Created (Book 1 of the Created)

by Shaw, Shannon

  Humans also manned camera and audio equipment on platforms at various locations underneath the glare of large lights mounted on back of Humvees.

  This was no mere undertaking.

  Gavin and Sophie undid Veronica and I as Walter silenced the crowd with a few gestures. He then mounted the rear of a Humvee via a ladder.

  Standing on top of the vehicle, Walter was handed a microphone. "The tribes have been alerted to the time of the hour to which the two before you shall undertake The Running. The rules are simple. Each tribe will forsake the rules under which we live from the start of this event until any survivors make it back into the safety of this location."

  I whispered to Veronica, "What keeps us from just hiding for a few hours then returning to town?"

  Veronica swallowed hard and pointed toward an Armored Personnel Carrier sitting past the feeding pens. "Those."

  From the opened rear access hatch stepped four very pissed off sounding human zombies with bright yellow eyes.

  "To make things interesting, we are doing prototype testing of our next generation Z". Walter informed the vampires.

  A warning horn sounded on Walter's command. "That is the two minute warning. When the horn sounds again The Running will begin."

  My partner began jogging away prompting me to start. "No matter what you do or happens, you must stay on the roadway, specifically in the middle and out of the woods. This is more to scare everyone to stay in line and not kill us. Think about it. There are millions invested in research dollars in each GV16. We are too important to the end game. Chadron is too close to the final testing to be expendable."

  We were nearing the houses as she finished talking. "I have read old documents stating that the tribes are bound not set foot on the road's surface, but if we are forced off or divert off on our own then we are fair game."

  The second horn sounded.

  The zombies were let loose as we ran past. One of the males with blonde hair cut in a buzz cut issued a blood curling scream as the monsters started pursuing. The prototypes did not possess anything more than human speed. The adaptation was never tiring or needing to rest. The pursuit would not end until the zombie was ordered to stop or was destroyed.

  "Veronica, we could just stop and fight the zombies. When they are destroyed, we have one less thing to worry about as we try to get back to the Town," I tried.

  She did not respond. Bad idea, I guess. We kept running.

  As we passed through the zone that I knew belonged to Bayne, I expected anything to happen except what did which was nothing. Then the next zone nothing happened. When we passed through the next zone, we received more of the same.

  The sounds of the zombies could be heard echoing against the trees in zone four as we passed through zone seven.

  My partner slowed and then stopped after we sped through zone eight.

  "What's wrong?" I asked.

  "The Running is a huge event, and we are constantly under surveillance during the duration so that the elders and the humans can view the proceedings, but we have not seen, smelled or heard a single sound from any of the zones," Veronica stated tersely.

  Walking around in a circle to help me think I replied, "I've noticed. In my opinion the zombies behind us are a distraction to keep us focused on constantly moving. There is something more than The Running happening here, but what I do not know."

  We stood still and listened to the night.

  Hunger and fatigue was becoming an issue as the day exposed to the sun had done more than grayed our skin. It had greatly reduced our endurance and strength. My muscles were fatigued from lack of blood within my system. I was closer to dead than undead. Veronica wasn't far behind.

  Out of character, Veronica did not offer a plan.

  The previous days had been hectic and the strain showed on Veronica's face. This twist had been the final nail. She was about to break.

  I needed to take the lead. "Let's keep moving and see what happens. Pushing toward the finishing line was our initial plan, and nothing had changed except the issues we expected to find had not materialized. If we are presented with a problem, we will deal with it as best we can."

  She agreed by starting to run again. I allowed her to set the pace which was about half the speed as before our break.

  Moans and gurgling grunts of such veracity were becoming clearer and less muddled though they were still a couple miles behind. The zombies were too far away to be a threat.

  Veronica heard the cries too. "There are twelve zones total which also include the sub-zones. Once we clear the last zone, there will be about three miles of forest before the Town. We will need to take the road to the right before we get to the other town or we will be forced to go through wolf central. Then another few miles we are home."

  I kept running. We both did until our bodies were barely moving and still the zombies gained ground. The two of us were comparatively stronger and faster than the newest generation of zombies, though that advantage shrunk with every step.

  More zones fell beneath our feet until zone twelve disappeared far behind. The gap between us and our attackers was less than a mile now and the pace had fallen to a fast humanly walk. The shrill shrieks and calls of the small contingent of hungry zombies pursuing us were incensed as we were now in their constant view on a long stretch of road.

  Talk had stopped two zones prior due to real worry about survival. I did not know if I was allowed to tire to this extent. There had to be another cause. Vampires of lore from which we had been created were fictionalized to have strength, speed and endurance among other attributes. We were burdened also with several of the weaknesses and weakness meant death. And death seemed real.

  I took appraisal of the flaws in our design and knew there were limitations. The issues with our design could be witnessed within the variety of the generations. The flaws had to be the answer. Though our situation was disintegrating as the zombies relentlessly gained ground, I was proud of myself. Maybe I was onto a reason.

  The new life that was flowing within me was washed away when the master plan of this edition of The Running took shape in the form of Tristan, John and Haley, the three wolves from school, and they were pissed.

