I shuddered. “Okay, then let me rephrase that – I hope that we’re out of here before anything else makes an appearance.”
She smirked. “Scared, huh?”
My eyebrows shot up. “Yeah, aren’t you?”
“Not really.”
“Well, you should be,” I answered.
Her eyes glittered. “Tell me, where does your faith lie?”
I bit back a smile. A religious conversation with Nora, who was more than likely an atheist, was bound to be interesting. “I’m a Christian. What about you?”
She shrugged.
“Hey, I’m sorry about Billie,” I said, studying her face. On the outside she appeared to be holding it together, but that was Nora. She didn’t like to show many emotions.
“Me too. I really needed him.”
“He really cared about you.”
“Yeah, I’m sure.”
I sighed and looked around. “Well, I’m not sure what’s taking them so long, but I need to get my sister before she leaves Nordstrom’s. Could you wait here and tell Bryce where I went?”
“Wow, come here for a second,” she said, lowering to one knee.
“What?” I asked, walking toward her.
“Something is definitely happening.” She squealed in delight. “Check it out!”
I looked into the hole and saw a flash of light. A chill went down my spine. “What in the heck is happening now?”
“It’s time to get this show on the road,” she said, standing up.
I tore my eyes away from the activity in the pit. “What do you mean?”
Her hand snaked out and grabbed the back of my hair, wrapping it around her fist. “Just like I said,” she hissed, pulling out a knife. She held it up to my neck.
“What are you doing?” I gasped.
“It has to be you,” she said, her eyes beginning to glow. “You are the ‘Chosen One’.”
“Are you freaken crazy?”
“Shut up, bitch.”
I stared at her face in horror. Her eyes were glowing, just like Billie’s had. “Oh, my God!”
She smirked. “Oh, you’ve finally figured it out? Took you long enough.”
“Travis?” I replied hoarsely.
“Bingo.”
“Wild. What’s going on?” hollered Henry, coming toward us. “Nora, what in the hell are you doing?”
“It’s Travis!” I choked, wondering if I should try and get her knife. We were dangerously close to the hole. Too close.
“Hey, don’t even think about it,” she growled, pulling my hair cruelly.
“What have you done to Nora?” I asked.
She grinned evilly. “Oh, she’s here and hating every minute of this. Unfortunately for you, she can’t help you at the moment.”
“Nora, fight him,” I said, staring into her eyes. “Please fight him.”
“Let her go!” yelled Henry, now shuffling toward us.
“No!” she snarled, holding the knife to my throat. “I need her. She’s the ‘Chosen One’. She even admitted it earlier.”
Henry stopped and raised the gun. “If you don’t let her go, I’ll pull the trigger.”
“Then you’ll kill all three of us,” she replied. “Which right now, I’m actually okay with.”
Henry’s face fell. “Please,” he begged, lowering the gun. “Don’t do this.”
She glanced over her shoulder, toward the dark pit and smiled. “The light… it’s getting brighter. The bridge is opening all the way.”
“The bridge to Heaven?” asked Henry.
She burst out laughing. “Hell no, old man. Are you really that naive?”
“Stop!”
We all turned to see a small boy walking toward us.
My eyes widened in shock when I recognized who it was. “Oh, my God… Bobby?!” I gasped as our eyes met.
20
Cassie
“That’s enough,” said Bobby.
“Son, come on now. Don’t go near them,” warned Henry, grabbing Bobby’s arm. “You’ll get yourself hurt.”
Bobby looked up at him. “It’s okay, Henry. I’ve got this.”
Henry stared into the boy’s blue eyes, surprised at the level of understanding reflected there. “How in the world did you get here, boy?”
“Cassie’s grandparents,” he replied.
My grandparents!?
“Who’s this boy?” snarled Nora.
Ignoring her question, I swallowed the lump in my throat. “Where are they?”
“They’re in Nordstrom’s, getting Allie,” he replied and then smiled. “I’m supposed to be waiting in the car with Belinda. She fell asleep.”
The light from the hole intensified and Nora tightened her grip on my hair. “Enough of the chit-chat. Let’s finish this.”
“Please, just let me go,” I said, my teeth clenched. “I’m not the ‘Chosen One’. Seriously, I just made that up.”
“Oh, I’m about to let you go,” she replied, smiling darkly.
“Wait,” said Bobby, raising his hand. “Cassie is not the one you want.”
Nora’s eyebrows furrowed.
“Bobby!” hollered Bryce, now running toward us. He slowed down and stared at me in horror when he noticed what was happening. “Nora! What in the hell are you doing?”
“Who is this boy?” snapped Nora, holding the knife closer to my throat. “Tell me now or I’ll slice your throat open.”
“Let her go,” demanded Bobby, in a firm voice. “She doesn’t know.”
My mind was reeling a mile a minute. Bobby was so young and had Down’s Syndrome. He certainly wasn’t acting like himself.
Kristie and the girls all gasped in horror when they rounded the corner and saw what was happening.
“Tiny!” hollered Kristie, her face turning white.
Tiny walked around the corner, carrying a box of diapers and froze in place. “Oh shit, I forgot to warn them.”
