Page 126 of After the Burn

Relief eased the tightness in my chest. I hadn’t known her long, but I didn’t want to see another mother and child torn apart by death.

“My Harper’s a fighter,” Finley whispered, raising his hand to brush her hair back.

Their love for each other was unmistakable. He’d be devastated if this didn’t work.

The barn door opened, and Lucas stepped into the fading light, his shirt streaked with black blood.

I hated to admit it, but even drenched in nastiness, he was still pretty… the bastard.

“One infected⁠—”

“Rotter… we’re calling them rotters now.” I interrupted.

He eyed me for a minute like I’d lost my mind. “One rotter.” He raised an eyebrow.

I nodded in approval.

“Most likely the farmer that owned this property.” He continued.

Adrian appeared behind him. “The loft is clear too, and the big doors can be locked from inside.”

“Are we staying?” Beck stretched, moving his head side to side and cracking his neck.

“I think we should.” Lucas looked toward the woods behind us. “It’s as safe as we’re going to get for now.”

Colson emerged last, carrying my bat and holding it out. The end was bloodstained and there looked to be a piece of intestine hanging between the nails.

“I see she tore up some rotter ass.” I grabbed GG and wiped her off on the grass.

He didn’t comment and turned to Wren, holding out his hand. “Inside.”

Wren grinned and took the huge appendage. “I’m not sure I like bossy men.”

He raised his eyebrows.

“Okay, maybe just a little.” She skipped at his side as if they were going to a county fair.

Beck lifted Harper again, and Finley gathered the IV line.

Rory stayed at her mother’s side, one hand twisted in Max’s collar.

We crossed the field as darkness settled over the barn. Behind us, I could see shapes moving between the trees. If we were lucky, they’d move on before we needed to travel in the morning.

Lucas and Adrian pulled the heavy doors shut after everyone was inside. Colson dropped the thick wooden bar into place, plunging the barn into darkness.

For several seconds, no one moved. Then something struck the door.

Once.

The sturdy wood held.

Then another body joined it.

Then another.

Rory’s breathing quickened, and Wren wrapped both arms around her. Beck lowered Harper onto a mound of old hay while Finley immediately knelt beside her.

Adrian pulled a flashlight out of his pack and flipped it on. Its narrow beam swept across dusty stalls, rusted tools, and the dead farmer Colson had dragged into the corner.