Read Online The Azrael: The Reckoning by Jesse Gagnon - Free Book Online

in her voice along with excitement.  What has this world done to her?
    “No, what happened?  What are these alarms?”
    “The Azrael, they are all over the place outside.  There!”  She pointed as if Mario could see through the phone.  “There’s a guy running from…  Oh, crap!  He’s getting bit by one. Jesus!”  Her voice sounded distant.
    “Stay where you are.  I’m sure your building has top notch security.”
    “The doc said that we’re safe up here.  He also told me to get away from the windows.  But when do we ever listen to the doctor?”
    “Always?  He’s got a point.  It’s not healthy to watch that kind of stuff Taliah.  Besides, if they notice you they may try harder to get to you.  More could come and you know how that ends.”
    Taliah thought about it and imagined the mass of zombies pouring through the downstairs and filtering through eating everyone.  It brought shivers down her spine.  “You’ve got a point.  I’m pretty high up here though.  I doubt they’ll see me.”
    “You don’t know that.  We’re learning every day what capabilities those things have.”
    She remembered being dragged by the one Azrael through the woods.  She thought of how scared she was and clueless as to what those things were doing.
    “I hate when you’re right.”  She admitted.
    “I’m not always right.”
    “I’d bet my life that you are.”
    “Don’t say that.  I couldn’t…”
    “Don’t worry so much about me.  I’m safe up here.”  She interrupted.
    “With the Azrael still around, we’re never safe.”  The thought of being out there with Taliah again put a knot in his stomach.
    “We’re as safe as we can be right now Mario.  That’s good enough for now.  Isn’t it?”
    “You’re growing up too fast Taliah.”
    “Not my choice Mario.  Not my choice.” 
    “I know which is why I worry about you.”
    She tried to block images of the House, the place where she was trapped and touched…  She felt dirty, pain, vulnerable and hopeless all in the same thought.  She choked up on the images that she tried to burn from her memories.  It’s over.  They’re dead; all of them are dead or worse.  Nevertheless, none of it was comforting.  It still happened.  Everyone knows about her struggles.  Not all was revealed to everyone, but she has sympathy.  She doesn’t want sympathy.  She doesn’t need sympathy.  She needs to become tough.  This world will chew up and spit out sympathy seekers.  She thought about John and Savanna.  They were tough and good people.  She admired their relationship and John’s bravery.  He loves that woman with every fiber of his being.  She wondered if she’ll ever meet a man like that. 
    “Taliah?”  Mario was concerned with her long pause.
    “I’m here, just thinking.”
    “About?”
    “Your new job.”
    “And that is?”
    “Keeping John and Savanna alive.  Those two are trouble.”  She smiled.  Mario could hear it in her voice.
    “You’re right.  I can do that.”
    “Thank you Mario.”
    “No problem.”
    “I mean for everything.  Thanks for all you’ve done for me.  I’ll never forget Mario.”
    “I’d do it all over again if I had the chance.”
    “Which is why you’re so awesome.”  She raised her hand up with affirmation of his awesomeness.
    “Okay, okay.  Guess I should give Simon a call.”  Mario admitted and felt loved and appreciated.  It made him feel good.
    “Do your thing Mario.  I’ll be fine.  You made sure of that.  Never forget that.”
    “I won’t.  Goodbye Taliah.”
    “Goodbye, Mario.”  It took a lot to keep her from saying that she loved him.  She did love him.  Not like she wanted to be his lover, but she truly loved him like a father.  She was sad to separate herself from him but knew that it was for the best.
    Mario pressed down the receiver disconnect button severing the connection with Taliah.  He released the button, listened for a dial tone