Endings: Dystopian Post Apocalyptic Zombie Thriller (Parables From The Apocalypse Book 1) Read Online Free PDF Page B

coming down his front-porch steps, one hand firmly on the handrail.  What Chaz thought was his rifle was actually a cane.  The man made it down the middle of the street assisted by the cane.  He was partially bald, with gray hair, spectacles sliding down his nose, and a bit of a pot belly.  Jesus , thought Chaz.  This guy had me pinned down in a fully armored and weaponized military fighting machine?  What the hell?
     
    The man limped to a halt about ten feet from Chaz and eyed him up and down.  "My name's Eddie, Eddie Kozak.  Everyone calls me Ed."
    "Nice to meet you, Ed.  You're quite the marksman."
    "My wife's an even better shot.  She's got you in her sights now.  Try something crazy, and you'll see for yourself."
    "Your wife took that second shot?  She nearly put a bullet through my head."
    "Her rifle pulls to the left a little.  I've been meaning to fix that."  Eddie smiled.
    Chaz stifled a grin. "Look, Ed, I'm just trying to find my wife and kids.  They used to live on this street, 476.  Her name's Abby Sheperd."
    "I know who she is.  We know everyone on the street.  There aren't many left though.  Most moved to Atlanta after that last go-round with the military."
    "I noticed you had some problems.  Your downtown looks like a warzone."
    "Those freaks were out of control.  It started with just one or two of them on the outskirts of town.  The local police had a handle on them, but then they got infected.  Some just went all crazy, but a few seemed smarter ... almost normal.  Like they were still part human. Those were the dangerous ones.  They went after everyone important in town.  They took out the doctors, the politicians, even the firemen and paramedics.  They were targeting everyone that could help others.  Pretty soon, there was no one left to protect us.  It got worse.  Soon, there were as many zombies as humans. That's when the military showed up."
    "And they just bombed the hell out of what was left?"
    "Pretty much.  They started with air strikes.  City hall was the first building they took out.  All the freaks were there.  Then they sent in a few tanks, followed by Humvees, and foot soldiers to clean out the stragglers.  It didn't take long.  They were gone within a week.  Took all the bodies with them too.  Except for the human casualties.  They left those for us to bury."
    "I can see why you weren't too happy to see me."
    "We're never too happy to see strangers these days.  Military or otherwise."
    "Look, I'm really sorry for what's happened here.  I'm sure it was a great place to live, but I really just want to see my wife and my kids.  They live just down the street.  I'll leave my weapons and keys here."
    "Yeah, even if I did let you down the street, you wouldn't like what you'd find.  They're gone."
    "Gone, what do you mean they're gone?"
    "I mean, they've disappeared.  About a month ago, we noticed no one had come or gone from their place for a few days, so I went and checked.  The house was empty."
    "Where did they go?"
    "No idea.  There were some half-packed suitcases, and their closets still had clothes.  It looked like they were in a hurry wherever they went.  People disappear from here all the time.  They weren't here all that long, maybe a few months, so we never really got to know them."
    "Look, I need to check their place.  I need to see for myself.  Is anyone else living there now?"
    "No, there's no one else there, but we really don't like having strangers poking around."
    "I haven't seen my wife in over a year.  We had a falling-out during the start of the last war.  I just need to find her and my kids.  I need to make my peace."
    "Make your peace?  You dying?"
    "No, no.  Not yet.  Look, I'll do whatever.  You can come with me.  Tie my hands if you want, strip me down to my skivvies if that makes you feel safer.  I just need to look through the house."
    "You're a persistent bastard." Ed smiled. "Not sure you're telling the whole