Roads Less Traveled by C. Dulaney Read Free Book Online

Zack and Ben.
    “We need a flashlight,” he said.
    “Yeah hang on,” Ben said and skidded down the steps, then jogged over to the Jeep. He opened the back door and rummaged through his backpack. Jake and Zack remained on the porch, mumbling to each other and trying to see through the windows.
    “What’s going on?” Kyra whispered as she and Mike leaned in closer.
    “Mr. McKinley isn’t answering the door so we’re going in and make sure everything is okay.” He found the long Mag-light and was turning to leave.
    “Is he dead?” Mike asked.
    “I don’t know. They may not be at home is all. That’s what we’re going in to find out,” Ben answered and slammed the door. He hurried back onto the porch and handed the light to Jake.
     
    * * *
     
    Moonlight spilled through the kitchen window, washing over the table and revealing a dinner only half-eaten. Jake stuffed the house key in his back pocket and touched the meatloaf as he walked by, noticing it was cold. Everything else looked as it should, no signs of a struggle. Zack and Ben followed closely as they left the kitchen and entered the living room. Jake maneuvered around the furniture; having grown up here he didn’t need light to find his way. He motioned for Ben and Zack to stay put, while he went on to check the bathroom and guest bedroom. Still no sign of anything or anyone.
    “This doesn’t make any sense,” he whispered as he strode back to the others. Ben jerked his head in the direction of the stairs. Jake set his jaw, nodded, and moved on.
    The beam from the flashlight jumped and danced against the wall as they climbed the steps. There was still no sound, no scratching, nothing to indicate anyone was home. Jake reached the top first, looked left, then right, and motioned for the other two to check the bedroom on the left. He would take the right; his grandparents’ bedroom.
    Zack approached the door and pressed his ear against it. Ben stood maybe a step behind him, shoulders bunched and gripping the pistol tightly with both hands. Zack took several deep breaths and nodded once to Ben before turning the doorknob. He regretted throwing the door open the second he realized he didn’t have the flashlight.
    “Goddamn it!” he hissed as he hit the light switch and swung the barrel into the doorway. Ben immediately followed him in, gun raised and head snapping back and forth.
    “Shh,” Ben said, halting just inside the door behind Zack. They listened closely, even sniffed at the air, but saw and smelled nothing. Ben walked to the bed and flipped the comforter back, then knelt on one knee and checked underneath; nothing. They were alone. He heard Zack sigh heavily, then felt his hand on his shoulder.
    “C’mon, let’s find Jake,” he said as he pushed Ben into the hall.
     
    * * *
     
    Ben stopped so suddenly when he reached the open bedroom door that Zack almost knocked him over. He peeked over Ben’s shoulder, then stepped back into the hall. He rested his rifle against the banister and folded his arms across his chest, keeping his back to the scene inside.
    The lamp on the nightstand cast an amber glow through the room. Jake stood at the foot of the bed with the barrel of his shotgun pointed at the floor. Ben made a move towards him but Jake just held up his palm, his eyes never leaving the bed. They both watched silently as Mrs. McKinley sat on the edge and gently stroked her dead husband’s hand. She appeared to be totally oblivious to their presence. They could both see Bill had died of something other than a bite; there were no traumatic injuries, nothing to indicate a zombie attack. There was an empty glass on the nightstand and a prescription bottle next to it. Ben glanced at Jake again, then back to Mrs. McKinley. He holstered his gun and eased himself over to her side.
    “Mrs. McKinley?” he asked as he laid a hand on her shoulder. She flinched at his touch and slowly turned her head. Ben could see tears streaking her face, but