Dead by Dawn by Bret Wellman Read Free Book Online Page A

people, and then she would come home and prepare for her next adventure. Her goal would be to spend the least amount of time home as possible. When the summer was over, she would leave for college and that would be that. The days when her mother ran her life were numbered and it all started with this trip.
    The thought made her happy.

Chapter 7
     
                  “Can you come home? It’s Carl, he’s sick.”
    Adam sighed and ran a hand through his hair. He was in the living room of Barry’s two-story town house. They were both on the couch playing Halo. It was one of their favorite pastimes.
    He remembered the last time he was home and how Carl had always bossed him around. He wasn’t proud of that day or the fight they got in. He had every intention of buying his mom a new lamp after her’s had been broken in the fight. He hadn’t been able to bring himself back, however, and the image of his mom crying as he left the trailer was always on his mind. He wanted to make things right, to fix what he had done even if it meant sucking up to Carl. His mother deserved that.
    “If she talks you into moving back in you still owe me first and last month’s rent,” said Barry.
    Adam flicked him the bird.
    “It’s not all that bad,” his mom went on. “I just want somebody to be here and watch him while I’m at work. I know there’s that bad sickness going around and I’m just worried is all. We’re not upset about the other day, I promise.”
    Adam mocked beating himself to death with the Xbox controller.
    “Sure Mom, I can be there. ” In truth, he felt like he owed her this. After what he had done, he was willing to do anything if it would make things right.
    “Thank you Adam, I knew I could count on you.”
    “I’ll be over in a few, see you then.”
    “I’ll already be gone when you get here, but the front door’s open. I should be home around five.”
    “Sounds good mom.”
    “Okay Hun, talk to you later. I love you.”
    “Love you too.”
    “You heading back to Carl’s house?” asked Barry after he hung up.
    “Jackass got a little sick so now I have to babysit.”
    “Don’t lie, she wants you there for his hourly ball tickling session. She knows she can’t do it when she’s at work and he’s pretty adamant about getting it every hour on the hour.”
    Adam threw his controller. Barry lifted his arm in time for it to deflect off of his elbow.
    “Ah, you break it you buy it!”
    Adam stood up and stretched. “I’ll probably be back later tonight.”
    “If you want to stay there, that’s fine too,” said Barry, rubbing his elbow.
    “Drink another beer. You’ll be fine.”
    Adam headed out to his bike knowing the ride would be the only enjoyable part of his day. Being around Carl was going to be miserable.
    He went slow and took a longer route. Every extra minute on the road was another minute of freedom where he didn’t have to deal with that lazy piece of shit.
    All the shades were drawn on the double wide when he pulled up. There were no cars in the driveway, making it look as though no one was home.
    Adam slipped off his helmet and set the bike against its kickstand. He lingered a moment before heading into the dark trailer.
    “Hello,” he said, as the front door squeaked open.
    It was dark, what little light made it through the shades was tinted red. The front door of the trailer opened wide, like a mouth trying to swallow him whole. Something inside of Adam was warning him to run.
    He waited for a minute, but there was no answer.
    He whistled. “Carl, you in here?”
    Nothing.
    Adam stepped through the front door and began making his way to the bedrooms. He could hear every one of his footsteps as he walked across the carpet. They made a swooshing sound, disturbing the still air.
    Probably should have taken off my shoes, he thought.
    He reached his mom’s bedroom and cracked open the door.
    “I told your mom I didn’t want you here,” came Carl’s phlegmy