Free Territory of the Dead (Book 2): Phase Two: Evaluate by Rose Wynters Page A

stopped to watch and listen. Even the animals and insects were completely silent. It was a warning, of that I had no doubt. They sensed death was near.
     
    Staring at the outhouse, I realized the door was broke at the hinges. The wood looked solid enough, though. Running over to it, I grasped it tightly with both hands and carried it back to the house. It would have to do.
     
    “Will this work?” I asked the men, huffing as I pulled it inside. Kellan quickly walked over to take it from me, carrying it with one hand. I envied his greater height and strength.
     
    “It'll work,” he muttered, holding it up against the window. Looking at Jayden, he said, “Grab the hammer.”
     
    While they finished up, I stood at the front of the house and watched. With the door wide open, the smell was abating. It was too bad we didn't have enough time to get rid of whatever was causing the problem to begin with. Who knew how long we'd be trapped here? I didn't want to spend the entire time vomiting.
     
    It didn't take Kellan and Jayden long to get the window boarded. Walking back into the living room, Kellan looked past me at the driveway. “Listen up,” he told us, wiping his hands on his jeans. “We need to go outside and relieve ourselves now, while we still have the chance.”
     
    He stopped when I groaned, my face flaming in embarrassment. I didn't know if I'd be able to go, knowing they were close enough to hear it. It was an uncomfortable situation for me, one I hadn't found myself in before.
     
    Kellan frowned, accurately reading the expression on my face. “Now isn't the time to be embarrassed, Tabitha. We'll take turns using the outhouse. Jayden and I will keep watch when your turn is up.”
     
    I sighed. It wasn't the best situation, but none of us had any choice. “Fine.”
     
    He turned to stare out at the bayou. “There's something else we need to do. It's not going to be pleasant, but I'm hoping it will keep us alive. That alone makes it worth doing.”
     
    I turned to look in the same direction, but I didn't see anything but trees and murky water. Near the grass, the water was stagnant and shallow. I shuddered. Although I'd lived in Louisiana all my life, I wasn't a huge fan of the swamps and bayous. Snakes, alligators, and all kinds of scary reptiles could be found in their dark depths. They weren't anything to mess with.
     
    “We need to cover ourselves with mud,” Kellan continued, turning to look back at the two of us. He wore a determined expression on his chiseled face. “I believe it will help to cover up our scents. If we're lucky, that's the only way the zombies are able to locate people. Otherwise, we are screwed.”
     
    I stared at the mud and groaned again. “Great. I hope you have tetanus vaccines stashed somewhere. If we survive this, we're all going to need one.”
     
    Walking down the steps, I stopped to stare at them. They both stared back at me. Kellan wore his usual mask, but Jayden looked amused.
     
    “What are you waiting for?” I asked, waving my hand to urge them on. “Do you hear how completely silent it is? We've been lucky to have had this much time to prepare, but I believe they are getting close. I don't want to be caught out here, wallowing in the mud, when they arrive.”
     
    The next several minutes passed by quickly. We took turns using the outhouse, and I had to give them credit. They stood well away when it was my turn.
     
    Covering myself with the mud wasn't quite so easy. The water had receded, leaving the ground extremely soft. When I stepped in, I sank down to my knees. For a moment, I panicked as I wondered if the mud would swallow me whole. It didn't, though. As quickly as possible I rolled in it, praying that I wouldn't get snake bit in the process.
     
    When it came time for me to step out, I wasn't able to do it on my own. Kellan reached out, and with one strong tug, he pulled me free of the muck. They were already covered from head to toe so we were