Hard Contact by Chris Fritschi

Hard Contact by Chris Fritschi

Author:Chris Fritschi
Language: eng
Format: mobi


CHAPTER SEVEN

OUT OF THE DARK

“Holy crap!” hissed Tiller, making Red Man jump. “Someone’s alive in there.” He scrambled the short distance to the mound and grabbed the hand. The fingers snapped closed on his hand like a vice, making him wince. Gently, Tiller helped ease the person out of the dirt until their head and shoulders broke through the ground. It was a woman, but her features were hidden under her headscarf. Her breath came in ragged gasps, loud enough to worry Tiller they’d be heard.

She let go of Tiller’s hand as she scrabbled at the ground to pull herself free.

“Let me help you,” said Tiller, as he took her by the arm.

She stopped her struggling and went rigid, transfixed by Tiller’s hand.

“Come on,” urged Tiller. “It’s not safe…”

As she looked up at Tiller the moonlight revealed her face. His breath froze in his lungs.

The skin and muscles were sallow and taunt, stretched tight against her skull. Milky, lifeless eyes traveled up his body until her gaze centered on his face. Maybe it was his imagination, but for a moment her eyes glowed with craving.

Without warning she snarled and lurched at him. He fell on his back as he tried to back away.

“What the heck’s going on?” complained Red Man.

Tiller scrambled for his tomahawk as the woman broke free of the dirt and launched at him with incredible speed, slamming into him and pinning him to the ground. Her strength and ferociousness caught him completely by surprise. He quickly realized he was in a fight for his life.

“Get her off me,” grunted Tiller.

Red Man hurried over and grabbed the women by the shoulders and tugged. She didn’t budge. Red Man didn’t hold back as he clamped down hard onto her shoulders and yanked her off. She tumbled back, but before Tiller could get up, she was on him again.

Her face was inches from his, her teeth clacking and snapping as she tried to bite him. Desperate, Red Man unslung his rifle and slammed the butt stock into her head.

Anyone else would have crumpled like a wet rag, but the woman stayed up. Red Man’s blow must have done something because her head rocked back sluggishly. She wavered above Tiller and he felt her grip loosen. He instantly took advantage of the moment and kicked her off, scrambling to his feet and backing away. She landed heavily on her back, wheezing.

“Time’s up,” said Red Man. “We have to move.”

“This isn’t happening,” said Tiller.

He nodded towards the mound and Red Man saw others beginning to crawl out of the dirt.

“Mother puss bucket,” swore Red Man under his breath.

The woman’s gaze locked on Tiller as she pushed herself off her back and sat up.

“Shoot her,” said Red Man. “She’s going to get us killed.”

Their time had run out. Before Tiller could act, the guard returned from his patrol, and came around the corner. He stopped mid-step, spotting the small crowd and shouted in surprise.

The woman spun around at the noise, along with the five more people just coming out of the mass grave.



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