Still Alive (Book 7): Zombie Perdition

by Bonds, Javan

  ☠☠☠

  To his right throughout the enclosure, Sergeant Salzman and Mahatma continued dropping blue scourge after undead husk. Brands ripped through tissue and clanked against bones, causing cascades of crimson to fill the room. The green glow-sticks turned the gushing blood a shade of violet, making the horrific battle scene seem almost psychedelic. The two caused such havoc that Rajesh had to run ahead of his butchering comrades to find his own melee.

  Rajesh hydroplaned on the infected juices soaking the floor, just like that second peevie he watched the black tinged Trooper drop. Without realizing it, he stuck the trishula out in front of him and into the tacky layers of manure before him. He pole-vaulted over the heads of more than one revenant. Keeping his grip on his armament, it came out just as quickly as it sank into the wet black layer. With a sickening squish, the HIT was now standing behind the remaining ghouls.

  Somewhere in the back of his mind, he remembered Staff Sergeant Sako doing something similar at the feed mill. Did I do it on purpose? He wasn’t sure if it was done intentionally or not. It just happened as if it was supposed to be.

  The peevies, trying to look both ways at the same time, were trapped between two razor-sharp knives and a bladed trident. Nothing could be done other than losing limbs or being eviscerated. Vinegar was seen as no longer worth it. But now, it was too late.

  The tool of the god of death stabbed into the small of two different blue backs, rupturing a left and right kidney along with several other organs. As gore began seeping from both sides, Rajesh turned his wrists, sending the blades driving into one of the backbones. The creature started collapsing, losing consciousness in unimaginable torture.

  Before the dying animal could fall to the opposite side, splitting its abdomen even further, Mattu twisted his blades to the opposite. The trio of knives sliced into the chest of the other beast. Its right lung collapsed, and several ribs splintered under the force. As the digestive system was destroyed, dark chocolate-colored diarrhea rolled from the belly.

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  Each hacking at their own enemies, ripping the undead asunder, they were all finally able to see one another. Now that they were all in view, killing peevies seemed to become a race. All three of them wanted to be the one to make the final strike on the last standing foe. The trio was destroying zombies with glee.

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  Three blades of a trishula pierced the back, protruding from just under the rib cage of the last standing blunatic. At the same instant, Mahatma’s axe knife slammed into the left shoulder, nearly severing the arm. Before blood could start pouring, the seax blade smithed onto Dameron drove through the right collarbone, breaking malnourished skeletal structure and tearing into muscle. Today was not this undead’s day.

  The three heroes pulled their weapons back, seeing no need to put any more effort into ending the unlife of a peevie that had no chance to survive. “Well... Motherfucker! I call us all even.” Salzman couldn’t see any remaining demons in the structure or outside of the opening.

  Mahatma shrugged and began walking. “Might as well. I lost count.” He reached the gaping side of the former home and looked up at the moon. “How long were we in their anyway?”

  The police officer threw the brand over his shoulder. “Don’t matter. We didn’t find Eve or fucking anything else.”

  Accented with green, Rajesh moved up to stand beside his brother. “There’s always the next house. Or the next one.”

  The Justicar was disgusted at failing. “Or the next one. Or the next one. Or the next...It’s the song that never fucking ends!”

  “Don’t worry, Sergeant Salzman. We’ll find her.” One of the Phantoms reassured.

  Robocop stepped on the blackened earth, broken glass crunching and shit squishing under his boots. If we do find her, I think it’s gonna be on the other side of the goddamn water.

  “Yeah, well... we still got a few more houses on this street. Let’s move!” The HITs kept pace behind him. Unable to accept failure, the heroes walked down the driveway to the squad car parked in the road.

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  59

  A Stranger In

  The Night

  Her screaming, crying battle with the imprisoning headboard could’ve gone on for hours. Or maybe just minutes. Out of nowhere, she felt her boyfriend’s hands on her bare ass. “Oh my God, Reaca! You scared the shit outta me. What the hell happened?”

