Read Online Killing the Dead (Season 2 | Book 2): Dark and Deadly Land by Richard Murray - Free Book Online Page B

best I could tell, he was considering what I’d said. I thought back to the time before the end of everything when I had to pretend more often so I could blend in with the world.
    “All of this comes easy to the rest of you but for me it is hard, incredibly hard at times,” I said. “I will try, though.”
    “That’s all I ask mate,” he said. “I’m not asking to sit around a fire and talk about our feelings every night, but you know… be a mate sometimes.”
    “I get you,” I said and resolved to tell Lily about the conversation later. She could probably explain what I needed to do to be a better friend.
    Pat smiled, a genuine smile for the first time since he’d fallen out with me in the forest on the way to Coniston. He opened his mouth to say something and stopped as he saw my shadow sat on the dock behind me.
    “When did you get a dog?” he asked with surprise.
     

Chapter 8 - Lily
    Pat lifted the last heavy bag into the back of the range rover and slammed shut the door with a bang. I glanced in to see how much room was left and couldn’t help the frown that formed. Perhaps there was a little more than we needed after all.
    The interior was all vinyl covered seats and plastic dashboard. It was likely twenty-five years old at least and wasn’t the luxury vehicle that the most modern versions were. There was space in the front for the driver and a passenger while the seat immediately behind would hold three people. That left space for one person to sit uncomfortably in the back cargo area with the boxes of root vegetables while our backpacks had been strapped to the roof rack. Definitely not comfortable for anyone but better than walking.
    “We good to go?” Gregg asked as our little group gathered around. I looked at each of them in turn and realised just how much I loved each of them.
    Pat helped Cass into the back seat to sit beside Becky as Gregg eyed the rear compartment as though he already knew he would be the one required to sit there. I smiled at him fondly, he was always so willing to put himself out so that the rest of us could be comfortable.
    Becky had wound down the window and was tapping her hand against the dirty grey door, beating out some half-remembered tune on its weathered surface. I grinned openly as I caught sight of Ryan standing off to one side staring down into the limpid brown eyes of the gorgeous Alsatian pup that had taken a shine to him. He seemed to be locked in a battle of wills and his face was showing his confusion as he realised he was losing.
    “I’ll drive first if no one minds,” I said.
    “Fine by me,” Pat said as he climbed in beside his girlfriend. Gregg sighed as his gaze switched between the passenger seat, rear compartment and Ryan. He opened his mouth and then closed it before he let out a sigh and climbed in the back.
    “Ryan?” I said and he glanced over at me. “Time to go.”
    “Finally,” he muttered.
    As he turned to walk around the range rover, he paused and looked up at the hills above us. Jinx, who had risen to follow him, stared in the same direction and a low growl issued from her. I followed their example and tried to see what they had noticed.
    “What is it?” Becky asked and I shrugged.
    “We in danger?” I asked him as I strode over to stand beside him.
    “Yes,” was all he said as his hand moved to the knife at his belt.
    “What is it?”
    “You can’t see it?” he asked before shaking his head and pointing up to the hill top. “There, between that large boulder and the scraggly bush. You see it?”
    I peered up at the area he had directed me to and was about to shake my head in the negative when what I had taken for a shadow, moved.
    “Is that a person?”
    “No, zombie,” he said.
    “You sure?”
    “Yes.”
    “It’s not doing anything though,” I protested. “Just standing up there.”
    “I can’t be sure but I think it’s following us,” he said. His muscles tensed as I placed one hand on his arm, afraid