Preservation (18 page)

Epilogue

I couldn’t just leave things like this. I couldn’t.

He deserved better. Much better.

He wasn’t just a great man.
This was my father.

His cries cut
into my soul.

His moans tore at my heart.

To the left was Mexico. The border.

I backed away from my father as he struggled to his feet, and climbed into the car. I drove away from him.

I drove several yards and stopped.

He was in my rearview mirror. He stood there, still reaching for me.

“Dad,” I whispered.

I climbed out of the car. I stood and waited.

He came for me. Each step he took pained me. Crushed me.

It wasn’t him. Not any longer. It wasn’t my father.

I sucked in a deep breath and strode full of purpose in each step I took toward him. I raised my sword.

His arms
outstretched; fingers curling and uncurling as if calling me closer and closer..

I swung the sword high, and fast and hard.

As the blade connected with the side of his neck, I closed my eyes and turned away before I saw something I’d never be able to un-see. I slid the blade across his flesh as I spun, and regretted being able to feel the blade shred with a jagged cut.

And then I walked toward the
car, and past it…and kept on walking.

# # #

The sign said
Mexican Border
.

I
could hear the river. It ran strong and fast.

There were cars all over the place, clogging the way out of this country and into the next.

Dad wanted us to reach Mexico.

We’d done it. Well,
I’d done it.

I’d do it, if only f
or him.

I wasn’t sure this was where I wanted to be
, though.

My home was nearly 2,000 miles in the opposite direction.

Not
a few hundred yards in front of me.

For my dad, I would cross into Mexico. Maybe it
would turn out to be the perfect sanctuary. Maybe I would be safe. Maybe they didn’t have the zombie problems America faced.

Maybe there was a new beginning waiting for me on the other side of that wall.

I wouldn’t know until I crossed over and saw for myself.

The problem was, I kept thinking about what we’d learned so far. The zombies did not like the rain. Mexico did not get much rain.
Ever. The zombies learned. They might never be smart (again), or figure out complex problems, but they did learn. If the things were decaying from the inside out, then maybe, just maybe this nightmare would end on its own. Eventually.

My name is Charlene McKinney.

Char.

In
a few short weeks, I’d lost everything important in my world: my mother, my brother, my father.

I’d
lost everything
except
the anger that stirred inside me. I had my sword, machete and knives. I had a fire inside me. I wanted answers. I wanted revenge. I knew it might be wrong, but I wanted to kill every last zombie on earth. Maybe I’d start that in Mexico . . . Maybe I’d go somewhere else and settle the score . . .

I turned around, and gave the USA one final look . . .

. . . The End . . .

Read on for a free sample of Bravo Two Zombie

Author’s Note

While Butler County is an actual county in Pennsylvania, for creative reasons I took many liberties with the physical attributes. With 14 movies filmed in this county, including but not limited to,
Night of the Living Dead
(1968),
The Crazies
(1973),
I Am Number Four
(2011), and
The Avenger
s (2012), I wanted to include this location in the mix of my own zombie trilogy. If any harm was caused, mistakes made, I apologize as none was meant.

Special Thanks

I want to thank Adrian
DeJesus, JoAnne Doud and Linda Tooch, my beta readers; Gary and everyone at Severed Press for all the work put into bringing The Vaccination Trilogy to life, and most importantly, all of the readers who have helped to make the series an Amazon Best Seller. Without my readers, my writing stories is pointless. Thank you, everyone. Your continued support means the world to me.

www.philliptomasso.com / [email protected]

@
P_Tomasso
 

Other Titles by
Tomasso

Evacuation

Vaccination
       Sounds of Silence

Pulse of Evil

Pigeon Drop  Convicted

The
Molech Prophecy (as Thomas Phillips)

Adverse Impact

Johnny Blade 

Third Ring

Tenth House  

Mind Play
Forthcoming

Riverbed Treasure Island: A Zombie Novel

About the Author

Phillip
Tomasso is the award winning author of numerous novels, and short stories. He works full time as a Fire/EMS Dispatcher at 911. He lives in Rochester, NY with his three children, dog, Fettuccine, and cat, Luca. He is always at work on his next tale.

Praise For VACCINATION

“I loved this book because of the concept; zombies didn't just appear after somebody woke up in a hospital bed! The group of survivors were believable, and I loved the fact that they weren't perfect. Highly recommended.” – D.A. Wearmouth, bestselling author of First Activation

“VACCINATION is a thrill a minute. Narrated in a gritty noir voice, Phillip
Tomasso drags you into a zombie outbreak face first and doesn’t let you go until you’ve ripped your fingernails off clawing for help. Smart, intense and damn right frightening, VACCINATION is a must for any zombie fan.”– Max Booth III, author of Toxicity

“It’s hard not to get emotionally attached to the small group of survivors and root for them despite their personal flaws. It’s pretty much impossible to describe the end without giving away too much. I’ll just say that it was a great twist. Whether you are new to zombie fiction or have been a fan for years, I’d tell you to check this one out. It’s a great read.” – Ian McLellan, Zombie-Guide.com

“Tomasso created a Zombie book that seems all too possible! This book kept me wired tight from the beginning until the very end. If you like awesome adventure, and vivid storytelling, then you will LOVE Vaccination! 5 BIG Stars!” – Cedric Nye, author of The Road to Hell is Paved with Zombies

