Read Online Dark Days by James Ponti - Free Book Online Page B

as far as I got. When I turned all the way, I realized that it was most definitely not Natalie.
    â€œWhat’s that?” the man said, cupping his hand to the side of his head where his ear should be. “I couldn’t hear you.”
    He cackled at his joke as he let the moment of surprise have its full effect. It was Officer Pell, my favorite one-eared member of the Dead Squad. He looked pleased to see me.
    â€œHello, Molly, what brings you here?”

The Blockhead and the Blockhouse
    P ell was big and he filled the doorway, making it impossible to escape. When I didn’t answer right away, he asked me again.
    â€œI said, Hello, Molly, what brings you here?”
    â€œHomework,” I said, trying to sound calm. “I’m doing a school project on the Revolutionary War and I came here to check out the Blockhouse.”
    â€œReally? Is that the best you can do? You and I both know why you’re here.”
    Unfortunately, I really didn’t know. I was hoping to find something that made sense to me, but this was a fishing expedition. So, I decided to keep fishing.
    â€œOkay, then why do you think I’m here?”
    â€œYou want to see where we supercharge,” he said. “Watch this, I’ll show you.”
    He smiled and pressed his back against the wall of Manhattan schist. He sucked in a deep breath of air, and it seemed like he got even bigger.
    â€œI don’t know what you’re talking about,” I said. “But I would like to go now.”
    He chuckled. “You can’t go, Molly. Marek told you to stop messing around in the world of the undead. But you didn’t stop, and now you’re going to have to pay a penalty.
    He took a step toward me and cracked his neck to both sides, loosening up for a fight.
    â€œThey tell me you’re tougher than you look,” he said with a grin. “I hope that’s true. Because I want a little challenge.”
    As a place of interest, Blockhouse #1 was boring. As a place to fight a supercharged Level 2 zombie, it was a total nightmare. The four walls kept me penned in like a boxing ring. I decided that the key to my survival would be the flagpole. I tried to keep it between him and me, hoping that if he had to chase me around, he might leave an opening that let me get to the gate and escape.
    â€œI don’t know what you think Marek said, but this has nothing to do with Omega. I really am just working on a class assignment. Here, let me prove it to you.” I started reciting the information I had learned during the subway ride. “Blockhouse Number One, which is the official name, was built during the Revolutionary War as part of George Washington’s defense of Manhattan.”
    He didn’t wait for more. He charged right at me, and I dropped down to the ground and did a leg sweep that surprised him and knocked him over. I jumped up and threw two quick punches into the side of his head right where his ear once was. My knuckle cracked through the scar tissue and a small trickle of black liquid dripped out.
    He seemed dazed, which was the chance I was looking for. I started for the gate, but while I was sliding the lock open he grabbed me from behind. He wrapped me up in a giant bear hug and lifted me so my feet were off the ground.
    â€œYou are a better fighter than I expected,” he said gleefully. “This is kind of fun. Let me demonstrate how well the supercharge works.”
    While he still held me in the bear hug, he walked over and pressed his back against the wall again. The schist instantly made him stronger, which kept making his grip tighter and tighter. I kicked and squirmed as I felt him forcing the air out of me.
    â€œAny last words?” he whispered into my ear.
    Again with the whispering. I hate the way these zombies whisper. Although, this whisper did help me out. It let me know exactly where his head was.
    â€œSure,” I gasped. “Heads up.”
    I