Ultimate Undead Collection: The Zombie Apocalypse Best Sellers Boxed Set (10 Books)

by Joe McKinney

  He was in his element in the wilderness. Dan was a very patient and observant man. He always noticed anything out of the ordinary, and he had noticed that for the last three days there had been no air traffic. His first inclination was that the United States had suffered another 9/11 type terrorist attack.

  The hike down to the small town usually took him four hours; a younger man could tackle it in two. The finger of rock he was perched on was only five feet across but it allowed him to stop and observe the last mile of the mountain trail he would have to descend.

  The noises coming from below caught his attention before he even arrived at his usual resting spot. Gunfire echoed up from the Aryan Brotherhood camp. Dan witnessed the murder of four human beings in cold blood. The three men and a woman were dirty and shabbily dressed. One of the armed men released them from a building that looked like a tool shed or chicken coop. The four captives lurched into the middle of the compound. The shaved head, combat boot wearing skins were hooting and hollering while they stood in a semi-circle around the four people. Dan had a strong suspicion they were drugged because they staggered towards the assembled men in a lethargic, clumsy manner. He wasn’t prepared for what happened next. The towering redhead stood apart from the rest. He pulled out a big chrome pistol and coldly shot the woman in the head. She fell to the dirt and ceased moving. The captive men didn’t try to run, they just kept walking towards the pointed guns. As quick as it started it was over, AK-47s chattered and the three men dropped and sprawled on the ground, their blood turning the gravel black.

  Dan wanted to go to town and tell Sherriff Blanda what he had just witnessed, but he couldn’t risk being seen while trying to circumnavigate the compound. The redheaded biker was an affiliate of the Aryans and Dan had crossed paths with him on a number of occasions. Today he wanted no part of the murderer.

  He was in no position to be a hero, so the mountain man silently reversed course and headed back to his remote cabin. Alone with his thoughts he started up the trail. Those media folks will surely milk this latest terrorist attack for all it’s worth. No doubt there will be old newspapers or magazines to read in town after this blows over. Dan wasn’t worried about a radiological dirty bomb affecting him here. Why the hell would the idiots attack Idaho anyway? If this were another attack by Middle Eastern extremists then President Odero would have to listen to his fellow Americans and go kick some more Muslim ass.

  He really disliked this part of the climb. For every two steps forward, the surface underfoot shifted and put him one step backward. Head down, watching the trail while putting one foot in front of the other, Mountain Man Dan continued his long trudge back up his talus- and scree-covered mountain.

  Epilogue

  Day 4 - 19th Special Forces Garrison, Draper, Utah

  The lemmings marched that morning. Cade, Duncan and Harry all slept in the same empty barracks. Slept was an overstatement. They were all awake when “Enter Sandman” commenced blaring from outside the fence. Because their numbers had steadily increased day by day the base commander made the decision to start eradicating the undead at first light and then again at dusk.

  *****

  Harry had taken up Major Beeson’s offer of a taxpayer provided Ford F-350 pickup painted entirely in desert camouflage. A Mossberg 500 pump shotgun and a box of shells was provided by the base gunsmith. There was also a case of MREs sitting on the bench seat when Harry got in the truck. He was disappointed with himself because he didn’t set out in search of his wife earlier and hated to admit he was scared of finding out what had really become of her. What Cade was doing was admirable and Harry used that example as motivation. He started the truck and waved halfheartedly towards Duncan and Cade. The perimeter outside the wire was momentarily free of undead. The soldiers opened the double gates for him.

  No time like the present. Without looking back he maneuvered the ARMY 4x4 out of the compound and sped down the gravel road; dust billowed up, erasing the truck from view.

