The End of Us

by D, Hannah

  “What the hell..” Jeff said.

  “Theres got to be people in here. We need to be prepared to fight” Zoe told him as she raised her hockey stick.

  Jeff didn’t disagree. Zoe saw him lift up the knife he had in his hand, looking around him.

  “Come on, lets get further inside, see if we spot someone” Jeff said to her.

  “Okay” Zoe replied.

  They both walked further into the costco and didn’t spot any movement. Everything seemed eerily quiet in here. All they could hear was the buzz coming from the lights above them and their own breathing. Zoe was practically walking on her tiptoes trying to be as quiet as possible.

  “Where the hell are they?” Jeff whispered.

  “I don’t know. Let’s look for an office or something. They could be in there watching us on the CCTV cameras” Zoe suggested.

  Jeff nodded and led the way past the tills and toward where the offices must’ve been located. Really, the offices could’ve been anywhere in the costco, the place was massive!

  Jeff came to a stop just in front of Zoe and held up his hand. Zoe knew that he wanted her to stop walking as well. She didn’t need to have been in the army or anything to understand what putting his hand up meant. However, Zoe didn’t know why Jeff had stopped. Had he heard something that she hadn’t heard or spotted movement?

  “I thought I saw something moving behind those sweet stacks” Jeff told her.

  “Lets go over and check it out” Zoe said to him.

  They crept over, crouching as they went, trying to make themselves smaller so as not to be seen. Jeff indicated to Zoe that he would be going in one direction and for her to go in the opposite direction. Zoe nodded her head and crept around the side of the stack of sweets. Zoe could smell the cocoa and felt her stomach want to rumble. She all of a sudden got a craving for chocolate.

  Zoe came to the end of the sweet stack and rounded the corner to find no one there but she kept on creeping along this aisle, looking down between the other stack of sweets and biscuits but ultimately found no one.

  When Zoe had came to the end of the aisle she looked up and spotted Jeff walking up the side of the aisle. Jeff was still crouched over and he was peering down every aisle he went past. Zoe went to turn around and go the other way to check the other side when she saw Jeff stop. He looked down the aisle he was beside and started running down it.

  ‘He’s spotted someone’ Zoe thought as she went running to the opposite side.

  Zoe ran to the where she started and then darted up the aisle where she had food and drinks on one side of her and clothes on the other. Zoe looked left and right at every aisle she ran past but she didn’t spot Jeff.

  When Zoe came to the top of the aisle she was running up in she came to a stop and looked around her. She couldn’t see Jeff.

  Panic started to rise up in Zoe’s stomach.

  ‘Where could Jeff have run off to?’ Zoe thought.

  Zoe decided to run along to the right at the top of the costco. In amongst the meat and over to where the cakes were kept. Zoe was surprised that nothing had gone off yet. It had been weeks since the epidemic of the skin eaters started and meat and cakes didn’t last this long.

  Zoe got to the end of the aisle and started to run down the side when she heard scuffling and grunting.

  “Jeff?” Zoe shouted.

  Jeff didn’t answer her but Zoe could still hear the scuffle and grunts and as she kept running down the side they got louder and louder.

  “Jeff!” Zoe shouted again.

  As Zoe got near to the end of the aisle she stopped dead in her tracks.

  The sight made Zoe’s heart jump and panic started to rise within her.

  Jeff was there but he was being held with his hands trapped behind his back and a knife at his throat.

  There was a man standing behind him holding the knife and keeping Jeff trapped. A woman was standing to the side of them, looking at Zoe, a metal pole clutched in her hands.

  “Well, well, well look at the situation you seem to find yourselves in” the woman said.

  “Let him go!” Zoe growled at her.

  “Or what? What do you think you can possibly do right now to hurt us?” The woman said.

  “Don’t try me, you’ll live to regret it” Zoe growled at her again.

  “Hahaha is that right? Aww how adorable” The woman laughed at Zoe.

  Zoe stepped forward, her hockey stick raised.

