Demon Hotel (Zombie Apocalypse Series, Book 1)

by C. M. Chidgey

  Like most days here it was hot and the sun was high in the sky glaring down at me relentlessly. It made me realise that I had forgotten to bring water yet again, I needed to write it down on my hand or something, it would be embarrassing to die of dehydration when so many monsters were around and completely unnecessary.

  “Why are they in the dangerous area anyway?” I whispered as I crept down an alleyway staying close to the wall.

  “We needed ammo, we are getting low.” Jack answered.

  I stopped mid-step and frowned. “Why do we suddenly need more ammo, have the guns even been used?”

  Jack sighed. “Lucian didn’t want to tell you, but I guess you’ll find out anyway. When he carried you back from the hospital there were at least a hundred zombies on his heels, he barely made it back with you, but we obviously had to take them down.”

  I groaned, great now I felt guilty as hell. They had, had plenty of ammo, but then I come along and they are low on it after I stubbornly insisted on going to the hospital with Lucian.

  “That’s not important now Taylor, just find the others and get back here.” He quickly added.

  “Ok.” I muttered before continuing down the alleyway and looking around the corner into another deserted alleyway.

  There were so many in this damn place, it was like a maze. Zombies could be lurking around the corners of any one of them so I stayed on guard determined not to let one get the jump on me because if one bit me it would be over. Moving silently was easy most of the time, but when I walked through the more cluttered alleyways it became a little difficult.

  To my annoyance though in this particular place some idiot had left a shoe lying around, I tripped over it, but managed to catch myself so that was ok. The big problem was that when I tripped my foot sent a can flying across the concrete sending echoes up and down the buildings surrounding me. From where I was standing it sounded like it could be heard for miles, but since I was here and not miles away I couldn’t be sure.

  A squeak escaped my throat as I stood deadly still, maybe if anything had heard it they would just think it was the wind, small as the breeze was. That was a crazy thought though because zombies didn’t really think, they probably spent half of there time chasing trash on windy days when it moved so I was sure that they wouldn’t just decide that this particular can had moved on its own.

  My low breathing sounded loud in my ears despite my attempt to keep it quiet and I grabbed the handle of my sword ignoring the fact that I was right handed and my right hand was the one that was throbbing at the moment. Rolling my eyes around in my sockets so that I could search as much of the area as possible in as little amount of time as I could turned up no sign of movement.

  When I was convinced that nothing was about to jump out of the shadows I relaxed my hold on my sword and let out a deep breath. I tensed up at the sound of shuffling feet behind me, unable to hear it Jack asked.

  “Is it all clear?”

  “Not quite.” I murmured before unsheathing my sword and whirling on the spot.

  Luckily there were only two so it wasn’t anything drastic. Still being around ten feet away from me I closed the gap between us and lopped off their heads cleanly before they even had a chance to harm me.

  “Now, it’s all clear.” I said as I wiped the sword on one of the bodies and slid it back into place at my hip.

  “Nice one.” Jack said in approval.

  “Thanks.” I murmured turning back the way I had been heading.

  This time I was careful to step over the shoe and the can so I could avoid drawing any further attention to myself.

  “Ok, where am I?” I asked stopping a few turns later.

  I thought I should have reached the hospital a while ago, it hadn’t seemed this far when I had gone there with Lucian.

  “I thought you knew where you were going?” Jack asked confusion clear in his voice.

  “How could I possibly know? I was trying to find the hospital so that you could direct me from there, but I’m sure I should have reached it by now.” I said in frustration.

  “I don’t know where they are.” Jack admitted. “Like I said, we lost connection; you’ll have to find them.”

  I groaned hitting my forehead against the closest wall. “I thought you at least had some idea where they were.”

  “Clearly he doesn’t and this plan is stupid, get back here Mckenzie.” Lucian’s voice came through my earpiece.

  “Finished your gymnastics with your bed buddy I see.” I said walking to a T section and glancing around both corners to see if anything was recognizable.

  “Clearly.” He said dryly. “Now, get your ass back here before I kill Jack for sending you there.”

  I sighed. “Leave Jack alone and this was my choice Adams, so shut up.”

  “Don’t expect me to come after you if you get lost!” He shouted.

  I rolled my eyes raising my voice. “Didn’t want you to Adams, now shut up!”

  “Just get back here before I come and get you myself.” He growled.

  “Shut u-“ I started in a hiss, but closed my mouth immediately upon hearing what sounded like a low growl.

  “That better not be what it sounded like.” Lucian whispered.

  I swallowed before turning around slowly, oh hell it had been exactly what it sounded like. Zombie dog alert! It had to be one of the grossest things ever, it kind of looked like it had rabies except it had died and come back to life with even worse rabies! It wasn’t a small dog either, it just had to be a great big Alsatian. It had bits of flesh missing on it’s back and head revealing the insides of it as if it was completely normal. It was panting heavily as it stared at me as if I was dog food, but then I guess in its eyes I was something it wanted to eat.

  “Run Mckenzie!” Lucian shouted.

