Flu (33 page)

    McFall reached for the revolver, finding that his hands were no longer doing what his mind told them to do. Instead, they lay on the table. Useless, sleeping on the fucking job. His breathing intensified, his lungs almost collapsing with the lack of support from his weakening heart. He felt himself slipping away, even though he didn't want to slip away. He still had things that needed to be said. And he sure as hell didn't want to end up as one of those…

    His head hit the table like a dropped melon. The skin across his forehead cracked, but no blood flowed from the wound. His eyes closed, a last act of dignity in a world where anything even resembling dignity was rare as hen's teeth.

    But two hours passed.

    And then his eyes flicked back open again.

Acknowledgments

    I'd like to thank everyone who has supported my writing over the last couple of years.

    I'm particularly grateful for the ongoing support and encouragement of Ryan Fitzsimmons, Gardner Goldsmith, David Moody, Mai Coney, John McMahon, Hannah and Andy Nutter, Tariq Sarwar, James Melzer, Dr Pus, Patty Smith and everyone at Snowbooks.

    Finally, I'd like to thank Rebecca and Dita for their love, patience and belief in what I do.

About the Author

    Belfast born, Wayne Simmons has been loitering with intent around the horror genre for some years. Having scribbled reviews and interviews for a variety of zines, Wayne was delighted to release his debut horror novel,
Drop Dead Gorgeous
in November 2008 (Permuted Press). The book was received well by both fans of the genre and reviewers alike.

Flu
is Wayne's second horror novel.

    In what little spare time he has left, Wayne enjoys running, getting tattooed and listening to all manner of unseemly screeches on his BOOM-BOOM Box.

    Visit Wayne online at waynesimmons.org