Val: Prequel to The Zombie Chronicles

by Peebles, Chrissy

  “Huh?” Claire said, snapping a piece of chewing gum rather annoyingly.

  “Nothing.”

  Suddenly, gunshots rang out, and my heart pounded. I ran to the window and spotted a rotting corpse heading toward Dean on unbalanced feet. He struck the creature, but another one came up from behind him. He swung around and struck it in the nose, then stumbled back. Dean raised his sledgehammer, but something grabbed hold of his ankle and knocked him backward on his butt, sending his weapon flying straight out of his hands.

  “They need help!” I shouted. “Why aren’t you out there fighting with them?”

  “They told us to wait in here,” Claire frantically said.

  “I don’t care what they told you,” I shouted. “How can you just sit in here watching that?” Anger flooded through me. My brothers were out there fighting for their lives, and the girls were doing nothing to help them. I didn’t even wait for their answer. I started running through the house, looking for anything I could use as a suitable weapon. My heart raced as I ripped the place apart. When I noticed a board jutting out of the back of the closet, I pried it loose, figuring it would at least give me some fighting chance. Much to my delight, there was something much more menacing behind it: a stash of guns and ammo. My heart danced in victory. I grabbed a rifle and loaded it, then grabbed a weapon for Dean and some ammo for Nick. “Grab some guns and let’s go,” I said.

  “But I don’t know how use a gun,” Claire said.

  As I passed the girls, I shot them a look. “You two are unbelievable.”

  From a distance, ghouls staggered toward Dean and Nick in every direction. Through the scope, I aimed at the zombie with frizzy, black hair, dressed in a blue jogging suit. My shot echoed in the crisp morning air, and the zombie let go of Dean. Its brains exploded from its head, painting the grass with a fresh coat of gore. I stood just outside the door, a rifle tucked into my shoulder, squeezing off one shot after another, taking down the rest of the undead army.

  I smiled at Dean, who waved in appreciation, then turned my attention to Nick, who looked stunned. He was wearing military garb, a uniform in desert camo. He was big and buff and looked like he was ready, willing, and able to take down anything in his path. I couldn’t have been happier to call him my brother.

  “Camouflage and combat boots?” I asked. “You’re military all the way, aren’t you?”

  “You know it,” he said. “Where did you find a rifle?” Nick asked.

  “Somebody who lived here musta been a proud member of the NRA. There was a false wall in the bedroom closet, and the cubbyhole is loaded with a few weapons of near-mass destruction.”

  “That’s awesome!” Dean said.

  Nick flashed a smile. “You’re as resourceful as me.”

  I shrugged. “Well, what can I say? I’m the curious type.”

  “That was a compliment,” Nick said, slapping my shoulder slightly, “because I’m pretty resourceful myself.”

  I blushed. “Uh…okay. In that case, thanks.”

  Nick rubbed the back of his neck, slightly embarrassed. “Uh…I didn’t have too much time to look around. You were passed out, and I was worried for everyone’s safety with all those zombies around, and—”

  Clearly, he was embarrassed that I’d found the guns before he did. I didn’t really care though; all that mattered was that we’d found them and that they’d help us get the job done. “No need for explanations,” I said. “We’re all on the same team. But if I were you, I’d go upstairs and raid the gun supply.” I then reached down and threw Dean a handgun, which he caught in one swift move. I regarded Dean from under lowered brows. “You know how to use one, right?”

  “Yep,” he said. “I’ve been training at the shooting gallery for some time now.”

  “Good.” I was glad he wasn’t sitting around that island feeling safe, like those ditzy girls. Learning to shoot and handle a gun was a necessity for everyone, and it was good to know my little brothers were armed and dangerous.

  Nick put his gun away. “Thanks for saving our butts back there.”

  “Hey, what are long-lost sisters for?” I asked.

  We both smiled, and I could tell by his uneasy grin that Dean must’ve filled him in on my identity. He didn’t seem at all confused.

  “It’s nice to finally meet you, Nicholas,” I said.

  “Please call me Nick. I-I don’t even know where to begin. I have so many questions. This entire thing has totally taken me by surprise.”

  I grinned. When I’d first learned about it, I’d had a similar reaction. Now, Nick completed the puzzle. Even if the experimental serum didn’t work, I’d met my entire biological family, and I could die knowing that they knew about me and loved me just as much as I loved them.

  Nick ran up to me, hugged me tight, and spun me in a circle. “Dean told me a little but not much. I think he was afraid I was gonna kick his butt for hiding you under that blanket without telling me.”

  “We’ll catch up later, okay?” I asked, realizing it was neither the time nor the place.

