Read Chatter for Free Online Page A

look up, “Guys, we have a problem.”

Chapter 8
     
    “Boom.” The shotgun erupted into the face of a chatterer. Vick had alerted the others just in time. They sprang into action instantly and fought for their lives. The group made a circle and stuck to it. The ones with knives depended on the ones with guns for protection but held their ground.
    “Stick to formation, we will be fine,” said Cade.
    Trina looked at him in terror, “This is the biggest group of them yet.” She punctured her knife into the side of an undead skull. Blood and ooze squirted her in the face. “Oh god, gross.”
    “Just keep at it,” said Cade.
    What was supposed to be an easy food run turned into a nightmare for the group. Keiko was pinned to the wall by an undead ghoul. She fought back and finally kicked a knee loose as the undead tumbled to the grounded now handicapped. The girl leapt over it and brought her axe down on the top of its head, halving it like a watermelon.
    Cade was behind the register counter for added protection firing his shotgun left and right. Surreally it felt like playing one of his video games. He sure as hell wished that was what he was doing.
    “Autumn, get over here” yelled Cade.
    The girl was standing on top of aisle shelves shooting the undead below her. One false step and she would tumble into them helplessly.
    “I’m fine Cade,” she answered. “I’ve almost got this aisle clean.”
    The pistol held eight bullets but she caught on to reloading quickly. A few seconds of being empty and the gun was reloaded. Cade wasn’t quite sure if she was helping or had a death wish.
    Several tense minutes passed and the gang of undead had been dealt with.
    “Is everyone ok,” asked Cade.
    The group sounded off and signaled that all was ok. They filled their bags with as much food and energy drinks as they could hold. Vick and Cade then went outside to sweep the perimeter and check for a car to use. Vick found an uncomfortably small economy car with the keys in it at a pump.
    “It will look like a clown car with all of us in it, but it’ll do” said Cade.
    As they raced up onto the interstate Cade’s thoughts turned to his mom, dad, and Sister Meg an hour away. Will they be alive? He presumed his parents had taken the shot. They were law abiding citizens. Meg on the other hand was a young 20 and full of piss and vinegar. Any time there was a rally at college she was there. It didn’t matter the cause. She could have refused the shot.
    An hour turned into three as the roads were clogged with abandoned vehicles and the dead roaming around. The little car couldn’t take hits like the last one so Cade had to maneuver around all the obstacles.
    Early afternoon arrived and the survivors arrived at the small town of Moncel. It was a tourist town with an amusement park and lakes that attracted people in the summertime. Cade’s family lived on the lake right across from the park. He drove the car down the small private lane to the house.
    Cade and the group parked and walked towards the front door. It was a large three story home with water access, made mostly of brick. It was quite beautiful. Trina got to the door first and found something.
    “Cade, come look at this.”
    He made his way to the front and saw a letter written in black marker.
    *I am at the park. It is safer there, plenty of food and places to hide. If anyone alive is looking for me, *Cade* that’s where I am. Don’t go inside*
                  Cade put the note in his pocket, “My sister is at the park.”
                  “That’s great Cade but what about your parents” said Keiko.
                  Cade grabbed the door knob and started to turn it, “I think we will find them inside.”
                  As they all stepped inside the smell gagged them. On the floor were at least ten bodies. Cade saw his mother sprawled over the couch and his father laying head first in the fire place. The rest