  *****

  The motorcycle Cade was given was an off road Kawasaki KLR 250. The bike was used by Delta Force, the 75th Rangers and many other Special Operations groups. While the civilian version proved to be very loud, the Special Ops build had beefier components and the exhaust was baffled for night time covert missions. While not entirely silent, it was extremely quiet and could go almost anywhere. Part of Cade’s Ranger training included riding dirt bikes in extreme terrain. It had been years ago and there would be some rust to shake off. He had requested the dirt bike because it would use less gas and give him more range. Also the farther east he went the more road blockages he would probably be forced to navigate around. Since he had lost the match grade sniper rifle, Major Beeson had the armorer fit a silencer for the M4. The gun would be a bit harder to maneuver in close quarter battle, but the ability to kill quietly from a distance was well worth it. A new set of ACUs was offered and Cade donned the clean clothes, putting the rest of his gear in the saddle bags. Beeson gave him a few MREs and some bottles of water. The left saddle bag of the bike had been stocked with ammunition and extra magazines for his M4. In the right compartment was a small plastic gas can full of fuel and a length of hose for siphoning when necessary. The Major kept it short and told Cade he hoped he found his family safe and to be careful out there. The man handed him a small portable Sat phone with an extendable antenna.

  “Use the usual escape and evade frequency if you get into trouble. If we have air assets, or can help in any way, we will. God speed, soldier.” The men exchanged crisp textbook salutes.

  Duncan approached Cade and handed him two metal canisters and a small red plastic gun. It was purple signal smoke and a Starlight flare gun. Duncan’s usual gruff Southern drawl had a softer edge to it. “In case you get into trouble, mi amigo. Pop the purple haze and I’ll know it’s you. That is if I can get my hands on a bird.” Before they parted ways, he tossed the young operator a set of the newest generation NVGs he had lifted from the Black Hawk.

  The Kawasaki started right up and softly idled between Cade’s legs. With the M4 stowed in a special compartment near his left leg and his trusty Glock holstered on his thigh, he engaged the clutch and then nudged the shifter into first gear.

  The last few days had been a blur. Now when he tried to conjure the images of Raven and Brook from his memory the only faces that materialized were of the dead kids. Ike, Leo and the twins would not soon be forgotten. The world that they were supposed to inherit changed into one that snuffed the life from them. The former Delta Operator had all of the motivation he needed; he would see his f amily again. Fully aware of the ramifications and dangers he faced going it alone, Cade made the easy decision to trudge ahead. The bike’s engine growled as he engaged the clutch. Without a backward glance he raced out of the gates and turned east on the gravel forest service road. Duncan watched until he disappeared into the woods and then listened to the bike’s soft exhaust note until there was only silence.

  # # #

  Please join Cade’s further adventures. The second installment of the Surviving the Zombie Apocalypse series, Soldier On: Surviving the Zombie Apocalypse, is now available. Thanks for reading! Shawn Chesser

  Feel free to find me on or at Facebook or at ShawnChesser.com .

  Until the End of the World

  Sarah Lyons Fleming

  Copyright © 2013 by:

  Sarah Lyons Fleming

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any means without the prior written consent of the Publisher, excepting brief quotes used in reviews.

  Cover photo © Cruskoko Dreamstime.com

  Lumos font © CarpeSaponem, Sarah McFalls

  This book was built at IndieWrites.com. Visit us on Facebook.

  Chapter 1

  Today is the kind of spring day that used to make me feel like anything was possible. That it would all work out in the end. I used to love days like this. Of course, that was before I started avoiding spring altogether.r />
  It isn’t easy to avoid an entire season, especially one this glorious. But for the past three years I’ve managed it. I close the blinds, stay out of the sunshine and keep to myself, so as not to dredge up memories of that first terrible spring.

  But this year feels different. I can’t help but enjoy the breeze that promises summer is coming. It’s the kind of day that puts a spring in your step, where you believe hope does spring eternal.

  I dreamt about Adrian last night. But it wasn’t the usual dream, the one that wakes me up in tears with that empty feeling in the pit of my stomach. We were sitting on the porch steps of my parents’ cabin. Our legs were stretched out, feet resting on the ground. I was wiggling my toes. There was nothing else. Sure, the bees buzzed among the flowers and the trees whispered in the wind, but that was it. There was just quiet. And peace, the kind of peace that didn’t seem to follow Adrian as much as it was a product of him. When I woke up that feeling stayed with me, and I started thinking that maybe it could be mine again.

