Love Prevails: A Zombie Nightmare Read Online Free Page A

Surprisingly, though, the longer the ritual continued, the more at ease he became with it. This ritual carried a power that he had not felt in some time: complete dominance. It brought a sense of power much stronger than defeating the undead in the woods earlier that day.           
    It inspired a hope that the living could prevail against the onslaught of the undead. It went way beyond his shortsighted hope of a life where the daily goal was to eke out survival. The living dead were like any other enemy that man had faced over the course of history. They too could be defeated, not by chance, but by might.         
    Earl picked up his machete and placed the sharp edge against her throat, and then sliced deeply as his loins quivered in release. The blade moved though her neck until it bit against spine. Earl jerked the head free and turned around holding it high in one hand and his machete in the other.
    Another explosion of cheers went forth. His dad came to his side and slapped him on the back, and threw a robe over his shoulders.        
    Earl was now a man.  
    The party started up again. More drink for everyone. Keith and Steve filled their cups and toasted with the rest. Keith had no thoughts of leaving tonight, and wondered briefly how he would go about explaining the rape of a zombie to Kara.      
    The bodies of the zombies were cut free and thrown into the roaring fires. Soon enough though, the men started feeling the weight of the day and the alcohol in their systems. The fires eventually died down to hot coals. All but the night watchmen returned to their respective homes.
    "Well, it was different, that’s for sure," Keith said.
    Steve nodded in agreement. "I don’t think I could make a break for it tonight even if I wanted to now."
    "Me either. I’m leaning strongly to staying here anyway."
    "Me too."
    Kara opened the door at the special knock. She had been unable to sleep. Jill was still snoring.
    "Well, how’d it go?" Kara asked.
    "It’s a . . . it’s a long story. But Steve and I agree that tonight’s not the best time to leave. You should give some serious thought about staying here."
    "Do you think I haven’t?"
    "I know, I didn’t mean it that way. Think about staying a week, or a month. We can always pack up and leave when we want to."
    "I guess you’re right. Let’s get some sleep now." Kara took Keith by the hand and the two nestled inside the sleeping bags.
    Steve was already lying next to Jill, who snored into the night.
     
    *
     
    The morning brought new energy to the two couples. They had awakened in a village thriving with activity. People were stirring about preparing for the communal breakfast. Several of the men wore the ill effects of drinking too much beer on their faces. They performed assigned tasks anyway under the disapproving glare of their angry wives.    
    The four sat down to a breakfast of oatmeal and canned peaches. Plenty of clean water was available to wash it down.          
    "If we’re planning to stay, we’re going to have to start pulling our weight," Keith said.    
    "Agreed. We need to get into the routine so we don’t have to be constantly told what to do. You and I can start with perimeter watch, unless you would rather help with the farming," Steve said.
    "Jill and I will help with meals. We’ll see how our talents are needed as time goes by," Kara said.
    “I’ll keep some distance between me and Bronson. There’s something I don’t trust about that man,” Jill said.
    Steve chewed a peach slice and chased it with a swig of water. “Don’t worry about him. Keith and I have already decided that if things get uncomfortable, we’ll pull up stakes and leave. He’s not going to bother you with me around.”
    “You sound so sure. How could you know that?”
    “Because he doesn’t just take what he wants. The others wouldn’t allow it if he tried. These people honor the code. We’ll play by the rules, and