A Dark Evolution (Book 2): Deranged by Jason N. LaVelle Read Free Book Online Page B

be infected, it’s got his blood all over it.”
    Dylan stared at her with a mixture of fear and defiance, if such a thing was possible.
    “Unsnap the backpack and take it off,” she told him. They heard some sounds from behind her. “They’re coming, you better hurry.”
    Dylan complied.
    “Good, toss it this way.” When the bag landed by her feet she spoke again. “I would have happily shared with you, and I told you that, you filthy thief.”
    “Everyone’s just got to look out for themselves now.”
    Kala shook her head. “It’s that kind of ignorance that's going to get you killed. Turn over, put your face into the dirt.”
    Dylan hesitated and Kala let the axe drop a little.
    “All right, all right!” he said holding up a hand. He did as she told him.
    “Good, put your hands behind your head. And do it fast, we don’t have much time.” When Dylan was laid out like a criminal on the street, Kala stooped and picked up the backpack, then slung it over her shoulders. That done, she stepped over Dylan.
    “Don’t let me see you again,” she growled at him. Then she walked off. She heard Dylan scuttle to his feet behind her, but without his weapon he was no threat to her at all.
    She was feeling better, which meant she was feeling harder, and stronger. No more bullshit, and nobody’s going to steal from me! It took another five minutes to locate her car. Two tires were quite low, and an open window had provided the rainwater a nice place to collect and grow mildew.
    She slid into the creaky driver’s side and felt for the keys. They were there! Oh thank god. She pumped the gas twice and turned the key, whir whir whir . Oh no, not that! She hit it again, whir whir whir. Oh Christ on sale, you have got to be kidding me! How can this be happening? They’re coming, for Christ's sake. She turned the key again, whir whir whir , with less enthusiasm. Shit, damn, hell!
    “Stop it, you’ll kill the battery!” Dylan shouted at her. He was running at the car, fast, looking over his shoulder.
    Kala raised the axe to defend herself but she was startled and Dylan was moving too fast. He reached out and yanked the axe out of her hand, causing her to fall out of the driver's seat and cry out in pain.
    “Now,” he said, “I’m going to get this car started and then you’re taking me with you, deal?”
    Kala glowered at him, no fucking way.
    “Deal?” he shouted.
    “Ugh, yes, deal! Give me my axe!”
    “In just a sec.” Dylan dropped to the ground by the front of the car and reached under it with the axe. Kala heard him strike something under the car three times, hard, then he shouted, “Start it!”
    She hit the key and the engine roared to life. Holy crap , she thought. Dylan popped up and ran around the front of the car to get to the passenger side. Kala seriously contemplated just running his thieving ass over. But he has your axe. Dammit, right again . Kala shelved the thought for the moment. Dylan reached the door and vaulted in, tossing the axe behind him.
    “Go, they’re right on top of us!”
    Literally, she thought. Two appeared right in front of them, running over the parked cars. With a quick look behind her, Kala jammed the car into reverse, skidding through the grass as she tore away from the approaching zombies, then spinning the wheel. It was a hairy few moments, waiting for the car to gain forward momentum after shifting, but the Subaru’s engine complied with her abusive demands and rocketed forward, gaining speed quickly as she charged for the airport road. As soon as they jumped over the curb and onto actual asphalt, Kala let out a breath she did not know she’d been holding.
    “That was close,” she said quietly.
    She silently glared at Dylan for a moment. She slowed, then turned out onto the road.
    Dylan cleared his throat meekly. “So, uh, thank you for saving my life.”
    “Thank you for starting the car.”
    He nodded, then looked out the window, obviously ashamed of his own