The Rising: Author's Preferred Edition by Brian Keene

Author:Brian Keene [Keene, Brian]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: Deadite Press
Published: 2013-09-03T07:00:00+00:00

Fourteen

Coasting along the turnpike, Baker considered their options. There was a shopping mall just off the next exit, a few miles down the highway. They could probably find supplies there: food, clothing, weapons—but after further consideration, he finally decided against it. The shopping mall was located on the edge of a sprawling suburban area, and it was bound to be heavily populated. The farther he and Worm could get away from towns, the better off they would be. Still, the wilds presented a problem, as well. While remote, rural areas had less of a human population, there were more undead animals there to worry about.

In the passenger seat, Worm cooed happily to himself, engrossed in a children’s book called Self the Kitty that he’d found in the home they’d sheltered in last night. A stack of similar books were lying in the backseat—everything from Curious George to Clifford the Big Red Dog.

Baker gave him a sidelong glance and smiled, then turned his attention back to the road. It would be easier without Worm, of course. Baker hated himself for thinking that, but the analytical portion of his brain kept reminding him of it. Besides, what if something happened to Baker? What would become of his young charge, then? Cold, rational thought dictated that it would be an act of kindness to kill him while he slept. Better than leaving him alone to face the terrors of this new world. He could never do that, though. He felt responsible for Worm. Who was he kidding? He wasn’t an assassin—some ruthless, emotionless killer.

Sure you are, said the voice in his head—which sounded not unlike that of Ob. You killed the world, Baker. You’re a murderer. The greatest mass-murderer in history!

He mentally shrugged the voice away, and focused on their current dilemma. Towns were out. The wilderness was out. What did that leave? An island, perhaps? There were islands scattered along the Susquehanna River, but they presented the same problem as the mountains or forests, only on a smaller scale. How about a rural farmhouse, removed from the rest of civilization? No, that didn’t provide any more security than the wilderness. A small plane or a helicopter might be nice, like in that zombie movie he’d seen years ago. But even if he knew how to pilot one (which he didn’t), where would they go after they went up? In the movie, the survivors had gone to a shopping mall.

Which brought him back to square one.

A billboard caught his attention.

INDIAN ECHO CAVERNS—EXIT 27—TEN MILES

He arched his eyebrows. A cave! He’d taken his visiting niece and nephew to the attraction several years before. He mulled over the possibilities—a deep, underground location, hidden from prowling eyes. It only had one entrance and exit, so it was easily guarded. Perhaps most importantly, it was completely devoid of life—a tourist trap without the bats and other cave-dwelling creatures. It could work. At least for now. At this point, anything was better than driving down the wide-open Pennsylvania Turnpike in a bright red Hyundai.

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