  My friend Penny’s dark ponytail swings as we pass the brownstones and apartment buildings of our Brooklyn neighborhood on our way to work. I haven’t told her about this feeling, even though I tell her almost everything. I’m like a squirrel with a nut, wanting to hide it away for safekeeping, to turn it over and over and examine it.

  Penny glances at my feet. “You wore your new shoes.”

  I nod. It’s still too cool, but I wore the delicate straw sandals anyway. I thought they might make me feel feminine and strong. That maybe they would help me to embrace and welcome spring again. Relying on shoes to do all that is pretty dumb, but I need all the help I can get.

  Penny raises her face to the sun and sighs with pleasure. She moved here from Puerto Rico when she was ten, after her father died. Even after all these years she still takes winter as a personal affront.

  “My mom was called in last night, something to do with the LX virus,” Penny says, and pushes her vintage glasses back up where they belong. “She says there are a lot of cases in New York now.”

  Bornavirus LX has spread across the world in the past few days. So far it’s only been found in the Midwest and West. I haven’t been paying much attention because in the spring I never do.

  “Did she say how many?”

  “No. But she’s pretty certain the quarantine of St. Louis means it’s going to get bad.”

  “They quarantined St. Louis?” I’m shocked that it’s come to that.

  “Yeah, late last night. Chicago, too. And air traffic is suspended from the West.” We stop at the front door of the Sunset Park Community Center, where we both work. “How do you not know all this? You’re usually the one telling me these things.”

  “I’ve been distracted. I didn’t listen to the news this morning.”

  I want to tell her more, but I’m not sure what there is to tell. It’s just a mental shift or something, and if it comes to nothing I don’t want to advertise the fact that I’ve failed. Penny glances around and twists her lips.

  “James kissed me last night,” she says to the concrete.

  “James what?” I yell. She shushes me and I lower my voice. “We just walked all the way to work and you tell me now? At—” I look at the time on my phone, “crap. There’s a meeting. I have to go.”

  Penny smiles. She did this on purpose so I wouldn’t bother her about it the whole way to work.

  “I knew it!” I say, and narrow my eyes even though I’m grinning. “We’re twenty-eight years old and you still won’t tell me when you like someone! Nelly and I have been waiting for this. You’re gonna tell me later, you know.”

  “Gotta go,” she sings out, as I head upstairs.

  Chapter 2

  I’m at my desk, considering beating my uncooperative computer with my stapler, when I hear a voice.

  “Psst, Cassie.” Nelly’s head appears over our shared cubicle wall. “Drinks later.”

  I open my mouth, about to refuse, but he shakes his head and flashes me his white-toothed smile. “Don’t even say no,” he drawls, before he sinks down.

  I sigh and slip on my sandals to go argue my case. I’m sure this is one time Nelly will be glad I’m backing out of plans. I sit down opposite Nelly’s desk and swing my foot.

  “New shoes?” he asks.

  The magical properties I imbued them with this morning have not materialized. So far the only thing they’ve done is create a suspicious pre-blister itch in several places. My toes are freezing. I notice my toenail polish is chipped, as usual.

  “You like?”

  “Yeah, yeah, they’re great. Have I ever given a rat’s ass about shoes?” He runs a hand through his messy blond hair and tries to look despondent but fails. “No, you’ve come to tell me you aren’t drinking with me.”

  Nelly’s tall, broad and exceedingly healthy. It’s obvious he grew up in a place where they ate beef and drank whole milk and were out in the fresh air and sunshine. Without the ever-present smile, his face can look stony. He perfected it playing high school football in Texas, where a good game face is essential, especially when you’re gay.

  I sigh. “Believe me, I’d rather go out. But I’m going to try to break up with Peter tonight.”

