Human Extinction Level Loss (Book 1): Nicole's Odyssey Read Free Page A

the windshield and the dark. 
    “This has been a test of the Nicole Bennett zombie emergency evac system.  Had this been an actual attack...I probably would be munched.” 
    Fatigue washed over her, as she rested her head on the steering wheel.  She sighed then opened her door and climbed out.  Shutting the door behind her, Nicole confirmed its unlocked status then stumbled into the room closest to the office on the left.  This door she did lock.
     
    The room was standard “mom and pop” fare.  Two single beds were on either side of a nondescript nightstand.  Across from the beds, a television sat atop a scratched up dresser.  She saw the remote lying on top of the television, an old style box set, and grabbed it.  She did not know what she hoped to see, but she turned on the aging set just the same.  As the television warmed up, a color test pattern appeared.  She flipped through a half dozen channels and got the same thing.  The last one she tried had a scrolling public service announcement.  It was urging people to stay in their homes until order could be restored.  Nicole laughed.  As a kid, she remembered learning that at the height of the cold war, children were taught to hide under their desks and cover their heads in the event of a nuclear attack.  She knew then, even as a kid herself, the advice was meaningless. It was given only so that people would feel like they were doing something constructive and life preserving.  The last thing the government wanted when humanity was about to go dark was for people to panic.  Hide under your desk, stay in your homes.  It was the same, all the government could really do was tell you to duck your head and die quietly.  Disgusted with the useless advice and her own cynical thought about it, Nicole switched off the television and tossed the remote on the bed. 
    She looked over at the sink against the wall.  To the left of that was a door leading to the toilet and shower.  Though she felt bone weary, she thought a shower would wash away the miles.  She set her bag down and went in and turned on the light.  The shower was clean, so she tried the water, cranking the HOT knob to wide open.  The water poured from the faucet behind a strong pressure.  She put her hand out and tested the temperature; it was still cold.  Waiting for it to warm up, Nicole went to the sink, over which was a large mirror.  She tied her auburn hair up in a loose not and turned on the faucet, splashing the cool water over her face.  The feeling rejuvenated her and made her long for the shower, anticipation of muscles relaxing under the hot spray.  Grabbing a hand towel, she rubbed her face dry.  The towel was plush and it felt good, like an itch finally being scratched.  Long after her face was dry, she continued to rub, feeling the massage ease the stress of hours on the road.  Finishing, she tossed the towel away and looked in the mirror.  Her father’s green eyes stared back at her. 
    The eyes are the window of the soul, she thought to herself. 
    She doubted her father believed in such things as a soul.  Her mind wandered. 
    What if he’s right?  Is the only difference between the living and the dead the stench and lack of speech?  She continued to study her features.  I may have dad’s eyes, but everything else is mom’s. 
    Sandra Bennett was a beautiful woman.  She was known and loved by her friends for her gracious generosity and quiet dignity.  Nicole was her mother’s daughter.  The qualities of beauty and generosity that she inherited made it easy for Nicole to find friends and meet guys.  Her college years called into doubt whether quiet dignity was a trait passed on.  Nicole was also known for being a partier around campus.  She had many boyfriends but no lovers.  Guys who only wanted one thing, called her a tease sometimes but it did not bother her.  Most of them were probably shufflers now and that would be an improvement.  She smiled at