Free Zombies! (Episode 5): Sinners and Saints by Ivan Turner

bucks a head, that sounds like a good idea. But I ain't gonna shoot it unless I got to."
     
     
    With the gun in his right hand, he found a door that led into the building. The door was open as well, revealing a profound darkness within. Lodi shined his light on the opening, then quickly switched it off. The way ahead had looked clear, a small waiting room with some end tables and broken chairs. Everett took a step forward but Lodi put out his hand. They needed to wait and see if anyone or anything was attracted to the light.
     
     
    All the while, Shawn was thinking about just how stupid he was. He did not want to go prowling around in dark buildings at night. Hell, he was scared enough of the rats. He didn't need to have zombies thrown in on top. At his first opportunity, he decided he was going to get the hell out of there.
     
     
    Lodi took one step into the building, throwing his gun one way and then the other. Even Shawn, who had never even held a gun let alone fired one, knew that Lodi was too busy playing robbers and no cops. The way he was taking that doorway, leading with his gun and not his eyes, he was a sure target. Shawn clenched his teeth as Lodi disappeared into the darkness. A minute went by and then his voice drifted out, calling them and admonishing them at the same time.
     
     
    Once inside, the light wasn't so bad. It was darker than outside, which made it seem pitch black when just looking through the door. But stray rays of moonlight and street light came in through the dusty windows. Along the left wall was a reception desk. It was a squat thing, nailed down to the floor but clearly not part of the original structure. There were some papers on it but nothing more. Lodi was standing by it, pointing his gun into the gloom. Behind the desk was a door that led deeper into the building. It was also open. Everett switched on his light.
     
     
    "What the hell are you doing?" Lodi hissed.
     
     
    "I can't see anything," said Everett. "I ain't staying if I can't see."
     
     
    "Don't worry. You'll smell 'em long before you can see 'em. Now shut the light."
     
     
    Everett complied, but not before throwing a nasty expression onto his face.
     
     
    "I've seen 'em comin' in and outta this building," Lodi said. "I don't know whether they hole up here or the eatin's good. Either way, I bet we bag a couple."
     
     
    Shawn shook his head. Lodi was way too excited about this. Either he had no sense of danger or he was just crazy. Shawn guessed it was a little bit of both. Lodi had never been at peace, not since he was small. At eight years old, he was fighting the thirteen year olds and sending them home bawling. By the time he'd hit puberty and developed muscles of his own, his body had numerous scars and he was already giving up on school. Wherever he went he found enemies and tested their limits. Lodi had been arrested four times, all for assault, but never convicted. Shaw was sure he'd killed someone (at least one) but he didn't have any proof of it. At this point, he didn't know why he still associated with Lodi. It was a relationship that was going to get him into trouble. Or killed.
     
     
    Or eaten and converted into one of the undead.
     
     
    "I gotta piss," Shawn said.
     
     
    Lodi looked at him. "Can't you hold it?"
     
     
    "Sure. Right up until we meet our first zombie."
     
     
    Everett rolled his eyes.
     
     
    "Shit, dude. Take it outside."
     
     
    Shawn stumbled out the door, glad to be back out in the open. He really did have to pee, but he pulled his phone out first and started sending a text message. Hunting zombies. Angus Construction. Hurry! As he hit the send button, he caught some movement out of the corner of his eye. Instantly, he began concocting stories as to why he was on the phone when he was supposed to be relieving himself. Lodi was not someone he wanted to cross.
     
     
    But it wasn't Lodi.
     
     
    And it wasn't Everett.
     
     
    The zombie was right on top of him, a fifty