The Dead in River City Read Online Free PDF Page B

leave.
    The obnoxious sound of the car horn filled the air,
echoing through the emptiness of the city. Alan turned and saw Kendra in the
car, and broke out into an all-out sprint towards the antiquated vehicle. He
saw Kendra in the driver seat, and made a mental note to go on the other side
of the car. He had decided it would be an embarrassing death to die because you
tried to get in the wrong side of a car.
    Reaching the old car, he threw his weapons in the
back seat and climbed inside, slamming his door shut. Kendra wasted no time in
getting the car in motion. She floored the gas pedal and the car peeled out of
the parking lot, going back onto the street at breakneck speed. Both Alan and
Kendra’s heart rates began to drop to a normal level, as they got as far away
from the Dead Ones as they could. Not a sound was around to be heard, except
for the heavily used engine on the car.
    Kendra broke the silence. “Nice shooting back
there.” She complimented Alan
    “It was nothing. Aiming is easy when you have a
shotgun.” Alan replied.
    “Still… I’m glad you weren’t shooting like you were
when I found you.” Kendra smirked as the words left her mouth.
    “Hey!” Alan took offense. “Need I remind you that I
took one out with a single revolver shot?”
    “I have no issue with that shot. It was impressive.”
She clarified. “It’s the 5 shots you fired after that, that makes me question
your skills.”
    Alan was silent for a moment. “I had an off day…” He
defended himself.
    Kendra left it at that. She knew enough to not pry
into people’s lives. She just continued to drive, swerving around the abandoned
cars and working towards their next destination.
    “So… new clothes?” Alan asked.
    “Yeah, I think that’s a good start. Any ideas where
to go?” Kendra fished for Alan’s opinion.
    “Well, there’s the mall. There are lots of clothing
stores there. Also there are plenty of various chain stores around the city.
Mostly just depends on which ones haven’t been picked clean by looters.” Alan
voiced his thoughts.
    “Let’s try one of the malls. Most of the clothes
have probably been taken, but they also have a big selection. Let’s start
there.” Kendra decided.
    Alan simply nodded, saying nothing. Kendra altered
her course, heading for what was easily the least popular mall in the city. She
pondered as she drove, mostly about how Alan had watched her back earlier. She
was used to being alone, so this whole teamwork situation was new to her. She
slowly found herself glad that Alan had convinced her to stick together.
    Alan, meanwhile, pondered his own thoughts. He was
glad Kendra decided to stick around. He knew he didn’t want to be alone in
this. He decided that if the apocalypse was happening, it was best to have a
friend to spend it with. Sure, Kendra was sometimes detached and held a prickly
demeanor, but if you gave her a chance, and gave her some time, she’d grow on you.
Alan thought himself foolish for even thinking it, but there was a part of his
mind that always wandered back to one question: What if he could become more
than just a friend to Kendra? He suppressed the question the only way he knew
how. He focused on the mission. He focused on killing the Dead Ones, and making
sure they stayed dead this time.
    Time passed on and on. Roughly 45 minutes after the
panic in the hotel parking lot, their newly acquired car pulled in to the mall
parking lot. As they exited the car, they each grabbed a couple weapons from
the back seat. Both Kendra and Alan grabbed their swords, and Alan took his
crossbow pistol, which he’d yet to test. Neither of them was really sure if
there would be anyone inside, dead or otherwise, but it was clearly better to
be cautious than to wind up dead… or worse.
    Alan looked over the car they’d been driving. He
didn’t get a good look at it during their escape, but as he examined it now, he
saw just how crappy this car was. The side mirrors were in