Afraid (2009) by Konrath Ja (Aka J Kilborn)

Author:Konrath, Ja (Aka J Kilborn) [Ja, Konrath,]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2011-03-25T19:13:43+00:00

"Now, Ajax. Then you'll get some Charge."

Ajax moved forward, and Streng's knuckles dragged the floor and bumped something hard and sharp. The Ka-Bar. He latched on to it and almost laughed at his luck.

"No playing around this time, Sheriff," Santiago said. "You're going to tell me where your brother is. Ajax, break his knees. He won't be needing them anymore."

The Ka-Bar Warthog had a thick, heavy blade, and Streng swung it at Ajax's knuckles like he was chopping down a sapling--hack hack hack--and the huge fingers released him.

Streng landed on his shoulder, rolled to all fours, and then leapt for the doorway. He took the stairs three at a time, moving faster than he had in more than twenty years. Miraculously, he made it outside without anyone grabbing or killing him.

His Jeep was parked less than fifty yards away. Streng sprinted, pushing past the pain in his legs, his side, his whole body. He dared a quick glance behind him and saw Ajax emerge from the doorway at full speed, fast enough to break through a brick wall.

Streng focused on his vehicle. Fifteen steps away.

Ten.

Eight.

Jesus, they're almost on me.

Six.

Two.

He hit the driver's side and reached for the handle, getting out of the door's way as he yanked it open.

"Charge," Bernie said from the back seat.

Streng tossed the Ka-Bar on the passenger seat, dug the car keys from his pocket, wasted two seconds trying to find the ignition, and started the vehicle just as Ajax slammed into it.

The impact jolted Streng, cracking his head against the window, bringing out the stars. With one hand he fumbled for the gear shift, and the other sought out and found the electric door lock. Streng manhandled the car into first and hit the gas.

A massive palm struck the front windshield, making a spiderweb mosaic out of the glass. The car lurched forward as Ajax's hand broke through, reaching for the steering wheel. The giant caught it, holding on and allowing himself to be dragged up the dirt road alongside the Jeep.

Streng sought out, and found, the Ka-Bar. As the Jeep bounced around and Ajax banged on the door, Streng stabbed at the giant's hand, over and over, the knife tip gouging bone. Little fountains of blood erupted, bathing the sheriff's lap. Streng stabbed hard, then twisted the blade. The fingers opened and Ajax released the wheel, his arm flailing out and pulling the shattered windshield from its mounting. Streng checked the rearview and watched the monster roll into the underbrush, and then his image disappeared because Bernie stood up from his seat, mouth open, his broken and bleeding teeth biting at Streng's shoulder.

Streng smashed down the brake pedal. Bernie bounced forward and flopped next to him in the front seat, legs in the air, combat boots kicking like mad. One of them connected with the Ka-Bar, knocking it from Streng's grasp.

Streng tugged the door handle and fell out of the car before he got his head stoved in. A ways down Gold Star Road, Ajax was getting to his feet, and farther, coming up fast, was Santiago running full tilt.

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