Read Those Who Remain (Book 2) for Free Online Page A

the school. People move around between bedrolls; some are reading and playing cards by candlelight. Not exactly the scene I was expecting.
    I climb down back to the ground, moving crouched to the back doors of the court. My eyes search for clues through a small gap between each door. It’s my ears that solve the mystery.
    “Don’t worry, Frank. I know they are fine. They must be. Now rest, please. You need to be well-rested if things go wrong.”
    My old principal’s voice is exactly as I remember: comforting, but strict when needed. I’m happy to see Mrs. Terrence is still alive and well.
    There is a brief moment of hesitation, before my hands push the doors open. People turn around and stare at me. This is far from the first time I draw their attention. By now, I’m used to their whispers and badly hidden gasps. I stroll between bedrolls and surprised people to reach Mrs. Terrence.
    “Lily? Oh my goodness. Is that really you?” She almost runs to me, a smile so big it makes me embarrassed. “Thank God! I’m so happy you are here.”
    I nod, feeling my cheeks warm a little. I’m used to the stares, not people actually being happy to see me. “Hi, Mrs. Terrence. Everything all right?”
    She looks at me from head to toe, eyes lingering on the AK-47. Under normal circumstances, I would expect a lecture about caution and not scaring off people. Today, I can see in her eyes she’s a bit disappointed, instead of shocked, by my carelessness in bringing an assault rifle to school.
    “Yes. For now. Is this…?” She points at my gun. “Is this all you brought? Where’s your father?”
    Her question chokes me from the inside. I try not to let my voice crack too much. “He’s not coming.” I adjust the rifle’s strap over my shoulder to hide my shaking hand.
    “I’m sorry to hear that. Perhaps he’ll change his mind later.”
    Mrs. Terrence was always nice. I liked her husband too. They used to come and visit Mom on Thanksgiving. Danny was too shy, apparently. More likely, he was too scared of the deer heads on our walls. The smell of Mrs. Terrence’s turkey and Mom’s apple pie used to mean happiness. Not anymore.
    No matter how nice she was, she had no clue how my Father’s mind really works.
    “Yeah. Maybe,” I mumble, before changing the subject. “I have a pickup truck full of guns and ammo back at Old Joe’s. I didn’t know how bad the situation was. Couldn’t risk it falling into the wrong hands.”
    “Smart. You did well.”
    “So, what is the situation exactly? Where’s Roger?”
    She turns her gaze to the ground. I tense up. Mrs. Terrence never avoids anyone’s eyes.
    Not Roger. It can’t be Roger.
    “They aren’t back. Yet. I… It’s still early. I’m sure they are fine.”
    He’s alive. Or was. I’m not too late. Maybe. I relax.
    “Back from where?”
    Mrs. Terrence explains their plan: grab some those infected people and use them to dispatch the forces before they even reach town. It’s an okay idea, but like any okay idea, it can go south quickly. Stepping inside enemy territory without knowing the lay of the land can end up being a huge mistake.
    “How many men did Roger take?”
    Her gaze runs around the court before she answers me. Not again. Mrs. Terrence what’s the matter with you today?
    “Danny and your mother.”
    “Why not Gutierrez and O’Neil?”
    Mom did have some experiencing tracking, so that made sense. But Danny? What did he know about sneaking inside a college and close combat? Didn’t he hate guns?
    “Roger thought if something happened… Someone with experience should stay to protect the town. We have few people who can shoot here, we need those two. And Danny did manage to kill a few zombies these past weeks.”
    I bite my lip. It feels weird to have her call those crazy people “zombies.” I guess Danny was the one responsible for that. I don’t like it. Makes me think I’m a survivor in a horror flick. And I know those movies end