Val: Prequel to The Zombie Chronicles Read online

  VAL

  Prequel to the Zombie Chronicles

  Apocalypse Infection Unleashed Series

  By Chrissy Peebles

  Copyright © 2014 by Chrissy Peebles

  Smashwords Edition, License Notes

  This e-book is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This e-book may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of these authors.

  All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of both the copyright owner and the above publisher of this book.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, brands, media, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of various products referenced in this work of fiction, which have been used without permission. The publication/use of these trademarks is not authorized, associated with, or sponsored by the trademark owners.

  Quotes

  The zombie apocalypse has swept in like a violent storm, and every day is a fight to survive. Yes, it’s scary, and we have no guarantees that we’ll live to see the next sunrise. But there’s nothing we can do to stop it. We just have to let it run its course and pray that the zombies rot out soon. I’m not Rambo, Supergirl, or Xena, but I can’t let worry consume me either. Just because I’m not made out of titanium, that doesn’t mean I won’t make it to the finish line. I’ve gotta stay brave and keep fighting as hard as I can and never, ever give up hope.

  Val Bennett – zombie fighter & survivor

  I have to keep my footing, catch my breath, and keep walking the twisting path ahead. There are many huge hurdles to face. I don’t know what life holds for me, but I will survive as long as I can, and I won’t go down without a fight.

  Sammy Evans – survivor & zombie fighter

  Humans are a rare and endangered species. Swallowing down our fear, we must fight to protect humanity at all costs. Protecting the human race must be our number one priority. We need to fight for the future we want, not the one that’s been delivered to us. Taking back our world is a fight I will never give up on. And in my opinion, that makes every zombie hunter a very special breed of warrior.

  — Dean Walters - survivor & zombie hunter

  Val Book Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7mp43Ml4hvE

  Chapter 1

  I sped down the streets as thunder boomed and lightning flashed. The windshield wipers were swishing back and forth a million miles an hour as rain dumped down from the dark sky. When I punched the gas, I felt the tires slip on the slick pavement. The truck shuddered, but I quickly gained control.

  “What are you doing? We almost crashed!”

  “Not even close,” I argued.

  Jack swallowed hard. “Looked pretty close to me.”

  “Don’t be such a wuss, Jack.”

  “Val,” he barked, “we need to turn around…now!”

  “No,” I snapped. “We’ve come too far.”

  He muttered something under his breath, then said, “As if you have any say. Have you forgotten that this is my truck?”

  “We’re not going back,” I said firmly.

  “It’s crazy to be out here in this mess—not to mention that you’re wasting my precious gas.”

  “Quit whining.”

  “Maybe I would if you’d let me drive.”

  “You’re too slow, and every second counts. Time is of the essence, as they say, and you drive like a ninety-year-old woman.”

  “Maybe, but at least I don’t have a lead foot! There is something to be said for safety, Val. You drive like…a maniac.”

  I shot him a side look, and he about freaked.

  “Hey! At least keep your eyes on the freaking road, Val! And, for goodness sake, slow down!”

  I whipped around the corner as the tires squealed out in terror all their own. “For all we know, Sammy’s already dead, yet you’re whining about gas and speed limits!” I ignored my petrified passenger and kept the pedal to the floor.

  Jack went on and on, ranting about why we should turn around and go home. He was wearing on my nerves, and I was just about to throw him out on his butt when I noticed the roadblock up ahead: Multiple cars had crashed. I eased on the brakes and stopped the old pickup.

  “No way we’re getting through there,” he said. “Ya ask me, I think it’s some kind of omen. I told you we should go back!”

  “Omen? I think it was enough of an omen when our cozy little civilization crashed and burned and zombie hordes began sweeping across Earth and—”

  Jack rolled his eyes and cut me off. “Now who’s whining? Do you always have to be so…melodramatic, Val? But anyway, back to the point at hand. We’re not gettin’ through, and you’re not taking my truck on a demolition derby.”

  I blew out a long breath. “Then we try another way.”

  His frown turned into an expression of alarm. “No. This is where I draw the line,” he said. “I’m not going into the city…and don’t even ask me why, because you already know.”

  Worry flooded through me. “Jack, can’t you see that something’s wrong. Sammy shoulda been at my house hours ago. We have to go!”

  He sighed. “She’s probably out buying green hair dye for her next new look.”

  I shook my head. “You’re really something, you know that? A girl’s life is at stake, and—”

  “Okay, seriously. We’re talking about Sammy here,” he cut in. “She’s a moody teenager with blue hair and—”

  “Turquoise,” I corrected.

  “Blue, turquoise…who cares? She has freaky hair, pierced lips, and even a pierced nose. You know how flaky she can be. She’s a rebel without a cause.”

  “She has a perfectly relevant cause. There are zombies out there, or have you forgotten that? Besides, she’s done so much to help you on supply runs.”

