by Leyton, Bisi
“Hailey, didn’t you see the headless biter?” Steven yelled.
“Yeah, I saw one, not a horde and not a swarm or whatever.” Hailey attempted to leave, but her boyfriend held her back.
“My car’s this way.” David took them to the end of the alley. “This way—Crap!”
The group froze at the sight of three biters staggering toward them from the main road.
Hailey screamed.
Poppy took out a handgun. Before anyone could stop her, she fired in the general direction of the biters, emptying all the bullets, but not hitting any of the infected.
Wisteria ran toward the first biter, slicing its head off, as Garfield drew his crossbow, taking down the second.
The third growled from only a few feet away and headed toward her.
She stabbed it between its eyes and it dropped. Stomping over to Poppy, she took the gun from the younger girl and threw it to the ground. “Do not use a gun.” Returning to the main road, she saw several more ambling toward them.
“Is it safe?” Garfield whispered from behind her.
“Where’s your car, David?” she asked her brother. The street was littered with various vehicles. Most appeared abandoned, so she couldn’t tell which was his.
David had backed away into the alley, to get away from the three biters. He no longer seemed so sure of himself. Cautiously, he moved closer to his sister, and pointed to a dark hatchback “That.”
The car was parked directly in front of the main entrance to Fox’s and that meant moving closer to the swarming biters.
“Someone needs to bring the car over here,” Steven pointed out.
“Give me the keys,” Wisteria offered after no one volunteered. “I’ll go.”
“No,” David protested. “It’s too dangerous.”
“Are you offering to go?” Garfield asked.
David didn’t respond.
“The keys?” she repeated.
“Wisty, don’t go out there,” her brother pleaded. “Steven, get the—”
“I’ll go.” Garfield took David’s keys. “Wisteria, I’d love to debate this with you, but right now isn’t the time.” The boy sprinted toward the car and the approaching biters.
Suddenly, she heard screams, followed by kids barreling out of the fire escape. Looking back on the street, she saw dozens of biters around the hatchback, banging and clawing at the car. Thankfully, Garfield was locked inside. Several more infected broke through the shop window directly across the street from them and the creatures were quickly advancing.
“Get out of here,” some kids screamed, running into the streets.
Looking back at her friend, she saw the car was almost completely covered with the biters. There was no way he’d be able to help them now.
“I’m leaving. Your warning was useless.” Hailey brushed past and ran into the street. “Come on, Steven.”
“Yeah, you’re on your own, Hailey,” Steven replied as his girlfriend stomped back.
Wisteria examined the side of the building, which had two floors. In fact, all the houses in this part of Woolmer had two floors. “Let’s get on the roof. These are Terrace houses, so we should be able to get to the end of the street.”
A girl from the group burst out of the club and staggered toward the group, dazed, showing David her bloody arm. In the center was a large bite mark. “I feel funny.”
With her terrifying appearance, no one needed to be asked again. They all climbed up the side of the adjacent building.
Wisteria swiftly climbed up first. Reaching the top, she was shocked as Andrew helped her to her feet. “What are you doing here?”
She saw Rebecca standing behind him.
“Did you find David?” Andrew asked, while Rebecca was busy helping the others onto the roof.
“Yep, David’s here,” Rebecca answered for her.
“Coles sent you here to get him, didn’t he?” Wisteria realized aloud.
“You should’ve had more faith,” Andrew remarked as the other kids climbed up. “I told you that you could trust me.”
“He sent you out even though he's locking the gates and shooting anyone who returns?” Wisteria was relieved they were there. Somehow, it now felt like less of her problem.
“How many people are with you?” Andrew asked.
“Seven, I think. Out of about sixty kids.” She sighed. “I don’t know how to get the rest out.”
Andrew peered over the edge of the building. “If anyone knew how to do that, the government wouldn’t have fallen. There’s nothing we can do. Get them to—”
“Number 419 Cashmore Road,” she replied. “But some will have to go to 63 White Lake.”
Several biters clambered up the side of the building, growling.
“How are they getting up? They cannot climb,” she noted.
“They used the stairs on the side of the building.” Rebecca shot down the approaching biter with her dart gun. “So, we’re splitting the group? We need to move.”
“Some go to White Lake Avenue and the rest to Cashmore,” Andrew said. “Rebecca, take, Yvette, Poppy, Amanda and get them to Cashmore. The rest of us will try and get to White Lake.”
“I’m not going with that crazy cow,” Poppy protested, referring to Amanda, but no one listened.
“Run,” Wisteria cried.
The group ran across the rooftops. As she fled, she saw biters assembling below. Where did all these biters come from? There had to be over a hundred and more were coming.
They got to the last house on the street and now they had to get down and cross to the other side. This would also be where Rebecca’s group split from Andrew’s. But this wouldn’t be easy as the ground below was swarming with biters.
“We can’t stay here.” David pointed to biters that were staggering toward them.
“Yeah, the biters are going overrun these now that they know there’s food in there,” Wisteria muttered.
“I’ve got a real gun.” Poppy waved another handgun.
“Give that to me.” Rebecca seized the weapon from her while swearing at the girl. “If you want to die, I’ll feed you to the biters myself.”
