Back at the jewelry store, Erik stepped backward.
"Ben, behind me."
Ben immediately obeyed.
A zombie had approached from his blind side, hidden behind one of the decorative pillars lining the storefront.
Erik intercepted it before it could get close.
Kai was dealing with another infected several feet away.
Too far.
"Close the gap!" Erik ordered.
Kai immediately retreated.
The three regrouped.
Ben looked toward the street.
"Where are they?"
Erik didn't answer.
He couldn't see them anymore.
That concerned him.
Kai noticed his expression.
"They have the keys."
"You don't know that."
"No."
Kai tightened his grip on his machete.
"But I know Penny."
Erik glanced at him.
Kai gave him a humorless smile.
"If there are keys somewhere out there, she's coming back with them."
A loud crash echoed from farther down the street.
More growls answered.
Ben looked toward the intersection.
His face changed.
"Erik."
"I see them."
