Death & Decay Series by Shelly L. Summers (aka R.L. Blalock)

An alternate cover edition exists here.**SHORT STORY TO BE READ ALONG SIDE THE DEATH & DECAY SERIES NOVELS** To protect and serve. The motto that every officer is taught from their first day in the academy. On a humid June day in St. Louis, it is a motto that could get Officer Wyatt Ward killed. Desperate citizens flock to the station as the officers of the Cottleville Police Department struggle to handle the chaos that is enveloping a city already shaken by rioting... moreAn alternate cover edition exists here.**SHORT STORY TO BE READ ALONG SIDE THE DEATH & DECAY SERIES NOVELS** To protect and serve. The motto that every officer is taught from their first day in the academy. On a humid June day in St. Louis, it is a motto that could get Officer Wyatt Ward killed. Desperate citizens flock to the station as the officers of the Cottleville Police Department struggle to handle the chaos that is enveloping a city already shaken by rioting. But as darkness descends something much worse is rising. The deranged. Brutal, unforgiving, single-minded monsters that were once the citizens Wyatt was sworn to protect. Now, they attack. They bite. They infect. As fear takes hold… As the city begins to eat itself… As the world crumbles… What is a man who is sworn to protect to do as the world dies? less

An alternate cover edition exists here.St. Louis is falling to pieces. In the midst of rioting, a dangerous new disease has sprung pushing an already dire situation over the edge. Those who are infected suddenly become extremely aggressive, attacking and even eating those around them. And Olivia "Liv" Bennett is caught right in the middle of it.Liv’s hectic life of school, work, and motherhood grind to a halt as the city around her begins to devour itself... moreAn alternate cover edition exists here.St. Louis is falling to pieces. In the midst of rioting, a dangerous new disease has sprung pushing an already dire situation over the edge. Those who are infected suddenly become extremely aggressive, attacking and even eating those around them. And Olivia "Liv" Bennett is caught right in the middle of it.Liv’s hectic life of school, work, and motherhood grind to a halt as the city around her begins to devour itself. Forced to flee from her car with nothing but a diaper bag and her eighteen-month-old daughter, Elli. Liv must trek forty miles on foot across the feral infested suburbs of St. Louis to a safe haven that may not even be safe.What other hope does she have?As her world begins to crumble, Liv is left clinging to the hope that Slag Stead, a two hundred and fifty acres, self-sufficient farm, remains a beacon of light and not another slaughter. But getting there just might kill her. less

Run. Fight. Die. Return. The world is dying. The dead are rising. But for the survivors, the dead aren't the only threat. As chaos takes hold of St. Louis, Colin Bennett finds himself on the run. Though the Missouri River is the only thing separating the husband and father from his family, it may as well be an ocean. Colin and a few friends are forced to fight for survival as they seek out a safe haven for themselves and the other survivors they meet along the way... moreRun. Fight. Die. Return. The world is dying. The dead are rising. But for the survivors, the dead aren't the only threat. As chaos takes hold of St. Louis, Colin Bennett finds himself on the run. Though the Missouri River is the only thing separating the husband and father from his family, it may as well be an ocean. Colin and a few friends are forced to fight for survival as they seek out a safe haven for themselves and the other survivors they meet along the way. Together they set out to create a new life for themselves and reestablish some order in a dying world. When discord threatens to tear the group apart, can Colin and the others hold on to their crusade? Or will it destroy them? less