The Dead in River City by S.A. McGarey Read Free Book Online

likely not be permanent, but his
vision wouldn’t be at full capacity for the time being.
    Kendra held the blade still against the girl’s neck
as she spoke.
    “Who are you?” She asked, her voice dripping with
venomous intent.
    “That is not your business.” She replied flatly.
    Kendra used her free hand to punch her straight in
the mouth. “I’ll ask again. WHO! ARE! YOU!?”
    The woman spat out some blood. “Get the hell off
me!” She said with a growl.
    Kendra pushed the blade as close to her neck as she
could without making her bleed. “What should we do with her?” she asked,
turning to look at Alan.
    “Neutralize her and lets leave.” Alan replied.
    Kendra wasted no time following Alan’s suggestion.
She rapidly used the sword to slash across her right arm. The blood flowed
quickly and she screamed in agony. Kendra stood and looked down on the woman.
    “You’re bleeding significantly. If you don’t fix it
soon, you’ll bleed out and die. Good luck finding medical attention, and
avoiding the Dead Ones in the process. Whether you live or die is completely on
you now.” She said coldly as she walked away.
    The woman felt weak, and knew she’d never be able to
shoot either Kendra or Alan, much less aim the gun in her current condition.
She struggled to her feet and got away as fast as she could. Kendra kept on her
way out of the store, with Alan following behind.
    “That was a little extreme.” Alan remarked.
    “Yes, and she was a little annoying and
uncooperative… and murderous, don’t forget that.” Kendra replied, defending her
actions.
    “Fair enough. Let’s get out of here.” Alan said,
following her out.
    As they reached the main hallway of the mall, Alan
and Kendra heard an all too familiar growling noise. They each looked around
with their flashlights and confirmed the worst; Dead Ones surrounded them. They
readied their weapons and prepared to fight, but in the most bizarre
circumstances, not a single Dead One moved towards them.
    In the silence of the room, they heard applause from
a single person, followed by a voice. A figure stepped out from the shadows.
    “You’ve done well to survive so long, but this is
the end for you.”

8
    Alan had never been quite so dumbfounded as he was
right at this moment. Kendra was just as shocked, and neither one of them could
explain why the Dead weren’t attacking. This man who stood before them acted as
though he controlled the Dead Ones. He seemed to hold some sway over them that
was difficult to explain. The only way to obtain answers was to ask questions.
Alan slightly stepped forward.
    “Just who the hell are you?” Alan nervously asked.
    “Me? Oh, I’m nobody. Just the man pulling the
strings; a puppeteer, if you will.” The man replied, pacing around the room.
    “What is that supposed to mean?” Kendra interjected.
“You control these walking corpses. Tell us how.”
    “Oh, I’d love to tell you my evil plan, but it never
really works out for the maniacal mastermind, does it?” The sarcasm in his
voice was palpable.
    Alan rolled his eyes. “Let’s start small. Who are
you? What’s your name?”
    “Not that it matters to you, my name is Malcolm
Graves.” The man replied.
    “I’m Alan, and this is Kendra.” Alan replied.
    “Two more insipid survivors. The one in the store is
bad enough.” Malcolm said.
    “Was.” Kendra interjected.
    “Was?”
    “Yes, was.” She continued. “She’ll likely be dead
soon. She’s bleeding out.”
    Malcolm scrunched his face, and two Dead Ones
proceeded into the store to find the girl they’d just incapacitated.
    “Where are you from, Malcolm?” Alan asked.
    “Alan, this is truly pathetic. I know how afraid you
are, and you’re trying to stall, trying to get on my good side. It won’t work.”
Malcolm deduced. “You’re just another pawn; another piece on the board. This is
all much bigger than the two of you. You have no idea just how big this really
is.”
    Alan was