Free Bird (Anna Series Book 1)

by Lee Alan

  She struggled, but without her strongest limb to add leverage, the effort proved futile. Her actions became more desperate.

  This is Last Chance Saloon! All passengers wishing to exit, please do so. Next stop: Town Oblivion.

  Anna’s fingers brushed against the sharp edge of another glass sliver. Instinctively, she grasped the shard, before turning it upward and jabbing it above her left shoulder. Tony howled like a dog, and then rolled off. Once again, the exhilarating thrill of freedom greeted her like an old friend. Clinging to the opportunity with all her being, she pushed against the floor and launched backward into a squatting position. He faced her, writhing among the debris, clutching at an eye socket dripping with blood.

  What now? Think! There’s a phone in here…‌

  She looked toward the landline caddy next to the cooker, seeking the familiar form of the handset. It was missing.

  Fearing that the onslaught could resume at any second, she risked another panicked survey of her surroundings. Julia’s handbag rested in its habitual spot beside the drainer. But seeing her sister’s possession only served to reinforce the overwhelming image of the pale, lifeless body. The world swam.

  No! Not lifeless. He said so.

  The sound of fresh movement disrupted her chain of thought. She turned to find Tony rising, with one hand pressed against his ruined eye and the other bloodied claw pointing at her.

  “Why don’t you leave us alone?” She sobbed.

  “Annaaaaaa,” the creature she’d once loved replied, beginning a deliberate, awful shuffle toward her.

  She ran for the bag and then reached inside, hoping to find Julia’s cell phone. Her hand grasped something solid. She removed the object.

  “You are…‌” Tony rasped. Anna turned, pointing the black barrel of the Glock toward him. “Mine,” he finished, before she pulled the trigger.

  The first bullet took him in the shoulder with such force that he spun like a rag doll. The second speared into his right hip, finally turning him into a crumpled, broken thing. His arms splayed impossibly, as if in a moment of unholy personal rapture. A single, glassy, blue eye continued to stare at her with sightless hatred.

  Anna dropped the smoking gun and ran from the kitchen to help her Big Bird.

  Epilogue

  With blue and red lights flashing the ambulance raced down the interstate.

  They’d already pulled over three times to successfully defibrillate their lucky passenger.

  “Be advised, base: ETA three minutes,” the driver called into his radio. “Patient bagged and remains unstable.”

  As a professional with over twenty years’ experience patching up the worst humanity could throw his way, he’d developed an instinct to recognize those who refused to leave this world behind, whether through love or sheer stubbornness.

  This one sure is a fighter, he thought, pushing on the gas pedal.

  ***

  The air ambulance raced through the darkening Arizona sky line, the technician raising his hands after finally giving up on a futile effort to save their patient.

  “Shit,” he murmured.

  The recipient of his treatment had suffered multiple wounds across the body and head. Considering the violent trauma suffered, it was a miracle they’d lasted this long.

  “You had spirit, that’s for sure. Most people would have given up by now,” he said, wiping the sweat from his brow before checking his wrist watch. “Time of death: six thirty‌–‌seven,” he called to the pilot. “Inform Stanford that the patient will be DOA.”

  Do you want to know what happens next?

  If you liked Free Bird, you’ll love Little Bird, book 2 of the Anna series. Out soon!

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