Zombies! (Episode 4): The Sick and the Dead by Ivan Turner Read Free Book Online

He was either worse or he was dead. The only real question was which.
     
    "I'd like to see him."
     
    "Maybe not," she said. "I'm sorry we left but I think I want to take care of him here. I don't want him becoming some experiment."
     
    "He's going to die. You know that."
     
    She nodded, strong like before. "Then let him die at home."
     
    "I think you should let me see him. He's dangerous."
     
    "He's just a little boy."
     
    "I know that. Don't you think I know that?" He reached into his bag, felt her tense. "I have something that will make him more comfortable." But when he pulled his hand out, he wasn't holding anything to make anyone any better. He shoved the taser forward, glancing her arm as she swerved to get away. She was still stunned and he was able to bring it in for a better blow. When she was on the ground, incapacitated, he stepped over her and moved deeper into the house.
     
    Jason's bedroom was on the second floor. There were only two bedrooms in the house. The master was small and the second bedroom was a shoebox. There was a window with old window shades and a closet that was so overflowing with clothes and toys that it wouldn't even close. Melissa had done the best she could with what she had, building shelves along the walls and setting up plastic cubbies. In the end, though, there was just clutter. Along the far wall was a twin sized bed with a small shape huddled under a faded green bedspread.
     
    Peter was there to kill the boy and destroy his brain, thus saving the child and any potential victims. Leaning over the bed, he could see that there wasn't much time left. The boy's breathing was shallow. His eyes were closed and there was blood on his pillow. Even though Peter was sure that the boy couldn't feel anything anymore, he wanted to be humane. Stretching on a pair of latex gloves, he filled a hypodermic with a lethal dose of epinephrine. He pulled the boy's arm out from under the bedspread and emptied the hypodermic directly into his vein. There was an instant reaction. The boy's eyes shot open and he looked straight up at Peter.
     
    "Where's my mom?" he choked. Then his heart gave out and he slumped back down into his bed.
     
    Making sure, Peter flipped him over, reached into his bag for his surgical tools, and got to work.
     
    ***
     
    AT just about the same time as Denise Luco was sizing up Joseph Solomon and Louis Juarez, Detective Anthony Heron's day was just beginning. He came lazily out of sleep, aware that he'd been dreaming but unaware of the details. The pillow was warm against his head and his blanket was curled around his body the way he liked it. That meant that Alicia was already up and gone from their room. Sniffling, he raised himself on one elbow and looked around. Sunlight poked in through the window blinds, giving the room a diffuse illumination. It was a nice time of the morning, a time of the morning that usually meant he'd have the day off even though he didn't. It was a good time to wake up on a Monday.
     
    Heron was feeling remarkably good that morning despite his job and his cancer. It had been almost three weeks since the surgery and his recuperation was progressing well ahead of schedule. Of course. Physically, he was a prime specimen. He'd always taken impeccable care of himself, choosing martial arts training and outdoor exercise over something like weight lifting at the gym. That kind of workout was good for building definition but Heron had always been more interested in stamina. Endurance. Running was a preferred exercise but his doctor did not recommend it for another several weeks. At this point, against doctor's orders, he was taking brisk walks at night. He liked this time of year, when the nights were cold and dark and came early. He liked to work up his body and battle the cold with the rush of ninety eight degree blood.
     
    He was undergoing chemotherapy now as well. That had taken its toll on him. The physical effects were bad enough but the