Read Grace Lost for Free Online Page B

said Gus.
    The road veered to the right and
as we passed a drug store, the door opened.  A woman ran out and into the
street, waving her arms to get our attention.  Her long black hair was a
mess, and her face was streaked with dirt.  Our windows were rolled down
for fresh air, and we could hear her screaming for help.
    “Roll up your windows!” barked
Boggs.
    “We have to help her!” I cried out
in response.
    From around a corner several of
the creatures appeared in pursuit of the woman.  They weren’t as slow as
the ones we had encounter thus far, and were gaining on her.  Most of them
wore bloodied clothing.  I watched as the woman looked back, her face full
of fear.  She ran toward our car as Boggs slowed. 
    “We can’t risk it,” shouted
Gus.  “They’re too close!”
    As he finished his thought, the
first of the creatures made contact with the woman.  It grabbed her arm
and bit down as she ran, causing her to scream shrilly in pain.
    I started crying.  “We have
to help her…”
    “No darlin,’ it’s too late,” said
Gus softly.  “She’s been bit.  Boggs, we need to get the hell out of
here, step on it man!”  His calm demeanor was cracking. 
    More of the creatures were
emerging from the shadows, frenzied over fresh meat.  Their moans were
deafening.  The woman twisted away from the creature that had begun to
feast on her, and continued to run toward our vehicle.  Boggs increased
our speed, but she managed to reach us and slammed against my door.  I saw
her wide, pleading eyes as she came face to face with me, only the window
separating us.  Blood from the bite on her arm stained the glass. 
Her face was panicked when she realized we weren’t going to be the saviors she
had hoped for.  I looked back and watched her figure become smaller as we
drove away.  Tears streamed down my cheeks.  I clenched my eyes shut
as the creatures reached her in the distance.  I couldn’t bear to watch
her being slaughtered.  We drove in silence, aside from my occasional
sobs.
    After a couple of hours of blessedly
uneventful driving, Gus instructed Boggs to turn right onto a seemingly random
road that was overgrown with rhododendrons, ferns, and weeds.
    “My uncle Chuck has a place set up
out here.  He likes to be off the grid, hidden.  He’s a crazy old fucker
but an honest guy.  Trustworthy, if he trusts you.”   Gus came
across as a crude man.
    Boggs turned off the main highway
and the Explorer bounced with the ruts in the old weathered road.  Puddles
had accumulated from the storm that had rolled in, and our tire spray hit the
bushes that lined the narrow road.  Thunder sounded in the distance and a
murder of crows flew noisily overhead.  I’ve always hated crows.
    After several minutes and many
winding turns on the little road, a small windowless stone structure came into
view with an old single wide mobile home off to the right.
    “We’re here,” said Gus.  “I
should go announce our arrival.”
    Boggs looked back at me, then to
Gus.  “I should come with you, just in case…”
    “In case what?” I asked with my voice
full of alarm.
    The cowboy answered for him.  “In case my uncle isn’t human anymore, darlin’.”   
He opened his door and spit onto the ground before standing up.  He
adjusted his belt and put his hat back on.  “Stay behind me, Adam.”
    Boggs interrupted him. “Boggs.   People just call me Boggs.”
    The cowboy tipped his hat in
answer.  “Boggs then. Stay behind me a few feet?”
    “Ya sure,” he
answered.   “Zoe, hand me the gun?”
    I handed him the pistol.  He
took it and got out of the SUV, shutting his door quietly.  I opened my
door to get out and Gus used a hand to stop my door.  “Zoe, you should
stay here.”
    “No,” I whined, not wanting to be
separated from either of them.
    “No arguing, Zo.   You’re staying here,” said Boggs.   “You
should get up front.  Keep the engine running.  Be ready