  Hearing only questioning grunts coming from behind her, she did her best to look over her shoulder. There was Reaca, crouching on the bed behind her. Or... What used to be Reaca. A blue, yellow-eyed, sniffing, sexually aroused monster looked her up and down, unquenchable hunger in its gaze. The Alpha could barely wrap her mind around everything that was happening. Is this really it?

  Snarling, it howled. Bringing its head back down, she heard what could’ve been a laugh. The beast knelt directly behind her, not being stopped by her flailing kicks.

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  Never ending lifetimes... possibly only minutes of screaming, vomiting, and trying to free herself had only achieved her nothing but a headache, sore throat, and bleeding wrists. She didn’t know why it continued after the initial exchange of body fluids. Is semen not infectious? If she was observing and not an unwilling participant, this would be a question to ponder. As the thoughts entered her mind, the peevie realized it could have its cake and eat it too.

  Out of nowhere, it moved its hand up to grab her side, just above the hip. Seemingly with superhuman strength, the animal dug its fingers into the soft flesh and ripped loose a half-moon of tissue. Sinewy flesh was torn from her body with wet, sickening pops. All she could do was caterwaul in pain, hopelessly trying to get the ghoul's attention. The chewing and crunching from behind her was impossibly louder, in her ears, than her ceaseless yelling.

  Getting a snack while performing the task in which it was currently involved made it that much more fun for the creature formerly known as Reaca Fielder. It would get to devour this female pale one while simultaneously pondering. Should this one continue the current activity or perhaps center on the lower extremities? The possibilities are endless!

  Abdominal wall torn open, steaming entrails rolled out onto the bed with meaty splashes.

  Nedra tried to remain conscious; but it was taking effort now. This.. can’t be happening. It’s really going to… rip me apart alive! The room seemed to be getting darker. If I’m lucky, I’ll pass… out from the pain.

  Luck was an attribute not often granted by The Screenwriter in this dying world.

  “Reaca. If there’s any of you… left in there, don’t… do… this, baby!”

  Sloppily chomping, the monster that was formerly The Dictator obviously didn’t recognize her noisemaking as anything beyond sounds of a dying animal.

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  60

  A Teardrop On The Rose

  Gnawed clean bones rested on a huge, blood-soaked mattress. Of course, the peevie formerly known as Reaca Fielder lay sprawled out among the skeletal remnants, sucking every last bit of tender, raw meat from each joint. As far as it knew, this was the most enjoyable meal it had ever consumed. Not only did it get to devour the pale one while it watched itself be slowly masticated, the female was also primed and positioned for copulation during the extended gestation. It couldn’t have asked for more!

  Though it could relax in this dark, cavernous enclosure, it was aware food would again, very soon, be required. Endless was the hunt! More sustenance would forever be needed, because the last meal would soon be sprayed out onto the ground or whatever happened to be behind the peevie. It was the circle of unlife.

  Why it knew the rectangular design in the far wall with a cylindrical handhold protruding from it, about halfway up, could be wrenched open to expose the exit, was never a question. It did, in fact, understand how to manipulate the opening. Without a second thought, it did so. Breathing deeply, the monster realized pale ones were afoot. Meat!

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>
  After some quick observation, the animal that was once The Dictator made the decision openly attacking would be foolish. Several pale ones were batched together in more than one location. Undoubtedly, each carried the loud boom makers that made blue ones fall dead. Covertly exiting this massive cave would be the best choice. It was aware it was far above the ground and needed to find a way down. The peevie moved from the opening and to a barrier directly in front, a short distance away.

  Standing on its hind legs, it could see at least three levels below it. There, on the next platform down, stood a pale one, leaning against a similar barricade, facing the opposite direction. The peevie had an idea!

