Read Thirteen Roses Book One: Before: An Apocalyptic Zombie Saga for Free Online Page B

mouth and closing it again then shaking her head.  
    'No, you're not.'
    'Yes I am. I'm going to kill him and dump his body in the river and then he'll never hit anyone or do what he did to me again.'
    There it was again, the look that was a challenge, that dared her to laugh. 'You'll get caught.'
    'So you don't think it's wrong?'
    'Of course it's bloody wrong.'
    She ducked her head, glancing around the dining room at the others. Four had entered since they started breakfast but they were all too busy eating cornflakes to give a toss what they were talking about. She lowered her voice.  
    'Of course it's bloody wrong. But I don't care about that. What I'd be worried about is getting caught.'
    'That's why I need you.'
    Krystal took one look at him and snorted. She pushed her chair back and picked up her tea. 'Lovely talking to you. Good luck with everything.'
    She walked as fast as her tea would allow out the dining room and into the morning air. The days that began with tea were always better than those that didn't. The ones that began with boys trying to convince her to get involved with murder weren't normally so good.  
    She stomped away, trying to choose her destination. Coppers were pretty hot on Tottenham Court Road at the moment. Covent Garden maybe, find a few guilt-ridden tourists. Tourists always paid better than locals. Everyone knew that. 'Cept maybe Ed. He probably didn't know that. Apparently, he knew nothing.  
    She heard the pad of feet on the pavement behind her and sighed, shaking her head. Bloody labrador. He came up alongside, puffing.  
    'You walk fast.'
    'Yeah, s'better than running and gets you places.'
    'Can we talk?'
    'No.'
    'Look, please, just for a mi--'
    Krystal stopped and swung her hands about in the air, tea slopping over the edge of her cup. 'Leave me alone. You ain't gonna kill him 'cause then you go to jail and that's bloody stupid. I mean, that's it, game over.'
    'Oh, because this game's so much fun.'
    'This game's bollocks, innit, but trust me, prison makes this look like the sunny side of the street.'
    'Yeah, well, maybe, but I'm going to kill him and I need your help and if you don't help me then I'm definitely going to prison.'
    The tea went flying as she grabbed his collar. She shoved him halfway across the street before the honk of a horn made her remember where they were. She gave him a final push and let go, setting off at a stomp towards Charing Cross. Traffic was building up, all the rich wankers in their suits and ties. Begging here was like sitting in the desert waiting for rain. Only the desert smelled better.  
    He was following her. She could feel it, like a bit of paper stuck to her shoe. He was bloody mad. And he tried to blackmail her and that was way beyond. She raced across the lights and into the streets around Covent Garden. Coming here reminded her of when she'd still lived at home.  
    Mum had brought her here, once or twice, after Dad left. They hadn't bought anything. They'd laughed at the thought, but it still felt special. Didn't feel much of anything now 'cept bile in her throat. Shoes worth more than she was. No, not worth more, just cost more.  
    She'd been approached, more than once. It was the eyes. And they always offered less than those bastard shoes. A pair of shoes for your virginity and pride and self. Lucky they didn't know she was a virgin really, or they'd have offered her more. Maybe she'd have been tempted.  
    Krystal spat on the floor, earning looks from the couple putting tables and chairs outside the cafe. She thought about sitting in one just to watch them react, then opted not to. She glanced over her shoulder as she turned the corner. He was still there, still following. Bloody hell.  
    She went through the market, out the other side and found a nice spot near a cash point. The sun made begging so much easier. Didn't get any more money, but people didn't hurry as much and she could relax. Gets too cold and you never relax, just shiver