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path Rune had to take. It was hard to shoot the zombies and ride the bike, but Rune didn’t aim for almost impossible killing shots, but ones that would cripple the zombies and send them to the ground. A shattered femur or hip worked just fine.
    Unholy screeches filled the air as the faster, healthier zombies tore out of the trees. Their bloodied forms were terrifyingly swift. Rune’s grip tightened on the Glock as he pressed the heel of his hand against the bars of the bike to keep his bike steady. The gates to the outside world yawned open ahead and the truck accelerated. Rune increased his speed, trying to keep an eye on the drive ahead and the zombies galloping toward him from all sides.
    One large zombie, who resembled a football player, lunged for Rune. The monster was so close that when Rune shoved his Glock at the creature’s head, he could see the vivid tears on its cheek and feel the pressure of the barrel against flesh as he fired. The zombie’s head jerked back, but its momentum continued into the bike, pushing Rune off balance. The motorcycle shimmied dangerously, but Rune expertly adjusted his equilibrium to keep the bike from crashing. A less experienced biker would have definitely taken a bad spill. Briefly bringing down one foot to steady himself, Rune accelerated away from the zombies closing in on him. The runners were right on him, pacing the bike, their hands slashing out, attempting to grab him. He didn’t dare waste time trying to shoot them, so he gunned the engine, speeding up. The bike caught up to the truck just as it passed through the gates. The undead were scattered across the road, but not in the numbers descending on the house.
    The stench of death and blood filled the night. Tito rammed the truck into a tight cluster of zombies near the gate, pulverizing them under the wheels. Rune deftly avoided the smear of gore left in the wake of the tires. The Harley growled as he sped past the grasping undead. In his mirrors he saw some of the faster ones giving pursuit, but they soon dropped behind.
    Rune rode alongside the truck for a few miles through the open countryside. The road cleared of the zombies the further out they traveled from the house. Too close to the interstate and far too visible perched on the hilltop, it had been a potential death trap even though it had provided temporary shelter and supplies. Rune would remember those lessons.
    After twenty minutes, Tito parked the truck at a crossroads and Rune stopped near him.
    Rolling down the window, Tito hooked his arm over the windowsill and peered out at the biker. “You sure you don’t want to head out with me?”
    Rune somberly shook his head. “I have to keep my promise to my daughter.”
    Tito sighed, but nodded. “I gotcha. I just hate leaving you out here on a Harley.”
    “I’ll be fine.” Rune gave him a wide smile. “You go get your family and get to safety.”
    “And you?”
    Flickers of light in the trees drew Rune’s attention. “I have business to deal with.”
    “You’re a weird fucker,” Tito decided, smirking.
    “That I am. Take care, brother.”
    The men clasped hands and shook.
    “You too. Hopefully, I’ll never see your face again.” Tito’s meaning was clear.
    “If any man’s got a chance of saving his family from a zombie-infested, city it’s you, Tito.”
    “From your lips to God’s ears.”
    “Adios, amigo,” Rune said.
    “Stay alive, Rune.” Tito shifted gears and the truck sped up the road.
    Rune watched until the rear lights vanished around the bend before aiming his bike north and heading deeper into the hills.
     
     
     

     
     
     
    Chapter 10
     
    Rune was drunk. So drunk he could barely see or even stand. Yet, the dead would not let him be. They clustered around him, their fingers grasping at him in desperation.
    “Leave me alone!” he roared.
    As always, the dead didn’t listen, but only pressed in closer. The air around him was stale and freezing cold, his breath