Free Forget The Zombies (Book 3): Forget America by R.J. Spears

Something was shared between them, but I was unable to decode the exchange.
    The moans came next. They seemed muted, but were unmistakable as the chorus of the undead.
    “What is that sound?” Mo asked slowing his pace.
    It was obvious that he had never encountered a large congregation of zombies. I wished I never had.
    “Keep moving,” the giant said shoving Mo along.
    As we got closer to the wooden structure, I saw strange emblems painted in red decorating it. Some were very cryptic, but there was one that was familiar. It was a simplified version of a Satanic pentagram.
    Robbie slid into beside me and whispered, “Did you check out my phone?”
    I nodded my head and whispered back, “What’s up with these people?”
    “They’re a cult.”
    “Yeah, I got that,” I said. Clint looked at the two of us and we shut up for a few seconds.
    “They started one way and flipped,” he said.
    “Flipped?”
    “I thought you said you checked out my phone.”
    “I did, but only a few pages.”
    He rolled his eyes. “They were a Christian doomsday cult, then they flipped to the dark side.”
    “Like Luke Skywalker going to the dark side of the force?” I looked to make sure we hadn’t met with any curiosity. “How does that happen?”
    “Hell if I know,” he said shrugging his shoulders.
    We ran out of real estate and were at the wooden structure. Getting this close made its purpose much clearer. It was a grandstand to look down into a pit. From the moaning and the stench, there was little doubt what the pit was filled with.
    At the top of the grandstand, there was a walkway with railing that had a break in it. Stairs on either side led up to the upper walkway. Below were places for people to stand on two levels below giving them a good view into the pit. These lower levels were covered with chain-linked fences to offer those on the walkway a safe perspective.
    Just as we got in beside it, Jeb mounted the right walkway and the men closed in on my group of people and left us little choice but to follow Jeb up to the top. The grandstand was solidly built and there was no sway at all. We ascended the stairs and were at the top in no time.
    None of Jeb’s men spoke, but seemed poised for something to happen. There was an edge of tension in the air.
    “Grant, I’m so glad you could join me here,” Jeb said not looking at me, but instead, taking in the expanse of the pit in front of the grandstand. It was a large pit at least forty yards across and maybe eighty deep. I would guess that it was around twelve feet deep and it was full of zombies. Their moans increased in volume and insistency as they reached into the air, clutching at us and clawing the air. It was as if wanting was the same as getting, but not quite enough as they teemed against the side of the pit in front of the grandstand.
    “What do you want?” I asked.
    “You’re here because we have something to offer you beyond your wildest dreams,” he said.
    “You know, I’ve been thinking a lot about that,” I said. “That scene on the highway was a bit too convenient.” I looked over to Clint. “What do you have to say about that, Clint?”
    Clint’s expression didn’t change, but he looked away from me.
    “That’s what I thought,” I said. “Your guys were too relaxed and those cars blocking the highway were a bit too staged.”
    “If you’re so smart, then why did you fall for it?” he asked.
    I just shrugged. I was trying to being nonchalant, but my naivete may have cost us dearly. Of course, they could offer us milk and cookies and send us on our way, but I didn’t think that was going to be the case.
    “You’re not here because of our ruse,” Jeb said. “You’re here because the Lord of the Air directed you to us.”
    Robbie leaned in close and whispered, “That Lord of the Air, that’s Satan.”
    “What was that?” Jeb asked.
    “Nothing,” I said.
    “I’m not sure it was nothing,” Jeb said, his expression becoming