Free Midnight Outbreak by Brandy Jeffus Corona Page A

boys. My name is John. I’m glad y’all made it unscathed. The south really went to Hell, huh?” He laughed loudly.
    After they made small talk, Brendan led his uncle aside. It was decided that he would tell Uncle John about the arrangements made with the vampire group. They watched as Brendan said something and John’s hand came to rest on top of his dirty baseball cap. Finally he nodded, clapped his nephew on the back and the men walked back.
    “Well Brendan’s told me about your situation. And you know, that’s great. As long as they aren’t those dead monsters and can actually help us out. Then you know, we’ll just have to get over it. Work together, right?” He smiled broadly, and held out his arms. “Y’all—welcome to your new home.”

Part Two

Chapter Thirteen

    Five Years Later—East Texas
    It was the dead of night, and Mari was drenched in sweat. She faced her opponent, concentrating on the right move she would have to execute to take them down. Her eyes squinted against the glare of the floodlights that illuminated the field she was in. She took a deep breath, said a quick prayer, and ran full-force.
    Lexi was ready for her. In a crouch, she sprang up, agile like a mountain lion, and sailed over Mari. Mari knew it was coming, and immediately turned around. Without missing a beat, she charged at her again, slid on her feet, and made connection with Lexi’s feet before she could jump again.
    Mari grinned wide as Lexi tripped over her and landed in the soft grass.
    “Yes!” She hooted, and then covered her mouth. She sometimes forgot about the dead heads—mostly she forgot the possibility of them lurking along the fence. Lexi beamed at her.
    “You did it! I’m so proud of you!” She stood up, knocking the grass from her pants. “I knew you could do it!” She wrapped Mari in a hug. The girl was almost her height now.
    It had been five long years at Uncle John’s compound. Mari and Lexi’s relationship grew sweet, caring; almost like a mother and daughter. They had grown incredibly close, spending time together when Lexi was up at night, or right before daybreak. Mari talked to her about everything: Her mother and how much she missed her, wanting to go to a regular school, and her longing for a normal life. Lexi was her sounding board.
    “I’m getting faster every day,” Mari reasoned, and she was. She may have only been ten, but she was strong, fast, and nimble.
    Five years had seen the zombie situation grow. The south had completely shut down half a year after they arrived at the compound. Then the zombies moved North and West. No other country had been affected, but that’s because flights had been immediately grounded.
    The compound ended up being a life saver. Uncle John treated the vampires with respect and thankfulness for their help at night. Another vampire had joined them a couple years after their arrangement, a woman named Luna who had lost her whole family of vampires to starvation. Vampires were starving because of the lack of humans, and didn’t have the stamina to head to other continents anymore.
    Luna and Brendan had become an item. It happened slowly, and no one expected it. Luna reminded Josh of Claire, so it made sense to him after the fact.
    Miguel completed more research into the exact cause and effect of how Samuel had died and caused the dead to rise. He had discovered that the blood mutated with the vampire’s venom, and that caused the dead heads, but he was still on the lookout for the cure, if there was one.
    Lexi missed Samuel so much. Being without him hadn’t gotten easier, and this is why she took such a liking to Mari. She reminded her of her father. Very strong and independent, and a very good thinker. She always wanted to talk, and their conversations would last for hours.
    The group had seen their fair share of the dead heads in five years. Everyone, even Mari, had come in contact with them, fighting them off whenever they got close. The zombies had