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

watching out the windows, waiting for a massive horde of demented
to pour out of one of the buildings.  
Block after block they passed empty buildings, trashed cars, and houses
with dark, empty windows.
    The complete lack of infected had everyone on edge and Hank
was the first to say it. “I kinda wish we
would at least see one of ‘em...never thought I would
say that.”
    “I know it. I have
this tingling feeling on the back of my neck...creepy.”
  Tom said.  
After taking a sharp turn off the main road, Tom added, “The hospital is
just ahead.”
    The building, while small for a hospital, towered over the
nearby houses. Four stories of
cinderblock and cement, with a helicopter pad on the roof.
  Nearing the parking area, they saw that
someone had created a semi-wall using trucks and cars.
  It looked like the aftermath of a freeway
pileup, but was clearly planned and built.  
The question was who?
    “I’ve got movement on the roof.”
  Hank said.
    Tom eased up to the car wall and pulled to a stop.
  Peering out his window he saw a couple heads poking
over the pony wall that surrounded the top of the hospital roof.
  One of them disappeared from view.
  “Non-infected. Is it going to be like the school?” Tom asked.
    “There is only one way to find out...or we go elsewhere.”
  Hank said.
    Kelly glanced over her shoulder at the back seat.
  “She won’t make it much longer.”
    Tom turned and ran a hand through Sam’s hair.
  “You guys stay put.
  I’ll go talk to them.”
    Kelly and Hank wanted to argue, but neither had a better
plan, so instead just nodded their heads in agreement.
    “Just smile and be nice, right Mommy?”
  Sam said.
    Kelly smiled, knowing that is what she always told Sam when
he was going to be around new kids.  
“That’s right Honey.”
    Tom threw the truck in neutral and set the emergency
brake. Leaving the engine running he
said, “If things go south on me you gotta roll.”
  They would probably never leave him, but this
way they did not have to question his take on matters if it came to that.
    The hinges groaned loudly when Tom opened his door.
  Stepping out of the truck, he surveyed his
surroundings, and then reached back in for his rifle.
  With a man on the roof, he was not too
worried about infected sneaking up on him, so rather than look
intimidating, he slung the rifle over his shoulder and
headed for the car wall.
    Picking the smallest car, Tom climbed up and over the
hood. Before dropping back to the
pavement he glanced back up to the roof and saw one man with a rifle trained on
him. The sun glared off the scope’s lens.
  He climbed down off the car and began his
walk across the small parking area.
    The door in front of Tom swung outwards and three men poured
out. Two of them pointed AR15s at him
and the third held a pistol by his side.  
“That’s far enough.”   The man with
the pistol shouted. All three men
continued to move toward Tom, neither of the rifles dropping an inch.
    Tom raised his hands up and said, “We mean no one any harm.”
    The pistol man said, “Tom?  
Thomas Pike, is that you?”
    Tom squinted at the man and then broke into a grin.
  “Brad!  
Oh man, is it ever good to see you.”
    Brad motioned for the other two men to drop their rifles and
said, “This guy’s on the good team.”  
Taking several steps over to Tom, he bypassed Tom’s extended hand and
wrapped him in a giant bear hug. “How
many are you?”
    “Five. One is hurt
real bad...that’s why we came here.”
    Brad let go of him and took a step back.
  “Well go grab ‘em
and let’s get inside.”
    Tom breathed a sigh of relief and side stepped across the
parking lot until he could see Kelly’s face.  
He gave her a come on over wave with his hand and then threw her the two
finger peace symbol. Remembering they
might need help with Rachael, he headed over to help them out.
  Partway there,