6th Horseman, Extremist Edge Series: Part 1 (44 page)

I take Lowell’s gun then lean toward his
tightened face. “I’m going to kill Cott. It’s the only thing I
think about now. I’m going to put this gun to his face,” I hiss
through clenched teeth and press my gun to Lowell’s forehead. “And
I’m going to pull the trigger.”

A bead of blood comes out of Lowell’s mouth
as he mumbles, “You have no idea what power is and you never will.
You’re an ideologue.”

“Not anymore. I see things more clearly
now.”

Lowell closes his eyes. I hear gunfire so I
run to the door and take the other man’s gun. I step over the
motionless body then ease into the hallway.

Moments later I find myself at the back door
to Eden’s administration building. There are bullet casings
everywhere, shattered glass and holes in the walls and door.
Outside there’s an acrid smoky smell that burns my nose. I search
for someone, anyone. The yard is deserted, so I run.

Someone yells at me. I turn to look behind me
when I’m tackled. An explosion goes off nearby. Potted plants
shatter around me. My guns are ripped from my hands then I’m rolled
on my back. He’s red in the face and yelling something. He’s going
to kill me. The man takes my own pistols and aims them at my heart.
Something happens. He flinches. Did he shoot me? Am I too far gone
to feel the bullet rip through my chest?

I see him look at his own body. He drops my
guns and staggers back. He pats his upper chest, then his shoulder
and then his neck. His hands find his wound as a river of blood
spews between his fingers. His dark eyes look at me then turn away
as he falls back.

I pick up my guns and run through an exterior
courtyard door. Another explosion goes off, but it’s far away.
Right now I’m away, I’m free. My elation makes me feel like I can
fly. Freedom fills my wings.

The thrilling conclusion,
Killing
Salvation,
is coming out soon!

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the Part 2: Killing Salvation newsletter here

About the Author

Anderson Atlas is a graphic artist,
illustrator, and writer who lives in Southern Arizona with his son,
daughter and wife. He loves to read, sail, hike and watch movies.
When it comes to his own books, he writes and illustrates them
himself, and he especially likes writing character driven stories
with fun and unique twists. He has written
The Lost Spells,
Missing Sun, 6th Horseman
and is currently working on
Killing Salvation
(the sequel to
6th Horseman
) and a
middle grade novel called
Allan Westerfield: Off-World
.

Copyright 2015 Anderson Atlas

andersonatlas.com

Published by Synesthesia Books

synesthesiabooks.com