Snatchers (Book 8): The Dead Don't Pray Read Online Free PDF

had eaten a light supper that consisted of water, crisps and some noodles. Since the robbery, and the death of Nicholas Burgess in the early hours of Saturday morning, the rest of the day had been mundane and non-eventful.
    "Who's on the night shift tonight?" asked Karen, still removing the leftover crisps from her teeth with her tongue.
    "There's a few on." Pickle sat back in the chair, in the living room, and took a sip of water. He screwed his face. It tasted funny. "There're some guys I don't know. Lee's pretty desperate for people at the moment."
    "It'll probably be better if they put the less experienced on during the day, and the likes of you, Bentley and others on a night. Because if we're attacked again, it's on a night it'll happen."
    "That's what I said." Pickle nodded. "I think after we return from the run tomorrow he's probably gonna do just that."
    "Still four of you going?"
    "Yep. Just in case things go tits-up." Pickle took another sip. "We'll be a bit short on the barriers, and he's even got Paul Dickson doing the perimeter."
    "Maybe I'll take the kids if Paul's doing that," Karen said. "It'll give Rosemary a break."
    The pair of them sat in silence for a few seconds and their minds wandered; their thoughts went to the recent past.
    Pickle eventually broke the quiet. "You seem to like Paul."
    "I do," said Karen, unabashed. "When you and Vince were missing, we got to know each other a little better."
    Pickle nodded, understanding that Karen needed someone whilst he was away. She didn't have Shaz anymore, and had latched onto Paul in his absence.
    She said, "We had a hug every now and again, on the bed."
    Pickle raised his eyebrows, trying to tease her.
    "There's nothing sexual there." Karen brushed her dark hair behind her ears, and added, "We had one while you was away, and a couple of others when you were on the barrier and Rosemary had Kyle and Lisa."
    "I was missing. Shaz is dead. Yer fiancé has been gone just under two months. Yer family are probably dead, so it's understandable to need a hug once in a while."
    "Shit, you really know how to cheer a girl up." Karen began to laugh.
    Realising what he had just said, he cackled, "I've always been the charmer, Bradley."
    "Is that what KP fell for? The charm?" Karen surprised herself that such a question came out of her mouth. "I'm sorry—"
    "It's fine. I don't mind talkin' about him." Pickle sighed, "I suppose I don't talk about him enough. Can't pretend that he never existed."
    "That's what men do," said Karen with a smile. "They keep everything in."
    Pickle took another drink, wetting the inside of his dry throat. His face changed and a morose look had slowly emerged on his features. He took another swig and placed the cup on the floor before adding, "I sometimes wonder how long we've got."
    Karen sat up straight, confused by his rambling words. "What?"
    Pickle took in a deep breath, temporarily enlarging his chest, and puffed out. "How long we've got left to live."
    "Jesus," Karen falsely snickered. "You're in a dark mood." He never responded back, and Karen could see the melancholy on his face. "Is this you going through one of your what's the point moods?"
    "I'm serious."
    "So am I." Karen stood up and walked over to her friend. She sat next to him and put her hand on his thigh. "You're depressed. We're all fucking depressed, but we're still alive."
    "For now."
    Karen nodded, "Yeah, for now. Who knows what could happen in the next couple of months. We could all be living in luxury with a decent community. The country could be slowly restored back to civilisation with the help of our own and outside forces."
    "Or we could all be dead."
    "Maybe. But I'm willing to stick it out, baby or no baby. Don't get me wrong, I have bad days, you know that. That's why we need each other. When you're down, I'm here for you, and vice versa."
    "I've thought about killing myself." Pickle's tone was emotionless. "Many times."
    "Haven't we all?" Karen wasn't shocked by his