“We’ve got company!” Zuckerman hollered down the stairs.
“How many?” Tammy asked, drying her hands on a tea towel, she glanced out the window to check on Caitlyn, before heading around the corner to join Zuckerman in the foyer. He had an uneasy look on his face. “What’s going on?”
“I think it’s Zeke,” he said.
Both Harper and Zeke had decided to stay in Atlanta to help Caleb with his research. The members of the CDC had been more than happy for the extra hands, not to mention, the chance to study two of the immune.
“Do you think… maybe it’s over?” she asked hopefully.
“Either that, or there’s no more they can do and they’ve sent them packing.”
Tammy pursed her lips, she didn’t like the sound of that. “No. I think you’re wrong,” she said. “There has to be an end to this. This can’t be the way of the world now.” She turned and walked back through to the kitchen, opening the window. “Chad?”
The back door swung open just as she was about to call out again. Chad sauntered in, Caitlyn hoisted in his arms, giggling. Smiling, Tammy made her way over to plant a kiss on each of their cheeks. “We have visitors,” she said, meeting his eyes and leading the way out to the foyer before he could ask any questions.
Zuckerman was standing with the door wide open, arms out in greeting. “To what do we owe the pleasure?” he bellowed, hopping down the steps.
“Z! Good to see ya, man,” Zeke said, shaking his hand and pulling him in for a hug.
“You too.” He nodded towards the car. “Harper,” he said, as she climbed out with Colton close behind.
Tammy rushed down the stairs and threw herself into Harper’s arms. “I’m so glad to see you!” she squealed. “I know it’s only been a few weeks, but it feels like a lifetime,” she breathed. “I see you’ve brought a friend,” she grinned, eyeing Colton.
“Yeah, I couldn’t just leave him there. I mean, look at him.” She waved her arm in his direction, smiling warmly. “He would never survive without us.” She winked, reaching back and grabbing his hand.
Chad came up behind Tammy, draping his arm around her waist as he set Caitlyn down on the ground. With tears in her eyes, Harper quickly drew her in for a cuddle. She inhaled deeply. “I’ve missed you,” she said, pulling her out to arm’s length, looking her over. “I think you’ve grown.”
Caitlyn giggled. “No I haven’t!” Her big hazel eyes shining with amusement. You would never guess looking at her, how close she had come to dying.
“Come on, let’s go inside. I bet you guys are tired from the drive,” Tammy said. “I was just about to make omelettes for dinner, I can whip up some more if you’d like.”
“That’d be great, I’m starving!” Zeke said, rubbing his stomach. They followed her up the front steps and through to the kitchen. Harper perched on one of the barstools at the counter while Zeke raided the fridge for something to munch on. Colton stood awkwardly in the doorway, unsure what to do.
“Take a seat, make yourself at home,” Chad said, slapping him on the back. “You’re one of us now.” He grinned, picking up a knife to help Tammy. “So, I take it you have news?” he asked no-one in particular.
“We do,” Harper smiled. She seemed more relaxed than ever, since that first day they met on Zeke’s farm. She looked at Zeke, who nodded the go ahead. “We did it,” she said proudly.
“The vaccine?” Tammy asked incredulously. Harper bobbed her head up and down, her smile widening. “Seriously? Oh my God! That’s amazing!” She jumped, clapping her hands in childlike glee.
“Yeah, it is!” Chad whooped, picking her up and swinging her in his arms.
“I know, it’s incredible, isn’t it?” Harper said, watching them with amusement. “Colton was one of the first to be vaccinated. He offered to be our test subject.” She beamed at him. “When he was exposed to the virus, he didn’t even get sick. We’ve found a way to stop the fever altogether.”
“Wow! That’s just… I can’t even think of the right words!” Tammy said.
“We never would have been able to do this, if it wasn’t for you guys coming out to my farm,” Zeke said. “The world owes you.”
Chad waved his hand in the air dismissively.
“When are they going to start inoculating?” Zuckerman asked, causing Chad to raise his brow. “What? I listen.” Chad chuckled, shaking his head.
“They’ve already started,” Colton said. “They dispersed army trucks loaded with the vaccine and antibodies. They’ve shared the information with other facilities around the country so it can be spread quickly.”
“What about the ones already infected?” Chad asked.
“The soldiers also have weapons with them. They’ve been ordered to terminate any flesh-eaters on sight.”
“What about Caleb?” Tammy asked. “He didn’t want to come with you?”
“He’s been offered a job with the CDC,” Colton said, a smile spreading across his face. “They’re awarding him with a medal for humanitarian service.”
“Oh wow! That’s great!” she cried. “He really deserves it.”
“He certainly does.”
“So, what about you guys? Will you stay here with us? We have plenty of room,” Tammy offered, slipping her hand around Chad’s waist.
“Yeah, I reckon we might,” Harper said, leaning back in her seat. “Someone has to rebuild this town and repopulate.” She winked at Colton.
“I like the sound of that,” he said, grinning at her.