  “Oh, I wouldn’t try that if I were you” The woman said as the man pressed the knife closer against Jeff’s throat.

  “What do you want from us?” Zoe asked the woman.

  “Hmm, I’m not sure yet” The woman said.

  “Then let us go.We’ll leave and not come back” Zoe said.

  The woman seemed to stop and think. Zoe hated being weak and not fighting. But Zoe knew that if she and Jeff were to walk away alive then she had to play the weakling. Zoe knew that there were probably more people in the building, ready to make a move on Jeff and Zoe.

  “I don’t believe you. I think we should end you and your little group right here and now” The woman said to Zoe.

  “Look, we don’t want a fight with you. We just had to flea from a fight with another group. Just let us go will you?” Zoe said.

  “Oh do you hear that Jack? A fight with another group! You lot just seem like a bunch of trouble makers!” The woman said.

  The man, who Zoe now knew was called Jack, let out a rumble of a laugh. Jeff struggled against him but he couldn’t break free from Jacks hold on him.

  “We didn’t start that fucking fight. That group stole where we were staying from us! The shot one of our friends in the head! Right in front of us!” Zoe yelled to them.

  “Hmm.. I still don’t trust you lot. What do you think Jack?” The woman asked him.

  “Not a fucking chance” Jack said, putting the blade right against Jeff’s throat.

  Zoe was running out of ideas. Begging them and trying to get them to believe that Zoe, Jeff and the rest of the group weren’t bad news wasn’t going to work.

  “You don’t believe me? How about you go to where we last stayed and look for yourself. See that group now staying there and see all the damage that they done to the place. All the skin eaters they managed to bombard us with during the fight” Zoe told them both.

  The woman and Jack both looked at one another.

  “You know what, why don’t we do just that” The woman said.

  She whistled and not long after she did another woman came up beside them. This one looked younger than the one Zoe had been talking to Zoe thought.

  “Claire, you and Liam go along to this place this girl is telling us about. You, do you think one of your other group members will take them there?” The woman asked Zoe.

  “Sure, I’ll go tell one of them” Zoe said.

  “Yeah, I’ll just come with you in case you try and plot anything” The woman said to her.

  As if Zoe would even try to plot anything with Jack holding a knife up at Jeff’s throat. That was just plain stupidity. Zoe could practically feel the woman’s eyes burning through her as they walked to the entrance. Zoe saw the woman’s hand move from the corner of her eye as they neared the main door and saw the shutters begin to lift up.

  Zoe spotted everyone there, weapons and sticks all in their hands. They had clearly been working on trying to get the shutter opened with little to no success. Zoe had seen a few holes in the shutters though as it had risen but nothing near big enough to break through.

  The woman walked up to the door and unlocked it.

  ‘They must’ve locked the door once we were well inside’ Zoe thought.

  The woman beckoned Zoe over as she opened the door, placing Zoe between herself and Zoe’s group.

  “Zoe, What’s going on in there? Where’s Jeff? Who’s this?” Michael asked.

  “Who I am is no concern of yours. Zoe, why don’t you ask them our request huh?” The woman said to Zoe.r />
  Zoe had to fight back a sneer before she went on to explain that Jeff was being held hostage and how the people in costco thought they were a threat and someone had to drive back to the bus depot to show them Brian and his group and the carnage they left behind there.

  “You lot are crazy! We just had to flee for our lives!” Michael exclaimed.

  “We won’t believe you until we see proof” The woman told him.

  “You’re risking us being caught and killed and those two members of your group being killed along with us you know if we go back” Michael told her.

  “Claire and Liam know the risks involved but they can handle themselves” The woman said.

  “For fucks sake, fine, I’ll take them down and show you your proof!” Mark said.

  “Perfect, I’ll go fetch Claire and Liam. This woman and her friend stay inside with us as hostages until you and our group members return” The woman told them.

  “Over my dead body they will!” Michael growled.

  “Nuh uh uh, I wouldn’t come in here if I were you’ The woman said to him.

