The Alpha Plague by Michael Robertson

Lover-girl would be on top of her. “No,” he yelled and closed the distance between them with two long strides. He swung for the girl and knocked her down.
    After he drove the bat into her head to make sure, Rhys looked over at Vicky.
    She panted almost as heavily as him. Then she broke a smile. “Thanks.”
    The scream of more diseased came from somewhere behind them and cut off Rhys’ reply.  
    Vicky’s brilliant blue eyes widened as she stared down the road. “Let’s go.”
    Rhys didn’t need to be told twice.

Chapter Fourteen

    As they ran, Rhys listened to the footsteps that pounded against the road, the heavy breaths, and the grizzled rattle of fury, or hunger, or whatever the fuck it was behind them. The charge of a thunderous army had picked up their scent, but when he glanced over his shoulder, he couldn’t see them yet. Long may that continue; if he never saw them again, he’d be happy. Yeah right! Like that would fucking happen. They were in Summit City; wishes never came true here.  
    Rhys’ lungs burned as he ran. Much more, and he’d collapse before he found safety. They needed to find somewhere to hide. Maybe the creatures didn’t have their scent. Maybe Rhys and Vicky just happened to be in their way.
    Then he saw it. It took an extra effort to pull level with Vicky, but Rhys did it and grabbed her arm. He then tugged on it to guide her toward the entrance to the multi-storey car park.
    At first, she resisted, but when he pulled a little harder, she yielded and followed his lead. Thank god she did; who knows where the next rest stop would have been?
    As soon as they ran onto the ramp, Rhys ducked down behind a small concrete wall. If these things could hunt… well, it didn’t bear thinking about. Hopefully the gamble would pay off. As he fought for breath, his heart pounded and his lungs burned. Rhys shook where he crouched and waited.  
    The sheer amount of concrete that surrounded them dropped the temperature by a few degrees. The smell of damp hung in the air. If the mob that chased them did have their scent, maybe the wet reek would mask it. Whatever happened, Rhys had no running left in him.  
    With Vicky next to him, both of them held onto their bats and waited as the sound caught up to them.  
    The rumble of the stampede shook the ground beneath their feet. A twitchiness ran through Rhys’ muscles. Vicky’s eyes widened and she seemed to hold her breath.  
    Rhys had made a bad choice. The things could probably smell them. The reek of damp wouldn’t do anything to mask their scent. Vicky should have talked him out of his plan. Not that she could, they hardly debated it. Rhys had just led them to their deaths. What a fucking moron.
    Exhaustion and fear stole every ounce of energy from him, and Rhys looked across at Vicky again. The run didn’t seem to have had an impact on her; she looked ready to go again. If they had to bolt at the last minute, she’d be fine. Rhys, on the other hand… Maybe he deserved it for such a stupid fucking plan. He had to sit and wait now. Wait for them to find him and tear huge chunks from him.
    The footsteps rounded the corner. Their collective grunts and groans rode on the back of their thunderous beat, and Rhys’ bladder twitched. What if he pissed himself? What would that do to Vicky’s already low opinion of him?  
    Sweat stung his eyes and Rhys continued to fight for breath as he watched the entranceway to the car park. His entire body shook, and his heart beat as if it could explode at any moment. The cold and rough wall stung his back as he pushed harder against it. Armed with hope and a baseball bat, Rhys waited.

Chapter Fifteen

    Enough time passed for Rhys to catch his breath. The diseased had gone straight past them, and it remained quiet outside. After a quick glance at Vicky, he stood up and peered over the wall. The bright sun stung his eyes and blinded him. After he’d rubbed them, he looked down at Vicky and said, “It looks