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assumed to be Brooke.
    Austin, who hadn’t said one word the entire time, suddenly came to life. Both guys bolted towards the structure to get to the frightened children and whatever was scaring them. When they reached the top I heard a strangled type of mewling noise followed by some shuffling.
    “Damn it!” hollered Austin right before I heard the echo of a single gunfire shot.
    “You okay?” asked Bryce from somewhere up in the top.
    “Just a couple little scratches,” replied Austin as he climbed back off the equipment. Bryce and Bobby climbed down soon after him.
    “Where’s Brooke?” I asked, trying to see in the darkness.
    Austin pursed his lips as he stepped closer. He touched my arm and said, “Sorry Cassie. Brooke attacked us; she was a zombie.”
    My chest felt heavy for the little girl but I could also see that Bobby was terrified and needed consolation more than anyone. I walked towards him as Bryce tried to calm the hysterical boy. “It’s okay,” I said softly, putting my arms around him.
    “She…she…tried to bite me,” he cried. “I didn’t do anything to her and she tried to bite me.”
    “She was very sick,” I whispered into his hair. “Brooke didn’t know what she was doing, sweetie.”
    “The little girl must have gotten bit at some point,” said Bryce. “She lunged at Austin and almost ended a certain cowboy’s future career in the rodeo.”
    Austin smiled and then held up his hand which was bleeding from the scratches. “No harm, just a few scratches from her nails. She didn’t bite me or anything.”
    “Austin,” said Bryce, placing a hand on his shoulder. “Listen, thanks for helping to save Bobby. If you wouldn’t have gotten to Brooke so quickly, she may have bitten him.”
    Austin nodded. “Bobby’s a good kid. I’d do it again in a heartbeat.”
    “Let’s go back to the house before we run into anymore of those things,” said Paige looking towards the dark trees. “I have this creepy feeling that we’re being watched.”

Chapter Seven
     
    “What in the hell is going on?” barked my dad as we walked into the house.
    “Believe me, you don’t want to know,” replied Kristie as she removed her shoes and began rubbing her feet.
    Dad looked at Bryce and turned green. “Damn, what happened to you? You look and smell like my brother’s dog after rolling in a pile of shit. Jesus, someone take him outside and spray him down before I lose my breakfast.”
    “I can spray down Bryce,” said Eva who suddenly appeared at the top of the stairs holding Chi Chi. The flirtatious smile on her face was nauseating.
    I clenched my fists tightly. If anyone needed to be sprayed down with cold water it was Eva. I was about to offer those words of advice when Kristie grabbed my arm and whispered, “Just let it go.”
    “Damn girl, you’re like a bitch in heat,” stated Paige loudly. “I think you need to be sprayed down with the garden hose. No offense, Goldie sweetie.”
    Goldie barked and jumped up on Paige.
    Kristie closed her eyes and groaned while I burst out laughing.
    “Paige, the only bitch around here is you,” snapped Eva.
    “That’s it!” raged Paige, throwing aside her bat. She raced up the stairs only to be blocked by my dad.
    “Girls, even though I enjoy a good catfight now and again, there’s absolutely no time for this. Both of you need to mellow out and save your rage for the zombies.”
    Paige and Eva continued to glare at each other until Kristie finally separated them.
    “So, I heard things didn’t go well at the cabin,” said my dad, when Eva finally stormed back downstairs. “I’m really sorry to hear that, Kristie.”
    She nodded and looked away. She’d been very close to her mom and the wounds would be fresh for a long time.
    “Listen,” announced my dad. “Anyone wishing to tag along with us to Atlanta should be prepared to leave within the hour. It’s almost daybreak and I really want to get a move on.”
    “I think we’re