Post by Blazen on Mar 1, 2010 21:52:14 GMT -5
Something I wrote for school...
Looking past the sparks and wires of his shop, Jack saw again that friendly face he loved so dear. His dear sweet wife, named Moira. She had curly red hair, freckles that dotted her face modestly, and-
“Jack, watch your hand!” called a voice in the distance. Jack looked down back at his blowtorch and suddenly felt the piercing heat that the flame emitted. He jerked his hand away before the flame could do more than give him a hot hand. He shook his hand a few times, turned off the blow torch and pulled off his glove. He turned his now naked hand around a few times to see it was just red from the intense heat. That was too close.
Jack’s eyes then began to wander down his covered arm. The dark blue jumpsuit they wore protected his fellow engineers, and himself, from most fires. Jack slowly pulled up the sleeve. Over his arm were several dark areas of dead skin and rotted hair. He had a set of burns on his other arm. While working on a car one day, Jack was busy cutting up a bumper with his blow torch when suddenly it fell off. The white hot bumper had burned through his jumpsuit and as he tried to push it off, it gave him third degree burns all up and down his arms. That was three years ago.
“Thanks, Marty.” Jack called back through his welding helmet. Once Jack heard the fierce blow of the blowtorch once more Jack looked down at Moira’s picture again. She was absolutely beautiful and Jack simply couldn’t wait to see her at home again…
“Hey Jack?” Moira asked; her voice soft.
“Hmm?” Jack responded dully.
“Did you ask your boss for a raise yet?” She asked, putting an arm around his neck. Jack had been working at Engingears for about ten years and Moira thought it was time for some more money. Jack sighed.
“No, he was busy today.” Jack said his standard response. Moira whined shortly.
“That’s what you say every day.” She sat up, her arms crossed over her night gown. Jack sat up with her and put his hands on her shoulders.
“I’m sorry, hun, but it’s all I can do is try again tomorrow. Ok?” She turned and looked up at him with a sideways look.
“Ok…” She leaned up against his chest.
“Ok…” They lied back down.
A fork lift slowly descended its load to the ground as a fellow box unloader gestured him to keep going. Suddenly he gave the halt signal and the lift stopped. The one gesturing walked up to the box and grabbed a dead rat that hung out of the side.
“Aww, brut.” The French boxer said. He tossed it carelessly into the water. The corpse drained into the sewers, mixing with all the nastiness that a sewer contains. Eventually it landed by another rat that looked it at it with starving pleasure. The rat took no time to eat the corpse. The fleas on the rat enjoyed the new meal as well.
“Jack, come here!” Moira called from the living room. Jack was just pouring himself a glass of milk. He came in with the full glass to see the Wednesday noon news. The reporter continued.
“…creatures have taken over major cities of France, but the United Nations military is currently locking down Orleans, Paris, Reims, Rennes, Rouen, Saint-Die-des-Vosges, and Toulon to keep these creatures at bay. The United States have sent in supplies to the wounded and homeless of France. We have Derek with the hands on report. Derek.” The screen changed to a man standing in a room with soldiers in the background idling about.
“Thanks Hank. Now these creatures here in France are what seem to be people who have simply gone mad. There have been reports of the creatures attacking and eating other human beings. There have also been reports that some of these creatures are people some others have known in the past, but have died. Even some of the people killed by these creatures have been seen to rise up and attack other human beings. Hank.”
“Very good, Derek. Currently the situation is remaining within French borders and no known case of these creatures is in the United States, anywhere else in Europe, nor Asia. Hopefully these things can be destroyed before it spreads.” Jack watched with open eyes as he saw this. It was all too familiar. Zombies? No way. It was simply unthinkable to have zombies running around, the dead doesn’t come back, and they certainly don’t eat people. Not outside of Hollywood at least.
“Jack…” Moira said softly. Jack leaned next to her and held her.
“Don’t worry they’re not in the US right now. We’re safe, and I doubt they’d get through the whole UN army. Don’t worry.” He stroked her red hair. There was nothing to worry about.
“…Mr. President, what are these creatures in Europe?”
“We don’t know.”
“Mr. President, what was the cause of the rapid infection.”
“We don’t know.”
“Mr. President, is there any chance that the US can help European citizens and destroy these monsters?” The president sighed.
“We don’t know.”
“Mr. President, is it possible that these creatures could take over the United States?” The president looked around him.
“Yes. That’ll be all for now.” The President stepped down as the media chattered after him and off screen. Moira was lying on the couch again, pale and eyes wide. Neither of them spoke much ever sense the first infestation within the city, both have been very scared. The National Guard took care of the problem quickly enough, but people have been saying there’s more, if not here, but to come. The sound of Jack’s hammering echoed through the house. Then the fierce blow of a blow torch. He was welding some windows shut and covering them with sheets of metal he stole from Engingears. After taking care of their apartment’s kitchen window, Jack came back into the living room and sat next to Moira. She lied on him as the news came up again about outbreaks of the creatures were appearing in Florida, California, Maine, and some parts of New York.
“The windows are sealed, they can’t get in now.” Jack assured Moira as he stroked her hair. She was quiet still staring blankly at the TV set as she rested her arms around him. He looked with her, but hardly saw. He simply stared, wondering what would happen next. His hand rested lazily on the 12 gauge shotgun that rested against the couch.
He wasn’t sure what to make of all this, but he knew one thing for sure. He would protect his wife.
Jack’s ears perked up when he heard loud, but sad whining. He couldn’t tell exactly what it was, but it was depressing. He turned, gripping his shotgun close. He turned to the other survivors: Andrew, Sarah, and Nick, they heard it to. It almost sounded human, but at the same time like a dog. They walked forward a bit more, in the dark blood stained alley way. Bodies of dead infected lay around the ground with some random appendages tossed here and there.
“It sounds like a dog.” Sarah said softly, she was a veterinarian, so Jack felt confident she was right. They came to a door, opened just ajar. He looked to Sarah who nodded, turning on a flash light that was attached to her pistol.
“If it’s wounded, just shoot it or something.” Andy said blandly as he turned around to watch their backs. Nick stood beside him, but watched the two for a moment before then keeping his eyes darted forward in anticipation.
Jack and Sarah came to the door and hesitantly opened it with a faint creek. Inside is what seemed like a small warehouse with shelves flanking them on both sides and in the back. Boxes filled the shelves; they hardly took time to look at see what were in the boxes. Sarah's flashlight scanned the ground before them slowly; the flashlight's circle going back and forth as they slowly entered the dark room. Finally the flashlight swooped past something. As Sarah began to re aim the light on the figure Jack pushed her hand down.
"No lights!" Jack whispered sharply as the whining continued before them.
Outside Nick and Andy looked down the alley they came from and leaned forward to listen to some faint commotion. It quickly got closer and the sound of hundreds of dumb infected quickly filled the air. Andy held up his M4carbine.
"Shit. Shit! SHIT!" Nick began yelling as he ran inside the warehouse, "They're coming!" The young adult yelled as he came up to Sarah and Jack. His light landed on the figure. The figure suddenly turned to them and showed a hideous mutation between man and dog. Its fore legs were human arms, the flesh removed to show the muscles and bone underneath. Its torso was human as well with some patches of fur. Its rear legs were that of a dog, but in several spots it was naked of fur. The head was the most disgusting however. It had the muzzle of a dog but kept the face of a dead man with yellow eyes. The creature growled at them as it lifted itself into a pouncing position.
"Run like hell!" Sarah screamed as Nick, Jack, and Sarah stood and dashed out of the room. Nick shut the door with a slam as Jack exited and the Doman smashed its head against the door. Nick pressed his body against the door hard as he heard gunfire explode around him. Suddenly the forearm of the creature lashed out through a hole it punched through. Nick began screaming as he blasted at the dog with his MP5 through the hole.
"What do we do now?!" Nick screamed as he blasted away at the creature as it tried clawing at his stomach.
"Stick together!" Jack called back as he let off a round and cocked his gun for another blast. Suddenly he felt a pair of cold hands on his shoulders, gripping hard. Small claws dug into his shoulders as he was suddenly tugged upward and into a fire escape. Sarah turned around saw as Jack was being pulled into one of the Wranglers. The grey, naked creature tugged on Jack while its jaw opened up exposing rows of razor sharp teeth.
"Hang on!" Sarah yelled as she blasted a few rounds into the Wrangler's head. Eventually it let go and Jack fell to the ground with a grunt. Jack looked up and saw as the horde came at them, turning from dozens to hundreds in just seconds. Jack picked up his gun and began firing into the crowd.
"Fire in the hole!" Sarah suddenly alerted as a silver beeping tube flew over their head. The infected redirected their attention to the smoke alarm bomb that landed into the middle of the crowd. The survivors dived behind trash cans for cover as the bomb exploded. Blood flew everywhere, staining the walls and ground. Then came a new sound; the chopping noise of a helicopter.
"Hey!" Nick was already up, "Hey down here!" He began chasing the helicopter as its search light cast down on him, "We're not infected! Down here!" He kept running after the helicopter and eventually around a corner. Jack got up quickly to follow.
"Damn it!" Nick yelled as the helicopter continued off without him. He turned to see Jack and shrugged with a sigh. Jack began to approach him when a howl cut through the air like a knife. Nick was on the ground now with another Doman on him, attempting to sink its jaws into his neck. Jack was quick and kicked the Doman off. It responded by leaping into the air, in an attempt to pin Jack. Jack was quicker however and blasted the Doman out of the air with a good shotgun shot. The Doman flew back and hit a car hard as the other survivors caught up. The car's alarm blared through the air.
"This is gonna be bad…" Andy said simply as a loud cry of the infected answered the siren of the car alarm. The survivors grouped closely together as infected began to come from anywhere they could. They came from apartment windows, doors, alleys, jumped fences as they surrounded the four survivors. They went from hundreds to thousands it seemed like in just a second. But matters seemed to only get worse as another car flew through the air and bowled through several infected. A Brute, one of the deadlier mutated infected began charging through. Its grey and red skin pulsed from its massive muscles as it plowed through the infected with no regard of what was in its way.
"Run or shoot…?" Nick said as he began to back up slowly, sweat and fear in his eyes, "Run or shoot!?" He then yelled when the Brute got closer.
"Both!" Sarah responded and the group quickly turned and ran, shooting off their guns as the Brute charged through the crowd, throwing around infected as it went. They jumped over the torn down fence and turned into another alley. Nick glanced behind him and saw a lowered fire escape.
"Up there!" He cried. Jack stopped by it.
"Go, go, go!" He urged as he held his shotgun ready, "C'mon…c'mon." He said through gritted teeth. The Brute charged around the corner and through one of the shells Jack shot at it. The Brute hardly seemed phased as it then swung a massive arm and crashed Jack into a wall.
"Jack!" Andy yelled as he jumped from the fire escape. He took aim and began peppering the Brute with his assault rifle as Jack slowly got to his feet. The Brute fell back from the assault for a moment before then swinging out to Andy. They took this chance for the fire escape, this time Jack leading the way. The Brute crashed its arm through a brick wall, losing its balance. However the creature quickly regained its balance and grabbed hold of a chunk of rock and threw it at the survivors.
"Heads up!" Jack and Andy dodged around the falling debris as they climbed. Then suddenly and infected grabbed hold of Andy’s leg. He looked down to see its head get split open.
"Go, I'll hold them off!" Sarah yelled from a top the fire escape. She began shooting down into the crowd of infected as Jack and Andy climbed. The Brute didn't waste much time and leaped up and took hold of the fire escape. Sarah continued her barrage into the Brute's face as it climbed. The fire escape began to give under the massive weight and finally fell when Andy climbed off. Sarah lost one of her pistols as she began to fall.
"Andy!" She called, holding up a hand. Andrew dived down and held fast onto her coat's sleeve and pulled. Sarah climbed up onto the roof they now stood on…and breathed.
Jack checked his watch. 12:13; all of that in a matter of twenty minutes. It didn't seem possible. He turned to see everyone staring blankly at the ground. He looked over the side of the building for a moment and was greeted by a pair of Wrangler arms. They came within 5 feet of his face before snapping back into the Wrangler's shoulders. It gave a loud hiss up at Jack and tried again. Jack pulled out his pistol and gave it a shot to the brain. The arms fell. Suddenly he heard Nick laugh.
"We made it. I can't believe we made it!" Nick was laughing still.
"How can you be laughing?!" Sarah nearly screamed at him, "Now we're stuck here until help arrives!" She exclaimed then grunted in frustration. He put her hands into her blond hair. She didn't like what she said, obviously, and hated hearing it out loud.
