Indestructible: V Plague Book 7 Read Online Free PDF Page B

pay close attention I couldn’t
even detect a current.  I had not seen infected willingly enter any body of
water unless they were in hot pursuit of prey.  They couldn’t swim, or at least
I’d yet to see one that was capable.
    The river had to be shallow.  If they weren’t crossing it
there was no reason for them to wade out into it.  Starting to step into the
water, I froze when my little early warning system sent a wave of prickles up
my back.  Frozen in place, I cut my eyes back and forth in search of any threat
while I calmed my breathing so I could hear anyone or anything approaching.
    Seeing and hearing nothing after a few moments, I slowly
turned my head first to the right, then left.  My rifle was up to my shoulder
by now and I gently clicked it from semi to burst mode.  Still detecting
nothing, I suddenly dashed to my left to take cover behind a large willow tree. 
The tree’s roots were exposed due to the erosion of the river, thick and rough
where they were above the surface.
    Standing in water to my knees, I looked through the night
vision scope.  Thoroughly scanning my back-trail I didn’t see anything, so I began
checking each side.  What the hell had got my spidey-sense all excited?  OK, I
know it’s not really super powers.  I heard, smelled, saw or felt something
that was so subtle my conscious mind wasn’t aware of it, but my subconscious
picked up on it and sounded an alarm.
    Staying still, I kept watching.  Several minutes later I
detected movement as a figure broke cover from behind a stunted tree and dashed
to conceal itself behind a low mound of dirt.  I didn’t recognize the features
through the scope, but his build and long ponytail told me who it was.  Maybe
he’d had second thoughts about letting me cross his land.  The fucking Indian
was following me.

7
     
    Climbing out of the river, I crawled up the low bank. 
Working my way over the top, I silently moved at an angle to the mound the
Indian was behind.  Pausing, I checked the area and spotted a clump of bushes
that I was willing to bet was his next destination.  They provided the best
concealment and were a forty-yard dash from the mound.  I intended to get there
first and be waiting for him.
    I didn’t know what his game was.  Was he stalking me with
bad intentions, or was he just following along to make sure I didn’t do
something disrespectful while I was on Osage land?  Frustrated, I slipped into
place ten yards to the side of the bushes.  I was prone on the ground, mostly
hidden behind a couple of rocks.  In the dark I knew I was invisible to anyone
that didn’t have night vision or thermal imaging.
    My rifle had just settled in against my cheek, aimed at where
I expected him to stop when he suddenly appeared right where I’d predicted. 
Damn he was quiet.  I’m good in the field.  I’m not bragging, just stating what
I know from years of having survived because I was taught how to move
stealthily.  But this guy was a fucking ghost.  Watching him suddenly appear in
my sights was like watching something on TV with the audio muted.  It happened
with zero detectable noise.
    “You’re not faster than a bullet,” I said, just loud enough
for him to hear me.
    He remained frozen in a crouch, head lifted to see over the
bushes to the river.  After a few long heart beats he turned to look in my
direction, not moving any other part of his body.  His rifle was in his right
hand, on the far side of his body and he knew there wasn’t a chance in hell he
could bring it around before I pulled the trigger.
    “Why are you following me?”  I asked.
    He just stared back, not saying anything.
    “I don’t have time for this shit,” I finally said in
frustration.  “I think it’s time to put a bullet in your head so I can go about
my business without worrying about you.  Now, if you don’t like that idea I’d
suggest you knock off this silent routine and speak up.  I’m out of patience.”
    “I