Cheap Thrills (6 Thrilling reads) Read Online Free PDF Page B

street. He’s certain that he won’t make it that far, not with the flashing light in his arm. The two men that combusted near his apartment earlier had a similar rate of flashing on their arms, so Ray gathers that maybe it’s best if he finds an alternative location underground. Retrospectively the metro is a good idea. It will be lit and have various supply rooms where Ray can gather tools for his survival. It will also have vending machines that may be stocked with food and beverages. But he knows that if he stays outside any longer, he could die. If it isn’t the flashing light in his wrist that gets him, it could be the people on the streets. Who knows what a man could do when in fear of his life. People have killed for a lot less.
    Ray looks up at the dark sky and breaths in a cold mouthful of air. It hits the roof of his mouth like popping candy, a feeling that awakens his senses for the time being. The dark sky is a strange off purple tonight. It possesses an aura that seems to fit the occasion well. On a night where beacons of light are penetrating people’s bodies and killing them in a blaze of gore, the night sky over New York City is a kin to a horror movie. Ray knows that the answers to this mystery lie in the skies. For years man has wondered what lies beyond the stars. It could be a lot more than space rocks and satellites. It could be the secret that Ray has been looking for all these years.
    He doesn’t have time to contemplate the meaning or origin of these strange lights. Sure he has an idea, but who doesn’t. Some may think it’s the Rapture , others may think it’s a hostile takeover. The only thing Ray is thinking about is finding the nearest drain grate. Maybe the sewers are the answer.
    He spots a glistening metal grate a few feet away from him. He smiles as he realises that maybe he has found what he’s looking for. Sure the sewers are dirty and dank, but anything is better than above ground. Ray quickly moves closer to the grate and kneels down. He pops his rucksack off his shoulders and gently puts it on the ground. He grips his fingers around the big round grate and attempts to move it. He doesn’t budge it one bit. He starts to sweat as he strains while trying to move the heavy sewer lid off its socket. He gives up and looks around. He spots a fire escape staircase that the city is famous for and runs over to it. He sees the ladder dangling down and pulls at it. It seems locked in place but a tad bit frail. He grabs at the wonky ladder leg and bends it. It bends easily and after a few minutes of labour Ray manages to snap the ladder leg off. He palms the metal leg and runs over to the drain. He slots the leg into the grates round key socket whole and pushes. The grate starts to shift gradually as Ray starts to sweat. He doesn’t realise but the flashing in his wrist is growing faster and more rapid. The grate finally shifts and clangs out of place revealing a round bottomless pit with a ladder attached to the inside wall. Ray laughs out loud as a bead of sweat drops down his brow. He quickly grabs his rucksack and puts it back on. He manoeuvres himself onto the ladder and catches a glimpse of his wrist. The LED style light is flashing faster than before. He starts to panic and moves down the dark ladder at great speed. The flashing starts to slow down and a sigh of relief is heard out of Ray’s exhausted mouth. The deeper he goes underground, the slower the flashing in his wrists is. Maybe he was right to go underground.

Sixteen
    ‘What the fuck are we going to do, stay down here forever?’ asks David Seal as he throws his hands up in the air.
    Mitch doesn’t seem to be paying much attention to the big shot lawyer’s outburst. They have been acquainted now for more than six hours. That’s more than long enough to get to know a man.
    ‘We just sit here and wait. Maybe someone will find us and point us in the right direction,’ says Mitch in a calm and collected manner.
    David