Free Dead Cold by Jr. Roddy R. Cross, Mr Roddy R Cross Jr Page A

fired a spray of high caliber rounds into the stumbling horde. Stomping the accelerator to the floor Roland let out a crazed laugh as the sound of exhaust and squealing tires filled the showroom; drowning out the moans of the undead. Cory gripped the door handle hard as the big truck smashed through the glass wall ahead of it and bounced towards the street quickly leaving the monsters behind.
     
    “So, where are we going?” Cory had relaxed his grip and Roland was lighting another cigarette the P90 resting on the center.
     
    “Somewhere safe, where those things can’t get at us.” Almost as soon as Roland finished speaking he saw the street lights start to dim and flicker.
     
    Block by block the power flickered and died until the entire city was dark the only light coming from Roland’s truck as he drove down the deserted streets keeping his eyes open for any movement. Cory had taken to staring out the passenger window at the dark buildings a testament to how quickly humanity’s greatest achievements could be reduced to empty ideals.
     
    Eve had fallen asleep on the back seat; emitting on the occasional whimper or kick of her leg. They reached the Yellowhead Trail and Roland found he had to slow down and maneuver around the abandoned vehicles as he wondered what had become of the previous occupants. The news had said that Edmonton had been lost and all major arteries were clogged with vehicles and people attempting to escape whatever was happening. Snow had covered the vehicles and ground around them but Roland guess there was quite a bit of blood staining the vehicles and the ground around them.

Chapter 13: How High
     
     
    They entered the downtown core and Roland saw something that instantly caught his attention; a dim light from the top floor of a high-rise apartment building. Slowing to a stop in front of the buildings entrance Roland shut off the truck and looked up towards the single square of light so high above the street. Shutting off the truck Roland opened his door. “Come on let’s go.”
     
    “Go where?” Cory removed his seatbelt.
     
    “To see whose still home.” Roland pointed up and Cory craned his neck to look at the tiny window.
     
     
    Grabbing their gear as Eve hopped out of the truck the two men headed towards the dark building. A honk from the truck made Cory jump as Roland locked the doors; the taller man turning to glare at him and Roland just shrugged his shoulders. Once inside the building Roland shot the lock off the entry door, the gunshot deafening inside the cramped entryway.
     
    Once inside Roland looked longingly at the elevator as Cory headed for the stairwell pushing the door open and looking up. Eighteen floors Roland thought as he walked to the stairwell shaking his head. It had been dark in the lobby only cloud covered moonlight for illumination but in the windowless stairwell it was darker than anything Roland had ever known.
     
    “Shit its dark in here.” Roland flicked on his taclight and looked up. “Well, this sucks, might as well get goin’.”
     
    “You’re telling me.” Cory clicked on his flashlight and the trio started up the stairs.
     
    The stairwell was warm and the winter clothes Roland was wearing just made it worse as he trudged up the stairs his boot steps echoing up and down the concrete square he found him self trapped in. After nine floors Roland sat down breathing heavily the sniper rifle’s barrel knocking against the metal railing with a clang.
     
    “I gotta stop; I’m way to out of shape for this shit.” Roland began digging in his pack for a drink.
     
    Cory took a seat next to Roland his breathing labored. “You’re telling me.”
     
    Eve came up to Roland panting and he tipped the wide mouthed water bottle towards her mouth letting her take a drink. When he was sure both his and the dog’s thirst was quenched Roland pulled out a cigarette and lit it smiling as he did.
     
    “Dude, you know that shit is bad for you.”