Free Ash: Book One in the Rising Ash Saga by R.G. Westerman Page B

room, pausing to listen. It shuffles back and forth, scraping its rotted, tattered shoes along the concrete floor. At least, it is staying away from the boy and the woman. 
                  Okay.
                  I take a deep breath.
                  First, I slowly pull back the cot, scooting it out of the way with a loud scrape against the concrete. My fingers fumble with the small latch at the door. The ancient property has not been lived in for ages. I can only hope the door swings open in one motion. With one last breath, I tighten my grip around the handle of my knife and pull the door open.
                  Jumping back, I give myself enough space while the creature advances on me. In this small room, the sickly sweet stench of rotting flesh is nearly overpowering. It comes at me slowly and steadily; I circle around trying to keep the space between us. I have seen them often enough, the dead eyes, the rotting skin. This one has a flap of pink flesh hanging from its face and exposing the bone white jaws, teeth jutting from black ichor. The creature emits a small growl, nothing more than a gurgle deep in the back of its throat.
                  I leap forward and swipe at the creatures face looking to gain purchase with my blade. I miss and it lunges towards me, teeth clamping dangerously close to my forearm. In my periphery I see the woman, staring at me with increased horror, clutching more fiercely to the boy. Her mouth forms a small circle, drawn tight against her teeth.
                  She nears panic.
                  If they make a sound and draw his attention, there is no guarantee that I can take him down before he gets to them. I need to dispatch this thing quickly. This one seems slow so far, but I have seen them exhibit bursts of speed without warning. Hopefully, the small space can work in my favor.
                  I lunge again swinging my knife with careful aim.
                  Right through the eyeball.
                  The knife lands without much fanfare, just a small squishy sound. When I pull the knife out the creature collapses at my feet, no longer a danger to me or anyone else in this world. I grab the crossbow, slinging it over my shoulder on my way out the door.
                  I see the woman's face collapse in relief. The threat is gone.
                  For now.
                  I leave the creature, stepping over it carefully. Once outside I clean the viscera off my knife blade, wiping it against the ground and placing it back in the sheath.
                  “You two okay?” I call over to them.
                  She does not answer right away but gives a short quick nod.
                  “It's alright,” I say as I walk over towards them, careful to keep my shoulders relaxed. Just because I removed the danger does not mean they see me as an ally. Besides, I learned a long time ago that approaching new people always poses a risk. The irony remains, even though every stranger could be a threat, it is safer to run with a group than alone. I pause at the bottom of the stairs, hands up and front of me with my palms out.
                  The woman stands and pulls the boy to his feet. He looks like he might be about seven years old. They both appear frightfully thin. I smile when I catch his eye, raising my hand in a small wave.
                  “Where are the two of you headed?” I ask.
                  She does not answer right away. They both stand there watching me with obvious suspicion. I need to get her talking.
                  “I'm headed into town myself,” I continue. “Heading in on a supply run.”
                  I reach behind me to my backpack and pull out the last scrap of jerky, literally the last piece. As if approaching a wild