“Yes ma’am,” Mika nods.
“Good,” Hope says sliding her sword back into its sheath.
The sun slowly starts to set as they make it out of the county, getting ever closer to their intended goal. Sounds can be heard from the shadows as the light from above starts to fade.
“We need to find shelter,” Fanny whispers to Hope.
“I know,” Hope replies, “first place you see that looks safe let me know.”
Rustling and scraping sounds can be heard off in the distance. The sound of a lone bird crying out in pain rings in their ears as they huddle closer together. Grunting and groaning sounds become more prominent as they find themselves near a mini mall. Stores are lined up everywhere they look, a grocery store to the right, a thrift store to the left, a gym back in the middle as the buildings wrap around in a horseshoe shape.
“Maybe we can find water in one of the stores,” Amanda suggests.
“Yeah,” Hope agrees nervously before getting her wits back and turning toward the group. “So here is what we do, we pick a store, the most logical one that we can and we use that as base for the night. With any luck there is some sort of food and maybe some water.”
“Well the most logical choice would be the grocery store,” Sara says, “if anything there should be at least something to drink in there.”
The rest of the group turn their heads to Hope wondering what she’ll say. A lump gets caught in her throat as she tries to swallow her fear and anxiety. “Sounds logical,” she is finally able to mutter.
“Ok so why don’t we split into two when we get inside the store,” Fanny suggests.
Hope nods again taken back by the suggestion as Fanny nudges her to finish the plan. “John, you and Sara go with Amanda and The Major, search the left side of the store. Fanny, Mika and I will take the right and offices.”
They stand outside the huge grocery store; most of the letters on the outside have fallen off the side of the building leaving just the word “hell” in big green letters on the side.
“Kind of hits the nail on the head don’t you think?” John chuckles.
“Yeah, not ominous at all,” Amanda replies.
“Either way we have a job to do,” Hope says pushing past the group.
The windows along the outside are in fair condition; the huge posters that once presented the sales of the week have all but faded away. The glass on the automatic doors is intact with cracks spider webbing from the top frame to the bottom. The inside door also has a few cracks as well as the familiar faded blood stains that they have all grown accustomed to. Mika and Fanny force the doors open, letting out the stench of death and decay as the others block their noses and force themselves inside. They close the doors behind them and Fanny cracks the top of the webbing the handle of her machete.
“Ventilation,” She smirks.
The inside of the store is dark, the group all standing near the opening as they allow their eyes to adjust.
“I wish we had some light,” Sara groans.
“I still have my flashlight,” Hope says, her hand reaching into her pocket.
She pulls out her small light and clicks it on, shining the light beam straight ahead. She scans the front of the store shelves and old merchandise tossed all over the floor.
“Can I see that a moment?” Fanny asks reaching for the flashlight.
Hope unwillingly hands it over and watches as Fanny scans the signs above each of the aisles. Stopping at the eighth aisle and rushing over to it. The aisle is a mess, most of the items lining the linoleum tiles on the floor. Fanny shuffles through a few items before pulling out two yellow hand crack flashlights. She hands one to Amanda and the other to Hope. The two rip off the cardboard wrapped around the top and crank the sides as fast as possible before flipping the switches on. Two white beams of light shine out from the tops lighting up the ceiling above them.
“She was lucky that they at least still work,” John murmurs as he nudges Sarah with his elbow.
“Shush,” Sarah hisses back at him.
“Oh come on this is all a joke right?” John says, his voice growing louder as he expresses his discern, “I mean are we really supposed to sit back and take orders from a little girl and a complete psychopath?”
He backs away in disgust, his hands tossed in the air wildly shaking as he makes his way to the next aisle. The aisle is dark and hard for him to see the obstacles on the ground around him. The dim light of Hope’s old flashlight follows behind him closely, blinding him for a moment before his eyes adjust and he is able to make out Fanny’s irritated face.
“What is your problem John?” Fanny asks furiously.
“My problem is this whole damn mission,” John replies getting up in her face, “it doesn’t make any sense, why are we even bothering?”
“Did I miss something?” Fanny asks befuddled. “Didn’t you volunteer?”
“Yeah, I did,” John admits, “but I didn’t think it would be like this?”
“What did you think this was going to be? Some kind of picnic?” Fanny growls.
“From what I was told from Joshua, this was supposed to be a simple mission. Get in, save some people. After that I thought… I, I don’t know. Maybe, maybe there would be something more for me. More than just a sentry,” John sighs. “But then we landed and things got weird. I never thought I’d be taking orders from Hope.”
“What’s so wrong with that?” Fanny asks.
“When is it going to be my turn?” He asks jabbing his index finger into her left shoulder repeatedly. “Why do I always have to be the one in everyone else’s shadow?”
“You could have just talked to us you know. You didn’t have to just let it build up,” Fanny says feeling slightly sorry for him.
“Why would I talk to you? I’m just a joke,” John sighs before he wipes away a tear. “What makes Hope so special anyway?”
“Nothing more than any of us,” Fanny assures, “but just like you she was lost and needed something to make her feel good. I thought this would help. I’m sorry I never thought of talking with you or Sarah about it.”
