Read Online SHTF (NOLA Zombie Book 0) by Gillian Zane - Free Book Online Page A

down at her.
    "We just talked!" She was suddenly blushing and stuttering as I opened the passenger door for her
    "Yeah, that's what I used to tell our parents, too," I laughed.
    "I swear, Tim. We only talked. He's a really nice guy. He's my friend. You just never believe me." And the pouting began again as we headed in the direction of my brother's house.

Twelve

Martial Law
    W E rolled up on Hank and Barbara's house about five minutes later. They didn't live that far from me, it was one of the reasons I had bought in Mid-City. Even though they drove me crazy, I wanted to be close to my family. They lived right off of City Park Avenue in a beautifully restored home that Hank had inherited from our parents. It was where we all grew up and every time I stepped through the door it brought back memories.
    Even here, near the park, which was always bustling with activity, the streets were eerily quiet. I pulled up in front of their house on alert as I slid out of the car and took in the surroundings. During the summer, even on the hottest days, the streets around the park were full of walkers and runners and women pushing strollers. Today, even the cicadas in the trees were silent. Alicia got out of the car and marched into the house without even a backward glance. We really had to work on her awareness. Paying attention to your surroundings was the best way to protect yourself.
    She slammed the door, not waiting for me to climb the steps. Let the fun begin.
    When I walked into the house, Barbara was in the front entryway trying to engage Alicia in conversation, but Alicia just plowed through the foyer and went up the stairs. She didn't even say good morning, or hello, or I'm sorry.
    "She was at that boy’s house?" Barbara looked to be on the verge of a breakdown. I didn't blame her either. She was only a few years older than me and while engaged to my brother had gotten herself a teenager. It wasn't what you would call the perfect set-up for a new marriage, but Barbara handled it and Hank went along with it. He was always a go-with-the-flow type of guy. It made him both frustrating and enviable.
    "Yeah, he claimed she slept in his brother's room, but the parents weren't home. I really don't think they did anything. She came out fully dressed and I caught them unaware." I trudged deeper into the house. Hank was standing off to the side looking like he didn't know what to do with himself.
    "Have you been watching the news?" he asked. "They just did another one of those emergency broadcasts."
    "I think it's more widespread than they are posting on the news. I want y'all to pack up and come with me to the compound. I think we should be out of this house in under an hour. We'll be safe at the compound, you guys can stay in a client house, it'll be like a weekend away. We can crab and do a bit of fishing. Zach said he just picked up another boat that's good for skiing so you can bring the kneeboard up. It'll be a mini vacay."
    "I think that might be taking it a bit too far," Barbara said.
    "If I'm wrong, and this is all bullshit, we'll just come back on Sunday evening," I said walking into the kitchen and grabbing a croissant on the counter. My phone buzzed in my pocket. I glanced at the device. Zach James’s number flashed across the screen.
    "Hey James, I was just going to call you."
    "What's your location?" he asked all business.
    "I'm with Hank and Barbara, near the park."
    "I've called everyone in. I just heard over one of the secured channels that they've declared martial law and are deploying the guard. They aren't announcing it on the news. I don't know why. Everyone is going to freak out when they see the Army rolling down the streets. From what I can tell they’re going to enforce a curfew and a shelter in place order, they just haven't broadcasted it to the general public. I‘ve also heard talk of them just starting to round people up and placing them in camps if they suspect infection, the chatter is confusing and now