  I couldn’t run, I couldn’t move a muscle it was as if it was holding me in place with its black empty eyes. It took a step towards me as if testing if I was going to make it work for its meal. My mind was screaming at me to move, there was no way I was going down without a fight, but my body wouldn’t cooperate. I was standing there motionless like a statue, why couldn’t I run? I had to run or I was going to be ripped apart by a dead dog.

  It spread its front paws and started to crouch down ready to pounce and yeah I was still standing there. What a complete idiot, this was like one of those moments when your screaming at the person on the tv to run when there’s a monster coming for them and just like those assholes I was standing there.

  It crouched even lower, it was going to jump, I could barely hear the constant yelling in my ear from Lucian. Then a switch flipped inside me as the creature let out a snarl. My feet finally unlocked from their invisible binds, I turned and ran as fast as I could.

  It didn’t waste any time in taking chase, it was close on my heels and snapping its teeth trying to take a bite out of my leg. I probably could have killed it with my weapons easily enough, but I didn’t want to risk stopping so I kept running with no idea where I was going and hoping that I wouldn’t run into anymore. The last thing I needed was to be trapped in between more than one of them.

  “Climb up a building.” Lucian shouted.

  I didn’t bother replying, that was kind of an obvious thing to do. I had seen numerous ladders up buildings on my way in, but now that I wanted one they seemed to have all vanished. My stomach was getting uncomfortable as the stitches pulled on the sore skin the longer I ran, but that would be the least of my worries if I stopped so I sucked it up and kept going.

  “There’s a ladder up ahead.” Jack said exactly the same time I noticed it myself.

  Now was the problem of being able to climb it without the dog taking me down before I could get out of reach. Not seeing any other option I pulled out one of my pistols and shot out behind me when I was nearing the ladder. It let out a whine, but it wasn’t even close to a killing shot, luckily though it slowed it down enough for me to jump at the ladder and scramble up as fast as I could. When
it had recovered in moments it started barking and jumping up the ladder. It seemed that I had made it just in time when two more of them rounded the corner at the end of the alley.

  I let out a breath of relief and slid my pistol back into its holder before I finished climbing the ladder, but more slowly since I was now out of danger for the time being and that run had really taken it out of me. When I reached the top I tumbled onto the roof breathing heavily and clutching my stomach as it stung. With a wince I pulled my arm away and lifted it up to find it covered in blood. When had I hurt my arm?

  “Why are you bleeding?” Lucian said quickly when my arm was level with my necklace. “If you got bitten then so help me I will come there and kill you myself.”

  I snorted, why did he have to be such an idiot? When I found no wounds on my arm I looked down at my stomach to find it coming from there and lifted up my top.

  “Don’t get your knickers in a twist Adams, I think some of my stitches just came out.”

  “You’re bleeding and you’re in the worst possible area!” He yelled incredulously.

  I groaned. “Shut up Adams, I’m fine.”

  He said something else, but I ignored him and walked to the edge of the building blocking out the sounds of the barking dogs as I looked around to see if I could locate any signs of Peter and the others. He was still talking when I asked.

  “Would they have gone to the police station Jack?”

  “Did you just listen to anything I said?” Lucian shouted.

  “Nope.” I admitted. “What do you think Jack?”

  “I think that’s our most likely bet, if they were looking for ammo.” He said shouting over a still talking Lucian.

  “Oh my God Lucian! Shut up already, I’m out here deal with it. The only way I’m coming back is when I find the others.”

  I heard a sudden loud crackling sound in my ear making me pull the ear piece out before there was a snap followed by a loud bang. When I was sure my eardrums were safe from breaking I put it back in.

  “What was that about?”

  Jack sighed. “He broke the earpiece and stormed out of the door. He’s never been this out of control since we’ve been here. That’s one of the reasons he’s the leader, he was calm and everyone else was freaking out. Since you came along that day he’s gradually been getting worse.”

  I snorted. “It’s because he made some stupid promise, thinks he has to protect me.”

  He simply grunted before saying. “Ok, can you see the police station?”

  “Yeah.” I answered.

  It wasn’t far from the hospital and I could get there without climbing off of the roofs so that I wouldn’t get anymore encounters with those dogs from hell. Hearing them bark was offending my ears enough, I didn’t want to see them again and offend two of my senses.

  “Stay on the roofs.” He said.

  “Yep.” Did he think I was insane or something?

  I had offered to come out here alone though so he could quite possibly think that and he could be right.

  Looking around the place looked deserted, but I knew better than to assume it was as I made my away across the roofs. Without the buildings keeping me at least partly in the shade the sun was even hotter on my head and shoulders. Sweat dripped down my back almost constantly and blood seeped from my stomach slowly where the stitches were missing.

  “You doing ok?” Jack asked when I stopped for the fifth time.

  “Yeah.” I panted. “It’s just really hot out here.”

  “How far do you have left?”

  “Just one building.” I said starting to walk again, the sooner I got there the sooner I could get back and have some nice cool water.

  I made it across the roof without incident, the sounds of the dogs barking had long since faded away to my relief so when I made it down the fire escape the silence made the sounds of my boots on the metal stairs seem even louder.

