Read Online Revelations - 02 by T. W. Brown - Free Book Online Page A

stomach.
    “She’ll be fine.” I felt Dr. Zahn’s hand on my arm.
    “This is a stupid idea,” I managed over the huge lump growing in my throat.
    When did I become the leader? Who the hell am I to send people to their deaths? And why on God’s green earth were these folks even listening?
    “No,” Dr. Zahn shook her head. “If it was, I’d have told you.”
    I turned back to where Melissa would emerge. From that walking bridge, she would have about thirty yards of open ground to cross. She’d hop in the open bed of the truck and Jamie would put it in gear. He assured me that he’d have the gas pedal already rigged. As soon as the truck went into motion, everybody was under instructions to make it to the ridge by any means necessary. I would stay put in case I needed to take the shot. Randi would be coming this way, the opposite direction of the truck, to pick me up. For some reason, Dr. Zahn had insisted she accompany me.
    A growing number of undead were stumbling along the edge of that ditch. Occasionally one would stagger too far or be nudged to the right and tumble out of sight. I’d seen the ditch and was certain the sides were too steep for those things to navigate. So, basically, once one of them fell in they were stuck until that gulley rose, or leveled out, or whatever. It’s funny how the zombies seem to know this and won’t willingly go over the edge. I imagine if they came even with Melissa they’d dive in. But they don’t seem eager to go in. I’ve heard they are the same around bodies of water, whether it’s a river or a lake, and probably ocean I’d imagine.
    Finally she popped up. I noticed her glance over her shoulder, and through the scope I saw a trace of concern. Next came the sprint across open ground. If this had been a movie, she probably would’ve tripped and fallen for dramatic effect. In a flash she was at the truck. Barry gave her a hand in back and once in, she leaned down and hugged him. Jamie signaled, and the truck rolled into motion. Then, he and Barry gave one final wave and took off. They vanished between a pair of buildings, their part in my plan complete.
    I watched the truck as it cruised along, faster than a zombie, slower than a decent jogger. Melissa stood, leaning with her arms folded on the top of the cab. She was coming straight at our position, but the truck would arc left towards the warehouse in a moment. Just around that bend she would start encountering the outer fringe of the mob outside the warehouse. She saw me and waved. I could see her face so clearly through the scope. She had the expression you’d see on somebody in the front seat of a wicked rollercoaster. A grin that was a mixture of fear, adrenaline, and excitement.
    Just as the truck began the easy turn, gunfire erupted from where Jamie and Barry had vanished. Melissa turned suddenly and didn’t see the first zombie step into the path of the truck. The bumper caught it, sending the thing flying. It also caused Melissa to fall. Fortunately she fell back into the open bed. While my heart was still in my throat, she struggled to her feet. All anybody could do was hope that Jamie and Barry were okay. As she neared the warehouse, Melissa went into the next phase of my master plan: she screamed.
    I swear I heard the rustle of desiccated flesh and the pop of tendons as hundreds of heads turned as one towards the source of that sound. The next scream sounded different somehow and made my guts turn to water. She was scared. I couldn’t see her face any longer, but the sound said I needed to help her.
    “You can’t.” Dr. Zahn had my arm in a grip much tighter than I’dve expected. Without being aware of it I’d stood up, but Dr. Zahn was right…there wasn’t a damn thing I could do.
    I brought the rifle up once more and sighted through the scope. A couple of the closest zombies had been able to swipe uselessly at the passing truck. One had managed to snag or grab ahold and was being dragged.