The Rat Collector: A Dystopian Thriller (Age of End Book 1)

Free The Rat Collector: A Dystopian Thriller (Age of End Book 1) by Chris Yee Page B

Book: The Rat Collector: A Dystopian Thriller (Age of End Book 1) by Chris Yee Read Free Book Online
Authors: Chris Yee
Tags: Suspense, Science-Fiction, adventure, Fantasy, Action, supernatural, Dystopian
Someone has to look over Manny, after all.”
    Manny tipped his hat again.
    She nodded back. “Well, if you change your mind, we’ll save a spot for you. Both of you.”
    “Much thanks, ma’am. Have a pleasant evening.”
    Manny tipped his hat one last time and followed the Law Chief down the road.
    She continued down her path, following the road to its end. Around the corner, two houses down, she saw the Shepherd residence. It was a cozy, one-story building. Its white coat looked freshly painted. A tall brick chimney poked out from the roof. Plain square windows complimented the extravagant red door. She walked up the stone trail and planted three polite knocks. The door swung open to a young boy.
    “Hello, Saul. Is your mother home?” The boy wandered off, calling for his mother.
    Mrs. Shepherd arrived and greeted her guest with a high cheery smile. “What a surprise. It’s so good to see you. Please, come in.”
    Mrs. Vigo stepped in and slipped her shoes off before following her host into the kitchen. They both took a seat on the wooden stools, facing each other across the table.
    Mrs. Shepherd interlocked her fingers and placed them in front of her. She crossed her legs and tapped her foot against the leg of the table. “How are things at the shop?”
    “A little slow, but good enough to get by.”
    “I’ll stop by sometime. Your meats are top notch. Best in Rodin.”
    “Tell that to everyone else. Luckily, we have loyal customers like you to keep our business running.”
    “I wouldn’t even think of shopping anywhere else.” She switched her legs to cross the other way. “I don’t know how your husband keeps up with it, at his age. The hunts must be exhausting.
    “Vincent has been helping a lot. He brings most of our meat now.”
    “How is Vincent doing anyway?”
    “That’s actually why I’m here.” She leaned forward. “As you already know, his birthday is coming up.”
    “Oh yes. When is that? In three days, right? I’m looking forward to the party. Have you finished planning everything?”
    “Almost. It’s a surprise, so I need someone to keep Vincent away from the house while we set up. Saul’s a good friend. I was hoping he could take Vincent out for a little while, just to keep him busy.”
    “He would be glad to.”
    “Great. Thank you so much.” Mrs. Vigo shivered in her seat. “I’m so excited for the party.”
    “It will be a good time, I’m sure.”
    “I hope so. Vincent deserves to have a little fun. He always works so hard.” They both smiled in agreement. “Anyway, I should get going. Dinner is waiting for me back at the house.
    “Very well,” Mrs. Shepherd said. They both rose from their seats. “I’ll make sure Saul keeps Vincent distracted.” She walked Mrs. Vigo to the door and held it open. “Have a pleasant evening.”
    Mrs. Vigo left with one less thing to plan. The pieces were falling into place. Everything was going to be perfect.

NINETEEN
    ROGER WAS DREADING school as usual. Ever since the move to Rodin, he had built up a good deal of enemies. Nobody treated him poorly, they just avoided him altogether. He struggled with school work too. For Roger, school was a place of lonely confusion.
    He entered the classroom and walked to his seat in the back corner. When Vince and Saul entered, the only seats open were the two in front of him. They squeezed by to sit down. “Oh great,” he heard Saul say. “We have to sit in front of this loser.”
    “Shut up,” Roger said. “I’m the one that has your big head blocking my view.”
    “It’s no wonder you don’t have friends. Your parents probably can’t stand you.”
    This was true, and Roger knew it. The last five years in Rodin were the worst of his life. No friends. Irritating parents. He wanted to move back to Vassor but knew that would never happen. Slice and dice . Of all his classmates, he hated Saul the most. So when the insulting words left Saul’s mouth, his temper skyrocketed. “At least

Similar Books

Bright Moon

Andria Canayo

Sharpe's Gold

Bernard Cornwell

The Wyndham Legacy

Catherine Coulter

Jennie's Joy

Kate Britton

My Stupid Girl

Aurora Smith

The Land of Laughs

Jonathan Carroll