Beyond Death (Book 2): Apocalypse Read Online Free PDF

to smile his way with pride.
    Lucas straightened his back, gun still aimed at a now motionless Richard. Dax gave him a brief nod of his head before he turned toward the sound coming toward them. Chase and Jayda suddenly appeared from behind a patch of trees into the small clearing they’d stopped in.
    “I shot Richard,” Lucas stated in a voice he didn’t even recognize as his own.
    “I see that,” Chase replied.
    Lucas watched Chase take in the scene, looking from a crying Sherri to a swollen Dax to a bleeding Richard, then back at him.
    “I shot Richard,” Lucas repeated.
    “You already said that,” Chase responded, his voice not giving away if he approved or disapproved.
    Lucas couldn’t look toward Jayda, who had remained behind Chase, oddly without sound.
    “He needed to be stopped,” Lucas continued.
    “I’m sure,” Chase answered.
    “You got gas,” Dax muttered.
    “No,” Chase answered. “We need to improvise.”

Chapter Nine
    Chase watched the little bit of liquid seep out of the needle as Jayda checked for air bubbles. He and Dax held Richard down so Jayda could insert the needle into his arm. Like a held down tiger, he squirmed and tried to scratch at them. Weak, his words now slurred, he knew holding back the sting they held for Jayda no matter what nonsense he spouted.
    With Dax, they lifted his body into the van and shut the door on him. Jayda stepped around the side of the vehicle blinking her eyes. Chase moved from his mind the last time he’d seen her cry.
    “We need a plan, here,” Chase huffed.
    In unison, a resounding round of having no idea what to do next were tossed his way. He shook his head then rubbed his forehead. It seemed he’d have an eternal headache until he got this ragtag group to safety.
    “I saw a church a ways back,” Sherri piped up. “It stood out to me because it seemed that the parking lot had a lot of cars in it. I’d wondered if people had gathered there to maybe pray as the world ended or something.”
    “Let’s go, Lucas,” Chase said. “The rest of you stay with the van and Richard. We have to do this fast.”
    With a piece of tubing from the medical kit, a bottle of water and the empty gas container, he and Lucas set out. They made it to the church out of breath, but hopeful one of these cars or more would have some gas.
    They moved around the building looking into the one window without stained glass at the back to see if they could see anyone. When he didn’t, he moved to the first car he came to and started to siphon gas. Relief flooded him as he got a little. He tried his luck with the next car in line. A smile actually broke over his face as he heard the liquid flow. Lucas had the next car ready to go when Chase got there.
    “Excuse me,” a voice said. “What do you think you are doing?”
    Chase and Lucas turned at the same time. He saw Lucas reach toward his gun. His pride soon fell to the wayside when he saw a preacher standing at the door of the church. He didn’t look angry or anything, just genuinely curious.
    “I asked what you were doing,” the man restated, his voice remaining soft.
    Chase and Lucas looked at each other, but honestly words failed him. His limbs weighted, he clutched the gas can. His other arm he had braced and ready to go for his gun.
    “Okay, then. Guess I can figure out what you were doing on my own then. Are there more of you?” he asked.
    “No,” Lucas blurted.
    “Don’t lie to me,” the man said stiffly.
    “There are three more of us. They are waiting back at our van for us to get some gas. We looked in the window and didn’t see anyone, so we assumed the cars were abandoned,” Chase offered. “Look, we have to meet someone soon. It’s important. Can we just take what little we have?”
    “Why don’t you come in for something to eat and drink,” the preacher offered.
    “Look, that’s kind, but we have to get back,” Chase replied.
    “I insist. You can keep the gas. Just let us offer you