  He whoops, Texas-style. Now that I’ve told Nelly I can’t chicken out of the breakup at the last minute without getting tons of grief. I already regret it.

  “You are not going to try, you wuss!” He bangs a pen on his desk and points it at me. “You’re going to do it this time. But, first, we’ll have a drink for fortification.”

  I laugh because of course he’s going to get his way.

  His blue eyes are serious. “You’d better make a clean break. Or I’ll do it for you. I swear I will this time.”

  I give in. I’m going to need that drink. I could use it right now, actually. “Okay.”

  He looks doubtful.

  “I will. I promise.” I lay my head on his desk and moan. “I hate this. Why do I have to break it off?”

  He pats my head. “Because, darlin’, you date the wrong people.”

  I stick my tongue out at him just as James, our part-time IT guy, pokes his head into the cubicle. There’s a flush of excitement on his angular cheeks.

  “Guys, come see,” he says. “The virus is in New York.”

  We follow him down the hall to the conference room. I refrain from asking him about Penny because she would kill me, although I’m dying to.

  Our coworkers are perched on chairs and the long table, eyes trained on the newscaster.

  “Bornavirus LX has been found in all five boroughs since yesterday. The virus first appeared in Long Xuyen, Vietnam last week, and has since spread throughout the world. As of last night, cities in the middle and western U.S., including Denver, Chicago and St. Louis, are quarantined, and state governors have instituted mandatory curfews. The fast-moving virus causes brain damage, which triggers the infected to aggressively attack and spread the disease through their bodily fluids.

  “Authorities state that the virus is under control. People with a high fever and joint pain should be seen immediately by a doctor or emergency room. Please do not try to care for your sick loved one yourself. The CDC and Health Department are not releasing estimates of the number infected so far. We will be following up with more information as it becomes available.”

  James cocks an eyebrow at me, lets out a harrumph and heads to his work space. His hands fly over his computer keyboard. I don’t ask what he’s up to because I know he’ll find me when he’s done.

  Nelly and I amble back down the hall. Usually, I would comb the internet for news about the virus, but it’s gone in one ear and almost out the other by the time we reach our desks. My thoughts are consumed with the tactic I’ll use to break up with Peter. There’s the let’s-be-friends and the it’s-not-you-it’s-me and there’s the fact that I’m an idiot for dating Peter in the first place and then dragging it out this long.

  “Hey,” I say to Nelly, “how about thi
s: ‘Peter, I’m an idiot. And I can’t be with you anymore because I’m an idiot?’ ”

  “You suck at this.” He puts his arm around my shoulders to stop my shivering. I don’t handle this kind of anticipation very well. “I’ll coach you over drinks. By the time you get to Peter you’ll only have to recite your lines. Okay?”

  I give a somber nod. “Nelly, why can’t I just marry you?”

  “Darlin’, we both know who you should marry, and that door is probably still open.”

  He’s talking about Adrian. We were engaged until I ruined it.

  “That ship has sailed, Nelly.” I can’t say Adrian’s name out loud because I’ll start crying, I know I will. “It’s been two years.”

  “He’s in the northeast, Cass. I could find out where. If you wanted me to.”

  My face is hot. I haven’t done many things I’m ashamed of, things where I’ve been hurtful, but what I did to Adrian is the biggie.

  Nelly’s bringing it up today of all days must be a sign. What if I said, Sure, go ahead and find him? I can’t imagine that Adrian would be happy to hear from me. But that feeling from my dream still lingers, and I want it for real. I want it so badly that maybe I’m finally willing to take the chance and find out. I open my mouth, trying to find the words, right as my phone rings. Nelly raises his eyebrows like he’ll be waiting for an answer and leaves. I pick up the phone.

  “Hey, Cassandra,” Peter yells over loud rumblings.

  “Where the heck are you? It sounds like you’re standing on a runway or something.”

  “I am. We’re at the private airport here in D.C. waiting for our jet to New York. It’s been delayed. They’re saying we have ‘low priority.’ There are ten senators and their families ahead of us.”