Animal Kingdom by Iain Rob Wright Read Free Book Online Page B

might not be anyone coming for a long time.”
    “ That’s ridiculous,” said Randall.
    “ I don’t think so,” said Joe. “I’m sure everything will work out eventually, but I don’t see anyone coming by to help for a while. If animals are attacking everywhere then the whole country is going to be in chaos. I didn’t want to admit it at first, but I think we’re all stuck here.”
    Mason nodded. “We need to start thinking about settling in, planning for a couple of days here.”
    Randall slapped his hands down on one of the tables, startling everyone. “Unacceptable!”
    Bill put a hand to his forehead. “Seriously, man, you gotta wake up. This shit is bad and it’s time to forget about business appointments and brunch in the city.”
    “ I need to get out of here. I am far too important to be missing in action. There are people who rely on me.”
    “ Those people are probably dead,” said Grace.
    The suggestion seemed to hit home to Randall and he stood there silently, swaying back and forth slightly as his mouth moved in speechless quivers.
    “ I’m sorry,” said Joe, “but that’s most likely true. I think we’re alone for now. We should just count ourselves lucky that we’re alive.”
    “ Count yourself lucky,” Randall spat. “I don’t see it that way.”
    Joe put his hands up. “Fine, but can you at least accept the situation we’re in?”
    Randall moved away from the group and sat down. That was fine by Joe. The further away the piggish little man was the better. He leant back in his chair and looked at his son. “You’ve been a really good boy today, Danny. Very quiet and well behaved.”
    “ The animals are after us, aren’t they? They don’t want to be in cages no more.”
    Joe thought about lying to the frightened boy, but didn’t. “Something has made them really mad at us,” he admitted, “but I’m going to look after you.”
    “ Promise?”
    Joe smiled and said, “Ohhhh yeahhhhh!”
    Danny laughed hard. “Macho Man!”
    “ That’s right. Anything that tries to hurt you will get the big elbow drop.”
    Bill and Grace joined Joe and Danny at the table, attracted by the noise. “Everything okay here?” Grace asked.
    “ I was just telling Danny what a good boy he’s been.”
    “ You’re telling me!” She patted Danny on the arm. “Not a peep out of this brave warrior.”
    Danny smiled. “Ultimate Warrior.”
    Grace looked at Joe, confused.
    “ One thing to know about my son is that he’s obsessed with wrestlers from the eighties and nineties.”
    “ Where did he get that from?”
    Joe’s cheeks flushed red. “Me.”
    Grace giggled. “Nothing wrong with that. Better than being football-obsessed like most the guys I’ve met. I’m surprised you never ended up being a wrestler yourself, size you are.”
    Joe looked at himself and nodded. “I think that’s why I liked it as a kid. I was bigger than everyone else and I felt like a bit of a freak, but every week I would watch these giants on TV being worshipped by millions and I wouldn’t feel so bad anymore.”
    “ Maybe that’s why I used to like Culture Club,” said Bill, and they all laughed.
    Until the noise cut them off.
    A ruckus somewhere in the building. The crashing sounds of a violent struggle. It wasn’t until they heard the shrill shrieking of monkeys that it became obvious what was happening.
    “ Victor,” said Joe. “The monkeys must have broken in before he had chance to secure the doors.”
    Bill leapt up. “We need to get that door closed.”
    Joe sprang up too. “Grace, look after Danny. Danny, I’ll be right back. Be good.”
    Joe and Bill swung open the door and ran into the corridor. The chaotic noise became louder as it echoed off the walls on their approach to the stairs. They could hear Victor screaming out insults.
    “ Take that, yer wee bastards! I’ll break yer frickin’ necks.”
    Joe took the steps downwards, twice as fast as he’d gone up them – four at a time