Read Online The Dark Trinity (Book 1): Shuffle by Steven Till - Free Book Online Page B

wasn't going to be
standing long enough to chase him far. As he headed towards the door, he saw
something that caught his eye. Nathan hurried over and picked up the large,
black machete. I always wanted one of these .
    Before he could turn back towards the exit, the sound of a
shotgun round chambering sounded behind him.
    “Don’t… Move… A muscle…” said a scratchy voice behind him.
“Hands above your head. Now.”
    Nathan complied, raising his hands up, still clutching the
machete. So far he was batting a thousand. He should have checked the store to
see if he was alone before going on his shopping spree. It would be nice if he
was able to catch a break. At this rate, he definitely needed one if he was to
make it back to Evelyn. He hoped that she was alright.
    “Now, drop the bags… And that machete,” commanded the raspy
voice.
    “You got it. There’s no need to shoot me. I don’t mean any
harm,” Nathan said, trying to sound as calm as possible. He guessed that the
man behind him was the owner of the store and assumed that the guy was also a
vet, which meant that he knew a plethora of creative and efficient ways to kill
him.
    The man behind him laughed, mucus tumbling around his lungs
with each cackle. “No, you just decided to come on in and help yourself.”
    “I’m sorry about that. I didn't know anyone was here. I needed
some stuff that would help me get back home to my fiancé. All hell is breaking
loose out there and she’s in trouble. I would be more than happy to pay for
everything I took, if you would just let me leave.”
    “Turn around, son,” the man said.
    Nathan turned and faced his captor, surprised at what he saw
before him. Sure enough, the man before him was, in fact, a veteran. Vietnam he
guessed by his age. Various service patches covered his old green BDU shirt.
The man wore a black beret which donned the Army Ranger insignia, confirming
that this guy could definitely kill him a dozen different ways with his bare
hands. The name patch on his shirt read Kapinsky and the rank patch on his
sleeve indicated that he was a Master Sergeant.
    Kapinsky didn't look well. He was pale, with dark circles
under his bloodshot eyes. Sweat beaded over his face and flowed freely, soaking
his shirt. Dried blood caked the corners of his mouth. Nathan saw a field
dressing wrapped around his left hand; dark blood had soaked through the gauze
and dripped onto the floor. Crap, this guy looks like he’s caught whatever
was turning people into monsters… And he was holding him at gunpoint!
    The old vet eyed him over. “Ya know, you’re the fourth person
who’s tried to rob me today. One sumbitch even bit me just a bit ago. Now, with
each one of those lootin’, greedy little bastards, I exercised my Second
Amendment right with extreme prejudice, especially with the one who tried to
eat me. Now give me one good reason why I shouldn't liberate your insides from
your body.”
    “I can give you three, Master Sergeant,” Nathan answered,
keeping his voice steady and confident. “First, I will pay for the things that
I took.”
    Kapinsky seemed surprised that Nathan had addressed him by
his rank. Most civies were completely ignorant to what those stripes on his
sleeve represented. He was also impressed with the fact that the young man
before him showed no fear, especially since he was looking down the barrel of a
12-gauge tactical shotgun.
    “Second, I have a lady at home who needs my help, and I would
cross rivers of lava and fight any army that stood in my way to get back to
her.”
    This kid was serious. He didn’t show any fear because he
was hell-bent on getting home. He was either stupid in love with this girl, or
just plain stupid, Kapinsky thought.
    “And third, Master Sergeant, with all due respect, you look
like shit. You need to get to a doctor and I could help you get to one. Mercy
hospital is just a few blocks north; I’m sure that between the two of us, we
could get there in good