Read Online Man Eaters by Linda Kay Silva - Free Book Online Page A

have weapons?”
    “Yep. A couple of rifles, some baseball bats, even a pitchfork. You’d think we were Frankenstein or something.”
    Roper stopped stuffing the backpack and stared at Dallas.
    “Oh. Right. We may not be...but they’re certainly on their way.”
    “Maybe we ought to be as well.”
    Dallas looked both ways. “I count fourteen men, and they’re waiting for our exit.”
    Roper rose and handed the heavy backpack to Dallas. “Got any good ideas?”
    She shook her head. “Plumb out.”
    “We’re not leaving without supplies and we can’t shoot our way out.”
    Dallas stepped up to the front door and waved. No one waved back. “We can expect trouble, that’s for damn sure.”
    Roper stood next to her. “I imagine we’re surrounded. Well, I’m not gonna be taken out by a bunch of town folk.” Roper headed toward the back of the store. “There are only four out here.”
    “What are you suggesting? We try to make a run for it?”
    “We could try telling them the truth...that the danger is on its way.”
    Dallas shook her head. “If they don’t buy it, then what?”
    Before Roper could answer, a beat up Chevy pick up gunned it into the side of the shop, sending glass and wall debris flying everywhere.
    “Get in! Get in! Get in!” Einstein yelled as bullets pinged off the side of the truck. Roper and Dallas jumped into the bed of the truck without question and he backed up, whipped the truck around, and nearly ran over three of the townies as he sped out of town.
    “Okay, okay, slow down!” Roper yelled through the busted out cab window.
    When Einstein finally slowed to a stop, he turned, eyes wide, sweat dotting his upper lip. “I left the horses where you left me and wanted to keep an eye out...you know...just in case. When I saw these guys gathering at the other end of town I ran down and checked about a dozen parked cars before I found the keys in this one.”
    “And that would be why your nickname is apropos.”
    “They didn’t seem too keen on having us pillaging their shops.”
    Roper mussed up his hair. “You done good. We were trying to figure out how to get out of there. Thanks.”
    Einstein was beaming. “That was the bomb-diggiest thing I’ve ever done, man.”
    Dallas smiled at him. She really liked this kid, with all of his nerdisms and gearhead ways about him he’d saved their bacon. “It really was great, Einstein. I’m proud of you. See? You do carry your weight.”
    “Well, get back in, because there are a couple of Hummers cruising around the outskirts of town. I think they’re doing the vaccine thing because there are houses here with a red X next to the sprayed number.”
    “The whole vaccine angle makes no sense. Let’s call this what it is. Somehow, someone turned our citizens into zombies and if we can’t get it stopped, we’re fucked.”
    Roper rubbed the back of her neck. “That’s what I don’t get. If they don’t really have a vaccine…then what, exactly, are they shooting into people?”
    All three stared at each other, answerless.
    “I wish I knew, but we need to get back to the horses. Those Hummers will be here any minute.” Einstein drove as close as he could to the horses before stopping and helping Roper with the backpacks. “Damn, these are heavy. What all is in here?”
    “Water, energy bars, vitamins...most of what was on our list.”
    “We scored.”
    Roper examined the horses’ hooves before loading Lancelot down with the supplies. “I’ve been thinking. I’m not so sure daytime is the safest time for us to travel. With the military patrolling the road, and the choppers in the air, we’re really vulnerable.”
    Dallas opened one of Lance’s saddlebags and pulled out a bottle of water they all shared. “I was thinking that earlier. During the day, they can patrol land and air, but at night, just land, and we have the advantage of seeing headlights long before they get here. It’s not a bad idea.”
    Taking a swig of water,