  A vast opening extended squarely through each level. From the entrance of the cave it had just exited, it was no more than a body length to the corner of the gaping hole, with the same barrier fluidly continuing. Every level appeared, from this distance, to somehow be exactly alike. Unnatural! The pale one, just below it, was standing at the corner. It could perch on top of the barrier before it, lunge at the unsuspecting creature, and find some way to silently exterminate it.

  Fearlessly, it pulled itself into position and readied to leap. Without a sound, the jump was made. Its full body tackled the target, pushing it into the wall in front. Skull making hard contact with said wall, the pale one was knocked unconscious.

  Now, the peevie only had to hide its conquest, making sure to leave the fresh meat face down in a bucket of water on wheels, and return to it later. Pulling it into a secluded alcove, it noticed one of the small, black boom makers attached to it. Somehow, the beast knew how to hold the strange device. This one can use that!

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  “I don’t give a fuck! We’re at the edge of downtown and can’t go any further. We need to find a way to get rid of some of them. Can’t all be worth keeping around,” one of The Hand enforcers, Jason Mahaney, rasped to a group of his comrades.

  Standing on the second story, just coming from the balcony exit after a toke, he was adamant The Black Hand would have to soon do away with most of the forced laborers. “Even if we need to make it look like an accident,” he chuckled.

  Without warning, his chest, just to the left of center, seemed to expand to his front. Just as rapidly, it burst into a wet, ragged bloom of running crimson. Though those around him didn’t know exactly what happened, it was obvious the dark red flower was his life escaping. Mahaney collapsed after being kissed by a hateful rose.

  There he lay, crumpled against the barrier at the edge of the opening. Not able to speak or communicate in any way, he would experience only pain for the few remaining seconds he was alive. It took a few seconds for his friends to realize they heard a gunshot as he dropped. They raced to look for the shooter, either directly across the gap or on another floor.

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  61

  Howlin’ At The Moon

  Two people manned the security room, Hazi, and Raymond. They both sat in the dimly lit enclosure, watching nothing happen on a bank of monitors. It seemed pointless to both of them to waste their time and energy on nothing. It’s not like one of the slaves is gonna escape, traverse the several blocks down to the Sheraton Hotel, sneak inside, get a gun, and shoot Reaca. Preposterous!

  Just as Hazi was thinking this, a gunshot sounded. Fully alert now, she spun her chair to face Raymond. “What was that?”

  As if just waking, he returned. “Could’ve been a car door?”

  She chortled. “Yeah... But why would anybody be in a car?”

  “If there are any more diesel–“ two more gunshots interrupted Raymond.

  Scanning the screens in front of them, he questioned Hazi, “See anything?”

  Because the feeds were black and white, she wasn’t certain of the color, but gasped and pointed. A naked man on the third floor was carrying a pistol. “It’s a peevie! And it’s holding a gun. What should we do?”

  After exhaling, he cracked his knuckles. “We should... Stay here. You think I’m going out there with a zombie smart enough to hold a gun?”

  “What about the boss?” Hazi questioned.

  Raymond shrugged. “The others can deal with it. We don’t know who, or what used to be a who, is attacking.”

  “Yeah, but where the hell is everyone?” Scanning the security cameras for any movement, she saw nothing.

  Her partner shrugged. “Guess they just run off after hearing the gunshots. I don’t reckon it killed all of them.” Slowly accepting, Hazi clicked her tongue.

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  The speed of running on all fours was lowered considerably when the four became three. Carrying the boom maker in one hand, the former leader of The Black Hand neared another opening with a coverings. As witnessed just recently, the peevie knew the bar across the center could be pushed in to make the entry gape. For reasons unknown to it, it knew the markings on this portal described it led down. Just like from the level above, the scratch was the same.

  This chamber echoed with each footfall. Exactly as before, the large flat area led down to a similar flat area, connected by a set of short, wide ledges. In the opposite direction, a path down was set in a synoptic way. It appeared, just as in the previous identical cavern, this was the ground.