“You forgot? How could you?” hissed Paige.
Tiny dropped what he was carrying and slowly walked over. “Okay,” he said, raising his hand. “Everyone needs to calm down. Nora, you’re dangerously close to that hole. You need to let Cassie go.”
“No, this is close,” she said as the tip of the knife pierced my skin.
“Let me go,” I begged, feeling the blood trickle down my neck. “Please don’t do this.”
“Oh, dear God,” cried Kristie. “Nora, honey, let her go!”
My eyes met Bryce’s, and for the first time since everything began, he looked frightened. “Wait,” he said, holding up both hands. “Don’t do this. Don’t hurt her.”
“Oh, how sweet,” said Nora. “You can join her if you’d like.”
Bobby’s eyes glittered as he took another step toward us. “It’s me that you seek, demon. Let her go.”
Nora eyed him curiously.
“No, Bobby!” I begged. “Please, just get away from us.”
A white light began emanating from his body.
“Bobby?” I whispered in awe.
“What do you know,” said Nora, her voice getting deeper. She pointed the knife at him. “It really is you.”
“Let her go and you can have me,” said Bobby, as the light became brighter.
“Bobby, no!” hollered Bryce, moving toward his brother.
“Stay back!” ordered Nora, pressing the tip of the knife into my neck again. I gasped in horror as more blood trickled down my shirt.
“Let her go,” demanded Bobby. “And you’ll get what you want.”
Her eyes narrowed. “Why would you offer yourself so easily for this… girl?”
“Because I love her,” he said. “I love all of them.”
My heart swelled. “I love you, too, Bobby.”
He smiled. “I know.”
Nora snorted. “Oh how pathetic you all are.”
“It’s him!” hollered Father Brambati, from out of nowhere. He raced toward us. “Can’t you feel it?”
“Of c
ourse I do, imbecile,” snapped Nora. “Nice of you to join the party.”
The priest stepped forward and stopped, staring at Bobby in fear.
Bobby shook his head sadly. “You chose the wrong path, but you can still be forgiven. All is not lost.”
“Don’t listen to him,” said Nora. “
The priest looked uncertain.
“Would you just grab him already?” demanded Nora.
Father Brambati took a hesitant step toward Bobby.
“Touch him and I’ll kick your ass,” hollered Bryce, taking a step toward the priest.
Just then, a bright reddish orange light rose out of the hole, blinding everyone momentarily. It was quickly followed by darkness and then a smell so foul, it made me gag.
“What is that horrible smell?” gasped Paige.
“Don’t look at me,” said Henry.
“The gate is open!” hollered Nora triumphantly. “He waits for the offering!”
A chorus of screeches echoed from inside of the hole and then rose to the top.
“Hey… watch out!” shouted Kristie, stepping backwards. “Here come those flying things again!”
Chaos erupted in the room as hundreds of winged creatures burst out of the pit, their screeches so loud, if felt like my ears were actually bleeding.
“Cassie!” shouted Bryce, moving toward us.
Seeing this, John got up and launched at Bryce. They tumbled to the ground with fists flying.
“Nora,” I pleaded as the flying beasts lunged after my friends. “Let me go. Resist Travis.”
“Good idea,” said Nora, releasing me. She reached out and grabbed Bobby, pulling him toward her. The warm light around him disappeared and she smiled.
“No!” I shouted, reaching for his other hand.
“If that’s the way you want it!” yelled Nora.
Before I could stop her, she swung around and with incredible strength, managed to shove all three of us into the abyss.
21
Cassie
I screamed in horror as we descended down the hole, mile after mile, in complete darkness. As we plummeted deeper and deeper, the air seemed to grow colder and soon… I lost hold of Bobby’s hand.
“Bobby!” I choked, flailing my arms.
He didn’t answer, nor did he scream.
Oh God, I’d failed him, I thought, consumed with grief. I didn’t care if he really was the Chosen One. To me, he was just Bobby – a sweet little boy who I’d grown to love and cherish. I cried as I thought about the first time we’d met and how we’d played games and watched movies together. He’d had so much fun and hadn’t stopped talking about it, even weeks after that first tragic night. And now, I’d failed to protect him and more than likely, the remaining apocalypse survivors.
I closed my eyes in despair and waited for an excruciating landing. Sure, the hole seemed infinite, but everything had an ending, and there was no doubt that mine was coming soon. And even worse, if Lucifer really was waiting at the bottom, I hoped to God that I wouldn’t have to see him.
All hope gone, I said a couple of prayers, especially for my sister and Bryce, and then I braced myself for the horrible impact, which was taking forever to come.
“Just get this over with!” I screamed into the darkness as I continued my descent into darkness. With every mile I fell, the more terrified I became. “I can’t take this anymore. Just let me die already…”
Then, out of nowhere, I felt Bobby’s hand touch mine.
22
Bryce
Bryce howled in anguish as he watched them go over the edge and into the hellish hole. The two people he cared about most in the world were now gone.
Sobbing, he lifted Father Brambati up by the collar and dragged him over to the pit. “You love this damn hole that much? Then have at it!”
The priest screamed in horror as Bryce shoved him over the edge.
