Epidemic of the Undead: A Zombie Novel Read Online Free PDF Page B

lingering few by the coffee shop, but in another direction. The side street ghouls that had gathered while during Mark’s death had finally caught up. Bursts of light flashed from the muzzles of several handguns. The sporadic report of gunfire filled the air, slowly becoming drowned out by relentless unified moans.
    “What about the walk-in cooler?” Stephanie said, pulling from Steve’s grip.
    With three long energetic strides, she reached the cooler’s bulky metal access door and pulled it open in one swift and fluid motion.
    “Freakin’ brilliant,” Chris said, and took hold of the handgun in one hand and tossed the bat to Steve. “Get in before they see us!” The door closed securely behind them, just as a few of the men neared the store’s front doors. Chris’ heart was beating hard against his chest and blood pounded in his temples.
    It was cold inside, but it felt good. Stacks of sodas, milk, and other various products filtered the lighting. The glass doors for easy product access were foggy and hard to see out of, which was good, because that meant the same for looking in.
    Chris tried to get a better look at the looters, who were now entering the store.
    “Did they see us? Oh shit, man . . . we’re dead meat. They fucking saw us come in here!”
    A slight scraping noise came from Chris' immediate right. Steve was pacing. “Shhh!” The room was lined corner to corner with unopened boxes of mixed freight. A hand truck leaned against one wall with several unopened cases of Miller Light stacked on top. “I don’t think they saw us,” he whispered. “It’s way too dark in the store for them to have seen us from outside. Just stay cool!”
    Chris grabbed the hand truck and moved the beer toward the door. Stephanie followed suit, by quietly grabbing one box after another, building a barrier by the cooler’s entrance. Steve curled up on the floor with his face buried in his knees. Chris and Stephanie looked at him in disgust.
    “Why the hell are we freaking out, exactly?” Stephanie said.
    “Are you serious? Look at those guys!” Chris pointed at the foggy glass doors. “They’re dangerous!”
    “How do you know they’re dangerous? They might be here to help us. They have real weapons. There’s more of them to help us fight back.”
    “You didn’t get a good look at those guys, but I did. I know we’ve just met, but I need you to trust me. Okay, Stephanie? Those dudes out there with their hunting rifles and camo-pants aren’t military. They’re looking for survival supplies and whatever strikes their fancy. They would fight each other over who would get to have you first.”
    “He’s right,” Steve said lifting his head from his knees.
    “You two are ridiculous. I’m going out there.”
    “No you’re fucking not! Would you just trust me on this? Chris said, putting a hand on her shoulder.
    “Yeah, but I don’t thin—”
    “Shh . . .” Chris whipped the blood from his hands to his pant leg then shoved his hand over her mouth. The looters were right outside by the freezer section. Their faint mumbles penetrating through the cooler doors and over the light buzz of fans.
    One of the doors leading to the beer swung open. Eager hands were snatching case after case of beer out. Chris heard them speaking now, and caught a glimpse of their dirty clothing through the stacks of beer.
    “Fucking partttty!” One man shouted with four cases of beer piled in his arms.
    “Hell yeah, we’re gonna party!” Another man said. “We just need to get us some ass. Can you believe it? Town goes to shit and the only lady left alive is Phil’s old winch.”
    “Damn shame too. That lady there is nothin but’a bitch,” the other man said, arms loaded down with beer.
    “Hell, soon’s we get done loadin’ up the booze, I say we hit the titty joint. Gat’a be some fine bitches holdin’ up down there, you recon?”
    “Fuckin’ A, dude!”
    Chris turned to Stephanie and made an ‘ I told you