Free Werewolf Suspense (Book 3): Outage 3 (Vengeance) by T.W. Piperbrook

to the hall entrance.  
    "There's another adjustable wrench in there," he told Paul. "Grab it and start working on the other end of the table." Noticing Sven and Frederick standing impatiently by the counter, he said, "Sven. Frederick. Can you move the refrigerator? Try to budge it in front of the door where Rosemary's standing. Maybe you can move the table and put the refrigerator by the door, then put the table behind it."
    The men grunted and walked to the other side of the room. Tom bent to his knees and used the wrench to work on one of the bolts on the table. The bolt was orange and rusted; it barely moved. Tom gritted his teeth and tried harder while Paul worked on another one. Finally, it came free. He and Paul unbolted the table and took opposite ends, sliding it across the floor. The metal squeaked and protested as they butted it against the door leading outside.
    Across the room, Frederick and Sven managed to move the appliance in front of the other door. They argued while they worked. The consistent drone of the generator and the blaring music drowned out their voices. The song had changed to an easy rock number. The music only deepened Tom's unease. He pictured a slew of beasts outside, ready to barge in and consume them.  
    The beasts raged and rioted.
    Obviously the beasts knew they were here. Why hadn't they broken the doors down? He figured his earlier theory seemed plausible. Perhaps delaying the kills made their meals even more satisfying. Tom watched Sven and Frederick place the table behind the refrigerator.
    "Do you think the barricades will hold?" Paul asked.
    "It'll slow them down, at least. We need every advantage we can get."
    Having finished with their tasks, Frederick and Sven walked over to join the others. "So what do you say, Tom? Are you going to hand out those extra pistols?" Frederick asked.
    Tom dusted off his pants. He studied the others. "Have any of you fired a gun?"
    Frederick and Sven shook their heads. Sherry didn't respond. After a pause, Paul spoke up, his voice surprisingly calm and even.  
    "I have," he said. "My cousins were in the service."
    "Are you a good shot?"
    "Yessir. But it's been a while. I was supposed to join the service, but I busted my knee in high school, and it hasn't been the same since."
    Tom stared at the man, taking in his calm demeanor, trying not to envision him turning into one of the beasts. Then he glanced at Sven and Frederick, whose eyes still blazed with anger. What if the men turned on each other? Neither had fired a gun before. The prospect of arming any of them seemed not only dangerous, but irresponsible.  
    At the same time, Tom couldn't hoard the weapons. The survivors deserved to defend themselves. He needed help.
    "Rosemary, give Paul your spare pistol."
    Rosemary pulled it out and handed it over. She kept hold of her rifle. Paul nodded as he inspected the weapon. True to his word, he seemed comfortable with the piece.
    "I have one extra," Tom said.
    "I should get it," Sven said definitively.  
    "I don't think so," Frederick argued. "It should be me."
    Tom looked the men up and down. Sven's eyes were red and bloodshot. Frederick seemed slightly more composed. Tom's gaze stopped on Frederick.  
    "I'm a quick learner," Frederick piped up. "I'll do whatever you say."
    Sensing Tom's decision, Sven threw up his hands. "What the fuck? You're going to give that piece of shit a gun? Are you serious? He doesn't know anything."
    "Whoever doesn't have a weapon can grab hammers, screwdrivers, whatever you want from the toolbox," Paul suggested. "We can rally together."
    "Fuck this," Sven spat. "I don't need your tools. I don't need any of you."
    "Why don't you calm down, man?" Frederick suggested. "You're not helping."
    Sven barged over to Frederick, his eyes dark with rage, jabbing a finger in the black man's chest. Frederick puffed up and raised his fists. They bumped arms and stared at each other.
    "You've been talking shit all night. I'm getting