Dead, but Not for Long by Matthew Kinney, Lesa Anders Page A

comes to worst, they’ll hang back in the physical therapy and
exercise rooms, and we’re back where we started. But I think you’re right. I
think they’ll tumble and hopefully some of them will land head first. Maybe we’ll
put some of the poor things out of their misery.”
    Keith said, “Any thoughts on tearing out that railing, Jack?”
    “Most of my tools are downstairs, but I found this little Henry Homeowner crescent wrench
in one of the drawers. It’s worth a shot.” Jack stuck the small adjustable wrench back into his pocket.
    “We need to clear the hall first and lock in as many as possible,” Keith said. “Looks like
most of them are in the next room now, so shall we give it a shot?”
    “Let’s do it,” Jack said.
    Jack went first, slipping out into the hallway. He nodded to Keith that it was clear then Keith
joined him, closing the door quietly. Lindsey locked it from behind then told
Autumn to help her listen for it in case the two men had to come back in a hurry.
    “Shall we go play bait now?” she asked Autumn, smiling to hide her nervousness.
    “I guess it’s show time,” Autumn replied.
    They walked over toward the window but not close enough to get grabbed in case something broke through.
    As the two females kept the attention of the zombies focused on them, Keith and Jack snuck
back down the hall, having to duck below the level of the hall window to keep
from being seen from the equipment room. When they reached the door, the last
of the infected had already walked in and the door had swung shut.
    “Nice,” Keith said. “We should lock it, just in case.”
    Jack held his keys up in the air. “Now which one . . . just kidding.”
    Keith was not amused.
    Jack quickly locked the door and moments later the pounding began.
    “If we live through this, I think you owe me a beer for that one,” Keith told him.
    “Beer?” Jack made a face. “Maybe whiskey, that way I can join you.”
    “That was almost too easy,” Keith said as they started to walk away. Seconds later, two of the
infected came around the corner from the other wing.
    “Guess I spoke too soon.”
    Jack had to use two rounds but he made his shots count.
    They had to kill a couple of crawlers on the way back but were able to do it using the heavy metal bar that Keith had brought.
    “Now, let’s see what we can do about that railing,” Jack said, propping open the fire exit
door. “And let’s hope those windows and doors hold until we’re done.
    While Jack got started on the railing, Keith knocked on the door, letting Lindsey know it was safe to open it.
    “The exercise room is full and that window won’t hold for long,” Keith said. “So let’s keep
this door open in case you two have to get out fast.”
    “Good idea,” Lindsey said, eying the window nervously.
    Jack struggled with the bolts, which had obviously been there for decades, rusting in the rain
and snow. He grunted as he cranked as hard as he could on one particularly
stubborn fastener. The wrench snapped in two before the bolt even started to
budge. About that time, a crack appeared in the window and Lindsey had to stifle a scream.
    “Please hurry. They cracked the window,” she said, sticking her head out the door.
    Keith glanced inside to assess the damage then went back out onto the fire escape. “Let me see if I can loosen it.”
    When Jack stepped away, Keith gave it a hard kick. Instead of loosening the bolts, the
whole rail broke free and crashed to the ground below with a loud clang. Keith
hadn’t expected it, and when the rail fell, he followed it, momentum carrying him toward the edge.
    He fought to maintain his balance as he looked down upon a sea of the infected, then he felt
a hand grab his arm. Jack pulled him back, which was not an easy task.
    Keith stepped away from the edge. “Thanks, man, I thought I was a goner for a minute there,” he said.
    “I was going to say, careful with that railing. It’s rusted,” Jack