The Dead Road: The Complete Collection Read Online Free PDF Page B

walk. Crossing the road was the easy part, as the pavement allowed for careful, measured steps, hell to toe, making as little noise as possible. Once we got to the other side however, the dirt and undergrowth made Eli unsteady. His steps came in stuttering shuffles, sliding in the dirt to make sure we didn't topple over. He got to a large tree and leaned against it, catching his breath for a moment, then started again, slowly making our way around the lot, keeping it distantly on our right.
     
    We could hear the collective groans and sighs emanating from the crowd. I could feel fear clawing at the pit of my stomach as we got closer. There was something inherently wrong with them, something that triggered every primal response in me going back to when we were still weak primates dodging saber-toothed tigers. Even the rifle slung over my shoulder didn't provide any comfort. I knew it wasn't enough.
     
    Eli stopped against another tree. The view of the parking lot was obscured, but we could see the shadows of the creatures milling back and forth. We were closer than we had been, the stench of death and foulness clinging in the air. I tapped Eli's shoulder and gestured for him to let me down. I slid cautiously to the ground and sat against the tree. He sat down next to me and whispered "What now?"
     
    I gestured to our left, where I could see a few small trees in a tight group. "That's near the edge of the lot. I've pissed at those trees a dozen times."
     
    He nodded, "Lemme catch my breath, man."
     
    "Footsteps are too risky. We'll crawl it."
     
    "You sure, man? Your leg--"
     
    "My foot, not my leg, and I don't need feet to crawl. C'mon." I laid down on my belly and started to shimmy across the ground. It was slow going, but nearly silent. I felt like a sniper in a war movie, trying to get the perfect shot on the enemy. I got closer to the trees. One of them let out a loud moan. I froze. I didn't know if they communicated with one another, but I was afraid to look.
     
    Eli came up behind me and shoved me forward. "Go, man!" he hissed.
     
    I hazarded a look over my shoulder. It was a clear view to the lot from here. I could see them, shuffling, starting to break formation. They had given up the hunt, and now were searching for new prey. It was only a matter of time before one of them caught my scent. I shook my head, turned to face the lot, and brought my rifle forward.
     
    Eli laid down beside me. "You're shooting from here?"
     
    "We don't have a choice." I sighted in the BMW. Monsters lumbered past my view as they milled, trying to find a new pattern, a new course of action. I waited for an opening. I could feel my pulse in my ears. I lined up the shot - it would go through the driver's side window and the windshield. It should be enough to set off the alarm. I took a breath, putting my finger on the trigger. One heartbeat. Exhale. Squeeze.
     
    The shot rang out in the night, echoing through the forest. At the last moment one of the things stepped into the line of fire. The bullet hit it in the chest, knocking it off of its feet as gore splattered against the car. The entire crowd stopped moving and turned towards us. "Holy shit!" Eli whispered. I cocked the bolt and aimed again. My heart was racing. They knew something was out here. Something loud. They were going to come this way to find out what. The one closest to us took a shuffling step. The rest started to follow. I could see the window, dripping with blood.  I held my breath. I squeezed the trigger.
     
    The glass shattered. The car erupted into a cacophony of sirens and honks. The lights flashed, the horn blared. In the silence of the night it sounded like a parade. All the times I had heard car alarms going off I never noticed how loud they were. This one hurt my ears. The things stopped, all turning to face the car in unison. There was no hesitation this time. They all lumbered towards the car, hoping for the chance of food. I grabbed my keys out of my