"Well…what do you think is in the apartments?" Andy was standing next to a door leading down into the building.
"No, no, no. There's only going to be more and what if that Brute's inside? We can't fight that thing in there, it'll slaughter us!" Nick said back, suddenly losing his cheer.
"Well you got any better ideas; or would you rather go chasing helicopters again?!" Andy yelled back.
"Well what did you want me to do?! Let it go?" Nick responded just as furiously.
"Shut up!" Jack then yelled firmly. He put his pistol in his belt.
"Listen, we have a lot of shit to deal with and we can't deal with it unless we work together! Now stop fighting, save it for the fucking zombies!" Jack yelled and everyone settled down. Sarah sat down with her arms crossed with a shaky sigh. Tears began to roll down her cheeks. Jack sighed again and began to pace, putting his hands on the back of his neck. He had to think. He had to think. They were stuck here. No food, no water, nowhere to hide. They had to leave here, but where and how? The stairs? It was the most obvious, but could be dangerous. It was close quarters and unless they got their shit together, they'd be eaten alive in seconds. But where people once lived, there'd be food, water, supplies. Ammo was running low, and they were all hungry and tired. Things were going downhill already. He needed to do…something.
"Ok."
"Ok?"
"We're going down into the apartments. Reload and get ready." Jack said.
"What?! Are you nuts?! What if more are down there?" Nick exclaimed.
"Then we kill them." Jack responded blandly as he began loading shells into his shotgun.
"And the Brute?!" Nick continued to argue. Jack cocked his gun.
"We kill it." Nick scoffed.
Andy agreed with a firm nod and began to reload his weapon. He turned to the door when he saw Sarah wasn't moving. He looked to Jack who looked back and then shrugged. Nick looked between them and then at Sarah. Andy let his gun hang on its strap around his shoulder. He sat down next to Sarah and put a hand on her back. She was sobbing quietly.
"You ok?" He asked softly.
"I don't…I don't know if I can do this." She sobbed. Andy put his arms around her.
"Sh, sh, sh, sh…" He stroked her hair; Jack watched closely, "Don't worry," He said softly, "You'll be ok…we'll be ok, but we need your help. Ok?" She looked up, "Ok?" He asked again. She nodded slowly, he nodded with her and they stood up. She reached back and took out her pistol. It was the one with the flashlight still. She switched the clip slowly, cocked it, and then pushed her hair out of her face. Andy nodded.
"Ok." She said to the guys.
"Ok."They responded.
Andy opened the door and aimed his M4 down the stairs. The flashlight cast itself down into the dark stairway. Jack cut in front with his shotgun ready as he stepped down the stair case, his eyes shifting back and forth as he went. Nick followed, then Sarah, and Andy in the back. He closed the door behind them and continued down.
Jack looked around both corners, his flashlight acting as his eyes as he looked down the hallway they entered into. Jack then stood next to the doorway as the others came down.
"Alright, stay close and look for supplies. We'll go in groups of two. Nick you're with me. Andy and Sarah, go that way." He gestured down the other end of the hall, "Meet back here once you're done and we'll move down." They nodded, "Ok, be careful." Sarah and Andy nodded again.
Jack and Nick moved down the hallway as Sarah and Andy went their own way. They came to the first door and Jack stood in front of the door. He aimed his shotgun at the door itself.
"Open it." He said softly and Nick reached for the knob, turned and pulled. Nothing happened.
"It’s locked." Jack looked around quickly then pulled out his pistol and blasted the knob. The door began to open. Jack re aimed his shotgun and kicked the door open. Nothing was inside.
"Find the kitchen." He said strapping the shotgun on his back, "And anything to carry supplies in." Nick ran into a random room that turned out to be the bed room and Jack found the kitchen. He glanced inside to see nothing but blood and a body, but it lacked a head. He found a switch and flicked it on. The floor was covered with the pool and the body lay still, its guts all over the floor. The smell of death along with the scene made Jack cringe back before he dove in, jumping over the body. He found the refrigerator and swung it open. The things inside were tossed around and jumbled, but most of it looked ok, but he could only take what they could eat on the run. He fished around and was able to find a couple bottles of water as well as a packet of cheese, turkey, and some apples. He started placing them on the kitchen counter, hardly caring if they got a little bloody from the mess, if the blood was there.
"Hey I found a duffle bag!" Nick yelled from the bed room, "And some shells!"
"I got some food, bring the ba-" Jack cut himself off with a shout. When he looked up to grab the food he saw the decapitated head of the body in the back of the counter. Its eyes looked straight at him and its jaw moved up and down as if it were trying to eat something. It didn't have a body, but it was still alive. Goddamn. Jack shot it. Nick ran in promptly.
"You, ok?" He asked, the duffle bag over his shoulder, and then he saw what Jack shot at, "Aww man…" He said in disgust then turned away.
“Start packing up.” Jack said as he grabbed a couple of the water bottles and threw them into the bag. Nick took the food and threw them in. Jack then started throwing open cupboards and found some glasses. He grabbed a large one, turned on the faucet, filled the cup, and drank deep. He tossed one to Nick for him to drink. He even went back for a second cup full. In the other cupboards Jack found some bags of chips, a loaf of bread, and a box of cereal. They threw as much in the duffle bag as they could.
“Ok, let’s check next door for guns or ammo or something.” Jack said as he closed up the duffle bag and threw it over his shoulder. They went to the next apartment.
The door was already open, and the inside seemed just as dark as the last. Jack shined his light into the apartment, the small light scanning over the beaten apartment. More things were thrown around and the place seemed way more a mess. There wasn’t as much blood though, just things. Jack walked over a broken lamp and Nick followed suit. There was a crack behind him. Jack looked back and then down to see Nick had stepped on a piece of the lamp.
“Sorry…” he whispered, Jack just nodded. Eventually, after some careful stepping they heard some scratching and whining then a thud. Jack turned the corner quickly to see a Doman jumping and scratching at a door. The light flashed on it. The Doman turned around with a loud growl and jumped. Jack swiftly knocked the creature out of the air however with a swing of his shotgun. Nick quickly took aim with his MP5 as the Doman fell and started shooting. The Doman crashed into a couch and flipped the furniture, trapping the dazed mutant for a moment. Jack pointed his shotgun through the hole between the furniture and the floor and blasted the creature. Blood splattered on both sides.
“Done and done.” Nick said with a smile, “Wonder what he was after though.” Nick then commented, looking at the door. Jack shrugged as he stuck a few shells into his gun then cocked it for good measure.
“Let’s find out.” Jack aimed his weapon at the door. Nick stood to the side, reached over and swung it open.
Jack’s light showed what looked like a little girl, about seven or eight, standing in the closet. Her brown hair cascaded down in front of her face and her arms hung dead at her sides. Jack lowered his gun.
“Hey…hey, you ok?” Jack strapped the gun over his shoulder and bent down to the girl, “C’mon out, you’re safe now.” He said softly, trying to urge the girl out. The girl looked up and through her curtain of hair snarled and leapt at Jack. The infected girl tackled him to the ground, and Jack looked to see her grey dead face and a large chunk of flesh from her arm missing. She hissed and snarled at him as she tried to get to his neck for a meal. Nick was quick however and kicked her off before shooting her skull apart.
“Jack, you alright?” Nick asked, giving him a hand up.
“Yeah, I’m alright. Thanks.” Jack stood up and tried wiping some blood off of him. It only smeared on his pink shirt. It was white only three days ago…
“Alright, let’s check around; see if we can find anything.” Jack said taking a deep breath. He could still smell the death that girl carried. Jack shined his light in the closet to see only some clothes piled up with blood on them. He started throwing the clothes out of the closet as Nick set off for a different room. Jack heard the faint click of him reloading as he went off.
Jack continued to dig when he felt something small, but long and leathery. He pulled out a sheathed hunting knife. He pulled the large knife out of its holder and found it was quite large, he cut it along a coat, and sharp, the sleeve fell off. Placing the knife back into the sheath, he walked out to see Nick come back for the duffle bag.
“I found some ammo.” Nick explained briefly before disappearing again behind the doorway. Jack slipped the knife around his belt, using a strap it had to keep it on. He followed Nick into the room and saw him putting small boxes of ammo into the bag.
“Most of them are 9mm shots, but anything will do right?” He explained shoving another box in. The bag was already getting full.
“We need to get another bag if we want more.” Nick said as he tried in vain to push another box in.
“Just take what we can, we have to keep moving.” Jack said back and headed out of the apartment.
“You ok?” Andrew asked her as he placed a couple lofts of bread into the back pack they found. She was pretty quiet now and Andrew was worried.
“Yeah…” She whispered, she closed the bag and strapped it on herself.
“Ok…” Andy responded dispirited. He pulled his gun out in front of him as he led her out of the apartment. They began to the stairs, Andy leading the way with his flash light out in front. He glanced back at Sarah occasionally to make sure she was there. She was facing the other way, and walked backwards to keep up with him. Her flash light scanned the scene behind them. Suddenly he felt her jump on him.
“Lights off!” Sarah whispered sharply. Andy turned his flash light off promptly and turned to look at her. She was pointing behind them. There at the end of the hall, head bent down to accommodate for its massive height, was the Brute from earlier. In the darkness it seemed like nothing more than a giant blob, but Andy knew it was the creature.
“C’mon.” Andy whispered and ducked into the apartment next to them.
“What about, Jack and Nick?” Sarah protested.
“We can’t risk getting attention to ourselves. If they’re smart, they’ll do the same.” Just then they heard some gunshots from down at the other end of the apartment. The Brute gave a curious growl and began down the hall, slowly. Its height prevented it from going quickly lest it smash its head into the ceiling.
“What do we do?” Sarah whispered. Andy hesitated.
“We kill it.” He responded and began out of the apartment again to stalk the Brute.
“We can’t kill it on our own!” Sarah protested again.
“If we wait until just before it might see Jack and Nick, we can sandwich it at least.” Andy said back as he finally went through the doorway and began to stalk the beast. The Brute stopped suddenly. Sarah grabbed Andy’s shoulder and tried to pull him back; afraid it would turn around and beat them to death. Suddenly the Brute gave off a roar down the hallway.
“Shit!” Nick yelled from the other end and gunfire flew into the Brute and by the other two survivors.
“Run!” Jack could be heard yelling.
“Fight!” Andrew screamed to the other end and he began pelting the Brute in gunfire with Sarah blasting away at his side.
The Brute turned to them, its giant mouth agape for another roar as the two pelted it with bullets.
“Jack, Nick, get ‘em!” Andy yelled and gunfire then covered the Brute’s entire body. It began to scream in pain and roar in fury and suddenly charged Sarah and Andy.
“Look out!” Andy grabbed Sarah and they dove into the apartment. Brute changed direction quickly and began to duck into the apartment. Jack threw the door closed in its face and began shooting at it through the wooden door. A massive arm rammed through the door and sent Andy into the back wall.
“Andy!” Sarah screamed as Andy smashed and fell limp. A small river of blood began to flow from his head and down to the floor. Sarah’s stomach churned in fear, fear of his death, and fear of being alone with this creature. She looked back and up at the Brute as it raised an arm to smash her to the ground. She aimed her pistol at its head with a look of blank fear and pulled the trigger once. It stopped, looking at Sarah, a hole in its head. Its arm then dropped to its side then to fell to its side. Dead. Its back flesh was completely ripped apart and its spine was showing. Sarah kept back the urge to vomit. Jack and Nick stood at the doorway.
“Sarah!” Jack yelled.
“Andy!” Nick followed up. They ran to their respective person. Nick bent down to Andy shaking him lightly and Jack grabbed Sarah and brought her back to reality.
“Are you ok?” Jack asked. Sarah’s world was distant, Jack sounded like he was at the end of a long hall and the room seemed thrice as big. Her eyes pointed at Jack, but Jack could tell she wasn’t really looking. In a panic Jack brought her to a couch and slowly sat her down. She didn’t resist in the slightest and kept her eyes pointed forward.
“Sarah…” She didn’t move, “I need you to stay here, ok?” He said, as if talking to a toddler. She didn’t respond, but remained put anyway. Jack stood and moved to Nick and Andy.
“He’s got a pulse.” Nick said a bit spiritlessly, “but his head won’t stop bleeding.” Nick showed a washcloth he held to Andy’s head. It was red with blood. Nick pressed it up again. Jack looked at the dead brute.