  Rather than hardly approaching this covered exit, it took its time, pondering the next step. Standing on its hind legs again when coming to the pushable marking, it tightened its grip on the boom maker. Choices need to be made before taking action.

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  Camera after camera, the monster passed, moving ultimately down. Whether or not it knew it, it was headed to them. Hazi was pissed at her fellow. “You see it just like I do. It’s coming this way. It just entered the stairwell. I don’t care if you don’t want to go with me. I’m going!”

  He shooed her with his hands. “Go on then. I ain’t leaving this room.”

  Fed up with his laziness, she smirked. “Yes, you are.” She grabbed him by the earlobe and started yanking. “Come on!”

  Complaining, Raymond was forced to follow. “Shit lady, fine!”

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  Hazi and Raymond were almost to the stairwell door, pistols drawn and ready to take down the invader. As they tensed, nearing the door, a shout broke the silence. “Hey!”

  Fearing they were in trouble, they both lowered their firearms and turned. Another gang member just entered the front of the building to their far left. “What the fuck y’all doing?” he called.

  Attempting to be stealthy, Hazi raised a finger to her lips and whispered while yelling. “There’s a peevie there! Give us some backup.” she theatrically gestured toward the door.

  “Gotcha!” The third amigo, Alonzo Sanchez, drew his gun and joined them.

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  From within the enclosure, the revenant was aware of the scent of pale ones. Faint shuffling and quieted noisemaking made it apparent they were trying to approach silently. How do they know this one is in here? One from the upper level must have barked down to them that it saw a blue one entering this cavern.

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  Throwing up a hand to halt his comrades, Raymond pulled a mop from a janitor cart. Gently, he pushed the door open with it. No sporadic gunfire greeted them. Next, he took off his jacket and held it in front of the opening. Still, nothing. Is it even in there?

  Moving forward, Hazi knew what she would do, so she had other thoughts. Why’s he suddenly taking the initiative? I know he’s not being generous by doing work. Gotta think like a worthless, lazy piece of shit. He’s only doing it because if he’s the one holding the door, he won’t be the first inside. Fucker!

  Walking to stand against the wall on the opposite side of the door from Raymond, she didn’t see anything or receive a bullet when she passed the opening. After peeking around the corner, waving her arm, and finally stepping in front of the entryway, Hazi shrugged. “Don’t guess it’s in there.”

  When her partner finally looked her way, she made a show of gesturing for him to go through
the door first. Raymond scowled. “Nuh-uh. Fuck you! Ain’t doing it, lady.”

  She rolled her eyes. “Motherfucker. Fine, I’ll go first!” With a huff, she pushed the mop handle out of the way and walked into the unlit room.

  Turning, she gawked at her two compatriots. “See? Nothing! Raymond, your turn.”

  Alonso moved forward and waited for Raymond to offer the mop to hold the door open. Next, Raymond hesitantly walked through and behind the leader. There’s nothing in there. Take it easy. Don’t let them know you’re afraid!

  As the male security guard entered the room, his female counterpart laughed at him. “Told you! Let’s move, bitch.” Knuckles whitening, he stomped to the stairs.

  Sanchez pulled a potted, fake tree from against the wall and moved it to hold the mop in place. He was about to start following his fellows into the room and up the stairs. As he moved, a scuttling sound came from within the stairwell. In the next instant, he realized it was a good thing he stayed behind.

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  Halfway up the first flight, Hazi leaned forward to try and look up the next set, to her left and behind. ”Come on. Don’t be such a puss!”

  Timidly, Raymond whispered. “I’m not! I just don’t think–“ was as far as he got.

  A keening roar came from the shadows below the stairwell. The bloodthirsty monster walked out, standing on two feet. It put four 9 millimeter slugs into Raymond’s chest. As he stumbled backward, he looked up into the pitch for his sister in arms. Having a punctured lung, he was only able to mouth her name.