Dead Highways (Book 2): Passage by Richard Brown Page B

all directions, ignited by the burning rag, creating multiple strips of fire that instantly engulfed numerous infected. Without pause, they did what anyone would do when on fire. They freaked out. And the best part was, the others around them began to freak out too, especially after another bottle crashed nearby, producing a rolling wave of hot, orange flames.
    I opened fire. I didn’t aim at any specific target, just the group as a whole. In a matter of seconds, I’d emptied half of the magazine, successfully wounding at least five infected. Unlike last time, none peeled off from the group and ran my way. They were blind to me, more concerned with the growing flames. Those that had caught fire shambled madly off into the crowd, spreading the fire to many others. I continued shooting, finishing off the first magazine, while Peaches continued hurling our homemade grenades over the red car, adding more fire to an already fiery lot.
    Slowly, the crowd began to disperse. Peaches did a great job throwing the cocktails in different locations to spread the fire as wide as possible. I lost count as to how many she’d thrown. I kept shooting, taking closer aim now that the infected weren’t packed in so tight. Overhead, the blue sky was fading to black. Nightfall was upon us, making the flaming bottles an even more remarkable sight. They coasted through the air, falling like tiny meteorites to the ground, releasing liquid death upon all near the area of impact.
    With the first magazine empty, I snatched the second from my pocket, popped it into the rifle, and began shooting again. A dozen rounds later, I lowered the rifle. There was no point in blowing my load too fast, especially since it was having less of an effect now that the large crowd had begun to thin out—those that were still alive, anyway. Dozens of bodies lay on the ground, a few still burning.
    Peaches stopped throwing cocktails and began yelling my name. It was too dark out now to spot her hiding behind the red car, but I had no problem seeing the man on fire lumbering toward her position. Three more infected immediately followed him. Then four more.
    I hurried down from the hood of the SUV and jumped into the driver’s seat, hoping Peaches remembered the plan.
    The SUV’s auto headlights came on and I was off, spinning around the corner of Lee Vista back on to Narcoossee Road. I had told Peaches if she got into trouble to make for the center of Narcoossee. As I rolled past the Walgreens on the left, more and more infected ran from the parking lot to the road. I hit the brakes, trying to avoid running anyone over and causing a multiple body pile up. To the right I saw Peaches cross to the other side of the road, the infected right on her tail.
    A moment later, a ball of fire erupted behind her.
    I guess she had one cocktail left.
    However, the infected weren’t the least bit intimidated anymore. She was so close now, right within their grasp. I was the only thing standing between them and the revenge they so desired.
    No more being nice.
    I hit the gas and plowed over the grassy median, knocking a few people out of my way in the process. I slid out into the road, thrown about in my seat. Through the crowd, I saw Peaches run into the parking lot of a Tire Kingdom. A parade of infected admirers followed her. The rest swarmed upon the SUV, surrounding me.
    Bad idea.
    I jammed the gas again and bulldozed through them with such ease Robinson would cry tears of joy.
    Upon clearing a path to the Tire Kingdom, I swore I heard gunfire. And not just one or two shots. Repeated gunfire.
    I skidded to a stop next to Peaches. She opened the passenger door and leapt inside. I wasted no time putting the pedal back to the metal. The swarm of infected continued to chase after us like we had Justin Bieber tied up in the back.
    God, how I wished that were true.
    “How’s Olivia?” Peaches asked, reaching into the backseat.
    “Hopefully not too shaken up,” I said, watching