“Ok. We’re going to rest here then. I’ll help you move Andy to the bed room and we’ll get him patched up. Sarah still has that first-aid kit we found the other day. Then we’re using that dead brute to block the door, we’re going to eat and rest. Ok?” Jack said, more looking for Nick’s approval than issuing a command. Jack knew Nick was the only person still in his right mind to help. If Sarah were to wake up from her dreamlike state then he’d feel better. At least Andy was knocked out and wouldn’t go anywhere. Sarah could wander off. Jack looked back, she had not yet. With a nod, they lifted Andy off the ground and transferred him to the open bedroom. It was small, and dark. The only window was boarded up and the closet was locked with a padlock. Nick and Jack lowered him onto the bed; face down so they could work on his wound more effectively. The bleeding had slowed down at least.
“Alright, I can take care of him.” Nick said as he pressed the cloth back on, “Just get me the first aid kit.”
“You sure?” Nick nodded.
“Me and my brother used to hike all the time so he taught me all about first-aid, even had to patch him up once. He fell down the side of a steep hill and cracked his head against a tree.” He chuckled humorlessly, “He walked halfway back up with a huge leaf on his head trying to stop the bleeding. He yelled up to me, “Nick! This leaf’s red, and it ain’t fall, give your brother a hand and a bandage will ya?”” He laughed again with a small smile, “Anyway, get me that pack, I can patch him up fine.” Jack smiled a bit himself.
“Sure.” He said and went to get it.
“It’s snowing.” Jack said as thousands of small flakes danced to the ground and covered up the dumb and idle infected below. Jack turned around to see Nick next to him, watching down below.
“How are they?” Jack asked. Nick took a deep breath. He wasn’t really a doctor, but he was the best they got.
“Andy’s still unconscious, but he hasn’t bled sense yesterday so I think he’s ok.” Nick said.
“And Sarah?”
“I don’t know. I’m no physiatrist; I just hope she hasn’t snapped. She just sits there, not even doing anything.” Nick looked back to Sarah to see her on the couch still. There was a plate of some cheese and crackers next to her, but she hadn’t made any motion to eat or even acknowledge them. Jack decided to try again. He lifted the plate to her face.
“Sarah, you need to eat, so please, eat. You need to keep your strength up.” Jack urged. Sarah’s eyes didn’t move but her hand sluggishly came up and grabbed some crackers. She ate them, but didn’t see to eat with much appetite. Jack wasn’t relieved so much.
“Uuuuuuughhhh….” A tired and almost frustrated moan came from Andy’s room. Jack and Nick stood at the doorway to see Andrew rubbing his eyes.
“My head…” Andy said trying to sit up, “Feels like I got hit by a train.”
“More like a tank.” Jack said as they came into the room, relieved smiles on their faces.
“Yeah I guess…where are we?”
“Still in the apartments, you’ve been asleep sense you got hit. You should lie down, get some more rest.” Nick suggested.
“But don’t we got-“ Then suddenly, plowing through the two guys came Sarah nearly sprinting. She jumped on Andy giving him a big hug, tears rolling down her face. She didn’t say anything. Nick and Jack stared at Andy as he hugged her back, with a confused look on his face. He looked back at Nick and Jack and just shrugged.
“I’m glad to see you to, Sarah.” He said patting her back,
“But…uh...could you..” She let go and sat down smiling at him.
“I was worried.” She said simply with some tears rolling down still. She looked around to see Nick and Jack staring at her weirdly, “Sorry I was just…” Jack put a hand on her shoulder.
“It’s ok, as long as you’re ok now, it’s ok.”
“I’m ok.” She responded with a smile.
“So is anyone hungry?” Nick then asked holding up the package of turkey and bread.
“Yeah, I’m starved.” Andy said holding a hand on his head. It hurt crazily but that was all.
“Alright, hope you aren’t a vegetarian.”
“Even if I was, I don’t think I’d care.” Andy said with a small chuckle then winced a bit as a small jolt of pain, “Anyone got an aspirin?” He asked, rubbing his head.
“I’ll look in the bathroom.” Sarah said promptly and went. Nick was in the kitchen cutting the turkey now as well.
“How are ya feeling?” Jack then asked seriously.
“My head hurts, but I think I’m ok otherwise.”
“You sure?” Jack persisted.
“Jack…we’ve been over this. I’m immune, and besides I doubt I’d get the virus from getting punched in the face by that thing.” Jack nodded, content with the answer. That was his prime worry when Andy was unconscious. Would he turn? It was an open wound after all and chances are just touching that thing could spread the virus. But Andy was right; when they first met Andy was bitten by one and hadn’t changed. He healed from the wound and never looked back. Jack’s mind wandered to Sarah and Nick. Neither was bitten when he found them, but both seemed immune. The virus, whatever it was, was said to be airborne as well. People, who were killed by other methods, if left exposed to the air, soon turned, got up and murdered. It was a scary thought, but a realistic one, one they had to consider.
“Found some Tylenol and I got you a drink.” Sarah then said as she walked in.
“Thanks.” Andy said promptly and downed the water and medicine, “I feel better already.” He said with a smile. She smiled back brightly.
“Ok, so what’s the plan?” Andy asked. Jack shrugged.
“It’s snowing out, maybe the cold will slow them down, but first we need some clothes to put on so we’re going to have to go on another hunt for supplies. Can you walk?” Jack then asked.
“I think so, but I’m kind of dizzy right now.” Andy said.
“He should be better in a couple of hours. He’s just waking up after all.” Nick said as he came in with a plate of sandwiches. Jack quickly took one of them and took a good mouthful. It was dry, and the turkey had a greasy unpleasant flavor, but he’d eat it again if he had to. It was the best food he’d had in days.
“Ok, so, after we’re done here; Sarah, I want you to stay guard for Andy,” Jack handed Andrew Sarah’s pistol and to Sarah he gave the M4.
“Nick, you and I will be off to look for stuff. If you can, look around here Sarah.” She nodded, “Ok, Nick, you ready?” He asked. Nick took a last mouthful of a sandwich, picked up his MP5, pulled back the hammer, and nodded.
“Let’s go.” Nick said, his words muffled by a full mouth.
“Open it.” Nick swung open the door and Jack shot into the apartment quickly. There were two infected inside, fighting over a leg. They fell with a screech, and began to twitch on the ground with small squeals escaping their lips. Nick took the pleasure of finishing them off, a bullet to the brain.
“Ok, check the closets and I’ll…” Jack stopped.
“What?” Nick asked. Jack shushed him quickly. Faintly, Nick heard rapid and heavy pounding, like a marching band running up a flight of stairs. Jack looked to Nick gravely.
“We need to get back.” He said, “Now.” Jack and Nick burst into a run out of the room and into the hallway. The pounding was getting closer quickly. They were currently four floors below where Andy and Sarah were resting. They picked up their pace, hopping over bodies and things thrown astray in the hallway. They could hear the excited and dumb jabbering and chatter of the infected behind them; then suddenly a loud yell. The infected saw them.
“Get ready to fight!” Jack yelled.
“What?!” Nick responded as they came to the stairs.
“We’re going to make a wall of bodies for them to climb over, slow ‘em down. Go!” They turned around swiftly as they climbed the stairs. Jack and Nick began peppering bullets down into the brains of the once dead. Blood splattered onto the ones behind them and the walls around them. They were pushing however, and too quickly. Jack hit one with the butt of his shotgun and blasted it into the crowd.
“Run!” Again, they ran. The infected were slowed however, but only slightly. They continued to run after them, looking like a dumb marathon race. Occasionally the two would shoot behind them to knock the infected off their feet at least. Barking began to follow the jabbering infected.
“We got Domans!” Nick warned and turned around to blast them a bit with his gun before the dreaded clicking from his empty gun came up. Jack gave out a blast of his own and then run off, following Nick.
“Shit!” Nick exclaimed as he dropped a magazine for his gun, then the gun itself.
“Leave it!” Jack ordered as they came up to another flight of stairs. They stormed up the stairs with the infected soon to follow. They were on the same floor as Andy and Sarah now. They could see the Brute corpse in the doorway, acting as a barrier still.
“Andrew! Sarah! In coming!” Jack and Nick yelled together, Jack even shot off a shell into the air. They came to the corpse jumped over it, and lied down on the ground. Gunfire exploded from Sarah’s M4 and Andrew’s two pistols. Jack and Nick rolled further into the room to avoid the fire and stood up. Nick pulled out his pistol while Jack reloaded and began firing down the horde.
“There’s too many, we’re getting overrun!” Some of the infected were getting over the barricade before getting shot down, but more and more were getting closer.
“Keep up the pressure!” Jack yelled as he blasted one of the closer infected, its guts rolling out promptly. Gunfire continued for some time. When the wave started to slow down a pair of rubbery arms extended from the pack and took hold of Nick and began to yank him into the crowd.
"Nick!" Jack yelled as he began to beat at the infected gathering around Nick. He was being pulled in quickly however. Jack continued to beat the infected back; Sarah tried her best to keep the infected off them as Andy tried to pick off the Wrangler.
"Get 'em off me!" Jack bashed another infected head's in away from Nick, but they were getting too close. Nick gave off one more cry for help before he disappeared into the mass of infected before them. Then they heard an ear splitting scream…then a gunshot. The infected didn't slow. Jack watched them come, he felt lost suddenly. Nick was gone…really gone. They were already down a man and already folding under the pressure of this infection. He felt someone grabbing his shoulder and pull him around. Sarah was there and pointed to the window. The fire escape, something about it, she said. He looked back, shooting again and followed her. Jack's world felt hazy and he felt empty. Andy was behind him. They slammed a door shut and Andy bashed open a window.
"Go! Go! Go!" Andrew yelled as Jack stepped out and began to climb down the escape, one step at a time. Sarah was behind him, yelling for Andy to hurry. Andy gave off a last burst of gunfire before he jumped onto the escape, leaving his empty gun behind. When they reached the bottom, Jack could see infected jumping from the windows above in a dumb attempt to chase them. They fell and died upon impact or broke their bones in twisted ways. Jack shot at a few infected as he came to the end. He felt the empty click of the gun after only a few rounds but continued to shoot them with nothing. Sarah pushed him and Jack jumped down to the bottom as the snow covered infected began to gather. Andrew and Sarah were firing their pistols and began to run. Jack followed blankly. He felt like he was on autopilot, like Sarah and Andrew had a light over their heads that prompted him to follow them. He ran as fast as he could, as far as he could, until they reached the dead end.
"Jack, you ready to go?" said Red. Jack looked up dumbly, he was half asleep. Dazed, Jack stood up and rubbed his eyes. He pulled the hammer back in his M16A1 and shifted the bag on his back. "C'mon, stay awake buddy. I need you to keep my back." Red said and patted Jack's back.
"Yeah, I-I'm awake." Jack said with a yawn. He looked up to the older man. Red was tall with a little snow on the roof. He was a soldier who tried to hold the line here in NY, but after shit hit the fan, he was just trying to help as many people as he could. Forget orders. Jack and Red then stood from the stoop they rested at and headed to the local gasoline station. As they walked Jack couldn't help but think about just four days ago. Red found them and gunned down nearly a hundred infected in his army humvee with the minigun on top. He, Andrew, and Sarah got away thanks to him. Red then took them to a camp of about eight other survivors. A couple more of them were soldiers as well. But then they were overwhelmed the next day. Only Jack, Sarah, Andrew, Red, and another fellow named Greg got away.
They found another place in the city soon enough with a cop, Ted, and a girl, Ellie, hold up in there. The cop was pretty paranoid at first, but the girl was much more welcoming. She was even a nurse and took some decent care of them. So far the infected haven't come a knockin' too much with too many guests. The only problem was feeding so many mouths and food ran out fast. At least the pipes worked still.
"Get down, Camens." Red whispered and Jack snapped out of his world and ducked down with Red. They crouched by a bush and peeked over. The creatures that walked by were as big as large dogs. They had a certain strut however, that of a proud feline. They had four paws and the hind legs of a lion. The fleshy tails swung back and forth stiffly as they walked by. Jack saw as one looked his way. The head was disfigured in an ugly way; something between a man and a cat. Even small whiskers began to sprout along its crushed human nose and under the eyes. The hair on its head was falling out, or going in and coming out other places. It gave a low noise, like a rusty and broken motor boat rudder in mud. It looked Jack's way for a long time before turning back and continuing on with the other four.
"God…what is this thing?" Jack asked in a whisper as the Camens rounded a corner and disappeared.
"I don't know, but I'm damn glad I haven't caught whatever they got." Red responded and looked out again. "Ok, let's go." Jack and Red stood and began down the street again, jogging quietly.