  “Maybe, but the girl is lippy and nothing but trouble. She was trouble before the zombie apocalypse, and she’s worse now. Did you forget that she crashed your car only two days ago?”

  “Only because she was running from a zombie pack,” I reminded him. “I can just get another car. They’re a dime a dozen these days.”

  “Why do you always stick up for that juvenile delinquent?”

  I gripped the steering wheel tightly. “You don’t know her like I do. I’ve babysat her since she was five years old. Sammy’s like family.”

  “Is it fun to arrest your family?”

  “That only happened twice, and she learned her lesson.”

  “Then why’d she keep running away from home, living on the streets?”

  “Cut her a break, would ya? Sammy’s had a rough life.”

  “So what? She’s misunderstood?”

  “Something like that,” I said, backing the truck up.

  Jack peered ahead and pointed to the lumbering figures walking clumsily around. “It’s worse every time we come out here.”

  “I know. Their numbers are increasing every day,” I said.

  He gripped my arm. “Val, that’s exactly why I’m not going into the city. It’s way too dangerous. There’re hardly any survivors left. The ones who haven’t been shredded to bits have already flown the coop. You need to face the
fact that the heart of Philadelphia is dead. It’s time to move on.”

  “How can you say that, Jack?” I retorted. “This is our home.”

  “Not anymore,” he whispered. “It hasn’t been for a year, since Z Day.”

  “So you’re just gonna give up?” I said.

  “Give up? Heck, Val, you, me, and Sammy—we’ve already lost our entire family. The zombie population has tripled in the last few months. You know it’s a death sentence to stay here. Plus, like you said, we don’t even know if Sammy is…” Overcome with emotion, he trailed off for a moment, then continued, “They’re gonna take us out one by one, until we’re all dead. We’re their only food source, and humans are getting quite scarce.”

  “I’ve gotta get Sammy out of the inner city. She’ll be safe with me.”

  “Just because you live on the outskirts of Philly, that doesn’t make it any safer.”

  I looked away, knowing he was right. I loved living in Chestnut Hill. It was located in the northwestern corner of Philadelphia, PA, ten miles from City Hall. I lived in the official Historic District that boomed with historic homes, parks, gardens, museums, 200 antique stores, art galleries, boutique shops, cafes, and fine restaurants. My place wasn’t the fanciest but I loved it nevertheless.

  “I know it’s not any safer. It’s getting harder and harder to survive out here.”

  “A big group of us have been…well, we’re talking about leaving next week. I think you should come with us. You’ll never make it out here alone.”

  I looked at him like he’d gone as mad as the mindless undead who were devouring people. “No. I’m not leaving my home.”

  “Then you’ll be dead before the end of the year, just like all your loved ones.”

  His words pissed me off, and I threw the truck into park, opened the door, got out, and stood there in the rain. “You obviously don’t know me as well as you thought, Jack. I don’t run away from my problems.”

  “Val, what the heck are you doing? Get back in here. They’re out there!”

  “I know, and if one comes anywhere near me, I’ll shoot its rotting head off!”

  “They’ll gang up on you. You won’t have a chance.”

  I slung my rifle over my shoulder. “I’m going to go find Sammy—with or without you.”

  His eyes widened in fear. “It’s way too dangerous. Let’s give her some more time. If she doesn’t show by tonight, we’ll take a team and go look for her in the morning.”

  I shook my head. “Uh-uh. She could be dead by then.”

  “She’s been late plenty of times before.”

  “It’s her seventeenth birthday. She wouldn’t have missed the little party I planned for her, and she had to know I’d hunt her little butt down for being a no-show. Something’s wrong, and I’m gonna find out what it is.”

  “Get in the truck!” was his only reply.

  “So…is this goodbye or what, Jack?”

  His face hardened. “It very well could be if you take one step into that city.”

  “I really could use somebody to watch my back.”

  “Val, it’s just…look, you know Suzy is nine months pregnant. I can’t take a foolish risk like that. I’m gonna be a father, and I need to behave like one.”

  “I get it. I do. You’d better go though. They’re coming.”

  “Val, what’s with you? Do you enjoy flirting with death? Have some kind of death wish?”

  I shrugged. “I do what I have to do to survive…and to protect the ones I love.”

  “So do I, and that’s exactly why I can’t go.”

  I gave him a halfhearted smile to make him realize I understood, and then I walked off. I couldn’t force him to drive me into the city, as he had a lot to lose. But I wouldn’t desert Sammy out there either. My only choice was to go solo. As I walked away around the tangle of cars blocking the main street, I heard Jack screaming, pleading for me to come back, trying to talk me out of going. Still, I wasn’t about to turn back.

  Several zombies stumbled around, but I quickly ducked behind an abandoned armored truck. I was dressed perfectly for the occasion, with all the right accessories: a tactical black vest, with a cross-draw holster secured by a side-release buckle for quick access, in case I needed my handgun. I had four pistol magazine pouches and three double-stack pouches that held a lot of ammo. A knife was strapped to my leg, and my trusty rifle was within reach right over my shoulder.

