400

Rachel leans back with a look of surprise. "You're trying to get rid of me? Look, I know how this looks: some strange chick shows up unannounced, saying she's been down the lane for years on end, and now wants to form some sort of alliance. I get it. The thing appears bonkers. But here's the rub—things are changing, my friend, and not for the better. The days and months ahead will be trying in all manners, and we need to gather a strong group of people if we mean to survive. That's why I'm here—so we can get started. I won't ask for your trust yet, but I do ask that you keep an open mind. You have little to lose and a valuable ally to gain."

Rachel's demeanor and words sound so convincing, you wonder if she's done this before in a professional way.

Rachel walks across the kitchen to the window and peeks through the curtains. "The dead are rising fast, and we don't have much time. We're in a race now to find a few people to count on. Hopefully, we can start with each other."