They came to a Mobile gas station. The inside was broken and torn. The lone moonlight hardly gave enough light for them to see what was inside. They stepped through the broken glass door and into the dead mart. Jack took off the bag and strapped on his gun. He zipped it open and held it out. He followed Red who stuffed whatever he could find. Candy bars, gum, chips, hotpockets, whatever. Eventually the bag was filled and Jack strapped it on. Red took off his bag. It was Jack's turn. They filled the bag just as fast, and even opened a box of cookies for a quick snack. The motor sound came back.
"Get down." Red said hushed, but more urgent. Jack ducked down under the window he was next to. His knee landed into something sticky and warm. He looked down to see he had knelt into a pool of blood. Red was in front of him, holding down Jack's back with his hand, looking up. Jack went back to the blood to see if he could move his knee somehow. Then suddenly a pack of gum landed in the pool from a high shelf. They looked up. A Camen stood perched on top of the shelf, looking out. Maybe it hadn't seen them yet. Jack looked to Red to see if he knew what to do. Jack began to motion to move when suddenly the Camen let out a loud roar that sounded as if a lion were roaring while underwater and into a harmonica.
"Go loud!" Red ordered and Jack quickly armed himself and aimed up. The Camen swung a half hand-half paw and smacked Jack's gun out of his hand. Luckily it was still on its strap and he simply reclaimed it. Red had already begun peppering the Camen with his M4. The creature yowled and fell back behind the shelf.
"Run!" Jack ran around the shelf and past the Camen. He jumped over a downed shelf and out the door. He heard some gunfire but didn't dare look back just yet. After he crossed the street, Jack looked around himself, when he was satisfied that the coast was clear, he looked back to the gas station.
“Red!” Jack yelled. Red came running out of the mart promptly. Behind him were two Camens. One was limping however. Jack took aim at them.
“Don’t bother, just run!” Red yelled. Jack took the shots anyway. He shot the faster one in the head, and it dropped. The other was too slow to catch up to Red, Jack didn’t bother.
“Behind you!” Jack turned around to see another Camen had come from the shadows and leaped onto Jack. Its claws poked at his skin through his thick jacket. Blood then splattered around Jack as Red quickly downed the beast. Red took hold of his hand and helped Jack up.
“On your feet, we are leaving!” Red said, making it sound like some sort of ultimatum. Jack wasted no time to follow.
“Password?” They could hear faintly on the other side of the metal door. It was Ted. He probably knew who it was, but it was his system and he was probably being an ass again.
“Oprah, you sonovabitch. Let us in we got food.” Red said promptly. The door opened and Red and Jack were welcomed with a shotgun to the face. Ted looked around them but then lowered his gun. They went in and they sealed off the door again. Ted and Red traded some glares but said nothing more to each other. Jack came into the living room. Greg and Sarah were talking idly and Ellie was checking over Andrew’s head wound. Jack put down his bag on the coffee table.
“Andy will be fine in a just a few days.” Ellie chimed in brightly. She was a cute girl with a very bright attitude. She had baked skin and brown hair. She always seemed to try to wear a smile. Jack smiled back to her; it was a rather fake smile. Then suddenly her smile disappeared when she noticed the blood on Jack’s knee.
“Oh my god, Jack!”
“Don’t worry.” Jack said quickly, holding up a hand, “It’s not mine.”
“Oh…” Ellie said a bit dumbly went back to applying some fresh bandages to Andrew’s head wound. Red walked in then, he walked like a man with a limp however.
“Red…are you…” Jack began, but Red mimicked what Jack did before. Red held up his hand.
“Don’t worry. I just twisted it when we ran from the Camens is all.” Red assured.
“I should probably take a look at it then, you might have sprained it.” Ellie said, getting up. Red smiled.
“Now now, don’t let this old soldier worry you. I just need to keep off it for awhile I’ll be fine, I promise.” Ellie persisted however.
“Are you sure? I can help you.”
“Ellie,” Red’s voice got more defensive, “I’m fine…Just escort me to the bedroom and you’ve done all you need for me.” Ellie looked at him gravely then nodded. She took some of his weight and Red hopped his way to the bed room.
“What happened, Jack?” Andy asked quietly. Jack shook his head.
“I don’t know. I never saw him fall, but maybe while running he did.”
“You think maybe he got bit or something?” Andy inquired.
“You think he wouldn’t tell us?” Jack challenged.
“Maybe.” Andy said looking to the bedroom.
“I didn’t see any blood.” Jack then said. Andy pointed to a couple of drops on the wooden floor.
“That could’ve come from my pants.”
“Could’ve, but I didn’t see it start dripping at all.” Jack looked to the ground gravely.
“What do we do?” Jack then asked.
“Keep an eye on him, give him some time. Hopefully he won’t turn by then. He might be immune; he never bothered to tell us.” Andy said.
“Alright…” Jack agreed, “Just don’t let Ted know. We don’t want him down our throats more than he is.” Andy nodded.
“You got it.”
“Greg, Jack, I need your help.” Ted yelled from the front door. Greg stood and went with only a half hearted good-bye to Sarah.
“Keep an eye on him for me.” Jack said to Andy. Andrew nodded. Jack got his gun ready and went off to the front door.
"We got a problem that you and Red dragged in." Ted said, glaring at Jack.
"The Camens?" Jack asked with a sigh. Ted nodded.
"There's about five of them out there, surrounding the place. And we need to kill them before more of those bastards get attracted. I oughta feed you to those things you know, Jack. You're the one who put us in risk!" Ted began to shout a vein beginning to bulge out of his neck.
"Take it easy, Ted. You know that wouldn't help us, besides, it was smarter for him to come here. More of us to take them out." Greg argued firmly. He wasn't as big as Red, but he still had that marine intimidation that even Ted had to buckle under.
"Fine…but we can't keep putting ourselves in risk you know." Ted said weakly.
"Let's just kill these things." Greg said back cocking his UMP .45. Ted nodded then quickly opened the door. Jack, Greg, and Ted all flanked out, spotting the five Camens quickly. It only took about three seconds before all five were dead, spread out in different parts of the lawn in front of the house. They went back inside.
"How much food did you get?" Greg then asked as Jack wiped some of the blood off his shirt.
"A decent amount." Jack said simply and opened one of the bags. He grabbed a bag of chips and opened that with the amazing sounding plastic rip. It was a good sound these days. Greg took a handful from it and Jack followed suit. Then suddenly the bag was ripped from their hands. Ted rolled it up quickly and threw it back into the back.
"We can't eat any until we get it counted and rationed out." Ted said with a growl.
"Ted, enough." Ellie stood at the doorway her hands on her hips. She then walked to Ted, and snatched the bag from him. She gave it back to Jack.
"If you keep being an ass, we're not gonna work together." She said this with an odd smile while looking at Ted. It was almost disturbing at this point how bright she was. But it seemed to Jack she still had her head on straight. He smiled back to her and took out the chips again. Ellie took a handful this time.
"Here, give me something to give to Sarah and Andy."
"Where are they?" Greg then asked.
"Oh, Andy's whispering some sweet nothings to her again. Those two are such a nice couple."
"Couple?" Jack then inquired.
"Oh yeah. Haven't you seen the way they stare at each other? They won't admit it but they're in love. I can tell." Ellie said as confidently as she could.
"Huh." Greg chuckled, "Well good to see I guess. Something to offset this shithole apocalypse thing."
"Yeah!" Ellie agreed brightly, "Well I better get this to them. I bet they're hungry and Andy needs to keep up his strength and all. Play nice boys!" She ran off, hopping over a chair and was gone. Ted grumbled something under his breath.
“What?” Greg asked.
“Nothing…” Ted said quickly and went off, into a closed off room. Jack assumed it to be Ted’s personal quarters. Jack turned to Greg.
“We gotta watch him. He’s not with us.”
“What do you mean?”
“I mean that he’s probably the first guy to run on his own when shit hits the fan.” Greg nodded in agreement.
“What about Red?”
“Let’s go find out.” Then they heard a scream.
“Sounds like Sarah.” Jack said and they went off.
They found Andrew yanking on Sarah’s arm which was stuck inside of Red’s jaws. Red’s face was a pale grey and his eyes were rolled back. Red turned already. Jack couldn’t believe it. Jack pulled out a pistol as Greg began to yank as well. Jack aimed past everyone and blasted Red’s skull in. He let go.
“Ellie!” Andrew yelled in panic in the same way a soldier would yell for a medic. Blood was pouring out of Sarah’s arm, Red didn’t get a chance to take a huge chunk off, but it looked bad still. Ellie ran in, med kit in her mouth.
“Her arm!” Andrew said.
“Lay her down.” Ellie then instructed, pulling the kit from her mouth.
They pushed off Red’s corpse and brought down Sarah. She was crying, but seemed too weak to move much.
“Stay with me dear, you’ll be just fine. Ok?” Ellie said softly down to Sarah. She nodded weakly, “Good. Andy, come here. Hold right here. Put some pressure and don’t let go. No, here. Perfect. Push down.” Rip, “Ok move. Give me the scissors. Ok dear this going to hurt.” Sarah whined, “Almost done.” Snap, “Put the pressure on again. Ok move. There, done.” Ellie wiped her forehead with her arm.
“You did great honey, you’ll be fine now. He didn’t get you too bad.” Ellie said with a smile then disappeared into the bathroom in the bed room.
“…Guys…” Sarah piped up, “What if I’m not immune?” No one said anything at first.
“Don’t worry.” Andrew took her hand, “You are. You’ll be fine.” He said, but he didn’t look any more convinced than she did.
"Move." Jack heard Ted behind them. He was holding a pistol, aimed at Sarah's head. Andrew drew his pistol and aimed it back. His face was twisted in rage, but his eyes cascaded in sorrow.
"Don't you fucking touch her!" Andrew roared shakily at the cop.
"Move." Ted said again, "I'm not letting anyone else turn, not even her. Best to kill her now then wait for her to bite someone else."
"She's immune!" Andrew argued.
"You don't know that!" Ted yelled back, "We can't risk it! Move or I'll shoot you to!"
"Fuck you!" Andy yelled. Ted took aim.
"Last warning, fucker." Ted growled.
"I'll kill you!" Andy roared back. Bang. Ted and Andy both flinched back only to realize neither were harmed. They looked back at Sarah, a pistol in her mouth.
"No…nonononononononononono…" Andrew bent down to Sarah's corpse, his hands on her dead chest. He didn't stop saying no.
"Shut up!" Ted yelled and grabbed Andrew's shirt, "Shut up or I'll still kill you!"
"Do it then! Do it you son of a bitch!" Andrew yelled. Ted began to pull the trigger.
"No!" Jack pushed the pistol away from Andrew. Thud. Ellie lay on the ground with a hole over her heart.
"Jesus…" Jack said softly and then he was suddenly pushed to the ground. Ted stood over him, his pistol in Jack's face.
"You made me kill her…" Ted growled. Greg then pushed a pistol into Ted's head.
"Drop the FUCKING gun!" Greg shouted.
"What, are you going to kill me to?" Ted asked hoarsely.
"I will if I have to."
"Just shoot him…he killed them…JUST FUCKING SHOOT HIM!" Andrew started yelling. Jack stood up and put a hand on Andrew's chest.
"Calm down man."
"Calm down?! Red, Sarah, and now Ellie are DEAD! All because of this bastard! I say kill him!"
"I agree." Growled Greg.
"Calm down! Calm the fuck down!" Jack pushed down Greg's gun but Greg pushed him away then aimed the gun at him.
"You want to die to?!" Greg shouted.
"Greg, put it down!" Bang. Greg fell to the ground, a hole in his head.
"You fucker!" Andrew yelled. Bang. He fell as well. Jack looked around himself. He and Ted were the only ones left alive.
"I can't trust anyone anymore." Ted said darkly as he looked at Jack, he reloaded his gun.
"Jesus, Ted…you killed them. All of them." Ted cocked his pistol.
"Not yet." Ted aimed his gun at Jack. Jack's eyes widened and as he heard the final bang, Jack could only think of one thing: I'm coming home Moira.
Its not really done, I just did the ending for the sake of time. I want to give it more plot, less people dying at the end and such. Enjoy what I got so far, and give me some critique if you would.
