Z-Burbia 3: Estate Of The Dead by Jake Bible Read Free Book Online Page B

with a sea of undead shambling around the grounds? And there is a sea of them. Thousands standing in the fields, their moans and groans, hisses and snarls echoing about the landscape. They just stand there. Waiting…
    “What are they waiting for?” Julio asks as he lowers his binoculars. “They don’t leave the estate. Just hang out in the fields.”
    His companion grunts, but doesn’t lower his binoculars.
    “I don’t think they can move,” Stuart says.
    “Come again?” Julio asks.
    The two men are perched on a hill that overlooks the estate. They have a good view of the many fields and gardens that once grew corn and wheat, pastured beef and dairy cows, and each season flourished with a multitude of wildflowers.
    “They move ,” Julio says.
    “No , they don’t,” Stuart says. “They move their arms, and some move a leg back and forth, but none of them actually leave where they are standing.” He lowers his binoculars and rubs at the bridge of his nose. “It’s like they are glued into place.”
    Julio has another look and frowns. “Yeah, I guess you’re right. I never noticed that. I assumed they were just doing that Z thing where they stare at shit until some asshole comes along and gets them worked up.”
    “That’s not an accident,” Stuart says , “someone put them there.”
    “Nah, man, they were already there,” Julio says, studying the tattered and shredded clothing that still dangles from many of the Zs.
    Wearing remnants of their former lives, they are covered in t-shirts with logos from their favorite bands, sports teams, universities, bulky sweatshirts with majestic eagles, grizzly bears, monster trucks, couture and faux couture blouses and jeans.
    A slice of 21 st century fashion pre-Z.
    “I mean that someone placed them where they stand,” Stuart says. “Moved them from where they were wandering about the estate and into their current positions.”
    “And why the fuck would someone do that?” Julio asks.
    “Keeps us from going in there,” Stuart says. “Even keeps Critter and his crew from scavenging the place. If Critter won’t touch it then no one will.”
    “True dat,” Julio says. “So now what?”
    “I don’t know,” Stuart says. “Why does Elsbeth keep coming here then? Has she gone inside yet and we don’t know? What is drawing her to an estate with a staged herd of Zs?”
    “All good questions, man,” Julio replies. “Let me know when you have answers.”
    He watches for a second then pulls the binoculars away. Then puts them back. Then away.
    “There’s someone down in that shit,” Julio says. “Take a look, man. Someone is moving through those fuckers.”
    “Probably just a Z that got loose,” Stuart says as he starts scanning the field. “Where am I looking then?”
    “About thirty yards in from the left,” Julio says , “second field back.”
    “I got it,” Stuart says , “is that a girl? A woman? Can’t tell. Fucker is hiding behind a Z.”
    “Ballsy,” Julio says. “Lucky she doesn’t get her tits bitten off.”
    “Nice,” Stuart frowns. “Maybe a survivor that wandered onto the grounds. Now trying to get out.”
    “You believe that?” Julio asks.
    “No,” Stuart replies. Their phones vibrate. “Check that.”
    “Why don’t you check yours?” Julio asks.
    “Seriously?” Stuart replies. One word, one question, no room for argument.
    “Fine,” Julio says as he pulls his phone out of his pocket. “Surprised Landon got Wi-Fi to reach this far.”
    “The guy may be an asshole, but he does stay focused when given a task,” Stuart says.
    “Still a total asshole though,” Julio replies as he reads the message. “Ah, shit, man, we gotta go.”
    “What is it then?” Stuart asks, looking at Julio.
    “Power plant is under attack,” Julio replies. “We picked the wrong day to go for a hike. Maybe we can find a car that still runs and hotwire the bitch. Drive it down to help out?”
    Their phones buzz again.
    “Never