by Rob Fox
We left Brett's body lying next to Ken. As we ran into the nearest building, we could hear Ken shooting multiple times, then nothing but silence.
There we stood, all of us bloodied and banged up. Tonya tended my wounds, and Cole sat in the corner crying for his lost friend. Spook and Paula held each other and kept watch. Malice was gone, nowhere to be seen. I swear to God if I ever see that man again, I will blow his fucking head off.
How much more can we take?
Day 36
The power has been going off and on all day. I guess that is just one more problem to add to our growing number. Tonya made some makeshift stitches for my arm. The pain was almost unbearable. I had to bite down on a stick to keep from screaming. Tonya has been a lifesaver to me; I want to get to know her a little better. Everyday I like her more and more. I truly believe she would do anything for any of us. She sat next to me and talked most of the night. She told me so much about her past, but it just made me want to know more. Or do I? Should I even try to get close to anyone ever again? It seems as if every time I get close to someone, they end up dead.
Other than Tonya talking to me, there was no one else even saying a word. After what we have been through, there was not much to say. We saw quite a few zombies walk (if that’s what you call it) past the building we are in, but none of them even glanced in our direction. That is a good thing, since I would not be able to offer any help. Our plan is to just keep quiet and stay put for a few days. We are all bruised pretty good and could use the break.
Earlier today, I thought I saw a quick glimpse of Malice (what a VERY fitting name). He was running between a couple of buildings. He looked like a scared cat trying to stay hidden. He needs to stay out of my way.
I have no idea where we are. I know we’re not in the city. We are in a small town. This building we are in is a two-story office building. It looks like the company was some kind of ad agency. There are banners and signs everywhere. A huge sign sitting in the corner reads, "A+ Paws and Claws, Inc." Another one is for some place called Spooky Empire. Sitting in a printer is an unfinished sign that reads, "Dine and Dash Auto Clea." There is quite a bit of blood on the ground near the printer. No doubt the worker was probably attacked as he was working. Upstairs, there are quite a few offices and a large break room. Everything in the fridge is rotten.
Back downstairs, Spook and Paula are huddled in a corner. I am worried about Paula. She hasn't stopped crying since yesterday. She has a wild look in her eyes. We need to watch her. She may try to do something stupid. In extreme situations like this—
Someone is coming through the back door! I can't see if it is a zombie or a live person. Spook is on his feet, pistol in hand, and Tonya is right by his side.
Oh my God, it's Ken.
Day 37
Ken is alive.
After we walked away from the accident, he held the gun close. He said most of the zombies tried following us, but the few that came after him got a face full of lead. He told us about how he knew he was done for and almost shot himself but decided to go out fighting. He said when he got to the last bullet, there were about five left. They were moving towards him, ready to eat, when out of nowhere, Malice appeared behind the undead bastards. Ken said Malice was wildly swinging a metal pipe at their heads. Within seconds, he had them all laying in a big bloody mess at his feet. Ken told how Malice helped free him from the wreckage with a crowbar he found in the cab of the truck. Once he was free, he took shelter in the wreckage until it was safe to come out. He said that Malice felt so bad about what had happened, he could not and would not face any of us. Malice had saved Ken from certain death then run off into the shadows. It is hard to remain mad at someone who would help, but at the same time, he is to blame for the death of a fifteen-year-old boy.
Ken may be safe from the zombies, but his leg is severely mangled. I don't think he will last much longer with that wound. We have stopped the bleeding, but if infection sets in, he will die within days. The most we can do it is watch it and try to keep it clean. If he does make it, he will never walk right again. Maybe in the days when we had hospitals, but not now, not in this mess.
I found a map of the local area and have decided to go looking for a hospital or that dog place A+ Paws and Claws that I saw on the sign. Maybe they have some kind of antibiotics. I don't see a hospital on the map, but maybe I can find a doctor’s office. If not, then Ken, you’re getting dog medicine.
Day 38
Spook and I decided to be the ones to go looking for medicine. We gathered what little supplies we could find, plus the map, and headed out. Finding the hospital was easy. In fact, we were there before dark last night. The hard part will be getting into it without being seen. It seems the zombies flock to hospitals, probably because that’s where the living head to when something is wrong.
This is a small town, so the hospital isn't very big. The whole building is no bigger than a small warehouse. We are in a house directly across the street from the emergency room entrance. Three ambulances are parked in front of the building; one looks as though it rammed the back of the one in front of it. No doubt the ambulance driver got a surprise from the "dead" body he was transporting to the morgue.
It appears that everyone in the town rushed to get to the hospital, because the parking lot is full. The doors have been broken, as have most of the windows. There are a few body parts laying around on the lawn and blood splatter on the walls. I doubt anyone in the town made it out alive.
