Free Break Free The Night (Book 1) by E.M. Fitch Page B

if it was truly a Hummer because almost every inch of it was covered in sheet metal that had been fused to the various parts. The metal was twisted and dented and in places looked burnt but it seemed to serve it s’ purpose. Layers and layers of chicken wire and grates covered the windshield and windows and though it would have made it very difficult to see, it would also have been nearly impossible to smash.
     
                  “ You see how the top is higher than it should be ?” Andrew asked, pointing again. Kaylee nodded although she had not initially noticed that .“ They tore the roof off and built it up, leaving space for Jack to stand and shoot if he needs to. And all the seats were torn out for extra storage space. The y’ ve been driving that thing all over the country and nothin g’ s taken it down yet .” Andrew seemed grudgingly excited by their creation.
     
                  “ I t’ s impressive ,” Kaylee conceded, not so much at the car but at the fact that they had indeed made it this far without getting bitten.
     
                  “ I keep telling Dad I could do something like that with one of the fire engines, but he does n’ t listen ,” Andrew grumbled, pushing away from the wall and moving towards the stairs .“C’ mon, le t’ s get downstairs and maybe get some more sleep. I t’ s going to be a long night tonight, believe me . ”
     
                  Kaylee nodded and followed, but she knew there was no way sh e’ d be getting back to sleep.
     

Chapter Five
     
                  A soft knock brought Kaylee out of her light doze. She stirred and mumbled for whomever it was to enter, pushing her warm blanket away from her and sitting up.
     
                  After she had left Andrew on the stairwell, turning away from the smirk Jack shot her from the supply room where he must have camped the previous night, she had opted out of returning to Anna in the infirmary. Instead she tiptoed down the hall to her own room. Emma was snoring lightly, curled up into a tight ball with her blankets twisted all around her. Kaylee had decided to let her sleep.
     
                  And though she had initially thought sleep would evade her, as she lay on her side staring towards the bright sunlight filtering through her window she felt her eyes drift close. The warm sensation of safety, security, washed over her and she was pulled unwittingly into slumber.
     
                  “ Kaylee? Emma? Wh o’ s up ?” The soft voice that followed the knock sounded unsure and nervous.
     
                  “I’ m up Dad ,” Kaylee answered as his head peeked into the room. Emma gave a loud snort and rolled over. Nick seemed to sag as he strode into the room and he very nearly pulled Kaylee out of her bed as he hugged her.
     
                  “ I thought you were with Anna and I went there and you were gone and I did n’ t know what that meant or if you were okay o r —”
     
                  She laughed into his shoulder, interrupting him in an attempt to lighten the mood .“I’ m okay ,” she reassured him and she heard him inhale quickly before he let her go. He looked tired, even more so than usual. His eyes were drawn and heavy lidded and he closed them as he rubbed his fingertips into his forehead, his thumb holding anchor by his temple.
     
                  “ Yo u’ re not picking corn ever again ,” he breathed as he sat next to her on her rumpled covers. Kaylee rolled her eyes and chuckled.
     
                  “ Normally I’ d jump at the chance to get out of a bit of work, but i t’ s really not necessary, Dad . ”
     
                  “ You have to be more careful, Kay ,” he continued, his voice hardening as his eyes flashed open .“ I t’ s not a joke and i t’ s not like we can just take a drive to an E.R. any old