Free Wormwood Dawn (Episode VI) by Edward Crae Page B

the magazine back in, and pulled back the charging handle; all in expert fashion. Dan was impressed.
    “Looks pretty sound,” Max said. “Thank you, my friend.”
    “No problem, buddy,” Dan said.
    He went over to the other counter to prepare his new rifle. It was a medium length barrel, with no muzzle brake or flash hider. But, in the box, nestled among the three empty magazines, was a suppressor. Dan was surprised, as a suppressor wouldn’t normally be part of the factory package; but then, neither would three magazines.
    This particular rifle must have been put on order or layaway.
    He removed the suppressor from its packaging and screwed it onto the end of the barrel. He then returned to the accessory counter and chose a good scope, a boresighter, and a sling. When he was finished, he loaded up all three mags, put the remaining rounds in his pack, and admired his new weapon just as enthusiastically as Max had admired his.
    “It’s definitely you,” Drew said. “I love the paint pattern, too.”
    Dan nodded in agreement. The pattern itself was fairly season-independent. It was merely flat earth toned, with bark and moss highlights; perfect for use in any season.
    “It’ll go great with my eyes,” he joked.
    There was a sudden disturbance outside that drew everyone’s attention. The three of them rushed to the crumbled corner, peering into the shadows for its source. Though none of them could see a thing, there was the definite moaning and growling that signaled the presence of large numbers of shufflers—or the dead.
    “Shit,” Dan said, thinking of how they would escape.
    “Dude,” Drew said, his face showing a hunted and terrified expression. “That horde was going northeast wasn’t it?”
    The realization made Dan’s heart skip a beat, and the hairs on the back of his neck to stand up. Drew was right; the giant mass of undead and mutants was indeed heading in this direction. Dan had assumed they would head right toward Columbus, and they would never see them again.
    He was wrong.
    Max’s expression and breathing echoed his own concerns. The poor nerd was beginning to panic, and it wouldn’t be long before he hyperventilated. Seeing this, Dan grabbed Max by the shoulders and looked him straight in the eyes.
    “Dude,” he said calmly. “Don’t panic. We’re armed to the teeth, and as long as we don’t get cornered, we can get away. You have a new kickass rifle, and Drew and I have experience in this kind of thing. Alright?”
    Max nodded half-heartedly. Though he seemed to believe Dan, Dan himself wasn’t sure he believed it. But if Max saw the fear that he and Drew were feeling, his panic would take over, and the three of them would be doomed. He had to keep it together.
    “I can’t believe they walked this far,” Drew whispered as the chattering grew louder. “I wonder where they were going.”
    “I have no idea,” Dan said. “It’s a herd. They probably saw something who knows how long ago and just decided to follow it. I’m sure they’ve forgotten what the hell it was by now.”
    “Well,” Drew said. “Let’s not make ourselves their new goal.”
    “Right,” Dan replied. “We’ll just stay quiet and wait them out. However long it takes.”
     
    Though the streets were empty, Toni couldn’t shake the feeling of dread that had settled over her since the sun went down. The darkness brought shadow, and shadow always brought uncertainty. From what she had seen in the past, that uncertainty was usually accompanied by dark things that could creep into one’s vicinity, without them even knowing.
    The darkness always summoned the demons, as it were.
    Jake was sound asleep on the counter, wrapped up in his trench coat, and using his pack for a pillow. Toni had decided to take first watch—and probably second and third—as trying to sleep would be pointless. She would do nothing but lie awake, stealing away from Jake’s possible sleep time.
    She leaned her forehead against the