Scion of Conquered Earth by Michael J. Allen

Author:Michael J. Allen [Allen, Michael J.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Alien Invasion Thriller, Artificial Intelligence Starship Androids, Dystopian Coming of Age Romance, Republic Empire Contact, Science Fiction Space Opera, Space Pirate Adventure, Teen Privateer Exploration
Publisher: Delirious Scribbles Ink
Published: 2016-06-07T04:00:00+00:00

4: Capture

He rushed through the wall into the store, casting around for the straws he’d seen earlier but hadn’t needed. He grabbed a handful and rushed back to the bathrooms. Rather than turn into the men’s, he sucked in a breath and realized how pointless the clean breath really was.

He heard the snatchers near, calling to one another, telling off-color jokes. He heard them tromping on the roof. They’d find a way in, leaving him no choice if he wanted to survive free another day.

He edged around the bloated mutilated flesh, glad trod maggots didn’t scream. He unwrapped the straws and wrapped the papers around them to keep them together. He fit them into his mouth and crawled toward the rotting flesh, struggling not to vomit through his breathing tube. Three corpses provided just enough bloated flesh to hide beneath until the snatchers passed.

The thought sent him into convulsions. He spat out the straws and retched.

I can’t. Think. Think!

He eyed the door that at any moment might fill with snatchers. He pulled the knife and rushed the door, pushing it partially closed. He pressed the blade to the drywall, laying his index finger along the back of the blade to help cut through the easy-clean plastic wallpaper. He juggled the numbers while he slashed. Assuming the wall the same thickness as the men’s room, there ought to be just enough room between frames to squeeze behind the door in a way that no one should fit. The stench and bloated flesh would drive them back. They’d never look.

His knife sliced down and caught on something. He fought through it. A surge of electricity bit into his arm. He jerked back, losing grip on the knife as the lights all went out. A quick glance didn’t find the knife, but he’d cut enough. He grabbed the drywall, glanced out the door and threw it into the men’s room.

He rushed back behind the door, pressing his shoulders against the old insulation with the shovel handle held in white-knuckled hands.

He reined in ragged breath, trying for slow quiet breathes despite the sweet rot taste assaulting his tongue. Noises came from the store: jokes, curses and smashed who knew what.

He glanced left and saw his own face in reflected shadows.

He closed his eyes and held back the urge to scream.

Stay still or chance it?

He rushed out from cover and cocked the shovel handle back a moment before he realized just how much noise breaking glass might make. No time to debate, he shoved a hand into bloated flesh, dragging a handful writhing with maggots free and hurling it at the mirror.

He ducked back into his hiding place. Footfalls neared. He went still. Disgust and wriggling worms clung to his hand, but he fought the urge to wipe them clear.

A beam of light lit the room. It flashed off the dripping mirror onto the horrid tableau.

A deep chuckle echoed off the tiles. “Somebody tried to have some fun.”

A nasal voice answered. “Didn’t go well for them, though, did it, Burr?”

“Uncover your nose, Chris.

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