The Hurst Chronicles (Book 1): Hurst Read Online Free PDF Page B

window smashed in but its front door intact. They crowbarred the hinges at top and bottom. After some brute-force and grunting they levered open the lock. Zed gestured to Sean to take the left and Mila to take the right as they stepped inside.
     
    The hall and staircase were deserted, untouched by the chaos outside. The living room to the left was filled with bookshelves, two large brown leather sofas and an armchair. Family photos, of holidays and Christmases, spoke of happier times. Sean picked one up and smiled at the laughing faces of children playing on a beach. The shelf had a heavy layer of dust, with a clean spot where the silver picture frame he held had stood. He replaced it carefully and looked around, opening draws one by one, looking for anything usable.
     
    Mila ran a finger along the spines of several of the books. The castle library was well stocked, but they were always on the look out to add to the collection. She grabbed a couple of novels that looked unfamiliar and a large visual encyclopaedia the children would like together with a French dictionary. She stuffed them into the large rucksack.
     
    In the kitchen, the cupboards were mostly bare, aside from some tinned tuna and vegetables. They grabbed some spices and wrapped the sharp knives from the drawer in a tea towel to keep them safe and to prevent rattle as they continued their search. Under the stairs they found some tools, oil, glue, cleaning products and other household items that were always in demand.
     
    A noise from the floor above made all of them look round. Sean and Mila looked anxiously at Zed, who gestured for them both to stay calm and follow him. He normally stuck to the ground floor, but something told Zed that it was worth the risk to continue the search upstairs. They crept silently, planting each foot carefully step by step. They kept their eyes focused on the landing above through the bannisters. Zed’s revolver was drawn, though he only had two bullets loaded. A large creak betrayed them and they froze for a few seconds to listen.
     
    At the top of the stairs, outside the first door, Zed signalled to the others, counting down to zero from three. They barged through, splintering the lock and swept the room, pointing the revolver into each corner. Nothing. Just a large bed and two wardrobes.
     
    They tried the next bedroom. Again nothing. A child’s room with movie posters of Transformers and James Bond. There was a PC monitor, keyboard and desk, a Manchester United duvet cover and matching pillowcase.
     
    They readied themselves outside the last bedroom, nodding to each other, weapons ready. Zed kicked open the door and charged inside, closely followed by the others. The stench was unbearable. Mila recoiled, covering her nose and mouth with her sleeve. Lying on the bed was a family of three, the mother and child locked in a final embrace. Their skin pale and drawn tight across their faces. Their mouths open in a silent cry of anguish, eyes blank, staring at each other.
     
    Sean approached the bed and peered over them, gingerly.
     
    “Poor bastards,” he whispered.
     
    At the sound of his voice, the father’s mouth opened and let out a pained groan. Sean jumped back startled, his knife drawn. “Holy crap. That scared the be-Jesus out of me.”
     
    Zed barged Sean out the way, his revolver drawn, keeping his distance.
     
    “This one is barely alive. The other two are long gone,” said Zed dispassionately.
     
    “Shouldn’t we put him out of his misery,” suggested Sean, recovering his sang froid, but still visibly trembling.
     
    “No need,” countered Zed. “He’ll do us no harm, we should leave him in peace. Check the bathroom and study and let’s get out of here.”
     
    They regrouped downstairs. Their rucksacks were half filled with an eclectic selection of batteries, books, food and tools. They moved on to the next house, this time empty, the occupants having left a chaotic trail of clothes and