Read Online The Hibernia Strain by Albert Peterson - Free Book Online Page A

parking space I see.
    Turning in my seat to face Emma, I raise my finger in an aggressive gesture and begin a rant of my own.
    “ Listen to me you bitc...”
    Before I get any further Emma cuts in with, “You can’t park here; it’s a disabled parking spot. You ignorant prick!”
    There ’s silence in the car. I’m left with my mouth open and my finger in the air like a knob, totally at a loss for a response to such a random, off topic criticism.
    T he beginnings of a coy smile form on the edge of Emma’s lips, and the two of us let out a muted chuckle as the tension dissipates.
    For the first time she starts speaking to me in a more natural tone. She explains all that’s happened and why Matt stayed behind.
    I realise at this point , that it’s concern for a mutual friend that has us both on edge and it’s possible she’s not the opportunistic succubus she first appeared to be... the girl is alright.

8
     
    With tensions relieved for now , it seems like a good time to pick up a few essentials. The supermarket is locked up, but the sight of that box in the back seat that Emma brought from her apartment, filled with supplies, is motivation enough for me to justify a bit of breaking and entering.
    The content consists of a half empty bottle of diet Cola, a packet of biscuits and five tins of beans. Her pathetic selection of food reeks of student lifestyle.
    I ’m not sure of the best way to approach this little heist, especially considering Emma’s reaction to my story about how I got my new jeep.
    I ’ve never been overly sensitive about rubbing someone the wrong way but I’m not stupid either. I’m well aware I’ll be spending the next few hours in tight quarters with her and she’s already pushed me over the edge once.
    I glance back with a cringe at the beans , and while considering the best way to approach things, I’m taken by surprise with the sudden, sharp sound of shattering glass.
    I turn around to see Emma awkwardly making her way through the broken window, with one leg on the ground and the other on the three foot high window sill.
    I happily cross my arms and smile at the sight I’m faced with, as Emma’s skirt rides up revealing a pair of little white panties covered with tiny love hearts. What a girly girl, just Matt’s type.
    She stumbles as she lands with a shuffle inside the supermarket, quickly yanks her skirt back into place and without pause , turns to give me a look that would kill a goat. I raise my eyebrows and grin back in response.
    Once we’re both inside the supermarket, her first stop is the girl’s toilet. I suspect her change of view on looting is as much a result of her desire not to pee outside, as it is the realisation that this infection thing isn’t as temporary a situation at it first appeared.
    I stand guard outside , and when she comes out we stay in eye contact as we shop for essential s. She gets what she wants while I grab a pack of two hundred pep pills and raid the tinned food section, taking a bit of everything except beans, I fucking hate beans.
    Despite our little make up in the car park, conversation is still at a minimum between the two of us and that suits me fine.
    It’s obvious there’s something there between her and Matt and even more obvious she’s worried sick about him. I was a little concerned myself but I know Matt, he’s far too stubborn to die when he’s chasing a bit of tail as tasty as Emma.
    We carry our haul outside in shopping baskets and start loading up the car. As I busy myself packing away the food, I see Emma staring blankly into the boot.
    “D on’t worry, you can’t get rid of him that easily, believe me, I know.”
    It ’s a small and essentially meaningless reassurance but the effect on her character is immediately apparent.
    Once the car can hold no more and I ’m struggling to get the boot closed, I take a quick glance over at Emma who’s getting into the front passenger seat. Taking my chance, I grab her supplies