Desperate Souls by Gregory Lamberson Read Free Book Online Page A

that Carmen was right on that score.
    And as Jake studied Do-rag’s taut chest beneath his black vest, he realized what troubled him about all three drug dealers.
    They’re not breathing. That’s why they’re so still. But that’s not possible…
    All three of the corner boys were dead on their feet. Functioning. Selling drugs.
    Black Magic.
    Jake wanted to flee for his life, but with lightning like speed, Do-rag reached behind him, pulled a Glock from his waistband, and extended his arm straight out with the barrel turned sideways a foot shy of Jake’s face.
    Fuck me!
Jake raised both hands level with his head and took an automatic step back.
    “Whoa, whoa,
whoa
…”
    Dead or alive, Do-rag had moves. And now he moved toward Jake, keeping the distance between them consistent as Jake stepped off the sidewalk and backed into the street. Hoodie One and Louis followed, maintaining their triangular formation.
    “Okay, fellas, take it easy. I’m not a cop, and I’m not looking for trouble. I was just hoping to score a little Magic, but if you don’t want to help me out, that’s okay. I’ll just get into my car back there and be on my way.”
    If I could just reach my gun
—
    Not a chance. Do-rag increased his gait, forcing Jake to walk backwards even faster. Jake wanted to look over his shoulder to locate his car, but he feared that any deviation from this new routine would provoke Do-rag into firing a round into his brain. And if he turned and ran, he could take a bullet in the back. Fear kept his eyes trained on the gun before him. Now where the hell was his car?
    As if on cue, his left leg struck metal. Steadying himself with his right hand, he stepped over the curb onto the sidewalk and moved to the driver’s-side door. His focus kept switching from the barrel in his face to the countenance of the dead thing gripping the gun.
    “I have to take out my keys, okay?”
    Do-rag and his thugs stopped advancing, and Jake reached into his pocket and took out his keys. Using his remote control, he unlocked the car door and opened it. His heart skipped a beat when he spotted the glowing LCD screen of the camera taped to the dashboard. Praying this would not lead to more trouble, he slid behind the wheel, his movements slow and controlled. He felt completely at their mercy, which he doubted they had possessed even when they had been alive. Why should they have any now?
    With sweat forming on his brow and his heart gaining speed, he closed the door. Resisting the irrational desire to lock it—what good would it do?—he inserted his car key into the ignition and started the engine. He wanted to see what his aggressors were doing, even though he suspected they continued to stand motionless, but once again, the pervasive fear he felt dictated his actions.
    Instead, he steered the Malibu out of its parking space, pulled into the street, and sped toward the corner. Glancing at his rearview mirror, he saw the three figures walk lockstep into the middle of the street.
    Fuck this and fuck you!
    Jerking the wheel to his left, he executed a U-turn, and the Malibu’s front right wheel jumped the curb. As the car bounced back into the street, the corner boys stopped walking and stood frozen, except that Do-rag raised the Glock in both hands, aiming it at Jake, who swept the camera off the dashboard with his right hand, knocking it onto the seat beside him.
    There’s no need to create evidence that can be used against me.
    Then he stepped on the gas, and the car rocketed forward. Do-rag’s
    Glock issued a muzzle flash, and a splintery white spiderweb appeared in the windshield even as Jake heard the gunfire. He steered left, avoiding the next shot, then right, slamming against a parked sedan in a shower of sparks. Then he plowed straight into the corner boys.
    Hoodie One threw himself against a parked car and Louis dove onto the sidewalk, both of them dodging Jake’s trajectory. But the Malibu smashed into Do-rag, and the drug