BOOK ONE
She had her whole life planned.
What she didn't plan for was the zombie apocalypse.
Eighteen-year-old Arryn Lycaster just graduated high school. With aspirations of becoming a veterinarian, she's ready to take the next step forward in lif...
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"The crops seem to be coming along nicely," a raspy voice said from behind.
Arryn dusted the damp soil off her hands, filling the air around her with an earthy aroma. A purple top of a turnip peeked through the dirt, marking the fifth crop they had produced since settling here.
"Thanks, Daniel. Are you needing something?" Arryn stood to find her father's old friend behind her. His full, silver beard came down about mid neck. Above the beard, electric-blue eyes stared at her. They looked worn and tired.
"We were getting ready to have a meeting. Needing to discuss a supply run. We ran out of medical supplies four weeks ago after you rescued Savannah. We need to be prepared in case one of us gets sick," Daniel explained.
"Let me pack up my things and I'll be right there," Arryn agreed with a nod.
Daniel gave her a small smile and took off back towards the house. She gathered her tools, placing them back in the small bag she had found them in. The sound of footsteps drew near.
"What did Daniel want?" Claire asked, placing the turnips she had in a basket. Trinity followed behind her, doing the same with her own vegetables.
"He's wanting to plan a supply run. You should probably attend the meeting too."
"Are you going to go back out there?" Trinity asked. Her voice trembled slightly. Claire placed an arm around the young girl, pulling her small body towards her hip.
"I don't know. If they need me to I will," Arryn replied. She picked up the basket full of the home-grown vegetables.
"What if the sick people get you?" Trinity cried. Her eyebrows scrunched on her face as tears threatened to sting her eyes.
"That won't happen. I heard the world is getting better out there," Arryn lied.
Claire shot her an understanding look. "Yeah. Maybe we'll get to go back soon."
"And maybe Mommy and Daddy will be feeling better?" Trinity asked, her voice rising in excitement.
A knot tied itself in Arryn's stomach. Guilt consumed her like one of the rabids. "Maybe."
On the short journey back to the lake house, Trinity seemed to have an extra pep in her step. This was the happiest she had seen the young girl in a long while. Arryn, however, felt horrible. It felt like a heavy weight had been placed on her shoulders that she was nowhere near capable of carrying.
Trinity went upstairs to wash up as Arryn and Claire headed into the kitchen. There stood their small group, all gathered together. Arryn placed the turnips in the sink and turned around to face her friends. Austin stood next to Daniel, the two talking amongst themselves. Dante sat at the table with Savannah right beside him, trailing his arm with a fingernail. He didn't look interested in whatever she may have been saying. Instead he seemed intent on listening to the conversation Daniel and Austin were holding.
