Read Online The Living Dead Series (Book 3): Dead Coast by L.I. Albemont - Free Book Online Page B

all the rain and snow we’ve seen.”
    “I don’t know for sure about this one but most large rivers have at least one hydroelectric dam. It’s possible there hasn’t been an upstream water release since the outbreak. If that’s the case then heaven help anyone in the way when the gates finally burst.”
    David pulled into a graveled area designated as an overlook. They were up so high now they might be able to look out over the terrain and get their bearings.  Bea reached the low stone border wall on the edge of the bluff first.
    “Oh, no.”
    The overlook afforded a panoramic view of the city, river, and surrounding countryside. On a normal day she could see how it would be breathtakingly lovely but not today. Fires burned and smoke drifted, partially obscuring the view but what was visible was disheartening. A dark mass of shuffling, staggering dead surged across the land, spilling into the river, jamming the bridges and roads. How many were down there? A hundred thousand?  More? 
    “We have to turn around. I think that’s Louisville.”
    Bea said quietly, almost as if she were afraid the teaming crowd below would hear her, “I thought, hoped really, that we would find towns that were still normal. Someplace safe with running water and electricity and food. It’s not going to happen, is it?”
    “Probably not. It’s everywhere.”
    Bea took a deep breath and released it. “Ok. We turn around. Then what? We got lost before, we’re still lost. Look at this-” she gestured “they’re all around us and it’s getting dark.”
    “Do you want to spend the night in the truck?”
    “We may not have a choice.”
    Below them the seething mass of dead began to swarm the river. They soon saw why. A double-decked riverboat, the kind used for river tours, packed to overflowing with people and riding low in the water, drifted into view. They were having engine trouble, a loud chugging, grinding sound echoed against the rock bluff. The passengers saw the infected on the bank and as more and more dead plunged into the water, frightened screams added to the engine noise.
    The current was still strong enough to take some of the floundering dead downstream with it but more were floating and struggling toward the ailing riverboat. Reaching it they were unable to scale the sides but the panicked passengers all pressed toward the far side of the boat anyway. The overloaded boat began to tilt dangerously to the left. A warning bell, clanging harshly, added to the confusion and noise. Someone, presumably the captain, took up a bullhorn and pleaded with the passengers to help right the vessel but they were past rational thought.
    Slowly but inexorably the boat continued to tilt and take on water. With a splashing boom the vessel collapsed onto its side. Both decks hit the water hard and began to sink. Some passengers fought their way back to the surface only to meet with the dead. Some got away and were swept downstream. Others grappled with their attackers but they were overwhelmed. The water was a boiling mass of the dead and the soon-to-be-dead. A boy, small but obviously a skillful swimmer, made it to the small pebbled ledge against the cliffs. As he lay, gasping and winded, a group of water-bloated dead groped their way onto the shore and ripped him to bloody pieces.
    That was when Bea turned away and went back to the truck. She leaned against a door, slid to the ground and hugged her knees. The boy reminded her of Brian and despite an empty stomach she leaned to one side and was quietly sick. She wiped her mouth and sat there, shuddering.
    “Are you okay?” David came around the side of the truck.
    “Yes, fine.” She stood up and opened the truck door. “I can drive for a while if you like. It’s my turn.”
    “Are you sure your head doesn’t hurt? Okay then, let’s go.”
    The winding road brought them back down and even closer to the river. They had to get out of the area before dark. Impulsively she turned