DEAD FACTIONS - the Zombie War Narratives - a Novella Read Free Page B

What would I do?”
    Thomas crosses his arms and begins to expand on the operation, “We were friends once...allies!” Corey understands he is getting somewhere but must act disinterested to gain more information, but not so disinterested as to upset the situation, “A lot has happened since then! You are not even... (Corey hesitates a bit).. .human now.”
    “Yep, I'm nothing more than a savage!”  Even though Thomas’ physical state impairs his memory at times, there is something he does recall. “However, I am a savage that can protect you while you continue your journey and possibly get your family back!” Thomas opens the restaurant door and motions Corey in.
    “No... MY FAMILY!?! How do you know anything about them?” Corey yells. This was not news he was prepared to hear.
    Corey remains steadfastly at the entrance as Thomas gives in and enters the restaurant first hoping to win Corey's trust. Thomas continues into the somewhat barren wood-finished room, dusty and unkempt. He turns and sits facing the entrance at a desk covered with scattered papers. With his arctic-mist colored eyes, Thomas follows the long dark shadow Corey casts into the restaurant until he makes direct eye contact with the human. Thomas offers more, “Your family is what you want most. I remember them. You were close. I believe I have located them, news I thought you would appreciate.”
    With some sense of mental exhaustion, Corey exclaims, “I’ve dealt with enough! I can find them on my own... Just tell me what you know!”
    Thomas is pleased that he has Corey's attention. “I suggest you come in. The grunts are about to eat. You do not want to be out there when that happens...they tend to wander.”
    Corey enters...Thomas stops him, “You’re going to need to shut the door.” Corey looks at Thomas as if he does not appreciate the direction, but he walks over to the entrance and slams the door closed with extra force.
    Thomas goes back to business and begins thumbing through the numerous papers laid out on the desk in no particular order. Corey approaches Thomas.  Thomas states without looking away, “There’s food in the pantry over there. Help yourself. I have no use for it. As you can see I have some intelligence to review before we leave.”
    Corey, not happy with the assumption that he is going anywhere quickly remarks, “We? Leave?!? I am not going anywhere! You were about to tell me more about my family.”
    Thomas looks up and smirks, “The intelligence on your family isn't complete. We have a stop to make before we get to our primary target. I will brief you on the way.”
    Corey slams his fist on the desk raising his other hand showing the drill. “NO WAY! TELL ME ABOUT MY BROTHER AND SISTER! NOW!!!” Thomas leans back in his chair, brings his hands together in front of his mouth trying not to smile ear to ear.
    “At Ease Corey! Please have something to eat.” Thomas stands and turns away from Corey and approaches a window. Corey has not eaten lately and needs food. He throws some food in his bag and begins to wolf down a jar of peanut butter. Thomas sticks his fingers through the blinds and separates them to welcome in the view of what is about to happen outside. As he continues to look out the window, he offers Corey more insight. “Your family is believed to be in a facility we are about to obtain... I will require your help to achieve this. My mind is not what it used to be since I became infected...it has become cloudy. I could use one like yours...to assist me.”
    Corey presses, “So, I have your word…if I assist you, you will lead me to my family.” 
    “Yes.”
    Thomas quickly changes the subject to the events outside. “I see the troops are feasting.” Corey approaches the window but grabs the strings to the blinds and jerks them to make the event on the other side instantly observable.
    Corey's eyes have not had a chance to adjust to the strange lighting in the restaurant. Dim in areas and