“There's a bit of a cliff hanger at the end of the book, which left me wanting more. I'm anxiously awaiting the publication of the second book. If you're looking for a great zombie book, then I highly recommend you grab a copy of Vaccination.
Props to Phillip Tomasso for writing this fantastic zombie novel!” – J. Cornnell Michels, author of Jordan’s Brains

“
Tomasso explores a humanity left dormant in the infected with graceful elegance. While we get glimpses into that unexpected possibility throughout the book, I would have loved digging deeper down that rabbit hole and see what he would have gifted us with. Simply put, however, VACCINATION is on fire!” — The Bookie Monster

Praise for EVACUATION (Book 2)

“Evacuation is a great read. A taut thriller of a zombie book that is wonderfully violent while continuing a great story about a guy who is simply trying to keep his kids safe during the absolute worst of times. It is fast paced and full of action, but also contains a few scenes that are gut-wrenching to go along with all of the gore and tension.” Ian McClellan, Zombie-Guide Magazine

“
Tomasso is a warmhearted writer with an edge. Evacuation is as much emotional and compassionate, as it is horrific and ruthless . . . Evacuation ends in such a way that readers are left with no other option than to read the final installment. It left me with a buildup of anticipation, and questions that must be answered.” Shana Festa, The Bookie-Monster Review

“This book was better than the first. While it was still fast paced and zombie filled, it was also filled with many emotions, not only felt by the characters in the book but by you the reader. The author made you feel scared, nervous, [it made you] want to scream you were so mad, and the ending was filled with sadness and left you crying and waiting to find out what happens
next . This book brought you even closer to the main characters.” MLP, Amazon

“A very entertaining zombie story.
The interrelationships between characters are surprisingly deep with an unanticipated moral theme that gives this book a deeper and more moving character than most. Very well written engrossing and moving. If you are thinking about reading it I say go ahead.” LGreen, Amazon

“Phillip
Tomasso is one of my favorite writers & this book certainly didn't disappoint . . . If you're looking for a really excellent ZA book, then read this series. I promise you won't regret it! I’m waiting impatiently for the sequel!” ZAreader, Amazon

“OMG loved this book.
Can't wait for the next one. Makes you think if we could all stick together if something like this was to happen. Thanks for writing these books. Please keep writing.” Amanda Simmons, Amazon

“A great spin on the tried-and-true zombie tale with non-stop action. I couldn't put it down!
Can't wait for the 3rd book!” Tony Bartosiewicz, Amazon

“Very fun series to read.
I'm a firefighter and paramedic so to see this group is fun, can't wait for the last one to come out!” Roam, Amazon 

Praise for Phillip
Tomasso

“This is different … confident, addictive storytelling, great characters, and an intriguing plot. You’ll read it fast but remember it for a long time. ” —Lee Child, best selling author of One Shot and the Jack Reacher series

“(Tomasso) takes the standard fare of the private investigator genre and adds twists and turns to make it anything but standard. Tomasso’s writing is crisp and clear … thoroughly enjoyable.” —Joseph Nassise,  author of Internal Games and King of the Dead

“Phillip Tomasso understands what drives people who live on the edge. His characters are three-dimensional and they engage your sympathy and your anger. . .”— William Meikle, author of Night of the Wendigo and The Midnight Eye Files

“I have a selection of authors that I turn to when I need a break from Fantasy and Phillip Tomasso has just become one of them.” —The Eternal Night Magazine

“Phillip Tomasso breathes new life into an old genre – an EXCELLENT read!” —M. R. Sellers, Author of In the Bleak Midwinter and Never Burn a Witch

“
Tomasso weaves a fantastic tale of supernatural proportions in Third Ring. This book keeps you at the edge of your seat, makes you question what you really believe, and entertains, all at the same time. I enjoyed reading this novel because it had just the right amount of characterization to make me feel like I know Tartaglia (the protagonist) but not so much that it took away from the plot.” —John Mirak, Jr., author of Time Stand Still and Soft Case

“
Tomasso has a hit with his Nick Tartaglia series. His writing is real and flows just the way a detective novel should … THIRD RING is a frightening ride, full of twists and turns. But when the ride is over, all you want to do is buy another ticket and go again.” —Nancy Mehl, author of Unbreakable and Inescapable

“ . . . This guy is GOOD! . . . The characters are terrific and I can’t think of anything better on a cold winter’s night than another Phillip
Tomasso novel . . . Well done!” —Thom Racina, best-selling author of Hidden Agenda, Secret Weekend and Deadly Games

“Tenth House is fast-paced, super-scary, and supernatural. Mr.
Tomasso writes thrills with a twist!” —Sarah Lovett, author of Dantes’ Inferno and Desperate Silence

“Tenth House is meticulously detailed in both setting and character depth. The story will pull you in, shake you about, disturb you, keep you guessing and always wanting more. It delivers!” —Keith Rommel,
BookReview

“Tenth House is a brilliant concoction of suspense, thrills, action, and love all mixed into a book you won’t want to put down!” —Amanda Mueller, MyRochester.com

“Phillip Tomasso’s supernatural tale develops three-dimensional characters for a different style of detective series … where the unexpected prevails.” —N.B. Leake, Write Time Write Place

“Fast-paced and deftly told—
Tomasso knows his craft.” —Olivia Boler, author of Year of the Smoke Girl and The Flower Bowl Spell

“…I look forward to more by this talented author in the future.” —Tracy Farnsworth,
The Romance Readers Connection.com