Tainted Reality (The Rememdium Series Book 2) by Ashley Fontainne Page A
Authors: Ashley Fontainne
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the gym without a word. They ran as though prisoners who’d just discovered their cells were unlocked. Those who’d remained split off into two groups as requested.
Turner looked over at his father, who stood rock still, his face beaming with what Turner knew was pride.
“Those of you drivin’ your own vehicles, wait until we’re loaded up and follow us. Deputies Bailey and Allsop will escort you out front, in case we have unwanted company hidin’ in the parkin’ lot. Let’s roll, people. Time’s a wastin’,” Walt said. “We’ve got to get situated and secure before night falls.”
Pastor Trent added, “Amen, son. Amen. Darkness has stepped into the light of day, and its ugliness will only get worse when the sun disappears.”
In minutes, the Humvees were packed with people and the caravan rolled out to the front. Turner went first, stopping to let Bailey and Allsop climb inside. Glancing in the rear view mirror, Turner gave the engine some gas and turned onto the road in front of the school.
A stream of vehicles, just like in a funeral procession, followed behind as they made their way through the streets toward their destination. Turner forced his hands to remain steady while driving past mangled corpses.
Wally World, here we come. Please, Lord, let Jesse and Chief Parker be ready.
And safe.
HARSH REALITY - Saturday - December 20 th – 10:46 a.m.
Ignoring the pain thrumming from the wound on her head, Regina raced through the aisles. Toys, dog food, body lotion and cosmetics whizzed by in a blur of colors and smells. In silence, she cursed her stupidity for leaving Susie with someone she hadn’t fully checked out.
If that girl dies because of my oversight…
The tread on Regina’s boots kept her from sliding as she rounded a corner leading to the sporting goods section. She heard Jesse and Kyle not far behind. Several middle-aisle displays blocked her view of automotive.
The visual impediments didn’t matter. Susie’s shrill scream pierced the quiet store. “Oh, my God! Nooooo!”
A dull thump followed the sickening, mewling sound Regina had come to despise.
Regina cleared the last visual obstacle and ground to a halt inches from the metal bars. Behind them stood Susie, a bloody tire iron clamped in her shaking hands. The terrified girl didn’t seem to be aware of Regina’s presence. Her laser-beam focus was on what once had been Mrs. Singleton.
The old woman’s blue smock was drenched in red. A large gash from the top of her head to the edge of her chin visible. The impact from the tire iron created a vicious wound, yet hadn’t stopped the old woman. She staggered back from the hit then closed the gap between the two with a weird, halting gait.
“Get away from me! Jesus, somebody please help me!” Susie screamed while taking a swipe with the metal rod.
“Kyle! Shoot her in—” Regina yelled.
Before she could finish her sentence, Kyle burst past her and stopped inches from the gate.
“Get down!”
The sound of Kyle’s deep, booming voice spurred Susie to act. She spun around and dropped to the floor at the same time. The tire iron still firmly clasped in her hands, Susie screamed, “Stop her! Please!”
Kyle raised his arms and fired two, well-placed rounds. Both entered the old woman’s forehead directly between her eyes. The velocity knocked her backward, blood and brain matter coating the highly-polished floor and counter.
Regina ran to the door leading to the stairs.
“Mom, don’t!” Jesse yelled.
Ignoring her daughter, fueled by fear and guilt, Regina kept going. By the time she burst through the door into the gated automotive area, she was out of breath. Susie was still crouched on the floor, arms over her head, sobbing uncontrollably. Jesse and Kyle had knelt down next to her on the other side of the gate. Bile rose in Regina’s throat when she looked at the destroyed mess formerly known as Mrs. Singleton.
Her body had landed on its side, giving Regina
Turner looked over at his father, who stood rock still, his face beaming with what Turner knew was pride.
“Those of you drivin’ your own vehicles, wait until we’re loaded up and follow us. Deputies Bailey and Allsop will escort you out front, in case we have unwanted company hidin’ in the parkin’ lot. Let’s roll, people. Time’s a wastin’,” Walt said. “We’ve got to get situated and secure before night falls.”
Pastor Trent added, “Amen, son. Amen. Darkness has stepped into the light of day, and its ugliness will only get worse when the sun disappears.”
In minutes, the Humvees were packed with people and the caravan rolled out to the front. Turner went first, stopping to let Bailey and Allsop climb inside. Glancing in the rear view mirror, Turner gave the engine some gas and turned onto the road in front of the school.
A stream of vehicles, just like in a funeral procession, followed behind as they made their way through the streets toward their destination. Turner forced his hands to remain steady while driving past mangled corpses.
Wally World, here we come. Please, Lord, let Jesse and Chief Parker be ready.
And safe.
HARSH REALITY - Saturday - December 20 th – 10:46 a.m.
Ignoring the pain thrumming from the wound on her head, Regina raced through the aisles. Toys, dog food, body lotion and cosmetics whizzed by in a blur of colors and smells. In silence, she cursed her stupidity for leaving Susie with someone she hadn’t fully checked out.
If that girl dies because of my oversight…
The tread on Regina’s boots kept her from sliding as she rounded a corner leading to the sporting goods section. She heard Jesse and Kyle not far behind. Several middle-aisle displays blocked her view of automotive.
The visual impediments didn’t matter. Susie’s shrill scream pierced the quiet store. “Oh, my God! Nooooo!”
A dull thump followed the sickening, mewling sound Regina had come to despise.
Regina cleared the last visual obstacle and ground to a halt inches from the metal bars. Behind them stood Susie, a bloody tire iron clamped in her shaking hands. The terrified girl didn’t seem to be aware of Regina’s presence. Her laser-beam focus was on what once had been Mrs. Singleton.
The old woman’s blue smock was drenched in red. A large gash from the top of her head to the edge of her chin visible. The impact from the tire iron created a vicious wound, yet hadn’t stopped the old woman. She staggered back from the hit then closed the gap between the two with a weird, halting gait.
“Get away from me! Jesus, somebody please help me!” Susie screamed while taking a swipe with the metal rod.
“Kyle! Shoot her in—” Regina yelled.
Before she could finish her sentence, Kyle burst past her and stopped inches from the gate.
“Get down!”
The sound of Kyle’s deep, booming voice spurred Susie to act. She spun around and dropped to the floor at the same time. The tire iron still firmly clasped in her hands, Susie screamed, “Stop her! Please!”
Kyle raised his arms and fired two, well-placed rounds. Both entered the old woman’s forehead directly between her eyes. The velocity knocked her backward, blood and brain matter coating the highly-polished floor and counter.
Regina ran to the door leading to the stairs.
“Mom, don’t!” Jesse yelled.
Ignoring her daughter, fueled by fear and guilt, Regina kept going. By the time she burst through the door into the gated automotive area, she was out of breath. Susie was still crouched on the floor, arms over her head, sobbing uncontrollably. Jesse and Kyle had knelt down next to her on the other side of the gate. Bile rose in Regina’s throat when she looked at the destroyed mess formerly known as Mrs. Singleton.
Her body had landed on its side, giving Regina
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