by J. B. Havens
Her teeth flashed behind an evil grin. Kelle was no longer afraid. Now she was the scary monster, the thing made of fear and nightmares that caused children to wet the bed and mothers clutch their babies tight.
“Tremble in fear, my darlings. It only makes your death all the sweeter.”
With a long, feline stretch, she stood and exited the barn. Her horde of undead children followed behind. A light breeze tickled her cheeks as she lifted her face into the wind, sniffing deeply.
“Um. Smells like breakfast.” Skipping out into the cold and snowy woods, Kelle followed the scent carried by the wind, humming a tune as she went. There were humans ahead and she could already taste them.
As the scent of the humans grew stronger, her zombies became more agitated. They bumped into each other, pushing ahead to be first in line, moaning and shrieking at one another. “Now, now, kiddies. Everyone will get a turn. It doesn’t matter who goes first. Oh wait, yes it does. I get first bite, of course.”
Sounds began to reach her ears, mummers of conversation, the clatter and rustle of a meal being prepared, and the crackle of a fire. Mentally commanding her zombies to stay put for the moment, she crept forward slowly. The flickering light from the fire reached her sensitive eyes, making her hiss through clenched teeth.
Crouching behind the cover of a snow-crusted bush, she peeked around at the ramshackle camp set up before her. A few vehicles were circled like covered wagons on the Oregon Trail. Too bad dysentery isn’t going to get you. It would be a better death that what’s coming. In the center of their camp were a fire pit, tables, and the run down group who had the misfortune of calling this place home. How they’d survived out in the open, in this weather was unbelievable.
Movement in the shadows at the edge of camp caught Kelle’s eye. Guards circled the camp, keeping a vigilant eye. One was drawing nearer to her position; she could hear the woman’s heartbeat as she stepped closer on her rounds.
She had two options here. Reveal herself and pretend to be the half-dead little girl she looked like or bring her zombies forward to attack. Their numbers would overwhelm the camp easily, especially with her in the middle aiding the slaughter. She’d take losses from her group, but they were easily replaced.
Keeping her eyes on the camp, Kelle reached out with her mind. She tugged on the strings that connected her with the dead and showed them what to do. They fanned out in the woods, flanking the camp so they would attack from all sides at once.
Then, she sent them in.
Gunfire erupted from the guards, but her children pulled them down and ripped their bodies apart. The number of undead was too great for the half-starved group of survivors. Screams ripped through the air, shredding the throats they poured from.
Standing and advancing into the melee, Kelle grabbed a fleeing boy by the back of the neck. His wide, bright blue eyes filled with tears and the front of his jeans became soaked with the evidence of his fear.
“Don’t worry, baby, this won’t hurt.” Not bothering to attempt a reassuring smile, she grinned with bloodstained teeth and laughed, “Much.” Biting into his throat, his hot blood filled her mouth and spilled over, covering them both. He didn’t have a chance to cry out before fading into death with a sad little whimper.
Dropping him so he’d turn, she waded into the remains of the camp. Groups of zombies had people pinned to the ground all over the camp. The battle, if you could call it that, was over in seconds. The screams died out and were replaced by the wet sounds of feeding. She found two zombies sharing the remains of a middle-aged woman, shoving one aside she took his place. As she fed, she took mental stock of her losses. Five killed in the attack, plus the boy who is turning. Not bad for a nights work. As soon as they finished here, she’d continue the hunt for that bitch, Molly.
“Run and hide all you like. I’ll be wearing your entrails as a belt soon enough.” Sucking down a particularly tasty morsel from the woman’s thigh, Kelle laughed and smacked her lips in delight.
“She’s tasty. Don’t you think?” The zombie next to her didn’t answer. Instead, its face remained tucked down into the woman’s soft belly. “Just need some guac and sour cream, and she’d made an excellent taco.”
We hope you enjoyed this free sample of Molly: Immersion, coming soon!
More from Muddy Boots Press
Green Sunday by Ryk Brink is a "zomedy" about what happens AFTER the zombie apocalypse wasn't really an apocalypse.
Amazon link: www.hyperurl.co/kcio3t
More from Muddy Boots Press
When a string of grisly murders rocks Easytown's sex clubs, Detective Forrest must stop the killer before he strikes again. The Easytown Novels, written by Brian Parker, are a sci-fi noir detective series.
The Immorality Clause, book 1: www.hyperurl.co/j3345s
Tears of a Clone, book 2: www.hyperurl.co/uiov23
West End Droids & East End Dames, book 3: www.hyperurl.co/ci4e9j