All day long, we have been sitting in this house, watching and waiting for our chance to head toward the hospital. When we go, it will have to be a very fast trip. We can't take any chances. My arm is killing me, so I will be nearly useless against an attack. If we shoot any guns, it will attract lots of unwanted attention from the undead of the city. I have a paper slicer handle I found in the marketing building; Spook has a wooden flag pole. We both have guns with us, just in case things get really bad.
There are pictures hung on the wall in this house of an old man and his wife. I have been looking at all the pictures around the house; it looks like a nice family. I think they have either two or three kids, but I'm not sure. In some photos, there are three kids, but in some there are only two. They were also very clean people. There isn't a single piece of paper laying out anywhere. It looks like everything is neatly in its place. While going through the house, I found some really nice clothes that look like they fit me, so I cleaned up really good and changed clothes for the first time in quite a while. It is strange how nice clean clothes feel on your body when you have gone this long wearing bloody and stained clothes. It was like a shopping spree for us. In a matter of hours, we had gone through every square inch of the house. We took what we thought we could use. Everything else, we left wherever it fell. We laughed, thinking about how upset the old woman would be if she came home and found her house in shambles. I doubt she will ever come home, though.
So we have decided to make our way to the hospital later this evening, whether it is totally safe or not. If we don't get back soon, Ken may not be alive.
Day 39
Well, we were all set to go yesterday when out of nowhere, three zombies attacked us! I don't know how they got in, but Spook heard a noise in the kitchen. We grabbed our makeshift weapons and headed that way. When we got in the kitchen, they quickly turned to look at us. Now, I don't think they have any brain function other than to eat, but I could almost swear we startled them. Their dead white eyes got wider, and their heads swung to one side, mouths open, salivating for dinner. The smell that came from their bodies almost made me vomit. Being dead for over a month, their bodies were also decaying more than I had seen. These three looked like they had been dead—or undead—for quite some time. The skin around their wounds had turned black from rot; dried blood covered their faces. These were also starving zombies. Their movements were quicker. It seems the hungrier they get, the faster they become.
Before I knew it, they were upon us. Their teeth sna
pping closed like a dog’s. The first one went after Spook. His wooden flagpole came crashing down across the first one’s face. Once he hit the ground, the second jumped towards Spook. With a somewhat awkward grace, the pointed end of the pole impaled the second zombie under the jaw and up into his head, killing him instantly. Before I could say anything, the third one was after me. I pulled my pipe back, ready for the kill, when a hand grabbed my ankle, knocking me off my feet, my weapon sliding across the floor. When I hit the ground, I was face to face with the first zombie. He flung his head toward mine, desperately trying to pull my face off with his teeth. I moved back just in time, but the third one was swooping down onto me. Spook ran up behind the third one, grabbed him by the head, and pulled him off me. I reached around for something to bash the first one’s head in but found nothing. I got my feet and ran into the living room, grabbed a very heavy glass lamp, and made my way back into the kitchen. When I got there, Spook had finished off the second undead bastard and was moving to take out the first one, who was now on his feet again. Together, we walked right up to him. The vacant look in his eyes showed no fear, no hate, no sadness. He did not know what his fate was about to become; he just knew the hunger. I hit him in the head with the lamp hard enough to damn near decapitate him.
After the fight, we were too tired to attempt a trip to the hospital. We have barricaded all the doors and windows and will rest the remainder of the evening.
Tomorrow, barring another attack, we will head that way.
Day 40
We made it to the hospital.
Before we left, we both covered ourselves in the blood of the dead zombies to cover our scent. When we left the house, we slowly made our way toward the building. We kept ourselves hidden as much as possible. Once we got inside, we quickly made our way into medical supply room. We packed as much as we could into a bag we had found inside the house. The trip was going much better than either of us had thought. Not even a single zombie glanced in our direction the entire way to the building or once we made it inside. Things were going so good, too good. We knew it wouldn't be long before we were noticed.
In and out in less than ten minutes. That was our goal, and that’s what we stuck to. Right at the ten-minute mark, we were stepping out the front doors. Five minutes after that, we were back in the street, making our way to the house, when the zombie blood smell wore off. Spook said he thought it was our sweating that caused the odor to get to them. Either way, they were on to us. We began to run. As we began running, I glanced back behind me to see about fifty of the undead monsters coming after us. I am not totally sure, but I would swear they were almost trying to run after us! We easily got away, but I know they are getting faster. This scares the hell out of me.
We are hidden in an old train station. There doesn't seem to be anyone around, so I think we are going to try to get some rest and make our way back to the marketing building first thing in the morning. Tonight, we are going to sleep in shifts. Spook said he is wired from the action, so I am taking the first sleep. Two hours is better than nothing right!?
Day 41
We got plenty of sleep last night and headed back to the office first thing this morning. We arrived to find the place empty! The door had been broken down, and blood covered the floor. No one was around, not even a zombie. The only hint we got to their whereabouts was a letter written on the wall. The note read, “Attacked, leaving. If safe, stay there.” So this is where we have been sitting all day. We have barricaded the door once again and have a nice open view of the road from the second floor. Not much has been going on today, so this is going to be a short update.
