Snatchers (Book 9): The Dead Don't Scream by Shaun Whittington

together."
    "What happens if they get in?" Karen threw the question at Harry Branston, who looked lost. He didn't look sure how to answer her.
    Vince said, "We can't leave. There'll be people that'll need our help. What about Rosemary?"
    "As harsh as this may sound..." Pickle began to speak, then cleared his throat, unsure whether the next set of words should be passing his lips. "If they do get in, we'll have to go. If there's any chance that we can escape, just the four of us, then we should take it. Then we can come back for the rest in the morning, or when the danger's passed."
    "I can't leave Rosemary and Lisa," Vince protested, shocked at what Pickle had just said. "And Stephanie has saved my arse more times than I can remember."
    "I understand that. But if yer try and be a hero, yer will die." Pickle then added, "Anyway, it might not come to that."
    "I don't know."
    "They can't walk upstairs. Can they?" said Sheryl.
    "They can't walk up the stairs like you and I," Karen began to explain, "But me and Pickle have witnessed them crawling up them. If they get in, we have to go. Simple. I think—"
    Karen had been interrupted by the sound of female screams, coming from outside.
    Vince looked at Pickle for a response, but there wasn't one.
    One of the screams sounded like it was coming from a young girl. Lisa?
    Vince went to leave the room, but Pickle pulled him back.
    Pickle gritted his teeth and warned Vince, "Going out there could put us all in danger if they see yer."
    "That sounded like Lisa."
    "How can yer be sure?"
    Vince gulped and hunched his shoulders. He wasn't sure.
    "Just sit the fuck down and do what everybody else should be doing: Sitting tight and waiting this thing out."
    "But there were screams."
    "Can you hear screams now?" Sheryl queried with her monotone voice.
    Vince listened out, but it was quiet and he shook his head.
    "Then they're probably dead now," she said coldly. "Sit down. I don't want to be supper for these fucks because you wanna save the day."
    "You can be a right heartless bitch, Sheryl." Vince snapped at her. "You know that?"
    "We need cool heads," Sheryl spoke with calm and combed her black hair with her fingers. "If you do anything rash, then you could put yourself and us three in danger."
    "She's right." Karen nodded. "You're no good to us, or Rosemary, if you become a meal for those cocksuckers out there."
    "Fine. Have it your way." Vince huffed, "But it's my fault that this has happened."
    "I told yer that I'd twist yer balls if yer blamed yerself again," said Pickle.
    "I can't help it."
    A smash could be heard from downstairs, and Pickle sighed and dropped his head in his hands.
    Vince went over to the window and looked down. "The sheer numbers on the front lawn are coming through the windows. They're gonna get inside."
    More smashing occurred, and all knew that it was a matter of time before they got in.
    "We're gonna have to go, but we can't leave through the front," Sheryl said. She then turned to Pickle. "We'll go through the back garden. That's the quickest way to the pickup, if it's still there."
    Karen also peered out of the window and shook her head in bewilderment. "Getting to the pickup will be more dangerous than leaving in it."
    More smashing could be heard from downstairs. They were in.
    "We may not have a choice," said Pickle, and pointed at the corner of the bedroom. "Give me a hand with that wardrobe. Let's get this thing downstairs. It might give us some time."
    "So, are we gonna leave, or what?" Sheryl asked Harry Branston. For some reason, the three of them looked at him as the leader.
    "For now ... no." Pickle rubbed his hands over his face and added, "Let's see how bad it gets, then I'll make a decision."
    Sheryl seemed angered by Pickle's reluctance, "And if the pickup isn't there by the time you make a decision? What then? The roof? The high school?"
    He never gave her a response.
     
    *
     
    With the sound of the dead downstairs, Stephanie Perkins went through