Free Outbreak The Living (The Outbreak Series) by Deausha Kristal

Walking to the picture window, I push the curtain back and look out. The sun is starting to come up. I can hear the birds chirping. Looking up at the sky it has dark, angry clouds that look like the promise of rain and a lot of it.
    Letting the curtain fall back to where it was, I go looking for Mack.  Looking around the old house I wonder who lived here. What were they like? I look over to where I see some pictures on the wall. Walking over to them I see that it is an entire family.  A mother and father with three kids.  I wonder what happened to them. I guess it really does not matter, now does it? Hearing someone behind me I turn around as Mack’s arms go around my waist, I can tell that he’s not too sure what to do. Wrapping my arms around him I hug him tight.
    “Morning, Mack. I thought we were going to leave sometime late last night?” I ask.
    Loosening my arms, I look up into his eyes. I try to read how he is feeling. But Mack is Mack and he is stoned-faced.
    “You needed to rest. So after you eat and get cleaned up, we’ll head out.” Looking down at me, I can tell that there’s something else he’s not telling me.
    “Mack, you’ve always been straight with me, please don’t stop now,” I say.
    “OK, Egypt, in three days we have to meet up with Sal. When we followed Hunter and that other guy from the house, Sal decided to follow the other guy because he was going after a woman and a kid. I came for you,” he says, looking everywhere but at me.
    Looking at his chest, I let out a heavy breath. I can see I was not the only one that felt the way I do as I give Mack another hug.
    “Does the shower work, Mack?” I ask.
    “Yep, hot water and all. Why don’t you go get cleaned up and we will head out,” he says.
    Looking up at him, I let go and back up.
    “You got it, I’ll be twenty minutes and we can head out,” I say smiling.
    Walking to where I dropped my backpack, I bend down and grab it, heading towards the stairs. Looking back Mack is rolling up the sleeping bag, getting the stuff together. Reaching the top of the stairs I see that the bathroom is at the back of the house. Heading to the door I walk in and close it. Walking to the shower I turn it on, as it warms up I get out of my dirty clothes. Grabbing my pack, I pull out clean clothes- a tank top and jeans.  Jumping into the shower I make short work of washing my hair, it is getting a bit too long. When we get back home I am going to have my mom cut it. Grabbing the body wash that was there, I start to wash off.
    What the hell is up with Sal? He goes after another woman and leaves saving me to Mack? That is just crazy, I know that I would have never slept with him. I know we came close. He just feels like a close friend but to up and ditch me. That hurts.  I would have never done that to him. I guess when we meet up, we are really going to need to talk. Mack was right, it has always been him but I have been too blind to see it. Turning off the water I grab a towel and get out. The air is a bit chilly so I hurry up and get dressed. Brushing out my hair I pull it up into a ponytail.  Grabbing my things, I stuff them into the backpack. Slinging it over my shoulder I open the door and head down the stairs. My knee is still bothering me but not as bad as before. Taking my hand I run it down my ribs, they're still sore too, but again, not that bad.
    Making my way into the living room, Mack has some food set out. Dropping my bag by the door, I sit down and open the can of pop, grabbing the beef jerky I rip it open and throw a piece into my mouth.  Mack comes walking in from the kitchen.
    “You ready to go?” I ask.
    “Whenever you are, Egypt,” he says.
    Hmm, I see that he is back to his oh so cocky self. Just like when I first met him. Finishing up with the jerky, I get up and stuff the rest in my pack. Throwing it over my shoulder, I look back at Mack.
    “Ready when you are,” I say.
    Mack walks up behind me and hands me my 9mm. I