Read Dead Winter: A gripping crime thriller full of suspense for Free Online Page B

in my hand, its blade still covered in blood from the infected I had killed before. The man swung wildly at me and I reciprocated; thrusting forwards in a blind swing. As he reached for my knife with his other hand, I felt a sharp pain run along my left shoulder as I thrust, a warm sensation sliding down my arm.
     
    I stopped dead for a second, realising what had happened. The blade of my knife had pierced through the pale hand of the man, blood trickled from the wound as I clutched at my shoulder. It was just a scratch.
     
    He staggered back, ripping the knife out with terrifying force, screaming to the dawn as he ran off towards a building further down the road, our only way forwards.
     
    Picking up the knife, I glanced upwards at the man. Before reaching the door, he began to move strangely, jerking almost; he twitched and let out a strange shout before slamming the door behind him.
     
    That didn't sound right.
     
    My gaze fell down upon the gun he had dropped. I reached out and picked it up from the melting snow. I pushed the eject button for the magazine and examined it in my hand.
     
    12 shots. Sliding the magazine back into the gun, I motioned Dave to come out from where had been hiding behind a car.
     
    In the corner of my eye, I thought I saw a shadow move; like I was being watched; almost as though I was being hunted.
     
    Murmurs could be heard from inside the store as we approached it, the sounds of breaking glass and shouting.
     
    "God, help me!" a voice called from inside the building, definite speech reaching my ears.
     
    We moved closer to the door, listening intently to the ramblings.
     
    "That bastard! How dare he do THIS to me! Me, I'm a warrior of faith!" the clearly insane man shouted at the top of his lungs. Between the words there were screams and strange, distorted cries not unlike the infected we had encountered.
     
    "What is this guy talking about..?" Dave muttered, raising his bat as we stood in front of the door.
     
    "I am His messenger, I am the saviour! I'll put an end t-!" The ramblings of the lunatic were suddenly cut short by a strange, dull sound. There was a brief shout of pain, then a click as the door opened before us.
     
    I staggered back as an absolutely bizarre sight fell upon my eyes. There was the murderer; pale white like a piece of paper, lifeless. His life stolen by a strange blade protruding out of his chest, curved at the end. I felt a lump in the back of my throat as I looked behind the man.
     
    Someone was stood behind him, clearly holding the blade in place, he waved at us with his free hand before a deep, friendly sounding voice issued from his lips.
     
    "Hey!" the young man called, proceeding to tear the long machete-like blade out of the man, kicking him aside with his foot.
     
    Beckoned into the abode of the store, I turned around as the door closed to observe the stranger fumbling with the lock before he span around to face us. With a quick movement upwards, the man brushed aside his relatively long hair from in front of his eyes, hooking it over his ear.
     
    Waving his hand, the man called us further into the store, into the back room behind the counter. Light beamed through the blinds as the sun slowly rose outside. The man turned around to face us, his dark leather trench coat of sorts swishing as he span. Dave motioned his hand towards the blade.
     
    "This? It's a kukri, mate. I'm John." exclaimed the leather-clad man with a brief chuckle, noticing our curiosity He slid the kukri behind his belt and his eyes moved towards the gun I was carrying.
     
    "I'll show you mine if you show me yours." I stated, having noticed a glint of metal on his waist when he had turned.
     
    "Nice eye, kid." John replied, chuckling once more. He pulled out a revolver from what appeared to be a holster on his waist. At the same time, we switched guns and examined them.
     
    John span the handgun around on his finger for a moment before examining it closely. I glanced down