The Demented Z (Book 3): Contagion by Derek J Thomas Read Free Book Online Page B

a
small box from the edge of the table, made a mark on a slip of paper, folded it
neatly, and dropped it in the box. Afterwards
he passed the box to Ron and said, “Standard process…checkmark for approval and
an ‘x’ for disapproval. In this case,
approval is to move forward with improving community functionality by reducing
demand on supplies.” He looked at each
council member and then added, “Disapproval is to keep status quo and deal with
dwindling supplies.”
    Ron wanted to laugh out loud, but knew Miles would be
furious. On top of that, the other
members seemed on board with the plan.
As disgusting as it was, he would side with Miles, if for no other
reason than to avoid his wrath.
    Less than an hour later, Ron and his fellow council members
stood behind Miles while he addressed the compound’s members.
    “My fellow community members, I want to first thank
you. We have come so far together.
  None of us could have done it alone, and it
was on the backs of our neighbors, our friends, and our loved ones that we made
life better. Not just better, but a
place we can truly call home.” He had a
huge smile on his face as he looked over the gathered crowd, spending time to
look as many in the eyes as possible.  
They were all nodding their heads and looking to one another.
  Many shook hands and patted one another on
the shoulder.
    He let the smile slowly fade from his face, taking on a
serious look. With a slow shake of his
head he began again, “But we deserve better…you deserve better.”
  He let them all nod their heads in
agreement. “There are some within these
walls that wish to bring us down.” Dead
silence. Everyone seemed shocked, slowly
looking from face to face and then back at Miles.
  “That’s right!
  They are killing us…killing you…killing your
loved ones.” They began mumbling to one
another. Some shook their heads.
  Others only stared ahead.
    Miles let the words fester for a few long minutes.
  “Look around you.
  Does the person next to you work as hard as
you do? Do they deserve just as much as
you? Have they put into the community as
much as you have?” He waited, watching
them look around at one another. Some
began to argue, while others looked down at their own feet, hoping not to be
noticed.
    After several minutes, Miles held up his hands, trying to
quiet the crowd. “The council agrees
with you. There are some that need to
move on. Some that are
not pulling their weight. Take Isaac as
an example. He killed to get what he
wanted. He was desperate.
  He was greedy.
  These people need stopped and removed from
the community before it’s too late.” He
looked back at the other council members and then turned to the crowd.
  “We will take this on.
  We will make this a better community.
  We will do what needs done.
  Thanks.”
    ******
    The sickening crunch of bone and wet slurping of bloody
flesh being devoured went on for what seemed like days.
  All of them sat in the darkness, afraid to
make a sound. Each of them wished they
could just fall asleep, allowing their minds to go elsewhere…anywhere but
here. Instead they all just listened,
imagined, and dreaded.
    None of them trusted the outsiders.
  Tom was sure they had lied about being a
family. What kind of human would close
his wife back out with those things.  
Even being dead, it was hard for him to imagine.
  Then there was the daughter.
  She was so glad to be with others.
  Her mad rush into his arms.
  The thought of closing their eyes with that
man in the room was enough to keep them awake by itself.
    The greatest sight Tom had seen in quite some time was the
sliver of light glowing at the base of the door, marking the arrival of
morning. He shifted around looking at
everyone else. Even in the dim light he
could see the glisten of eyes wide open.  
None of them had slept a wink and were just as glad to see the birth of
dawn as he