  As soon as she said that Zoe turned and saw Jack with Jeff, the knife still pressed at his throat. Jack had his hands on Jeff’s shoulders so he must’ve managed to tie Jeff’s hands with something.

  “Is that really still necessary? Mark is going to take your guys down to the depot” Zoe said to the woman.

  “We need your lot to know just how serious we are” The woman said.

  “I’ll go get the car. Arthur you coming with?” Mark asked as he turned away.

  Arthur jogged off beside Mark and Zoe saw Claire and Liam walk out the building and over to the car.

  “Isn’t it just great when everyone works together?” The woman asked them.

  “Yeah. It sure is” Michael said with a glare in his eyes.

  “Okay, say your goodbyes. We’ll see you when they get back with our proof” The woman said sickly sweetly.

  “Zoe, Jeff, be careful. We’ll get you both out” Michael said to them.

  “Yeah, see you in a bit” Zoe said back to him.

  The woman grabbed Zoe’s arm and pulled her backwards, locking the door as the shutters began to close again. Zoe last saw Michaels face, glaring at the woman before they no longer could see each other.

  “Come on. Jack, let’s take them to the back bit where they baked the cakes in here. Lock them in there” The woman said to Jack.

  “You got it boss” Jack said to her.

  “Let’s get moving” The woman said as she grabbed Zoe’s arm again.

  “You don’t have to be so rough you know, we have no weapons to fight you and we’re doing as you ask” Zoe told her.

  “As I said, I don’t trust you lot so if I need to be rough then I’ll be rough” The woman told her.

  Zoe sighed and let the woman manhandle her through the costco and into the back where she and Jeff would be locked in.

  “Jack, hand me some of that rope you tied that guys hands with” The woman said.

  Jack handed her the rope and the woman went to work on tying the rope around Zoe’s wrists.

  “In case you tried to free your friend and escape. Not going to happen on my watch” The woman said.

  Zoe rolled her eyes and was soon shoved into the room with Jeff being shoved in after her. It was a miracle neither of them fell flat on their faces after the force they had of being shoved into the room.

  “Rest easy” The woman said.

  The woman and Jack laughed as they locked the door and wandered off.

  ‘Great, some safe place this turned out to be. Now we’re stuck in a locked room in a building with complete nutcases!’ Zoe thought.

  Zoe felt herself slide downs a wall. She must’ve been doing it subconsciously because she couldn’t remember her brain telling her body to do that. Jeff kicked at a wall and started pacing the room.

  “Jeff, calm down” Zoe told him.

  “How can I calm down when it’s my fault that we’re in this mess and trapped in this fucking room!” Jeff shouted.

  “It’s not your fault. I should’ve gotten to you sooner” Zoe told him.

  “I should’ve waited for you instead of running off and acting like the tough guy” Jeff said.

  “We would’ve been surrounded anyway Jeff. Who knows how many people there actually are in here and it was clear they’d been watching us since we arrived in the car park” Zoe told him.

  “I suppose you’re right” Jeff said as he eventually stopped pacing and also sat on the floor.

  “Aren’t I always right?” Zoe tried to joke.

  Jeff looked at her and gave her a small smile. Clearly Jeff wasn’t ready to try and joke about anything yet. He was still blaming himself for him and Zoe being trapped in here.

  “You think everyone will be okay outside?” Jeff asked her.

  “Yeah. We took out the skin eaters there and the ones we saw at that Sainsbury’s didn’t look like they were moving over here anytime quickly” Zoe said to him.

  “And Mark and Arthur? Think they’ll manage to sneak to that depot and back without Brian or anyone in his group noticing them?” Jeff asked again.

  “I’m sure they’ll manage just fine Jeff. They won’t let themselves get too close if they think they’ll be caught. They’re smart” Zoe reassured him.

  “Yeah, that’s true. I’ll feel better when they get back though” Jeff said.

  “Me too” Zoe agreed.

  They both looked at one another and gave each other a small smile. Zoe hadn’t been alone with Jeff since before the fight. It was a shame that their alone time had to be now, locked in an old cake bakery part of costco with their hands tied behind their backs. Zoe let out a small laugh.

