Catalyst (Book 1): Decay Chains by Kate Wars Read Free Book Online Page A

fear. Matt put the gun to his temple and jutted his chin out.
    “Back off,” Stormy said. “He’s fine.”
    Stan drew nearer to them. “He doesn’t look fine.”
    Matt didn’t flinch at the imposing threat, but no one besides Stormy seemed to notice.
    He waved them off. “I’m fine.”
    “Matt, put the gun down,” Stormy said.
    He checked the safety and repositioned the weapon. “Say it.”
    “Matt,” Vicky yelled.
    He paid her no attention.
    Tears bled over Stormy’s eyelashes. “I can’t.”
    Matt squeezed the trigger harder. She fought the urge to go after her gun, because she knew better. She couldn’t say the words. She couldn’t complete a thought. Her entire body quaked and she did nothing to hide it. Don’t. Please. Please, don’t.
    “I love you,” Matt said. “Always have.”
    She reached out for him. “Please.”
    “Do this for me. Buy us some time.”
    She didn’t want to say it, but did anyhow. “I promise.”
    Matt pressed the gun against his temple so hard, the tip made a mark in his skin. “Promise what?”
    “I’ll do it. I’ll shoot you myself if you go full-blown.”
    Matt was cautious as he lowered the gun. He handed it back to Stormy, put his hands up, and didn’t move a muscle until Dr. Louboutin gave the word.
    “Check him, darling,” Vicky said.
    “What would be the point?” Dr. Louboutin asked.
    “For my peace of mind. His well-being dictates mine. The Lord made us his caregivers. Blessed be His holy name.”
    Dr. Louboutin looked through Vicky for a thick minute before redirecting his gaze at Matt. His entire demeanor changed like an actor with multiple parts. “State your name.”
    Matt played along with an eagerness Stormy couldn’t place. Self-preservation? Her preservation?
    “Matthew Trey King.”
    “Your age upon death?”
    “Twenty-five.”
    “And are you dead or alive now?”
    “Dead.”
    “How long have you been dead, Matthew?”
    “Two and a half hours, give or take.”
    “Can you name the people in this hall?”             
    “You are Dr. Louboutin. They are Vicky, Stan, and my girlfriend, Stormy.”
    “And you remember Stormy from when you were alive?”
    “I remember everything about her.”
    “Do you feel any sensations?”
    “No.”
    “Are you hungry or thirsty?”
    “No.”
    “Nothing’s different since the last time I examined you?”
    “No.”
    “I think he’s fine for now,” Dr. Louboutin said. “To be on the safe side, I want everyone to give him some distance. Especially you Stormy, since you set him off.”
    The doctor gestured across the room at Stan, but his eyes gave away who he was motioning about. Stormy possessed the only gun, but she didn’t know how many bullets were left or how many she would need to restore order. When she looked back up from her weapon, Stan and the doctor were gone and Vicky was staring her down.
    “He doesn’t believe you,” she said. “I don’t either.”
    “Why don’t you take me at my word? I said I’d do it. I will if I have to.” She wasn’t sure if she meant anything she said either. It didn’t matter because she would never have to make that choice. For God’s sake, don’t let it come to that.
    Vicky shook her head at the thought. “No, you won’t. I’ll work with you though, for all our sakes. If he starts to go and you notice it first, signal me. I’ll do it for you.”
    “Deal.”
    On her way out of the room, Vicky clasped her worn hand around Stormy’s and squeezed tight. “Young lovers should never be put in this situation. I pity you.”
    After ten minutes, Stormy couldn’t take it anymore and hunted down Matt. He gave her space she didn’t need or want as they searched the rubble for weapons. 
    “Stay out of that operating room.” Matt pointed at a beat to hell door. “That’s where we dumped the corpses. We barricaded it in case they aren’t really dead this time either.”
    “I said no!” Vicky screamed as she raced down the hall