“Oh my God,” cried Kristie, crawling into the back of the SUV. “Leave him go!” she screamed, waving her fist at the truck. “You piece of shit!”
Henry raised his shotgun, and aimed it out the back. “I’ll take care of this.”
She pressed his gun down. “No, Henry, you might shoot the cop instead.”
I picked up Bryce’s revolver and jumped out of the SUV. Deep down I just knew that the person driving the truck was evil and demented. There was no doubt in my mind that he wasn’t going to stop with the cop. We were next.
“Cassie!” screamed Paige. “What are you doing?”
Ignoring her, I aimed the gun at the driver and pulled the trigger. The bullet hit the window but nothing happened.
I stared at it in shock. Not even a dent.
Paige laid on the horn as I raised the gun again.
The driver of the truck, rolled down his window and although I couldn’t see him through the tinted glass, loud music blasted out of the cab. It was a song by a band called Drowning Pool and it made the hair stand up on the back of my neck.
Let the bodies hit the floor…
Let the bodies hit the floor…
Let the bodies hit the floor…
A song that had always freaked me out.
Now, this psycho was taunting us with it.
Clenching my teeth, I aimed the gun and pulled the trigger a second time. Just like before, it did absolutely nothing to the glass.
The driver turned up the song and began to back the truck up.
“Get in the SUV!” screamed Kristie from the open window.
I ran around the fence to try and shoot the driver through the side window, but he backed up quickly and I couldn’t get a good position.
“Cassie!” hollered Henry, shuffling towards the cop’s mangled body still caught on the fence. “Get your ass in the SUV!”
The truck stopped moving, about two hundred feet away and began revving his engine again.
“Hit this you pile of shit!” yelled Nora, who was now standing next to me, flipping the truck off with both hands.
The stereo system on the truck was like nothing I’d ever heard before. The creepy song seemed to fill the streets as the driver continued to rev the engine, threatening and mocking us.
“He’s dead,” said Henry grimly, as he stepped away from the fence. “Poor feller.”
“Cassie!” hollered Bryce, running out of the police station. “Get away from there!”
The pickup’s tires started squealing again as the driver punched the gas and took off towards us.
“Shit!” yelled Nora, turning to run.
In a split-second decision I turned and headed for the fence. I jumped and pulled myself up several feet just as the truck hit the metal underneath me. Filled with adrenaline and rage, I jumped down onto the hood and ran until I was on top of the cab. As the driver threw it into reverse, I shoved the gun over the side and into his open window and pulled the trigger, aiming blindly.
“Cassie!” yelled Bryce as the truck backed up with me still clinging to the top, my bullet apparently not hitting my desired target.
Unable to hold on anymore, I slid over the top and into the bed of the truck, landing hard. Ignoring the pain, I scrambled back up and tried shooting into the open window again. This time, the gun clicked.
Shit.
The driver slammed on the breaks once again and I flew backwards, hitting my head on the back corner of steel tailgate protector.
From there, everything went black…
Chapter Ten
Allie and Kylie
As the girls were ushered into the mall, they were horrified to find that it was now infested with hordes of zombies.
“Oh my God, they’re going to eat us!” cried Allie as she turned to run back out of the entrance.
“No, no, no. They will leave you alone,” promised Father Brambati, grabbing her arm. “Just ignore them.”
She stared up at him in surprise. “Why would they do that?”
“Just trust me,” he said, smiling warmly. “Their interests have been… diverted. You have nothing to worry about, young lady.”
“Diverted? I don’t understand,” replied Allie.
“You don’t have to,” said the priest. “Just ignore them and they’ll ignore you.”
Seeing the gruesome zombies staggering throughout the hallway, Adria began to cry.
“I don’t care what you say… we’ve got to get out of here,” said Kylie, bouncing the baby on her hip, to try and calm her. “This is totally insane.”
“Girls, seriously, you have nothing to worry about,” repeated the priest. “I’ve walked past them twice already today, without any problems. They mean no harm to you.”
“Right,” said Allie, her stomach clenching in fear as a zombie stumbled towards them. At the last minute, the creature turned away, its’ attention distracted by something else. Something evidently, it could only see.
“Not only that, but it smells horrible in here,” said Kylie, her lips curling in disgust. She looked down at Adria, who’d grabbed a lock of her hair like she was clinging to dear life. “Even worse than a dumpster full of old smelly diapers. No offense Adria.”
“The zombies are dead and decaying,” said the priest. “They can’t help how they smell.”
“You sound like you actually feel sorry for them,” said Allie.
He stood up straighter. “Of course I do, I’m a man of God. Think about it, they were just like us a couple of months ago. Now they’re just empty shells.”
“Full of hunger,” said Allie, stepping out of the way as another zombie dragged its upper torso along the floor next to her. It paused for a second, stared up at her, and then continued on its way. Allie shuddered.
“You’re right,” said Kylie, wrinkling her nose as the legless zombie left a slimy trail across the marbled floor. “They were. Once. But now they look at us like we’re nothing but food and I don’t feel any sympathy for them. Not even the legless ones. Not anymore.”
