The Zombie Saga (Book 3): Burn The Dead: Riot by Steven Jenkins Page A

brother and I might never be best friends, but I’d never wish any harm on anyone. It’s Necs versus us—rival football clubs are meaningless.”
    “Tell that to your friend,” she says, motioning with her head at the bar.
    I follow her gesture. “What, Jonny? He’s all right; he’s just stressed out too. Like Curtis. The guy had to watch his brother get killed. It was bad enough watching Ginge die. God knows what’s going through his head.”
    Natalie throws me a look to suggest that she’s not convinced. “Fair enough,” she says. “You know him better than I do. So how did you meet each other?”
    “Through football and Ginge. We all used to drink in The Farmer’s Arms. They’re not so fussy on underage drinking there. I’ve been going there since I was fourteen.”
    “Bloody hell, that’s young.”
    “Well, you’ve got to start sometime. Best start early.”
    Smiling, Natalie playfully nudges me in the ribs. “You’re an idiot.”
    She glances over at Adriana. “So how long has she been sleeping?”
    I follow her gaze and then shrug. “Don’t know. Not long. Not even sure if she is sleeping. But she’s been pretty quiet for the past few hours.”
    “Poor woman. Do you think she’ll be okay?”
    “Who knows? I’d be pretty messed up, though. Wouldn’t you?”
    “Yeah,” Natalie replies with a nod. “No one should have to see a loved one turn into one of those things. It’s not right.”
    My eyes are beginning to burn with tiredness, the effects of the cocaine well and truly gone. “It’s probably best not to think about it. This will all be over soon enough. They can’t just leave us in here to die.”
    Yawning loudly, Natalie puts her hands behind her head. “I hope not. Can’t stand another day stuck in this room.”
    “You tired?”
    “Shattered,” she replies, yawning for the second time.
    “Yeah, me too. How about we try to get a few hours’ sleep?”
    “What about the door?” Natalie asks, anxiously. “What if they try to get in?”
    “We’ll hear them. And Jonny’s still awake. He’s not likely to get much sleep tonight. Trust me, we’ll be fine.”
    Natalie nods again, and then squeezes in a little tighter to me. “You don’t mind, do you? It’s getting a little chilly in here.”
    “No, it’s fine,” I reply, trying to hide my enthusiasm to have her body next to mine. “Knock yourself out.”
    “Thanks.”
    She turns to face me and rests her head on my chest, her eyes closed, her breathing shallow. Even being here, sat just a few feet away from a dead man, this still feels good. I drape my arm over the top of her back and shoulder, pulling her in even closer.
    I shut my eyes.
    “I’m glad I met you, Alfie,” Natalie says quietly, under her breath.
    Opening my eyes, I look down at her. “Me too.”
    “Goodnight.”
    “Yeah, goodnight,” I repeat, kissing her on the top of the head— instantly regretting it . Does it make me come across a bit desperate, a little wet?
    But then she opens her eyes, brings her head up to mine, and then kisses me on the lips.
    In the moment, I forget where I am.
    The kiss lasts just a few seconds before she puts her head back onto my chest. But that will do me. I’m not greedy.
    Unable to conceal my great big grin on my face, all I can think about is how awesome it is to have her to watch over. If I couldn’t save my best friend, at least I can protect her .
    Just as I start to close my eyes again, I notice Jonny staring at me, his eyes glazed over with poison. He shakes his head slowly and then disappears behind the bar.
    I’m too tired to worry about him now. Fuck him . I’ll deal with it in the morning.
     

18
     
    “Where are my trainers?” I ask Wendy as she scoops up Harry’s Lego, which is scattered across the living-room carpet.
    She looks up and shushes me because Phil is asleep on the couch, sleeping off another afternoon of whiskey.
    I mouth a sorry and then carry on looking for the trainers in the