The only news I have to share is that Spook seems to not be feeling well. He was looking a little pale this morning and throughout the day. He says he feels fine, but I can see sweat beading up, and when he doesn't think I am watching, I see him shiver a little. I'm not trying to jump to conclusions, but I am afraid he may have been bitten while in the old couple’s house. That was the only time we have left each other’s sight. I am planning on keeping a close eye on him.
Day 42
Spook is sick. He is very sick. All night and all day, he has been throwing up and moaning in pain. There is no doubt he is infected and going through the change. I haven't got the heart to ask him when he was bitten, not that I think he would admit to it even if he had been. I have quarantined him in a back supply closet. I told him it is for his protection in case we’re attacked while he is sick. I know he is not buying that excuse, though. I am unsure what to do about him. I know he will be one of them within the next few hours or days, but he has been a great friend and protector. If I wait until he has fully changed, I will have to fight him to kill him, unless I watch him every second of the day and kill him in that brief moment just before he reawakens as one of the living dead. Hell, I could go ahead and end his life now, but I just don't have the heart.
I am glad Paula is not here to see this. I am glad that psycho Malice isn't around either. He would have blown Spook’s head off at the first sign. Cole and Tonya don't need to see this either. They have been through too much already. And Ken…oh God, I wonder if he is even still alive.
I haven't had the time to think about what could have happened to the others. Whose blood is all over the place? Who is alive and who is dead? What if they have the same dilemma? What would they do? What would anyone do?
I think if I just watch him closely, I should be able to kill him before he is able to complete the change and kill me. But how should I do this? Shooting a gun will be much too loud and will attract the attention of all the zombies within about one hundred miles. I could grab some sort of blunt object lying around, maybe a fax machine or a cash register. No, those are too heavy and bulky. I don't know that I would be able to overpower him. He is a big guy, so snapping his neck ninja style is also out. (Not that I could snap someone’s neck ninja style, but I need more ideas.) I hate even thinking about this. Spook has been a great ally to me.
Another thing I have been thinking about today is what happens when Spook is gone? If the others return (and that is a huge if!), if Ken is gone, that will leave me with a widow, a pissed-off lesbian out for revenge, and a teenager not even old enough to drive. Things aren't looking real good right now. I have no idea how to get out of this one or even what to do once we are out of this mess. If the others don't return soon, I will have to begin making my way back towards my house and back to Darcy. Though everyday, I am getting less and less optimistic about her survival.
Spook has gotten very quiet in the room. Maybe he is asleep, or maybe...
Day 43
Spook is a zombie. I tried to get in the supply room in time to kill him right before he changed, but I was too late.
When I opened the door, Spook was sitting with his hands in his lap, looking down. He was not breathing or moving. I thought for a minute that maybe he had just gotten really sick and died from his illness. He looked like he was sleeping. Without warning, he flung his head up and looked directly at me. I jumped about ten feet back, tripping and falling over a bucket that had been lying in the floor. As I slid backwards, Spook jumped on top of me. His once-brown eyes were stone white. The blood that flowed through his body had stopped moving and was creating a purple look to his face. His movements were deliberate and quick. He wanted nothing in this world other than to pick my bones clean. Spook’s weight was overwhelming to me. I was fighting just to keep his mouth away from my body. I had my left hand under his chin, raising his face up in the air. With my right hand, I felt around for something to serve as a weapon! I felt my hand wrap around something hard and round, a broom or a mop handle. All I could do was swing towards his face. I could hear the wood slam against the side of his head, but he did not even flinch. He was beginning to overpower me. My muscles, still weak from the accident and previous fights, were slowly giving out. I swung again and again at his head. Each time, the wood would break and splinter, but he would not even acknowledge that he had been hit. As my
arm began to collapse, my whole body gave out; I could no longer fight him off. I had felt bad about killing him while he was still alive, even though I knew this could happen. My delaying would be my demise. I begged God to take me back in time just one hour before. I would have bashed his brains into a bloody mush without hesitation. My wish was never granted. I gave up. I could fight him off no longer. As I dropped my hand, his teeth came roaring towards my face.
All I remember seeing is his teeth, then a bright flash of metal. I passed out from exhaustion and stress.
When I awoke, Malice was standing over top of me. He was studying my face and arms, no doubt looking for bite marks. He had this scared, wounded dog look on his face. Before I could say anything, he helped me up, asked if I was okay, and turned toward the door. I asked where he was going, to which he replied, "I have a woman back home waiting for me. I'm going to her." I didn't try to stop him, but he had now saved my life a few times, so for that I am grateful. As he walked out the door, I stayed lying on the counter where he’d put me. I stared at the ceiling for a long time, listening to Spook crash around in the supply closet.
