Alice in Deadland Read Online Free PDF Page A

hopes of rescue. However, now she was again firmly in the clutches of the Biters, and headed back into one of their underground strongholds.
     
    They walked for what seemed to be at least an hour in total darkness, and Bunny Ears finally stopped in an opening that was lit by a single torch. Alice grabbed her sides, with barely enough strength left to stay standing, let alone follow him any deeper.
     
    'I need water, ok? I am not like you. I need to drink and eat.'
     
    He looked at her, with no expression on his face, and she made drinking motions with her hands, hoping that he would get the idea. When he moved his right arm, Alice flinched, wondering if he would hit her again. Instead, he held out her backpack, which he had taken from her after the fight in the Embassy. She opened it and took out her water bottle, draining it as she drank every last drop there. When she put it back inside, she felt inside the bag for a second. She had her first aid kid, and one signal flare. While she had no weapons left on her, that flare might come in handy. When Bunny Ears growled, she handed the backpack to him, thankful that he was intelligent enough to understand what she wanted, but not quite smart enough to check the bag.
     
    She followed him deeper into the abyss, going through several more descending turns before they arrived at a door. When Bunny Ears pushed it open, Alice saw that they had entered some sort of shelter that must have once been designed for use by humans. Metal bunk beds lined the room, in which dozens of Biters were sprawled. Some of them hissed and moved in her direction, but a series of growls from Bunny Ears sent them scampering back. Perhaps to keep her close and out of harm's way, he grabbed her wrist and pulled her behind him. Many of the Biters glared and spat at her, and she had no doubt they would have ripped her to shreds if her unlikely guardian in the form of a Biter with bunny ears had not been there.
     
    They paused at an open door, and Alice froze when she heard a human voice coming from somewhere on the other side. It was a gravely voice, deep and slow, but it was unmistakably the voice of a human female, unless Alice was about to meet her first talking Biter.
     
    'What have you brought down today? Let me see.'
     
    Alice heard some growling and screeching in response, as the speaker continued.
     
    'Two Zeus troopers? What on Earth would I want to do with them? Their papers show that they are but fresh recruits so they could have nothing of use for me. Of course, you would have no way of knowing that, would you?'
     
    Alice heard more screeching, and listened to this surreal conversation, wondering if the two parties actually understood what they were saying to each other.
     
    'Oh well, you have brought them down, and I did have a chat with them. Unfortunately, they are totally brainwashed and unwilling to join us and after what they've seen, I cannot let them go back up. I was hoping that they would have a more open mind. It's probably all for the better- these two are part of the unit that killed all the little ones a fortnight ago.'
     
    The screeching now gave way to a blood-curdling roar, and Alice realized with a start that the Biter being talked to did understand what was being said to it. The next words from the female voice made Alice's eyes open wide with fear.
     
    'Take them, and off with their heads.'
     
    Alice heard the men begging and pleading as they were dragged away, and then Bunny Ears began to push her into the room. She pushed him back, now in a state of panic, wondering if she was being prepared for the same fate as had befallen the captured Zeus troopers.
     
    'Let me go! Goddammit, let go of my hand!'
     
    Suddenly she heard the female voice inside the room call out to her in a soothing tone.
     
    'It's quite all right, dear. I suspect you have nothing to fear from me. Come on in.'
     
    'Who the hell are you?'
     
    The voice tut-tutted, like a disapproving school