[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
.Beyond this first tower there was a sudden spread in the distance between the cable above and the one they were walking on.The one above was now out of reach, making it impossible to continue in the fashion that Nikki had worked out.At least this tower was within the compound, the base only thirty or so yards from the power plant.As Jon joined Nikki on the tower railings, she panted, “We’ll have to climb down.Try to steal a boat.” She then began to work her way down the slippery rails.The night was so dark that there was no seeing the ground.They could hear the Fiends though.The chain link fence was singing its own tortured tune.They were perhaps half way down when there was a slight gentle yelp and tall skinny Loren Haymaker flew past them having slipped on a wet rail.His body hit another rail below them and then spun crazily in the dark until there was a wet thump.Big Patricia Gould was struggling valiantly to get her heft up the cable while bawling over her plight, her tears quickly swept away in the heavy torrent.Will caught up to her in moments.The angle was simply too much for her, and her feet kept slipping.Will goaded her, “Come on Pat.You’re a strong woman.Keep going.Pull yourself up.”Patricia stopped instead and simply shook her head while holding on with a death grip.There was no way for Will to pass her.He had to get her to move.He reared one leg back and gave her a hard kick in the ass.It was like kicking sand.She didn’t even flinch.He whispered loudly in her ear, “Patricia Gould, move your ass or you’ll kill us both!”Then both of them felt more than heard a buzzing sound in their heads – sudden disorientation – the sense that the infected were all around them – mud under their feet – grunting humans – strong smells.Patricia involuntarily let go to put her hands over her ears.She turned as she fell.Lightning struck and she locked eyes with Will before landing in a heaving mound of screaming humans.Just as suddenly, Will’s head cleared.“What the hell?” The roar from below got him moving again.Nancy Green was acrophobic.She had climbed up the cable without a second thought - fear of getting eaten alive overcoming any fear of heights, but now she was on the tower within the safety of the compound and she watched one by one as Nikki then Jon, Paul, Ingrid and David worked their way down.She heard rather than saw Loren fall; the sudden intake of breath, the sickening sound of flesh and bone careening off steel girders.Will reached her, his breath coming in great gasps, “Where are the others?”She pointed down without looking.“Got it.Patricia and Kathy aren’t coming.I’m last.Go.”“You go ahead, Will.I’ve got to rest a moment.”“Come on, Nancy.Get going.We’ve already lost two.”“I’ll be right behind you.Just please, let me rest a moment.”“I’ll stay with you.”“Will! Go!” she whispered loudly.“Okay.Please don’t wait long.There’s no time.” Without another word, he began to climb down.Nancy had decided to stay.She really was tired: tired of being afraid, tired of running, tired of being tired.The survivors below waited a full minute for her, but when the guard had stepped out of the bunker and headed for the cage - nearly walking right past them - they didn’t wait another moment.There was no choice but to move on.When dawn broke over Flagstaff Lake, those Fiends who weren’t feasting on or infecting the castle residents - or blowing themselves up by setting off mines - stared up at Nancy Green like ravenous hyenas.Her muscles were all one great cramp as she clung to the frigid steel, the sense of touch having left her fingers and toes hours before.The rain had tapered off to a light mist and she could see for at least a mile.The infected were everywhere.It was like watching a great migration as hills and valleys became black with tattered, hungry looking wraiths [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]