The madness is here, everyone is caught in one huge brawl with the minions who effortlessly chased them. Tentacles erupt from the ground, throwing desks and furniture along with the concrete and dirt into the surroundings. So rapid, so instantaneous, I can't adjust-
Red gloop crawls out from every vent, nook, and crevice it can find. Bit by bit, the group is separated...
I need to focus, so-
Ed-
I need to find Ed-
He's there, fighting, battling with Ryan. The two of the men are neck at the neck while Chloe is cornered, forced to deal with Bella who has come out nowhere?! The deranged bitch who killed my men, and there is Ryan who caused so many problems...
Vicious, angry, there is nothing to prevent them from killing each other. No law and order here, just survival of the fittest.
“MY BROTHER WILL BE AVENGED!” Ryan screams, enraged, only for his slight distraction from his fight with Ed to be his last. As I near, I see Ed repeatedly stab him, he doesn't stop, the blade going in and out of his torso and stomach so fast my eye cannot perceive it. Holding his back, and leaning him against a nearby pillar, Ed keeps him firmly in place. Ryan, gasping, perplexed, looks up, blood spills from his mouth, tears in his eyes. Only his gentle gasping is heard by me as Ed removes the blade and lastly knocks him down. I am powerless to stop Ed, who without batting an eye, crashes his boot down on Ryan's skull multiple times, crushing it to dust...
By the time I come to, I see no mercy has been shared between Chloe and Bella. Bella, still injured and never fully recovered from her previous duals, is left to be cut down expertly by Chloe. Literally slicing her wrist so well, her hand is taken off in one fell swoop! With the ear piercing scream, Bella's voice is drowned out against the madness, and with her stomach gutted, Chloe finishes her off with a final swing at her head. Bleeding, messy, her body gracefully falls to the ground.
When I am finally taken notice of when I rejoin the two, I see they share a few words.
“No matter what happens, run north, we will meet you there!” Ed takes Chloe, holding her in place, his eyes perforating into hers. Fright riddles them both. This moment is scarce, do quick and unfortunate, the parting of two close friends...
“I can't-” She refuses, and I watch on as she comes to terms with the reality of their situation.
“Yes, you can!” She places a weapon in his hand, only for Ed to begin forcing it right back into her hands, I see the machete she believes she isn't worthy of is finally entrusted to her.
Looking to my side, I see Matty trying his best to fight off the tentacles and minions with a mix of a blade and a gun. Vicky fights near him, alongside her is the two young girls who practice their marksmanship with their very own pistols. I remember teaching them, they are doing well...
Turning back just in time, I see Chloe and Ed share one last hug, intimate and loving as if they were brother and sister. Without a second glance, Chloe sprints away, screaming at the two girls that they need to go...
Now, it is just Ed and me. He turns to face me, a look of sorrow on his face. Why did they separate? Why did he send her away...?
Ian calls from the other side of the room, rushing in and looking right at us-
“I FOUND THEM, MAYA AND ZACK!” His roaring voice is barely heard, but it is enough. Ed gives me a nod, and with my own regained confidence, I know what needs to be done. Maya and Zack got separated in the madness, and now, we go back to save them.
I don't care if we should be leaving with Chloe and everyone else, I am no longer their leader, I will follow, and it’s all I can do for my failures...
Chapter 3 - Branded
Robert
Each window we pass, within the fractures we see a story being narrated. One window shows me how I wished I had been more efficient at stopping Callum. We had a chance for survival. Granted, I once felt like when the time came, we'd be ready for a fight. I thought that, maybe, just maybe, for once in my life when everything else seemed bleak, that WE had the high ground...
The next window, covered in dirt and grime, tells me I was wrong, how the soldiers that fight to the death outside are all we have left when it really comes down to it. The rest of us persevere, seeking to fetch the safety we so urgently pine for. It makes me feel miserable.
The final window, the one that really settles the point in, is the shedding of blood. We could have survived. We solely ought to go north, if only we had caught the opening when it presented itself. The blood covered window reminds me that many people have died tonight when our innocence for the first time did not need to be tampered with. We were free, or so we thought...
Deathly screeching, followed by a horrible tippy-tap on the floor flaunts a monster with sharp points for feet and bulging thighs for legs. It crashes out of one of the rooms-
The smart bastard was lying in wait! Ed is able to escape it, evading its bulky hand. Regrettably, Ian isn't as lucky as he is seized, raised, and in my unstoppable view, I watch in awe as he is chucked through the same blood covered window we travelled past-
Glass shatters and I have to double down, shielding my burnt, scarred face as much as I can-
Ed calls out, begging me to keep moving, the monster that is in front of us spares us no mind as it creepily crawls itself through the shattered window, going after its prey.
