Infected Freaks (Book 2): The Echo of Decay Read Online Free PDF Page B

sure it’s safe.” Abraham tugged at the ladder, relieved to see it was still secure. The muscles in his back twitched in protest as he strained in effort to climb. There was no question his body was weakened in his old age. Yet with a grumble, he managed to make it despite sweat dripping off his nose with an evil tickle.
    ***
    Emme watched Hunter trace the offensive words painted over the brick of the building. “Somebody lives here,” Hunter told her.
    “And they’re telling us to stay out,” Emme was quick to answer. “Perhaps we should continue to a friendlier-looking town.” She pulled up the hood on her hoodie and waited. In the low frequencies of her hearing aids, she heard the heavy breathing of the infected freaks somewhere inside the mess of dark buildings. “They’re inside the buildings.” I need to show them. She was sure nothing in her little black backpack was going to help convince them. Still, she rummaged through it anyway.
    “Who is?” Sam asked.
    “The infected freaks,” Emme answered as her smirk slipped away.
    “You don’t know that,” Hunter argued.
    “I do too.”
    “Quiet.” Emme heard Abraham yell from the roof. She knew he was growing tired of the endless bickering so she stayed silent.
    Hunter bent over and strained to lift the locked roll-down door again. He didn’t notice the wild boy creeping up behind him, but Emme did. The strange boy littered in filth was almost on top of Hunter when Emme screamed, “Watch out!”
    Her brother jumped out of the way, landing in a puddle of murky water as the wild boy poked at him. “Dr. John,” the boy whispered over and over. Emme watched her brother pull himself back to his feet, pushing his arms in a futile attempt to rid himself of the advancing boy. “How did you get out of the restraints?”
    “Calm down, man,” Samantha said, placing a firm hand on the peculiar boy’s shoulder.
    The wild boy scurried away, screaming the only phrase he must have known. “Dr. John!”
    Hunter pursued the boy, swearing revenge. Yet, the faster he moved, the quicker the odd boy circled the Blazer. The chase ensued with Sam joining in on the anxious fun. Hunter and Sam cornered the boy, and when they thought they had him, he ducked under the Blazer and curled up, repeating that same old name.
    “Dammit, Sam, you let him get away,” Hunter said with passion in his hazel eyes. This made Emme smile as big as a child on Christmas morning. She had a feeling Sam wouldn’t put up with his shit.
    “Me? Are you kidding? There is no way this is my fault. You had the boy in your hands.” Rolling to the right, Sam gave Hunter the cold shoulder.
    “Because I was pushing him toward you,” Hunter argued, dropping to a knee.
    Emme enjoyed the pinch of agony annoying her brother.
    Sam knelt down and stared at the panicked, wild boy. “Oh shit, he wet himself,” she stammered, breaking into a contagious laugh.
    “Go get him,” Hunter ordered, making a humorous expression.
    “You let him get away,” Sam snapped back. She seemed to enjoy the playful tones.
    Emme squinted and kept a nasty glare toward Hunter. They’re only flirting , Emme thought, pushing up her purple glasses. Emme felt disappointed.
    Sam scooped her hand under the car in a feeble attempt to frighten the boy. However, he didn’t move a muscle.
    As if remembering his manners, Hunter tilted his head towards Sam. “Fine, I’ll get him.”
    Sam scoffed at the notion. “Please.”
    “Don’t let him tell you what to do because you’re a girl,” Emme said. She wasn’t going to let Sam be outdone by her brother. Hunter needed a pretty girl to keep him in order.
    Right as Hunter had his fingers on the boy’s clothing, he jerked back at his sister’s comment, bumping his head on the undercarriage.
    Emme laughed as the wild boy wiggled out the front of the Blazer. The sounds leaving the wild boys lips came out funny, almost distorted. He dashed to the right, then danced around Hunter