Relay for Life Read Online Free

“Go! Run, Andrew! Faster, baby boy, faster than you’ve ever run in your life.”
    Andrew pumped his short arms faster. He was only nine, but he was already a good runner, the fastest in his class. He pulled ahead of the throng just as his mama cried out. Something evil grabbed her and pulled her back into the swarm of screaming people. He ran on, faster, faster. He had to outrun the monsters, had to outrun what his Uncle Tommy had brought with him when he’d come to visit.
* * * *
    He blinked coming back to himself. Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, I have to stop thinking about this . He’d freak himself out if he didn’t. He’d been raised by the sector’s orphanage after his parents died, and he’d had a good life, a zombie-free, Necro-free life. The few that he’d encountered on the way had been cause for anxiety, but the days of total meltdown were behind them. Last year had been a rare occurrence and one that wasn’t likely to repeat anytime soon.
    Oddly enough, it wasn’t the zombies he had issues with. It was the crowds. The human beings in the panicked crowd had been the real danger in the situation. They’d trampled people, dragged them down in an effort to distract the hoards of infected that had been trailing behind them. It was a situation that Andrew never wanted to be in again.
A message flashed on his PDA from Marcel.
You okay?
    Marcel had been with him on every run since he was a teenager and knew all about his anxiety problems. He was a good friend and had held him tightly on one occasion after a six-hour signing had led to a mini-meltdown. It was one of the reasons that Jim and Jason never scheduled him for longer signings anymore. He’d thought Marcel would ask him out after, but he never had. He might’ve read a little bit more into the situation than was actually warranted.
He sent Marcel a quick return message.
    Not too bad. We’re almost done . Nod at me if you need out . Okay .
    They answered a few more questions, and then Jim called an end to the press conference. A couple more pictures were taken, and then he was being ushered by his field team toward the waiting transport that would take him to the start line for the race. He shook Jim and Jason’s hands before climbing into the waiting transport.
    Marcel sat beside him as the driver started the engine. “This is going to be pretty intense, Andrew.”
“So I’ve been told. I’ve studied the map, though. It’s a great trail.”
“I’ve been keeping up with the z movements through the area,” Marcel said, pulling up the migration patterns on his screen. “They have a Necro King controlling a mob just south of the trail. I know the higher-ups think this is a good idea, but I’m not so sure.”
“It’ll be fine, Marcel. I know the risks. Plus you know the UMF will pull the race if the situation gets hot.” He reached over and patted the other man’s tanned arm. “Don’t worry so much. I trust you guys to have my back.”
Marcel sighed. His chocolate-brown hair was getting longer. It was in his eyes now. He really needed a haircut. “You know I think of you as a kid brother. It’s impossible not to worry about you, Andy.”
Andrew rolled his eyes. “I will be just fine, Marcel. Seriously.” A change of subject was in order. “How do you feel about taking the team out after the race for some pizza at Mac’s?” Mac’s was a private little pizza joint right down from his condo. They’d done it before after a particularly trying race, and Andrew could afford the carbs after the intensity of this jaunt.
Marcel raised his deep brown eyes and met Andrew’s. “I’m going to need more than a slice of pizza at the conclusion of this race. A pint of beer might do it.”
“You know Mac’s serves beer and wine,” Andrew said. “Don’t borrow trouble, Marcel. Nothing is going to go wrong with this race.”
Chapter Two
One Month Later
    Andrew kicked out with his feet, dislodging the zombie that was trying to take a bite out