Project Nemesis (A Kaiju Thriller) Read Online Free PDF Page B

waves, shifting across the surface like a flock of birds. The trees fringing the lake sway hypnotically, holding my attention.
    That is, until the view is blotted out by seven hundred pounds of hungry mamma. If not for pausing to sniff her crying cubs, I’d be dead. In that two second pause I manage to unlock the front door, fling it open and throw myself down from the porch. By the time I hit the ground I hear the bear’s loud huffing and know she’s coming again.
    I run into the car, crashing against the door and fumbling with the keys until I find the right one. Luckily, Betty and I have been together for a while—we’re simpatico, like long-time lovers—so slipping the key in and unlocking the door takes no thought. I slide behind the wheel, take hold of the door handle and pull. It crashes shut with such force that I think I’ve just transformed into Captain Marvel, though I don’t recall shouting “ Shazam !” That, or the bear rammed the door. I look to the left.
    It’s the bear. Which is too bad. I used to really like Captain Marvel.
    I stick my tongue out at the bear and hold it just long enough to get it covered in glass cubes when the bear stands and brings its paws down on the window. I shout again and slide over to the passenger’s seat while Smokey the psychotic bear claws the crap out of Betty’s fake leather upholstery. Using the keychain’s smallest key, I unlock the glove compartment and grab hold of the holstered gun inside.
    That’s when the rope holding the passenger side door shut since I was T-boned two months ago decides to give way. I spill out backwards, landing hard on my back. I groan and slowly open my eyes. They snap the rest of the way open when I see four clawed paws rounding the front of the truck.
    I feel the holstered gun in my hand and with a practiced familiarity, unbutton the clasp and free the weapon with one smooth move. I turn the muzzle skyward and without looking, fire two shots in the air before pointing the weapon at the approaching jaws.
    But I don’t fire.
    There’s no need.
    Even mamma bears can be spooked. With a cry that sounds like a deeper version of the cubs’ call, the bear backpedals and runs away, heading toward the lake. It calls out again as it passes the cabin and is joined by the two cubs, who scurry along behind. The trio run until I can’t see them. With any luck, they’ll keep going until they’re miles away.
    Gun in hand, I feel safer than I did inside the truck’s cab. Speaking of which... I lean my head up, and look at Betty. “I put up with a lot. You know I do. But you almost got me killed here.”
    I lean my head back, catching my breath. “It’s just not working out, Betty.”
    It’s a joke. For myself. Fueled by the elation of not being gored. But it actually makes me a little sad. I get to my feet, leaning my battered body on the truck’s hood. I pat the dull red metal. “I don’t mean it. I should have got the door fixed months ago.”
    But I didn’t. Because that’s the way I am. I make a mental note to change my lax ways before they get me killed. Then I grab the twelve pack and head into the cabin.

 
     
    4
     
    “Dr. Elliot, wake up.”
    Dr. Kendra Elliot had never been a graceful sleeper. She snored. She drooled. And she always, always woke up grumpy. But today, her fury at being woken was quickly consumed by confusion. She wasn’t in bed. She was in the lab. And it was a voice that had woken her, not her alarm.
    General Gordon’s voice.
    He stood next to her, a grin on his face.
    She mistook the smile as mockery and quickly checked herself over. Some of her hair had come loose, but most of it was still tied back. She wiped away the crust from her eyes and was happy to find her cheek free of moisture. All in all, she didn’t seem too out of sorts.
    So why was Gordon smiling at her so queerly?
    When she couldn’t take it anymore, she asked, “What?”
    He raised an eyebrow at her. His signature expression. No one