The biters on the roof continued to advance.
“We’re going to have to chance it,” Rebecca suggested.
“Actually, I’ve got an idea.” Andrew took the gun from her and checked the bullets.
“If you fire that, we’ll just be attracting more biters,” Rebecca pointed out.
“Exactly,” he said. “When the time is right, you guys climb down and run as fast as you can to the bunkers.”
“What are you saying?” Wisteria asked.
“I need to create a diversion.” The soldier hurried to edge of the building.
“Wait—no.” Rebecca went after him. “Andrew, you can’t do this!”
“I have to, Rebecca. Get them to safety.” He kissed Rebecca’s lips before descending the side of the building.
“No, Andrew,” Wisteria whispered. “Come back.”
“He’s right.” Steven stopped her from going after Andrew.
Climbing down the side of the house, Andrew ran into the swarm. Using a bowie knife, he fought several biters before firing the gun at them.
“They’re moving.” Steven pointed as the swarm ambled in the direction of the gunshots.
Andrew fired again and more biters swarmed around him.
“Go,” Rebecca instructed. “We won’t have much time until the biters realize there isn’t enough food for all of them.”
“Are you sure?” Yvette hesitated.
“You go, or you’ll be someone’s dinner!” Rebecca grabbed the girl’s shirt and tugged her along with her.
The group jumped down as Andrew’s screams rang through the night.
Wisteria flinched. Closing her eyes, she felt a deep surge of sorrow envelop her. She was never going to see him again.
With the swarm distracted by Andrew’s shots and the screams of the other children, they split into
two groups and headed off in different directions.
Wisteria, Steven, David and Hailey headed to White Lake Avenue. By the time they got there, they found the street empty, but she could hear the groans of the biters along with the shouts and cries of the other kids.
CHAPTER SEVEN
Wisteria’s group got to number 63 White Lake Avenue, and she found the hidden keys.
“What is this place?” David asked as they got inside the dark house.
“We try to secure these places in case we’re ever stranded out here at night,” she explained, leading them through the house. “It’s not going to be comfortable, but you’ll be safe.”
“Hey, guys, look.” David pointed to Poppy, who was jogging after them.
“I don’t believe it,” she gasped.
Her brother signaled for the girl to join them. Luckily, there weren't any biters following her.
“I’m sorry. I couldn’t stay with that crazy cow,” Poppy said when she got to the house. “I hope that’s okay?”
“It has to be, right?” Wisteria shut and bolted the door.
“Where is the bunker?” Hailey demanded.
“This way.” Shining a weak light, Wisteria led them to a small kitchen and removed the floorboards. Underneath was a metal flap, which was just large enough for one person to slip through. Opening the flap, she shot the light down.
“It’s tiny,” Hailey stated. “We can’t all fit.”
Wisteria gave her a dirty look. “Just get inside.” Hailey was right. The hole could barely take three people and now there were five of them.
David got in first, followed by Poppy and Steven.
“How did they expect three people to fit in here? There’s barely standing room enough for those three,” Hailey gasped, and examined Wisteria. “We both can’t fit in there, too.”
“Yes, you can,” David insisted. “Just get in. We’ll manage.”
“I’m going in next, because you’re fatter and there’s a better chance—” Hailey made her way down.
Poppy squealed as the fourth person entered the hole. “This isn’t going to work.”
“Just move your fat behind out of the way so I can get down,” Hailey called out. “No! You need to move or I won’t fit.”
“You fit well enough.” Wisteria pushed Hailey’s head down and lowered the flap.
“No, where are you going?” David tried to push the flap open.
“I won’t fit down there.” She tried not to sound like she wanted to cry. “But you need to shut the door. Coles will send someone to look for you here. He knows about the pits.”
“No, you’re being stupid, Ria—” Steven yelled angrily, but she slammed the latch shut.
Just then, she heard a car zoom past the house. Garfield, she hoped. Racing to the window, she peeked out, but it was gone and the street was empty.
She prayed it would stay that way until the trackers arrived, if they did. She moved away from the window. There has to be a closet or the attic for her to hide, she hoped.
“Hello! David?” a girl called from outside. She wasn’t yelling, but she was still pretty loud.
She hurried back to the window and saw Amanda moving through the street outside. “Where are you guys?” she yelled. “David!” She was supposed to be with Rebecca’s group.
“Amanda,” she whispered, opening the door a crack.
“Wisteria,” the girl sighed in relief. “Where is everybody?”
“Shh!” Wisteria pled, but it was too late. Biters were staggering up the end of the street. Bolting out of the house, Wisteria ran to the other girl. They couldn’t go back to the number 63 because that would only lead the biters in there and increase the chances of David and the others being eaten.
“Where is everyone?” Amanda asked.
“What are you doing here?” Wisteria demanded as she took her gun, threw it to the ground, and led her away. “You were supposed to stay with Rebecca.”
“No way! Yvette went crazy and shot at people. She shot Rebecca and said she was going to kill me, so I got out of there,” Amanda explained.
“Why did she do that?” Wisteria asked as they ran.
“Like I said, she went completely mad.”
“Was Rebecca bitten or something?”
