Higgins - The Undead Adventures of Chas (Book 4): Next Gen

Baileigh Higgins

Next Gen

The Undead Adventures of Chas

Copyright 2019 by Baileigh Higgins

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, scanning, or otherwise without written permission from the publisher. It is illegal to copy this book, post it to a website, or distribute it by any other means without permission.

This novel is entirely a work of fiction. The names, characters and incidents portrayed in it are the work of the author's imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or localities is entirely coincidental.

Baileigh Higgins asserts the moral right to be identified as the author of this work.

Baileigh Higgins has no responsibility for the persistence or accuracy of URLs for external or third-party Internet Websites referred to in this publication and does not guarantee that any content on such Websites is, or will remain, accurate or appropriate.

Designations used by companies to distinguish their products are often claimed as trademarks. All brand names and product names used in this book and on its cover are trade names, service marks, trademarks and registered trademarks of their respective owners. The publishers and the book are not associated with any product or vendor mentioned in this book. None of the companies referenced within the book have endorsed the book.

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Many thanks to my family and friends for their tireless support and dedication to me during good times and bad. Also, a shout-out to Skye of Peryton Press for the lovely book cover she designed for this story, and Graham Rintoul for his valuable input. I love and appreciate you all!

This book is dedicated to a very special girl, one that is close to my heart. Chasity Martin. Not only is this book dedicated to her, but its also written especially for her.

This is for you Chas, my favorite fan! I hope you love the story as much as I loved writing it. Never forget that youre special and can achieve anything you want in life, no matter how hard it seems.

Love,

Baileigh Higgins

(Please note, this is a work of fiction, though, and all similarities to real-life people are accidental, not intended.)

Her feet pounded a harsh beat on the pavement, and sweat poured down her face, soaking her hair and t-shirt. Her lungs burned like theyd been dipped in a vat of acid, each breath more agonizing than the last.

Chas glanced over her shoulder.

The zombies were gaining on her.

Faster, go faster!

She pumped her arms and legs, ignoring the fatigue that threatened to sap the last of her strength. Her backpack, filled with guns and ammo, dug deep trenches into her shoulder muscles. It slowed her down, but she couldnt give up. She refused to surrender her precious cargo. Through tight lips, she wheezed the mantra Alvarez had taught her during their training weeks before. Pain is your friend. It means youre still alive. Pain is your friend.

Chas rounded the corner of a building, and her boots skidded on a loose patch of gravel. She almost fell, cutting her palms on the rough brick exterior of the wall next to her. Regaining her balance, she plunged ahead, aware that shed lost even more ground.

Not far ahead, waited her group, gathered in the center of an open parking lot. They were loitering around the supply trucks, loading their finds for the day. Their demeanor was casual, and she spotted them talking and laughing, tossing around jokes and banter like nothing was wrong.

Oblivious to the danger heading their way.

Unaware of the horde of zombies on Chas heels.

Zombies shed led straight to them.

Chas sucked in a deep breath and shouted as loudly as she could. Get in the truck! Get in!

A few heads turned her way.

Inquiring.

Quizzical.

Chas waved her arms above her head. Zombies! Get in the truck.

Behind her, the first of the infected sprinted around the corner of the building. Its snarls were loud in the quiet afternoon air and echoed all around her. More followed the first, adding their growls to the melody until it formed a symphony of terror. They spilled into the street like maggots, running after her with every ounce of single-minded determination they possessed.

Alarm rippled through the group waiting for Chas, and they milled about like ants, loading the last supplies. They finished long before she reached them and scrambled for safety inside the cabs.

Vanessa and Dean jumped onto the back of the nearest truck. Its sides had been reinforced with a steel frame to keep the occupants safe, and they both knelt down with their hands outstretched to Chas.

Come on, Chas. Run! Vanessa shouted.

What do you think Im doing? Chas huffed but decided to save her breath when a look over her shoulder showed her how close to death she really was. The zombies were mere feet away, so close she could smell their rotten stench. Oh, man.

The truck with her friends in it started its engine, and the exhaust puffed out a cloud of white smoke. Horror filled Chas at the thought of being left behind, and she poured the last of her energy into closing the gap. Just before she reached them, the truck began moving. Wait for me!

Chas pushed her body to the limits and reached out both hands to the waiting Dean and Vanessa. Their fingertips touched, but the vehicle was speeding up, and she was sure shed never make it.

At the last second, Dean held onto the steel frame, leaned forward, and grabbed her hand. Jump!

Chas pushed off, and Dean hauled her to safety with moments to spare. He slammed shut the back gate and locked it in place before turning to her with his signature goofy grin. That was close.

Chas shot him a look between tendrils of sweaty hair, gasping for breath. Youre telling me.

Vanessa punched her on the shoulder. Where were you? Weve been waiting for you for over an hour, and then you show up with a horde of zombies on your heels. What were you thinking?

Chas sucked in a few lungfuls of oxygen, splayed out on her back like a starfish. She shifted upright and shrugged off her bulky backpack. I know, and Im sorry, but look what I found.

She showed them her bounty of guns and ammo, earning admiring looks from Dean. Vanessa was not so easily mollified. That still doesnt excuse you going off on your own. You know the rules. When Grumps hears of this, youll be in for a world of trouble.

Chas sobered at the words, her grin falling away. Grumps doesnt need to know, does he?

Vanessa folded her arms across her chest. Yes, he does.

Are you going to tell him? Chas asked, faking a wounded expression.

Vanessa shook her head. No, but I dont have to. Who do you think is driving this truck?

Chas craned her head to look through the back window into the cab and blanched. Lieutenant Stokes.

Did you really think he wouldnt notice you were gone? That man has got the eyes of a hawk, Vanessa said.

Chas groaned and slumped against the side of the truck. I was hoping hed be too busy with other stuff to care.

Yeah, right. Hes a stickler for the rules. You know that. And hell make sure Grumps finds out about it too.

Ugh, kill me now, Chas mumbled. Lieutenant Stokes wasnt a bad guy, and she respected him for his knowledge and skill, but he was too strict for her tastes. A real drill sergeant, at times. Plus, he had no trouble dealing out punishment for misbehavior either. No supper for me tonight.

Dean laughed. I think you just like getting into trouble.