Free Human Extinction Level Loss (Book 2): Substation (The Last Stand of Gary Sykes) by Philip A. McClimon Page B

one-track minded, bloodsucking parasites, whose only concern is-”
    “Gary!  That’s great but maybe we can talk about this later?” Beverly interjected.
    Gary had finished flipping the switches and had turned to Beverly and given the impression that he was going to take a while on his rant.
    “Right, sorry.  I hate politicians,” he said as the two raced back to the stairs.
    “One-track minded, bloodsucking parasites.  Sounds like there is not much difference between zombies and politicians,” Beverly said.
    Gary laughed as the mounted the stairs.  “Yeah, someone should make a movie where instead of turning into zombies, people get turned into politicians and the only way to kill them is to cut off their revenue.  It could be a political thriller,” he said.
    The two reached the top and stopped in their tracks.  They could see the truck where they left it just inches from the door, but pressed up against the glass were four Zombies.

Eight
    “What the hell do we do now, Gary?!” Beverly screamed.
    Gary stared slack-jawed at the door.  Beside him, Beverly gyrated. 
    “I mean it’s fine to want to help survivors, Gary, but that means We have to survive long enough to do it!” Beverly cried.
    “Let me think!” Gary shouted.
    Beverly jumped at his retort and Gary felt bad and tried to placate.
    “I’m sorry, Bev.  I’ll figure this out,” he said.
    He put his fingers to his temples, looking like he was trying to tune in a frequency in his head.  Beverly stared at him and expended all her mental energy trying to give Gary the time he needed and not just scream at him to hurry.  Finally, Gary’s face lit up and he snapped his fingers.
    “Zombies can’t use the stairs!” Gary shouted.
    Beverly gasped in relief and grabbed Gary’s hands.  Her relief was short lived as she failed to grasp the import that so clearly had impressed Gary.  He saw the look on her face.
    “On flat level surfaces, Zombies do fine.  They can chase you forever, but up and down steep inclines, inclines like stairs for instance, they are no good.  Whatever virus reanimates them doesn’t equip them with an advanced set of motor skills,” Gary said.
    Beverly squinted her eyes at Gary and shook her head.
    “Gary, how do you even know that?” she asked
    Gary blanched.  “Well, you know, it’s one theory, that has been advanced… in a lot of movies…”
    Beverly was a nanosecond away from ape-shit.  “What movies, Gary?”
    Gary shrugged off the question.  “I don’t remember!  But I think the theory is sound, and unless you can think of something  better—”
    “Okay! Fine!  What do we need to do?” Beverly said.
    Gary turned away, his tone much softer.  “Well, we need to open the door and let them chase me down the stairs,” he said.
    Beverly reacted like cold water had just been thrown in her face.  Her eyes blinked rapidly as she grabbed Gary’s shoulder and spun him around.
    “What?!” she screamed.
    “I will be able to run back up the stairs, but they won’t.  Then I get back in the truck and it’s off we go,” Gary said, offering a smile that he hoped would seal the deal but which failed miserably.
    “And what will I be doing while you’re playing mad dash with the neighbors, Gary?” Beverly said.
    Gary kept his smile as his last line of defense and looked at Beverly. 
    “You stand to the side of the door, and open it.  I’ll stand in front, distracting them.  When it’s all clear, you run to the truck and wait for me.  Easy P-”
    Beverly pointed a finger at Gary’s face.  “No, Gary! Not Easy Peasy!”
    She stormed over to the door shouting the whole way.
    “Not Easy Peasy, Gary!”
    When she got to the door, she put her back to the wall and with her left hand grabbed the handle.  Gary took up position in front of the door.  He felt the blood turn to water in his veins.  The reaction was immediate as the Zombies began to clamor and push at the door when they saw