She could handle this without falling to pieces.
“They’re getting closer, Xavier.”
“The toxin should take effect any moment now. Damn. Come on, darts, do that toxic thing.”
Despite the nearly desperate situation, she was amused. “I don’t think talking to the darts is going to help.”
“Couldn’t hurt.” Xavier’s back touched hers. She felt his warmth, his strength and his quivering alertness. His body was on edge, but not with nerves. No, it was more eager anticipation of action. “You okay, Sarah?”
“Just peachy.” She watched the creatures advance, her heart racing. They were closer now, just a few feet away.
“Bingo.” Xavier’s soft exclamation alerted her.
She turned just in time to see the first one he’d shot take a step, then sort of implode right before her eyes.
“Quick! That way.”
Xavier pushed her ahead of him, out of the tightening circle. She jumped over the pile of old clothes and organic goo, Xavier right behind her as the zombies changed course. The two of them could outrun the zombies, as long as the creatures weren’t setting another trap.
Damn. They’d actually set a trap. She didn’t think they were supposed to be capable of that kind of organized thought.
“Xavier, do these guys seem a lot smarter than the other ones you’ve faced?”
He looked at her sharply before returning his attention to the woods around them and the zombies on their trail. “Yeah. And they’re harder to kill. Takes more of the toxin and more time.”
As he said that, the others started imploding behind them. One by one, they went down in the order they’d been shot. Only the one who’d snuck up behind her in the abandoned building remained.
“Surfer boy will go in another minute,” Xavier said quietly as they kept alert for more of the creatures while watching the one they’d shot. “He’s the one who bit your shoulder, right?”
“Yeah. Sneaking up behind people seems to be his thing.”
“Not for long.” Xavier’s head swiveled as he searched the grounds, then returned to focus on the remaining zombie. “Ah. There he goes.”
As they watched, the creature sank in on himself, dissolving in seconds into a steaming pile of organic debris and old clothes on the ground. Sarah felt an immense sense of relief knowing that one of her attackers was no more. She also felt sorry for the young man who’d been cut down in the prime of life. Somewhere, someone would grieve for his loss, if they were ever able to identify who he’d been. Otherwise, his loved ones would never know how or why he’d disappeared.
“So that leaves at least one more. Probably more than that, actually, based on their current multiplication rate.” Xavier was moving again, his head turning from side to side as he scanned the woods. Sarah did the same, even as she asked questions. There was no need for silence any longer, though she kept her voice low. After that last little confrontation, anyone else on the grounds had to know they were here by now.
“What multiplication rate?”
“They like to bite. They seem driven to do it. One can become many in a few days. Judging by how many we just took out and the fact that only surfer boy looked like one of the original models, these things have been multiplying for a while. There are bound to be more in addition to the one who messed up your leg.” He shot her a concerned look. “How’s the leg holding up?”
“I’m good,” she rushed to assure him. She wasn’t about to let on how the uneven ground was causing more than a little discomfort to her thigh, despite the rapidly growing muscle and skin. “The woods look clear,” she said, trying to take the focus off her condition. Xavier gave her a suspicious look but allowed the change of subject.
“I agree. I think we can check out the house now, but be careful. There may be more hiding inside. I noticed there was only one viable entry. The back door was boarded shut.”
“Yeah, I saw that, too. It’s not unusual for empty places around here to be boarded up to keep kids and vandals out.”
They skirted the edge of the wooded area, approaching the front entryway at an oblique angle. There was a larger clearing in the front of the house where the long driveway led to a parking area. There were no cars in any of the parking spots and no sign that anyone was home.
“The house looks deserted,” she observed.
“Looks can be deceiving. Stay sharp.”
Xavier made his