Free Mad Swine (Book 2): Dead Winter by Steven Pajak Page A

of peace seem like bait for a trap.
    Consulting my compass, I noted that were heading in the direction of Reverend Reggie’s church. Although I considered making an attempt to reach the church if the opportunity arose, I never really expected that we’d make it that far. I expected some resistance from the crazies. If things remained quiet, I considered sending Lara, Chandra and Justin back with the wood while Kat and I scouted the church.
    “You’re up, Matthew,” Kat said, stirring me from my thoughts. She stood next to me which surprised me. I hadn’t heard her moving in the snow. “What’s on your mind?”
    Standing, I took a more comfortable hold on my splitting maul. I said, “That it’s very quiet and that is unusual.”
    Kat nodded her head. “I was thinking the same. I don’t like it. I’m feeling like we need to get this done and get back home.”
    I didn’t tell her about my plan to reconnoiter Reggie’s church. I figured I’d wait and see how things went. There was no need to get Kat all riled up right now. Besides, it was time to get to work.
    Taking up my position at the first tree marked, I got into my chopping stance. I eyed the tree as I hefted my axe, taking the most comfortable grip that would still channel maximum power. The poplar was about fifteen feet tall and about a foot and a half in diameter. I figured I’d make quick work of this one.
    My first swing tore away a chunk of bark and bit into the flesh of the tree. My second blow severed off a substantial chunk. I swung the axe again in short, controlled arc, always aiming for the same spot. After about thirty seconds of continued chopping, two more heavy swings were enough to bring the tree down. I stepped aside and watched as the poplar fell, impacting the snow with more force than I expected. I stood up, only slightly winded, and gave the okay sign to Lara. Now she would come in with a machete and begin to chop at the smaller branches and clean as much of the felled tree as possible. I’d return after to chop it into cords that were more manageable for stacking on the sled.
    As I passed Lara on my way to the next marked tree she went out of her way to brush her arm against mine. “That was sexy,” she whispered and winked at me. “I love the way you swing that axe.”
    Sure that I was blushing, I was grateful that my face was covered by my scarf. With a huge grin on my face, I went to work on the next tree. Slightly larger than the first, this poplar proved a bit more difficult. As I chopped away at the base I could hear each of Lara’s machete strokes between my own swings. When I concentrated on the sounds, I noticed that Lara and I had fallen into time with each other, creating a steady beat.
    Just as I struck another blow I heard Kat’s voice. “Shhh! Everyone quiet. Quiet !”
    I froze with the axe above my head in mid-swing and behind I heard one last tock of the machete against the hardwood before Lara fell silent. I pulled down my scarf and turned to Kat who was standing with her head cocked, listening. It was difficult to hear anything other than the wind; my heavy breathing was loud in my ears. I started to take a step forward with the intention of regrouping with Kat but halted when she raised her fist at me.
    I watched as Kat moved slowly, her head still bent, listening intently. She wandered a few steps toward Justin but then turned away from him and reversed course. A few more steps and she stood beside Chandra whose eyes were big as saucers. Kat had us all freaked out right about now. As Chandra was about to speak, Kat’s head whipped to the left and my gaze followed. A second later I watched in disbelief as the snow several feet away from Lara began to stir. Chandra let out a quick sound of shock when a head broke through the surface.
    The thing sat up slowly as we all watched; its movement markedly slower than we were used to seeing. When the thing sat up fully, its head, shoulders and chest were exposed. We