A Fallen Angel (Sequel to "A Kiss From Lucifer")

Prologue

Mac was almost there. But the closer he got to Merle's house, the more hurt he felt. Beth was in the same state as him, and god was he missing her. He felt his heartstrings tugging at the mere idea that Beth was so close to him, yet so unreachable. It made him want to grab another beer.

While he was glancing around the road for any sign of a beer joint, the radio changed from a boring country song to static. Mac glanced at the radio in confusion, and then he heard a mans' voice.

"This is the Center for Disease Control. Civil authorities in your area have reported that the bodies of the dead are rising from their graves and attacking the living. The Center for Disease Control will try to keep you updated as information becomes available. Do not attempt to approach or apprehend these bodies as they are considered extremely dangerous."

Mac stared in confusion at the radio, before it buzzed out and continued playing country music. Dead bodies attacking the living? What the hell were they trying to sell? The dead couldn't come back, even Mac knew that was scientifically impossible. The dead coming back to life...

It must've been a scam. The CDC was trying to sell expensive vaccinations for this "disease" just to make a quick buck. Classic government business. He shook the warning off and continued to Merle's, which wasn't that far now.

Mac pulled into the driveway just as Merle came out, smiling broadly as Mac trotted up the steps of his cabin. Merle lived in a cabin in the middle of nowhere, and the nearest populated area was the highway just 2 miles south. He lived fairly close to Atlanta, but that was about 10 miles northeast. But there was a smaller suburban area just a few miles east. As far as Mac knew, Merle lived alone. Mac was his only sibling, and Merle couldn't keep a girlfriend. And honestly, Merle preferred hookers over girlfriends anyway. "They're less clingy" was what Merle had said.

"There he is!" Merle called, his arms opened wide. "The man with the magic!"

"Yeah yeah, got all the ingredients. Now where's the setup at?" Mac muttered sourly. He couldn't take his mind off of Beth. She was so close, but he had no idea where she was. Even if he wanted to track her down and being her home, he had no idea where to start.

"Out by the shed. And hey, later why don't you and I go huntin'? Got a new bow for ya, if yer interested." Merle offered, gesturing to the crossbow leaning against the door to the cabin. It was a Horton Scout HD 125, and it was a beauty. Mac whistled softly. He had always had a soft spot for crossbows. Hell if he could afford it he'd buy one himself.

"Sure. Why not?" Mac mumbled, heading over to the shed with his bag of chemicals. Merle smirked as Mac went into the shed, finding that there was an entire set up just waiting for him. He pulled on his gas mask and got to work.

It took nearly all day, in which Merle had graciously moved all of Mac's things into the spare bedroom, but Mac finally got the batch done. Now all he had to do was let it cool, and by tomorrow they'd have a hell of a lot of meth.

Mac headed out of the shed and pulled the gas mask off, relieving his sweaty face and relishing the cool air. He took a look up at the sky, noticing that it was nearing dusk. Dinner time. He hadn't had a meal since Beth had left. He'd mostly just eaten whatever he'd found around the house.

He shook his head. Stop thinking about Beth ya dumbass! He sighed. He couldn't stop thinking about her. She was beautiful, funny, talented; perfect. And he had blown it.

He trudged inside the house, glancing at Merle, who was sitting on an old recliner sipping a beer and watching some football game. He glanced up at Mac as he walked in. "Hey there, lil bro. How's the batch comin'?"