End Times, Surviving with My Beastly Army novel Chapter 53

11:32 Sat, May 23 M.

End Times, Surviving with My Beastly Army:

Chapter 53 The Gas Station Raid

71

Finished

Robin was blunt. “Your body just woke up. Coming with us right now would only slow everyone down. I’ll give you extra time to recover. But don’t get too comfortable–nobody freeloads in my house forever.”

Harsh as the words were, some of the tension actually drained from Henry’s face. “I have never been a freeloader.”

Robin softened when she turned to Jessica. “For now, just focus on taking care of your daughter.”

Jessica nodded, gratitude plain on her face.

They were about to head out when a white streak came barreling from the back hill, skidding to a halt directly in their path.

Even knowing Snowy was Robin’s, the others couldn’t help the full–body flinch.

“You want to come, too?”

Robin stroked Snowy’s massive head but shook hers. “Not this time, buddy. You need to stay and guard the house.”

Snowy’s reluctance was written all over his furry face. Robin sighed and switched into full persuasion mode. “Home needs someone to protect it, too, you know. If we all leave, what happens to this place?

“Besides, you’re the one I trust most. You’re my most important tiger–that’s exactly why I need Anyone else, and I wouldn’t feel safe. Only you can handle this mission.”

you

here.

That masterfully crafted guilt trip sent Snowy trotting back to his post with his spirits fully restored, practically wagging a tail he didn’t have.

Robin’s expression snapped back to steel. “Let’s move.”

Nobody wanted to sit next to Rocky, who had soiled himself earlier. After a brief and unanimous discussion, he got banished to the trunk..

He considered protesting, but one look at the faces around him made him curl up quietly in the back.

Following his directions, Dane drove out of the zoo and headed straight for the gas station.

Robin wasn’t doing this out of bloodthirst. Everyone left at the mini–mart knew Shangri–La existed. The group she’d wiped out today would be missed–sooner or later, those left behind would come looking.

She couldn’t allow Shangri–La to be discovered this early.

To avoid future headaches, she had to deal with them too.

The suburban roads were eerily quiet–sparse traffic, no people, the occasional zombie corpse with a caved- in skull lying in the road. Dane didn’t even glance at them. He drove right over.

About 15 minutes later, a red awning appeared on the horizon.

“Robin, that should be the place.”

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11:32 Sat, May 23 M.

Chapter 53 The Gas Station Raid

There was a faint edge of anticipation in Ella’s voice.

Robin had briefed them during the drive.

71

Floished

The thought that someone had been plotting to take their home had everyone simmering.

Robin signaled Dane to pull over. She popped the trunk and hauled Rocky out.

“That one?”

She pointed at the red awning.

Rocky swallowed. “Y–yeah. That’s it.”

Robin untied his wrists without warning.

He stared at his freed hands, more confused than relieved–and deeply uneasy.

Robin commanded, “You walk in first. Lead us inside.”

Rocky’s voice went thin. “I left this morning with the boss’s group. If I come back alone with four strangers, the vice–captain is going to have a lot of questions.”

“Tell him you ran into us on the road,” Robin said, already ahead of him.

“Say the boss took pity on us and told you to bring us back to the station first. As for the boss himself, just say he hasn’t come back yet.”

Rocky nodded vaguely. “Right… okay.”

“Let’s go. And you know what to say and what not to say.”

“Of course, of course. I know.”

The group walked toward the gas station.

Inside the mini–mart, someone was cautiously lifting a corner of the window covering.

The glass was almost unrecognizable–caked with dried, rust–brown blood and a thick layer of grime.

“Mr. Laurent.”

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