Read Online The Last Bastion of the Living: A Futuristic Zombie Novel by Rhiannon Frater - Free Book Online Page A

was like steel and his gaze was intense.
    Maria hesitated, knowing that what she was about to relate would only antagonize him more. “They asked me to volunteer because I ’ m physically fit, unattached as far as they know, and I ’ m not ‘ breeding stock ’ and therefore, not important to maintaining our population.”
    “That ’ s a shitty way to put it.”
    “I didn ’ t care much for his wording either. But the really big news is this, Dwayne,” she said, reaching out to take his hand, “they think they found a way to fool the Scrags into not attacking the living. It ’ s like an antidote. They said even if the Scrags did bite me, I wouldn ’ t get infected.”
    “If they swarm you, that won ’ t matter. You ’ ll die.” Dwayne ’ s voice was clipped, his expression concerned.
    “But if they think I ’ m one of them...” She flicked her dark eyes up to meet his vivid blue ones. “...they won ’ t swarm me.”
    “They never attack each other,” Dwayne admitted, realizing where the conversation was leading.
    “I could walk among them, kill them, and walk away without being attacked.” Hearing the words coming from her own lips made her shiver, but the excitement of being able to fight the Inferi Scourge without fear was like electricity in her blood. “I ’ m going to help clear the valley and close the gate.”
    “So they forcibly conscripted you into doing this.” Dwayne shook his head.
    “No. It ’ s volunteer only. They didn ’ t tell me the mission until I volunteered.”
    “I should have known.” He leaned back on the pillows, covering his face with one hand. “The canceled meetings, the aircraft , the SWD being involved, and you being late back from your patrol.”
    Maria tenderly rested her hand his chest. “I have to do this. They ’ ll give me a plot of land once the valley is cleared and the gate is repaired and shut. I can pick anywhere I want. I ’ ll get a standard settlement deal - one prefab house and furniture.” She leaned her chin on his shoulder and stared at him. “I want out of this city, Dwayne. I want those fuckers gone. I want a life with you. Maybe we can ’ t have kids, but we could have a good life if those things aren ’ t out there.”
    Lifting his hand, he settled it against her cheek. “How long?”
    “The serum will give us four to six months to clear the valley. They think I ’ m unattached, so...”
    Dwayne held her tenderly against him. “Other people will do it. You don ’ t have to go.”
    She was silent, unsure of how to answer.
    Dwayne chuckle d, shaking his head. “What am I saying? Of course, you do. You ’ ve been going batshit crazy with the rolling blackouts and shortages just like the rest of us.” He kissed her brow, smoothing her hair back from her face. “The one thing you can ’ t stand is not being able to do anything.”
    “Exactly. So now that I can do something...”
    “Once you ’ re back, the divorce will be settled, the twins will have graduated from high school, and we can concentrate on us. We will get married.”
    “And move out to a nice prefab house near the lake,” Maria added.
    “Absolutely.” He swept her hair back from her face. “I ’ ll miss you.”
    “I ’ m doing this for us.”
    “I know, but I ’ ll still miss you and worry about you every second you ’ re gone.” He sighed, then asked, “When are you going to leave?”
    “In forty-eight hours,” she answered, her voice catching. Rubbing her palm against his chest, she struggled not to cry. “I love you, Dwayne Reichardt.”
    “I love you, Maria Martinez.” He slightly frowned. “Forty-eight hours, huh?”
    “Uh huh.”
    “You won ’ t be doing much sleeping,” he decided and dragged her over on top of him.
     
    * * *
     
    The small flat was refreshingly cool in the early hours of Maria ’ s last morning in her home. The air conditioner whispered above her head as she scrubbed the counters and sink. The last of her coffee