Read Domain of the Dead for Free Online

a problem. They can sit on someone’s knee.” Cahz looked around nervously. All the time they stood there the zombies were edging closer. He knew he had to make a decision—and quick—before they were overrun.
    Big Cannon trotted up, carrying the sniper’s kit with Angel only a few paces behind. Cahz knew her injury must be serious because she never let anyone near her rifle.
    Unconcerned by the new arrivals, Sarah continued, “That still leaves us four seats short.”
    “What’s the hold-up boss?” Cannon asked.
    “The kids’ll fit in fine, but we’re pushing the weight limit,” Idris chipped in, confirming Cahz’s assumption. “We’ve got enough fuel for the five of us and a few of the pus-bags, but they weigh next to nothing. Even if we do stuff this bird full, we’ll be short on fuel. Okay, there’s no drag if we don’t use the net, but we’ll still splash down who knows how short of the ship. And what if the weather turns and we meet a strong headwind? We’ll just ditch a whole lot sooner.”
    Nathan spoke up. “Could some of us get carried in the cargo net?”
    “No, we can’t take the weight or the drag, son.” Idris tried not to sound too annoyed at repeating himself.
    “Anyways, you’d die of exposure before we got back to the ship,” Bates said. “It’s bad enough just getting winched up, but being under that thing for two hundred miles? No way you’d make it.”
    “No need for a seat for me dear,” came Elspeth’s soft voice.
    Everyone looked round at the unassuming old woman.
    “What do you mean?” Sarah asked.
    Elspeth pulled her collar loose to reveal a set of teeth marks over her shoulder. The wound wasn’t deep, but it had broken the skin and drawn blood.
    “No,” Sarah wept.
    “I’m sorry I couldn’t protect her.” A tear trickled down Elspeth’s cheek as she gazed down at the bundle she cradled in her arms.
    Ryan reached over and pulled away a corner of the swaddling. There was a smudge of blood on the yellowed cloth. The child, only a few months old, was crying. Its face was red and its bottom lip quivered as it gasped out wails. Across the baby’s face was the drag marks of a zombie’s scratch. The welts were puffy and red with infection.
    “Oh God no, Elspeth,” Sarah gasped.
    “Must have happened when I fell,” Elspeth sobbed. “I’m so sorry, Ryan.”
    Ryan stood silent, his fingertips on the baby’s cheek. A solo tear trickled from his left eye and Ryan tried to swallow it back down.
    “Boss,” Bates broke in, “I’m out of ammo and they’re close.”
    “We don’t have time for this, Cahz.” Big Cannon’s deep voice carried more weight than usual.
    Cahz looked round at the approaching cadavers and back at the rag-tag group around him.
    “Okay, listen up. This isn’t an order but we’ve more of a chance down here than they do.” His eyes looked to Bates and Cannon. “I’m giving up my seat.”
    “Jesus, Cahz, we haven’t survived this long to get fucked by a handful of civvies,” Cannon protested, loud enough for everyone to hear.
    “Like I say, I can’t order you to stay,” Cahz said.
    “You don’t give much of an option, Boss. We’ve stuck together since this shit came down and neither of us would have made it without the other. If you’re stayin’ I’m stayin’.”
    Cahz smiled and looked over at Bates.
    “I’m taking my seat,” Bates said firmly.
    “I stay,” Angel volunteered.
    Ryan stepped up. “No, lady. Your arms busted. I’ll stay back.”
    Sarah started to protest but Ryan cut her off.
    “These boys might have the firepower but they don’t know the ground,” Ryan reasoned. “They’ve got a better chance with one of us to guide them.”
    “That’s that settled.” Cahz grabbed Sarah and lifted her up into the chopper before she could react.
    Sarah tried to protest but her voice was drowned out by the noise of the baby crying and the drone of the rotor blades.
    Shocked by the sudden pace of events,