Read Online Fallen Grace by M. Lauryl Lewis - Free Book Online

toward the doorway that led to the small yard area out back of the building.
    Gus looked at me when I hadn’t moved from my spot on the floor against a wall.
    “Zoe, darlin’, I need you to open the door. Now.”
    I held my stomach as I stood gingerly, the pain still making it difficult to breathe let alone move.
    “I’m trying, Gus, I swear.”
    “The fucker hurt you,” he said angrily as he shoved the man forward into the door. “Damnit!”
    I slowly made my way to the door, not wanting to get near the man who had nearly raped me. Gus obviously sensed my feelings on the matter and pulled the man backward and away from me.
    “Fucking let go of me,” bellowed the nasty man. “Or I’ll fucking mess you up too!”
    “Zoe, the door, darlin’,” said Gus patiently. His actions spoke their own words as he twisted the man’s arm painfully. “Be careful, the dead are right outside.”
    I could hear the moans of the Roamers already, and knew by their signatures in my brain that they were right outside. They were different than most. Old. Slow. Weakened. I kept one hand on my side to bind it, which helped with the pain a bit. I used the other to unlock the doorknob and twist until the door was freed from its frame. I swung it inward and looked at Gus. I already knew exactly what he was planning to do with the man. I knew that by opening the door, I was just as guilty of the act as Gus. I found myself not caring.
    “Oh no you won’t!” yelled the man, which drew the attention of the Roamers. “No! I won’t have a chance!”
    Gus shoved the man forward onto the porch. The man began to turn to force his way back into the building in which we stood. Gus landed a kick on his side, causing him to fall down the steps. He fell loudly onto his side in the yard. Gus took the door from me and closed it in a very controlled and quiet manner. He quickly locked the doorknob and held an arm out to me. I took his hand and stepped beside him.
    The man lying in the yard was halfway back to standing when the first Roamer reached him. I watched through the panes of glass in the door as he struggled to get the creature off of himself. He was a large man, and strong, but as soon as he knocked the first Roamer off the next was upon him. He wasn't able to fend them both off at the same time. As the first Roamer climbed over the second, the man was forced onto his back. It was hard to tell which took the first bite out of him. His screams as their teeth sank in were ear-piercing and sickening. I watched as several more Roamers joined in the feast. The screaming of the man mixed with the hunger of the dead in my mind as they ripped shreds of flesh off of his body. I could taste the blood in my mouth; feel it dripping down the back of my throat. As two of the creatures fought over one of the man’s legs, he emitted an unearthly scream as it was ripped from the socket. After that he fell silent. Gus turned me toward him and held me close. I buried my face in his chest. I had no energy for tears, so took a few deep breaths and tried to push the dead from my mind; the dead and their horrifying joy over fresh meat.
    Time seemed to pass at a snail’s pace. I only knew when the man was deceased by the change of taste in the mouths of the dead. Half of them continued to feed on his already cooling flesh, while the other half began searching for fresher meat.
    “We need to get upstairs,” I mumbled into Gus’ chest. “They’re looking for food again.”
    “I’ll carry you,” whispered Gus.
    “No. I can walk. Bobby’s in the corner. She’s hurt bad, Gus.”
    “I can come back down for her.”
    “There’s no time. Please, help her instead and let me walk.”
    He kissed the top of my head and I could sense that he would do as I had asked. He was so focused on me, though, that it was almost frightening. He walked to where Bobby was crouched and gently set his hands on her.
    “Bobby, we need to go upstairs,” he said, keeping his voice