by Cross, Amy
“No, but -”
“Because I'm not waiting,” she continues, interrupting me yet again. “No chance. I'd rather die out there, fighting, than wait to die in here. Plus, you still want to find your sister, right?”
“Of course.”
“So believe in her, Tommy. Believe that she's out there, and that we're going to find her.”
“I'll murder you in cold blood!” Mikey snarls nearby. “All of you!”
“Right back at you, darling,” Katrina replies, without even looking at him. “Come on, Tommy, you don't have long to decide. Are you gonna come with me?”
I pause for a moment, but deep down I already know the answer.
“So what exactly is your plan?” I ask finally. “We're surrounded by zombies. How do you think we're even gonna make it as far as the car? I mean, to even get that far, we'd need some way of distracting them.”
She stares at me, and then slowly a smile crosses her face. I'm about to ask her what she means, but in an instant I suddenly understand.
Slowly, we both turn and look over at Mikey.
“What?” he asks, and for the first time he looks genuinely worried. “Guys? Why are you staring at me like that?”
Elizabeth
“Happy Survival Day!”
“Happy Survival Day. See you later at the festival.”
All around me in the breakfast area, people are getting ready for the big day. There's a palpable air of excitement that I haven't experienced since this whole mess started, and people are actually smiling. That's another thing that hasn't tended to happen much around here lately, but it's clear that everyone's getting caught up in this mania for Survival Day.
I feel like such a grinch for not being the same. I just hope that I'm wrong.
“Hey!” Julius says as he comes over and nudges my arm. “We're going to head down to the precinct pretty early, around ten. Do you want to come with us, or do you want to meet us there later instead?”
“I'm not sure,” I tell him.
“Are you still worried about what happened last night?” He sighs. “I get it, Elizabeth. If you really believe something, you shouldn't give up on it just because other people tell you that you're wrong. But today is about showing our spirit, and our strength. It's not just about looking back and celebrating that we survived. It's about showing that we're still survivors, and that we can keep on surviving.”
“I know,” I reply. “I know you're right.”
“Everyone has the same fears that you have,” he continues. “I know I do. There's this nagging feeling in the back of my head, telling me that maybe this is all premature, that maybe a load of zombies will burst out from under cover at any moment. It's just that I can't live like that. I need hope.”
“I understand,” I reply. “I guess I've just been feeling jumpy since Thomas left. I should have gone to talk to him sooner.”
“It must be hard to find out that a friend isn't really a friend.”
“What do you mean?”
“Just that this Thomas guy went off without even bothering to say goodbye to you,” he points out, before putting his arms around me and pulling me close for a big hug. “It's okay, though. You've got me, Elizabeth, and I'd never do anything like that. I'll always be here for you.”
“Thanks!” I gasp, although he's hugging me a little too tight. “That, uh, means a lot.”
He pulls away, but he keeps his hands on my shoulders and there seem to be tears in his eyes as he beams at me.
“Have I ever told you about the first time I met you?” he asks.
“Well... I was there,” I point out, “so...”
“Okay, not the first time I met you. The first time I saw you. It was a little earlier on the same day.”
“I... don't remember you mentioning that,” I reply cautiously.
“I saw you across the room downstairs, in the foyer, and I was struck by the sight of you. I think some people just have an invisible connection, and I had that connection to you from the very beginning. I could tell that you're smart and kind, Elizabeth. Honestly, I think you're the best person I've ever met.”
“That's very kind of you to say,” I reply, although I'm feeling a little uneasy.
I wait, but he shows no sign of ending this weird conversation.
“You know what you should do?” he asks finally. “You should come with us, straight after breakfast. We don't have any work to do today, and I'd hate to think of you siting around here, thinking about things and moping. Instead, why don't we head into the city and see what's really going on? You might feel better if you get out there in the fresh air for a while.”
“That's very kind of you, but -”
“So it's settled!” he adds, patting me on the back. “Grab something to eat, and then a bunch of us will get out there. And you know what, Elizabeth? You might just feel a lot better by lunchtime. Happy Survival Day!”
“Happy Survival Day,” I murmur, as I realize that I really can't get out of this.
***
“Where's everyone else?”
“What do you mean?” Julius asks as I meet him outside the front of the building a short while later. “Look around! There are people everywhere!”
“You said a bunch of us would be going together to the precinct,” I remind him, as I look at the crowd and see no-one that I recognize. “That's the exact phrase you used.” I look around, but there doesn't seem to be anyone else with us right now. “Are we still waiting for them?”
“Don't worry about other people,” he replies, grabbing my arm and starting to lead me along the street. “It's just you and me, Elizabeth, but it's not like we need anyone else. I figure we'll go to the precinct and see what's happening, and then we'll see where the fancy takes us. To be honest, I'm not sure that I can stomach standing around and listening to a bunch of speeches all day, but I hear that they've opened up some more of the park. We can go exploring!”
