“Inventory?” Sam asked once everyone was gathered together again.
“They hit our medical supplies hard, we’re down to three first aid kits.” Tone answered.
“They didn’t find the ammo but they did take the guns we weren’t carrying.” Sydney said.
“The pervs took my panties.” Daisy said.
“Ours too.” Sawyer added. The thought felt a lot like spiders running over my body.
“Gross.” Axel said.
“This is bull shit.” Aaron said, his fists clenching at his sides.
“Yes, it is but we’re here now and from the looks of it no one else is here.” Sam said, “So what do we do now?”
“Search the hotel for food.” Aaron suggested, “Send people out to hunt.”
“How would we hunt; all we have are a couple hand guns?” Sydney asked.
“There has to be a sporting goods store somewhere, maybe we’ll find something there.” Aaron said.
“You all heard him, let’s see what we can find here.” Sam said and led the way off the bus.
“How do they have light here?” Sawyer asked and I realized she was right, there shouldn’t be any light.
“Generators probably, kicked on whenever the power went.” Sydney answered.
“If there was light why isn’t anyone here?” Daisy asked.
“Lights might scare people now. Not knowing who controls them. They’re better avoided.” Sam answered.
“Break into pairs and see what you can find.” Tone said, “Axel and Sydney, you okay to stay with the bus?”
“You got it.” Sydney answered.
“Ash you’re with me.” Aaron said, “We’re heading upstairs.”
Chapter Sixteen
I was looking up the thirteen stories worth of stairs contained in the stairwell.
“Why can’t we take the elevator?” I asked.
“Don’t trust the generator and may miss someone hiding.” Aaron answered.
He started up the stairs. I watched him go up the first five steps before I groaned and followed him.
“I hate stairs.” I said.
“Hate them as you climb.” Aaron said.
I groaned.
One hundred and fifty something steps later we were standing in the deserted hallway of the thirteenth floor. It was labeled fourteenth floor due to some superstition, as the number thirteen was deemed bad luck.
Aaron was a staying only a few steps ahead of me. He was tense as he stopped at the first door and knocked. After listening for a minute, he stepped back and kicked the door in.
The room was empty.
“Little dramatic don’t you think?” I asked.
“How?” Aaron responded as he opened the bathroom door.
“Kicking in the door. What was with the knocking anyway?” I asked.
“Seeing if anyone was in here.” He answered.
“Like someone would open the door for you?” I responded.
“No.” He said, “More a check for Red Eyes.”
“Ah, they would have reacted to the knocking.” I said.
“There’s nothing useful in here.’ Aaron said.
I followed him out of the room and to the next door.
Aaron knocked.
A loud thump shook the door causing me to scream and jump away.
“That’s why I knock.” Aaron said.
“I said I got that.” I told him.
“Just checking.”
“How do we do this?” I asked.
“I kick in the door; you stab the dead thing.” Aaron said.
“Okay.” I said, “Do you have something for me to stab with?”
“Yeah.” He said and handed over his blade from its sheath on his belt.
The wood handle fit my hand well. The blade had ‘Winchester Limited Edition 2006’ inscribed on it. The tip of the blade was chipped.
“Ready?” Aaron asked.
I nodded and took a deep breath as he kicked the door in.
The door swung in slamming into the Red Eye’s face knocking him to the floor.
I threw myself on top of him and aimed to bring the blade down into his eye.
As I brought the blade down, I noticed his green eyes.
I was already screaming as the blade slid into his left green eye.
The man was limp when the hilt was stopped by his socket.
I couldn’t stop screaming.
“Ashlyn look at me.” Aaron said.
His hands were on my shoulders as he shook me. His blue-green eyes came into focus. His lips were moving but I couldn’t hear him.
His lips kept moving.
“I killed him.” I said.
“Ashlyn, stop.” Aaron said.
“I killed him.” I was stuck on repeat.
“Look at his arms.” Aaron said as he shook me again, “Ashlyn, look at his arms.”
I looked away from Aaron and to the man’s arms.
There were bites. Red and raw.
“He was already dead.” Aaron said.
“His eyes—”
“Don’t think that.” Aaron said.
He pulled me away and forced me to look at him.
“You know what bites mean.” He told me.
I nodded and let Aaron lead me out of the room.
I noticed the door number fourteen-thirteen.
Whoever designed the hotel missed a thirteen.
I started laughing while I was crying.
I put my back against a wall and slid down to the ground till I could wrap my arms around my knees. Aaron squatted down in front of me.
“Breathe.” He said.
“I can’t.”
“Yes you can. We still have work to do.” Aaron told me, “Focus on that.”
I wiped my eyes. The laughing caused hiccups.
I forced myself to stand up as I held my breath and counted to thirty.
Aaron waited until I got the hiccups to stop before leading to next door.
He knocked.
There was nothing from inside. He continued on.
“Are we not going in?” I asked.
“Maybe on the way back.” He answered, “You need time to calm down and I want to see what I can see from the windows up here.”
