10 Days

By Aaron Abilene

 A murderous monster manipulates a lonely prison guard into helping him escape.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Aaron Abilene
• Release date: Feb 8, 2024
• ISBN: 9798223184386

Book preview

10 Days

Aaron Abilene

Published by Aaron Abilene, 2024.

This is a work of fiction. Similarities to real people, places, or events are entirely coincidental.

10 DAYS

First edition. February 8, 2024.

Copyright © 2024 Aaron Abilene.

ISBN: 979-8223184386

Written by Aaron Abilene.

Also by Aaron Abilene

505

505: Resurrection

Balls

Dead Awake (Coming Soon)

Before The Dead Awake (Coming Soon)

Carnival Game

Full Moon Howl

Donovan

Shades of Z

Deadeye

Deadeye & Friends

Cowboys Vs Aliens

Ferris

Life in Prescott (Coming Soon)

Afterlife in Love (Coming Soon)

Island

Paradise Island

The Lost Island

The Lost Island 2

The Lost Island 3

The Island 2

Pandemic

Pandemic (Coming Soon)

Prototype

The Compound

Slacker

Slacker 2

Slacker: Dead Man Walkin'

Texas

A Vampire in Texas

Thomas

Quarantine

Contagion

Eradication

Isolation

Immune

Pathogen

Bloodline (Coming Soon)

Decontaminated (Coming Soon)

Virus

Raising Hell

Zombie Bride

Zombie Bride

Zombie Bride 2

Zombie Bride 3

Standalone

The Victims of Pinocchio

A Christmas Nightmare

Pain

Fat Jesus

A Zombie's Revenge

505

The Headhunter

Crash

Tranq

The Island

Dog

The Quiet Man

Joe Superhero

Feral

Good Guys

Devil Child of Texas

Romeo and Juliet and Zombies

The Gamer

Becoming Alpha

Dead West

Small Town Blues

Shades of Z: Redux

The Gift of Death

Killer Claus

Skarred

Home Sweet Home

Alligator Allan

10 Days

Army of The Dumbest Dead

Kid

The Cult of Stupid

9 Time Felon

Slater

Bad Review: Hannah Dies

Me Again

Maurice and Me

Breaking Wind

The Family Business (Coming Soon)

Lightning Rider : Better Days (Coming Soon)

Lazy Boyz (Coming Soon)

Sparkles The Vampire Clown (Coming Soon)

From The Future, Stuck in The Past (Coming Soon)

Honest John (Coming Soon)

She's Psycho (Coming Soon)

Vicious Cycle (Coming Soon)

Romeo and Juliet: True Love Conquers All (Coming Soon)

Hunting Sarah (Coming Soon)

Random Acts of Stupidity (Coming Soon)

Born Killer (Coming Soon)

The Abducted (Coming Soon)

Broken Man (Coming Soon)

Graham Hiney (Coming Soon)

Paper Soldiers (Coming Soon)

Zartan (Coming Soon)

The Firsts in Life (Coming Soon)

Giant Baby (Coming Soon)

Table of Contents

Title Page

Copyright Page

Also By Aaron Abilene

10 Days

Sign up for Aaron Abilene's Mailing List

Also By Aaron Abilene

10 Days

Written by Aaron Abilene

––––––––

The fluorescent lights flickered above Laci Trailer as she walked down the dimly lit hallway of cells, the familiar stench of body odor and unwashed linens filling her nostrils. She was 52, with graying blonde hair pulled back in a tight bun and crow's feet etched at the corners of her pale blue eyes. Laci had dedicated over two decades of her life to this prison, and in 24 hours, she would finally be free.

Her colleagues had planned a surprise retirement party for her to celebrate. As Laci entered the staff lounge, a roar of Surprise! erupted from the crowd of 30 or so coworkers. Streamers and balloons hung from the ceiling, a large banner read Congratulations Laci! in bright red letters.

Laci blinked back tears, a wave of bittersweet emotion washing over her. She had never married, never had children. This job was all she had known. But she was ready to start the next chapter of her life.

Speech! Speech! The crowd began to chant. Laci cleared her throat, hands trembling slightly.

I...I don't know what to say, she stammered. Working here with all of you for the past 20 years has been the greatest joy and privilege of my life. You are my family. Though I'm ready to retire, I will miss you all terribly.

Her voice broke on the last word. The room erupted into applause and cheers.

Laci smiled, wiping away a stray tear. She looked forward to adventures and new horizons, but she knew she would always remain a prison guard at heart. The walls of this place and the souls inside had become a part of her soul, for better or for worse. She took a deep breath, soaking in the familiar smells and sounds of the prison one last time. Tomorrow, she would walk out of here for the final time, but she would never truly leave.

––––––––

The party was in full swing, streamers and balloons decorating the room. A large cake in the shape of a key sat on a table, along with plates of cheese, fruit, and cupcakes. Country music played from a stereo in the corner.

Laci glanced at her watch, realizing it was time for her usual rounds checking on the inmates. She walked down the hall to the solitary confinement cells, her boots echoing on the concrete floor.

When she arrived at Cell Block D, she stopped in front of Ricky Trailer's cell. He was sitting on his cot, flipping through the pages of a worn paperback. Laci had guarded Ricky for nearly 15 years, but she had never grown used to his immense size. He was a mountain of a man, with tangled red hair and pale eyes that seemed to stare right through you. His body was covered in tattoos, symbols and words that seemed chaotic and meaningless.

Ricky looked up as Laci approached. Well, well. If it isn't the Screwdriver come to say goodbye. His voice was a gravelly rumble.

Laci folded her arms. I told you not to call me that.

Ricky grinned, revealing a chipped front tooth. I won't have anyone to talk to once you're gone. What am I supposed to call you then?

You can call me Ms. Trailer, she replied sternly. But she felt a tug at the corner of her mouth and bit her lip to suppress a smile. She didn't know when it had happened, but at some point, Ricky's taunts had become almost affectionate.

I'll miss our little chats, Ricky said, a note of grudging respect in his tone. No one else around here has the guts to stand up to me.

Stay out of trouble, Laci said. No more fights.

No promises. Ricky shrugged.

Laci shook her head and sighed. Some things would never change. She gave Ricky one last hard look, then continued down the row of cells, her boots echoing into the distance.

––––––––

Ricky watched her go, a flicker of something like sadness in his pale eyes. Then his face hardened again into its usual scowl.

He had been in solitary confinement for over a year now, ever since he killed two inmates in a brutal fistfight. The warden had decided he was too dangerous to be around other prisoners.

Ricky didn't mind the solitude. In fact, he preferred it. He didn't have to watch his back or worry about someone trying to make a name for themselves. The only thing he missed was riling up Laci Trailer, the guard who never took any of his crap.