  “Right. Let’s move out. We need to search this place from top to bottom for supplies and get those vehicles running.”

  “We can’t stay here,” I said. “It’s a death trap. There are way too many trees out there, and all those woods for zombies to hide in. Besides, the whole house is made of glass. I’m sure the owners used to love the view, but I personally don’t like it now. It’s best to hit the road as soon as we can.”

  Nick motioned around to the dead zombies on the ground. “I didn’t know I had such a tough sister.”

  “There’s a lot you don’t know about me, but I’m hoping we’ll have all the time in the world for you to figure it all out,” I said, desperately hoping the serum would work.

  Dean laughed and joined in on the reunion.

  I held their hands, and tears welled up in my eyes. I was happy again, if only for a moment. My emotions were a mess, and I couldn’t control how I reacted. My whole life had changed in a matter of days. I had two little brothers, and I was amazed to be standing next to them. I had always hated being an only child and had wished so many times that I’d had siblings.

  So many mixed emotions and feelings swarmed through me that I wasn’t sure what to think or do. I loved my new family, but I would also never forget the adoptive family who had raised me. The nurturing and love they’d given me was something I cherished, and I would always hold a special place for them in my heart. They had loved me unconditionally, without the bond of bloodlines, and I would always be thankful for that.

  “I’ve waited so long for this moment,” I finally said. “I’ve met my biological parents and both of my brothers. This is best day of my life! I can’t possibly let those monsters take that away from me. I really, really hope that serum works”

  “I hate to remind you, but we did just crash right in the middle of Zombie Land.”

  “It doesn’t matter. We’re together, and that’s all that counts.”

  Even though it had barely been a day, I already loved them, and now that I had them, I prayed that the treatment would work. The virus would soon wreak havoc on my body. I touched the wound on my arm, and it hurt badly. All I could do was hope for the best, that the serum would heal me and that we could all get to a safe place and be together.

  I wasn’t sure if happy endings were still a reality or not, but even though I’d been through so much pain and suffering, I would fight to survive and never give up. I didn’t know where Sammy, Kyle, or Jenny were, and that tore my heart in two. I vowed that if I did recover, I would do everything in my power to find them. I was sure Kyle would keep the others safe. I really believed that with all my heart.

  I pondered everything as my life hung in the balance. Wow, I thought. It’s amazing how philosophical a person becomes when faced with death. I had never valued my life as much as I did when it was about to be taken away from me. I didn’t know what the future held, but I would face it head on, bravely and
strongly, and—above all else—I would never, ever give up hope.

  To Be Continued…

  Did you enjoy Val? : ) If so, I’d love for you to consider writing a review. Thank you so much for your awesome support because so many times new authors are overlooked and are not given a chance.

  This is only the beginning…There’s 7 other books out that follow this story.

  ***Read the first 3 chapters of The Zombie Chronicles below***

  *This is a young adult book series. The Zombie Chronicles feature Dean’s struggles as he tries to survive in an entirely new world. I hope you enjoy this series, and thank you for giving Book 1 a chance!*

  You’ve just read the prequel. Welcome to the Apocalypse Infection Unleashed Series!

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

  Book 1 – The Zombie Chronicles (FREE read!) The Zombie Chronicles Book Trailer: http://youtu.be/ociUHiL1g70

  Book 2 – Race for the Cure

  Book 3 – Deadly City

  Book 4 – Poisonous Serum

  Book 5 – Undead Nightmare

  Book 6 – Revelation

  Book 7 – Trepidation

  Book 8 – Impact (due out in summer 2014)

  Warning: Mild violence. For mature teens and young adults.

  The Zombie Chronicles Book Trailer: http://youtu.be/ociUHiL1g70

  Val was bitten by a zombie, and now she’s scheduled for lethal injection. Breaking all the rules, eighteen-year-old Dean Walters, Val’s brother, snags an experimental serum, but it can’t be tested until Val turns into a zombie, something authorities won’t allow. Her execution is scheduled before transformation is complete, giving Dean only hours to break her out.

  When their helicopter crashes right in the heart of Zombie Land, Dean’s rescue mission becomes a fight for survival, and giving up his sister is NOT an option.

  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

  The Zombie Chronicles – Book 1

  Apocalypse Infection Unleashed Series

  by

  Chrissy Peebles

  Copyright 2012 by Chrissy Peebles

  http://www.chrissypeebles.blogspot.com

  Cover design by: Patrick Griffith

  Edited by: Autumn J. Conley

  The Zombie Chronicles Book Trailer: http://youtu.be/ociUHiL1g70

  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Chrissy-Peebles/351121651567296

  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.

