Risen: The Demontouched Saga (Book 6) Read Online Free PDF Page B

tears start to fly. I know the mess I’m about to step into. This life has been one hell of a ride, but I’m not ready for it to be over. Even after all the screw ups and bad decisions, I want to be here.
     

 
     
     
     
     
     
     
    - 6 -
     
     
     
     
     
    I turn onto Washington with the radio blaring. With everything else that has gone one, I’m glad to be in the one car with a decent CD collection. Even if it’s my own.
    This side of town is predominantly commercial with most of the buildings taking advantage of the nearby river and highway traffic to do business. I used to know a few guys who worked in a hotel here somewhere, I never remember which one. Doesn’t really matter, he’s probably long gone by now. Pushing the thought out of my head, I cross under the highway and to the edge of the bridge.
    The Eads Bridge is in the same condition as the Poplar, and the MLK Bridge just north of here. Getting a better view from the ramp, I see they didn’t bother to destroy the whole bridge. Just the ramps leading onto it from this side. It’s likely they took the time to do the same on the other side. The whole plan seems like it would be a waste if another force could perch on the bridge to rain fire down upon the demons. Or if Michael could just jump in the river close to the bank.
    I grab the rifle Sara left in the back with the spare magazine and jump over the concrete guardrail protecting a nearby parking lot to the north. From there I jog across the pavement and into the street behind the old Drunken Fish, a place I used to frequent on the rare occasion I came downtown. They had probably the best fish in town and good beer to boot. The best part was they were only a few blocks from the Metrolink station, so I didn’t even have to drive in.
    From this point the road slopes downward until you reach the road before the riverfront. I can never remember the name of the street, only that it crosses in front of the arch.
    I see Az long before reaching the bottom, hunched back against the debris of the bridge with three soldiers wearing camouflage military outfits. They are all armed with automatic rifles though they are unable to take a shot thanks to the bullets hitting the surrounding rocks.
    On the other side of the rubble, I see a dozen men unloading their weapons into the remains. I always wondered if the demons would defend the portal on their own. Now I had my answer.
    I drop off a street early to take a position on a nearby parking garage hoping it will give me a clear enough shot of the assholes on the other side.
    My point of attack is a brick wall next to a metal guardrail. It should give me a solid place to brace the weapon while giving me a fall back point in case they notice me.
    With my butt on the ground, I Look down the scope of the gun. From this spot I have a clear shot to over half the men below. It isn’t ideal, but if I can take out one or two, the others may relent enough for Az’s group to get back into the fight.
    I take my time scanning the group, looking for someone who seems to be in charge. With Az and his group not in immediate danger, it makes more sense to hit someone like that. It takes me a few solid minutes of searching, but I find my mark when a man holding a walkie-talkie steps out from behind the bridge.
    He takes a few steps back, sitting on the nearby safety chains to have his conversation. I carefully line up my shot, taking aim at the center of his chest. Knowing this may be my only chance, I pull the trigger.
    The moment the gun fires, the other’s attention is on me. Bullets fly to my position, forcing me to duck behind the brick wall, but not before I saw my target hit the ground.
    The sound of the gunshots ricocheting off the nearby brick has my ears ringing. With my back against the brick I cover my ears while leaning my head into my chest to avoid breathing in the dust. The shots last a few moments before they finally die down.
    Regrowing my nerve, I lean around