and Maddy had secretly arranged for the newlyweds to spend the duration of their stay in a large, well-kept camper that boasted comfortable mattresses and a fully-functioning bathroom. Gracie was speechless when Maddy handed her the key.
    “Go on, and take a real shower while you’ve got the chance,” Maddy prodded. “There won’t be much hot water, but if you’re quick about it, Luke might even get a shot at washing off some of that hunter-stink.”
    “Hey,” Luke objected, “you don’t exactly smell like a bed of roses yourself.” 
    Zach laughed out loud. “Dude, you’re not supposed to tell a woman she smells bad. And you probably shouldn’t say that to Maddy either.”
    Maddy punched Zach in the arm but otherwise ignored him. “The owners of this fine residence were more than happy to let you two have it for as long as we stay here.” Luke started to speak, but Maddy cut him off. “You can’t refuse it; they’re both too old to fight, but they want to do something to feel like they’re contributing to the cause. If you don’t stay here, you’ll be insulting the nicest old couple I’ve met in years, and probably the entire community.”
    Gracie couldn’t hold back a small smile as she took the key from Maddy. “You and Zach each have to promise to try out the shower at least once before we hit the river.”
    “Fine with me,” Maddy agreed, “but I think Zach will need convincing. He’s like a dog—I think he’d wear poop for perfume, and I’m certain he bolted whenever it was bath time back home.”
    Zach barked convincingly.
    Maddy rolled her eyes. “See?”
    Zach grinned. “Come’ on, Maddy. I’ve got two steaks with our names on them, and I’m starving.” He turned to Luke and reached out to shake his best friend’s hand. “The kitchen is pretty stocked in there, including a couple sirloins.” He pressed a small package into Luke’s palm and winked.  “We’ll see you two at dawn.”
    Gracie threw open the door to the camper and squealed in delight. “Luke, you have to see this place!”
    Luke felt a flood of conflicting emotions. Part of him wanted to rush in and sweep Gracie off her feet, but another part of him wanted to turn and run.
    Gracie knew her husband; she poked her head out of the door and gently stated, “Just get in here, babe. We’ll be fine.”
    Luke did his best to sound casual as he stepped around Gracie and into the camper. “Of course we will—” He stopped in his tracks when he saw what the community had left for them: a wall of personal letters and thank-you notes, several gift-wrapped