  Sample Chapter 1

  One year earlier…

  It had been a long day in July, with heat waves rampaging throughout South Carolina. Even though nighttime had long fallen and the temperatures had cooled down noticeably, my shirt still stuck to my back. I wondered what good that shower had done that I’d taken before meeting Sherry.

  A rush of wind blew through my hair as we rode to the top of the Ferris wheel and then stopped, hovering in midair. I breathed in, relaxed, and listened to the distant screams, music, and laughter echo below us. Sherry set down the stuffed pink pig I’d won for her in the ring toss and folded her hands in her lap, enjoying the silence. I dared a quick look at the stuffed animal, fighting with myself whether to be proud or sink into the ground. The guys back at school surely would’ve suggested the latter, but I didn’t care. Granted, it wasn’t the giant teddy bear I’d spent twenty bucks trying to win, but Sherry seemed happy with her little plush pink prize nonetheless. She squeezed my hand, and I smiled.

  I rocked the cart back and forth with my legs.

  “Hey! Stop it,” Sherry said, twining her fingers through my hair.

  “But you told me you loved it when somebody shook the cart at the very top. And I do too. Love that adrenaline rush.”

  She smiled and batted her lashes at me. Her whole demeanor screamed flirty, so I inched closer and wrapped my arm around her to pull her closer. “Do you want to play games or make out?” she whispered suggestively.

  Her eyes sparkled like big onyxes as I gazed into them. We had liked each other for months, and we’d been shamelessly stealing glances at each other until I finally plucked up the courage to ask her out. It was our first big date, and I’d been dying to kiss her all night. “What do you think?” I asked with a smile.

  She inclined her head as though in thought.

  That same moment, a piercing scream echoed from below us. Forgetting our first intimate moment, I peered below into the darkness to the gathering mass.

  “What’s going on down there?” Sherry asked.

  “I dunno.” I squinted to get a better view, but the steel rods of the Ferris wheel blocked most of my view from where we were dangling. All I could make out were red and blue lights flashing in the distance, blinking in rhythm to the sound of blaring sirens. I leaned out until I could count five police cars speeding toward the midway.

  “What’s happening?” Sherry asked again, this time more quietly, as though she was talking to herself.

  I paid her no attention as I continued to scan the commotion below. A man tumbled to the ground. The same moment, a group of people pounced on him. From up above, they looked like they were attacking him with their bare arms and legs.

  Sherri grabbed my shoulder and gave it a hard squeeze to get my attention. “Oh my gosh, Dean! I think a gang of thugs are attacking the people in line.”

  I shook my head. It can’t be. We lived in a family tourist town, its biggest crimes consisting of kids stealing sweets from the local supermarket and old ladies complaining about Friday night litter on their porches; the crime rate was so low that misdemeanors made the front page. I couldn’t even remember the last time there’d been a public beating or any kind of vicious attack. “Maybe it’s nothing,” I said, my brain trying to justify the picture before my eyes.

  “It sure doesn’t look like nothing,” Sherry said. “You think they’re on drugs?”

  I shrugged, hesitating. I wasn’t naïve enough to think there were no drugs where I lived, but to see their effects creeped me out big time.

  Bang! Bang!


  Before I could answer, shots echoed from the nearing cars. I wrapped my arm around Sherry and forced her head down the way I had seen on television and in all those action movies. “It looks like the police are firing into the crowd!” I yelled.

  “No! They can’t be.” She clutched her chest. “My sister’s down there. I hope she’s okay.”

  The ride jerked forward. As we started to descend, Sherry leaned over me to peer at the blinking lights on the bar that rotated inside the wheel.

  I gripped her hand. “We’ll find your sister. I promise.”

  “Thanks, Dean.”

  A scream tore through the air, followed by growls and hisses.

  “What’s that noise?” Sherry asked, frantically glancing below us.

  Peering past the yellow bulbs twinkling all around me, I tried to see what was happening below. My senses were on full alert because of the danger we were in. I knew a stray bullet could hit us, or one of the drug-crazed people might decide to attack us. We had to get out of there, fast, before something happened. A cold chill rushed through me as the cart stopped at the wooden platform.

  I scanned the area for the best possible escape route. Crazed weirdoes were biting and tearing into the flesh of screaming, innocent bystanders, their blood staining their clothes and the asphalt beneath their feet. My stomach protested, ready to hurl up all the greasy hotdogs, funnel cakes, and cotton candy I’d eaten. My mind screamed, This can’t be true! People just don’t go around biting each other like cannibals! It has to be a joke. But I knew from the grotesque salty-metallic smell wafting through the air that the blood was all too real. It wasn’t a joke…but the grossest thing I’d ever seen in my life.