Saint Death Read Free Page B

words slurring together in a gloating thrum punctuated by rolled tongue sounds. Hector began moving towards the barn in the distance, Christie's limp body still draped over his shoulder, her wild hair blowing in the gentle ocean breeze.
    Angel dragged Alexis by the arms once more but this time she wasn't going without a fight. She bit his hands and he screamed in surprise, before cocking back his fist and pummeling her in the face several times. It felt like being hit by a Mack truck. Alexis saw stars as blinding pain shot through her skull. She crumpled to the ground but Angel wasn't done with her yet.
    With a predators swiftness he sprung on her, his face a twisted mask of rage and unmitigated hatred as he continued punching down into her face, his hard fists driving her skull into the soft dirt with the force of each impact. She was drifting away, slipping into a blackness ebbing up from deep inside of her, beyond where his fists could reach her. She felt cold, a numbness spreading through her limbs, her lips quivering uncontrollably before she passed out.

Chapter Two
    Zack came to with a start, uncertain of where he was at first. He glanced out the window to see a rippling layer of ivory clouds rising up to greet him like a quilted comforter made of soft white fluff. He wiped the excess drool from the corner of his mouth and blinked his eyes until the world came back into full focus. He was on a plane. It was coming back to him in pieces. He'd slept through most of the flight, the steady rumble of the airplane engines lulling him into fitful dreams.
    I never sleep on planes, Zack thought, amused that he'd gone under so hard. It's why I always choose a window seat, so I can stare out while we fly and keep myself distracted.
    He felt unusually refreshed for such a short nap. He stretched like a child, reaching out with both arms and yawning loudly with his mouth open. The plane hit a pocket of air that caused it to quiver momentarily like a puppy scratching a flea out of its ear and brought him back to reality with an unexpected queasiness. A moment later an attendant's smooth voice came seeping out of the overhead speakers.
    “Ladies and gentlemen, we are now making our final descent into San José del Cabo International Airport. Please return your tray tables to their fully upright and locked positions. We also ask that you fasten your seatbelts for arrival and remain seated for the remainder of the flight. On behalf of the crew we'd like to thank you for joining us today and wish you a pleasant trip to your final destination.”
    Zack dug into his computer bag and pulled out his passport out, along with a form for customs and a tourist card. He vaguely remembered filling it out before passing out. He tucked the documents into the flap of his passport and slid them into his front pocket for safekeeping.
    “Rise and shine buckaroo,” an overly eager voice to his right said. Zack turned to see his childhood best friend Dave giving him a wide eyed grin from across the aisle. “You ready to lose yourself in a haze of alcohol and hot chicks?”
    Zack shook his head, his curly mop of unkempt dirty brown curls waving in front of his eyes. Dave held his hands up defensively as if to ward of the invisible cloud of gloom that had enveloped his friend.
    “I know, I know,” he said before Zack could protest further. “One thing at a time. First we gotta get through customs and over to the resort. Then we'll worry about the rest. This is going to be the best vacation of our lives. We're going to burn Cabo down!”
    Despite Dave's enthusiasm Zack wasn't so sure. The truth was that he wasn't really up to having a wild Spring Break party in Mexico but when Dave insisted that they go, promising to book them two first class tickets on his Gold Amex, he quickly found himself running out of reasons to object. Dave's parents had separated when he was a freshman in high school after it came out his dad had been having an affair with