Netherstream - Episode 1: Jane Doe Read Online Free PDF Page B

door.
    Predictably, he continued to struggle. “See? I told you. Now let me do it.” I took out a fresh cigarette and readied my diversion.
    “Perhaps it would work if you gave me the right fucking combination!” The general shook the door.
    “I gave you the right combination, 5-5-4-1-2.” I pushed imaginary buttons in the air with my cigarette. “Are you reading the keypad? The numbers move around after every attempt.”
    Leon slammed his fist and kicked the door. “The truth is I’m slightly dyslexic.”
    Oh, I’d say a lot dyslexic. And psychotic. And mentally retarded.
    He tried one last time before finally giving up.
    “Gentle. With a ladies’ touch.” I softened the hard edge to my voice.
    The general nodded and allowed me to the door. While I tapped in the code, the two guards pointed their M16s in my face. Suddenly the lock released. I turned the knob and jerked the door open, hoping to stir the zombie on the other side.
    “Thank you. Now step aside,” said the general.
    “My pleasure.” I threw the door wide.
    The office was empty, with nothing to suggest that a zombie had fumbled around there.
    “Excellent.” Leon stepped inside, and sat in the black chair.
    I crossed my arms and leaned against the doorframe while the general’s two thugs continued fixing their guns on me.
    “It looks like we have a visitor on the eighth floor. Have Washburn take him out,” said Leon.
    “Roger that.” One of the guards lowered his gun and spoke into his headset.
    I glanced at the screen but didn’t recognize the zombie. The hotel had sprung a leak, and it needed to be plugged as soon as possible. But where the hell was Marge? There were eyes on the hotel and boots on the ground. I didn’t want her to be caught in the crossfire. Ugh! I needed a cigarette bad…
    I stood by the door, and watched Mr. Potato Head fumble with the equipment. Even he couldn’t fuck it up, and after several minutes, he started getting the hang of it. I looked around, wondering if he had cheated and there was a Dummies book lying around here somewhere.
    “That’s a nasty habit, you know that?” Leon took exception to the smoke I was blowing into the office. He swiveled around on the padded chair, and snatched the cigarette from my lips. “This tastes like shit.” He coughed a mouthful back out. “Is this the best you could find in this hotel?”
    “I have a thing for bad cigarettes…and men.” I locked eyes with him.
    “Well, it’s time to set you straight. You have a gift shop, don’t you?” Leon got up.
    “It isn’t open.” I shook my head.
    “Then when will it open?”
    “It’s a seasonal thing.” I held out my hand, preferring the cancer stick to the talking dildo in front of me.
    Leon grabbed my hair, and slammed me against the wall. “You will learn to respect me!” he screamed.
    “Of course, general,” I replied.
    ♦ ♦ ♦
    General Vax dragged me down the hallway, throwing me face first through a pair of double doors. He picked me up and hauled me through the lounge while his men slammed down shots and polished their guns. I peered up at the skylight, and caught a glimpse of the returning helicopter. Even now, I could not hear its blades as it descended upon us. Sooner or later, I’d have to get one of my own. Some toys were worth the trouble.
    We passed by the Diamond Café, which was completely still for the first time that I could remember. The corpses had not been removed, curled up on the floor as if sleeping.
Mommy will be back for you, promise.
    “Let’s do this nice and easy.” Leon pushed me into the thick, glass doors of the gift shop. “Do you have a key?”
    “Yes,” I replied.
    “Give it to me.”
    “It’s in Engineering.”
    “That’s a shame. I guess we’ll have to improvise.” Leon grabbed me and tossed me through the window. The pane was weaker than the rest, the result of the last incursion that nearly destroyed the entire hotel. It had taken weeks to find a suitable