The Dead War Series (Book 2): Desperate Times Read Online Free PDF Page A

eyebrows rose, showing his curiosity.
    “It resembled blood in many ways. Much of it, I can't fully explain nor do I really understand. All I know is, after nearly six months, we had succeeded. Dr. Philip Pierce, my colleague, found the missing link. When we tried to heal one of our dying subjects, it all backfired.”
    “Is Dr. Pierce alive now?” Cassian asked.
    Vincent's eyes grew sad at the last memory he had of Philip: Dead, pathetic and crawling along the floor looking for human victims. The memory etched itself inside his mind and would no doubt leave him with nightmares for the rest of his life. “No. He was the second victim and the soldiers put him to final rest back at SciTech Labs.”
    “So, you are the sole survivor. This makes you a very important person.” Cassian studied Vincent, his eyes traveling from head to toe, assessing the doctor. He scanned the human's mind of his most recent thoughts. “Most people accept the praise, but not the criticism. They are more than willing to take in the accolades, but are quick to place the blame elsewhere. I admire you... to an extent... for accepting your part in what is happening.” Cassian shifted his position, making himself a bit more comfortable in his seat. His cold, blue eyes never left Vincent. He exhaled. “So tell me, how does it feel knowing you are at least, partly responsible, for what looked like the end of the world?”
    “I never wanted this to happen.” Vincent's voice was strained as he struggled to hold back the tears that threatened to erupt.
    “Of course you didn't,” Cassian patronized.
    “I really wanted to help mankind,” Vincent added in his defense.
    Cassian made an offhanded gesture. “I've already scanned your mind, Mr. Masterson and heard your pity speeches. I was looking for a straight forward answer.”
    Vincent stared at the thing before him. He was pretty sure Cassian wasn't human, he just didn't know what the hell he was.
    “I'm waiting.” Cassian's arched both brows.
    Vincent swiped the back of his hand along his forehead to clear the layer of sweat that had gathered. He shifted in his seat and took hold of Sarah's hand, holding it closely to his chest. “The honest, straightforward truth?”
    “If you would be so kind to oblige,” Cassian remarked.
    “Like the lowest form of shit and there are moments, brief moments, where I want to die or disappear. I think the only reason why I haven't put a bullet in my head is because I feel like I can help. I know I can. And as long as I'm alive, there's a chance for me to redeem myself,” Vincent said.
    Sarah turned to him, her eyes bulging at his reveal that he wanted to die, however fleeting the drive was to commit suicide was, it still unnerved her. She knew how Vincent felt about what was happening, but she didn't know how deeply it was affecting his psyche. She wanted to say something to him, but whatever it was that Cassian had done to her prevented her from speaking. Her eyes drifted back to the man sitting across from them, who terrified her almost more than the zombies did. He was powerful and could do things to them that the zombies couldn't do and on top of it all, he was no mindless killing machine. He was calculating, intelligent and she couldn't shake the feeling that he was as ruthless as they come. She returned her gaze to Vincent and squeezed his hand reassuringly as she slipped her other arm around his waist, holding him closer.
    Cassian noticed the intimacy between the two, how much the loved each other, but said nothing. His expression betrayed none of his emotions. He liked that the human scientists didn't try to insult his intelligence by lying. That wouldn't end well for them.
    Vincent looked around at the others. Again he asked: “How are you doing this?  I mean, how are you controlling us?”
    “In due time. For now, I would have silence. Sleep.” With that, Cassian placed the humans under his mental hold, rending them unconscious, save the pilot.