Free Tainted Reality (The Rememdium Series Book 2) by Ashley Fontainne Page B

extracted masks from the glove box and handed one to Reed.
    “Welcome to the real world, Newberry. You’re about to see what happens when illegals hitch a ride with someone they don’t know. They pay some bastard claiming to offer a better life across the border then get dumped off like yesterday’s garbage.”
    Unwilling to show any fear or hesitation, Reed never said a word as they made their way to the back of the truck. When the sergeant opened the doors, the sights and smells of thirty rancid bodies overrode Reed’s bravado. When his shocked gaze landed on three children at the feet of a woman, their thin arms entwined with each other in a last ditch effort to offer comfort to one another, Reed’s stomach revolted. He spent the next ten minutes throwing up behind a mesquite tree, fighting the tears of disgust and sadness with each heave.
    The sound of the metal door opening brought Reed back to the present. After securing his mask, he pushed the wheelbarrow until he reached the entrance, stopping next to Susie’s stiff body. The blood and fluids from her wound had turned dark crimson. One shoe was missing and her shirt was coated in dark mahogany.
    “Let’s get her first. We’ll need to be careful with Mrs. Singleton,” Kyle said.
    Nodding, Reed gritted his teeth as the two men worked in tandem. They wrapped the girl’s body in the black plastic tarp and hoisted her light frame into the wheelbarrow. After spreading out another large section of the plastic next to Mrs. Singleton, Reed pushed the disgust at her appearance down deep while grabbing her legs.
    Kyle put his arms under her shoulders and they rolled her body onto what would be her grave shroud. “I’ve seen a lot of dead people in my day, but never anyone who looked like this. The color of the skin…all those weird, bluish lines all over her body? Disturbin’ doesn’t come close to describin’ it. Almost looks like roots took up residence under her skin.”
    Reed bit his lip. “The eyes—the way they turn solid black—that’s what gets me. Well, and the fact they crave flesh. I hope whatever this shit is ain’t airborne.”
    “If it is, then Walmart will be crawlin’ with undead shoppers interested in nothin’ they offer on the shelves.”
    Reed chuckled softly. “I see why my sister is drawn to you. Your sense of humor is just as twisted and sick as hers.”
    Kyle rolled the remainder of the plastic over Mrs. Singleton’s corpse. “You know what they say about humor—it’s insanity’s next of kin.”
    Turning his head, Reed looked around to ensure they were still alone. Satisfied no one had followed them, he grabbed the handles and pushed the wheelbarrow forward. “We should keep to this back aisle so no one sees us. Let’s get these two situated in the trailer then get the others. It’s gonna take a few trips to remove six bodies.”
    The sick chuckle from Kyle made Reed turn back around to face him. The look of sorrow and disgust on the man’s face gave Reed pause. He could tell Kyle was struggling to find words to express his thoughts.
    Kyle’s facial muscles quivered while grinding his teeth. After swallowing twice, Kyle finally whispered, “We can get them in one trip. Three of them were children.”
    God help us.
    Children.
     

HUNTING SEASON ENDS - Saturday - December 20 th – 2:00 p.m.
    Shaun Kilpatrick finished loading up his trophy buck, securing it to the back of his four-wheeler. The morning cold had been vanquished by warm sunshine. Taking off his gloves to finish tightening the rope, Shaun was thankful his fingers were no longer frozen. A smile tugged at the corners of his mouth. Emmett Jefferies would be so jealous when they rolled up to camp. The buck was Shaun’s last tag for the season and Jefferies had yet to shoot one.
    “What’s so funny?” Jared Starkson asked.
    “Oh, just picturin’ the look of irritation on Emmett’s face. He’s gonna be pissed I won our bet.”
    Jared laughed and it sounded