Rage Read Online Free PDF Page A

“I can help.” She stared at me a few moments unmoving. “Unchain me.” The uncertainty was clear in her eyes even in the fading light. More shots rang out and screams pierced the night. Eric’s defenses had been breached. It was hard to believe but again it was just a numbers game. The shots stopped. Silence filled the air. That was quick.
    “ Sorry,” Sally said and she turned, rushing to observe the damage and to help. They were her family now. Behind me, I heard a rustling in the bushes. I turned my head, but couldn’t see past the tree I was chained against. “Who’s there?”
    No answer, not that I expected one.
    It was most likely one of Eric’s crew come to finish the job that Sally had failed to do. Behind the tree, I heard a growl, low and guttural.
    Oh, fuck.
    The chains rattled as the thing behind me inspected my bindings, the chain pressed deep into my chest. I gritted my teeth against the pain. It grunted, perhaps not comprehending what they were, and released them. I was thankful for that.
    It shambled around the tree and came into my view. Blood flowed down its chin and rolled onto her naked chest. I remembered this woman. Her name was Ai (pronounced ‘eye’) Nishimoto. We found her hiding in a house on my first trip looking for supplies with Eric’s crew. Her skin looked fresh, almost alive. Was she infected in tonight’s foray? She had changed fast. Her eyes were wide but no fire danced in them. Ai dropped to her knees in front of me and reached out a trembling hand. She lightly stroked my cheek. I tried to pull away from her but couldn’t. Her hand was ice cold. She pulled her hand away and growled. Her mouth opened wide. Her body trembled.
    A strange thought occurred: she still had her memories. It was implausible, but then again, maybe not. Perhaps it took time for the memories to fade. If this were true, it would explain her reluctance to rip me apart. Drool rolled over her lip and mixed with the blood. Then again, maybe it was only a shadow memory.
    Someone burst through the forest into our clearing. “Oi, bitch!” Ai turned, the back of her head exploded, splattering me with gore and gray matter. I shook what I could off me. Eric approached. “You’re still alive?” He looked genuinely surprised. He pulled out a small towel from his back pocket and wiped my face. “I don’t think you’re going to change.”
    “ You and me both.”
    “ Why is that?”
    I shrugged.
    “ You’re immune.”
    That bought a laugh from me. “I used to build computers. There’s nothing special about me.”
    “ Are you hungry?”
    “ I would love a double cheeseburger, fries and a coke.”
    Eric smiled. “I’ll see what I can do.” He turned and walked away, leaving me confused and still held captive.
    Eric had left the body where it had fallen. Could it be that zombies weren’t completely mindless when first infected? Ai hadn’t been, but then I remembered Dad and Skyler. How long had he been infected before going to her room? Skyler was quick ‘cause she was a baby. The guy at the truck had turned fast, yet Long Haired hadn’t. Oh fuck, this was doing my head in. I weren’t no scientist.
    I leaned my head against the tree and I must have dozed off because the next thing I know, Sally was shaking me awake. My chains were gone. “We have to go!” There was panic in her voice and her skin had gone pale.
    “ What’s happened? Eric was going to bring me some food.”
    “ He was over-ruled. We just had a zombie attack. It was a small one. Three or four at most, but an attack nonetheless and a couple of people are missing.”
    “ Over there,” I said pointing with my chin. “Eric saved my butt.”
    “ Not this time. They’re coming for you.”
    “ Who?”
    “ The people you call friends. We don’t have long. Eric made them attend to the barrier first.” She paused to give me time to process the message. I was almost on my feet when she handed back my Glock. “Going through the