Parish by Nicole Murphy Read Free Book Online Page A

agree with the rest of them,
                  “Until we know what caused this I think it would be wise to refrain from assumptions.” Jack took his glasses off and used his shirt to clean the dirty lenses.
                  “I’m hungry.” Jamie rubbed his stomach. Wren and Wade exchanged looks before looking to their father for a solution.
                  “I’ll go.  I have to grab the bag of supplies anyway.  No one leaves this room.” Jack pointed his finger at all three of them.
                  “Let me go with you, four hands are better than two.” Wade stood up.
                  “Fine, but we have to be silent.” Jack put his hand on the door knob and turned it as slowly as he could.  They walked out into the hall and closed the door behind them just as slowly as they had opened it before turning down the hall and making their way down the stairs.  Wade made it to the two bags sitting on the floor in front of the entertainment center and hoisted them up onto his back. 
                  Jack motioned for him to remain where he was as he pointed a finger at himself and then to the kitchen to indicate where he was going.  Wade nodded his understanding.  The growls from the street seemed louder as they stood on the first floor. Suddenly a loud crash came from the kitchen.  It sounded like someone was trying to perform a drum solo to a heavy metal song with pots and pans on the tile floor.  Wade stumbled as he gained traction on the carpet, running full force in the direction his father had gone.
                  “Dad!?” Wade whispered harshly as he turned the corner.  Taking two steps into the kitchen he spotted his father lying on the floor behind the island a mutilated corpse laid near him, its head smashed in and brain matter splattered on every surface within reason.  Jack was panting and his hand was still raised holding the blood covered skillet he had just used to crush a human skull.
                  “It must have come in through that stupid doggie door.” Jack replied, nervously smiling trying to mask the fear that was still pulsing through him.  He sat the skillet down on the floor beside him as he fought to get to his feet, the soles of shoes sliding in the gory mess now appearing as bloody finger paints on the white tile. 
                  “Come on, we need to hurry.  You made an awful racket in here, I’m sure they were able to hear it outside.  They’re going to try to get in here now.” Wade looked around nervously to the door covered windows.  “I don’t know how long those doors are going to hold up, they’re not built as durable as a door that faces outside.”
                  “You’re right.” Jack nodded as he began grabbing snacks out of the cupboard.  As he filled his pockets with Jamie’s favorite treats scratching and thuds could be heard coming from the front door.  “Come on, they’re trying to get in.”
                  Jack and Wade jogged back the way they came, the bags on Wade’s back bouncing with every step he took.  At this point they didn’t take care to remain silent, instead the barged back into Jamie’s room and shut the door, both grabbing hold of the Chester drawers and pulling it in front of the door to block the way in.
                  “What happened?” Wren asked, her gaze dropping to the blood splatters on her father’s shirt sleeves.
                  “Dad killed a zombie that came in through the doggie door in the kitchen.” Wade replied as he dropped the two heavy bags onto the floor before bounding to the window to look out.  “Guys, they’re all coming towards the house now.”
                  “Everyone needs to keep quiet, maybe if they don’t hear anything in here they’ll just go away.” Wren reached down and took Jamie’s hand in