“Sure,” I murmur, although I'm starting to feel increasingly nervous. Julius seems particularly strident today. “I guess maybe it's good to get out and see things.”
“That's the spirit!” he says, patting me on the back again. “You just need to cheer up, Elizabeth, that's all. That's what Survival Day is all about. We have to put our fears on the backburner and get on with rebuilding our world.”
His words ring in my ears as we walk along the street, but I still feel uneasy. All around me, people seem so happy, and I feel guilty for doubting that things are okay.
“Hey,” he says suddenly, “look where we are!”
Startled, I see that he's pointing past me, and I turn to see that we're outside the cinema where I was chased last night.
“This is the place you were talking about, isn't it?” he continues.
“Yeah,” I say cautiously, as I see that thin wooden boards have been placed over the broken windows. “Come on, let's -”
“Don't you want to face your fears?”
I turn to him.
“I have no doubt whatsoever,” he continues, “that last night was absolutely terrifying for you. It doesn't even matter whether it was real. What matters is what's in here.” He taps the side of my forehead. “I can see it in your eyes, Elizabeth. You're scared. That's okay, it's natural, but do you know what we have to do when we're scared?”
“I'm not sure where you're headed with this,” I reply cautiously, unable to shake the feeling that he's talking to me as if I'm a child.
“We face those fears.”
He reaches down and takes hold of my hand. I try to pull away, but he's already squeezing hard.
“Are you going to walk away with your fears still inside your heart,” he continues, “or are you going to face those fears? And remember, this time you won't be alone. I'll come with you.”
Reaching into his pocket, he pulls out a flashlight and switches it on.
“See? We'll even be able to see properly,” he adds with a grin.
“I don't know,” I sa
y, feeling distinctly unnerved. “Maybe this isn't the right time...”
“Of course it's the right time,” he replies, squeezing my hand even tighter. “It's Survival Day. What better time to prove to everyone, and to yourself, that you're a survivor?”
I stare at the cinema, and after a moment I start to think that maybe – just maybe – he has a point. I still don't really want to go into that place, but maybe Julius has a point when he says that I need to confront my fears.
“Come on,” he says, stepping forward and leading me by the hand, taking me toward the front of the building. “Let's do this, Elizabeth. You won't regret it.”
Thomas
“You have got to be joking!” Mikey gasps as we lead him, still tied and bound, toward the door at the rear of the restaurant. “You can't use me as bait!”
“Relax,” Katrina says, holding a knife out to make sure that he keeps walking, “we're not going to actually let them get to you. It's more about... teasing them around to this side of the building.”
She steps past him and grabs a few metal cans, and then she sets them behind the door.
“You have no right to be doing any of this!” he sneers. “I refuse!”
“It's just a matter of rearranging the threat outside,” she explains, before turning to him with a grin. “What's the matter? You're not a scaredy-cat, are you?”
“Put that knife down,” he replies, “and we'll see who's scared of who.”
“Is this plan really going to work?” I ask, as I hear Riley yelling at more zombies from his position up on the roof. “You can't be sure that all the zombies are going to come around this side.”
“As long as we get some of them to move,” she replies, “that'll give us a head-start.”
“And then you'll get the car started?”
“Don't keep asking me that, Tommy,” she says, sounding a little irritated. “I told you I can do it.”
“You're not actually going to trust this idiot, are you?” Mikey asks, turning to me. “She looks like a scraggly whore someone forgot to toss out of a window some time.”
“You really need to work on your comebacks,” Katrina says, rolling her eyes as she puts more cans behind the door. “Fortunately, I happen to be an expert. I might even be able to help you out, give you a little training and -”
“Screw you!”
“Ah, the old insult game.” She chuckles. “Now listen here, Prince Charming. The way this door is set up, it'll only open a couple of inches. That'll be enough for the zombies to smell you. Mind you, I can smell you from here, but that's beside the point. The fact that you're butt naked will probably help. So the zombies will be drawn to this door, and they'll fight to get through. However, because of the way I've stacked these cans, and because of the limited space here, there's literally no way for them to break the door down. They'll try, though. They'll be snarling and groaning, desperately trying to get to you. But they won't succeed. You have my word, they won't be able to reach.”
She ties the other end of his rope to one of the counters, and then she pulls hard to make sure that it's tight.
“By about six inches,” she adds with a grin.
“I'll kill you!” he snaps.
“You really don't understand who's in charge here, do you?” She turns to me. “Tommy, you're good at running, aren't you?”
“I guess,” I reply.
“Good.” She turns the latch on the door and pulls it open as far as it'll go, allowing a small gap. “Now we just have to wait for our friend's magnificent odor to waft out there and start attracting zombies. From what I've seen, it shouldn't take too long. Soon they'll be slobbering for his flesh, they'll be desperate to eat his brains.” She turns to him again. “What little he has, anyway.”
“Go f -”
“Be nice!” she adds, holding the knife up again. “It's nice to be nice. It's also nice to not get your ass whipped by an angry bitch.”