The closer we got to the window at the end of the hallway, the more blood was becoming visible. The window was broken, but there was no glass on the floor. The wind from the storm was whipping the tattered curtains in at us.
“Something went out.” Aaron said.
“Looks like.” I agreed.
The cool storm air helped clear my head. I could see green eyes but I could also see bites.
“How are you holding up?” Aaron asked.
I shrugged and looked out the broken glass, anywhere to avoid looking at Aaron’s eyes.
“Ash you’ll be fine.” Aaron said, “You have me.”
“I know I just keep seeing green eyes.” I said.
“I know, and I keep seeing bites.” He responded.
“What did you want to see from up here?” I asked.
“Was hoping to see if I can see shops around, this storm isn’t going to let me.” Aaron answered.
“Sporting goods store?” I asked.
“That was the hope.” He said.
“Now what?” I asked, “Are we going to go regroup?”
“Yeah I want to see who can hunt.” Aaron answered.
“I’ve never hunted.” I said.
“I know.” He said.
“Don’t leave me.” I said.
“You know I wouldn’t.” he reassured.
“Thank you.”
“You’ll still have to learn to hunt.” He said.
He turned away from the window and started leading the way back to the stairwell.
Chapter Seventeen
Standing with Sam, Aaron recounted everything we saw upstairs.
“So they only person you found was someone who was bit?” Sam asked.
“Yeah we didn’t s
earch every room.” Aaron said.
“That’s understandable.” Sam said.
“Storm is making visibility impossible.” Aaron said.
“You mentioned hunting?” Sam asked.
“Going back up first thing to see what’s around here.” Aaron answered.
“I asked around and found four people who have hunting skills.” Sam said.
“Who do we got?” Aaron asked.
“Hunter, Hannah, Daisy, and Tone.” Sam answered.
“I think three groups of two.” Aaron answered.
“I’ll ask around again and find you a sixth.” Sam responded.
“I got one.” Aaron said, “Ash stays with me.”
Sam nodded and went around to gather everyone up.
Aaron nodded to me and raised a water bottle. When I nodded he threw a bottle to me.
Hannah came over passing out an open can to everyone.
“I know it’s not much, but it’s what was in the kitchen.” She said when she handed me a can of corn.
With no utensils I tilted the can up and drank the corn. It was better than nothing. I wasn’t the only one drinking my dinner. Everyone had open random canned goods as they came to join Aaron and me near the bus.
Sam was the last to come back. He stood watching all of us.
“Aaron has a plan.” Sam started.
“What would that be?” Sydney asked.
“A group of people have been picked to be hunters.” Sam answered.
“How are we hunting?” Sydney asked, “It’s not like we can take the bus to the woods.”
“Yeah and who knows what’s around here?” Sawyer said.
“Well—” Sam said.
“Naw I got this.” Aaron interrupted.
Sam nodded his consent and stepped back.
“First we’re not taking the bus. We will find vehicles and use them.” Aaron said.
“And weapons?” Sydney asked.
“Going to see what we find.” Aaron said.
“Who’s the team?” Sydney asked.
“Hunter, Hannah, Daisy, Tone, Ashlyn, and Aaron.” Sam answered.
“So get some sleep. There will be plans by morning.” Tone said.
Even with the hotel around us, as soon as it was suggested to sleep everyone made their way back on to the bus. The close quarters felt safe. Aaron squeezed my hand as I walked by him.
“Ash, wake up.” Aaron shook me awake.
Green eyes were still in my mind as I sat up.
“Storms done and sun’s up. Let’s go and have a look around” He said.
“Okay.” I responded and followed him.
I groaned when we got to the stairwell. So many stairs.
Aaron started up, he stopped five steps up and looked down at me. He raised an eyebrow at me.
I groaned and started up the steps.
When we got to the door labeled fourteenth floor I froze.
“Ash, I wouldn’t take you up here if I hadn’t cleaned up first.” Aaron told me as he pushed open the door.
“If you’ve already been up here, why are we here now?” I asked.
“I came back up with Tone last night.” Aaron answered.
“So what are we doing?” I asked. All the doors in the hall were open now.
“We’re here to see.” Aaron said.
Now that there was the grey daylight from the predawn we could see the body that broke the window. It was lying speared on the balcony below. There was no way to tell if it was a man or a woman.
“Ash see the trucks over there?” Aaron asked. He was pointing at a filled parking lot not far from the hotel.
“Yeah.” I answered.
“It looks like it’s a dealership.” He said.
“That solves the vehicle issue.” I said, “Looks like there’s a sign to the left, can you read it?”
Aaron looked where I was pointing and squinted his eyes.
“Reggie’s Outdoor Sporting.” He said, “Or at least I think it says that.”
“If you read that right so you think there might be weapons there?” I asked.
“We can check when we take the others and walk over to that dealership.” He answered.
“Walk?” I asked, “Wouldn’t it be safer to take the bus?”
“Think it would be safer to walk.” He answered, “We would be less noticeable.”
“I guess six people blends better than a giant green bus.” I said and kicked at the wall.
“We’ll be fine Ash.” Aaron said.
