The Dead Years - ORIGINS - Book Zero (A Post-Apocalyptic Thriller) Read Online Free Page A
Author: Jeff Olah
William.
Backing into the hall with his father-in-law only steps behind, he had no other choice but to run. This thing he had become was no longer the man William knew and he didn’t think he had the nerve to do what was needed to stop him.
Now in a footrace to the end of the hall and the upcoming stairwell, William glanced backward to see his pursuer not five paces behind. “ How was this possible ?” This man, twenty-five years his senior, had trouble simply walking across the courtyard three days ago.
Making his way down the final flight of stairs and onto the paved walk that led to the parking lot, William spotted a vehicle slowly making its way toward him. Neither looking like it was slowing or in a rush to exit the area, the driver must have been looking for something else as it turned the final corner coming toward the end of the yard. William lowered his head and sprinted directly for the car with his father-in-law chewing at his heels.
7
Surprised he’d only spent four rounds along his trek home; Randy arrived at the entrance to his building with little trouble. Before entering, he turned and stood in the shadows, taking in the chaotic scene and contemplating his next move. “ This won’t end, it can’t. I shouldn’t have let her leave. I was her best chance for survival .”
From where he stood, parts of the city had already begun to shut down as the need for reserve power taxed the already overworked grid. He needed more information on the infected zones and with the unpredictability of the day’s events, his area could lose power at any time. Shaking his head, Randy turned back to the building and hurried through the lobby to the stairwell.
Each footfall more deliberate than the next, the stairwell to his apartment never seemed so damaged. His routine of using the stairs from the lobby to his floor in place of the elevator favored his personality. There were no awkward silences, no one to avoid him and no hushed conversations he pretended not to hear. He preferred the solitude of one step after another, although never quite this irritating. Each shift of weight from one foot to another reminded him why the rent for this building was well below that of neighboring areas.
Reaching his floor and without hesitation, Randy used his left hand to pull the door open and with the other he removed the weapon from his waistband and instinctively fired one round into the monster already closing the space between the two. One shot was all it took to take down the middle-aged, overweight former grocery store employee. Impressed with the accuracy in which he drew down on this particular sub-human, Randy studied the entry wound just above its left eye and was baffled by the lack of an exit wound. “ Must be in there somewhere .”
Not recognizing this man from the building, Randy assumed he’d followed someone here from the market down at the corner and was simply searching for his next victim. His nametag read ‘Peter’ and dragging him to the far end of the hall was no easy task. Peter must have outweighed him by fifty pounds and the rotting flesh made the task all that much more trying.
Laying the fallen beast against the wall and out of sight, the gentle buzz that rattled the floor beneath, indicated that the elevator was being summoned. Turning to head back, three more infected had rounded the corner, although apparently not focused on him. The gentle movement from below seemed to disorient them and Randy used this to his advantage, quickly reaching his apartment before the group ahead.
Once inside, Randy secured the three entry points and headed for the bedroom. He used three black duffle bags to begin gathering the mini arsenal he’d collected over the years. Heading for the kitchen, he tossed a frozen burrito into the microwave and grabbed the phone while it cooked. Surprised it was still operational; he dialed an old friend who’d made the transition to
Backing into the hall with his father-in-law only steps behind, he had no other choice but to run. This thing he had become was no longer the man William knew and he didn’t think he had the nerve to do what was needed to stop him.
Now in a footrace to the end of the hall and the upcoming stairwell, William glanced backward to see his pursuer not five paces behind. “ How was this possible ?” This man, twenty-five years his senior, had trouble simply walking across the courtyard three days ago.
Making his way down the final flight of stairs and onto the paved walk that led to the parking lot, William spotted a vehicle slowly making its way toward him. Neither looking like it was slowing or in a rush to exit the area, the driver must have been looking for something else as it turned the final corner coming toward the end of the yard. William lowered his head and sprinted directly for the car with his father-in-law chewing at his heels.
7
Surprised he’d only spent four rounds along his trek home; Randy arrived at the entrance to his building with little trouble. Before entering, he turned and stood in the shadows, taking in the chaotic scene and contemplating his next move. “ This won’t end, it can’t. I shouldn’t have let her leave. I was her best chance for survival .”
From where he stood, parts of the city had already begun to shut down as the need for reserve power taxed the already overworked grid. He needed more information on the infected zones and with the unpredictability of the day’s events, his area could lose power at any time. Shaking his head, Randy turned back to the building and hurried through the lobby to the stairwell.
Each footfall more deliberate than the next, the stairwell to his apartment never seemed so damaged. His routine of using the stairs from the lobby to his floor in place of the elevator favored his personality. There were no awkward silences, no one to avoid him and no hushed conversations he pretended not to hear. He preferred the solitude of one step after another, although never quite this irritating. Each shift of weight from one foot to another reminded him why the rent for this building was well below that of neighboring areas.
Reaching his floor and without hesitation, Randy used his left hand to pull the door open and with the other he removed the weapon from his waistband and instinctively fired one round into the monster already closing the space between the two. One shot was all it took to take down the middle-aged, overweight former grocery store employee. Impressed with the accuracy in which he drew down on this particular sub-human, Randy studied the entry wound just above its left eye and was baffled by the lack of an exit wound. “ Must be in there somewhere .”
Not recognizing this man from the building, Randy assumed he’d followed someone here from the market down at the corner and was simply searching for his next victim. His nametag read ‘Peter’ and dragging him to the far end of the hall was no easy task. Peter must have outweighed him by fifty pounds and the rotting flesh made the task all that much more trying.
Laying the fallen beast against the wall and out of sight, the gentle buzz that rattled the floor beneath, indicated that the elevator was being summoned. Turning to head back, three more infected had rounded the corner, although apparently not focused on him. The gentle movement from below seemed to disorient them and Randy used this to his advantage, quickly reaching his apartment before the group ahead.
Once inside, Randy secured the three entry points and headed for the bedroom. He used three black duffle bags to begin gathering the mini arsenal he’d collected over the years. Heading for the kitchen, he tossed a frozen burrito into the microwave and grabbed the phone while it cooked. Surprised it was still operational; he dialed an old friend who’d made the transition to
Readers choose
Kat Faitour
Patrick Modiano
Audra Allensworth
Sonia Sanwalka Milkha Singh
Sarah Hall
S. M. Donaldson
Brandi Ratliff, Rebecca Ratliff
Suzanne Wright
Michelle Fox