  Veronica and I both stopped.

  Two hundred yards. Two hundred yards separated us from the zombies. Two hundred yards separated us from the three wolves.

  Together in the middle of the road, Veronica and I watched as four screaming zombies and three grinning assholes converged on our position.

  "A plan would be great right now," Veronica calmly stated, but she was rattled and past the point where tired became exhaustion.

  "I was waiting for you," I smiled.

  My action made her smile. "Well, do you have one?"

  "Nope, but I'm not going to be anything's easy target," I said as I began to use my last bit of remaining energy to sprint toward the snapping zombies.

  Veronica yelled as she ran. "What's the plan?"

  The zombies were within fifty yards.

  I took a peek over my shoulder to see if the pursuit had begun. "When we get to the zombies dart into the woods to whichever side you want. On flat open ground we don't stand a chance.

  The wolves took minimum time transforming before giving chase, but the wolves possessed superior speed. The distance was seventy five yards and disappearing fast.

  Screaming growls and the sound of heavy paw falls were nearing at an incredible clip behind us.

  The zombies were the more immediate threat; in two steps, I would be within the killing reach of their implanted razor sharp claws.

  Veronica passed me then exploded through the nearest two zombies, taking off the head of one with a forearm to the chin and sending the other sprawling into a service ditch on the side of the room. She sprinted into the woods to the left with Tristan and Haley trailing close behind. The two could have closed the distance easily, but the fire of hatred didn't burn as bright without the leader of the pack with them.

 
The zombie head that Veronica dislodged was still biting at the air as it spun around on the pavement.

  She would be fine or at least I hoped she would. The two wolves pursuing her were no match for her if she was at full strength. She was weakened and near collapse, but Veronica was smart and tough, traits that neither of the wolves possessed.

  I had unfinished business with John and something to prove to everybody watching. Exhausted as I was, it was time for me to make a stand.

  The first zombie lurched at me as I leapt sideways to allow John to sail past. The wolf nipped at me as I barreled into the off balance zombie at full speed, smashing the zombie onto the ground. The weight of the wolf stepping onto the body of the zombie tore loose an arm, while at the same time sent John tumbling. The wolf screamed a very loud human scream. The scream was one of immense, mortal pain.

  I had fallen when trying to avoid the attack of both creatures. Using my own momentum to carry me away from the battle zone, I had rolled across the pavement to an area of momentary safety. Too tired to spring into a standing position from my roll, I watched from a kneeling position twenty or so feet away as John writhed in pain.

  The fallen zombie was still viable, but was having difficulty getting off the ground.

  His colleague was already within my comfort zone. Damn, I need more time, I thought. I moved at the instant the male zombie swung. Fortunately, I caught the outstretched arm of the zombie as I dodged the attack. The move allowed me to get behind the slower monster for the fraction of a second that I needed to dislodge the head. I avoided the metal mandibles, which the zombie was intent on using to take out a significant chunk of my arm. Wrapping my free arm around the neck of the zombie, I wretched free the head.

  The liquid spurting from the dead adversary was not blood in a traditional sense, it was thick and heavy with the stretch of acid as it flew from the body. Several drops landed on my shirt burning holes through the cotton material quickly. Dropping the zombie head to the ground, I ripped off my shirt and began to wipe the acid from my skin.

  John was busy rubbing his once thickly fur coated body on the pavement to relieve the torture the viscous liquid was inflicting upon him.

  I needed to finish him while he was dealing with his wounds, but had become distracted with a GVZ instead. Confident I had removed the acid from my own skin, I turned my attention to a rather loud moan. Looking up, the zombie had picked himself off the ground and was charging at full speed toward me. Reaching down, I ripped free an arm from the dead GVZ at my feet. The approaching zombie would be on me in a second. Using the arm as a spear and the claws as the razor sharp tip, I flung the makeshift weapon. The zombie was driven back on contact. The claws of the spear penetrated the forehead. The velocity of the spear drove deep into what I assumed was still a brain, dropping the zombie in his tracks.

  John was no longer tending to his wounds. He was standing though favoring greatly his right front shoulder. The wolf circled me with the gash out of sight, but the limp was an evident sign of the extent of his injuries. The acidic yellow blood spilt around me burned my nostrils as I inhaled. The smell of the zombie acid masked the stinking wolf blood that could be seen pooling onto the blacktop.

  Tired to the point of being unable to stand, I made an attempt at diplomacy as my wobbly legs fought to maintain my balance. "John, no one has to die here. We can end this and walk away. There doesn't have to be a winner."

  John stalked closer. "This is not about winning and losing. This is about the vampires treating us like scum for all the years. Treating us as if we don't exist, how dare you! How dare you insult me? In the world outside of this base, we are ruled by another, but inside this kingdom we are Gods. We are Lord and Master. Bow before me and allow me to begin what will begin the elimination of your kind. We will prove ourselves worthy and the government will no longer need the dirt dwellers that you really are."

  He was buying time to allow his healing factor to begin working, but so was I. I had to risk seeing if I could defeat him before his strength returned. Already the tide of blood falling from his wound was beginning to ebb.