He nodded. “I understand. You’ve been through a lot and have every right to feel these things. But I assure you, they will leave you alone because you’re with me. Now, come along.”
Both girls hesitated.
“Girls, if you can’t trust me, who can you trust?” asked the priest, his eyes wide.
“What else can we do?” asked Allie.
“Not much, I guess,” she replied.
Sighing, they began to walk with Father Brambati again, followed by the other two strangers, who remained aloof. As they were led down the corridor, they noticed that many of the shops had been looted or just destroyed. Merchandise was strewn everywhere, mannequins tipped over, and broken glass littered the carpeting.
“Not quite what you remember, hmm?” asked the priest, nodding towards a coffee shop that had been trashed. Coffee beans, shattered glass, and dried blood were all that remained of what had been one of the most popular stores in the mall.
“No,” replied Allie, feeling sick to her stomach. Not at all. For years she’d taken special trips to the megamall with her grandparents, especially during the holidays. Now, gone were the days of holiday lights, Christmas trees, and colorful decorations. Sadly, there would never be another over-crowded line of children to see Santa or people caroling in the background. The magic was gone and in its place was nothing but ruin, destruction, and the filthy undead loitering in the hallways.
She looked at Adria and felt sorry for the little baby who would never get to experience the same types of joys that she did growing up. She reached over and touched her soft head. “If we ever get out of this mess, I’m going to make sure that you learn about Santa Claus, though. And Christmas trees.”
“And presents,” said Kylie.
“Yes,” said Allie.
Most of the zombies shuffled by, not paying them any attention while they continued walking. Others, however, stared at them in confusion, as if they didn’t know quite what to m
ake of them.
“Where are we going?” asked Allie, watching the zombies closely.
“You’ll see,” replied Father Brambati. “We’re almost there.”
“Billie said that he was taking us back to our families,” said Kylie.
“I’m sure he’s arranged to have them pick you up here,” said the priest.
“I think I’d prefer waiting outside,” muttered Allie as she stepped over a dismembered hand.
The priest laughed. “Come on now, we’re almost there. Hey, I’ll bet you’re excited to see the theme park?”
“Are you kidding?” replied Allie. “This place is dead, just like the freaks walking by us. I’m not excited about anything but getting the heck out of here. Oh gross.”
A zombie with one eye hanging from her cheek by tendrils stared at Allie as they walked by.
“And the nightmares just keep getting worse,” she whispered, trying not to gag.
“Think of Adria,” mumbled Kylie. “And the nightmares she’s going to have.”
Allie stared down at the baby. “If we get out of this, she’s definitely going to need some kind of therapy.”
“We all will,” said Kylie as they rounded the corner.
“We’re almost there,” said Father Brambati, smiling eerily. “I can’t wait for you to see it.”
When they made it to the outside of the park, both girls froze, unable to comprehend exactly what their eyes were seeing.
“Oh my God, what is that?” gasped Kylie.
“It’s some kind of hole,” replied Allie, in shock.
Kylie took a step back. “Yeah, but how in the heck did it get here?”
In the center of the building, next to the rollercoaster, where there used to be concrete and ceramic tile, was a giant black hole. It was about one hundred feet wide, perfectly circular, and it almost appeared to be… pulsating.
“It looks like it’s alive,” whispered Allie, in horror.
“It’s about time you showed up. Come closer and have a better look!” hollered Billie, who stood next to the hole with Jenny.
The girls remained frozen.
“Come on,” said Father Brambati. “It’s magnificent, don’t you think?”
“This is not right,” whispered Allie. “How in the world did that hole get inside of the mall? And who in the heck made it?”
Kylie’s heart was beating frantically an in the back of her mind, she began to wonder if Billie was actually, an alien. “I don’t know. I… I’m really scared.”
Allie stepped closer to her friend. “Ky,” she whispered. “I think we should try and make a run for it.”
“Me too. Uh, do you feel that?” asked Kylie, noticing the vibrations under her feet.
“Yes,” squeaked Allie. “What’s happening?”
“Hey girls! Come on,” said Billie, smiling broadly. “You really have to check this thing out. I guarantee you’ve never seen anything like it!”
The couple shoved them forward.
“Stop, don’t touch me!” snapped Kylie, glaring back at the man. “Don’t you know how dangerous a hole like that is? Especially for someone holding a baby.”
“Oh, you’ll be fine,” said Billie, walking towards them. “Here, I’ll even escort you over.”
“Uh, no,” replied Allie, shaking her head vehemently. “I think we’ll pass on this, if you don’t mind. Anyway, aren’t you supposed to be taking us back to my sister?”
Billie looked down at his watch. “Actually, her ride should be dropping her off fairly soon. Father, why don’t you watch for them?”
“It would be my pleasure, General,” he replied, turning away.
“General?” asked Kylie, turning to Billie.
He smiled but didn’t answer.
“Wait, we should go with him,” said Allie as the priest walked away.
“No, that won’t be necessary,” he replied.
“But, we just want to get out of this place,” said Allie, her eyes moving back to the ominous hole.
He smiled darkly. “Don’t worry- you’ll all be leaving soon.”
