Read Online Aftermath (Invasion of the Dead) - Part I by Owen Baillie - Free Book Online Page A

Callan said , slipping inside.  “We don’t have time.”
    “I can’t Cal.  I’m shak ing.”
    Behind them , the soldier screamed as he rushed the side of the lorry, bursting through with a sharp rip.  He landed on the road head first with a sickening thump, and blood spread across the bitumen.
    “It’s escaped!”  Greg screamed, winding up his window.  “Hurry!”
    Kristy was halfway around the front of the Jeep, leaving Callan no choice.  He pulled himself out, circled the hood where he passed Kristy, and slipped into the front seat. 
    The soldier climbed onto one knee and shook his head, spraying blood from the split in his skull.  He sprung to his feet, then ran at them like an angry gorilla, grunting and slobbering, his red eyes focused on Kristy.  A second gunshot wound had blown a flap of his shoulder away, leaving a bloody crater.
    Kristy clawed her way to the rear passenger door, yanked it wide open, but froze when she spied the monster from the corner of her eye.
    In the background, the truck rolled down the embankment with a thunderous crash.
    Kristy screamed, and fell back against the doorway.  The soldier grabbed at her throat. 
    She shrieked.  “GET HIM OFF ME!”
    Dylan wrapped an arm around her waist but the monster’s grip prevented him from pulling her into the Jeep.  Panic swept over him.  He couldn’t get past.  If he pushed Kristy, she would fall further into its deadly grip. 
    Greg kicked the front passenger door open, knocking the soldier aside, and sprung from the car.  He stepped away and swivelled, drawing the shotgun into position.  “YOU WANT ANOTHER ONE?”
    The soldier groped, dragging Kristy inadvertently into the firing line.  Greg swung the gun around, taking it by the barrel, and struck the wooden butt down on the back of the army soldier’s head with a crack.
    The soldier staggered.
    Dylan swept Kristy aside with his right hand and kicked out with both legs, pushing the monster away.  It teetered backwards, shaking its head, and growling.
    Greg took aim, and fired.  The shotgun roared and the top half of the soldier’s head disintegrated in explosive ribbons of red.  His limp body collapsed in a pool of blood and brain. 
    Screaming, Kristy swiped at her face and neck.  Dylan leapt out of his seat.  He drew her to his chest and she fell against him, sobbing and shrieking. 
    The acrid smell of gun smoke hung in the air. Dylan leant away from her, his heart pounding.  “Did it get you?  Kristy?  Did it get you?”  Kristy shook her head, gasping, close to hyperventilation.  “It’s okay,” Dylan said, pulling her close again.  ‘It’s okay.”
    Greg dropped the shotgun, and bent over, fists on his knees.  His face was red, his messy blonde hair dishevelled.  “I couldn’t get a line of sight until Dylan kicked him away.” 
    Callan put a hand on Greg’s back and in a soft voice said, “Nice work, man.  Quick thinking.” 
    Kristy’s breathing began to slow, and she pulled back.  “I don’t think it got me.”  Smears of blood and tears covered her cheeks. 
    “Are you sure ?”  Callan said, inspecting her.
    “Ye s.  I didn’t feel it scratch.” 
    “ Take off your top.”
    “What?”
    “We need to be sure.”
    Dylan and Greg turned away.   Dylan felt his body stiffen.  He felt sick at the idea that Kristy might be infected.  Could you kill her if she attacked you?  He shut the thought out, rubbing his eyes.
    “Let me just check your neck and shoulders,” Ca llan said.  “Pass me the water bottle.”
    Kristy gasped as he tipped water over her upper body.  “Sherry, have a look, see if you can find anything.”
    Dylan glanced at Greg, his brow furrowed.  It was happening too quickly.  What if Kristy had been infected?  Would they lock her up?  Shoot her? 
    “I thought I was going to die,” Kristy said.
    Sherry scrutinised, wiping Kristy’s golden skin with a towel.  “I can’t find