Free Z 2136 (Z 2134 Series Book 3) by Sean Platt, David W. Wright

that whatever was calling them to the swarm was more enticing than the possible dinner behind them. Colton slipped from his spot behind the counter to a position behind a shelf and out of Adam’s sight.
    Adam started to follow.
    “Don’t move,” Hooper growled a whisper into his ear as he held him in place. “They’ll kill us for sure. We couldn’t stand before we’d be dead.”
    Hooper surely wanted to say more and was probably biting his lip as he fell into silence.
    The silence was almost too much to bear. Adam had so many questions and couldn’t ask one. Hooper and Colton wouldn’t know the answers, but one of the things he wanted to know most, they’d both know for sure. Adam had already asked them each a bunch of times to please tell him what happened during The Opening Rush. With so many contestants, everything about The Games seemed different than he’d ever seen before. Colton’s weapon was impressive, with a silenced muzzle to keep sound from the zombies and a scope to allow him to eliminate enemies at a distance. But as Adam looked over the counter, outside into the street—the half dozen players were taking their time, surveying kills, and laughing loudly—Colton’s weapon didn’t seem quite as capable.
    The men outside carried giant guns. One had a weapon so huge it made Adam think of a cannon. He could see why even a brave man like Hooper would be frightened. He couldn’t see Colton from where they were huddled, but Adam figured it had to be true for him as well. And if his two protectors were scared, he didn’t stand a chance.
    Why didn’t the men outside leave? It was taking forever, and every second felt like the last he’d have before he died. His heart was beating so hard, Adam was certain the men outside could hear it. The only thing that gave him comfort was Hooper’s matching beat.
    He held his blaster, tight in his grip, ready to leap up and empty it into the bad guys outside, knowing that even his best attempt would be futile.
    “It’s OK,” Hooper whispered, now softer in his ear, as if reading his mind. “They’ll be gone soon. They’re just assholes, celebrating kills.”
    “How much longer?” The whisper felt dangerous as it slipped through his lips.
    “Not long.”
    Not long was too long.
    Black seemed blacker, every sound was a boom. He couldn’t help but picture Zelle on the rooftop and wonder how she was doing—and try not to think she was probably dead.
    As crunching glass grew faint enough to promise the men’s departure, Adam suddenly realized why The Special Edition offered so many guns.
    “They need to get rid of more people,” he said, louder than he meant. “So they gave more guns to the players!”
    From outside: “What was that?”
    Adam heard Hooper swallow.
    A long three minutes of silence followed, then the counter exploded in chunks as bullets ripped it to pieces. “Come on!” Colton cried out, crawling across the floor toward the rear exit.
    The door had no handle but gave way as Colton slammed his body against it. He stood on the other side, away from the line of fire, holding the door open for Hooper and Adam. Once through, all three ran as bullets flew into the building.
    Colton kicked the kitchen’s back door hard. It splintered at the knob and swung out into the alley. They ran as fast as they could, rounding the corner before the other players made it through the store, buying seconds from their pursuer’s confusion and the chance to gain distance or hide.
    As they reached the alley, Hooper’s Games bracelet began to scream, a high-pitched whistle.
    “Fuck!” Hooper yelled, slapping furiously at his wrist. Colton looked up and down the street as the bracelet screeched even louder. Hooper’s bracelet was bright blue, pulsing with beats of crimson and glowing in time with the screams.
    All at once they heard a chorus of undead. It sounded as if the zombies were approaching from every direction, just out of sight.
    “Come on!”