Blog of the Dead (Book 2): Life by Lisa Richardson Read Free Book Online Page A

pair of us stood at the gate while Charlotte slid the key into the lock. At the sound of footsteps on the tarmac outside the camp, I placed my hand on Charlotte’s to halt her from turning the key. The sound came from the left; both me and Misfit gazed in that direction, while Charlotte took a moment to catch up with us, her eyes moving from the lock, that rested in the palm of her left hand, to the track outside.
    A man – perhaps early thirties – came into view. Human. His gait was strong and confident and, as he drew up outside, I imagined he would have thrust out his palm to give a firm handshake if the fence hadn’t been in the way. I noticed he didn’t carry a weapon but he must have had one stashed on him somewhere – no one went out without a weapon. But it was his clean and pressed dark grey suit and blue striped shirt that marked him out as an oddity in the zombie apocalypse, highlighted by the wide, car salesman grin. ‘Good morning,’ he said, his smile unwavering.
    From behind me I heard Kay say, ‘Who the fuck …?’ before she and Stewart appeared in my peripheral vision to stand alongside me, Misfit and Charlotte.
    ‘Who are you?’ I asked the stranger, while he stood and stared at each of us in turn.
    ‘Let me introduce myself,’ he began. ‘My name is Marco. I have a safe place – a place of salvation – set up nearby. There are many of us … many saved . I’d like to come in and talk to you, if I may. How many of you are there here?’ I saw Marco’s eager eyes dart over my shoulder and scan the camp behind me.
    ‘We’re not interested,’ I said, feeling uneasy with the man’s presence, and not one of the others spoke up to differ with me.
    Marco ran a hand through his neatly combed black hair. ‘OK,’ he said with a nod. ‘I certainly don’t want to impose. It’s just I noticed your camp and I wanted to extend the offer of friendship. If any of you change your mind, you can find us down near the harbour. There’s a hotel across from the beach – the Gran Canaria Hotel. You’re all welcome. Survivors need to stick together and support each other.’ With that, he nodded to us, turned and marched off, around to the left and towards the main road.
    ‘The only thing he’ll be supporting is my foot on his arse – what a freak,’ said Kay.
    ‘That was pretty random,’ said Charlotte.
    ‘Even the zombie apocalypse needs an eccentric,’ said Stewart.
    ‘Well, he’s gone,’ I said. ‘But if he comes back, Kay you have permission to kick his arse.’ I turned to Misfit. ‘We’d better get a move on or we’ll lose Sean.’
    ‘OK, sweeties,’ said Charlotte. ‘Let me get this gate open for you. Be careful out there.’
    ‘I’ll walk with you to Flick’s place,’ said Misfit in a hushed voice as we hurriedly drew up to the camp site that stood just before the gate leading down to the promenade. ‘Then I’ll head off and track him.’
    ‘Why don’t I make it easier for you.’ I gasped at the sound of the voice. Sean emerged from behind the public toilet at the side of the camp site. ‘Here I am,’ he said, coming to stand before us, spreading his long arms.
    ‘Fuck,’ I said. I turned to Misfit. He had his knife held out before him.
    Sean raised his hammer. ‘You want to see if you can get that between my eyes before I smash this between yours?’
    ‘Oh for fuck’s sake,’ I said. ‘OK, we’re busted. Do you want to fight or will you let us help you look for your sister? I guess the answer to that depends on if there really is a sister.’
    Sean moved his eyes to look at me. After a moment, he lowered his hammer and nodded his head once. ‘OK,’ he said. ‘Come on.’

Entry Six
    We took one of the many tracks that led up from the promenade and into the hills and wooded areas. ‘So, where are you and your sister staying?’ I asked Sean.
    ‘In town,’ he replied without looking at me or breaking his stride.
    ‘Are you from Folkestone?’ I