Free The Last Five Days: The Complete Novel: A Post-Apocalyptic Thriller by Paul Seiple

Bozo."
    Dean laughed. "Now that's what I'm talking about. Let's have some fun."
    Dean stepped off the porch, tore off the clown mask, and started toward Winston.
    "He's coming, Winston," Melanie shouted from behind the Pinto.
    "Look out. I'm coming, Winston."
    Dean pointed the gun at the shrubs and fired. The bullet missed Winston's head by a few inches. He would have to peek around the bush to return fire. That was sure death, but his options were slim and disappearing with every step Dean took.
    "You know, Winston, I never liked you. You just have this look about you. Like you're smarter than everyone else. Killing people gets me off, but killing you will be damn near multi-orgasmic."
    "If you're looking forward to it that much, why don't we put the guns down and get to know each other on a more personal level?" Winston said.
    "Didn't I suggest that ten minutes ago before you went the coward route and hid?"
    "It takes me a while to open up. I'm a bit shy."
    "How many bullets ya got, Winston? And don't lie."
    Jimbo. The porch column, Winston thought. "Seven."
    "No fair. I only have two. Tell ya what. Let's even out the playing field. Lose six bullets." Dean aimed the gun at the gas can Winston left behind and fired. "I've got one. We'll each have one shot at each other."
    "I don't know, Bozo. How can I trust you? You're wishy washy. First you want to lose the guns and now you want to have an old west duel."
    Melanie screamed, startling Dean. He fired a shot in her direction, shattering the windshield of the station wagon.
    "You bitch."
    Melanie stepped out from behind the car. Winston emerged from behind the shrubbery with the gun locked on Dean.
    Dean dropped the gun. "You wouldn't shoot an unarmed man, would you?"
    Without hesitation, Winston shot Dean in the chest. He stumbled and fell on his back. Winston fired another shot as he walked toward Dean. This one hit him in the side. His body jerked. Winston stood over Dean. Melanie stood next to Winston. Blood trickled from the corner of Dean's mouth. He fought to breathe, sending red speckles into the air like a geyser. He coughed.
    "I didn't lie to you. I only had one bullet." The words were staggered between gasps.
    Winston emptied the Colt into his hand. He counted five bullets.
    "I didn't lie either."
    Winston put one bullet in the gun and aimed it at Dean's head. Melanie grabbed his wrist.
    "If I don't kill him, he'll just come back."
    "I know." Melanie wrapped her hand around Winston's, prying his fingers from the gun. "Let me do it."
    Winston let go of the Colt. "Are you sure?"
    Melanie nodded. Winston stepped back.
    "Don't think about moving or I'll bury a bullet in your forehead." Melanie closed her eyes and pulled the trigger.
    Winston took the gun from her trembling hand. "You OK?"
    Melanie smiled. "As well as one can be after nearly being murdered by her boyfriend."
    Winston looked at the can. Gas poured into the street. It was getting dark. There wasn't enough time to find another can. It didn't matter. The day was shot. With cooler temperatures, the food in the fridge might last another day. I'll get gas tomorrow , Winston thought. Tomorrow. Salk; that'll have to wait till tomorrow too. Winston was learning that setting these next day goals would be the only thing to get him through the night as things got worse. He looked at his arm.
    "Is it bad?" Melanie asked.
    "I'm not too versed in gunshots, but it sure hurts like hell." Winston kicked over the gas can. "Well, it's getting dark. You don't want to be out here much longer."
    "What are you going to do?"
    "I have to get home to Marianna."
    "Thank God, she's not sick. I was worried since I hadn't heard from her all week."
    Marianna was the first person to befriend Melanie when she moved to Black Dog. Both creative minds, they shared a love for the arts and yoga. Last week was the first time in over a year that Marianna had missed yoga. Melanie worried about her, but figured it was just a cold or