Free Fallen Grace by M. Lauryl Lewis

its human life and being violated by a man who resembled my lover. I squeezed Gus’ hand firmly and hoped he was tuned in to all of the things in my head: the creature’s plan, its memory, the horde closing in.
    Gus let go of my hand and I felt him slip it into the waistband of my pants. With expertise and speed, he drew my revolver and aimed at the Runner. The resulting sound of the weapon firing beside my head was deafening. I ducked down and covered my head in reaction. Gus had already grabbed my arm and was pulling me forward again before I could think. We ran past the fallen body of the Runner and down the block. Gus pulled me around another corner, into an alley that was full of trash from an overturned dumpster. A wave of death-stench hit me as we passed a second smaller dumpster. Something was inside of it, thumping into the sides and scratching to get out.
    “Hurry, Zoe, we have to get out of this!” yelled Gus.
    I refrained from answering, clung to his hand and my hatchet, and ran as fast as I could. The alley opened up to an empty lot. Whatever structure had been there at one time was demolished. All that was left were some bits of wood and concrete and a small portion of toppled chain link fence. Beyond the lot was used car dealership. There was a small selection of vehicles that remained. Some were missing windows or doors or had flat tires.
    “Into the building, Zoe…”
    Onward we went, toward the swinging front glass door. We had lost the horde, but I knew they would soon be upon us again. As we approached the door, Gus grabbed a fist-sized rock from the street and used it to shatter the glass, allowing us to gain entry. I was out of breath, badly, and unable to ask him how he expected us to hide in the building with no door for security.
    Sensing my concern, he spoke quickly as he walked to a small front counter that at one time would have hosted a greeter or secretary. “We need to find the keys for the cars.”
    Nothing more was said as he rummaged through drawers in search of our salvation.
    “Got ‘ em.”
    He held up a small board that had eye bolts screwed into it, with about ten sets of keys dangling.
    “Thank God they’re labeled.”
    “Gus? What if none of them run?”
    “We have to take the chance. You can’t keep running in the shape you’re in. C’mon, out the back door.”
    We walked briskly to the back of the small building and though an interior door. Beyond was what looked like work areas and a small break room. In the far back corner, along a gray concrete wall, was a door labeled ‘exit.’
    “Ready?” Gus asked as he put his hand on the doorknob.
    I nodded. He unlocked the knob and turned. The door opened inward and we quickly made our exit. Gus stood still for a moment, surveying the back lot. There were four cars parked to our right, and one to the left. The only one that was free of broken glass or flat tires was a gold four-door. Gus located the key quickly and we walked to the vehicle. He unlocked the doors and we both slid in. It smelled like stale cigarette smoke and vinegar.
    I waited impatiently as he slid the key into the ignition and tried to start it. The engine struggled to turn over as if the battery were weak. Eventually it roared to life, complete with a loud knock under the hood.
    “It sounds like shit, but let’s get out of this fuckhole town. Put your seat belt on, ok babe?”
    I strapped myself in as he started to back out. We drove west as the horde came into view from the south. The fastest of them kept up with us for about a quarter mile before falling behind and out of sight.
    “My side hurts, Gus,” I groaned.
    “We’ll get you something for it as soon as we get back. I promise.”
    “No. Save it for Susan.”
    He reached over and placed his large, rough hand over mine. I felt instantly calmed.
    “How far do you suppose we are? From the motel?”
    “Not more than a couple miles. I want to drive away from it though. No need to chance