Fall of the Seven Cities Saga (Book 1) by Jay Brenham

lived just down the street. Hell, we even vacationed together. Do you have anyone like that?”
    Matt shook his head. “Wish I did. That sounds like a real friend.”
    “Yeah... Steve was the type of guy who’d risk himself for you—well, you saw how he came to help me. He always had my back. I guarantee he’s sitting up there on some cloud right now, pissed that Eric got the drop on him like that. Not so much mad that he died, just mad about the way it happened.” Taylor gave a half smirk and stared a thousand yards out into the water.
    “I’m sorry, Taylor.” It seemed woefully inadequate, but it was all Matt could think of to say.
    “Don’t be . I fucked up and gave that kid his knives back. I got Steve killed, and for what? That kid never did anything to help any of us. I should have shot him when I first saw him”
    “That’s not exactly true. When I jumped out of the window the infected man who’d been trapped in the classroom grabbed me. Eric stabbed him from behind and, when the guy was distracted, I was able to kill him. I know it can’t bring Steve back, but giving Eric his knives back saved my life and maybe Jenna’s and the baby’s.”
    Taylor smiled and patted Matt on the shoulder. “Well, I’m glad to hear it. Maybe it wasn’t a total fuck up.” Taylor looked toward the berthing, where Jenna and the baby were. “When this is over I want you to find my family and Steve’s family and tell them how we went. Tell them we were brave, that we did it to save the baby. They’ll understand because that’s the damn truth. If it wasn’t for the baby I might have left you guys. Keep that little girl safe, Matt.”
    Matt nodded. Maybe Taylor’s words should have stung, but they didn’t. He felt the same way. Maybe they were all just cowards looking for a reason to be a hero.
    “My family and Steve are at his family’s farmhouse, it’s an old brick colonial. The kind with a deck on the top and bottom. His farm is on the north side of Henry Huff Road but east of state Route 1326. Can you remember that?”
    Matt nodded.
    Taylor took a deep breath. “I want you to do for me what I did for Steve. I couldn’t live with the idea that I could come back and hurt that child. So give me a few minutes and then do what I ask. I’ll be thinking about my family. Don’t tell me when you’re gonna do it.” He smiled. “As much as I like you, I don’t want my last thought to be about you, Matt. Can you do that?”
    Matt nodded. “Taylor…I just wanted to say…thanks. I don’t think I could have gotten out of the hospital without you. Jenna’s alive because of you. That baby is alive.” He swallowed and chambered a round. “I’ll do what you’re asking. I’ll find your family.”
    “That means a lot to me.” Taylor met Matt’s eyes for a moment before looking away. “Now I’m just gonna look at the city and think a little bit.”
    The minutes dragged out as Matt waited. Jenna came up and he went back to the stern to quietly explain what was happening. Tears filled her eyes and she squeezed Matt’s arm before going back downstairs.
    Just watching Taylor think about his family while waiting to be killed was enough to make Matt want to crawl inside the boat and never come out. Was he supposed to wait a long time and give Taylor every possible minute? Or should he just do it and get it over with? He was still thinking about this when he saw Taylor start to sway and grab one of the safety stays to support himself. Matt shouldered the weapon. He lined the sights up on the back of Taylor’s skull, breathed steadily and, just like Taylor had taught him, smoothly pulled the trigger until the gun barked.
    It wasn’t messy. Taylor’s body fell forward into the water with a splash. He heard Jenna stifle a cry from inside.
    “Thanks, Taylor,” Matt whispered.
    That night the city was colored red. The burning skyline lit up the bay like Matt had never seen. He lost count of the gunshots he heard.