Nano Z by Brad Knight Read Free Book Online Page B

batteries, hand warmers, a utility knife, medicines, a crank radio and a couple first aid kits. Those were all things he knew would come in handy at some point.
    “So, what’s the plan big guy?” asked Amber as she knelt on the bottom steps, below Mack who was at the storm cellar doors.
    “We look for a car.”
    “The minivan is probably still there.”
    “I doubt it. At the very least they would’ve slashed the tires. And your dad’s ride was on its last legs. Anyway, we need something a little faster. When we get out there stay close to me.”
    Amber nodded in agreement.
    “Okay, let’s do it.” Mack opened the storm cellar doors.
    Wydell’s residential area was dark. Street lights and the occasional motion activated lights provided some relief. But the vast majority of the small neighborhood was draped in the night.
    There were still some meat puppets roaming around. From their attire it was clear that they were once part of the kill squad that massacred the town. Like every other puppet, they jerked around erratically and wandered. If any of them survived, they were nowhere to be seen.
    “Stay low and stay quiet,” whispered Mack. He double checked the breach of his shotgun, then started to head deeper into the maze of houses and monsters.
    The going was slow. Mack and Amber had to avoid detection. Getting seen or heard by the meat puppets would’ve been a disaster. And neither of them were sure they’d be as lucky as they were down in Dallas.
    Amber pointed at one of the black SUV’s that was in the middle of the street. To get to it, she and Mack would have to go through the backyard and front yard of the house in front of them. Worse yet, the vehicle was parked right under a street lamp.
    “You stay here. I’m going to go check and see if it works.”
    Amber raised an eyebrow. “You’re kidding right?”
    Thin Ice Mack, thin ice. “Fine, but stay close.”
    While knelt down and with guns raised, they slowly approached the SUV. There didn’t appear to be anything around. Still, they needed to be alert. Meat puppets may not have been fast but once one screeches, the others close in with frightening numbers. Plus there were those dogs. No one in their right mind would want to run into them.
    Mack looked around before trying to open the driver’s side door. It was unlocked. He leaned in to check if there were keys in the ignition. Much to his delight and relief, the SUV had a push button start. Thank god for modern cars.
    “Get in,” whispered Mack.
    Amber hurried over to the passenger side door of the black SUV. She was about to open it and get in when she saw something reflected in the window. Three meat puppet dogs were rushing straight at them. One let out what sounded like a high pitched howl.
    “Shit, they’ve seen us!” said Mack before he opened the passenger side door from the inside. “What are you waiting for!?”
    Amber jumped into the SUV. Seconds after slamming the door shut, the dogs collided with it. The loud thump of the collision made Amber scream. Then they tried to get in.
    The dogs weren’t the same as the human meat puppets. Their teeth and claws changed into something metallic. Through the slobbery smears on the window, Amber could see the street lights shining off their chompers.
    “What the hell is that?” Mack’s question referred to the sound in the sky. It almost sounded like planes, but there was no airport nearby.
    That can’t be good. Something is off. I’m not going to stick around to find out what. Mack pushed in the ignition button. The SUV roared to life. Mack and Amber sped through the Wydell residential area streets. They twisted and turned, as they tried to find a way out. The neighborhood was a labyrinth of rustic homes. Then the whole car shook.
    “Faster,” said Amber quietly as she stuck her head out of the passenger side window and looked behind the SUV. In the distance she saw a brief flash of light accompanied by a loud boom. Another