West of Dead a Nathaniel Caine Adventure by Eric Bahle

Author:Eric Bahle
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Published: 2012-05-30T06:00:00+00:00

The Promised Land

Caine drove the horses without mercy. He kept them at the gallop until he could no longer see the orange glow of the burning station house over his shoulder. Only then did he let them slow to a more reasonable pace.

Caine's head swiveled back and forth, searching for the unholy monsters. At first, he saw several on the road, or shambling along in the rocky brush land. Their numbers thinned as they pulled away from the way station, and eventually he thought they were relatively safe from attack. He reined in the horses and looked around.

The moon was high and bright and gave a fair amount of light, enough to see enemies approaching. Yet these were not ordinary enemies. The land was rising and growing hillier, cut with gullies, and the trees were growing larger and closer together. Plenty of shadowy places to move concealed and come on travelers unawares.

Caine stopped anyway and climbed down from the bench. They would rest for a bit and he would trust to the horses to warn him. They seemed to react to the unnatural beasts strongly, perhaps the stench of decay spooked them. Whatever the danger, it was time for some palaver.

"What are we stopping for?" Sweeney asked through the window.

Caine pulled open the door and Sweeney looked at him like he was mad. Caine looked around the cab.

"Johnson?"

Sweeney crossed himself.

"Didn't make it," Lucas said and stepped out of the coach followed by Chasseur. The others seemed more than willing to stay in the stage. "Why are we stopping Caine?"

"Yes," Abercrombie said, his voice weak, "we should get to the Promised Land quickly. We'll be safe there."

"Will we?" said Caine. "I wonder."

He looked at Chasseur, but the man's face remained impassive as always.

"What do you mean?" Lucas said. "Prophet or not, this colony is the closest. Maybe we can warn folk. Make some barricades."

"You're assuming we're running away from the zombie's," Caine said.

"We Goddamn well better be," Sweeney squeaked.

Lucas watched Caine and Chasseur. Something was passing between them. Lucas was struck by how alike they seemed. Despite the different race, they had a similar bearing, slow speech and hawkish eyes. However quiet their manners, both men had proven cat quick for action.

"What are you sayin, Caine?" Lucas said.

"I'm saying the zombies had to come from somewhere," Caine said. "Even if the people at the way station fell victim to this bokor, that's only five men and perhaps the passengers. We were attacked by at least fifty, maybe more. Where did they come from?"

"You are quite right, Monsieur Caine," Chasseur said. "I believe they came from this colony."

"Jesus wept!" croaked Sweeney.

Lucas rounded on Chasseur, though he had to look up at the taller man.

"Why the hell would you take us into more of...that? Are you tryin to kill us all?"

"They must be destroyed," Chasseur said.

"I agree," Caine said, "but we have the girl and a wounded man. We should get them to safety first. I cannot speak for Mr. Lucas or Mr. Sweeney, but I will help you destroy these creatures.

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