The Hunger (Book 2): Consumed by Jason Brant Read Free Book Online Page A

their dour moods hanging in the air between them.
    The fuel-indicator light came on as they approached a church on the right side of the road.  The signs indicated it had been Presbyterian.  Half a dozen homes stood on the opposite side of the highway, quiet in the still afternoon.
    Lance pulled into the parking lot, easing up to a few empty cars.  Cass roused Brown and Eifort before stepping out of the truck.
    “Let’s see if we can siphon some gas from the cars,” Lance said.  “I’d rather keep the truck because of its size and power.”
    “We’ll need a hose and a gas can.”  Brown stretched and peered around the small neighborhood.  “One of those houses might have some.”
    Cass started across the road.  “I’ll go look, you guys check the cars and see what we can use.”
    “Hold on, I’m coming with you.”  Lance jogged after her, wincing as the tender flesh of his sliced neck stretched.  “We shouldn’t go by ourselves anymore.”
    “I don’t need a babysitter.”
    Lance caught up to her as she approached the driveway of the first house.  He grabbed her arm so she would face him.  “What’s wrong?  You seem extra pissy.”
    “Nothing.  Let’s get this over with.”
    “Talk to me, Cassie.”
    She stopped and glared at him.
    “I’m just joking around.”  He raised his arms in mock surrender.
    Her face softened a bit.  “We almost got killed back there.  What if he’d managed to cut your throat?”
    “Are you saying you’d miss me?”  The appearance of her softer side took Lance off guard.  It was a rare occurrence to see her show any kind of vulnerability.
    “I’m serious.  Brown wants to go and find people, but I think that humans might be the most dangerous things we can be around right now.  Don’t you understand?  People are willing to kill for food, water, and guns.  If we have something they want, they’ll murder us and take it.  People are too unpredictable.”
    Everything she said was true.  A man had just blown up their boat and they didn’t even know why.  The Vladdies had clear behaviors and a singular objective.  The survivors, however, behaved irrationally.
    Particularly those calling themselves the Minutemen.  Those led by Ralph, the prepper from hell.
    “I don’t disagree with anything you’re saying.  But he has a point.  How long can we survive by ourselves?  Don’t you think we’ll have strength in numbers?”
    “No.  Too many people in one place always leads to some of them doing stupid shit.  There will always be one idiot who trips over a cable and disables the electricity or opens a door to take a piss and lets the horde in.  We can survive better on our own.”
    She stalked up the driveway, head panning back and forth as she looked for daywalkers.  Lance followed her, chewing on what she’d said.  She grabbed the handle to the two-car garage door and lifted it open, the wheels on each side clacking on the way up.
    A red 1972 Corvette Stingray was parked inside.  Cass ignored it as she walked by the driver’s side, scanning cluttered shelves and a workbench for a hose.
    Lance gaped at the car.
    “Holy shit.  That’s a thing of beauty right there.”  He ran his hand across the hood.  He’d always wanted a car like this, but never could have afforded it in his past life.  The idea of searching the house for the keys occurred to him.
    “Boys and their cars,” Cass mumbled as she rooted through a box on the floor.  She found a length of garden hose inside.
    “This isn’t a car—it’s work of art.  I thought you’d appreciate it, since you’re a failed artist.” Lance leaned against the fender.  “Wanna go for a ride, pretty lady?”
    “I want to find a gas can so we can get the hell out of here.”  She walked around the back of the car and searched the other side.
    “Sometimes you’re a real pain in my ass.”  Lance looked in the window at the leather seats inside.
    “Says the guy who is dicking