Metahumans vs the Undead: A Superhero vs Zombie Anthology Read Online Free PDF Page A

behind the shop’s counter, taking cover.
    The night was silent except for the crackle of the lingering fires in the street beyond when she poked her head up to check on Death. He still stood at the shop’s large window.
    “Death?” she called to him.
    He began to turn around, but stumbled as he did so. Death toppled sideways to the floor. Anne pulled herself to her feet and rushed to his side. Numerous shards of glass, half-melted metal, and blackened concrete protruded from his body. A small strand of blood leaked from the corner of his mouth.
    “Think I got them all?” he asked. The darkness of his eyes was different somehow. Their depth and coldness now just seemed . . . hollow.
    Still, Anne couldn’t help but giggle at his question. “You could say that.”
    Death grabbed her wrist. “Don’t fool yourself, girl. There will be more. There always is.”
    She didn’t know what to say.
    “You remind me a bit of another kid I once knew.” Death coughed. “Stupid, spunky, and full of themselves.”
    The pool of blood forming around his body continued to grow. Anne felt the wetness touch her knees and tried to hide the sickness that washed over her. The floor was wet and warm beneath her. She forced herself to keep calm and try to think rationally. “Can you move?”
    “I’m not going anywhere. At least not in this body.”
    “Yes, you are.” Tears welled up in her eyes, but she fought them down. “I can rig something together and carry you.”
    “No, I’m not. I’m broken and tainted.” His voice was like a whisper. “Do you want it, Anne?”
    “What?”
    “My power. The chance to be the hero you accuse me of being. I can see your soul. You can handle it if you stay strong. Take it and rebuild this world. It’s time hasn’t come yet. Humanity will survive if you help it.”
    Before she could answer, tendrils of darkness entwined with shafts of light snaked outwards from Death’s flesh and wrapped over her arm. Anne screamed as they worked their way up to her shoulder; like a spear they plunged into her heart.
    When she woke up, Anne found herself lying on the floor clutching a skeletal hand. It belonged to what remained of Death, which was nothing but bones and tattered clothes. The sun was high in the sky and the haunting howls of more of the dead as they prowled the city rose the distance. Their cries echoed among the buildings. Somehow the things must have overlooked her in the night. Either that or Agent Death’s power had protected her. But it was hers now, wasn’t it?
    A smile spread over her lips.
    Anne found she was no longer afraid of the dead. Unimaginable power flowed through her veins. She knew impossible things and the truth of Heaven and Hell themselves. Somehow part of Agent Robert Death was inside of her. She understood what life must have been like for him even before the taint. The Light and Dark warred within her very soul for control of her actions. She was no longer limited to this mortal world. With but a thought, she could leave it for the world beyond.
    Slowly, she got to her feet and stared at her hands. Blue lightning danced and snapped between her fingers. Anne promised herself then and there that this world would live again. There were others still alive out there . . . and they needed a hero.
    Anne stepped into the charred, black and melted portion of the street outside the shop and stared at up the buildings around her. A growl came from the alleyway to her right as the dead sprang their trap. Creatures emerged from the ruins all around her. With a grin, she stood ready to face them. It was as good a time as any to start her crusade.
    “Come on,” she called to them. “Let me show you what I got.”
    Hellfire roared and blue lightning crackled and danced from her palms, frying rotted flesh, as shouts of excited glee filled the early morning below the cloudless sky above.

    Knight of the Zombies
    by
    J.B. Robb

    F or the first few months, whispers had followed the