Dead End
By
Joshua T. Hartnett
By
Joshua T. Hartnett
1 Day before First Infection (DOI)
November 14, 2013
November 14, 2013
Looking past the sparks and wires of his shop, Jack saw again that friendly face he loved so dear. His dear sweet wife, named Moira. She had curly red hair, freckles that dotted her face modestly, and-
“Jack, watch your hand!” called a voice in the distance. Jack looked down back at his blowtorch and suddenly felt the piercing heat that the flame emitted. He jerked his hand away before the flame could do more than give him a hot hand. He shook his hand a few times, turned off the blow torch and pulled off his glove. He turned his now naked hand around a few times to see it was just red from the intense heat. That was too close.
Jack’s eyes then began to wander down his covered arm. The dark blue jumpsuit they wore protected his fellow engineers, and himself, from most fires. Jack slowly pulled up the sleeve. Over his arm were several dark areas of dead skin and rotted hair. He had a set of burns on his other arm. While working on a car one day, Jack was busy cutting up a bumper with his blow torch when suddenly it fell off. The white hot bumper had burned through his jumpsuit and as he tried to push it off, it gave him third degree burns all up and down his arms. That was three years ago.
“Thanks, Marty.” Jack called back through his welding helmet. Once Jack heard the fierce blow of the blowtorch once more Jack looked down at Moira’s picture again. She was absolutely beautiful and Jack simply couldn’t wait to see her at home again…
Day of Infection
November 15, 2013
November 15, 2013
“Hey Jack?” Moira asked; her voice soft.
“Hmm?” Jack responded dully.
“Did you ask your boss for a raise yet?” She asked, putting an arm around his neck. Jack had been working at Engingears for about ten years and Moira thought it was time for some more money. Jack sighed.
“No, he was busy today.” Jack said his standard response. Moira whined shortly.
“That’s what you say every day.” She sat up, her arms crossed over her night gown. Jack sat up with her and put his hands on her shoulders.
“I’m sorry, hun, but it’s all I can do is try again tomorrow. Ok?” She turned and looked up at him with a sideways look.
“Ok…” She leaned up against his chest.
“Ok…” They lied back down.
***
A fork lift slowly descended its load to the ground as a fellow box unloader gestured him to keep going. Suddenly he gave the halt signal and the lift stopped. The one gesturing walked up to the box and grabbed a dead rat that hung out of the side.
“Aww, brut.” The French boxer said. He tossed it carelessly into the water. The corpse drained into the sewers, mixing with all the nastiness that a sewer contains. Eventually it landed by another rat that looked it at it with starving pleasure. The rat took no time to eat the corpse. The fleas on the rat enjoyed the new meal as well.
Fourth DOI
November 19, 2013
November 19, 2013
“Jack, come here!” Moira called from the living room. Jack was just pouring himself a glass of milk. He came in with the full glass to see the Wednesday noon news. The reporter continued.
“…creatures have taken over major cities of France, but the United Nations military is currently locking down Orleans, Paris, Reims, Rennes, Rouen, Saint-Die-des-Vosges, and Toulon to keep these creatures at bay. The United States have sent in supplies to the wounded and homeless of France. We have Derek with the hands on report. Derek.” The screen changed to a man standing in a room with soldiers in the background idling about.
“Thanks Hank. Now these creatures here in France are what seem to be people who have simply gone mad. There have been reports of the creatures attacking and eating other human beings. There have also been reports that some of these creatures are people some others have known in the past, but have died. Even some of the people killed by these creatures have been seen to rise up and attack other human beings. Hank.”
“Very good, Derek. Currently the situation is remaining within French borders and no known case of these creatures is in the United States, anywhere else in Europe, nor Asia. Hopefully these things can be destroyed before it spreads.” Jack watched with open eyes as he saw this. It was all too familiar. Zombies? No way. It was simply unthinkable to have zombies running around, the dead doesn’t come back, and they certainly don’t eat people. Not outside of Hollywood at least.
“Jack…” Moira said softly. Jack leaned next to her and held her.
“Don’t worry they’re not in the US right now. We’re safe, and I doubt they’d get through the whole UN army. Don’t worry.” He stroked her red hair. There was nothing to worry about.
Sixth DOI
November 21, 2013
November 21, 2013
“…Mr. President, what are these creatures in Europe?”
“We don’t know.”
“Mr. President, what was the cause of the rapid infection.”
“We don’t know.”
“Mr. President, is there any chance that the US can help European citizens and destroy these monsters?” The president sighed.
“We don’t know.”
“Mr. President, is it possible that these creatures could take over the United States?” The president looked around him.
“Yes. That’ll be all for now.” The President stepped down as the media chattered after him and off screen. Moira was lying on the couch again, pale and eyes wide. Neither of them spoke much ever sense the first infestation within the city, both have been very scared. The National Guard took care of the problem quickly enough, but people have been saying there’s more, if not here, but to come. The sound of Jack’s hammering echoed through the house. Then the fierce blow of a blow torch. He was welding some windows shut and covering them with sheets of metal he stole from Engingears. After taking care of their apartment’s kitchen window, Jack came back into the living room and sat next to Moira. She lied on him as the news came up again about outbreaks of the creatures were appearing in Florida, California, Maine, and some parts of New York.
“The windows are sealed, they can’t get in now.” Jack assured Moira as he stroked her hair. She was quiet still staring blankly at the TV set as she rested her arms around him. He looked with her, but hardly saw. He simply stared, wondering what would happen next. His hand rested lazily on the 12 gauge shotgun that rested against the couch.
He wasn’t sure what to make of all this, but he knew one thing for sure. He would protect his wife.
14th DOI
November 29th, 2013
November 29th, 2013
Jack’s ears perked up when he heard loud, but sad whining. He couldn’t tell exactly what it was, but it was depressing. He turned, gripping his shotgun close. He turned to the other survivors: Andrew, Sarah, and Nick, they heard it to. It almost sounded human, but at the same time like a dog. They walked forward a bit more, in the dark blood stained alley way. Bodies of dead infected lay around the ground with some random appendages tossed here and there.
“It sounds like a dog.” Sarah said softly, she was a veterinarian, so Jack felt confident she was right. They came to a door, opened just ajar. He looked to Sarah who nodded, turning on a flash light that was attached to her pistol.
“If it’s wounded, just shoot it or something.” Andy said blandly as he turned around to watch their backs. Nick stood beside him, but watched the two for a moment before then keeping his eyes darted forward in anticipation.
Jack and Sarah came to the door and hesitantly opened it with a faint creek. Inside is what seemed like a small warehouse with shelves flanking them on both sides and in the back. Boxes filled the shelves; they hardly took time to look at see what were in the boxes. Sarah's flashlight scanned the ground before them slowly; the flashlight's circle going back and forth as they slowly entered the dark room. Finally the flashlight swooped past something. As Sarah began to re aim the light on the figure Jack pushed her hand down.
"No lights!" Jack whispered sharply as the whining continued before them.
Outside Nick and Andy looked down the alley they came from and leaned forward to listen to some faint commotion. It quickly got closer and the sound of hundreds of dumb infected quickly filled the air. Andy held up his M4carbine.
"Shit. Shit! SHIT!" Nick began yelling as he ran inside the warehouse, "They're coming!" The young adult yelled as he came up to Sarah and Jack. His light landed on the figure. The figure suddenly turned to them and showed a hideous mutation between man and dog. Its fore legs were human arms, the flesh removed to show the muscles and bone underneath. Its torso was human as well with some patches of fur. Its rear legs were that of a dog, but in several spots it was naked of fur. The head was the most disgusting however. It had the muzzle of a dog but kept the face of a dead man with yellow eyes. The creature growled at them as it lifted itself into a pouncing position.
"Run like hell!" Sarah screamed as Nick, Jack, and Sarah stood and dashed out of the room. Nick shut the door with a slam as Jack exited and the Doman smashed its head against the door. Nick pressed his body against the door hard as he heard gunfire explode around him. Suddenly the forearm of the creature lashed out through a hole it punched through. Nick began screaming as he blasted at the dog with his MP5 through the hole.
"What do we do now?!" Nick screamed as he blasted away at the creature as it tried clawing at his stomach.
"Stick together!" Jack called back as he let off a round and cocked his gun for another blast. Suddenly he felt a pair of cold hands on his shoulders, gripping hard. Small claws dug into his shoulders as he was suddenly tugged upward and into a fire escape. Sarah turned around saw as Jack was being pulled into one of the Wranglers. The grey, naked creature tugged on Jack while its jaw opened up exposing rows of razor sharp teeth.
"Hang on!" Sarah yelled as she blasted a few rounds into the Wrangler's head. Eventually it let go and Jack fell to the ground with a grunt. Jack looked up and saw as the horde came at them, turning from dozens to hundreds in just seconds. Jack picked up his gun and began firing into the crowd.
"Fire in the hole!" Sarah suddenly alerted as a silver beeping tube flew over their head. The infected redirected their attention to the smoke alarm bomb that landed into the middle of the crowd. The survivors dived behind trash cans for cover as the bomb exploded. Blood flew everywhere, staining the walls and ground. Then came a new sound; the chopping noise of a helicopter.
"Hey!" Nick was already up, "Hey down here!" He began chasing the helicopter as its search light cast down on him, "We're not infected! Down here!" He kept running after the helicopter and eventually around a corner. Jack got up quickly to follow.
"Damn it!" Nick yelled as the helicopter continued off without him. He turned to see Jack and shrugged with a sigh. Jack began to approach him when a howl cut through the air like a knife. Nick was on the ground now with another Doman on him, attempting to sink its jaws into his neck. Jack was quick and kicked the Doman off. It responded by leaping into the air, in an attempt to pin Jack. Jack was quicker however and blasted the Doman out of the air with a good shotgun shot. The Doman flew back and hit a car hard as the other survivors caught up. The car's alarm blared through the air.
"This is gonna be bad…" Andy said simply as a loud cry of the infected answered the siren of the car alarm. The survivors grouped closely together as infected began to come from anywhere they could. They came from apartment windows, doors, alleys, jumped fences as they surrounded the four survivors. They went from hundreds to thousands it seemed like in just a second. But matters seemed to only get worse as another car flew through the air and bowled through several infected. A Brute, one of the deadlier mutated infected began charging through. Its grey and red skin pulsed from its massive muscles as it plowed through the infected with no regard of what was in its way.
"Run or shoot…?" Nick said as he began to back up slowly, sweat and fear in his eyes, "Run or shoot!?" He then yelled when the Brute got closer.
"Both!" Sarah responded and the group quickly turned and ran, shooting off their guns as the Brute charged through the crowd, throwing around infected as it went. They jumped over the torn down fence and turned into another alley. Nick glanced behind him and saw a lowered fire escape.
"Up there!" He cried. Jack stopped by it.
"Go, go, go!" He urged as he held his shotgun ready, "C'mon…c'mon." He said through gritted teeth. The Brute charged around the corner and through one of the shells Jack shot at it. The Brute hardly seemed phased as it then swung a massive arm and crashed Jack into a wall.
"Jack!" Andy yelled as he jumped from the fire escape. He took aim and began peppering the Brute with his assault rifle as Jack slowly got to his feet. The Brute fell back from the assault for a moment before then swinging out to Andy. They took this chance for the fire escape, this time Jack leading the way. The Brute crashed its arm through a brick wall, losing its balance. However the creature quickly regained its balance and grabbed hold of a chunk of rock and threw it at the survivors.
"Heads up!" Jack and Andy dodged around the falling debris as they climbed. Then suddenly and infected grabbed hold of Andy’s leg. He looked down to see its head get split open.
"Go, I'll hold them off!" Sarah yelled from a top the fire escape. She began shooting down into the crowd of infected as Jack and Andy climbed. The Brute didn't waste much time and leaped up and took hold of the fire escape. Sarah continued her barrage into the Brute's face as it climbed. The fire escape began to give under the massive weight and finally fell when Andy climbed off. Sarah lost one of her pistols as she began to fall.
"Andy!" She called, holding up a hand. Andrew dived down and held fast onto her coat's sleeve and pulled. Sarah climbed up onto the roof they now stood on…and breathed.
15th DOI
November 30th, 2013
November 30th, 2013
Jack checked his watch. 12:13; all of that in a matter of twenty minutes. It didn't seem possible. He turned to see everyone staring blankly at the ground. He looked over the side of the building for a moment and was greeted by a pair of Wrangler arms. They came within 5 feet of his face before snapping back into the Wrangler's shoulders. It gave a loud hiss up at Jack and tried again. Jack pulled out his pistol and gave it a shot to the brain. The arms fell. Suddenly he heard Nick laugh.
"We made it. I can't believe we made it!" Nick was laughing still.