“Can we just get on with this?” I ask. “There's no -”
Suddenly something slams against the other side of the door. I turn and step back, just as a male zombie reaches through and tries to grab my arm. For a moment, I'm horrified by the sight of the guy's face.
“He looks barely dead!” I stammer. “Look at him! He can't have been dead more than a few days!”
“Which really proves that these aren't just stray leftovers,” Katrina points out. “They're actual new, fresh zombies. Bummer, huh?”
“Untie me right now!” Mikey screams, pulling hard on the ropes. “If you don't, I'll cut your throats!”
Another zombie appears behind the first. It's another man, much more rotten this time, and he's already trying to push through the other guy in a desperate attempt to get to us. I guess it's a good thing that these creatures never figure out how to work together.
“I think your plan might be working,” I tell Katrina.
“Let's get to the roof,” she replies. “Riley might need our help.”
“Get back here!” Mikey yells as we hurry through to the main part of the restaurant. “You can't leave me here with these things! What if they find a way through?”
“Then we'll know miracles really do happen,” Katrina says, reaching up and starting to haul herself through the gap in the ceiling, “and that there's such a thing as karma.”
***
“This is working so much better than I ever expected,” Katrina mutters a short while later, as she peers down at the crowd of more than two dozen zombies that are now furiously trying to break through the door at the back of the restaurant. “They're totally ravenous.”
“Help me!” Mikey's screaming. “They're gonna get me!”
“They're not,” she adds, turning to me. “At least, I don't think so. But if they do, I guess it's not the end of the world.”
“So now can I burn their sorry asses?” Riley asks. He's been itching to start another fire for a few minutes now. “Think of it as the right thing to do. I certainly wouldn't want my dead ass self to be wandering around like that.”
“There are still a few more,” I point out, spotting a couple of stray zombies stumbling across the parking lot. There are more in the distance, too. “I guess at some point we just have to make a run for it.”
“If anyone here can't outrun a zombie,” Riley replies, “then I really don't think you deserve to live.”
“Once we get to the car,” Katrina explains, “I'll need thirty seconds to get it started. Maximum. Then we drive out of here and head north. After that, we have to come up with another plan, but hopefully we can at least get as far away from these zombies as possible. We must just have been unlucky. There can't be this many of them everywhere.” She pauses. “Can there?”
“I guess we're gonna find out,” Riley says as the two stray zombies join the others. He holds the bottle out and turns it upside down, dribbling its contents all over the crowd beneath us. “You know what? I think I'm starting to get desensitized to all of this. I barely even see them has having once been people. They're just... things.”
“Is everyone ready?” Katrina asks.
“As ready as I'll ever be,” I tell her.
“Okay.” She turns to Riley, who's already set to light another rag. “Let's do this.”
He sets fire to the fabric, and then he drops it down onto the zombies.
Immediately, an immense fire bursts across their bodies. There's a faint groaning sound coming from down there, and Mikey's screaming, but the creatures seem to be burning faster than ever. For a moment, I can only stare down at them all with a sense of wonder, although after a moment Katrina grabs my arm.
“There's no time for that,” she says firmly. “Let's move!”
We turn and hurry to the other side of the building, but at the last moment I stop as I realize that we've forgotten one thing.
“What about Mikey?” I ask.
“What about him?” Katrina replies, already starting to climb down to the garbage containers below.
“We... technically can,” she replies. “He'll be fine. He can take care of himself.”
“The guy's an asshole,” Riley adds. “Tommy, come on, he hasn't exactly been very friendly to us.”
“That doesn't mean we can just leave him to die,” I stammer. “There's room for him in the car.”
“The extra weight will slow us down,” Riley notes.
“We can't leave him!” I yell.
“Then go and get him!” he says with a sigh. “We're going to get the car started, Tommy. We'll wait as long as we can, but we're not going to risk getting killed for that asshole.”
“I'll bring him with me,” I reply, turning and running over to the hatch.
“Are you serious?” Riley calls after me. “Are you actually going to risk your life for that moron?”
“I'm not leaving him to die,” I say, already starting to maneuver myself down into the building. “I thought we were bringing him. I assumed that was the plan.”
“Hurry up,” Riley replies. “I meant what I said just now. If you're late to the car, we'll have to leave without you. We won't have any choice.”
“I know,” I tell him. “I'll be there, I promise.”
With that, I jump down through the hatch. I know that this is insane, but I refuse to leave that Mikey guy behind. Maybe he doesn't deserve to be rescued, maybe I'm trying to compensate for all the people who've died already, but I'm not some cold-hearted asshole who can let someone die. I'm going to get him out of here.
Elizabeth
“This place is pretty old-school,” Julius says as he casts the flashlight's beam around the auditorium. “I like that. You know, I had no idea it was even here. Weird, huh? I used to live not far from here, but I guess I never really had my eyes open before. Hey, do you think one day someone could get it up and running again?”
“It's cool,” I reply, forcing a smile. “I guess.”