“Me too,” Chad said, looking down at Tammy.
“What about me?” Caitlyn asked, tugging on his shirt. He wrapped his arm around her, pulling her in between them.
“Are you kidding? You’re our little miracle girl.” She beamed up at him. “You’ll always have a place here with us.”
A month later, the flesh-eaters had all been disposed of, and the remaining survivors had received their vaccine. They had held a memorial in the gardens, for those who didn’t make it. A plaque with each and every name was placed under a large oak tree. The bodies had been cremated, as instructed by the CDC, and their ashes were scattered around the tree.
Caleb had been awarded his medal for humanitarian services from the President himself. He had asked Zeke to accompany him. He didn’t feel that it was fair for him to get all the credit, when it was Zeke’s DNA that had been the turning point for their research. He had been awarded a Presidential commendation for his contributions.
Caitlyn’s parents had been among those declared dead. She had been devastated, and had nightmares for weeks after. Tammy and Chad were going through the process of adopting her, so that they could be a family.
Zuckerman was still living with them. He and Chad, along with a group they had organised, spent their days cleaning up the centre of town.
Harper and Colton had become inseparable. Needing their privacy, they had decided it was for the best if they moved back out to her family farm. It had been hard at first, to be back in the home she had shared with Millie and her parents, but Colton kept her busy showing him how to work the gardens to benefit their community.
Each morning, without fail, he would wake before her, sneaking out to the kitchen to prepare her breakfast in bed. This morning was no different. He made them both a cup of coffee, buttered her two pieces of toast with jam, and carried it back to the bedroom on a tray.
“Rise and shine,” he said, smiling as she rolled over to look up at him with such love in her eyes.
“Good morning,” she said, plumping her pillow up behind her. “A girl could get used to this,” she said, smoothing the blankets out in preparation for the tray. He placed it carefully on her lap, taking his own cup and joining her on the other side of the bed.
He took a sip of his coffee, making a face. “Ooh, that doesn’t taste right,” he said, sniffing the cup. “Maybe I burned the coffee.”
Harper laughed. “Is that even a thing?” She brought her cup to her nose, inhaling. “Mi
ne smells okay,” she said, taking a sip. “Tastes okay too.”
“Huh.” He set his cup down on the bedside table. “Maybe I’m coming down with something.”
“I hope not,” Harper said, a worried look on her face.
“Don’t worry. I’m sure I’ll be fine,” he said, grabbing her hand and gently kissing her fingers, then her palm. “Mmm, you smell particularly good this morning,” he said, kissing all over her hand and towards her wrist.
“Colton!” she giggled. “That tickles!”
“Does it?” he whispered against her skin, sending shivers down her spine. His lips made their way up her arm, to the crook of her neck. She leaned her head to the side, allowing him better access.
“Mmm,” she murmured, her breath catching in her throat as he continued to nuzzle her neck. “Colton!” she gasped when she felt his teeth graze her skin. He froze, his teeth poised over her pulse. Her heart began racing. Something didn’t feel right. “Colton, stop,” she said, attempting to move away from him, but he still had hold of her wrist.
“Just relax,” he whispered, not moving from his position, except to stare into her eyes with a smirk.
She gasped. “Your eyes,” she said. “They’re… red…”
THE END
A NOTE FROM THE AUTHOR
Hello! Thank you for taking the time to read my first novel “Fear the Fever”. I hope you enjoyed reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it. Please feel free to write a review with your favourite retailer, Goodreads, or directly on my Facebook page.
Thanks so much!
Stacey Broadbent
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Firstly, I have to thank the best sister in the world, Tegan, for her awesome cover design. As a technologically challenged individual, I know I couldn’t do it without you. I also have to thank her daughter, Caitlyn, for being the face of “Fear the Fever.” Doesn’t she make a good zombie??
To my parents, for always liking my Facebook posts, and helping to spread the word of my writing. I love you both xxx
To Petrina, for her mad proofreading skills and her encouragement. Thank you for giving me the push I needed to start writing. (And for picking up all my mistakes before I print!)
To Heidi, a new friend and fellow author. Thank you for all your tips and suggestions.
To all my friends who have kept me sane throughout my writing process. You know who you are.
To my three children, for putting up with Mummy constantly saying “Just one more chapter”.
To my wonderful husband, for being my sounding board. Our love for all things zombie, prompted me to step out of my comfort zone and write this book. Your input and enthusiasm, is what kept me going. Thank you, baby.
And of course, to my readers! Without you, none of this would be possible. Thank you for all your love and support in helping me to live my dream!
Stacey Broadbent
CONNECT WITH ME
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http://www.staycsbookblog.blogspot.co.nz/
Stacey lives in Ashburton, New Zealand, with her husband and three children. She is a qualified proof-reader and self-proclaimed book-a-holic. When she isn’t busy reading or writing, she likes to dabble in the kitchen and spend time with family and friends.
Flesh-Eater (Book 1): Fear the Fever Page 17