“I don’t know. We were heading into the house on Cashmore, but I heard guns shots. I didn’t stick around to get a detailed report.”
The girls ran away from White Lake Avenue, away from the biters. The last bunker was at Abelwood Close, which was on the other side of town in the direction of Fox’s. It was about the same size as this one, but it was more than enough for her and Amanda.
After twenty minutes of walking, they came to a gate with the words Abelwood Cross written across the top. Although the street was full of mansions, what got the girls’ attention were the masses of biters roaming around.
“We have to go before they see us.” Wisteria was unsure of where they could go.
Amanda nodded.
As they turned away, she saw Andrew’s flesher. The color in its eyes was already starting to fade. Groaning, he shuffled toward them with only one functioning hand.
“Andrew,” she gasped as it staggered toward her.
“That’s Andrew,” Amanda admitted.
“I know. There’s still a chance we can get to Cashmore, but you need to keep it together.”
“I’d be more use to you if you would have let me use my gun,” the girl replied.
“Don’t you get it? The biters are attracted by noise and bright lights, both of which your gun produces every time you use it. It’d be safer to cut your fingers off and use them as a candy trail for the biters. Why don’t you believe me?”
“Oh—I didn’t know,” Amanda admitted. “I…”
“How can you not know that?”
“They never actually told us why we can’t do these things. They make all these rules and shut us out. No one would’ve kept having these stupid parties if they really thought this could happen.”
“I can’t believe that. The soldiers do safety briefings every week in school.”
“Don’t lecture me,” Amanda hissed. “I didn’t know about this stuff, so don’t try and make it sound as if I should’ve known better or something. And don’t think I need you to help me get out of here, because I don’t.” She bolted to the nearest house.
Wisteria went after the girl, not understanding what was wrong with her. “Amanda,” she called out. “What are you thinking?” She held out her sword as she moved in the darkness.
She paused at the sound of biters nearby.
“Help,” Amanda cried. “I’m stuck.”
“I’m sorry,” Wisteria told her regretfully. She’d already risked her life for this stupid girl too many times in the past. “I’m going to leave now.”
“Please, Wisteria,” Amanda pleaded. “I can’t move. Don’t leave me here to die.”
“Ugh.”
More biters sounded behind her.
Flashing her light across the hallway, she found Amanda tangled underneath a large net. Apparently, the previous occupant had booby trapped the house. Maybe in an attempt to hold off the infected.
“Help me. I've sprained my ankle,” Amanda cried. “What was that?”
“Biters.” Wisteria tried to untangle the net. “They’ve broken in. Listen, we’re only a few streets away from 18 Sinclair Road. We’ll try and go there.” She knew that pit wasn’t finished yet, but the doors to the house were more secure. “It’s the old fire station.”
“I know where that is.” Amanda crawled out of the net.
Andrew’s flesher broke through the door and grabbed Wisteria’s waist.
“Ahh!” She tried to fight him off, but this flesher was stronger than most because Andrew had been a fit, strong person in life. “Amanda, go, go.”
Amanda limped, but managed to dash out of the nearest window, toward the old fire station, Wisteria hoped.
Snarling, Andrew tried to
bite her, but she managed to take out her knife and slice off his good hand. Struggling, she managed to free herself. The creature snarled and continued attacking, but she was able to remove his head with her sword. The pain of having to cure this man who’d been her friend was almost too much for her to bear. “I’m so sorry, Andrew,” she sobbed, heartbroken, as she saw several flesh eaters moving toward her. Bracing herself, she counted eleven. You can do this, Wisteria.
Then, the biters stopped moving. They were still hungry and their moans became louder, but they didn’t advance. It was as if something was holding them back.
She’d seen this before when she was with Bach. He’d been able to control the biters. “Bach, are you there?”
“Sorry to disappoint,” another person said in an accent similar to Bach’s, but more sinister.
“Who are you?” She pointed her sword in the direction of the speaker.
“That will be useless.” A tall guy, around eighteen, with messy brown hair, walked into the room. He was dressed in a long, dark, double-breasted black coat that was just as outdated as what Bach wore. “I am fully regenerated, so there is no way you can hurt me.”
“Felip.” She grimaced as Bach’s cousin stepped in front of her.
“I have missed you, Wisteria.”
“You barely know me.” One thing she did know was that Felip had been working with the people who tried to kidnap her. He subsequently stole the obsidian crystal they found on Smythe. Since then, the Family had been searching for him and for the red stones. No one knew what Felip wanted with the obsidian crystal, as it was useless to the Family.
She also didn’t know what Felip wanted with her. “I’m going to kill you,” she threatened.
Felip grabbed her sword. “Cute,” he chuckled. “I see you are acting more and more like your mother each day.”
“You don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Your mother, Lara Kuti. Or is it Coles now? I first knew her when she was Demi Dina, then she became Lara Akanbi or something equally random… your mother marries a lot.”
“Felip, please leave?” She trembled.
“Why? Looks like you need me.” Glancing back at the biters crammed in the house, he chuckled. “Did you know Lara was the last Terran to kill a Famila? In fact, the Famila she murdered was very close to Bach.”
