BETTER SAFE THAN ZOMBIE

OZTS 8| Checkmate

I startled awake hours before dawn.

At first, while I was still in my dreamlike state, I thought it was because I was uncomfortable.

My body was sticky with sweat, the crowdedness of the shed promoting humidity. I was incapsulated in a tangle of limbs, burying me in. Even Houdini would probably have trouble getting out.

"Ugh," I grunted, pushing Hazel's arm off my chest. I rolled to my left, then went still.

Eyes wide, I stared back at Christian's face, inches away from mine.

"Hail Mary, Mother of God," I swore. The hair on the back of my neck stood up, and I immediately tried to sit. 'Tried' because trapped as I was, the only way I'm going to get out of this human web is if I forcefully wake them up, and there's no way in hell I'm going to make Christian wake up and see how close he was to spooking me.

Hell no.

I tried to inch away, but there's no space to move back in on my right. Hazel practically spread-eagled that entire region. If a national flag had been staked on the ground, I wouldn't have been surprised.

"Come on Kath," I muttered, trying to think. Christian's soft exhales tickled my left cheek, so I turned my back on him. We were so close I could feel the warmth emnating from his body. Jesus. His chest practically touched my back.

Kath, focus!

I looked down and saw that my legs were pinned down by Ethan's body. He was splayed down, much like his girlfriend, all four limbs stretched out like a starfish. And Hazel's leg was thrown over my stomach.

"I swear these two are going to kill me someday," I muttered under my breath, trying to move them off me.

Thank God Christian didn't seem to be an energetic sleeper and was still nursing the same position he had last night when he slept.

Not that I observed him or anything. Definitely not.

Gently, I removed Hazel's legs and sat up, then pulled my legs under Ethan. I breathed a sigh of relief and instantly stood up, happy to be free of the human web.

Mr. and Mrs. Blake were at the far corner of the shed, arms wrapped around each other. Mr. Williams was at Hazel's left, sitting with his back to the wall. He seemed to have no problem sleeping despite the uncomfortable position.

Then again, who among us was comfortable sleeping inside this extra small shed?

I looked around for Kailey, my mouth twisting when I found her. Of course she'd be at Christian's side. Where else would she be? Her face was pressed behind his neck, her arms wrapped around his waist, holding tightly.

Oh, look, National Geographic. I found a koala!

Rolling my eyes, I made my way towards the door of the shed, careful not to step on anyone. I practically stank of sweat and blood, and the humidity in the shed was starting to kill me.

The sun was just starting to rise up in the sky when I stepped out and closed the door behind me. Inhaling fresh air, I stretched my arms and tilted my face upwards.

"Damn," I murmured. "The sun feels so good."

"That's kind of erotic," a voice said.

I yelped. My gun was suddenly in my hands and I whirled around, my heart leaping into my throat.

The barrel of my gun was pointed at a kid, who with his pale face and curly hair didn't seem to be over the age of twelve. His hands were raised up, palms facing me.