"How can you be laughing?!" Sarah nearly screamed at him, "Now we're stuck here until help arrives!" She exclaimed then grunted in frustration. He put her hands into her blond hair. She didn't like what she said, obviously, and hated hearing it out loud.
"Well…what do you think is in the apartments?" Andy was standing next to a door leading down into the building.
"No, no, no. There's only going to be more and what if that Brute's inside? We can't fight that thing in there, it'll slaughter us!" Nick said back, suddenly losing his cheer.
"Well you got any better ideas; or would you rather go chasing helicopters again?!" Andy yelled back.
"Well what did you want me to do?! Let it go?" Nick responded just as furiously.
"Shut up!" Jack then yelled firmly. He put his pistol in his belt.
"Listen, we have a lot of shit to deal with and we can't deal with it unless we work together! Now stop fighting, save it for the fucking zombies!" Jack yelled and everyone settled down. Sarah sat down with her arms crossed with a shaky sigh. Tears began to roll down her cheeks. Jack sighed again and began to pace, putting his hands on the back of his neck. He had to think. He had to think. They were stuck here. No food, no water, nowhere to hide. They had to leave here, but where and how? The stairs? It was the most obvious, but could be dangerous. It was close quarters and unless they got their shit together, they'd be eaten alive in seconds. But where people once lived, there'd be food, water, supplies. Ammo was running low, and they were all hungry and tired. Things were going downhill already. He needed to do…something.
"Ok."
"Ok?"
"We're going down into the apartments. Reload and get ready." Jack said.
"What?! Are you nuts?! What if more are down there?" Nick exclaimed.
"Then we kill them." Jack responded blandly as he began loading shells into his shotgun.
"And the Brute?!" Nick continued to argue. Jack cocked his gun.
"We kill it." Nick scoffed.
Andy agreed with a firm nod and began to reload his weapon. He turned to the door when he saw Sarah wasn't moving. He looked to Jack who looked back and then shrugged. Nick looked between them and then at Sarah. Andy let his gun hang on its strap around his shoulder. He sat down next to Sarah and put a hand on her back. She was sobbing quietly.
"You ok?" He asked softly.
"I don't…I don't know if I can do this." She sobbed. Andy put his arms around her.
"Sh, sh, sh, sh…" He stroked her hair; Jack watched closely, "Don't worry," He said softly, "You'll be ok…we'll be ok, but we need your help. Ok?" She looked up, "Ok?" He asked again. She nodded slowly, he nodded with her and they stood up. She reached back and took out her pistol. It was the one with the flashlight still. She switched the clip slowly, cocked it, and then pushed her hair out of her face. Andy nodded.
"Ok." She said to the guys.
"Ok."They responded.
Andy opened the door and aimed his M4 down the stairs. The flashlight cast itself down into the dark stairway. Jack cut in front with his shotgun ready as he stepped down the stair case, his eyes shifting back and forth as he went. Nick followed, then Sarah, and Andy in the back. He closed the door behind them and continued down.
Jack looked around both corners, his flashlight acting as his eyes as he looked down the hallway they entered into. Jack then stood next to the doorway as the others came down.
"Alright, stay close and look for supplies. We'll go in groups of two. Nick you're with me. Andy and Sarah, go that way." He gestured down the other end of the hall, "Meet back here once you're done and we'll move down." They nodded, "Ok, be careful." Sarah and Andy nodded again.
Jack and Nick moved down the hallway as Sarah and Andy went their own way. They came to the first door and Jack stood in front of the door. He aimed his shotgun at the door itself.
"Open it." He said softly and Nick reached for the knob, turned and pulled. Nothing happened.
"It’s locked." Jack looked around quickly then pulled out his pistol and blasted the knob. The door began to open. Jack re aimed his shotgun and kicked the door open. Nothing was inside.
"Find the kitchen." He said strapping the shotgun on his back, "And anything to carry supplies in." Nick ran into a random room that turned out to be the bed room and Jack found the kitchen. He glanced inside to see nothing but blood and a body, but it lacked a head. He found a switch and flicked it on. The floor was covered with the pool and the body lay still, its guts all over the floor. The smell of death along with the scene made Jack cringe back before he dove in, jumping over the body. He found the refrigerator and swung it open. The things inside were tossed around and jumbled, but most of it looked ok, but he could only take what they could eat on the run. He fished around and was able to find a couple bottles of water as well as a packet of cheese, turkey, and some apples. He started placing them on the kitchen counter, hardly caring if they got a little bloody from the mess, if the blood was there.
"Hey I found a duffle bag!" Nick yelled from the bed room, "And some shells!"
"I got some food, bring the ba-" Jack cut himself off with a shout. When he looked up to grab the food he saw the decapitated head of the body in the back of the counter. Its eyes looked straight at him and its jaw moved up and down as if it were trying to eat something. It didn't have a body, but it was still alive. Goddamn. Jack shot it. Nick ran in promptly.
"You, ok?" He asked, the duffle bag over his shoulder, and then he saw what Jack shot at, "Aww man…" He said in disgust then turned away.
“Start packing up.” Jack said as he grabbed a couple of the water bottles and threw them into the bag. Nick took the food and threw them in. Jack then started throwing open cupboards and found some glasses. He grabbed a large one, turned on the faucet, filled the cup, and drank deep. He tossed one to Nick for him to drink. He even went back for a second cup full. In the other cupboards Jack found some bags of chips, a loaf of bread, and a box of cereal. They threw as much in the duffle bag as they could.
“Ok, let’s check next door for guns or ammo or something.” Jack said as he closed up the duffle bag and threw it over his shoulder. They went to the next apartment.
The door was already open, and the inside seemed just as dark as the last. Jack shined his light into the apartment, the small light scanning over the beaten apartment. More things were thrown around and the place seemed way more a mess. There wasn’t as much blood though, just things. Jack walked over a broken lamp and Nick followed suit. There was a crack behind him. Jack looked back and then down to see Nick had stepped on a piece of the lamp.
“Sorry…” he whispered, Jack just nodded. Eventually, after some careful stepping they heard some scratching and whining then a thud. Jack turned the corner quickly to see a Doman jumping and scratching at a door. The light flashed on it. The Doman turned around with a loud growl and jumped. Jack swiftly knocked the creature out of the air however with a swing of his shotgun. Nick quickly took aim with his MP5 as the Doman fell and started shooting. The Doman crashed into a couch and flipped the furniture, trapping the dazed mutant for a moment. Jack pointed his shotgun through the hole between the furniture and the floor and blasted the creature. Blood splattered on both sides.
“Done and done.” Nick said with a smile, “Wonder what he was after though.” Nick then commented, looking at the door. Jack shrugged as he stuck a few shells into his gun then cocked it for good measure.
“Let’s find out.” Jack aimed his weapon at the door. Nick stood to the side, reached over and swung it open.
Jack’s light showed what looked like a little girl, about seven or eight, standing in the closet. Her brown hair cascaded down in front of her face and her arms hung dead at her sides. Jack lowered his gun.
“Hey…hey, you ok?” Jack strapped the gun over his shoulder and bent down to the girl, “C’mon out, you’re safe now.” He said softly, trying to urge the girl out. The girl looked up and through her curtain of hair snarled and leapt at Jack. The infected girl tackled him to the ground, and Jack looked to see her grey dead face and a large chunk of flesh from her arm missing. She hissed and snarled at him as she tried to get to his neck for a meal. Nick was quick however and kicked her off before shooting her skull apart.
“Jack, you alright?” Nick asked, giving him a hand up.
“Yeah, I’m alright. Thanks.” Jack stood up and tried wiping some blood off of him. It only smeared on his pink shirt. It was white only three days ago…
“Alright, let’s check around; see if we can find anything.” Jack said taking a deep breath. He could still smell the death that girl carried. Jack shined his light in the closet to see only some clothes piled up with blood on them. He started throwing the clothes out of the closet as Nick set off for a different room. Jack heard the faint click of him reloading as he went off.
Jack continued to dig when he felt something small, but long and leathery. He pulled out a sheathed hunting knife. He pulled the large knife out of its holder and found it was quite large, he cut it along a coat, and sharp, the sleeve fell off. Placing the knife back into the sheath, he walked out to see Nick come back for the duffle bag.
“I found some ammo.” Nick explained briefly before disappearing again behind the doorway. Jack slipped the knife around his belt, using a strap it had to keep it on. He followed Nick into the room and saw him putting small boxes of ammo into the bag.
“Most of them are 9mm shots, but anything will do right?” He explained shoving another box in. The bag was already getting full.
“We need to get another bag if we want more.” Nick said as he tried in vain to push another box in.
“Just take what we can, we have to keep moving.” Jack said back and headed out of the apartment.
“You ok?” Andrew asked her as he placed a couple lofts of bread into the back pack they found. She was pretty quiet now and Andrew was worried.
“Yeah…” She whispered, she closed the bag and strapped it on herself.
“Ok…” Andy responded dispirited. He pulled his gun out in front of him as he led her out of the apartment. They began to the stairs, Andy leading the way with his flash light out in front. He glanced back at Sarah occasionally to make sure she was there. She was facing the other way, and walked backwards to keep up with him. Her flash light scanned the scene behind them. Suddenly he felt her jump on him.
“Lights off!” Sarah whispered sharply. Andy turned his flash light off promptly and turned to look at her. She was pointing behind them. There at the end of the hall, head bent down to accommodate for its massive height, was the Brute from earlier. In the darkness it seemed like nothing more than a giant blob, but Andy knew it was the creature.
“C’mon.” Andy whispered and ducked into the apartment next to them.
“What about, Jack and Nick?” Sarah protested.
“We can’t risk getting attention to ourselves. If they’re smart, they’ll do the same.” Just then they heard some gunshots from down at the other end of the apartment. The Brute gave a curious growl and began down the hall, slowly. Its height prevented it from going quickly lest it smash its head into the ceiling.
“What do we do?” Sarah whispered. Andy hesitated.
“We kill it.” He responded and began out of the apartment again to stalk the Brute.
“We can’t kill it on our own!” Sarah protested again.
“If we wait until just before it might see Jack and Nick, we can sandwich it at least.” Andy said back as he finally went through the doorway and began to stalk the beast. The Brute stopped suddenly. Sarah grabbed Andy’s shoulder and tried to pull him back; afraid it would turn around and beat them to death. Suddenly the Brute gave off a roar down the hallway.
“Shit!” Nick yelled from the other end and gunfire flew into the Brute and by the other two survivors.
“Run!” Jack could be heard yelling.
“Fight!” Andrew screamed to the other end and he began pelting the Brute in gunfire with Sarah blasting away at his side.
The Brute turned to them, its giant mouth agape for another roar as the two pelted it with bullets.
“Jack, Nick, get ‘em!” Andy yelled and gunfire then covered the Brute’s entire body. It began to scream in pain and roar in fury and suddenly charged Sarah and Andy.
“Look out!” Andy grabbed Sarah and they dove into the apartment. Brute changed direction quickly and began to duck into the apartment. Jack threw the door closed in its face and began shooting at it through the wooden door. A massive arm rammed through the door and sent Andy into the back wall.
“Andy!” Sarah screamed as Andy smashed and fell limp. A small river of blood began to flow from his head and down to the floor. Sarah’s stomach churned in fear, fear of his death, and fear of being alone with this creature. She looked back and up at the Brute as it raised an arm to smash her to the ground. She aimed her pistol at its head with a look of blank fear and pulled the trigger once. It stopped, looking at Sarah, a hole in its head. Its arm then dropped to its side then to fell to its side. Dead. Its back flesh was completely ripped apart and its spine was showing. Sarah kept back the urge to vomit. Jack and Nick stood at the doorway.
“Sarah!” Jack yelled.
“Andy!” Nick followed up. They ran to their respective person. Nick bent down to Andy shaking him lightly and Jack grabbed Sarah and brought her back to reality.
“Are you ok?” Jack asked. Sarah’s world was distant, Jack sounded like he was at the end of a long hall and the room seemed thrice as big. Her eyes pointed at Jack, but Jack could tell she wasn’t really looking. In a panic Jack brought her to a couch and slowly sat her down. She didn’t resist in the slightest and kept her eyes pointed forward.
“Sarah…” She didn’t move, “I need you to stay here, ok?” He said, as if talking to a toddler. She didn’t respond, but remained put anyway. Jack stood and moved to Nick and Andy.
“He’s got a pulse.” Nick said a bit spiritlessly, “but his head won’t stop bleeding.” Nick showed a washcloth he held to Andy’s head. It was red with blood. Nick pressed it up again. Jack looked at the dead brute.
