Parish by Nicole Murphy Read Free Book Online

vehicle.”
                  “What if there are more out there or if one of them are in the vehicle?” Emily asked, as she peered back out to the three zombies, two looked to be doctors and one was a patient.
                  “If they get close, give them a lobotomy.  If you can outrun them, then run.  If there are any in the vehicle we’ll take care of them.  We’re a team, right?” Artemis smiled.
                  “Right.” Emily nodded.
                  “Let’s do this!” Artemis whispered as he made his way to the doors, Emily following close behind him.  He was able to open the doors without much effort and the growling corpses turned and regarded the doors as they opened, appearing confused.  The movement seemed to call to them and they automatically began moving into the lobby.  Artemis held his hand out preventing Emily from running as they crouched low near the side of the doors.  The zombies shuffled in never once looking in their direction.
                  Artemis stood up slowly and motioned for her to follow him and they ran out into the night.  There were dead bodies littering the sidewalks, grass and parking lot.  They sprinted, hoping over the dead.  At first they didn’t see any moving ones, but as they drew closer to the military vehicle a mutilated pregnant woman cam shuffling out from behind it.  Her mouth hanging open and oozing coagulated black blood she gnashed her teeth appearing to attempt to bite them from twenty feet away.  Her hands reached out towards them.  Emily took a deep breath and sidestepped around Artemis.  Using her covered forearm she pushed the arms down and in one swift movement she planted the blade of her knife through the woman’s temple causing her to fall to the ground in a heap.
                  Artemis moved to the vehicle, gun drawn, and looked inside.  As soon as Emily freed the blade of her knife she jumped into the vehicle.  He closed the door and ran around to the driver’s side.  Climbing up he closed the door just as a few more undead began coming towards them.  He smiled triumphantly as he turned the key and the engine roared to life.
                  “Which way?” He looked over at Emily who was trying to catch her breath.
                  “Go out there, and make a left.” She pointed to the nearest exit.
                  “You’re the boss.” Artemis nodded and punched the accelerator sending the vehicle violently back before it urged forward running over the corpses of the dead.
                  “Dad, it’s a steady stream out there.  They just keep coming and coming.” Wren frowned as she turned away from the window.  “It’s so sad.  There are people out there wearing their work uniforms, kids in footy pajamas and pregnant women.”
                  “Those things out there aren’t people anymore, Wren.” Wade shook his head as he stood up, bouncing on the balls of his feet in an attempt to return the circulation to his limbs.
                  “Don’t say that. I saw one of my teachers out there.” Wren walked over and sat on the bed beside Jamie who was sitting quietly turning a stuffed rabbit over in his hands and running his fingertip over its shiny black plastic eyes.
                  “They’re monsters now.” Jamie whispered.
                  “That’s right.” Jack nodded in agreement.  “Those things would eagerly tear us apart out there if we were stupid enough to go outside.  I have a hard time imagining any of them would have attacked us had we seen them yesterday.”
                  “But still, those things out there are going to be missed they had family, friends, people who loved them and cared about them.  I can’t just say they’re monsters.  It isn’t their fault that they’re like this now.” Wren refused to