The Creeping Dead: A Zombie Novel Read Online Free PDF

than paying for the other two pairs of shorts and two tank tops that cost him two dollars in materials.
    He stepped from behind the counter and escorted them out of the store as any gallant pervert would, watching their firm asses as they strolled down the boardwalk clutching their plastic bags.
    “Y’all, come back now,” he called after them.
    He looked out across the boardwalk and saw Lenny Kruger standing in the middle, eying the store. He waved Lenny over. Lenny smiled and whisked his cape behind him as he crossed pedestrian traffic. When he stood before Billy, he saluted him.
    “Hey, Lenny. What’s happening?”
    “Hi, Billy.”
    “Whatcha up to?”
    “Patrolling the boardwalk. Protecting the people.”
    Billy smiled. “Ah, somebody has to. The police in this town don’t like to get off their asses.” Billy knew this wasn’t true. He just didn’t like Chief Holbrook. But he knew Lenny did.
    Lenny wagged a finger at Billy. “Don’t talk about the police that way. They’re my special friends.”
    Billy waved a dismissive hand. “Aw, I was just joking, Lenny.”
    Lenny smiled, relieved, and shrugged his shoulders.
    “So, I saw you checkin’ out my wares. Anything in particular?”
    Lenny shrugged.
    “C’mon, Lenny. I know you were looking at something? A tee-shirt?”
    Lenny nodded.
    “Which one?”
    Lenny pointed.
    “Ah, Magma Man. I thought you had every Magma Man shirt there was.”
    “Not that one, Billy.”
    “Well, why don’t you go and pick one out.”
    “I don’t have enough money.”
    “I’m not selling it to you, Lenny. I’m giving it to you. A gift.”
    Lenny put his hands on his hips. “It’s not Christmas!”
    “It doesn’t have to be Christmas for me to give a gift to my pal.”
    Lenny wouldn’t argue with that logic. “Okay, Billy.”
    He walked over to the rack, picked out a medium, and held it up to his body.
    “Take a large, Lenny. They tend to shrink in the wash.”
    Lenny gave Billy a thumbs up and traded the medium for a large.
    “Let me get you a bag for that.” Billy walked behind the counter and snatched up a bag. He held out his hand, and Lenny handed him the Magma Man tee-shirt. Billy folded it neatly and placed it inside the bag. He handed Lenny the bag.
    “Thank you, Billy.”
    “Anything for my buddy. Where you headed now?”
    “Going to get some pizza.” Lenny wore a mischievous grin.
    “Really. Just pizza?”
    “And ice cream,” Lenny added, his voice squeaking with glee.
    “Don’t worry, pal. I won’t tell your mom.”
    “Thanks, Billy.”
    “All right, get on outta here.”
    Lenny saluted, placed his headphones on his head, pressed play on his MP3, and glided out of the store to the opening track of Magma Man 3.
    Lenny clutched his gift in his hands and was in heaven. As he often did, he receded into his fantasy world, where he was a superhero and evildoers lurked around every corner. He passed tourists walking the boardwalk—chomping on their pizza, fried dough, and fried pickles; clutching the stuffed animal prizes—pizza slices, ice cream cones, and doughnuts they won at the water gun race or frog bog (Lenny liked the smiley faces the stuffed animals wore); unaware that they had a protector from unseen villains; the good people of Smuggler’s Bay.
    To Lenny, the Smuggler’s Bay boardwalk was a wonderland of food, games, and fun. He waved to Johnny Wong as he passed by on his way to Marco’s Pizza.
                 
    Johnny Wong wiped his face with his already very damp towel as Run To The Hills by Iron Maiden was wrapping up. The fact that he sat in a small booth under a roof did not provide much comfort from the oppressive heat. Even the breeze from the beach did nothing except blow hot air around.
    He clicked around on his laptop, queuing up the next song, and clicked on his microphone.
    “It’s another sweltering ninety-eight degree day on the boardwalk at Smuggler’s Bay, and I’m right there with you, on the