Read Online Death After Life: A Zombie Apocalypse Thriller by John Evans - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: John Evans
Tags: Zombies
Ads: Link
this crew?”
“Oh. Building is paying for a security upgrade. I figured, why not?”
“No cameras, I hope?”
“No. Just motion detectors, alarm activation points. Automated 911 connection. If a breach is detected, should be a police response in two minutes.”
Lena nodded. She felt a wave of fatigue hit her. “You should know better than anyone if that’s going to work.”
Nic’s laugh was brittle.
“Better give them fifteen.”
Lena slumped onto the loveseat and switched on the TV. A local anchor read copy in clipped, self-important tones.
“Attorneys for Baldwin argued that he shot Foster out of concern for the neighborhood children and not because of their dispute over property lines—”
Lena changed the channel to CNN. A correspondent on Capitol Hill spoke gravely into the camera.
“The Supreme Court decision does set a clear precedent, Anderson, and I think we’ll see a glut of these cases in the legal system, most ending in acquittal or mistrial.”
Anderson Cooper was listening from the studio. “Is there a feeling on Capitol Hill, Frank, that legislation will be proposed to prevent murderers from misusing the euthanasia defense?”
Lena flipped back to local news.
The anchor droned on. “Smith and Wesson has declared huge fourth quarter profits for the third straight year. Their products are still a favorite of holiday shoppers... ”
Nic sat down beside Lena. “Don’t you think those Sudanese masks I showed you online would look nice on this wall?”
“Only if I can get rid of those bookcases you’ve had since you graduated from UMass.”
They laughed for about a nanosecond. “How was dinner with Winter?” Lena asked.
“Nice, but sad. We got reassigned today. It’s not going to be easy, for either of us.”
Lena felt a note of concern. She knew that Winter and Nic had a nearly symbiotic relationship. A new partner meant new risk.
“God. Are you sure Quarles can’t keep you together?”
“Yeah. He’s the only person who could fight it, and he’s not going to. Already let us go six months over.”
Lena nodded, troubled.
“Hey, baby. It’s going to be okay. Don’t worry about me.”
“Let’s go to bed,” Lena said, suddenly aware of the surreptitious glances from the workmen. “I’m exhausted.”
Nic nodded gratefully. “You ain’t the only one.”
She stepped into the living room and turned on her voice of authority. It was an impressive display.
“All right, gentlemen, clear out,” she said, addressing the room. “I don’t care where you go, but you can’t stay here.”
Lena smiled at that bit of bartender humor. The workmen obediently filed out with their tools. When Nic had closed the door behind the last one, she pressed her back against the door as if against an attack.
“Thank God they’re gone,” she said with mock relief.
“You’ve still got me to contend with,” Lena said, sidling close for a tender kiss.
Nic’s hand slipped under Lena’s clothes and found its way to her stomach, fingertips caressing her bare skin. The belly betrayed no swelling yet, but it soon would.
She would have to tell Nic that she’d made some big decisions of her own.
#
The armored wheels rolled slowly, just faster than a brisk walk. A powerful engine’s basso growl couldn’t entirely drown out the moans, grunts and occasionally plaintive cries of the living dead. Their shuffling feet slapped the pavement in sufficient numbers for that sound to register with Murphy as well. Even in his haze of pain and despair, he felt their frustrated desire.
From his vantage point, essentially crucified on the wheel lift at the back of the vehicle, Murphy could watch the hungry feeders watching him. They were desperate for his flesh, desperate to rip and bite and tear, although devouring him would only give them the briefest respite. But their biological imperative was strong and he knew they would never give up.
“Too bad, fuckers,” he spat
“Oh. Building is paying for a security upgrade. I figured, why not?”
“No cameras, I hope?”
“No. Just motion detectors, alarm activation points. Automated 911 connection. If a breach is detected, should be a police response in two minutes.”
Lena nodded. She felt a wave of fatigue hit her. “You should know better than anyone if that’s going to work.”
Nic’s laugh was brittle.
“Better give them fifteen.”
Lena slumped onto the loveseat and switched on the TV. A local anchor read copy in clipped, self-important tones.
“Attorneys for Baldwin argued that he shot Foster out of concern for the neighborhood children and not because of their dispute over property lines—”
Lena changed the channel to CNN. A correspondent on Capitol Hill spoke gravely into the camera.
“The Supreme Court decision does set a clear precedent, Anderson, and I think we’ll see a glut of these cases in the legal system, most ending in acquittal or mistrial.”
Anderson Cooper was listening from the studio. “Is there a feeling on Capitol Hill, Frank, that legislation will be proposed to prevent murderers from misusing the euthanasia defense?”
Lena flipped back to local news.
The anchor droned on. “Smith and Wesson has declared huge fourth quarter profits for the third straight year. Their products are still a favorite of holiday shoppers... ”
Nic sat down beside Lena. “Don’t you think those Sudanese masks I showed you online would look nice on this wall?”
“Only if I can get rid of those bookcases you’ve had since you graduated from UMass.”
They laughed for about a nanosecond. “How was dinner with Winter?” Lena asked.
“Nice, but sad. We got reassigned today. It’s not going to be easy, for either of us.”
Lena felt a note of concern. She knew that Winter and Nic had a nearly symbiotic relationship. A new partner meant new risk.
“God. Are you sure Quarles can’t keep you together?”
“Yeah. He’s the only person who could fight it, and he’s not going to. Already let us go six months over.”
Lena nodded, troubled.
“Hey, baby. It’s going to be okay. Don’t worry about me.”
“Let’s go to bed,” Lena said, suddenly aware of the surreptitious glances from the workmen. “I’m exhausted.”
Nic nodded gratefully. “You ain’t the only one.”
She stepped into the living room and turned on her voice of authority. It was an impressive display.
“All right, gentlemen, clear out,” she said, addressing the room. “I don’t care where you go, but you can’t stay here.”
Lena smiled at that bit of bartender humor. The workmen obediently filed out with their tools. When Nic had closed the door behind the last one, she pressed her back against the door as if against an attack.
“Thank God they’re gone,” she said with mock relief.
“You’ve still got me to contend with,” Lena said, sidling close for a tender kiss.
Nic’s hand slipped under Lena’s clothes and found its way to her stomach, fingertips caressing her bare skin. The belly betrayed no swelling yet, but it soon would.
She would have to tell Nic that she’d made some big decisions of her own.
#
The armored wheels rolled slowly, just faster than a brisk walk. A powerful engine’s basso growl couldn’t entirely drown out the moans, grunts and occasionally plaintive cries of the living dead. Their shuffling feet slapped the pavement in sufficient numbers for that sound to register with Murphy as well. Even in his haze of pain and despair, he felt their frustrated desire.
From his vantage point, essentially crucified on the wheel lift at the back of the vehicle, Murphy could watch the hungry feeders watching him. They were desperate for his flesh, desperate to rip and bite and tear, although devouring him would only give them the briefest respite. But their biological imperative was strong and he knew they would never give up.
“Too bad, fuckers,” he spat
Similar Books
