Infected Freaks Volume One: Family First Read Online Free PDF

fingernails.
    “I’d guess a few miles,” Hunter answered.
    “Can we make it?” she questioned, crossing her eyebrows.
    Abraham growled as if life slapped him clean across his face. It was the sharp burn in his heart. “We have too. But with all of these infected, we won’t last for long.”
    “A huge fire will draw every infected to the mill.” Hunter’s voice was quick, but quiet. He looked once more at his struggling grandfather. “Do you really think this is a nest?”
    “I think they seek shelter underground and perhaps in places like this.” Abraham didn’t want to scare them with all of his crazy notions.
    “So if we destroy the hives, will this infestation stop?” Sam rubbed her forearms.
    “It’s an idea.” Abraham spat, feeling lightheaded. “But dark places dot the surface of the Rocky Mountains. So destroying them all will be impossible.”
    “Are you going to be safe up here?” Hunter glanced around while asking as if he were checking the walls for climbers.
    “I’ll be safe enough. It’s you two who are heading back down. But I think they are drawn out into the crimson night—it feeds them, or comforts them… Shit, I don’t know, but they seem to need it. So the bottom level should be mostly empty until dawn. Except the ones that followed us.”
    “But…” started Hunter.
    “Go now, and be quick about it,” Abraham interrupted, giving his concept more thought. He slid down flat on his back and stared up at the rotten wood of the water wheel outside of the window. “Wait! The water wheel—can we climb down it?”
    Sam was closest and moved her head up and down. “I think it’s possible.”
    “Good, now use that shit in your survival pack to set that fire and get your butts back up here.” There was a time when Abraham had believed old things held beauty. Yet in this agonizing moment, he wished everything would be torn down and made anew. In a haze, he listened to the teens make their way back down the creaking ladder. It killed him sending his grandson toward danger, but his damaged heart didn’t give him any other options. I believe in you, Abraham thought, scooting closer to the tower ledge.

III
     
     
     
    Hunter Heinz scanned the endless shadows of the abandoned mill. A narrow gangway caked in purple mushrooms connected to an adjoining building on the second level. Could it be a way out? It threatened to bloom in the same alien fungus. To Hunter the puffs lining the gangway looked like wet peaches that breathed. He didn’t think it was any safer in that direction. The timber construct of the mill was moist and thriving in damp mold. He needed something dry to start a fire. A string of bruised mushrooms grew out of the grated floor and appeared to glow red in the dark. Every time Hunter left the farm, his grandpa was quick to remind him to take his survival bag. This time he was glad he listened. He pulled out his lighter and rolled the top, striking a flame. The wet mushrooms quivered and the boy could have sworn they hissed. Had Hunter know the hissing came from below, he would have never produced such a light in this dark place.
    Then and there an ear-bleeding buzz erupted. Hunter dropped the lighter and clamped his hands over his ears and cowered, unable to think or move. Sam was next to him, trembling. Her dark eyes swept about the gloom as if whatever made the noise was near. After a few fast breaths, the energetic sound stopped as did the small quake it produced.
    Oh, my God, Hunter thought, peering over the broken ledge. He positioned his rifle as if it were an assault rifle, scanning the first floor below. Whatever had made that squeal must have been gigantic.
    “It came from below,” he suggested to Sam.
    Sam stayed tight to his back, giving Hunter butterflies. He bent over and snatched up the lighter as his boots clapped against the damp surface with each step. Hunter wanted to show his grandfather he could pull his own weight. He felt bad for all of the