Read Trying to Survive (Part 2) for Free Online Page A

nose. It fell to its knees and started moaning and grabbing at the wound. The sight of us and the stimulation inspired the other one to start speeding up. “Okay, Walt… Looks like the shot was pretty low, so aim right at the top of that one’s head.”
       He fired again, and as I suspected, the scope was making his shots a little low. It was something that could easily happen from the rifle being handled carelessly or taken in and out of a tightly packed bag.
       This time, the bullet hit in the center of the shredder’s forehead. “Give me the rifle so I can adjust it. Then test it on the other one – it’s almost back on its feet.”
       As I tried to remember which one of the little dials on the scope I needed to turn, Walt said “It’s movin fast now, man. Hurry up, it looks really pissed off.”
       I handed the rifle back to Walt and waited, hoping I didn’t turn the wrong dial.
       The bottom right side of the shredder’s face was horribly mangled from the first shot. Its jaw was hanging down, only connected on one side, and flapping back and forth as it ran at us. It was trying to growl, but all it did was make a strange, disgusting gurgling noise and spit blood everywhere.
       I was glad to hear the rifle go off and watch it fall face-first to the ground – just so I didn’t have to see or hear it anymore. “Right in the middle of the head.” I let out a sigh of relief. “Glad I picked the right dial.”
       Walt dropped his shoulders and his mouth hung open for a few seconds before he said “You just guessed?”
       I nervously smiled. “It’s been a long time… and I guessed right – that’s what’s important.”
     
     

Chapter 5
     
       Jessie and Brian took the time to thoroughly search the house before the rest of us climbed through the back window. The garage was even empty, so it appeared as though no one was home when people started to turn.
       The inside was nothing short of pristine – almost like it was never lived in. The marble floors were spotless, the white carpeting and wood flooring looked brand new and I could smell fresh paint.
       Walt figured it out too. “Shit, guys… No one ever lived here. It’s just furnished – I can smell the fresh paint.”
       I took the long walk to the granite riddled kitchen and checked the unnecessarily large fridge. “You’re right. The fridge still has the manual sitting in it.”
       Jessie groaned out an especially loud “Fuck!” and Brian said “Looks like we might have to move on. We’re gonna be getting low on food soon – we gotta stock up before we hit the road again.”
       I left the kitchen and went over to the arrangement of windows at the front of the house. It was a large bay design, so it enabled me to see all the way to the end of the street. I took a few seconds to look around the neighborhood again. When I noticed that only one out of the thirteen driveways I could see had a car parked in it, I figured out why the whole place seemed so empty.
       I turned back to everyone and said “This is a brand new development. Most of the homes were never sold… That’s why the place is a ghost town and everything looks so perfect.”
       Jessie clenched his fists, took several steps forward and then kicked a small table a few feet across the room. Anthony and Clara grabbed on to Melanie and she forcefully demanded that he calm down.
       I guess Jessie has a temper…
       Walt said “What’s the big deal? I saw a few houses with cars outside when we were driving around.”
       Jenny added “Yeah, calm the hell down Jessie. We can still stay here.”
       Walt walked over near Brian and leaned up against the wall. “The three of us can go out tomorrow and search the other houses. It’ll be easy since there aren’t too many shredders around – this all seems like a good thing to me.”
       Jessie paced the room for a few moments and then fell back onto one of the couches.