Chapter Eleven
Cassie
“Ah… there you are…the girls have been waiting for you,” said Billie, his arms around Allie and Kylie’s shoulders as they stood at the entrance of the Mall Of America.
I ran towards them. “Thank God, I was so worried about you guys!”
“I knew you’d come,” said Allie, smiling as I pulled her into my arms and hugged her.
“Is everyone okay?” I asked, glancing towards Billie, who was watching us.
“Of course,” he replied.
“He’s lying,” she whispered into my ear.
I looked down into her face. “What?”
“Cassie, it looks like you made it just in time,” said Billie.
“Good,” I said, my eyes still on Allie, who looked petrified. “Hey…what’s wrong?”
“We need to go,” she said under her breath.
“Nonsense,” said Billie. “You need to stay. You don’t want to miss the show!”
Before I could ask him what he meant, the ground began to shake under our feet. “What’s happening?” I gasped, grabbing both Kylie’s and Allie’s hands.
“Ah… it’s time!” shouted Billie, a triumphant grin on his face.
“Time… time for what?” I asked, staring at the cement, which was beginning to crack.
“We need to go!” cried Allie, pulling me away from the building.
“Cassie!” screamed Kylie, as the ground opened up, in the parking lot we were heading, with a deafening roar.
We watched, frozen in terror as the granite, soil, and bedrock crumbled, forming a massive sinkhole. It widened, growing until it created a perfect circle. When it stopped, there was an eerie silence.
“What’s happening?” I whispered in horror, looking down into the sheer blackness. “What in the hell is that?”
“Shh … listen,” said Billie, stepping next to me. He leaned over the edge. “Can you hear it?”
Adria!
I could hear her crying from somewhere deep inside of the hole.
“Adria!” I yelled, getting down to my knees.
Her sobs grew, tearing at my heart.
“Adria!”
I had to try and save her!
Determined to find a way, I stood up and turned to Billie. “You have to help me get her out of there! Tell me how to do it!”
He sneered. “It’s too late for that little brat. Besides, I’m the reason she’s in the hole. Why would I try and get her out?”
I poked him in the chest. “What did you do to her, Billie? She’s just a baby!”
His eyes began to glow a bright red. Smiling evilly, he grabbed my arms, his nails digging into my skin.
“Stop it, Billie!” hollered Allie, trying to grab his arm.
He shoved her away and she fell to the ground, crying.
Kylie rushed to her side. “This isn’t real, Allie. He can’t hurt your sister.”
I stared at Kylie. “What?”
He began to whisper. “Let the bodies hit the floor. Let the bodies hit the floor… Let the bodies hit the floor.
Horrified, I tried pushing him away, but he was too strong. He pulled me to the edge of the hole.
“Please, no!” I begged.
He leaned forward and I could smell his breath - it stank of sulfur and rotten eggs. “I offer you to my lord and master. Yes indeed, you’re going to make a lovey sacrifice, my lovely virgin.”
“I’m not a virgin!” I growled at him.
His smile widened. “Even better!”
“Let me go!” I hollered.
“Okay.” He shoved me over the edge and I began to fall into the abyss.
***
I’m not sure if it was the rain that woke me, or getting knocked around in the back of the pickup. Regardless, I almost peed my pants when I realized exactly where I was.
Frightened, I sat up and stared at the road beh
ind us as my captor raced down the highway in his pickup. Unfortunately, we were going so fast, that I knew any attempt at escape would be painful and more than likely, lethal.
Soaked and shaking from the chill in the air, I wiped some of the rainwater from my face and tried desperately to think of a way out of the mess I’d gotten myself into. The only thing I could come up with, however, was to jump out the back when we slowed down and just run like hell. Hopefully, it would work out and the freak in the truck wouldn’t get another chance to run me down.
I turned and faced the cab, still unable to calculate how many people were inside. The windows were so black, that I couldn’t see any shapes or silhouettes. It seemed to make everything even more… creepier.
I shivered again and felt my teeth begin to chatter, I was so dang cold. As I pulled my legs in tighter, to try and get warmer, my mountain boot hit the gun.
Sighing in relief, I grabbed the revolver but then remembered that I’d run out of ammunition. I decided to keep the gun anyway, just in case I lucked out and found more bullets. I stuffed it into the back of my shorts and stared back at the road behind us, wondering where in the hell the assholes were taking me. I needed to get to the mall…
It was then that I remembered bits and pieces of my dream. Even though I knew it hadn’t been real, it had been pretty scary and for the first time in a long while, I appreciated my current situation. I could stand up to zombies and crazy people, but holes and demons?
I’d never have a chance against something like that.
None of us would.
***
Bryce
“Where in the hell did that bastard go?!” hollered Bryce, slamming his fist onto the steering wheel. “He couldn’t have just vanished into thin air!”
“Calm down,” said Tiny, who sat next to him. “We’ll find them, man.”
He rubbed his forehead. “We saw the truck turn that last corner and then he just what – teleported out of here? This is ridiculous.”
“You guys, I swear… I just can’t take much more of this,” muttered Kristie. “We just keep running into more trouble and I feel so damn helpless.”
Zombie Games Book Five (End Zone) Page 7
