Read Online First Date- a Novella by Thomas A Watson, Christian Bentulan, Amanda Shore - Free Book Online Page A

ignored it. Daniel walked over to the coffee table and looked at the flags on either side. One was a state’s, and the other was Old Glory. The flagpoles were polished wood with a brass spear point on the top. Looking at the bottoms, he saw they were set in an inverted narrow brass holder.
    Grabbing Old Glory, Daniel pulled it out of the holder and grinned, seeing a sharp brass point. “This is a real military flagpole,” he said, twisting the pole to roll the flag up. Grabbing the other one, he laid them on the cart.
    Moving behind the reception desk, he started rummaging. Before he closed one drawer, Ginger grabbed a stack of mouse pads. Not asking, Daniel kept looking and stopped at a box of gold metal executive ink pens. He picked one up and nodded, rolling it around his hand. He tossed it back in the box and took the whole thing. Looking under the desk, he saw a small fire extinguisher. 
    Grabbing it, he looked at the large funnel. “Fire is our last worry,” Ginger said, looking at the window wall as the crowd continued to grow, beating on it.
    “We need some kind of standoff weapon,” he said, grabbing the stuff they pulled out and carried them over to the cart. “Take this back, and put everything out on the table so we can see what supplies we have and get everyone to start on weapons. One of the flagpoles is mine.”
    Nodding, Ginger pushed the cart back as Daniel moved to the other offices. When she got back, all the lamps were broken down and spread along the table. “The flagpoles are ours, but we need to lay everything out to see what we have,” she told everyone, and all except Gary moved over and emptied the cart.
    Teresa grabbed the satellite phone, pulling it to her chest. “Can I please try my kids?”
    “Sure.” Ginger smiled as she unloaded the cart.
    Turning the phone on, Teresa dialed her house, and everyone stopped what they were doing when they heard the phone ring even with it pressed up against Teresa’s ear. “Hello,” a young boy’s voice answered real soft.
    “Ben, it’s Momma. Are you okay?”
    “Mom,” the boy said louder, and everyone heard someone in the background say, “Sshhh.”
    Almost whispering, the boy said, “Mom, are you coming home soon?”
    “Yes, baby, but are you and Carrie okay?”
    “We’re in the attic, Momma. Some sick-looking people broke in the house, and one of them is Mr. Goodwin from next door.”
    Teresa closed her eyes, dropping to her knees in relief. “Baby, I want you and Carrie to stay there. I’ll be there as soon as I can.”
    “When, Momma? You won’t believe what we saw some people doing to Violet on the street. They were eating her, Momma, as she screamed for them to stop,” Ben said, sobbing, and the phone was pulled from his hands.
    “Mom,” Carrie whispered. “When are you getting here?”
    Teresa looked over at Ginger, who looked at the table, shaking her head. “Tomorrow,” Ginger said, turning back to Teresa.
    Closing her eyes, Teresa nodded at Ginger. “Carrie, I should be home tomorrow, and I want you and Ben to stay in the attic till I get there. Understand?”
    “Can’t you get here sooner?”
    “I wish I could, baby, but this is everywhere.”
    “Mom, where do we use the bathroom?”
    “Pick a corner, and don’t leave the attic,” Teresa said, and Ginger held up a hand. “Hold on a second, baby,” Teresa said and covered the mouthpiece with her hand.
    “Teresa, we may not make it,” Ginger told her. “Tell them to wait for two days then head away from the city to any friend you know of.”
    Teresa bit her lip so she wouldn’t cry. “Carrie, if I’m not home in two days, I want you and Ben to sneak out and walk to Ronald’s.”
    “Mom, that’s like eighty miles,” Carrie said, and Ben shushed her.
    “I mean it, Carrie. If I’m not there in two days, I’m not coming,” Teresa said with tears on her face. “Momma’s going to try to be there tomorrow.”
    “Okay, Momma,” Carrie whispered.