The Zombie Game Read Online Free PDF Page A

Denmark, raising rainbow trout, turbot, eels, and oysters. He’d made a fortune in the new industry. In 2009, he decided to retire and give something back to the world that had so generously provided his wealth. The converted vessel was operational by the time of the massive Haitian earthquake of 2010. The moment Lars heard about the disaster, he’d set course for Haiti. He’d been there to work with the early casualties, and later, to serve Haiti’s need for routine medical and surgical care.
    I suspected the sounds of construction meant the Ana Brigette was being modified into some sort of warship, using Armbrister’s blueprints. I sat on my bunk, listening to the construction overhead, and smoked one of my cigarettes. I liked the harsh taste of the Russian blacks. I only wished I had a jigger of bourbon to clear my mind.
    I began planning my escape. I knew my captors were about to bring me a little food. If they sent only one man with the evening meal, I’d kill him and then sneak through the darkened passageways and jump overboard.
    I looked for weapons to use in my escape—a sharp piece of metal to use as a knife, a heavy object for a club, a rope for choking, or even a loose electrical wire for electrocuting someone. But I found nothing.
    As I thought about how to escape, I picked up the duct tape I’d burned off my ankles and fiddled with it. They’d used an entire roll on my ankles alone. I separated the pieces, taped them together, and doubled them up. Soon, I had a length of tape two inches wide and two feet long. Maybe I can I do something with this ... But what?
    I began to roll the width of tape until it was an inch in diameter. Then I twisted it until it was hard as a rock. I jerked on the ends. It was strong.
    This will be my weapon when they bring my meal tonight.
    The guard opened my door about half an hour later. He was bringing dinner. And he was alone.
    I stood with my hands clasped behind my back, holding the ends of the duct tape cord in each hand. The guard placed the food tray on the bed, and as he turned to leave, I jumped forward and wrapped the tape around his neck. I crossed my hands and jerked the tape around his windpipe like a vise.
    The guard tried to shout, but I’d completely collapsed his trachea. His face turned blue and his eyes bulged. I continued my hold on the man’s neck well after he ceased to struggle.
    By then, I was shaking so hard I had to sit down. I put my head in my hands. Two months before, I had killed five people, all ISIS. Even though those men’s intentions were to kill me and probably many other innocent people, it still had been difficult for me. I was a doctor and saving lives was my priority ... until now.
    Gritting my teeth, I lifted the dead guard onto my bunk and took his key chain, gun, and knife, then pulled the covers over his head. I looked both ways down the hall before stepping out, and then quietly closed and locked the door to my room.
    I began creeping down the hall to the captain’s room. My heart was beating so loudly I could hear it. I quietly unlocked the door with the dead guard’s keys and entered with my finger over my lips. Lars and Tobias were not bound, as I had been.
    Lars shook my hand and whispered, “Good luck on your escape.”
    “I’ll try to swim ashore and get help. You’re both welcome to join me.”
    “I’ll pass. I don’t think I could survive it,” Lars said. “I’ll take my chances here.”
    Tobias shook his head. “I’ve never been much of a swimmer, so I’ll stay, too.”
    “Careful,” Lars whispered. “It’s at least a mile to shore and there are—”
    “Sharks. I know. Thanks for reassuring me,” I said, grinning.
    I handed Lars the keys and knife. Tucking the guard’s handgun under my belt, I slipped out the door and tiptoed down the dark passageway.
    I crept along the deck until I spotted two soldiers with their rifles propped up against the railing. They were about twenty feet from me, just