The Demented Z (Book 2): Desolation (Book 2) by Derek J Thomas Read Free Book Online

out movement near the house, but was unable to tell what was going
on. Holstering his pistol, he unslung
his rifle and raised it to his shoulder.  
He was disappointed to find his scope’s front lens was shattered in the
fight downstairs. Cursing to himself, he
continued to squint at what he could not see, worry rising in his chest.
    After several minutes there was more movement and a rising
plume of smoke. As the plume spread away
from the house, Hank realized it was dust trailing behind a vehicle.
  While he watched the vehicle turned onto the
road that led their way. With this, Hank
raced down the stairs. “Tom’s coming
back, let’s get Rachael out front.”
    “She’s all bandaged and ready.
  Car?”
  Kelly shouted just as Hank was turning the
corner into the kitchen.
    “Yeah, he’s almost here.”  
Hank said. Stepping over to the
table, he popped the magazine out of his pistol and loaded a fresh one.
  Handing it to Kelly, he said, “Take this, and
let’s head out the front. Keep your eyes
open.”   Reaching down, he scooped Rachael
up in his arms. She let out a soft groan
and grimaced, but did not open her eyes.
    “Come on Sam. Stay
right behind me.”   Kelly said as she
moved out of the kitchen. Sam quickly
trailed behind her.
    Before leaving, Hank looked down at the giant pools of blood
that spread out on the table and the floor.  
Footprints spread the crimson liquid throughout the kitchen; its volume
seemed like more than the human body could hold.
  The metallic scent stung his nostrils, nearly
overpowering in the small space. Hank
took one final look around, worry for Rachael rising in his throat, and then he
followed in Kelly and Sam’s wake.
    Outside he saw Tom speeding down the driveway, a giant dust
cloud rising behind him, like a billowing thunderstorm.
  The enormous truck rumbled to a stop directly
in front of the house, washing them in the dust that followed.
  As it came to a stop, Tom flung open the door,
its hinges groaning in protest. “Slide
Rachael on the back bench, we can fit in the front.”
    There was a flurry of activity as they got Rachael into the
back and they all climbed into the front.  
She remained pale and unconscious throughout the process.
  Her body was shutting down.
    “Where to Chief?”
  Hank asked.
    Tom gunned the gas, spinning the tires, and flipping the truck
around. “There is a small town about
fifteen minutes north.”
    Kelly chimed in, “Great idea.
  There is a little hospital there...being rural
it might be intact.”
    None of them liked heading into a populated area, but it had
to be better than cities and Rachael badly needed medical supplies.
    “Mommy, I’m hungry.”  
Sam said from her lap.
    “I know honey, we’ll get some food
soon.”
    Hank began digging around in the last of their
supplies. Finding a granola bar, he
cracked it open and handed it to Sam.  
“Just don’t get any in your mouth.”
    Sam took it and looked back at Hank quizzically.
  “What?”  
After a few seconds, he cracked a huge grin.
  “You’re mess’n with
me.”   Giggling, he twisted around and
looked back at his mom. “He’s
mess’n with me.”

Chapter 3: Help
    The empty road stretched out about a half mile in front of
them before being surrounded by commercial buildings, and dotted with wreckage.
  Newport was small, less than 3000
residents. Under normal circumstances it
would be a quick trip to get to the hospital, but circumstances were far from
normal.
    “Hang on everybody...I’m going to keep us moving.”
  Tom said.
    “Hoorah...now were having fun.”
  Hank said with a huge grin.
    The big truck rumbled into town.
  Most of the businesses had shattered windows,
darkness hiding their interiors. A light
breeze rustled garbage and debris that lay in the parking areas.
  It was like a ghost town.
    “Where are they?”  
Kelly said.
    Nobody answered. They
all sat in silence,