“Would you ever have given me a chance?” John asks, “Honestly.”
“Honestly? No,” Fanny replies bluntly, “I just don’t think you have the ability to be serious enough or quick witted enough to handle it.”
“Thank you for your candidness,” John replies gritting his teeth, “but if you don’t mind giving me some time alone now.”
“John, I didn’t mean to offend you,” Fanny pleads.
“Please just leave,” John says turning his back to her.
Fanny sighs before turning around and taking a step away from him. She stops for a moment before she turns around and slides the flashlight into his hand. “You know where we’ll be. Just in case.” She whispers before leaving him alone in the aisle.
Time passes slowly for John as he walks up and down the aisle after listening to the rest of the group making their way through the store. He paces back and forth grumbling under his mouth and letting out bursts of aggression on some of the random items lying on the ground. He kicks an old dusty box of stuffing letting out a loud grunt as he does. He only stops when he feels a hand gracing his shoulder.
“Look Fanny I just want to be left alone,” John grumbles. He brushes the hand off of his shoulder only to feel it come back harder, the fingers clenching down hard on his collarbone. “What the hell,” He groans in pain as he turns around, his flashlight pointed directly in the face a zombie.
He is frozen in place, his eyes stuck on the pale face in front of him. The Zombie is missing parts of its cheeks and lower jaw. Its teeth are few and far between but the few that remain are jagged and misshaped. The remains of what used to be clothes cover next to nothing of its body and dried blood stains most of its upper chest. Its hands are also discolored, the nails decomposed and ripped from the skin. Its eyes are milky white with black slits in the middle. John scurries backward, his feet sliding on the dust fille
d floor. He reaches back for his machete only to feel the cold touch of another hand wrapped around his wrist. He turns his head slightly and sees a second Zombie out the corner of his eye. He can feel his wrist snapping backward, blood oozing from the extremity that has opened up. He lets out a scream as he fights with the little energy he has left.
“HELP,” He whines, “Fanny! HOPE!”
The first zombie inches closer, its crooked teeth salivating as it takes its first bite into John’s shoulder. He screams again but the sound eventually fades as the second one starts to feast on his neck. It isn’t long before what’s left of John is left deceased on the floor, his flashlight rolling in front of him, the beam focused on what’s left of his face.
Chapter 11
The back office is dark, the light of Hope’s flashlight starting to dim, forcing her to crank the handle a few more times.
“This is tedious,” Hope complains after the flashlight is fully charged.
“Hey you wanted to be in charge of the light,” Fanny chuckles.
“Yeah, but I didn’t think it was going to be this annoying,” Hope says shining the light at her friend.
“Are you two always this noisy when you’re someplace you don’t know?” Mika growls in a low pitch voice.
“Just trying to lighten the mood,” Fanny smirks, “it helps.”
“Yeah, well until we know we’re really alone how about if we keep communication down to ‘as needed’?” Mika hisses not impressed.
Fanny shoots a glace over to Hope and rolls her eyes slightly irritated with Mika’s attitude. They continue to search through the office until they conclude that is it pointless to be there. They exit the room and find themselves back inside the large backroom.
“It doesn’t look like there is anything here,” Mika says picking up an old dusty can, “it’s like this place has been raided already.”
“Yeah several times by the look of it,” Fanny says pushing a box aside with her foot. “But we had to know this was a long shot. Sixteen years is a long time, there must have probably been several dozens of people coming through here.”
“Then we’re just wasting time here,” Mika says frustrated.
“Maybe not,” Hope says looking around, “perhaps we could stay here for the night. Continue our search for supplies in the morning.”
“We should probably find the others,” Fanny says, “and check on John.”
Hope’s flashlight flickers before going out leaving the trip in complete darkness. Screeching is heard around them as Hope frantically cranks the flashlight, charging it as fast as she can. The light comes on just in time for Hope to see the undead creature in front of her.
“Oh, Shit,” she whimpers.
She backtracks slightly, dropping the flashlight on the ground as she fumbles around reaching for the handle of her sword. The light rolls around revealing four more creatures slowly shuffling their way through the darkness.
“We might need to find somewhere else to bed,” Mika says snidely as he takes grip of his machete, swinging it wildly at the first Zombie he can see.
“We need to get out of here,” Fanny shouts as she slices her blade through one of the creature’s arms, “we can’t see anything. We’re basically sitting ducks.
“Make a run for the door,” Mika says kicking a Zombie to the ground before driving the steel of his blade through its throat.
“What about you?” Fanny asks pushing back another one.
“I’ll hold them off as long as I can,” Mika says as he jumps back to his feet, backing himself into a wall. “Just get out of here! I’ll catch up after I finish.”