“Don’t forget to pray for forgiveness, you asshole!” he hollered, watching the priest disappear into the darkness, screaming.
“Bryce, look out!” yelled Henry.
He looked up just as one of the winged creatures swooped toward him. Fueled by rage, he swung his fist up, knocking the small monster to the ground and cutting his hand. When it landed, he stomped on the creature’s head with the heel of his boot. He then turned and raced after another one, wanting to share the misery that was now burning a hole in his heart.
23
Cassie
After Bobby took my hand, the fear left my body and everything became surreal. He was once again surrounded by light, only this time, I was too.
Don’t be afraid. His lips weren’t moving and I knew he was in my head.
I’m not anymore.
I wasn’t sure if it was the light or the fact that he had my hand, but a warm calmness spread over me.
Focus on me.
Okay. It seemed to be working, and then I looked down and finally saw what was at the end of this abyss.
Hell.
It was exactly what I’d imagined it to look like with fire, brimstone, and a three-headed beast waiting for us with anticipation. As we grew closer, I shuddered, thinking the beast looked like some kind of messed up pit-bull with jaws sticking out of each muzzle and razor sharp nails protruding from his four paws. He was standing next to an open gate, and all three heads watched our descent, which had slowed until we were floating slowly.
Bobby squeezed my hand. Don’t let this scare you.
Too late, Bobby.
He smiled. You’re with me and they can’t hurt you.
They?
I followed his gaze and noticed another figure now standing next to the beast. Its body seemed to be made out of fire and its eyes were as black as death. The smile on its gloating face gave me the chills.
It’s just Travis. In his true form.
But what about Lucifer? I asked.
He’s here and all around us. But, I’m protecting you.
I looked into his eyes. What’s going to happen?
That’s not of your concern.
Are we going to die?
Death is life.
What about here?
Here, there is only suffering.
Crap.
He smiled. Your worries are for naught.
My eyes filled with tears. I’m sorry that I failed you.
You haven’t failed anyone.
Sure looks that way.
The three-headed beast let out an unearthly roar as we descended closer.
Bobby’s face became stern as he stared at the beings at the gate.
Bobby?
He turned back to me. You’re not going to remember anything else from here, as it would be too terrifying for you to handle.
Huh?
In answer, there was a blinding light that engulfed us. It was the last thing I remembered before I lost consciousness.
24
Allie
The kitchen timer went off, waking Allie, who’d fallen asleep in a tangle of shower curtains. She quickly shut it off and wondered if Cassie had found Kylie and Adria. Even more so, she wondered if Travis had found her. The fact that her sister hadn’t returned was a very bad sign.
Cassie will be fine, she told herself. She always pulls through these things.
Still terrified, but unable to sit still anymore, she grabbed the ax and walked timidly through the kitchen area until she reached an exit leading outside of the mall. When she saw that it was still dark outside, she frowned.
Had she slept longer than an hour? Why was it dark still?
“Allie!”
She froze. Was it Cassie? She couldn’t say for certain.
“I’m over here!” she hollered back, hoping at the last minute that she hadn’t given herself away to the bad people. With her luck, it would be one of Travis’s followers.
“Allie, where are you?”
She sucked in a breath. She knew that voice! “Grandma!?” she screamed, her heart pounding madly in her chest.
“Grandma! Is that you?”
“Allie! I hear you! Where are you, honey?” called a second voice.
“Grandpa!” she hollered, seeing the top of his head by the coffeemakers. “I’m here!”
“Steve! She’s over by you somewhere!” yelled Irene, getting closer.
Her grandfather turned his head and his eyes filled with tears as he locked on to Allie. She ran over and flung herself into his arms.
“Oh, my God,” sobbed Allie, closing her eyes. “I’m so happy to see you.”
“Thank God you’re alive,” he replied in a husky voice, hugging her tightly. “We’ve been so worried!”
“Steve! Did you find her?”
Allie turned around just as her grandma rounded the corner. Overwhelmed with joy, she released him and charged after her.
“You’re really alive,” cried Irene, wrapping her arms around her. “We didn’t think we’d ever find you!”
“I was scared that nobody would come back for me,” said Allie, closing her eyes.
“Well, we’re here now, honey. And don’t worry, we won’t leave you.”
Allie stepped back and wiped her tears. “How did you find me?”
“Well, it’s kind of a long and crazy story,” she replied, wiping at her own tears. “I’ll tell you all about it once we find your sister.”
Allie’s lip began to tremble. “She never came back for me. I think something is wrong. Really wrong.”
Steve and Irene’s eyes met.
“We need to look for her,” said Allie.
“Where was she going?” asked Steve.
“Into the mall. To find Kylie and Adria,” said Allie. “Adria is…”
“We know,” said Irene, squeezing her shoulder. “She’s the one they believe is the ‘Chosen One’.”
Allie stared at her in shock. “How do you know about that?”
“Because we think we’ve met the real ‘Chosen One’, honey,” replied Irene. “Believe it or not.”
“There really is a ‘Chosen One’?”
Irene nodded.
“And we didn’t really believe him,” said Steve. “I mean, he’s just a little boy...”
Zombie Games (Uncut) Boxed Set Page 78