Free Killing the Dead (Season 2 | Book 2): Dark and Deadly Land by Richard Murray

he would set off up the hill after it.
    “What makes you think that?”
    “Why else would it be up there?” he asked. “Our route along the river wasn’t hard to follow and for something tireless and willing to walk all night…”
    “You think it’s that one eyed one from back near the island?”
    I looked at him as though he were insane as his head moved just a fraction in a nod. I honestly didn’t know what to say to him and was saved from having to speak, by Jonathan and Mary coming to join us.
    “Everything ok?” Mary asked as she handed over a large flask that I fervently hoped held hot tea.
    “Zombie,” Ryan said with a tilt of his head to the older couple. Jonathan followed his gaze and his face wrinkled as he squinted to try and see.
    “You sure?” he asked.
    “Why does everyone ask that?” he asked with some irritation edging his tone.
    “Be calm,” I whispered.
    “It should follow us,” Ryan said to the older couple. “Keep watch for it leaving and be on your guard.”
    “Aye we will,” Jonathan said.
    “You best get going dear,” Mary said and hesitated before adding, “When you get up there and find the navy. Ask around for our son. If he’s there, tell him we’re safe.”
    “Of course, we will,” I said as I reached out to embrace her. She was trembling softly as she thought to hold back her tears and I could only imagine the strength she must have to keep going when all of her children had been lost to her.       
    I climbed into the driver’s seat and pulled the seatbelt across my chest as I waited for Ryan. He pulled open the door and before he could even sit down, the Alsatian pup jumped into the foot well of the car. He looked down at in consternation as I stifled a smile.
    “Shoo,” he said as he waved at the dog and pointed to the ground outside the car. “Move mutt.”
    “She likes you,” I said and he grunted.
    “It’s not ours to take.”
    As if that would stop him if he wanted it, I thought.
    “You can take her lad,” Jonathan said as he watched the drama unfold and scratched his head as though surprised at her behaviour. “She’s no use for working the farm. We have to keep her indoors anyway.”
    “She’s fair taken with you,” Mary added.
    “Oh fine,” he muttered as he climbed into the passenger seat. He tried to shove her aside but she refused to budge and he was left with having to press his legs up against the side in a way that must have been uncomfortable.
    “Thank you for everything,” I said to the older couple. “Watch yourselves and be careful.”
    “You too dear,” May said.
    The engine rattled to life as I turned the key and then we were off. The couple watched us leave and I felt an odd worry for them all alone. I resolved to check on them on the way back to make sure they were safe.
    “It’s following,” Ryan said and I looked over to see him staring up at the hilltop to our right. A sense of unease moved through me as I considered the odd behaviour of the zombie. Feral or not, it was beyond odd and more than a little scary.
    At some point during the drive along the single lane road, the zombie fell behind and was lost to view. If it had followed us from the island I was sure it would be able to continue to do so since we only had one direction to go. I worried about what would happen when we had to rest for the night.
    Aside from that looming threat, the ride was almost pleasant. The sun was bright and the day almost warm, flowers were poking through the grass on the hills and the trees were showing new growth. Spring was definitely on the way and I felt almost at peace.
    We saw no threats along the road and after thirty minutes we rose out of the valley and into the hills, a short way through a stand of birch trees and then down towards the lake that Jonathan had said was named Derwent Water.
    I followed the road as it wound north towards the town that we could just see in the distance and as we came upon the occasional