Tomorrow Land Read Online Free

guy had to do what a guy had to do, older brother’s approval or not.
    “Hey! Over here! I’m over here!”
    Chase’s head jerked around and he almost lost his balance on the roof. What was that? Another voice? And not just any voice. It sounded like a girl. It came from the opposite direction of his brother’s and was still faint. But it was unmistakably human.
    He squinted as he peered down the street, the setting sun making it difficult to see. But then his eyes found movement. Something—some one —was running down the street with wild abandon.
    At first he feared it might be one of the Others, but it didn’t move like one. They could be quick, but he’d never seen one run. And the air didn’t smell like them, either. Their putrid rot often caused a stink that gave plenty of warning—although not always.
    Just to be safe, he lowered himself onto his belly, flush with the garage roof, pulled his thick leather gloves over his wrists, and drew the steel blade from the sheath at his waist. Once properly prepared for any potential fight, he peered over the roof edge again.
    At first he thought he must be hallucinating. The girl came around the corner and he blinked his eyes a few times, rubbed them, then took another look. She was still there. Wearing a white tank top and jean cutoffs, of all things. Miles of skin—milk-white skin—completely exposed. His first thought was that she must be truly stupid to walk around like that. His second thought was how truly happy he was that she did.
    His eyes roved her body, drinking in the first real-life teenage female shape he’d seen in years. The curve of her waist, the flare of her hips. Full breasts, tempting and teasing under the thin fabric of her white tank top. Her long neck, high cheekbones, and beautiful golden hair, pulled up in a casual ponytail. And then there was her eyes—something strange about them—as if they were made of mirrors, reflecting the light in a nearly blinding fashion. He’d never seen anything like it.
    He watched as she ran down the street in his direction. She was beautiful, to say the least; it became clearer the closer she came. But there was also something else. Something weirdly familiar about the—
    He shook his head. Impossible. And pay attention , he told himself. Distractions will only get you killed.
    As if on cue, the breeze shifted and a stench caught his nostrils. A putrid stink. He tensed, shoving all thoughts of lust to the back of his mind. The Others were near. One of them, at least. And this girl was a sitting duck.
    Something stirred inside him, some kind of weird, knight-in-shining-armor craziness that compelled him to jump off the roof and try to rescue her. The notion went against his grain, and he didn’t obey it, but he did manage to scramble to his feet and wave his arms. “Hey, up here!” he hissed. “Quick!”
    She looked up, surprise mixing with joy on her face. Bouncing over to the garage she cried, “Oh my God. You’re a person. A real person. I was beginning to think I was the only—”
    “Behind you!” he cried, realizing he was likely too late. The Other had shown up out of seemingly nowhere, appearing from behind an overturned Smart Volvo, and was inches away from the girl. Dressed like that, with all that skin exposed and perfect for biting, she didn’t have a chance of escaping infection. Or becoming the monster’s dinner. She was a goner for sure and since he’d made himself known, he was likely in for a battle himself.
    Shoulda just stayed hidden and let her die , he berated himself. He knew as well as anyone it did no good these days to help people. Or even animals for that matter. Look what happened to Spud when he’d tried to save that puppy he found in the alley two weeks ago. Picked up the little wiggly thing and bam! Zombie gets the jump on him.
    Yes, these days, it was every man—and dog—for himself. That was the only way to really survive.

Chapter Three
     
    “Peyton, where