Read Online Break Free The Night (Book 2): Loss of Light by E.M. Fitch - Free Book Online Page A

meadow.
     
                  "Hey you!" came an unfamiliar voice. Kaylee was still floating in a daze. She was on her knees, close to Bill's head though she didn't really remember kneeling. Quinton stood and moved past her, squeezing her shoulder as he did. "Hey! Don't touch that fence! It's electric!"
     
                  "Yeah, we found that out," Jack shouted back.
     
                  "Anyone hurt?"
     
                  "Yes," Quinton answered, stepping forward in front of Nick and Jack. He gestured for Jack to stay hidden and Kaylee noticed that neither man lowered their weapons.
     
                  "We have shelter, food, electricity," the lanky man said, stopping about thirty yards from the edge of the trees. "You can come with me to rest, if you'd like."
     
                  Quinton didn't answer right away. His penetrating stare had frozen Kaylee on occasion and it stopped this lanky man right in his tracks.
     
                  "I need a safe place," Anna said, her voice low so it wouldn't carry to the stranger.
     
                  "We keep our guns," Quinton said firmly, addressing the stranger.
     
                  "I don't make the rules, pal, but you can ask Marsden. He's in charge."
     
                  The pause from Quinton was longer this time, and he turned slightly to watch Bill's shallow, but even, breathing before he locked eyes with Jack.
     
                  "Where?" he asked the stranger.
     
                  The lanky man, he was not much older than Jack, Kaylee realized, squinted at the group.
     
                  "I'll take you now," he offered, jerking his head in the direction he had come.
     
                  "We have to collect our things," Quinton hedged, even as Anna shot him a look of impatience. "But this man needs help. So, I'll do that and meet you at your place. Where?"
     
                  The stranger paused, watching Quinton. "Is there more of you?"
     
                  "No. Just have to get our vehicle."
     
                  Kaylee noticed Quinton didn't say vehicles. He just mentioned the one. Somehow, she knew he wouldn't be bringing the tanker. He didn't trust this man. And if Quinton didn't, maybe they shouldn't either. But they needed to get Bill somewhere safe. Their camp was nicely laid out and the stream was ideal. But if a swarm of infected came through, Bill wouldn't be able to run. And the stranger did offer shelter, food, electricity...
     
                  "I only mention it 'cause it's not safe in these woods. Lots of biters."
     
                  "Haven't seen any infected," Jack answered, his gun was lowered but his finger still hovered near the trigger.
     
                  "Why else would there be a fence?" the man said.
     
                  Kaylee wasn't sure she wanted to think about that.
     
                  "It's your call," the man shrugged, turning from the group and heading back through the field. Jack turned to Quinton.
     
                  "I'll meet you here just after dark," he said, taking the rabbit from his belt and handing it to Quinton. Kaylee got the impression this was not the first time these two had to plan for something like this.
     
                  "Better make it midnight," Quinton returned, trading Jack's rifle for a handgun. Both men checked their wristwatches.
     
                  "You shouldn't go alone," Anna whispered, her eyes darting from Bill's prone form to Quinton. Quinton stared back. He frowned, his eyes traveling over their small group. Kaylee knew what he saw. A group of kids, a father who wouldn't leave his daughters, a man unconscious, and the only trained nurse to look out for him. It left Jack. But Kaylee knew that he wouldn't leave her to walk into