Respect for the Dead (Surviving the Dead Book 1) Read Free

up his sister.  He had never liked Corey and was very vocal about her choice of dating him.”
    “Still an option,” She thought.  “Maybe for tomorrow.”  She decided on Wes.  
    She prayed he wasn’t too angry with her for going to the movies with Corey instead of him.  She took a deep breath as she remembered the excitement they both had about the movie.  Then she remembered the look on his face when she told him she was going to opening night with Corey instead of him. 
    “Yeah, hey cool, maybe we can see it some other time.”  He had said in a too cheery way that told her he was highly pissed.
    She cringed at that and several other things she had done, including but not limited to, ignoring him at school and laughing as Corey’s friends made fun of Wes.  She really hadn’t been much of a friend to him since she started dating Corey.
    Shaking the memories from her mind, she opened her phone and placed the call.  She feared he wouldn’t answer. 
    The phone rang and rang again, “Maybe he had a date tonight.   Maybe he was at the movie.”   The thought caused her stomach to tighten.  She realized it wasn’t because she might have to walk home or call her brother.   
    Wes finally answered, “Hey, didn’t expect to hear from you.  What’s up?”  He asked.  She could hear the concern yet coolness in his voice.
    “I…Wes…I need a ride.  Can you come get me?”  She asked, wincing as she did.  She knew he was going to be upset.
    “Yeah, sure.  Where are you? You OK?”  He asked quickly.  He knew she was out with Corey. 
    “I’m out at Troll Bridge.”  She said with a sigh. 
    She waited, silence, and then, “Why are you out there ?”  His voice was strained. 
    “Listen, it wasn’t my i dea can you please just come get me?”  She replied slightly angry.
    “What happened?  Do I need to bring Corey some gas?”  He sneered the name. 
    “Nooo.”  Her anger began to bubble up again.  Taking another steadying breath, Beth hesitated then explained, “No…he…Well, he sorta left me here.” 
    “WHAT?  ALONE?  What the hell?”  She knew Wes was now upset and she hated when he got all worked up. “I’ll be there in ten minutes.”  He said and she heard him rushing and keys jingling. 
    “Ten minutes, Wes?  Really?”  She laughed.  He would have to do a hundred miles an hour to get there in ten minutes. 
    “Stay on the phone so I know you are OK.”  He demanded.  She stood in the middle of the road listening as the engine on Wes’ third hand car struggled to life.  She shook her head as Wes urged the car to start.  Beth could almost see Wes as he gave a whoop when the engine finally engaged.   
    “Wes, I’m almost to the bridge.  Honk when you get here.  I’ll be by that tree with the big hole in it. You remember the one you said a gnome lived in.” She sighed as a tear ran down her face. 
    “Beth, I said stay on the phone so I know you are OK.”  He said angrily. 
    “Wes, you can’t shift and talk.  I’ve seen you drive without distractions.  Be safe and come to my rescue.”  She tried to joke.
    “Fine!  I’ll hang up but you have to text me every minute then.”  He growled.  She could tell he was already having trouble driving and talking. 
    “OK”, she conceded and heard the phone drop.  Wes swore, and then hung up.
    She stood in the middle of the road trying to figure out what she did to deserve this.
    “Corey is such a dick.”  She berated herself, “What were you thinking?”  
    Somewhere off in the distance she heard the moan of the trees in the breeze, the cry of a hawk or maybe it was a cat.  Beth wrapped her arms around her shoulders and nervously stared into the darkness.  She heard the weird cry again.  She couldn’t tell where it came from.  With shaking fingers she scrolled to Wes’ number and chastised herself. 
    “It’s only an animal, nothing to worry about.”  She told herself and