As the World Dies by Rhiannon Frater Read Free Book Online Page B

marking the tire with a nice little stream.
        
        "I guess it’s ours now, since you marked it," Eric said with a laugh.
        
        He pushed his glasses up on his nose and looked back to see that there was a small box trailer attached to the back of the ATV. It, too, had sturdy wheels and a wide tread. He could easily load it up with supplies and tie them down.
        
        "Okay, this looks good. Real good. It's not a car, but it can maybe get us to one."
        
        The next hour was a rush of activity as he actually found the owner's manual in the desk in Mrs. Waskom's office and gave it quick read through. He gassed up the vehicle at the gas pump next to the barn then drove it over to the back porch of the house with Pepe perched on his lap. When he and had first been shown around the house, Mrs. Waskom had demonstrated how to use the inflatable slide that would whisk them down to safety in case of fire. He made sure to get the ATV set up so if he did make a quick exit from the house, he would slide right down to the ATV. Then he loaded up the box trailer with canned goods, water jugs, and food for Pepe. Tying up a pillow and comforter as a bedroll, he also added that to the load.
        
        He was just finishing knotting the last of the rope used to secure the load when Pepe went into a barking fit. His heart leaped in his chest and he slowly edged his way to where he could see past the house. To his amazement, he saw Brandy walking up the long winding road toward the B & B. Her hair was in her face and she was clutching her cell phone tight in one hand.
        
        "Brandy!" He couldn't believe he was seeing her again.
        
        Pepe continued to bark at her angrily. He couldn't blame the little dog. Brandy had been a total bitch that morning.
        
        "Brandy, baby! Oh, my gawd! Where is the car?" He started toward her, dragging Pepe behind him. The little dog at first resisted then changed his mind and began to dart in front of Eric’s legs, almost tripping him.
        
        "Brandy!" Eric waved at her, grinning, his heart bursting with happiness.
        
        Slowly, she raised her head and from the distance he could see that one cheek was gone and there was a deep gash in her forehead. Her exposed perfect white teeth snapped as her murky eyes fastened hungrily on him.
        
        Then with an ungodly shriek, she charged toward him.
        
        

Chapter Eight
    Fighting Back the Dead
        
        Despite her torn face, blank eyes, and terrifying shriek, Eric could not believe that Brandy had joined the ranks of the undead. He stood and stared at her approaching form in a blank sort of shock. It was difficult for his brain to equate her torn visage with the one he loved so much. Her beautiful legs were splattered in blood and one of them was turned at a weird angle making her movement toward him jerky and inhuman.
        
        Yet, it was Brandy. Her gorgeous streaked hair, her heaving breasts, her immaculately manicured hands reaching for him, but her dead eyes and ruined cheek destroyed the illusion that she was his once more.
        
        Pepe was in a barking fit at his feet and as his survival instinct kicked in and his senses returned to normal, the little dog's warning finally registered and he raised the rifle.
        
        It was obviously hard for the undead Brandy to make it up the incline toward them and she was doing her best to reach them. Her leg kept twisting oddly under her, turning her body to one side with each step and she would have to swing her other leg around to redirect herself toward Eric and the little dog.
        
        Pepe strained at the end of his leash, putting himself directly between Eric and the zombie. His shrill barks of anger grew fiercer as she approached.
        
        "Pull the trigger," Eric whispered, but his finger seemed to have trouble