Feeding Frenzy

Chapter 11

"Go," Ford said as soon as he heard the gunshots. "Now."

Evey ran to the edge of the giftcard store. She peered into the hall to see the Infected wandering out of stores. They were chomping at the air as they growled. Evey's eyes darted to the escalator that was just a few meters away.

Ford grabbed Evey's arm and ran. Evey struggled to keep up with his wide strides. He did not let go of her arm and pulled her down the escalator. She had to watch her feet to stop herself from tripping. This prevented her from looking at the hoard of Infected following them. The Infected were trying to push past each other, each having a greater craving for flesh and blood. Evey heard the cacophony of growls and screeches. She could not hear her own scream when one of the Infected touched her shoulder.

Once they were off the escalator, Ford dragged Evey toward the door. He let go of her to helo her through the shattered hole. He followed behind her and looked at the Infected running into the door. A few trickled through the hole.

"To the trucks," Ford told Evey.

Before she could speak, Ford fired his gun. A line of Infected fell as their brains splattered on the pavement. Evey ran away, desperate to get to the twins. She needed to know that they were safe.

She passed Gomez as she ran. Gomez stood beside Ford and joined him in firing bullets. The Infected continued to charge through the door and tripped over the line of bodies.

Evey got back to the rest of the civilians. Harrington was holding onto a sobbing Nicole. Evey looked around for Ivan. When she could not find him, she understood why Nicole was a mess. She was crumpled in Harrington's arms and crying out.

Evey watched the Infected fall as they were shot in the head. Evey could not take her eyes off the bodies wandering out of the mall. The air went silent and Evey's ears rang when they stopped firing. Gomez swore as he lowered his gun.

"Let's get out of here," he said.

"Johnson is in there," Ford said.

"Screw Johnson!"

The glass crunched under a pair of shoes. Gomez and Ford turned and raised their guns. Connar walked into the parking lot holding his hands up. The hedge clippers were in his one hand. His face twisted as he tensed his body, looking like he was prepared to be shot.

"Don't shoot," Connar said. "I don't want to eat any of you."

Ford lowered his gun. Johnson came through the shattered door. His brows furrowed as he looked at Nicole sobbing in Harrington's arms. Johnson stepped next to Ford.

"What happened?" Johnson asked.

Ford lifted his chin to gesture toward Gomez.

"Tell him," Ford said.

Gomez sighed. He snuck a glance at Nicole. She was fighting to get out of Harrington's hold and charge into the mall.

"Her boyfriend died," Gomez said.

"How?" Johnson asked.

"He was eaten."

Ford looked across the parking lot to see Evey was at the truck. The backdoor was open and she was leaning in. He assumed she was talking to the twins. He hoped she had somehow washed the blood off her face. His eyes scanned her bare legs. Johnson cleared his throat when he caught Ford staring.

"We should get back to the trucks and keep moving," Johnson said.

"I can't take that girl anymore," Gomez said. "She'll kill me."