Decay (Book 1): Civilization by Linus Locke Page B

buried her face in her knees. She couldn’t hold back any longer. The flood gates lifted and she allowed her sobs to pour out.
    The exchange only lasted a few minutes, yet Emalynn felt like it went on for hours. Although she was very nervous around him, she never wanted to think she would need to fear that man. He used to be a nice man that greeted her pleasantly when she stopped by to see her father. Resting her head back on the windowsill she continued to watch for Bradley through teary eyes.
    Before closing the door to his office, Roger stopped to listen to the young woman cry. He had no plan. Although she was beautiful, he didn’t desire her sexually. He wasn’t even entirely sure why he left his office, but for the first time in weeks a thought worked its way into his head. The empty expression on his face never changed.
     
    Bradley stood watch at the bottom of the ladder as Guillermo made his way down from the garage. The darkness was disheartening. Even though the moon was shining bright, without street lights, neither one could see past the building next to them. The only advantage they have is the fiends do not care about staying quiet.
    “I should have asked earlier, but how many of these devils, fiends I should say, have you dealt with?” Guillermo asked in a whisper as they moved slowly between two buildings.
    “Only a few, counting the one in the park. You?”
    “Enough. The most I know is that they go down with a chop to the head,” Guillermo whispered confidently while making a karate chop motion to his own forehead.
    “I’m glad to have found you. It will be great to add another capable pair of hands to the group.” Not only did Bradley think he could be more than useful, but he also enjoyed the thought of having a friend. It wasn’t that he didn’t think Emalynn was a friend. Bradley just really liked the idea of having a guy friend again. Someone he could talk to about football while drinking a couple of beers.
    “I think it was I who found you, but that’s beside the point.” A cocky smile crept across Guillermo’s kind face as he said this.
    “And I’ll never be able to thank you enough. Through here.” Bradley led the way back into the clothing store through the front door. “We are coming back into the boundaries I’ve been gathering from. Over the past couple of months I’ve had to reach further, but not by much yet.”
    The clattering sound of an empty clothing rack landing on the hardwood floor of the store made both men instinctually crouch down and freeze in place. The metal clothes hangers scattered about. Guillermo dropped down onto his stomach and glanced across the floor. The small bare feet were lightly covered in dirt and dry blood. A faded pink dress fluttered just inches above the dingy ankles.
    Guillermo made the sign of the cross and kissed a silver crucifix that hung at his chest as his heart sunk deep into his stomach. “It’s a little girl,” he whispered.
    Both men had seen children of all ages roaming the streets through the past year, and the sight never seemed to become easier. Bradley had always tried to avoid any interaction with the children. He always waited them out as they passed by him. It may have just been in his head, but Bradley could swear the hint of terror and agony still lingered on the children’s faces more than any others.
    Guillermo, however, felt that their torment should be ended regardless of how much pain it brought him. He took no joy in what he had to do. It’s what he believed was right, and he wanted to live his life doing what was right.
    “I’ll do it, but never think that I wanted to.” The sadness cracked through Guillermo’s voice regardless of how strong he tried to stay.
    “Wait, do what?”
    “Put the child to rest.”
    “You can’t kill a child! We can easily move past her without giving ourselves away.” Bradley felt the tension in his stomach and thought he would be sick.
    “No. The spirit may still be