Free Surviving The Dead: Heartland Zombie Apocalypse Vol. 1 by Marty Brockschmidt Page A

of pain were drowned out by the roar of the chainsaw until he lost consciousness.  Having nothing to bandage the stump Crystal peeled off her T-shirt and used it to staunch the bleeding.
     
    Seeing that Bill and Justin had cleared the immediate threat Crystal ordered, “You two get him to the Doc now.  I'll cover you.  Don't wait for me.” 
     
    Bill stared at the near topless Crystal not liking the idea of leaving her behind, causing Crystal to insist, “Listen I'm not as strong as you two.  I can't carry Doug, but I can cover you.  NOW MOVE.”
     
    Bill put a fresh magazine in his pistol and handed it to Crystal.  Crystal slipped the pistol into her belt, reloaded her own pistol and began covering Bill and Justin's escape.  The running saw continued to draw the dead towards Crystal's position as did her steady stream of fire.  Once she saw the jeep pull off,  she holstered her pistol and made a bee line towards the fence. 
     
    Crystal quickly outpaced the dead and being a farm girl she easily hopped the barbwire fence.  However, she still had over 200 yards to go before she reached the gate and the dead were quickly advancing on the outer fence.  For her safety, Percy had ordered the line of riflemen to hold their fire until Crystal was in.  As she streaked past the line of young men, Crystal forgot about the dead a few yards away, all she could think about was that she was relieved to be wearing a sports bra today.  The last thing the men in her command needed was to be watching her tits flop up and down.
     
    With about 50 yards yet to go Crystal saw a thin Dee crawl under the lowest strand of barbwire.  It was wearing what appeared to be pajamas and pantsed itself as it came under.  Seeing the nude dead one wander about, would have been comical, if it weren't for the added danger it put Crystal under.  Crystal considered her options, she could stop and take a shot, which would allow more time for the dead to reach her.  She could try to shoot it as she ran, but she would have to get closer to it than she wanted.  She could try to run through it, but she was no running back.  Her best choice was to veer away  and squeeze through the narrowing gap.
     
    To Crystal's relief  a shot from one of the rooftop snipers rang out and dropped the Dee.  Crystal literally skidded to a stop at the gate.  The rooftop snipers were now keeping up a steady rate of fire.  As the gate closed behind her an out of breath Crystal could hear Percy giving the order to fire, but they were all frozen.  Crystal pulled the rifle out of the hands of the young man nearest her and began shooting breaking the ice. 
     
    Percy paced up and down, “Take your time. Don't vaste your ammo.  Aim at the head.” 
     
    Once the magazine was empty Crystal handed the rifle back, “Reload.” 
     
    From behind Crystal heard a small voice, “Captain”. 
     
    Turning she saw Cassie Brenner and her brother Travis, “Captain Mr. Parsons said to bring you a new shirt.” 
     
    As Cassie handed Crystal the T shirt, Travis asked, “What else do you need us to do?” 
     
    “I need you to be inside with the others” Crystal replied. 
     
    “Don't be that way, you know Cass and I can out shoot any ten of these others, we want to help.”, Travis stated in a matter of fact way. 
     
    Crystal handed a rifle to each of the twins and slung a third over her shoulder.  Motioning to the children to follow her, she directed them to the far side of the compound near the woods.  They had barely gotten into position when Hannah, the young woman Crystal patrolled the woods with and one of the guards assigned to Doug, emerged from the woods.  Hannah's clothes  were soaked in blood from multiple bites and her pistol still dangled from her dead hand. 
     
    Crystal sent a bullet to end Hannah's existence with a remorseful, “I'm sorry”
     
    Quicker than it began it was over.  With over 60 rifles in place just 20 to 30 rounds apiece