“Ok. We’re going to rest here then. I’ll help you move Andy to the bed room and we’ll get him patched up. Sarah still has that first-aid kit we found the other day. Then we’re using that dead brute to block the door, we’re going to eat and rest. Ok?” Jack said, more looking for Nick’s approval than issuing a command. Jack knew Nick was the only person still in his right mind to help. If Sarah were to wake up from her dreamlike state then he’d feel better. At least Andy was knocked out and wouldn’t go anywhere. Sarah could wander off. Jack looked back, she had not yet. With a nod, they lifted Andy off the ground and transferred him to the open bedroom. It was small, and dark. The only window was boarded up and the closet was locked with a padlock. Nick and Jack lowered him onto the bed; face down so they could work on his wound more effectively. The bleeding had slowed down at least.
“Alright, I can take care of him.” Nick said as he pressed the cloth back on, “Just get me the first aid kit.”
“You sure?” Nick nodded.
“Me and my brother used to hike all the time so he taught me all about first-aid, even had to patch him up once. He fell down the side of a steep hill and cracked his head against a tree.” He chuckled humorlessly, “He walked halfway back up with a huge leaf on his head trying to stop the bleeding. He yelled up to me, “Nick! This leaf’s red, and it ain’t fall, give your brother a hand and a bandage will ya?”” He laughed again with a small smile, “Anyway, get me that pack, I can patch him up fine.” Jack smiled a bit himself.
“Sure.” He said and went to get it.
16th DOI
December 1st, 2013
December 1st, 2013
“It’s snowing.” Jack said as thousands of small flakes danced to the ground and covered up the dumb and idle infected below. Jack turned around to see Nick next to him, watching down below.
“How are they?” Jack asked. Nick took a deep breath. He wasn’t really a doctor, but he was the best they got.
“Andy’s still unconscious, but he hasn’t bled sense yesterday so I think he’s ok.” Nick said.
“And Sarah?”
“I don’t know. I’m no physiatrist; I just hope she hasn’t snapped. She just sits there, not even doing anything.” Nick looked back to Sarah to see her on the couch still. There was a plate of some cheese and crackers next to her, but she hadn’t made any motion to eat or even acknowledge them. Jack decided to try again. He lifted the plate to her face.
“Sarah, you need to eat, so please, eat. You need to keep your strength up.” Jack urged. Sarah’s eyes didn’t move but her hand sluggishly came up and grabbed some crackers. She ate them, but didn’t see to eat with much appetite. Jack wasn’t relieved so much.
“Uuuuuuughhhh….” A tired and almost frustrated moan came from Andy’s room. Jack and Nick stood at the doorway to see Andrew rubbing his eyes.
“My head…” Andy said trying to sit up, “Feels like I got hit by a train.”
“More like a tank.” Jack said as they came into the room, relieved smiles on their faces.
“Yeah I guess…where are we?”
“Still in the apartments, you’ve been asleep sense you got hit. You should lie down, get some more rest.” Nick suggested.
“But don’t we got-“ Then suddenly, plowing through the two guys came Sarah nearly sprinting. She jumped on Andy giving him a big hug, tears rolling down her face. She didn’t say anything. Nick and Jack stared at Andy as he hugged her back, with a confused look on his face. He looked back at Nick and Jack and just shrugged.
“I’m glad to see you to, Sarah.” He said patting her back,
“But…uh...could you..” She let go and sat down smiling at him.
“I was worried.” She said simply with some tears rolling down still. She looked around to see Nick and Jack staring at her weirdly, “Sorry I was just…” Jack put a hand on her shoulder.
“It’s ok, as long as you’re ok now, it’s ok.”
“I’m ok.” She responded with a smile.
“So is anyone hungry?” Nick then asked holding up the package of turkey and bread.
“Yeah, I’m starved.” Andy said holding a hand on his head. It hurt crazily but that was all.
“Alright, hope you aren’t a vegetarian.”
“Even if I was, I don’t think I’d care.” Andy said with a small chuckle then winced a bit as a small jolt of pain, “Anyone got an aspirin?” He asked, rubbing his head.
“I’ll look in the bathroom.” Sarah said promptly and went. Nick was in the kitchen cutting the turkey now as well.
“How are ya feeling?” Jack then asked seriously.
“My head hurts, but I think I’m ok otherwise.”
“You sure?” Jack persisted.
“Jack…we’ve been over this. I’m immune, and besides I doubt I’d get the virus from getting punched in the face by that thing.” Jack nodded, content with the answer. That was his prime worry when Andy was unconscious. Would he turn? It was an open wound after all and chances are just touching that thing could spread the virus. But Andy was right; when they first met Andy was bitten by one and hadn’t changed. He healed from the wound and never looked back. Jack’s mind wandered to Sarah and Nick. Neither was bitten when he found them, but both seemed immune. The virus, whatever it was, was said to be airborne as well. People, who were killed by other methods, if left exposed to the air, soon turned, got up and murdered. It was a scary thought, but a realistic one, one they had to consider.
“Found some Tylenol and I got you a drink.” Sarah then said as she walked in.
“Thanks.” Andy said promptly and downed the water and medicine, “I feel better already.” He said with a smile. She smiled back brightly.
“Ok, so what’s the plan?” Andy asked. Jack shrugged.
“It’s snowing out, maybe the cold will slow them down, but first we need some clothes to put on so we’re going to have to go on another hunt for supplies. Can you walk?” Jack then asked.
“I think so, but I’m kind of dizzy right now.” Andy said.
“He should be better in a couple of hours. He’s just waking up after all.” Nick said as he came in with a plate of sandwiches. Jack quickly took one of them and took a good mouthful. It was dry, and the turkey had a greasy unpleasant flavor, but he’d eat it again if he had to. It was the best food he’d had in days.
“Ok, so, after we’re done here; Sarah, I want you to stay guard for Andy,” Jack handed Andrew Sarah’s pistol and to Sarah he gave the M4.
“Nick, you and I will be off to look for stuff. If you can, look around here Sarah.” She nodded, “Ok, Nick, you ready?” He asked. Nick took a last mouthful of a sandwich, picked up his MP5, pulled back the hammer, and nodded.
“Let’s go.” Nick said, his words muffled by a full mouth.
“Open it.” Nick swung open the door and Jack shot into the apartment quickly. There were two infected inside, fighting over a leg. They fell with a screech, and began to twitch on the ground with small squeals escaping their lips. Nick took the pleasure of finishing them off, a bullet to the brain.
“Ok, check the closets and I’ll…” Jack stopped.
“What?” Nick asked. Jack shushed him quickly. Faintly, Nick heard rapid and heavy pounding, like a marching band running up a flight of stairs. Jack looked to Nick gravely.
“We need to get back.” He said, “Now.” Jack and Nick burst into a run out of the room and into the hallway. The pounding was getting closer quickly. They were currently four floors below where Andy and Sarah were resting. They picked up their pace, hopping over bodies and things thrown astray in the hallway. They could hear the excited and dumb jabbering and chatter of the infected behind them; then suddenly a loud yell. The infected saw them.
“Get ready to fight!” Jack yelled.
“What?!” Nick responded as they came to the stairs.
“We’re going to make a wall of bodies for them to climb over, slow ‘em down. Go!” They turned around swiftly as they climbed the stairs. Jack and Nick began peppering bullets down into the brains of the once dead. Blood splattered onto the ones behind them and the walls around them. They were pushing however, and too quickly. Jack hit one with the butt of his shotgun and blasted it into the crowd.
“Run!” Again, they ran. The infected were slowed however, but only slightly. They continued to run after them, looking like a dumb marathon race. Occasionally the two would shoot behind them to knock the infected off their feet at least. Barking began to follow the jabbering infected.
“We got Domans!” Nick warned and turned around to blast them a bit with his gun before the dreaded clicking from his empty gun came up. Jack gave out a blast of his own and then run off, following Nick.
“Shit!” Nick exclaimed as he dropped a magazine for his gun, then the gun itself.
“Leave it!” Jack ordered as they came up to another flight of stairs. They stormed up the stairs with the infected soon to follow. They were on the same floor as Andy and Sarah now. They could see the Brute corpse in the doorway, acting as a barrier still.
“Andrew! Sarah! In coming!” Jack and Nick yelled together, Jack even shot off a shell into the air. They came to the corpse jumped over it, and lied down on the ground. Gunfire exploded from Sarah’s M4 and Andrew’s two pistols. Jack and Nick rolled further into the room to avoid the fire and stood up. Nick pulled out his pistol while Jack reloaded and began firing down the horde.
“There’s too many, we’re getting overrun!” Some of the infected were getting over the barricade before getting shot down, but more and more were getting closer.
“Keep up the pressure!” Jack yelled as he blasted one of the closer infected, its guts rolling out promptly. Gunfire continued for some time. When the wave started to slow down a pair of rubbery arms extended from the pack and took hold of Nick and began to yank him into the crowd.
"Nick!" Jack yelled as he began to beat at the infected gathering around Nick. He was being pulled in quickly however. Jack continued to beat the infected back; Sarah tried her best to keep the infected off them as Andy tried to pick off the Wrangler.
"Get 'em off me!" Jack bashed another infected head's in away from Nick, but they were getting too close. Nick gave off one more cry for help before he disappeared into the mass of infected before them. Then they heard an ear splitting scream…then a gunshot. The infected didn't slow. Jack watched them come, he felt lost suddenly. Nick was gone…really gone. They were already down a man and already folding under the pressure of this infection. He felt someone grabbing his shoulder and pull him around. Sarah was there and pointed to the window. The fire escape, something about it, she said. He looked back, shooting again and followed her. Jack's world felt hazy and he felt empty. Andy was behind him. They slammed a door shut and Andy bashed open a window.
"Go! Go! Go!" Andrew yelled as Jack stepped out and began to climb down the escape, one step at a time. Sarah was behind him, yelling for Andy to hurry. Andy gave off a last burst of gunfire before he jumped onto the escape, leaving his empty gun behind. When they reached the bottom, Jack could see infected jumping from the windows above in a dumb attempt to chase them. They fell and died upon impact or broke their bones in twisted ways. Jack shot at a few infected as he came to the end. He felt the empty click of the gun after only a few rounds but continued to shoot them with nothing. Sarah pushed him and Jack jumped down to the bottom as the snow covered infected began to gather. Andrew and Sarah were firing their pistols and began to run. Jack followed blankly. He felt like he was on autopilot, like Sarah and Andrew had a light over their heads that prompted him to follow them. He ran as fast as he could, as far as he could, until they reached the dead end.
20th DOI
December 5th, 2013
December 5th, 2013
"Jack, you ready to go?" said Red. Jack looked up dumbly, he was half asleep. Dazed, Jack stood up and rubbed his eyes. He pulled the hammer back in his M16A1 and shifted the bag on his back. "C'mon, stay awake buddy. I need you to keep my back." Red said and patted Jack's back.
"Yeah, I-I'm awake." Jack said with a yawn. He looked up to the older man. Red was tall with a little snow on the roof. He was a soldier who tried to hold the line here in NY, but after shit hit the fan, he was just trying to help as many people as he could. Forget orders. Jack and Red then stood from the stoop they rested at and headed to the local gasoline station. As they walked Jack couldn't help but think about just four days ago. Red found them and gunned down nearly a hundred infected in his army humvee with the minigun on top. He, Andrew, and Sarah got away thanks to him. Red then took them to a camp of about eight other survivors. A couple more of them were soldiers as well. But then they were overwhelmed the next day. Only Jack, Sarah, Andrew, Red, and another fellow named Greg got away.
They found another place in the city soon enough with a cop, Ted, and a girl, Ellie, hold up in there. The cop was pretty paranoid at first, but the girl was much more welcoming. She was even a nurse and took some decent care of them. So far the infected haven't come a knockin' too much with too many guests. The only problem was feeding so many mouths and food ran out fast. At least the pipes worked still.
"Get down, Camens." Red whispered and Jack snapped out of his world and ducked down with Red. They crouched by a bush and peeked over. The creatures that walked by were as big as large dogs. They had a certain strut however, that of a proud feline. They had four paws and the hind legs of a lion. The fleshy tails swung back and forth stiffly as they walked by. Jack saw as one looked his way. The head was disfigured in an ugly way; something between a man and a cat. Even small whiskers began to sprout along its crushed human nose and under the eyes. The hair on its head was falling out, or going in and coming out other places. It gave a low noise, like a rusty and broken motor boat rudder in mud. It looked Jack's way for a long time before turning back and continuing on with the other four.
