Free The Survivor Chronicles: The Risen by Erica Stevens Page A

they're getting more
aggressive."
    "And there seems to be more of them," Josh
said.
    "The destruction here isn't as bad as it was
in Mass and Rhode Island," Al said.
    "Is that where you're from?" Jim
inquired.
    "Most of us."
    Nancy remained hovering nervously by the
doorway, her head bent, and her hands folded before her. She acted
calmer than when they'd first encountered her but an almost feral
air still surrounded her. Xander watched her before turning back to
the couple and child. Jim pulled a handkerchief from his pocket and
wiped at the sweat lining his forehead and upper lip.
    "I always wanted to see the ocean," Claire
murmured.
    "Believe me, you don't want to see it when
it's chasing you down the highway," John muttered. Carl shot him a
look but John's face remained impassive as he stared at his friend.
"Well it's true."
    Carl turned back to Claire. "It was beautiful," he told them. "But
I'd suggest staying away for awhile."
    "I don't think we'll be taking any trips
anytime soon," Jim said.
    Carl gave a small snort before lifting his
hat and pushing his hair back. "We should probably move the
vehicles before they're noticed."
    "I don't think those things are coherent
enough to realize that the vehicles are even out there much less
being driven around," Jim said.
    "They're a lot smarter than you would
think," Xander told him as he fished the keys for the Ford out of
his pocket. "Don't ever discredit them; it will only get you
killed."
    Jim's eyes shot toward his family before
going back to the door. "Are we in danger because we let you in
here?"
    "You've been in danger this whole time,"
Peter said bluntly. "You didn't have much of a choice about letting
us in."
    "Peter!" Riley hissed.
    Xander grabbed hold of her arm and shook his
head when she shifted her gun before her. Peter didn't even look at
her. His jaw remained locked; his eyes were focused on the family
gathered by the cash register. "It will be fine," Carl assured them
but his eyes remained on Peter. "We just have to get the vehicles
out of view."
    Jim nodded but he didn't look overly
convinced. "There's plenty of woods around here but I'm not sure
you're going to be able to put a car in them."
    Carl glanced around the room. "Xander,
Donald, and John, why don't you guys get the vehicles somewhere
safe?"
    Xander nodded and squeezed Riley's hand.
"I'm coming with you," she said.
    "No, stay here." He pressed his lips against
her ear so that no one else would hear what he said to her.
"There's a reason Carl is staying in here. He might need your help
with Peter or with Jim later."
    She looked torn as she glanced between Jim,
Peter, and then him. He thought she might fight him but she gave a
brief bow of her head instead. "Be careful," she whispered.
    "Always." He kissed her before joining John
and Donald by the door.
    "Should we bring the supplies in?" John
asked Carl.
    Carl frowned but he shook his head no. "No,
it will take too long. Just get the vehicles out of sight and get
back here as soon as possible."
    "Ok." Xander turned back to Donald and
nodded to him. Donald unlocked the door, pushed it open and stepped
into the peaceful night. Nothing moved, not even a breeze stirred
the trees, but he knew how much looks could be deceiving.
    "Can we hide them in the woods?" John
asked.
    Xander had no idea where they were going to
put the truck as he searched the trees surrounding the back of the
store. They could probably maneuver the cars in between some of
those trees, but the truck would be a lot more difficult. Xander
glanced at the parking lot of the building next door and then at
the department store across the street from them.
    "We might have to put them across the
street," he answered.
    "I think we should," Donald said. "I don't
know how we're going to get any of them into the trees, and even if
we could there's still no guarantee that hiding the cars will throw
the sick ones off of our trail. There's enough vehicles across the
street that they might not be