  “What’s so funny?” Jeff asked her.

  “Just thinking about how when we finally get some alone time together it’s when we’re trapped with our hands behind our backs” Zoe said.

  “And how is that funny?” Jeff asked her again.

  “Well, I wanted us to take it slow when we were getting close to sleeping together and looks like my wish came true considering we can’t touch each other now” Zoe told him laughing.

  Zoe didn’t know why she thought it was so funny but she was laughing almost hysterically at it.

  ‘I must be exhausted’ Zoe thought.

  Jeff started to laugh with her as well. A deep belly rumble of a laugh, tears beginning to gather at the corners of his eyes.

  “Why is this so funny?” Jeff asked between laughing.

  “I don’t know, we must be delirious with tiredness!” Zoe said, now crying with laughter.

  Zoe and Jeff continued to laugh for a few more minutes before their laughter died out and their breathing returned to normal.

  “Oh Zoe, I hope that we make it out of this” Jeff said to her.

  “We will. That Claire and Liam will see what Brian and his group done to us and then they’ll have to let us free” Zoe told him.

  “How did our night have to end up like this? I thought we had found our safe place” Jeff said.

  “I know, we’ll find somewhere else when we’re free. I don’t know where yet but we will” Zoe said.

  Zoe moved her hands a little and winced at the pain that shot through her wrist from when Michael had grabbed her. She had forgotten the pain until now, distracted by being taken hostage and laughing over their situation.

  “You okay?” Jeff asked.

  “Yeah, I’m fine. Wrist is still a little sore from when Michael grabbed me” Zoe told him.

  “I’ve still got to have words with Michael over that. I’m still angry he grabbed you.”

  “Don’t be. Michael was upset over Brian. It’s done and forgotten about now.”

  “Your wrist says differently!”

  “My wrist is probably just bruised. Really, it’s nothing to worry about or get angry over.”

  “Hmm I’m still having words with him.”

  “Well make it as pleasant as you
can. I can’t face another fight.” Zoe yawned.

  “We won’t fight. I promise” Jeff said.

  “Good” Zoe replied.

  Zoe felt her eyes begin to close, the tiredness beginning to take over her.

  “You get some sleep. I’ll take watch” Jeff said.

  “You really think we need to keep watch? I doubt they’re going to hurt us with our group still outside and with members of their group with some of our” Zoe said to him.

  “Can never be too careful and let your guard down” Jeff told her.

  Zoe knew that she was in a losing battle with Jeff and decided to let him win this one. She could see that Jeff was tired as well, his eyes looked bloodshot but then again, his eyes could be bloodshot after possibly taking a few punches from the fight he had before Zoe found him.

  “Okay. You take first watch” Zoe told him.

  “Night Zoe” Jeff said to her.

  “Yeah, night” Zoe replied.

  Zoe drifted off but had a pretty restless sleep.

  The nightmares were back, another skin eater nightmare. This time she was all alone, surrounded by her friends, all turned into skin eaters. Jeff was amongst them. Zoe had tried to fight them off but couldn’t manage it and saw them closing in on her, teeth gnashing together, hunger in their eyes.

  “No, Stop!” Zoe had shouted.

  “You will be one of us” Skin eater Jeff snarled at her.

  Zoe jumped awake and glanced over at Jeff who had fallen asleep himself. Both of them still trapped in the bakery room at costco.

  Zoe breathed a sigh of relief. Who knew she would be happy to wake up trapped here?

  Before long, the woman and Jack were back in the room.

  “Wakey, wakey! Your friends are back! Let’s go see if your story holds up” The woman said as she grabbed Zoe and Jack grabbed Jeff.

  Zoe and Jeff stood up and walked with the woman and Jack towards the main door again.

  They waited for the shutters to lift and Zoe saw her group standing there with Claire and Liam. The woman went and unlocked the door.

  “So what’s the verdict?” The woman asked them.

  “They were telling the truth” Claire told her.