“Should we go get the others and let Sam know?” I asked.
“Let’s do it.” He said.
We headed back down the stairs and to the bus. Tone was stretching by the door as we walked up. He nodded to us.
“Able to see what’s around this morning?” Tone asked.
“Yeah.” Aaron answered.
“Looks like a car dealership close by and a maybe a sporting goods store.” I added when Aaron stayed quiet.
“That sounds promising.” Sam said from the doorway of the bus.
“Just need the others and want to head out.” Aaron said.
“On foot?” Sam asked.
“Less noticeable.” Aaron answered.
“Smart thinking.” Sam responded, “I’ll go wake the troops.”
Tone had gone back on to the bus with Sam and returned with a box. He handed me a can of pineapples and one I couldn’t read to Aaron.
“Breakfast.” He said and sat down on a chair that had been dragged over.
Tone handed everyone who came out their own can. Once we were all gathered he sent a can opener around.
“Aaron and Ashlyn went up and have found a couple places for the hunting group to check out.” Sam explained as we all drank our cans of fruit.
“Are we all going?” Sawyer asked.
“No they’re going on foot.” Sam answered, “They’ll see what they find and return here.”
“What if they don’t come back?” Axel asked.
“We’ll give them till afternoon and if they’re not back we’re continuing on to Paradis.” Sam responded.
“Wait.” Sawyer said, “You sound like if they’re not back we’ll leave them.”
“That is what I’m saying.” Sam answered.
“We can’t just leave them.” Sawyer said.
“I’m not going to just abandon them, but we have other people to think of too.” Sam said.
“Plus we know where we’re heading.” Tone said.
“So if we don’t make it back before Sam wants to move out, we’ll find you on the road.” Hunter added in.
“I guess.” Sawyer said.
“Let’s get a move on.” Aaron cut in.
He had a backpack slung over his shoulder and two more sitting at his feet. Hunter grabbed one while Tone took the last one.
“What’s in the bags?” Daisy asked.
“Couple bandages, pain relievers, ointments, can of soup, water bottles, and Ramon noodles.” Aaron answered.
“Sounds like we’re ready.” Tone said.
“See you all soon.” Sam said.
“See you on the other side, boss.” Tone said.
Aaron led us out the front entrance of the hotel. There was a sign that looked like stained glass.
Petalite Springs Resort.
We had crashed into the highest ranked luxury resort in the state.
“Aaron.” I said, “Do you see where we are?”
“Huh.” He responded, “People said I’d never see this place.”
“Weapons or vehicles first?” Tone asked.
“Vehicles.” Aaron answered.
Chapter Eighteen
I was lagging behind the group. My calves were burning from the uphill slope. Aaron had the backpack with the water bottles. I forced myself to keep moving forward.
The ground leveled out and my legs felt like liquid as I caught up to the group. I sat down as soon as I was next to Aaron.
“It seems quiet.” Tone said.
“Isn’t that good?” Hannah asked.
“I don’t know.” Tone answered, “I was thinking we’d see people or at least Red Eyes.”
“If there’s people they may be hiding.” Hunter said.
“And the Red Eyes?” Daisy asked.
“Keep an eye out and keep moving.” Aaron said.
“The dealership is coming up how do you want to do this?” Tone asked.
“I worked at one and I know where they keep the keys.” Hunter said.
“We pick off road vehicles and send Hunter for the keys.” Aaron responded.
As we walked up you could see the spots where someone had come and took a vehicle. The glass to the office and showroom was shattered. Aaron led us straight to the trucks and SUVs.
“Pick your poison.” He said.
“I’ll take the green Wrangler.” Tone responded.
“I want the black Dodge 3500.” Aaron said.
“I’ll take the Ranger.” Hunter said.
“That orange thing?” Tone asked.
“Yeah.” Hunter said, “I’m going for the keys.”
“Want help?” Aaron asked.
“No I’ll mover quicker by myself.” He answered.
Hunter walked between two big trucks and disappeared from where I could see him. Aaron jumped up into the bed of the nearest truck and watched the direction Hunter had gone in. I was starting to notice the quiet Tone had pointed out. We hadn’t seen anything moving.
I wandered between a couple of SUVs to an empty spot. The breeze blew an old flyer to my feet.
‘One weekend only sale.’ It read across the top.
There was a yellow sneaker lying by a tire of a blue truck. I walked over to it.
As I got closer I could see the leg that was still attached.
I covered my mouth and forced myself not to scream. I stepped back and came up against someone.
I turned around ready to swing.
Aaron grabbed my wrist before I could hit him.
“Whoa.” He said.
“Sorry.” I told him.
“What freaked you out?” He asked.
“Just look.” I answered and pointed to the yellow sneaker.
Aaron went and checked it out. He walked all the way around to the other side of the truck.
“Ash you need to see this.” He called to me.
I forced myself to walk over to him.
There were rust splatters everywhere. Old blood. The leg was still attached to a whole body. Her throat was missing.
Survival Ties (The Outbreak Chronicles Book 1) Page 11
