RecruitZ (Afterworld Series) by Karice Bolton

red and once again, the zombies began their assault. This fight was more vicious—messier—as the zombies tore into one another. I took a step back as flesh and bits sprayed into the crowd. Thankfully all the large men in front of me blocked me from the mess.
    I couldn’t actually tell which zombie was winning. Only so I could get my money back, I hoped Jared was in the lead, but I really didn’t care. I felt a set of eyes on me from the far corner and lifted my gaze to see who was watching me. It was Marcus. Discomfort lodged into my gut as I turned my attention back to the fight. I needed to get out of here as soon as the fight ended.
    “Better step up your game,” Preston murmured. “Or you risk exposing more than you realize.”
    I had no idea what Preston was talking about, but his tone told me one thing. I wasn’t alone. I threw my fist into the air and attempted to shout at the correct times and cheer my bet on. I watched the zombies with careful consideration and one thing was for sure. These weren’t anything like the zombies that we had grown to fear during the apocalypse. These held something deeper and more mysterious for us to fear. I just wasn’t sure what.
    Jared wrenched the head off the other zombie, ending the match, and I looked away as I tried to regain some sort of stability. But my mind flashed to Gavin as he was hauled out of the car, and I couldn’t catch my breath.
    I needed air.
    A victor was declared.
    I needed out of here.
    Intermission was announced as Jared was led out of the tent and the chain-link barrier leading him away from us was torn down.
    “About that drink?” I asked Preston.
    He nodded and led me out of the tent.
    “I need to go get my winnings,” I whispered.
    “You bet on Payback?” he asked.
    “No. Jared.”
    “Too bad. Your payout would have been huge on that new one.”
    My stomach twisted into knots as he spoke about my brother-in-law. There was no way for Preston to know, but it didn’t make it hurt any less.
    He guided me to a tent that I hadn’t noticed before.
    “Where is everyone?” I asked.
    “Most continue to bet up until the end and don’t cash out until then,” he answered.
    I gave my ticket to a woman who was standing behind a makeshift counter. She nodded and glanced at my outfit.
    “First time here?” she asked, counting out my winnings.
    I nodded.
    “What did you think?” she asked.
    “Don’t know if I quite have the stomach for it.”
    She counted out the small stack of hundreds. “Twelve-hundred.”
    “That might make me learn to love it,” I lied, flashing her a grin.
    “Always does,” she said, recounting the stack in front of me.
    “Thanks.” I grabbed the money and stuffed it in my bra.
    I noticed Preston’s gaze drop to follow my fingers, and then he looked away quickly.
    As we made our way out of the tent, Brenda was already outside making the rounds, drumming up business for the second half.
    “How’d you like it?” she asked, waving at us.
    “I don’t quite have the stomach for it, but I might learn to love it.”
    “That’s the spirit.” She winked at Preston. “You two leaving?”
    “I think it’s best,” I said. “I don’t want to become the main event when my stomach turns.”
    Brenda laughed and nodded in agreement. “Don’t blame you. It takes some getting used to and that last one was pretty rough. Gotta get back at it, but I’m glad you came out tonight, Rebekah.”
    “Thanks.”
    I watched her walk away and waited for Preston to say something. He didn’t. Instead, I followed his gaze and saw Marcus talking intently to one of the TRAC members.
    “Well, you ready? I’ll pick the spot and you can follow me there. Not that I don’t trust you but—”
    “I get it,” he said smiling, returning his attention back to me. “You like to take the lead.”
    I rolled my eyes and walked down the driveway with Preston by my side.
    “I just like to stay alive. Where’d you park?” I asked.
    “To