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

Dan’s moan was answered by Lisa’s.  They’re prey was gone, dead.  They moaned, in response the woman’s moan joined them from the floor.  Hand still clutching at the wound on her neck, the woman raised herself slowly.  The three fingered hand leaving long crimson streaks on the wall as she rose.  The three all stared at each other.  Their hunger burned.  They needed to feed.
    Blinded by fear, he ran, ran from the house, from his wife.  Those people…Those things attacked her, bit her.  Crashing through the underbrush he ran for the road.  He had just heard a car skid to a halt.  Someone was there.  He could get help.  Tree limbs smacked and slashed his face.  His legs protested.  His lungs seared.  Years of heavy smoking, fatty foods and watching TV took their toll.  Gasping he could see the taillights.  His chest burned, he couldn’t breathe.  Falling face first down the gully his heart gave out. 
      Three heads snapped up and all turned toward the door.  The skid of tires on the road not far from the house rang like a dinner bell.  They only thing that separated them was the woods and the creek and they would find what they needed... 
    Warm, living, food. 

Not all bad, yet…
     
    “Are you ok?”  Wes whispered.
    “Yeah...now.”  Beth hiccupped.
    Wes just held her for a moment rubbing her back and to her surprise he kissed the top of her head through her wet hair. 
    “Come on you’re going to catch cold out here.”  He said taking her by the hand and pulling her to the car. 
    They got to the door when Beth stopped.  “I’m going to get the seats all wet and dirty.”  She said with a sob. 
    “I don’t care.   I mean look at this thing.”  Wes said exasperated.   Beth shrugged at him.  “Fine, wait a second.”  He said holding up a finger and reached in the back and pulled out a hooded sweat shirt.  He held it out to Beth.  She looked at it and smiled.
    They stared at each other for a second until Beth arched an eyebrow at him.  Wes jumped quickly turning his back to her and closing his eyes.  Beth laughed as she pulled off her soaked shirt. She pulled on the sweatshirt and zipped it up.  It was warm and dry. 
    “I’m sorry.”  She muttered. 
    “For what?”  He asked confused. 
    “For dragging you out here.”  She sighed.  “It’s just that all Corey wanted was sex and...I don’t know I just thought he would realize that wasn’t going to happen.  I thought he would chill out and be cool. I mean why can’t more guys be like you?  You never try any of that stuff with me.  I mean they start out all nice then it turns out they have other intentions…”  She was rambling and starting to cry again then stamped her foot and swiped at her cheeks.  “That is enough, Beth!”  She chided herself. 
    Wes took her wet clothes from her hand then pulled her into a hug.  “I came here to get my best friend.  That was my only intention. ” He swallowed nervously.  “So, all Corey wanted was…never mind I…I don’t want to know.”  Wes muttered in a hurt voice.    He swallowed hard and handed over her soggy shirt.  She pushed her wet hair out of her face.  She gave Wes a smile and he inclined his head to the car.
    “He wanted it; he never got it from me.”  Beth stared over the roof of the car while she opened the door.  Wes looked at her and smiled.
    Closing the door Beth relaxed.  It was warm and she was safe.  Her legs were still cold but Wes turned up the heat for her.
                  “You OK?”  He asked. 
    She nodded, “Thanks.” 
    “So what happened?”  Wes asked looking at her.
    Beth sighed.  She didn’t really want to tell him.  She knew Wes hated Corey and this wasn’t going to help.  Once she started to tell the story, she couldn’t stop.  Everything that Corey had done, everything he had said, everything.  She had been keeping it to herself and it had been driving her crazy.  As she