Werewolf Suspense (Book 4): Outage 4 (The Reckoning) (16 page)

"I'll survive. The rest of them have."

Tom smiled as he stared at the rifle in her hands, the one he'd given her. A few minutes ago, he'd considered using it, but his faith had deterred him. He'd only entertain that option if he had to.

He wasn't ready to give up. Not yet.

"Take my blanket," Kelsey said, pulling it from her shoulders and handing it to him. It was a last, benevolent gesture. The wounded expression on her face told him he couldn't refuse it.

"Good luck, Tom," she said, leaning close and pulling him in for a tight hug. Her hands shook as she clung to his jacket. "I can't believe I'm saying this…"

"Stay safe," he said. "Look after Katherine and Silas. One more night and you'll be through it."

"I'll look after them," she whispered.

And then Kelsey was gone, leaping off the truck into the snow, heading back to join the others.

Epilogue

Tom watched Kelsey round the house and disappear into the backyard. Before anyone could question him, Tom jumped off the fire truck and started off in the opposite direction, hunched over against the wind.
 

The snow tugged at his boots, threatening to pull him under, but he forced himself to continue. He needed to get as far away as possible. He needed to make sure the others were safe. He wiped another line of sweat from his brow. His body grew warmer. Not colder, but warmer.

He wasn't surprised.

The night before, he'd watched Abby turn, and she'd displayed some of the same symptoms. She'd also saved his life. It was time to repay the favor.
 

He couldn't help her, but he could help these people. He'd remove himself from their presence until they were safely underground.

He needed to save
someone
. Having made it to the bunker, Silas, Katherine, and Kelsey would be secure until the storm was through.

Tom peered up at the sky, picturing Lorena and Jeremy looking down on him. He allowed himself to smile. A few years ago, they'd been a happy family. Though the accident and the beasts might've taken them away, he could feel their presence, as if they were hovering over him, waiting for him to join them. One day, he would.
   

But not yet.

He looked over his shoulder, noting that the fire truck was no longer in sight. He'd been walking for a while, putting several neighborhoods in between him and the other survivors. His tracks marred the white landscape.

He thought of Jeffrey back at the hospital. He was wounded, but alive. Perhaps Tom would make it back there to help him. Perhaps he'd succeed where Rosemary had failed.

The moon shone through the clouds overhead, promising a few more hours of night. A surge of adrenaline coursed through him. Or was it something else? He couldn't be sure, but he'd find out soon.
 

Kelsey's words came back to him.

"When life gets bad, it only means you haven't passed the test yet."

Tom let those words guide him as he trudged through the snow.

The End?

I'd originally planned on wrapping up the OUTAGE series at the end of Book 3. As you can see, that didn't happen. :)
 

I hope you've enjoyed OUTAGE 4: THE RECKONING. If I've done my job, I've answered most of your questions, and I've even managed to surprise you along the way. Although Tom and Rosemary might disagree, I think the ending is a fitting one. From now on, I'll ignore the nagging voices in my brain, feeding me ideas and luring me to write another book.

"But there's one more night left in the storm, Tyler."

"What happened to the survivors in the bunker?"

"And what will happen to Tom?"

If the voices keep speaking, maybe you'll find out. :)

If you enjoyed OUTAGE 4,
please leave a review.
That will inspire me to get cranking on the next book.

-Tyler Piperbrook

October 2015

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About The Author

T.W. Piperbrook was born and raised in Connecticut, where he can still be found today. He is the best-selling author of the
CONTAMINATION
series, the
OUTAGE
series, and the co-author of
THE LAST SURVIVORS
. In addition to writing, the author has spent time as a full-time touring musician, touring across the US, Canada, and Europe.

He now lives with his wife, a son, and the spirit of his Boston Terrier.

Have a question or comment? Connect with me below!

FACEBOOK
:
T.W. Piperbrook

Website:
www.twpiperbrook.com

OTHER WORKS BY T.W. PIPERBROOK:

CONTAMINATION ZOMBIE SERIES:

CONTAMINATION BOXED SET (BOOKS 0-3) - FREE!

CONTAMINATION 4: ESCAPE

CONTAMINATION 5: SURVIVAL

CONTAMINATION 6: SANCTUARY

STANDALONE IN THE CONTAMINATION UNIVERSE:

CONTAMINATION: DEAD INSTINCT

POST- APOCALYPTIC / DYSTOPIAN:

THE LAST SURVIVORS (co-written w/Bobby Adair) - FREE!

THE LAST ESCAPE (The Last Survivors Book 2)

THE LAST HUMANITY (The Last Survivors Book 3)

OUTAGE 4: THE RECKONING

Copyright © 2015 by T. W. Piperbrook. All rights reserved.

Edited by Cathy Moeschet.

Proofread by Sara Jones.

Cover by Keri Knutson.

To those who touch our lives without realizing it. Your inspiration means more than you know.

All rights reserved. This eBook is licensed for the personal enjoyment of the original purchaser only. This eBook may not be resold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you are reading this eBook and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to the retailer and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

The characters and events portrayed in this book are a work of fiction or are used fictitiously. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, is coincidental and not intended by the author.