  John was larger and now due to my weakened condition faster. I had to find the advantage that could keep me alive.

  Underestimating how fast John could heal, I was taken aback when his slow stalk had become a jogging circle that tightened with every pass.

  I would swing to the full length of my arm's reach whenever he ventured too close to widen his circle again.

  John was becoming more aggressive as he moved closer to the kill. Cautiously, he looked for an opening. The gnarling and laughing was as much psychological as part of a physical attack.

  Every time I thought he would try to take a chunk of flesh or snag a piece of loosely hanging fabric, I would escape unscathed. Then he would laugh. The laugh was different than the human form of laughter. It was hyena in nature though a tad colder, crueler than the maniacal chatter heard throughout the African Savannah.

  The tense situation had to reach a conclusion soon because we were both weary and worn. Finally John opted for a fight rather than continuing his game. The circling stopped and he lunged aggressively. I swatted him off of me as I stepped away. The defensive maneuver and the game moved on. Five minutes lapsed as we danced again. He circled, then nipped then circled then he would swing. He tried again. This time I was feeling capable of enacting vengeance.

  John extended his huge form in a dive at my legs. He calculated that I would lean away from the attack and had adjusted his body to make sure he inflicted damage by going for my sluggish legs. Unfortunately for John, he guessed wrong. I exploded vertically as he dove. It became a race to adjust faster. I won. I clawed at air as I somersaulted in midair in an effort to come down on top of the wolf. The tail was not my indented target, but the fingernails of my right hand found the furry appendage. Grabbing the tail allowed me to stop John from turning to retaliate at his pace and react at the one I dictated to him.

  He was ferocious as he bent around to snatch at the arm connected to his tail. Instead, he was met with a snout full of dead zombie arm. I had let go when I had got the desired result. The shock and force of the strike stunned the massive creature. John crumpled drunkenly sideways to the pavement, howling under the immense pain of the acid in his eyes and face.

  My enemy struggled to breathe as he labored to get off the hard surface. This was my opportunity to finish him if I desired, and I desired. This was my chance to create a place within the society for me.

  John turned in my direction as his senses dictated. He knew that if he couldn't rise, this could spell the end. The spirit was willing, but the body was currently too damaged to stand. His next tactic was unexpected. He phased back to human to see if he could recover or influence me, but in doing so sealed his fate as he lost the added protection of being a massive beast to his state as a fragile human. His body bore witness to the smashed face with the broken bones already swollen and black. The skin was split along his arm in a deep gash that displayed a huge bright red scar that appeared infected as yellow pus bled rapidly from the wound.

  He struggled to make words as his breathing was too rapid to speak fluently. "Plea...se do...nt... k...k...kil...l m...e."

  I circled him as he tried to phase back to the wolf unsuccessfully.

  I lifted a dead zombie from the pavement and stood over him as he uttered a final interrupted plea. "Ple...as..."

  The body felt light. Resurgence flowed through me as I brought the full weight of the GVZ onto John. He screamed initially then stopped when what remained of the zombie was hammered into his human frame time and time again. The yellow fluid poured onto him in copious amounts, burning the body as large swaths were coated in the acidic blood. Sections of his skin slid off his frame onto the pavement exposing muscle and then bone.

  Gagging at the putrid smell of wolf blood, urine, melting flesh and acid, I continued my onslaught. The zombie body was breaking apart from the repetitive pounding. Soon I was left wi
th only a portion of the torso attached. The arm I had used had long since broken off. I had already been burned a hundred times over from the spray of the blood flying from the zombie. Still, I took the torso in hand and brought the remainder against the unbroken parts of his flesh. My wounds would heal, I lamented with each agonizing groan caused by the acid burrowing through my skin.

  John's eyes were open, but they hadn't blinked in minutes. They hadn't moved since his body had shuddered and trembled violently after my attack had completed.

  I knew he was dead, but I kept taking my frustrations out on the former wolf. Reaching through his exposed shoulder into the cavity of his body, I found what I was seeking. Extracting the still heart was effortless. Though filled with blood, I had no desire to eat or even drink from the organ since the odor was foul. Instead, I closed my hand around the red muscle until it burst. I held the heart in my hand until all of the blood drained out. Wiping the waste from my hands onto my pants, I admired my fallen foe. In the distance, I heard a wolf bay in the direction in which Veronica had taken.

  Certain John was dead, I eased into the woods primarily with the hope I would find Veronica alive because at the moment I was a complete waste of a vampire. Weak and slow wasn't going to help her. I struggled to cross into the ditch to gain access to the road. Scrambling up the far bank of the ditch another scream was heard, this time a female voice. Whatever I had left was what I was about to give to save the one who had so many times saved me.

  Chapter 29

  My muscles were strained, and I worried a couple of times when I leapt over fallen trees or sped through openings one of my muscles would tear, but none ever gave away. My running was at best intermittent. I would go from human speed to a burst of vampire speed then start over.

  I paused deep in the forest as I listened for a sign of where the three might have headed. Trying to catch a scent in the wind, I grew concerned when all I could smell was wolf.