Tainted Future (The Rememdium Series Book 3) Read Online Free Page A

counter. He filled them up with water bottles, protein bars, cans of soup, and some cereal boxes. He stowed them in the backseat then went about the task of filling the containers with gasoline.
    Once the gas was put away, Cooper struggled to walk away. The thought of leaving Karla’s body behind made him woozy. He couldn’t get past the feeling it was wrong to just leave her corpse in the snow, alone, without a proper burial. Charlie and Charlene would never forgive him.
    He went back into the store and looked for anything to dig a grave with, but came up with nothing. The only thing of use was a snow shovel, and it certainly wasn’t strong enough to tear up frozen ground with. He took it anyway.
    Cooper stopped in front of Karla’s body, tears streaming down his face. He couldn’t grasp the fact he’d killed his wife.
    “No, that wasn’t Karla. It was just her shell. Her soul’s gone to Heaven.”
    Looking around once to ensure he was still alone, Cooper began scooping shovelfuls of snow on top of Karla’s stiff corpse. He was glad the tears flowed, blurring the image.
    After he finished hiding the monstrosity that was once his wife, Cooper looked over at the others he’d shot. Though they weren’t human any longer, they once had been. Before they got sick from whatever the hell was in the air, they’d been loved by someone. Sons, fathers, uncles. It wasn’t right to leave them out in the open, either.
    It took him almost twenty minutes to cover the bodies with fresh snow. Satisfied he’d done all he could, Cooper set the shovel down and said a silent prayer for all of them.
    For the world.
    For his children.
    For himself.
    Cooper climbed behind the wheel and cranked the engine over. Without looking back, he eased out onto the main road, numbed by the events of the last twenty-four-plus hours. While driving, he wondered what fresh hell he’d run into in Denver, and all the other major cities he’d need to drive through to get home. On the drive from Steamboat, they hadn’t passed a single, live person.
    “No matter. I’m goin’ to get my kids. Ain’t no one gonna stop me, either. No one and no thing. Don’t matter if I’m the last survivor. I’m goin’ home.”
    “You aren’t the last survivor, Chief.”
    Cooper nearly ran off the road. His foot automatically stepped on the brake and the SUV slid across the road. Once it came to a stop, he spun around. Mason Hall stared sheepishly up from the floorboard.
    “What…how?” Cooper muttered.
    Mason tossed the blanket he’d been hiding under off. After climbing into the back seat, he answered, “I snuck in while you were fighting off those girls back in Steamboat.”
    Cooper stared at the frightened kid, noting his pale face and quaking body. His original instinct was to rip the kid’s head off for a variety of reasons, mostly from scaring the bejesus out of him seconds before. Considering what was going on, and actually glad he wasn’t alone, Cooper asked, “Why? I thought you didn’t want—oh, never mind now. You…you should have announced your presence earlier. Sure could’ve used some help back at the station.”
    “When I left your condo and headed back to mine, I saw those girls move. I freaked and changed directions, deciding to circle around back and climb in through a window or something. I was crouched in the parking lot, watching them to see what direction they’d take, then you two came outside.”
    “Bullshit. You just didn’t want to be alone. I get that. To be honest, I’m relieved. Felt sorta bad leavin’ you behind. Come on up here son, and help me keep watch. Phoenix is a bit out of the way. You got anyone in Santa Fe?”
    Mason climbed into the front passenger seat, a big smile on his face. “My aunt and uncle. They actually stay at our place when we’re in Phoenix.”
    Cooper turned the wheel and continued on the journey. He waited a few minutes to speak, mulling their past conversation over in his mind. “What