Read The Grace Series (Book 2): Tainted Grace for Free Online Page B

That’s exactly what you saw outside this cabin with the old woman.”
    Nathan’s already fair face paled even more.  “That makes sense,” he said, his tone angry.  “We’ve noticed that in the hordes we’ve come across there’s often one or two of the fast ones, and the rest are slow and clumsy.”
    “Ya, it’s usually just a couple of the fast ones. They use the rest to do the dirty work, so-to-speak,” added Emilie.  “We’ve been calling them Roamers and Runners.”
    “Good nicknames,” said Nathan.
    “Sounds as if we might have good Intel to share with one another,” said Gus.  “If you’re open to it.”
    “Man, I don’t see how we can’t,” answered Bill.  “People have to help each other now, if we’re to survive at all.  Especially seeing as there’s other humans out there sabotaging.  Like luring those bastards here to your cabin.”
    The thought sent a chill up my spine and my body shuddered slightly.  I had a feeling our lives were about to change yet again.  “We should eat,” I said quietly as Emilie set the tomato macaroni down on the table.
    “Ladies first,” said Bill.  Ah, another gentleman in our midst.  I smiled weakly. “You all start,” I said quietly.  “Emilie and I will finish bringing dinner over.”
    “Than ks,” said Nathan gratefully.  “But we’ll wait for you ladies before starting.”
    “Hush,” said Emilie.  “Eat it while it’s hot.  It’s not much but at least it’s warm.”  She flashed a wink at Gus.
    “Yes, ma’am,” said Bill with a grin.  “We surely thank you all for the shelter and meal.”
    Boggs stretched in his chair.  “We’re glad to have you guys.  Zoe, you sit and eat.  I’ll help Em.”
    I started to protest, but knew he was worried about my health, and the baby’s.  I sat without arguing.  I wasn’t hungry, and watched as Gus scooped a serving of tomato macaroni onto my plate.  “Thanks, Gus,” I said.  I plucked a small piece of cold smoked trout from the platter using my fork.  I suddenly felt very cold, and very tired. I had lost track of what time of day it was.  The curtains upstairs were all drawn, and with all the windows boarded over it seemed perpetual night.
    I stuffed a bite of the warm macaroni into my mouth.  It reminded me of my childhood, before my parents and sister had died. I longed for those days to return.  The days when the dead were exactly that - dead.
    “So, tell us about your companions?” asked Susan.  “You said there’re four others?”
    Bill had just taken a bit of his dinner, and Nathan was nearly done chewing a bite.  He nodded his head, and then swallowed before speaking.
    “Two men and two women.   Well, one of the girls is young.  About eleven.  A shy bookworm named Abbey.  Her older sister is about your age,” Nathan said to Susan.  “Kelsey.”
    “Jack is a friend of mine from before all this mess came about,” added Bill, who had finished his bite of fish. “And the other guy is young,” he added.  “Thinks he’s a hot shot and tries to act it, but he’s good with a gun.  His name’s Aldo.  Not always the easiest guy to like but he’s honest and trustworthy.”
    “This is good, Zoe,” interrupted Susan.
    “Thanks,” I smiled at her, momentarily forgetting that once upon a time she had slept with Boggs.
    “Does your group have any kind of plan?” asked Gus rather bluntly.
    “We’re hoping to relocate as soon as the roads are passable,” answered Bill.  “We’ve seen too many signs of hostiles around for comfort.  Not just the living dead, but the likes of whoever baited your property.”  He paused to take a bite of the macaroni.
    “Do any of you have any idea what’s happened?” asked Boggs while Bill was chewing.
    Nathan sighed deeply.  “We’re probably about as knowledgeable as you all.  We’ve all compared stories, and most of us woke up to this mess.  News channels reported cases of sickness sporadically