Swamp Monster Massacre by Hunter Shea Read Free Book Online Page A

flipped out enough. Folks had been hiding out in the Glades for centuries. It was still one of the best places on the planet to up and disappear into. Even if they didn’t find his father’s rickety old cabin, they might come across another. Hopefully it would be one without a hostile hermit in residence with a penchant for shooting trespassers.  
    “You know how to get there without a boat? It’s not the same as navigating through the water channels,” the pilot said.  
    Rooster asked, “What do they call you, Mac?”
    “Mick. It’s short for Michael.”
    Putting a hand on the pilot’s bulky shoulder, Rooster said, “It’s either that, or sit here like a corn dog on a dinner plate. I’ve got a pretty good sense of direction, and I’d like to get our asses moving before nightfall, while I still have the sun to help me with my direction.” He unzipped the duffel bag of guns and showed the contents to everyone. “Now, I’m not saying you have to come with me. To be honest with you, I’m sorry I got you stuck out here, but I can’t take all the blame.” He took a moment to look them each in the eye. “All I can do is try to get us somewhere safe. Seeing as none of us are in any kind of shape to go mano a mano with a swamp ape…”
    “ Skunk ape,” Jack interrupted, looking immediately regretful.
    “Skunk ape sounds stupid,” Rooster said with a dismissive wave of his hand. “I’m calling it a Bigfoot from now on. Anyway, I have enough pistols in here for everyone. Problem is, I don’t have enough bullets to fill them, but you’ll each have a few shots, should you need ’em.”
    They eyed the bag of guns, then him, deciding whether it was a test or not. Sighing, he reached in, grabbed a handful and put one in each of their reluctant hands. Even the upset Italian kid came over to get his piece. When he went to take it, Rooster tightened his grip. He whispered to him, “I know you’re upset about your friend, but something about you tells me I have to add a little word of caution. Trust me when I say, I have far more experience when it comes to firearms, and lifetimes more when it comes down to killing a man. You use this to protect yourself from anything that ain’t human and out to get you. Do we understand one another?”
    Rooster gently placed it in his palm. The kid hefted it a bit, surprised by its weight. Most people who’d never handled a gun before were.  
    “All I want,” the kid said, “is to get that fucking thing that took Angelo.”
    “Which way is it to your father’s house?” John asked, breaking the tension.  
    Rooster pointed in the direction where the Bigfoot had slipped away.  
    “You have got to be fucking kidding me,” the girl with the half-Mohawk said.  
    All Rooster could do was shake his head. “Afraid not, sister.”
    “We’re not your sisters,” the other one said. “We prefer Liz and Maddie.” She made a pinching motion and a phantom pain crept into his arm.  
    “Beg your pardon,” he said sarcastically. For all his bravado, he did not want to get in her grip again.  
    Liz turned to the Italian kid and said, “Hey, maybe Angelo is still alive. At least this way, we have a chance of finding him. Your name’s Dominic, right? I thought I heard your friend say that back on the dock. I’m going with you guys.”
    The afternoon sun was making Rooster dizzy. He had to get them moving fast.  
    “Show of hands, who wants to stay here?”
    To his surprise, none went up, but there was serious doubt in a lot of eyes.  
    Mick said, “We’re sitting ducks out here, and where there’s shelter, there’s safety.”
    Carol said, “We could light a fire and wait for a rescue party to find us.”
    “Everything around us is soaked. I doubt you’d be able to start a fire with a can of kerosene out here,” Maddie said.  
    Everyone gave a start when a high-pitched howl echoed across the swamp. It didn’t sound exactly like the Bigfoot from before, but it