Contamination: Dead Instinct (Contamination Post-Apocalyptic Zombie Series) Read Free Page A

locate their attackers.  
    As he snuck along, he fought back the image of David's exploding head. Since leaving Oklahoma, he and Roberta had seen some awful things—things they'd never forget—and now this incident had been added to the memories. He wanted nothing more than to flee the liquor store, to get his wife to the car and leave.
    But he knew these men wouldn't rest until they were dead.
    Ken reached the edge of the counter and peered around, keeping his body low to the ground. He'd never been a violent man. Up until a week ago, he'd never even struck anyone. He'd owned a rifle when he was younger—a .22—but it'd been years since he'd fired a weapon.  
    The infection had changed everything.
    In just a week, he'd gone from elementary school groundskeeper to survivor, and things hadn't been the same since. Gone were the nights of home-cooked meals and relaxing in front of the television. Gone were the days of sitting on the porch with Roberta, watching the sun set over the distant hills. Now the only sunsets they saw were from the back of the station wagon, hoping they'd escape the infection, praying that they'd avoid the violent whims of other survivors.
    Praying they'd find their son.
    Isaac had moved to Phoenix six months ago. For the past four days, Ken and Roberta had been crossing the Midwest to get to him. And now these men were trying to cut their journey short, for no reason other than their own sadistic enjoyment.
    The thought filled Ken with rage, and it gave him a renewed sense of determination, a will to survive what they were up against.
    He wanted everything back the way it was, dammit. He wanted his family safe and together, and back in Oklahoma. He'd do anything to make that happen.
    We're coming, Isaac.
    He gritted his teeth with resolve. In the front of the store, he caught a glimpse of army pants, the fabric of a black T-shirt. He aimed his gun at the shelf, ready to pull the trigger as soon as the man came into view.
    But he never got the chance.
    Before Ken could act, a man tackled him to the ground, and the blade of a knife pricked his throat.

Chapter Four

    Isaac was light-headed again. He'd been trying to control his breathing for what felt like an eternity, and even still, he was running out of strength. The heat from the enclosed space felt like it was closing in, threatening to choke the life from his weakened body.  
    His instincts screamed at him to get out of the trunk. The only thing stopping him was the constant banging of the creatures. Not only were they still there, they seemed to be growing in number. He only had a vague sense of how many there were, but based on the groans, he guessed there were a lot.
    More than enough to rip him limb from limb. More than enough to unravel his intestines with their teeth and gnaw on his bones. He clenched his eyes shut and tried to dispel the image, but it was one he'd seen too many times. Of course, that was back when there'd been more survivors left. Back when there'd been hope.
    It'd been almost a week since the start of the infection.
    Ever since, days had felt like weeks, and each horror had seemed worse than the last. The altercation with his roommate had only reinforced his decision to leave the apartment. Of course, now he found himself wishing he'd stayed.  
    Even death by starvation seemed preferable to this.  
    He could feel himself succumbing to claustrophobia, could feel his muscles and limbs crying out from holding the same position. Even when he moved, there was nowhere to go, no way to fully stretch.  
    His body begged for a reprieve.
    Without realizing it, he unclasped his hands, reaching for the latch that would spring him from the trunk. If he could just get some air, relieve some of the heat...
    He was halted by the sound of gunfire.
    Short, intermittent bursts erupted from somewhere outside, and he heard the sound of bodies hitting the pavement. One of the creatures shrieked above him, and nails skidded off the