Free Beautiful Death (Bella Morté Trilogy Book 1) by L. Dee Walker Page A

sense.
    The adjacent room was the kitchen. It was small but stocked: blender, toaster, oven, stove, refrigerator, and a little freezer, with a full sized grill on the deck. There was a snack section with quick, easy meals for those not wanting a big one; eating something heavy before riding the rollercoaster; not high on the suggestion list.
    Usually, the kitchen offered delectable mouth-watering dishes. A burger, hot dog, chicken, pulled pork, and ribs served up with delicious potato salad, coleslaw, French fries, tater tots, baked beans, and/or macaroni salad. Most of which were stored in the big walk-in freezer, or the pantry for the bulk sized cans, both still larger than the ‘offices’ downstairs.
    They were updating electricity for the campground. There was machinery digging up spots, littering the grounds where they tilled up the soil for underground cables, but until that happened, they were primitive. The only means of electricity and free Wi-Fi was at the main building.
    Johnny-on-the-spots were located in choice areas. There wasn’t running water, but instead a natural spring that ran all year round. Many people in the surrounding neighborhoods visited daily with empty milk jugs, staying long enough to fill them.
    Montana parked, stepping out with his rifle in hand. Turning to the people huddled in the back, he pointed at the building. “Alright, this is where we’ll stay. Justice an’ I are gonna make sure it’s safe. While we’re gone, you guys stay in the truck. It might be safer.”
    Rolling her eyes, Candice muttered under her breath, “Uh-huh.”
    Justice nodded. “No matter what happens, stay in the truck. It’ll be easier to find you. After all, you’ve heard there’s safety in numbers--”
    “Bullshit!” Erica interrupted him. “I had the most girls in any sorority and we all came camping.” She shook her head. “Numbers don’t mean shit. It’s who can get up the tree faster.”
    “I don’t see where--”
    “You don’t? I’m the only survivor out of my entire sorority. Why? Because I got up the tree faster, so save your speeches for someone who didn’t live through this shit.”
    “Well then, like so much for giving us like that warm, fuzzy feeling,” The one called Rachel said sarcastically. “Like we might be safer in the truck as opposed to like running around on the ground.”
    “Really? Well, they couldn’t figure out how to climb up the tree. You really think they can’t figure out how to get inside,” she slapped the outside of the truck, “here? It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure that shit out.”
    Candice nodded, slapping Zach in the arm. “See! I told you! There’s nothing safe about this truck!”
    Shaking his head, Zach looked at Erica and back to Candice. “You think her word is going to mean a damn thing to me?” He turned back to Erica. “You’re just full of sunshine and rainbows, aren’t you? If all your girls were like you, that must have been one irritating sorority. If you want to run around on the ground then be my guest. I’m sticking it out in this truck.”
    Montana sighed. “I know it doesn’t seem like much, but everyone will be safer. Trevor an’ Brandon’ll watch out, just listen to them. Don’t leave it unless ya have to. They have guns. If you’re here,” he beat on the inside of the bed, “they have a smaller area to guard.” He looked at the two men. “Keep watch.”
    Brandon saluted. “Ya got it, boss. We’ll keep ‘em safe.”
    Trevor turned, watching the woods around them. “Nothin’ will get by us.”
    Turning, Montana and Justice went into the building.
    Erica smirked, rolling her eyes. “Oh, I feel so much safer knowing,” she nodded to the two guards, “Itchy and Scratchy are watching out.”
    Brandon looked at her. “Negativity like that’ll get you,” he chomped his teeth, “everywhere.”
    “Well, don’t I feel lucky.”
    “At least we agree on that.”
    Zach concentrated on a patch of