"God…what is this thing?" Jack asked in a whisper as the Camens rounded a corner and disappeared.
"I don't know, but I'm damn glad I haven't caught whatever they got." Red responded and looked out again. "Ok, let's go." Jack and Red stood and began down the street again, jogging quietly.
They came to a Mobile gas station. The inside was broken and torn. The lone moonlight hardly gave enough light for them to see what was inside. They stepped through the broken glass door and into the dead mart. Jack took off the bag and strapped on his gun. He zipped it open and held it out. He followed Red who stuffed whatever he could find. Candy bars, gum, chips, hotpockets, whatever. Eventually the bag was filled and Jack strapped it on. Red took off his bag. It was Jack's turn. They filled the bag just as fast, and even opened a box of cookies for a quick snack. The motor sound came back.
"Get down." Red said hushed, but more urgent. Jack ducked down under the window he was next to. His knee landed into something sticky and warm. He looked down to see he had knelt into a pool of blood. Red was in front of him, holding down Jack's back with his hand, looking up. Jack went back to the blood to see if he could move his knee somehow. Then suddenly a pack of gum landed in the pool from a high shelf. They looked up. A Camen stood perched on top of the shelf, looking out. Maybe it hadn't seen them yet. Jack looked to Red to see if he knew what to do. Jack began to motion to move when suddenly the Camen let out a loud roar that sounded as if a lion were roaring while underwater and into a harmonica.
"Go loud!" Red ordered and Jack quickly armed himself and aimed up. The Camen swung a half hand-half paw and smacked Jack's gun out of his hand. Luckily it was still on its strap and he simply reclaimed it. Red had already begun peppering the Camen with his M4. The creature yowled and fell back behind the shelf.
"Run!" Jack ran around the shelf and past the Camen. He jumped over a downed shelf and out the door. He heard some gunfire but didn't dare look back just yet. After he crossed the street, Jack looked around himself, when he was satisfied that the coast was clear, he looked back to the gas station.
“Red!” Jack yelled. Red came running out of the mart promptly. Behind him were two Camens. One was limping however. Jack took aim at them.
“Don’t bother, just run!” Red yelled. Jack took the shots anyway. He shot the faster one in the head, and it dropped. The other was too slow to catch up to Red, Jack didn’t bother.
“Behind you!” Jack turned around to see another Camen had come from the shadows and leaped onto Jack. Its claws poked at his skin through his thick jacket. Blood then splattered around Jack as Red quickly downed the beast. Red took hold of his hand and helped Jack up.
“On your feet, we are leaving!” Red said, making it sound like some sort of ultimatum. Jack wasted no time to follow.
“Password?” They could hear faintly on the other side of the metal door. It was Ted. He probably knew who it was, but it was his system and he was probably being an ass again.
“Oprah, you sonovabitch. Let us in we got food.” Red said promptly. The door opened and Red and Jack were welcomed with a shotgun to the face. Ted looked around them but then lowered his gun. They went in and they sealed off the door again. Ted and Red traded some glares but said nothing more to each other. Jack came into the living room. Greg and Sarah were talking idly and Ellie was checking over Andrew’s head wound. Jack put down his bag on the coffee table.
“Andy will be fine in a just a few days.” Ellie chimed in brightly. She was a cute girl with a very bright attitude. She had baked skin and brown hair. She always seemed to try to wear a smile. Jack smiled back to her; it was a rather fake smile. Then suddenly her smile disappeared when she noticed the blood on Jack’s knee.
“Oh my god, Jack!”
“Don’t worry.” Jack said quickly, holding up a hand, “It’s not mine.”
“Oh…” Ellie said a bit dumbly went back to applying some fresh bandages to Andrew’s head wound. Red walked in then, he walked like a man with a limp however.
“Red…are you…” Jack began, but Red mimicked what Jack did before. Red held up his hand.
“Don’t worry. I just twisted it when we ran from the Camens is all.” Red assured.
“I should probably take a look at it then, you might have sprained it.” Ellie said, getting up. Red smiled.
“Now now, don’t let this old soldier worry you. I just need to keep off it for awhile I’ll be fine, I promise.” Ellie persisted however.
“Are you sure? I can help you.”
“Ellie,” Red’s voice got more defensive, “I’m fine…Just escort me to the bedroom and you’ve done all you need for me.” Ellie looked at him gravely then nodded. She took some of his weight and Red hopped his way to the bed room.
“What happened, Jack?” Andy asked quietly. Jack shook his head.
“I don’t know. I never saw him fall, but maybe while running he did.”
“You think maybe he got bit or something?” Andy inquired.
“You think he wouldn’t tell us?” Jack challenged.
“Maybe.” Andy said looking to the bedroom.
“I didn’t see any blood.” Jack then said. Andy pointed to a couple of drops on the wooden floor.
“That could’ve come from my pants.”
“Could’ve, but I didn’t see it start dripping at all.” Jack looked to the ground gravely.
“What do we do?” Jack then asked.
“Keep an eye on him, give him some time. Hopefully he won’t turn by then. He might be immune; he never bothered to tell us.” Andy said.
“Alright…” Jack agreed, “Just don’t let Ted know. We don’t want him down our throats more than he is.” Andy nodded.
“You got it.”
“Greg, Jack, I need your help.” Ted yelled from the front door. Greg stood and went with only a half hearted good-bye to Sarah.
“Keep an eye on him for me.” Jack said to Andy. Andrew nodded. Jack got his gun ready and went off to the front door.
"We got a problem that you and Red dragged in." Ted said, glaring at Jack.
"The Camens?" Jack asked with a sigh. Ted nodded.
"There's about five of them out there, surrounding the place. And we need to kill them before more of those bastards get attracted. I oughta feed you to those things you know, Jack. You're the one who put us in risk!" Ted began to shout a vein beginning to bulge out of his neck.
"Take it easy, Ted. You know that wouldn't help us, besides, it was smarter for him to come here. More of us to take them out." Greg argued firmly. He wasn't as big as Red, but he still had that marine intimidation that even Ted had to buckle under.
"Fine…but we can't keep putting ourselves in risk you know." Ted said weakly.
"Let's just kill these things." Greg said back cocking his UMP .45. Ted nodded then quickly opened the door. Jack, Greg, and Ted all flanked out, spotting the five Camens quickly. It only took about three seconds before all five were dead, spread out in different parts of the lawn in front of the house. They went back inside.
"How much food did you get?" Greg then asked as Jack wiped some of the blood off his shirt.
"A decent amount." Jack said simply and opened one of the bags. He grabbed a bag of chips and opened that with the amazing sounding plastic rip. It was a good sound these days. Greg took a handful from it and Jack followed suit. Then suddenly the bag was ripped from their hands. Ted rolled it up quickly and threw it back into the back.
"We can't eat any until we get it counted and rationed out." Ted said with a growl.
"Ted, enough." Ellie stood at the doorway her hands on her hips. She then walked to Ted, and snatched the bag from him. She gave it back to Jack.
"If you keep being an ass, we're not gonna work together." She said this with an odd smile while looking at Ted. It was almost disturbing at this point how bright she was. But it seemed to Jack she still had her head on straight. He smiled back to her and took out the chips again. Ellie took a handful this time.
"Here, give me something to give to Sarah and Andy."
"Where are they?" Greg then asked.
"Oh, Andy's whispering some sweet nothings to her again. Those two are such a nice couple."
"Couple?" Jack then inquired.
"Oh yeah. Haven't you seen the way they stare at each other? They won't admit it but they're in love. I can tell." Ellie said as confidently as she could.
"Huh." Greg chuckled, "Well good to see I guess. Something to offset this shithole apocalypse thing."
"Yeah!" Ellie agreed brightly, "Well I better get this to them. I bet they're hungry and Andy needs to keep up his strength and all. Play nice boys!" She ran off, hopping over a chair and was gone. Ted grumbled something under his breath.
“What?” Greg asked.
“Nothing…” Ted said quickly and went off, into a closed off room. Jack assumed it to be Ted’s personal quarters. Jack turned to Greg.
“We gotta watch him. He’s not with us.”
“What do you mean?”
“I mean that he’s probably the first guy to run on his own when shit hits the fan.” Greg nodded in agreement.
“What about Red?”
“Let’s go find out.” Then they heard a scream.
“Sounds like Sarah.” Jack said and they went off.
They found Andrew yanking on Sarah’s arm which was stuck inside of Red’s jaws. Red’s face was a pale grey and his eyes were rolled back. Red turned already. Jack couldn’t believe it. Jack pulled out a pistol as Greg began to yank as well. Jack aimed past everyone and blasted Red’s skull in. He let go.
“Ellie!” Andrew yelled in panic in the same way a soldier would yell for a medic. Blood was pouring out of Sarah’s arm, Red didn’t get a chance to take a huge chunk off, but it looked bad still. Ellie ran in, med kit in her mouth.
“Her arm!” Andrew said.
“Lay her down.” Ellie then instructed, pulling the kit from her mouth.
They pushed off Red’s corpse and brought down Sarah. She was crying, but seemed too weak to move much.
“Stay with me dear, you’ll be just fine. Ok?” Ellie said softly down to Sarah. She nodded weakly, “Good. Andy, come here. Hold right here. Put some pressure and don’t let go. No, here. Perfect. Push down.” Rip, “Ok move. Give me the scissors. Ok dear this going to hurt.” Sarah whined, “Almost done.” Snap, “Put the pressure on again. Ok move. There, done.” Ellie wiped her forehead with her arm.
“You did great honey, you’ll be fine now. He didn’t get you too bad.” Ellie said with a smile then disappeared into the bathroom in the bed room.
“…Guys…” Sarah piped up, “What if I’m not immune?” No one said anything at first.
“Don’t worry.” Andrew took her hand, “You are. You’ll be fine.” He said, but he didn’t look any more convinced than she did.
"Move." Jack heard Ted behind them. He was holding a pistol, aimed at Sarah's head. Andrew drew his pistol and aimed it back. His face was twisted in rage, but his eyes cascaded in sorrow.
"Don't you fucking touch her!" Andrew roared shakily at the cop.
"Move." Ted said again, "I'm not letting anyone else turn, not even her. Best to kill her now then wait for her to bite someone else."
"She's immune!" Andrew argued.
"You don't know that!" Ted yelled back, "We can't risk it! Move or I'll shoot you to!"
"Fuck you!" Andy yelled. Ted took aim.
"Last warning, fucker." Ted growled.
"I'll kill you!" Andy roared back. Bang. Ted and Andy both flinched back only to realize neither were harmed. They looked back at Sarah, a pistol in her mouth.
"No…nonononononononononono…" Andrew bent down to Sarah's corpse, his hands on her dead chest. He didn't stop saying no.
"Shut up!" Ted yelled and grabbed Andrew's shirt, "Shut up or I'll still kill you!"
"Do it then! Do it you son of a bitch!" Andrew yelled. Ted began to pull the trigger.
"No!" Jack pushed the pistol away from Andrew. Thud. Ellie lay on the ground with a hole over her heart.
"Jesus…" Jack said softly and then he was suddenly pushed to the ground. Ted stood over him, his pistol in Jack's face.
"You made me kill her…" Ted growled. Greg then pushed a pistol into Ted's head.
"Drop the FUCKING gun!" Greg shouted.
"What, are you going to kill me to?" Ted asked hoarsely.
"I will if I have to."
"Just shoot him…he killed them…JUST FUCKING SHOOT HIM!" Andrew started yelling. Jack stood up and put a hand on Andrew's chest.
"Calm down man."
"Calm down?! Red, Sarah, and now Ellie are DEAD! All because of this bastard! I say kill him!"
"I agree." Growled Greg.
"Calm down! Calm the fuck down!" Jack pushed down Greg's gun but Greg pushed him away then aimed the gun at him.
"You want to die to?!" Greg shouted.
"Greg, put it down!" Bang. Greg fell to the ground, a hole in his head.
"You fucker!" Andrew yelled. Bang. He fell as well. Jack looked around himself. He and Ted were the only ones left alive.
"I can't trust anyone anymore." Ted said darkly as he looked at Jack, he reloaded his gun.
"Jesus, Ted…you killed them. All of them." Ted cocked his pistol.
"Not yet." Ted aimed his gun at Jack. Jack's eyes widened and as he heard the final bang, Jack could only think of one thing: I'm coming home Moira.
END
Its not really done, I just did the ending for the sake of time. I want to give it more plot, less people dying at the end and such. Enjoy what I got so far, and give me some critique if you would.