The Hole — Chapter 1

A Novel of Supernatural Apocalypse

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Elliot sat on the front steps of his house and sipped a warm Dr. Pepper as he watched his neighbor drag her husband’s corpse to the curb.

She was short, dark haired — like a pixie. Her husband was fat and stiff and filthy. Elliot liked her look. He was used to her husband’s.

Setting down the pop can, still feeling numb at the horror his life had turned into, Elliot realized he’d come to assume he was the only one left. It was a shock that this woman was alive.

He stood and walked across the lawn toward her. “Need help?” he called.

She turned and stared at him. Elliot smiled and lifted his arm in a half-hearted wave. He said, “You want me to help you?” Now only a handful of paces away, he said, “Evajean, right? Your name’s Evajean?”

She nodded, the dead man’s wrists huge in her small hands.

“I’m Elliot. I live next door.” He looked down at the body. “Where are you taking him?”

“Away,” she said.

“Okay. I’ll help. If he’s too heavy for you, I’ll help carry him.”

She nodded. “Okay,” she said. “Yeah.”