Read Online Day One (Book 2): Choices by Michael Mcdonald - Free Book Online

every story. And the base was run by many people that I had not had the pleasure of meeting, some that I had, oh and there was also the base pet. A young private who had somehow or another found a way to get himself bit and then turned. He was treated like an animal. A caged monkey for everyone to laugh at on a bad day, without one single thought that he had been one of them.
    If they could treat their own that way, without mercy and compassion. How could they treat me and my Daughter, complete strangers, any better?
    “If it comes down to it… if things get too close for comfort, then I’ll shoot to keep Kember safe,” I said in a hollow voice, unable to believe what I had just agreed too.
    Johnny placed a hand on my shoulder. “I know what you’re going through. I was once in your exact shoes and the thought of taking another human’s life didn’t sit well with me. I’m not going to lie and tell you that it gets any easier, because it doesn’t. You just learn to deal with it better. In the end, no matter how you want to look at it or justify it, it’s still the taking of another life.”
    I watched the barely visible skyline of that far distant city as it burned, trying to imagine what the poor people were facing, what they had been through so far, and what was still to come.
    “All I can do is hope that God forgives me,” Johnny added.
    I didn’t know how to respond to his recent words, although I realized now that he understood me a little better and knew I wasn’t scared, even though I was.
    “Take some time to gather your thoughts, clear you head, or whatever else you need to do,” he said looking to his watch. “They’ll start eating here in about twenty minutes and that’s when we are going to go for it.” He smiled and walked away.
    I continued to watch the burning city as I finished my cigarette and snuffed it out. My little world had been confined for a week now, so much that I had forgotten about all of those who had not been able to get away. Maybe they had thought that it would all blow over in a few days and there was no real danger, no need to flee. Every choice we made on a daily basis, back then, helped us to become better people. Even if you hadn’t done things right, there was always that choice to change. That life had taught us nothing, yet some of us were able to adapt to the new one. Some weren’t or just unwilling too.
    I was still trying to live in that world and base my choices off of something that no longer was. Why could I not change even with the truth staring me straight in the face?
    “For the love of God, just shut the hell up,” I told my mind. I had thought more than enough for one day – probably more than enough for several months to be honest, maybe even a lifetime.
    The sun was now gone. Gleaming stars were slowly beginning to burn brightly above as the moon rose to take the suns position. The darkness was eerily quiet, still and infinite.
    Kember sat on the head of my bed drinking a juice box and eating a small microwavable sandwich. She was dressed and ready to go, as Johnny and I donned the gear and equipment I had gotten from the armory earlier. He helped me put things on the correct way, got my drop holster to sit where I wanted it, all while the small camera over the door had been taped over. If we spoke, it was to Kember and had nothing to do with what we were getting ready to do. More than likely if there was audio it would still record, so we were not about to take any chances.
    Dressed, I stepped outside to smoke and make sure that no one was around when we got ready to go. If any guards were nearby, they’d have to be dealt with before we could move to the next phase of the plan.
    I held the SBR in my right hand, barrel down and smoked a cigarette, trying my best not to look in the direction of the burning city. I had seen more than I ever wanted to, besides, there was nothing I could do for any of them anyway. Maybe it was better to just remember