  I peeked out from my hiding place and took a deep breath, scanning the area for potential threats. The corpses were heading toward Jack, who was still screaming, but when he saw them, he had no choice but to speed away, peeling out on the pavement. I hated that he wouldn’t go with me, but he had his reasons. The one good thing for me was that his yelling had distracted several of the zombies, allowing me to get by rather easily.

  I pointed my gun in front of me and walked briskly, darting my gaze around to keep a close eye on my surroundings. I turned left, walked down the street, then made a right. I was thankful that the rain had let up, but after that mini-monsoon, water was still dripping from my hair.

  Four zombies shuffled toward me, and I briefly wished again that Jack had come with me for backup, but I knew I could handle that quarrelsome quartet on my own. I calculated my options. The key was not to be too loud or make too much of a commotion, as I didn’t want to invite more undead guests to the party. I knew gunshots would be like a dinner bell. While the zombies were clumsy and weren’t capable of rational thought, their ears seemed to work just fine. The last thing I wanted to do was send out a dinner invite where I’d be the main course. I quickly debated whether or not to use firepower, and I decided guns were my best option. Even if more did show up, I was on the move, and my legs and brain worked a whole lot better than theirs.

  Chapter 2

  I raised my gun and took careful aim, hoping for precision shots every time. I fired off my first shot, and the bullet lodged deep in the first zombie’s cranium. The thing fell into a huge mud puddle with a splash. Water dripped down my face as I carefully trained my weapon on the next zombie, who was walking with an unsteady gait. Just as I let off that shot, its creepy companion ambushed me from the left. When I turned in that direction, I met its grotesque gaze; it immediately went into a frenzy, lunging at my face in bloodlust and unquenchable hunger. I felt like some kind of zombie-age Terminator with my rifle as I pulled the trigger. The gun packed an enormous blow, embedding pellets all throughout the creature’s deteriorating face from point-blank range.

  I took the fourth one down quickly, only to discover that a fifth had joined the throng. My power-charged bullet sliced through the air with a whoosh and landed in the zombie’s left cheek. It moaned as raindrops poured down its slimy black hair and oozing face. Much to my surprise, it kept walking, locked on me like my flesh was some kind of homing beacon. I fired again and shot it straight between the eyes. This time, it fell backward with a hiss. I silently and quickly moved through the streets, hiding behind anything I could use for cover.

  About ten zombies blocked my path, but every other exit would take me too far out of the way. I didn’t want to be in that city any longer than I had to. The most efficient strategy would be to take them down, to clear myself a path. So, I knelt down behind a black vehicle and aimed, then fired off a round that sent them straight back to Hell. The second they were down, I leapt up, my heart pounding. I nudged them in the side, just to make sure they were dead before I walked over them. When they didn’t move, I nudged them again. Once I was sure they were permanently out of commission, I stepped over them carefully and headed down the street.

  When I spied three more walking freaks, more shots cut through the air. I quickly slung my rifle back over my shoulder, ran down two more streets, turned left and then right. The rain began to pelt me again as I took another left turn at full speed and squatted behind a red car. My breath froze in my throat. Moans, hisses, and growls echoed through the rain as it finally began to let up again,
coming from a huge group of thirty or more. Peeking out, I watched them shamble around like they were in a daze. I slowly crept back, not making a sound, ready to look for an alternative route to Sammy’s apartment building.

  As soon as I rose to my feet, bony, black fingers gripped my shoulder. My stomach clenched, but I found the strength to spin around and kick it in the chest. As it stumbled back, I quickly aimed my rifle at its chest, but I knew I couldn’t make that much noise with that huge horde lurking around the corner. I kicked it again, much harder this time. It flew back into telephone pole, then slumped down. I rushed over and slammed my boots into its skull. Another one came from behind, and I smashed its head in with the butt of my gun. As soon as it hit the ground in a bloody heap, I took off down the street. I glanced around and sighed in relief; the coast seemed to be clear.

  Just as I was about to walk a little farther, I noticed several red dots of light bouncing around. “Laser tag? Great,” I tried to joke, glancing upward at the snipers on the rooftop, survivors who had their laser-sighted weapons trained on me. I was sorely outnumbered and a stranger to them, so I didn’t want to agitate them or end up in a standoff. I waved my arms in the air to let them know that I was human and meant them no harm. “Don’t shoot!” I screamed.

  The man with a baseball cap and beard stared at me for a long, hard moment, then waved.

  When I saw the group lower their weapons, I shrugged in relief, then ran away as fast as I could. I turned down Cypress Street and made my way, cautiously, to a small apartment building.

  The door was propped open with boxes, and Sammy’s neighbor was carrying a large one down the stairs.

  “Mrs. Jaleno, have you seen Sammy?” I frantically asked.