Fountain of the Dead Read Online Free PDF Page A

of water?”
    Danny turned the hose on him.
    “Son of a bitch stinks worse than the damn zombies,” Tony said. The stranger took the hose when offered to him and let the cool water from the well pour over him. He drank deep for a few seconds before it was pulled from his hand.
    “Turn off the pump,” Tony yelled.
    “I thank you for the drink.” The rattle from the generators echoed down the street as timers activated; lights in house windows blinked to life. The sea of people parted like Moses had churned the waters. Catherine approached; her long hair, braided past her waist, and despite the slightest limp, her steps were quiet. She looked over the stranger, poked him in the chest.
    “Hello Catherine,” Beverly said taking her hands off Micah’s shoulders.
    “Hello Beverly,” Catherine answered her eyes never leaving their “guest.”
    “Hell of a nerve this one, interrupting dinner.”
    “Wasn’t much of dinner, fruit and a picked over peanut butter jar.” Micah smiled at the banter. Catherine ran her fingers through his hair. “What are you grinning at?” Micah shrugged and looked back at the stranger. “Well, I guess we should feed him. Despite the fact he almost got us all killed. That’s what happens when you go beyond the gate.”
    Catherine turned her sharp gaze back on the stranger. Any show of hospitality gone from her features. She was stone faced. Frank took a step back. “Tomorrow you and Frank will go outside and clear those bodies up. Dump them in one of the houses across the way.” She waved her hand at the houses beyond the gates in the darkness. You’ll get that road cleaned in case we need it.”
    Frank muttered curses. “What did I do?” Frank asked. “I don’t deserve this.”
    “Tony and Sam take too long and throw up too much.” Sam blushed and turned walking his dog back towards his shared house.
    “I’m gonna leave him in a ditch,” Frank muttered.
    “I can tell he likes you already.” Catherine said.
    “You all going to stand around all night like a bunch of lookie-loos? Get on with your lives.” The crowd dispersed at Catherine’s words. They knew better then to hang around when she used that tone. She crossed her arms on her chest and watched the people disperse. Some walked slowly back to their houses, others returned to their seats around the fire, now noticeably smaller. Micah helped throw more logs and stirred the coals. Catherine pulled her shawl tighter around her shoulders. She sat in an old lawn chair, and waited for fresh coffee.
    The stranger sat on a log next to Catherine, he held up his hands to the fire to warm them. The sleeves of the lab coat slid down and Catherine grabbed his wrist and he winced at her un-expected strength. She twisted his arm and looked at the bite marks by the fire light, not caring what if any pain she caused him.
    “How many times have you been bitten?”
    “Dozens that I know of, probably more,” he gasped. “I’ve been on the road a long time.”
    “How is it you didn’t turn?” Catherine asked. She cranked his arm around again for a better view of the bites.
    “I’m a scientist and I have the cure.”
    The camp went silent at the crazed man’s words. The only sounds were the cracking fire, the distant groans of the undead, and breaths from the gathered. Catherine took a second staring at him before realizing she wasn’t blinking. She let go of his arm and focused on his eyes.
    “Say that again.” Catherine said matter of factly.
    “I’m a scientist and I have a cure.”
    “What’s your name?” Catherine asked. She gave the man another look-over.
    “Pierce, my name is John Pierce.”
     
    * * * * *
     
    Frank hovered over Pierce; the rest of the village stared their mouths agape waiting for more info. It’s not often, or ever someone ran into the village with his claims. The normal night time, fire side conversation still hadn’t re-started. Pierce looked content to sit near the fire and eat and drink