Die Dead Enough by William Kenney Read Free Book Online Page A

go as slow as you need."
    "I ain't gone be the reason everyone end up dead. I do appreciate the concern, though," said Uncle Leo.
    "Mama said chocolate milk this time, Annie," Albert blurted out, his eyes crazed. "Chocolate, not white. I like chocolate..."
    "That's gonna be a problem," Gibby said, standing to join Conor and Aiden. "He starts jabberin' when we're inside and they'll be on us in no time."
    "I heard you, young man," said Albert's wife. "You're not leaving us here. I'll keep him quiet."
    Gibby looked at Conor with a doubtful expression.
    "You sure?" Conor asked of her.
    "Yes. I can do it. He listens to me," she replied.
    "I hope so," said Conor. "One outburst might be the end for us."
    "He will listen," she said with confidence.
    "All right," Conor reluctantly agreed. "Everyone ready?"
    The others came to their feet, grumbling and with fear on their faces.
    "The plan is to go back down exactly the way we came up. Get to that lobby area and out into the parking garage. Remember, anything could happen in there. Do not talk. Walk quietly. Use your texting if you need to communicate."
    They nodded, following him with their eyes as he went to the metal door and placed his hand on the handle. Aiden was at his side, Klaus and Gibby just behind.
    "Be safe, ya'll," Uncle Leo said, raising a hand.
    "You, too, Leo," said Aiden. "Good luck." He then turned to Conor. "If there's anything behind that door, slam it and we'll put our weight against it."
    "Right," Conor said, swallowing hard in anxiety. Something inside of him wanted to call the whole thing off. "Here goes," he said.
    He turned the handle with an audible click, held his breath and slowly pulled the door open, staring into the darkness. He could see nothing inside, only the topmost steps and the metal railing that led down them. He pulled the door wide open, letting more of the morning light inside. All was silent within.
    Conor turned, giving Aiden a reassuring nod. An emaciated arm reached out from the shadows to his left, tattered skin hanging from it as the dead hand came down hard on his shoulder.
    "Conor!" Aiden called out, grabbing his brother by the shirt and yanking him out of the doorway. His action pulled the zombie out into the open as its fingers had become locked in the fabric of Conor's shirt. Conor spun, tearing the shirt and putting both forearms against the thing's chest. He shoved it backward, its rib bones cracking with the force.
    The thing hit the doorframe and collapsed to its knees with a moan, then began to rise once more. Its yellowed skin was covered in open wounds that did not bleed, its eyes shot with red as it stared at them with an animalistic lust. Its rotten teeth clapped together once as it got its legs under it and shakily stood.
    Gibby ran to the door and tried to push it closed, fearing the noise would draw more zombies. He shoved it hard, but it collided with the zombie as it stood and with a burst of speed, it leapt at him, getting its fingers around his throat.
    "Shit! No, Gib!" Aiden screamed. Conor rushed forward and slammed his fist into the zombie's skull. He felt the bone sink in under the punch, the resistance soft and spongy. It did not react, as if it had not felt the punch. Conor seized the thing from behind, fingers grasping its protruding collarbones and pulled with all his might. He could hear Gibby gurgling, unable to breathe as the zombie struggled to bite him.
    "Aaah! Let go of m-" Gibby called out, thrashing his head about in an attempt to free himself. There came a loud snapping sound as one of the creature's collarbones broke in two and caused Conor to lose his balance, spinning away and falling to the rooftop.
    In the next heartbeat, the zombie threw its face forward, sinking its teeth into Gibby's throat as he screamed out in horror and pain.
    Klaus threw himself against the monster, striking it with his shoulder and sending it back into the doorway, where it could be heard to tumble down the steps. Klaus