He swings the machete forcibly finishing off another one, Hope goes to reach for the flashlight lying dormant on the ground reflecting the shadow of Mika kicking and slashing as the Zombies begin to swarm around him. Fanny grabs Hope by the shoulder pulling her away leaving the flashlight behind. They stumble through the darkness, kicking and thrashing their way past the piles of trash scattered on the floor. They don’t stop pushing past until they make it back to front of the store. Hope looks back, continuing to step slowly backward. Her foot squishes beneath her and she slips to the ground freeing the old flashlight from under a pile of trash. The beam is weak but just enough to show her the few basic remains of John’s eaten body lying right beside her. She pants frantically before letting out an ear piercing scream that echoes through the abandoned building.
“Shh,” Fanny says dropping beside her friend, her hand clasped over her mouth. “You have to be quiet or those things will know where we are.” Hope’s muffled voice and concerned eyes are enough for Fanny to turn her head and find John’s mangled body ripped to shreds. She shuts her eyes as the flashlight blacks out. “What a fool.” She sighs as she helps her friend back to her feet. “We have to find the others and get out of this place.”
“I agree,” Hope says, “but what about Mika?
“For now we wait for him to find us,” Fanny answers wiping John’s blood off her arms.
“I don’t think we have that long to wait,” Hope says pointing at the front of the store.
The windows where they first came in are smashed and exposed with the last few beams of daylight pouring in, revealing the small horde of undead monstrosities limping and staggering their way toward them.
“This isn’t good,” Hope says brandishing her sword.
“We can’t win this,” Fanny says tugging at Hope’s shirt, “we have to find another way out of here. There has to be a back door.”
“What about the others?” Hope asks.
“It’s your call,” Fanny sighs, “but I highly recommend retreating.”
Hope grits her teeth and tightens her grip on her sword before finally letting out a soft growl and lowering her blade. “We find the others. No one else gets left behind and no one else dies.”
“Hope that’s ridiculous,” Fanny murmurs as she chases after her friend.
They hack and slash their way through the first couple of Zombies, the scattered remains of daylight the only source of light they have as their eyes wander aimlessly for their separated friends.
“MIKA!” Hope calls out startling Fanny as she does.
“What are you doing?” Fanny growls at her.
“Hey it’s not like I’m giving up our position,” Hope says slicing off another zombie head, “I think they already know we’re here.”
“AMANDA?! SARA?!” Fanny calls out after giving in to Hope’s dispute.
“Over here!” Amanda’s voice calls out from the shadow of the store. “These undead fucks have us surrounded!”
“We have to get to them,” Hope says to Fanny.
“No,” Mika says in his deep rugged voice. Bodily remains and blood cover him from top to bottom, his machete blade still dripping beside him. “There is no way to save them and ourselves.”
“We have to do something!” Hope cries.
“We can’t just let them die like this,” Fanny says with a snort.
“If you try to, you will die,” Mika says slowly emphasizing his point.
“Then at least I’ll die trying to save the lives of our friends,” Hope grumbles before turning her back on him abruptly leaving with Fanny right behind her.
They hack and slash several of the undead as they make their way into the shadows making them slightly more hesitant to attack at will. The dim light from the flashlight The Major is holding gives little leeway to the small groups surroundings.
“We need to find a back way out of here,” Fanny calls out cutting off the arm of one of the Zombies that grabs her arm. She kicks it to the ground and steps on its chest before driving the thick blade of the machete down into the creature’s neck dislodging its head. “We can’t take all of them.”
“I saw an emergency exit,” The Major says, “if we can only get to it.”
“What do we have to lose?” Mika Says.
“Only everything,” Hope whispers.
The group moves slowly,
remaining in their tight huddle as they make their way throughout the store. They can hear the prattling of the undead feet swarming around them, the scratching and grinding of their nails and exposed bones against the floor and walls. Hissing and grunting sounds boom throughout the darkness and into each of their heads and down their spines. Amanda cranks the flashlight strengthening the beam just enough to show a tremendous creature standing in front of the door. The skin of the creature is a pale gray color, almost the color of slate. Its eyes are voided, the skin of its forehead pulled over tightly, its hair mostly gone with the exception of a few long, thick strand of black braided hair hanging down almost the entire length of the creature. Its left arm is long and slender extending down to its thin grotesque hand. Five knife like nails protruding from the end. The right arm is thick and block like. It sways back and forth momentarily before it crashes into the wall, demolishing the brick around it.
“What in the world is that?” Hope asks taking a half step back.
“It’s the thing those other undead pieces of shit are scared of,” Fanny gulps. Her hands tighten up around the handle of her machete. Her palms sweat up as she holds out the blade with her arm shaking.
“Ya know what that looks like to me?” a male voice shouts out from the darkness, his face only seen when he strikes a flare. He uses the fire from the flare to light up a torch he holds in his other hand. “It looks like fun!” He tosses flare onto the creature before waving for the others to follow him. He leads the group waving the torch back and forth, screaming like a mad man, “YEE HAW!” he cries out as he pulls a small black handgun out from his waist band and starts firing bullets into as many undead heads as he can before laughing hysterically with each shot.
“Are we sure we should be trusting this man?” The Major asks.
“Would you rather deal with that ugly son of a bitch back there?” Fanny shoots back, “he may not be conventional, but he is our best bet.”
Omega Virus (Book 2): Revisited Page 11