Read Revelations - 02 for Free Online

flat on her back keeping the child-zombie on top of her at bay by holding a handful of hair. In short, he was useless.
    Kevin grunted as he gave the zombie a shove. It staggered back just enough for him to get his left arm up. With a snarl of anger—and just a little fear—he drove his knife into its temple. The creature slumped onto his chest, and Kevin pushed it away in disgust.
    “No more!” Heather screamed. Kevin’s and Mike’s heads whipped around as the girl brought up a large rock that had been part of the walkway leading up to the stairs. She slammed it into the side of the child-zombie’s head. In a flurry of movement she was suddenly on top. Again and again she brought the rock down. The face began to disfigure. After the fifth blow there was a sickening concave and dark gobbets of jelly-like matter began oozing and squirting from tears in the face and scalp. Both men hurried down, grabbing her arms.
    “It’s done, Heather,” Kevin whispered.
    “You can stop now.” Mike pried the rock from her hands, trying to ignore the clumps of hair and flesh that clung to it. He tossed it aside, then helped the now shivering girl to her feet.
    She backed away from the body, then looked down and seemed to notice for the first time the dark splotches of blood and brain matter that had splattered all over her shirt, pants, arms and even face. Without a word she pulled away from the two men and walked up and into the house.
     
    
     
    Darkness had fallen almost three hours ago and Kevin still couldn’t sleep. Twice he’d gotten up and made a walk-through of the house. Clouds had rolled in making it particularly dark. Still, when he reached the kitchen, he knew what lay hidden by the blankets spread out on the floor. One area in particular gave him the shivers.
    They’d decided to stay the night in this house. Mostly due to the rows of Mason jars full of pickles, stewed tomatoes, and a really tasty corn, garlic, and tomato salsa they’d found in a pantry in the basement. There was quite a feast that evening. But Heather had hardly touched a thing, and she hadn’t spoken a word.
    After they’d gone through to ensure there were no further surprises to be found, Kevin had announced that this would be a good place to camp for a couple of days. They were just north of the town of Heath and in a good place to watch Highway 13 which was easily visible from the master bedroom on the second floor.
    Adding to their fortune was a small creek that cut the expansive but fallow cornfield down the middle. They could all wash up. Mike had been hopeful that his discovery of a lady’s razor and an array of creams and oils would cheer Heather up. She’d simply accepted the bundle and trudged silently to the water. He and Kevin had stood watch with one on either side of the creek, both keeping their backs turned to give as much privacy as possible.
    By the time everybody was cleaned up and in some newly scavenged clothing, it was almost sunset. They’d eaten in uncomfortable silence. The two cast glances at the girl period-ically, but neither knew quite what to do. After the meal, Heather had wrapped herself up in some blankets. Within moments, they heard her soft snores.
    Kevin walked out to the hallway, motioning for Mike to follow. “If she doesn’t snap out of it, we could be in trouble.”
    “Dude, she beat a child’s skull in!” Mike exclaimed. He caught himself before his voice grew too loud halfway through his retort.
    “That wasn’t a child,” Kevin said. “You cannot think of those things as people in any way, shape, or form, and you know that.”
    “Still…it was the first time—”
    “And it won’t be the last time,” snapped Kevin.
    “We can’t expect her to be some sort of crazed warrior chick.” Mike held up his hands, motioning for Kevin to keep the volume down. “She’s a kid…and, in case you’ve forgotten, she’s just been through a nasty ordeal.”
    “Her and everybody else in the