Free Emperor of a Dead World by Kevin Butler

did not serve a more noble purpose in life.
    After spending a week working on the place, they headed for home. Brad, as usual, avoided the freeway. With everyone trying to escape, it had been bumper-to-bumper traffic and once the infection took over the people sitting in their cars became trapped. Many left their vehicles behind and tried to run but the creatures soon overtook them and before long, they became bloodthirsty killers themselves. The city streets were not much better but at least there were many routes making it possible to get through. When on reconnaissance, Brad explored different routes but when he had a long way to go or was in a hurry he stuck to roads he knew were clear. Following one of these routes, they headed up the street toward home.
    All of a sudden, Rudy yelled, “Stop.”
    “What,” Brad cried as he hit the brakes and turned toward Rudy.
    “Look,” he pointed.
    Brad looked but he did not see.
    “Right there,” Rudy exclaimed with excitement.
    Tyrone saw it first. “Holy crap,” he shouted.
    “What,” Brad persisted.
    Tyrone was already out of the truck and heading for the tree before Brad saw it. Someone had made a sign with an arrow and attached it to a tree aiming it down a side street.
    “There is a note,” Tyrone said as he grabbed it.
    “What does it say?
    “We heard your horn a few mornings at exactly the same time,” Tyrone read as Brad and Rudy joined him. “We finally came to meet you but you did not return.”
    “All the while we were at the racetrack they were here,” Rudy laughed. “Man, they have my kind of luck.”
    Brad grabbed the note and read. “We are seven houses down on the left. Please come but do not make any noise. It only attracts the killers.” He looked at Tyrone and shook his head. “No kidding.” He continued reading. “Wait in the front and we will come out. There are only four of us. Along with me are my wife, my son and my mother. We are good people and I hope you are as well. We have nothing of value so please only come with good intentions. Tom.”
    “Seven houses that way,” Tyrone pointed.
    “Can we trust them,” Rudy asked.
    “A man, two women and a kid, does sound suspicious.”
    “He is right,” Rudy agreed as he turned to Brad. “How did they survive?”
    “Let’s check this out before we judge,” Brad replied.
    They drove down and stopped out front. The place looked deserted.
    “I don’t think anyone is here,” Rudy said.
    “Could be a trap,” Tyrone suggested.
    Brad put his gun in his pants and covered it with his T-shirt as he got out of the truck. He now spread his arms and shouted, “Anyone home?”
    No answer came from the house.
    “We are survivors just like you,” he continued. “We are looking for others like us.”
    “I think I saw something,” Rudy said.
    “Where,” Brad asked as he scanned the building with his eyes.
    “Not there. It was across the street and one house down. All the blinds are closed but I think I saw one move.”
    Brad glanced at Tyrone. He already had the Glock in his hand and Tyrone had the Beretta. Rudy had a .357 he had picked up on the street and five shells he had found in a dead man’s pocket.
    “There,” Tyrone said, “I saw that one move.”
    “I saw it too,” Brad calmly responded.
    He got in the truck, drove over and backed into the driveway across the street so they could face the house. It was a two-story brick building with a six-foot block wall enclosing the backyard. On top of the wall was a vinyl fence that added two feet to the height. All the windows had security bars and they had enclosed the porch with a security gate.
    “Looks like a fortress,” Tyrone noted.
    The front door opened and a man stepped onto the porch holding his hands in the air. He was of average build and appeared about forty-five years of age. “I’m Tom,” he called out. “I hope you come in peace.”
    Brad glanced at Tyrone and said, “Cover me.” He then got out of the truck