Nightmare of the Dead: Rise of the Zombies by Vincenzo Bilof Read Free Book Online Page A

believe these men needed her alive. She rose to her feet and dove into the shadows.
    "Hold your fire!" Santiago shouted to his mercenaries. Bannan drew her second revolver and inched along the wall of one the town's unfinished buildings. It was dangerous to peer out and look for her enemy; she had to bide her time.
    By the light of the saloon and the moon, she was able to see the two large horse-drawn carriages pull into the town's street. McPhee was once again at the mercy of the mercenaries—they held a gun to his thick neck and pushed him into the saloon's light. The big man smiled through his bloody teeth and likely made a sarcastic remark; the other mercenary kicked McPhee in his shin. McPhee went down, and his aggressor lifted him to his feet.
    A thin figure leapt out of the carriage and strode over to Santiago. Bannan couldn't discern his features through the dark, though he cut a slender silhouette against the saloon s light. Santiago stood still while the figure poked into his chest with a deliberate finger several times.
    "Come out!" the figure turned to the street and raised his hands above his head, his high-pitched voice screeching over through the darkness. "I've come for you! Forgive this farce! Please, dear girl, show yourself. Give me a chance to apologize for this man's antics! I'm Dr. Lynch, and I've come to help you."
    Even though she had only fired two shots from one cylinder, she replaced it with a fresh one in the revolver.
    "I need you alive!" the figure shouted, though it was much easier to figure out that it was a man, despite its high-pitch.
    She would give her position away by shouting back, but surely, Santiago's band was already moving fluidly through the shadows in an attempt to capture her. Her chances were slim, and she'd come to the town to get her answers from Lynch. The Santiago misadventure had been a diversion from her intentions. Nevertheless, she needed a plan.
    "I want all of your men in front of the saloon!" she shouted into the night.
    "Call them!" the doctor leapt into the air. "Get them back here! This instant! I won't allow you to jeopardize everything I've worked for. She's too important to us!" He turned back to the shadows and called out to Bannan. "Do you hear me? You're too important! Share a meal with me and meet a woman who admires your work, very, very much."
    The seven other outlaws collected in front of the saloon. She followed Santiago's movements; he walked past the doctor and strode over to one of the carriages. What was he up to? There was an obvious disagreement between the doctor and the killer.
    She walked around the corner with both of her barrels leveled at the crowd. "Give the spy a weapon and some ammunition. You're going to let him go."
    The doctor's features were still invisible under the cover of darkness. She wanted to see him, to know him. Whatever normal life she once had, this man had played a role in taking it away from her.
    A glint of light from the saloon was reflected from his metallic mouth.
    There was a brief struggle on the boardwalk between McPhee and some of the others. He cursed at them while they laughed and pushed him away. The dog finally left its resting place and tottered off into oblivion.
    "What have you done to me?" she demanded.
    The doctor put his hands into the air to show that he meant no harm. "Please, I'd hoped we could discuss this matter at length. I ask that you forgive me for allowing Santiago to meet with you. I'm afraid the loss of your memory was quite necessary. The name you're using…"
    "What're you talking about? It's my name, isn't it?"
    "One name is as good as another, I suppose. It certainly doesn't change who you are, or what you're capable of."
    She cut him off. "Bill Carter didn't transform. I didn't either. Why?"
    "You say the boy didn't succumb? Now, that is interesting, however , if you'll permit me the opportunity to explain my position, or at least…"
    Santiago reappeared with a large jar between his