Werewolf Suspense (Book 3): Outage 3 (Vengeance) Read Free

toward it.
    In the flashlight's glow, he saw a single metal lock holding the chest shut. He stuck the light in the crook of his arm, turned the rifle around, and bashed the lock, trying to make quick work of it. The noise echoed through the basement. Tom cringed, but heard no repercussions to his action. He raised the gun and struck the lock again, breaking it open. He removed the lock and threw open the chest.  
    His eyes widened.  
    Mark hadn't been lying.
    What he found wasn't what he'd expected, but it was more than he had hoped. The chest contained two pistols, another rifle, and numerous boxes of ammunition. He opened one of the boxes. Silver bullets glinted in the flashlight's gleam. He thanked whatever God had gotten him here safely. Tom removed each of the guns, imagining Colton's state of mind as he'd purchased them. He probably thought they'd benefit him and his brother, but Mark hadn't listened.
    And now both Mark and Colton were dead. Tom swallowed.
    He had just enough time to check that the weapons were loaded before a crash echoed from somewhere above him. The beasts were coming. Tom swiveled his rifle at the stairs, almost dropping the flashlight. He groped for the switch, found it, and clicked it off.
    The basement suddenly felt colder, more closed off than before. Weapons or not, Tom was far from safe. The door at the top of the stairs was locked, but the door was flimsy protection. Once the creatures bashed into it—
    The crash came again.
    It was coming from the side of the house where he'd entered.  
    Tom pictured the beasts inhaling his smell, salivating with hunger. He tucked both pistols in his jacket, kept hold of his rifle, and felt his way along the wall to the stairs. Aside from a few small windows, the door was the only entrance and exit. The basement was hardly the stronghold he'd envisioned.  
    But it would work. He'd make it work.
    The next crash was accompanied by the hungry panting of creatures and the sound of paws scratching the house's exterior. The kitchen door caved. Tom gritted his teeth as it slammed against the wall and the creatures entered the house.
    Feet scampered through the upstairs. Nails dragged over hardwood; whines and growls filled the rooms. The creatures plowed their way through Colton's belongings. He listened as they searched room to room, performing the same ritual he'd carried out moments earlier. The creatures snarled as they tripped over one another, fighting for the first taste of flesh.  
    And then they were at the cellar door. Tom swallowed as one of them pressed against the wood, giving it a tentative swipe. They'd found him.  
    Just like they did at his house.  
    Just like they did at the machine shop.  
    The difference was, this time Tom wasn't going to wait for them to attack. Tom aimed the rifle at the door and fired.

Chapter Three

    Tom squeezed off two shots, listening to a high-pitched yelp as one of the things fell on the other side of the door. Another took its place, tearing at the wood until the door crashed inwards.
    Tom fired again, using his memory of the layout and the commotion of the creatures to guide him. Another wounded bray emanated from above him, and something tumbled down the stairs. Tom heard the irregular thump of a body bouncing off the wooden steps and coming to rest. Tom fired several more rounds into the darkness where it had landed, bent on destroying the thing. He backed against the wall. He flicked on the flashlight.
    The creature was dead. Its mouth was agape in a last guttural growl, its chest open and gushing blood. He aimed the light up the stairs, following the path of its descent, and located its companion. The other beast lay dead at the top landing.
    Holy shit.
    Tom exhaled and lowered the gun. He listened. With the creatures disposed of, an eerie calm settled over the house. Soft snow pattered against the upstairs windows; from somewhere outside, he heard the station wagon purring gently. He studied the beast on