Content Sneak Peek

Below is an excerpt and choice from the start of chapter 15. It involves searching Daisy's Daycare center.

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Stepping inside the back room of the daycare center, you tread lightly, your movements careful and deliberate to avoid any unnecessary noise. The room appears to be a storage area, with shelves lined with supplies—cans of paint, stacks of paper, and boxes of toys. Some shelves have toppled over, their contents spilled across the floor. Cobwebs drape over forgotten items, and a thick layer of dust covers everything, undisturbed for months.

Rachel follows, stepping inside with her back towards the room, her eyes vigilantly scanning the outside. She positions herself near the door, ensuring a clear path for a quick exit if needed.

As you move towards the front of the daycare center, the sounds of a scuffle and a sudden, guttural growl of a zombie catch your attention. Your grip tightens on your weapon as you advance cautiously towards the interior.

The next room opens up into a larger play area. Colorful mats cover the floor, and child-sized tables and chairs are scattered around. A small indoor playground, complete with a slide and a playhouse, sits in one corner. Drawings and crafts, once proudly displayed, hang limply on the walls.

Amid this abandoned haven of childhood, you see a figure struggling with a zombie. The young man grapples fiercely with the undead, trying to keep it at bay. His movements are desperate but determined as he attempts to gain the upper hand. He's about average height with a lean, athletic build that speaks of months spent surviving on his own. His skin is a warm, light brown, suggesting South Asian descent. His hair, dark and slightly unkempt, falls haphazardly over his forehead.

Rachel hears the commotion and turns, her weapon at the ready.

The young man manages to push the zombie back, but it lunges at him again, relentlessly attacking. You realize that without intervention, he might be unable to fend off the creature alone.