Beware the Night Read Online Free

can be used against anyone else who might try to get me to leave this place as well.”
      “You’re not thinking straight, George. You need to be around other people. You need to come stay with us before you totally lose it.”
      “I’m not going to lose anything.” There was something about the way George said it that sent shivers down Nancy’s spine. “Now go back to your boyfriend and enjoy your dinner.”
      “Please, George. Don’t be this way,” she pleaded.
      “And tell Tom it is better if he avoids me. I didn’t ask for a big brother and I sure don’t need him trying to give me advice. Now it’s getting dark, so go home.”
      Nancy almost ran the entire way back to her cabin. She saw Tom standing there on the porch as she rushed into his waiting arms. He stroked her hair and hugged her tightly as she found herself so thankful that he was there. He said nothing, giving her time to clear her thoughts before she spoke.
      “Can we leave tonight? George is worse than I thought. He has become totally delusional. He really needs some mental help.”
      “Maybe I can go talk to him,” Tom started.
      Nancy cut him off. “He really hates you. He sent a warning for you to keep away from him. I just think the best thing for us to do would be to leave.”
      “But right now?”
      “George is afraid of the dark. It’s the best time to make our escape. He would never come after us at night.”
    ***
      George heard the sound of a cycle starting up in the distance. He glanced out the window of his cabin just in time to see Tom and Nancy riding away on his bike. They’d stolen it right out from under him. He quickly grabbed the rifle and a flashlight, as well as the keys to the motor-boat he kept ready to go down at the docks. Throwing open the door, he found a note stuck to it. He took it in his hand and wadded it up, thrusting it into the front pocket of his jeans. There was no need for him to read it to know what it said - they were leaving him behind.
      He ran quickly down to the dock and got the speed boat started. Through the trees he could see the cycle lights. George knew the road wound around and over a few hills before reaching the turn-off to the old logging road. He could easily be across the lake before they got half way there. He decided not to turn on the lights of the boat as he headed straight across the dark waters. No sense letting them know he was heading their way.
      As the boat approached the small group of houses and the store that made up the small community he and the others had been avoiding, he turned the boat and ran it straight for the shore. What he hadn’t counted on was the rocks beneath the water. The boat lurched to one side as it ripped open the hull. Luckily for George, it was only a few feet from the shore as it came to a screeching stop. But he did realize the wrecked boat would be useless to get back across the lake.
      He jumped into the shallow water and ran up onto the beach, looking around to get his bearings. He realized he was directly below the main road and the turn-off to the logging road. Swiftly climbing up the embankment, he reached the paved road in no time. There was still no sound of the cycle. He only glanced at the nearby buildings for a moment to see if there were any signs of the zombies. He saw and heard nothing. George started up the steep gravel road into the darkness of the forest.
      He felt much safer away from the buildings below. He ran at a steady pace, climbing higher and higher as the road curved and made its way up the mountain. Then he heard a distant hum. As it grew louder, he knew it was the cycle. They were coming. He swiftly got off the road and hid in some dark foliage. Waiting. And waiting. And waiting.
      As the cycle lights came around a bend, George aimed his rifle and pulled the trigger. The shot hit Tom squarely in the chest, causing him to jerk backwards, which in turn, caused the cycle to spin to one side,