Rotting to the Core (Keep Your Crowbar Handy Book 2) Read Online Free PDF Page B

“Now, landing might be a
bit dicey. The hook is secure in the middle of that roof somewhere,
but I can't see what it's hooked to. We don't have a brake-block or
a way to slow down as we approach the other end, either. I'll have
to just cut our harness once we get over that roof, so, um... you
might want to be ready for that. Try to relax once we get close,
you know? Just in case.”
    He glared at her. “Strangely enough? That
does not instill me with a lot of faith.”
    “Do you have a better idea?” Kat demanded
quietly. “No? Me neither. So...”
    Glancing over the roof's edge, Jake
considered their predicament for a moment. There were hundreds of
zombies all over the grounds around Old Hall, mindlessly stumbling
about in dormant roaming mode. While surely unpleasant for the
writer, Kat's plan was far more feasible than trying to somehow
evade the creatures at ground level. That didn't mean he had to like it, however.
    “Fine, fine!” he grumbled quietly. “Just so
you know, if this gets us killed? I blame you.”
    “What?”
    “Your plan, your fault.”
    She frowned. “I don't think that's how it
works.”
    “It is this time.” Jake pulled on her harness
and then yanked at his tac-vest. They seemed secure, but he was
damn sure holding on to whatever part of Kat might be handy once
they actually took the plunge. “Why don't we send the bag over
first?”
    “That's a good idea. Hand it up.”
    While rooting through Old Hall for anything
worthwhile, the pair had come across a small, Ozark Trail backpack
in one of the top-most offices. Since neither had been able to
carry one of Foster's packs, and Jake's Bug-Out Bag was back in the
Mimi, they'd taken it to carry their meager supplies. Removing the
pack, Jake passed it forward and Kat clipped yet another carabineer
to one shoulder strap. Without another word, she released his pack.
It slid down the line, unnoticed by the creatures. Though the
huddled pair listened intently as it disappeared into the night,
whatever noise the pack made upon reaching the opposite roof was
covered entirely by the low moans and shuffling of corpses below.
Ultimately, they were left with no idea what awaited them on the
other end.
    “Well. It didn't fall.” Kat continued staring
into the gloom after his pack.
    O'Connor's jaw clenched. “Okay. Let's get
this over with, before I have a rush of uncommon sense.”
    She raised one eyebrow. “You mean common
sense, don't you?”
    “No. Common sense is a myth. If it actually
existed, everyone would have it, but not everyone does. So it's
called uncommon sense. ” Jake stepped close and secured
himself to her back, firmly avoiding a maddening urge to look down
at the five-story drop. “What we're about to do is the exact
opposite. I think most normal people would term this as reckless.
Or suicidally dangerous. Maybe even bug-fuck crazy . ”
    Kat grinned over her shoulder at him as she
attached their harness tether to the line. “Yeah, but look how much
fun we're having.”
    “You've got a strange idea of fun.” Jake
wound his arms tightly around Kat's waist and took a firm grip on
her belt.
    Smiling like a Tabby with a mouthful of
feathers, Kat held up one hand and began counting down from five.
Upon reaching zero, she and O'Connor pushed away from the roof of
Old Hall and sailed out into the darkness.
    The quiet rubbing sound of the carabineer
along their slim lifeline sent a chill up Jake's spine. Against his
better judgment he looked down to see nothing but zombies and hard,
unforgiving ground speeding by far below. His arms clenched
involuntarily tighter, and Cho gave a sharp exhalation of
discomfort as his strength forced the breath from her lungs. Kat
curled her legs backwards and wrapped them around his waist,
locking Jake against her firmly as they sped along the climbing
rope to freedom. It was all the shaken writer could do to keep his
eyes open as wind tugged at him. Jake was sure their line would
snap at any moment,