Free The End of Darkness by Jaime Rush

holding her close for a moment. “Something strange is going on in this town.”
    Carlene stepped back. “You feel it? Well, of course you would.” She gestured for Suza to sit and took her own seat. 
    “What's going on around here?”
    “Tremors. Earthquake tremors. We've been experiencing them for the last month, and they're getting worse. Everyone's on edge. We've had fights, road rage, domestic violence. Even a serial killer. It's like Strasford has reverted to the Wild West days.”
    “Yeah, some guy was about to tear my throat out, and  he  bumped into  me .” But this wasn't just tension. She stared into her friend's eyes. “How are you feeling?”  
    “Tired. No, more like run down. I feel hopeless and I don't know why. My job's going good, even if my boss has been a butthead lately.”
    “You haven't been angry? Had any violent outbursts?” A little worrisome considering Carlene's comment about killing her over her complexion.
    Carlene laughed and picked up her menu. “Of course not. You know me, still a…what was it you used to call me when you were trying to rile me up? A dishrag?”
    “Only trying to get you to stand up for yourself.” Suza had no appetite, but she perused the menu. Or pretended to. Instead she checked out the bistro's patrons. Holy hell. Most had the same dark energy. 
    The waitress's arrival jarred her out of her freaked-out thoughts. Suza ordered the first thing her eyes found, stir-fried tofu nuggets, and focused on her friend again. Except Carlene was looking beyond her to the entrance with a blank expression and pushing to her feet. “Excuse me.”
    A man stepped outside, holding the door for Carlene. He appeared to be in his thirties with pale skin and blond hair combed straight back. He spoke to her for a minute, handed her a tote bag, and then she simply headed down the sidewalk beside him. No wave to Suza, no  I'll be right back . Suza launched to her feet and made it out the door in time to see Carlene walk into the Strasford Bank right behind the man.   
    Suza followed in Carlene's footsteps, spotting the man exiting the bank a moment later and crossing the street. Angry shouts drew Suza closer, where several people were fighting in the bank's lobby. The security guard stood near the door like a statue, completely ignoring the scene. Two women were bickering over deposit slips at the island counter. Suza spotted her friend—holding a gun to the teller! A squeak came out of her mouth. Now the security guard took action—to keep Suza from entering the bank.
    “You cannot enter here.” He had that same blank look Suza had seen in the others, and they all had the dark, evil energy. 
    “Carlene!” she shouted, trying to get around the guard. 
    Carlene turned, but not in response to Suza's shout. She was a zombie, clutching the tote Suza suspected contained cash and heading toward the door. In her other hand she held the gun. 
    The guard opened the friggin' door for her! 
    The alarm pealed as Carlene bumped past Suza and headed across the street. Suza grabbed her sleeve, and Carlene pointed the gun at her. “Leave me alone,” she intoned like a robot. Then she turned and continued on, where she approached the man she'd spoken with earlier. She handed him the bag and walked away.
    Down the road, another alarm pealed. Another zombie'd person, a young man this time, came down the sidewalk and handed the man his satchel. Then another woman came out of a jewelry store and handed the man a box. He said not one word as he took each parcel and then disappeared around the corner.
    A moment later, two police cars came screaming down the road, splitting off in two directions: to each of the banks. The teller who'd handed Carlene the satchel stood by the door, one of the few people who weren't in a fugue state. 
    She pointed to Carlene. “That's her!” 
    Suza was only a few feet behind them as they approached Carlene, guns out.
    “Drop the weapon!”