Free The Reaper: No Mercy by Sean Liebling

remembered muttering that her name was Janet but did not know if this savior of hers heard or not, as his gaze was focused elsewhere. Looking down at the two men before him, the Reaper spoke in a low growl.
    "You have been found wanting in the eyes of the Lord. I will give you a minute to make your peace with the Almighty."
    "Screw your God!" shouted the first man, the one who had been butt-stroked, and Janet saw him attempt to struggle to his feet, a large bruise forming on his cheek and chin. Instantly the big rifle roared again, and in a fraction of a second the Reaper had chambered a new round, the large bore of his rifle centered on the face of the remaining savage. The Reaper neither smiled nor frowned, as he was Death Incarnate. Janet didn't bother looking at the one who had fallen, for she knew that if she did, she’d see a hole between the dead man's eyes. She shivered again at the deadliness of this man who had saved her, and struggled to pull her panties and jeans up, then cinched her belt tight against the chill. A quick grab and her automatic was in her shaking hand, as the last dirtbag spoke.
    "Please don't kill me," begged the remaining man. He was crying and holding pleading hands up to both the Reaper and Janet. She shuddered and backed away. The Reaper never even glanced at her as he spoke.
    "Did you make your peace with God?"
    "No, I don't know how! Show me how!"
    "Unfortunate!" The words were said without emotion.
    "Wait! It wasn’t my fault! She asked for it. Ask her!"
    Janet shook her head vehemently, drawing the sudden motion briefly drawing the Reaper's eyes to her, and in that moment the last scum drew a hidden weapon from the small of his back. Janet's eyes widened as she automatically raised her automatic in suddenly firm hands, and without conscious thought squeezed the trigger, putting an identical third eye in the last would-be rapist.
    The man who called himself the Reaper looked down at the body, then up at Janet, smiling.
    "Nice shot. Let me get you back to where you were staying. It's not safe out here with the Godless roaming the streets. Those shots will bring them running, so we'd better hurry."
    Janet still held her pistol, and was now pointing it at the Reaper.
    "Thanks for the rescue, but I can find my own way. I'll try to return the favor someday," she replied as she edged sideways to pick up her pack, still wary of the stranger.
    "I don't think so. I need to talk to your group. There is work here that needs doing." He paused as her finger tightened on the trigger. "I mean you no harm."
    "I think you should just leave." Her courage was slowly coming back and she hissed her last words.
    "I told you that I cannot. I must speak with your group. There is an evil presence in this city and we need to stop it. We must band together to take care of these marauders that are killing innocent people. Either you allow me to accompany you, or I will simply proceed to your group's last known location, which was shown to me by other survivors. But talk to your group I will."
    Janet sighed and nodded. Well, so much for trying to get rid of him , she thought. She was dirty, sore, and covered in bruises from her near-escape, and only wanted the safety of their sanctuary.
    *****

Chapter 7
     
    Jason grunted at Janet as she instructed him to follow and then led a circuitous route behind buildings and down narrow streets. A few of the undead tried to block their path, but he quickly dispatched them with his machete. Janet appeared shaken and her reactions were off, so the Reaper quickly took lead and travelled where she pointed. He needed to talk to this group, and he and Janet needed to get off the streets for a bit as racing engines, followed by gunshots, sounded in the distance. The bodies had been discovered and the two of them were being hunted.
    "In here," Janet spoke softly as they neared what appeared to be a small professional office complex. A door stood before them and as he reached for the