  I was halfway across the street towards the police station when I heard raised voices. Pausing where I was for a second I detected that it was actually coming from the police station itself. Frowning at the fact that they were being stupid enough to make so much noise I ran the last few feet to the back door before turning the handle and pulling it open.

  “Shut up.” I hissed stepping inside knowing I had found the group, but unsure as to why they were still here.

  “Taylor, don’t let the door-.” Peter started, but ended with a groaned. “close.” Just as the click sounded behind me.

  “What the hell are you guys doing in here?” I asked.

  One guy whose name I didn’t know said. “Try to open the door behind you and find out.”

  Turning around immediately I grabbed the handle, only my hand went straight through empty space. Oh, there was no handle, well I could definitely see the problem here.

  “Oh.” I mumbled.

  “Have you found them?” Jack asked.

  “Uh huh, I found ‘em alright.” I grumbled turning back to the others. “What happened to your microphone thingys?”

  Peter pointed to some kind of small explosive close to the door. “Oliver thought he would blow through the door.” He pointed at the ceiling where sprinklers were. “I guess they had an emergency back up generator or something and in a room with so many exploding things I guess it was smart to have them, but apparently the microphones aren’t waterproof.”

  I groaned.

  “The good news is we have a lot of guns, ammo and bombs.” He said holding up his full backpack.

  Glancing around I saw that all five of them had similarly full backpacks.

  “Bad news is, we can’t get out.” The other guy I didn’t know added. “No windows or doors anywhere.”

  “Where are the others?” Peter asked.

  I raised my eyebrows. “What others?”

  “Well I assume your part of a rescue party.”

  I snorted. “More bad news Peter, I am the rescue party.”

  “Can you find a way out?” Jack asked me.

  “No, I might be a good fighter Jack, but I’m not freaking Houdini.”

  Peter and another guy snorted and Jack said. “You have to get out, I can’t send someone else out there now and get you back before nightfall.”

  “It’s safe enough in here.” Oliver said.

  I raised my eyebrows. “It isn’t, we can’t get out, but anyone can get in easy enough.”

  “Are you bleeding?” Peter asked looking at my stomach.

  “Yeah, stitch just came out.” I said turning around and pushing against the door.

  “You won’t get it open.” One of the guys I didn’t know predicted.

  “If you think I’ve made it this long alive just to sit in a room and give up, then you are very wrong.” I growled out shoving against the door a few times as I spoke.

  “Can’t we just shoot through the door?” Peter asked.

  “Waste of ammo.” I grunted before kicking the door.

  “It’s either using ammo or dieing here.” Oliver pointed out. “Why the hell didn’t we think of using the guns before?”

  “Dammit.” I yelled kicking the door one last time in frustration, it still hadn’t budged an inch.

  “Use the guns.” Jack said. “We can get ammo from somewhere else Taylor and there’s enough there that it shouldn’t make much of a dent in it.”

  I felt like it was up to me to make sure we got as much ammo back as possible because I felt responsible for the fact we were low in the first place. He was right though getting through this door wouldn’t take a lot. With a sigh I pulled my shotgun out from across my back and aimed it at the door.

  “This is going to alert every zombie within a five mile radius of where we are.” Peter said.

  “There’s a fire escape I came down across the street. When I get this door open run over there and get up to the roof, then head back to the hotel. Stay off the ground, there are dogs about. You ready?”

  The four of them glanced at each other before no
dding. I immediately pumped the shotgun and pulled the trigger aiming close to where the handle should be on the door. The wood splintered, I pumped and then pulled again. Two repeats later I shoved my shotgun back into place and pushed my uninjured hand through the splintered wood wincing as pointy pieces of wood scraped my skin. Ignoring it I pushed the handle down on the other side and pushed the door open.

  “Go.” I shouted as I carefully pulled my hand back out trying to cause as little damage as possible, I didn’t want two painful hands.

  Peter waited for me to head across the street after the others before following behind me. It was harder climbing up the fire escape than it had been to climb down it and I slowed down a few times to rub my stomach as it screamed in protest at all the action today. Peter only went ahead of me when I insisted and even then the guys didn’t go too far in front of me, they could see I was having trouble and I did rescue them so they probably thought they kind of owed me.

  “I’m fine.” I grumbled when I reached the top and they all looked at me as if waiting for me to pass out.

  “Taylor, what’s going on?” Jack asked me.

  “Nothing, my stomach is playing up, but I’m fine.”

  “Well, I hate to worry you, but the sun is going down and that is the last place you want to be in the dark.”

  “Ok, we’re on the way.” I said forcing my feet to move.

  An hour later it seemed to me like we had been walking for months, when we had passed the place I had last seen the dogs I was happy to see that they weren’t there anymore. That didn’t mean they couldn’t be close by though and I tried to keep on the look out as much as I could, but it wasn’t easy when most of my focus was on staying up right.

  “We’re going to have to get off of the roofs, we can’t get to the next one.” Oliver said.

  We weren’t that far from the hotel now so we had been able to stay on the roofs longer than I had expected. Hopefully we wouldn’t run into any dogs here anyway so I simply nodded in agreement and followed them to a ladder. Thanks to me darkness was falling and we should have been closer to the hotel, but instead here we were struggling to climb down a ladder with no light.