Free Omega Virus (Book 1): Beta Hour by Jake A. Strife

gun! The Lord'll never allow that!”
    “No
‘Lord’ is coming to save us. We’re all officially in hell.”
    “W-what
if I miss?” she whimpered.
    “Then
you take a deep breath and try again.”
    “If
my angel says so!”
    We
found both pistols and retrieved the dagger from Henry’s body.
    “It’s
freezing outside. Why are you dressed like that?” I asked as we passed the
women's clothing section.
    “Pa
made me dress like this.” She sighed.
    I
waved my hand. “The store is yours. Pick out what you like, but hurry.”
    Her
only wardrobe addition became a button down flannel shirt.
    On
our way to the front, we bumped into Tiffany, who had two backpacks slung over
her shoulders.
    “Medical
supplies,” She explained.
    “Looks
like Kessa knows how to do sutures,” I faked a smile.
    Tiffany
looked the girl up and down. “I don’t have any of that here. I only could find
pain killers and some bandages.”
    “It
will only be a temporary fixing then, my—”
    Tiffany
groaned. “Please don’t call him an angel.”
    Wesley
shouted from upstairs. “You guys didn’t leave did you?”
    “That
bitch Kessa better not have left me,” Merlda added.
    “No
way! Tiffany has the hots for me!” Wesley argued.
    Tiffany
trembled with rage, so I quickly shouted. “We’re down here!”
    “Oh
goodie!” Wesley cheered. They stepped onto the escalators, but halfway down
they stopped moving.
    “Annnnnd
there goes the power,” Wesley said.
    “It
was only a matter of time.” Merlda sighed.
    Tiffany
walked up to Wesley as he reached the bottom. “We’ve taken too much time as it
is. Let's go!”
    Wesley
shook his head. “Changed my mind. I think I like it here. We aren’t leaving.”
    “Yes,
we are.” Tiffany snatched Wesley’s hat off his head and sprinted for the exit.
    Wesley
screeched like a two-year-old. “My Zombie Killing Hat!”
    He
bolted after her, a backpack full of weaponry over his shoulder.
    “Did
he just say his ‘Zombie Killing Hat’?” Merlda asked.
    I
shrugged. “He’s got a high score to keep.”
    “So
he’s a nerd? Disappointing, I had plans for him later.”
    I
narrowed my eyes. “There’s nothing wrong with nerds.”
    “Are
you okay?” Kessa asked Merlda, who had broken into a sweat.
    She
shrugged in response. “My stomach just hurts, is all.”
    “Well,
time to go!” I announced and turned for the exit.
    At
first, Kessa didn't want to walk, but finally , she helped me hobble away .
    Outside
the rain drizzled, and soon became freezing rain. Tiffany had already reached
the SUV while Wesley trailed her, waving his hands like an idiot.
    “Please
don't hurt her!” He screamed, drawing the eyes of every Corpse in the parking
lot. “They don't make them anymore.”
    I
might have laughed, but given the hungry undead everywhere; I held it in. Even
with Kessa's help, every step felt like labor. Merlda barely kept up herself.
Halfway to the car, she came to a full halt and doubled over coughing.
    “Are
you okay?” Kessa and I turned as Merlda lowered her now blood-stained hands.
    She
cursed. “Crap. I’m pregnant, ya know. I think it's the baby.”
    “Are
you miscarrying?” Kessa gasped.
    “Something
isn’t right.” She muttered then fell to her knees.
    I
looked around frantically. The SUV sat a few dozen yards away. If I yelled, I
risked drawing the Corpses.  
    “I’ll
be fine,” She wiped her mouth.
    “Are
you sure? Maybe we can—” I asked.
    Merlda
slowly stood. “I said, I’ll . Be. Fine.”
    I
wanted to help, but at the same time, I didn’t. My friends were worth more than
her.
    “Let’s
get her in the car,” I told Kessa.
    Ahead,
Tiffany glared through the SUV’s window. Her and her attitude; always mad for
one reason or another.
    We
made it before any Corpses caught us. Merlda sat in the middle seat, resting
her head on Kessa's shoulder. Tiffany took the driver's seat while Wesley
grumbled next to her without his hat, which meant she hid it from