ZAG: Needs of the Living

By Samantha Birmelin

Join Em on her journey through a post-apocalyptic world: the struggle for survival, to find new meaning, and the ultimate challenge....new love....

• Language: English
• Publisher: BookBaby
• Release date: May 19, 2013
• ISBN: 9781626759626

Book preview

ISBN: 9781626759626

The Needs of the Living

Following the sight on his gun, Jake swept through the lot of abandoned cars. The sun glinted blindingly off the windshields of the empty relics. As he approached the store, he glimpsed movement behind the shattered windows. Raising a palm, Jake silently instructed his group to hang back. The guys behind him spread out, stealthily climbing onto the sun-warmed roofs of cars for better coverage.

No one moved in the parking lot, save for the lone man. But the grotesque carcasses buzzing with flies were enough of a reminder that danger could come on unexpectedly. Jake picked his way through the massacre. His leather boots trod through patches of sticky, congealed blood. He kept his eyes on what lay beyond the destruction of glass. He felt sure he had seen movement inside; it was fleeting, but Jake never second-guessed his uncannily sharp eyes.

With his foot planted on the yellow curb just outside the sliding entryway, Jake's eyes caught the flicker of motion. He did not relax his grip on his gun, but let go of the tension between his shoulders. They did not move in a quick, furtive way. They had no concept of hiding. After all, they were the monsters.

Inside the looted store, Jake heard the clatter of cans falling to the floor. His booted feet moved swiftly to the door without thought for anything but the bobbing black hat he could now clearly see through the remnants of the produce section. The hat disappeared as its wearer ducked down behind a display of rotten fruit.

They shambled into view a second later, moving with the only purpose of their kind. They had obviously seen the same black hat Jake had; they