Empty Bodies 3: Deliverance (Empty Bodies Series Book 3) by Zach Bohannon Page A

followed.
    “This speed is perfect,” she said. “They’re coming after us like they think they’re gonna catch us.”
    “But we’re not gonna let that happen,” Brandon said, presenting it almost like a question.
    “Not planning on it,” Will said. “But maybe if they do, you can jump out and distract ‘em for us.”
    Jessica smiled, but Brandon didn’t find it funny, narrowing his eyes.
    As they passed the third level, Jessica watched another small group of Empties join the existing horde. If Will had driven past a few moments later, this new group would have been blocking the way in front of them.
    “Hey, I think your plan garnered the attention of their friends,” Jessica said.
    “Good,” Will said. “Hopefully that’ll make for a clearer path when we get back.”
    They reached the exit unscathed. The fire truck Will’s group had come to the hospital in still sat in the same spot they’d parked it.
    “Looks like the tires are blown out,” Will said, speaking of the fire truck.
    “David must’ve shot ‘em on his way out,” Sam said.
    Jessica looked ahead as Will exited the well-lit garage and entered the pitch black darkness of the night. He was finally forced to turn the headlights on. When he did, three Empties appeared in the beams, standing just yards away from the hood of the SUV. He tried to swerve, but ended up hitting one of them. A second creature slammed its hands on the hood while another banged against the glass. Jessica looked back and saw the oncoming horde approaching fast.
    “Go!” Brandon yelled.
    Will hesitated. “I’ve gotta make sure this group follows me.”
    The Empty screamed, continuing to pound on the glass. Jessica had remained calm and trusted Will this entire time, but now even she was becoming nervous. She looked back again and saw the group getting closer. The SUV began to shake, and she looked to the side of the vehicle to see the three beasts pushing against it.
    “Will,” Jessica said with a tremble, “I think he’s right—we need to—”
    “Just trust me,” Will said, cutting her off.
    The Escape crept forward again, and one of the Empties banged on the window immediately beside Jessica. The creature had once been a woman, and was somehow still wearing radiant red hair and an open blouse. Will eased out into the street, and another two Empties came up from the other side of the car. They’d apparently been wandering down the sidewalk and been drawn in by the commotion. Jessica could feel the sweat form on her brow. She became distractingly wet under her arms and on her palms, and she rubbed her knees nervously, an old habit she’d had since middle school.
    “Tell me when the entire group is out of the garage,” Will said, speaking to any of the three in the car who might still be listening to him and not the creatures.
    It was hard to be sure with no light behind them, and with just trying to see past the glowing eyes of the approaching horde, but Jessica couldn’t see anymore creatures within the lighting of the garage.
    “It looks clear,” she said.
    Glancing back at her through the rearview mirror, Will asked, “You sure?”
    “Positive,” she lied.
    She jolted back against the seat as Will punched the gas. Out of the corner of her eye, Jessica saw the Empty who’d been knocking on the door beside her fall. Will drove another thirty yards before slamming on the breaks and turning the car a hundred and eighty degrees. The lights faced the horde now, who seemed to be walking faster now to try and reach the SUV.
    “I think you’ve led them far enough,” Brandon said. “Please, go.”
    Jessica leaned up and put her hand on Will’s shoulder.
    “Come on,” she whispered. “Let’s get out of here before we push our luck. They’re not gonna go back into that garage. They’re gonna continue to follow us, even when we’re long gone.”
    Will hesitated, then finally turned the vehicle around.
    Jessica leaned back and quietly sighed. She