Peterson softly placed his hand on his shoulder. “Let’s move on, Dr. Winthrop.”
As Peterson assisted Dr. Winthrop onto the boat, he heard a distant thought. What is left? The question still burned within him. He didn’t know the complete answer yet; however, something stirred within him. He had successfully completed his mission. And, though he didn’t know what was next, where they were going, what to expect, nor exactly what to do, he felt it, deep inside, an undeniable feeling… hope.
As he boarded the boat he looked at the people with him. Sharon, the woman he loved. Armstrong, the man he hated. An unsettled debt between them which, sooner or later, he would settle. And Cash, proven to be the most loyal of all his men. Peterson was thankful for him, and even more so, realized how much he cared about him. Glaring into the horizon, Cash stuck a wad of chewing tobacco into his mouth. Peterson couldn’t help but smile.
Dr. Winthrop was alive and he had information, maybe valuable enough to fight back effectively against this infection. For all the loss Peterson had experienced in life, for all his suffering and failures, and for all his misled decisions, meaning had finally been given. He had succeeded in his mission.
*
As the boat pulled away from the dock, a memory which, at long last, Derek couldn’t hide any longer, assailed him. It was the last time he saw his mother, as a child, when she would sing him to sleep. She was ever present, and ever understanding. He loved her among all, and she him.
In the chaos in the early hours of the second day of the infection, Derek awoke and yelled out to his mother. He needed her soothing, like he did when he was a child. He had never discovered what exactly had happened. She came to his call, walking slowly, lumbering. Her face contorted, skin whitish, her eyes insane.
Undead.
Tears streamed down Derek’s face. Barbara put her arm around his shoulder and rested her face on his chest.
The boat’s single outboard engine spewed black smoke and the hull tilted to one side, an indication that they were probably taking on water. Dark storm clouds obscured the horizon.
Derek looked at Peterson, and Peterson looked back. Derek wasn’t sure of anything anymore, except for one thing.
The dead ruled the earth.
COMING SOON…
Book #3 in the Zombie Crisis
About George Magnum
While George Magnum has been writing for many years, THE ZOMBIE CRISIS is George's first zombie series. Among George's many influences are stories such as Dawn of the Dead, 28 Days, Resident Evil, and more. George lives in New York City.
Please visit www.zombiecrises.com to find links to stay in touch with George via Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads, his blog, and a whole bunch of other places. George loves to hear from you, so don't be shy and check back often!
Books by George Magnum
THE ZOMBIE CRISIS
TWICE DEAD (BOOK #1)
DEAD AND BACK (BOOK #2)
Dead and Back (The Zombie Crisis--Book 2) Page 11