Feeling two gruff hands under my armpit, by the time the ringing in my traumatised ears ceases, I feel myself floating as if I was a feather. Bitter, Ed hauls me onward; he won't be going in alone. He needs back up and I am the last person he trusts.
I have to keep a clear head...
Not so crystal clean, the white tiled, once upon a time well presented medical bay reeks the tales of a battle. These minions are different in their unique ways, so small and diminutive, like little goblins that bounce around on their tiny legs, their long arms thrashing around as they try to damage us long enough for the red gloop or those damned moving tentacles that remind me of a land squid. They charge at Ed when no more of them can fit into the same room we need to get into-
Ed is so proficient, clearly being skilled in what he knows, slicing, dicing, and fighting off every last critter that comes his way. These little things are purposely weak as to not kill us. The Carnage needs prey for biomass. He desires to survive using us. He planned to find an alternative, now he couldn't care less as he rips the last of the survivors in two.
Still frozen in my little shell, my weary eyes travel the ceilings where I see one sneaky tentacle. It's thirsty, trickling red gloop bead down onto Ed. Each drop burns into his skin, at least until the whole fucking thing leaps down onto his leg! Latching on tight, like a clinch, it crushes his leg...
Eyes wide, I watch as he topples over, smacking into the wall as he grasps at the gloop that covers the entirety of his leg. Falling over, even the mighty Ed, the man who has proven time and time again not to battle with him, is brought to the floor.
What do I do? Is this it? Are we really so powerless to stop this...
“SCREW THIS!” With a burst of stupidity, he unlatches the clip holding his weapon in place, before placing the nozzle at his thigh, furthermore, unloading an entire clip into his flesh and bone-
Well, he is dead. I need to act. This is a wake-up call. I HAVE TO FIGHT. BREAK OUT OF YOUR CRY BABY LITTLE MIND, YOU FOUGHT, YOU FAILED, SO WHAT? COME ON ROBERT. COME ON. SNAP OUT OF IT. PROTECT THE PEOPLE WHO ARE LEFT. THAT, IS, YOUR, DUTY!
Not giving in, never giving up, charging into the room-
Literally sinking my disgusting, torn nails into every last fucking minion who gets in my way! The minions bounce around, cutting, holding, and throwing the poor victims about playfully. They couldn't even care less! With one final slash across his face, Zack is left tired and vulnerable; slumping down next to one medical machine. When he falls to the floor, face first, his body rolling over so he lies on his side. His chest heaving, his body working so laboriously to recover from this intense battle for life...
I
see his branding... Across his entire spine, the branding, the marks, the same red gloop that burns my skull, burns his back. Steam raises from him, and when he finally falls backwards, he lands on his spine, resting the scorched branding into the cold tiles below. He lets off a relaxed gasp of fresh air, closing his eyes as his face transforms into a blank canvas, mouth open, like he has lost control of the muscles in his face and his eyes wide as he adjusts to the searing sensation.
Behind me, the minions clear out, as if they had been summoned back to their master. I am not a fool; I know the Carnage is calling them. It's a hivemind, so he sees us all through their little, evil eyes.
Kneeling down, I place a hand on Zack's neck, checking his pulse with my fingers. Not a moment of suspense is needed when I feel his heart is beating. Not fast, not slow, regularly beating as if nothing was happening. Maybe he is in a state of shock or something...?
“Rober-” Pushing metallic metal equipment off one bedside table onto the floor, the bouncing tools call out to me. Maya, injured, is in a similar situation to Zack, who with her lower parts of her top missing, shows the red gloop disappearing into the waist and hips. She winces, trying her hardest to not give into the pain as she is branded as well...
“My leg is fine” Ed's voice is calm, the noisiness of the battle die out and we are left in the silence of the gory medical bay. Walking in, Ed shows no signs of... anything? Ed's leg is bare, untouched, and visible because his trousers were burnt right through? Ed's leg looks the same as my skull, as does Zack's back and Maya's waist. We all suffer the same branding. Like a hot, scorching iron has been shoved into our bodies, we are left with searing hot, red skin. Little markings are made, not defined enough to resemble any patterns, but detailed enough to draw our eyes. These things weren't trying to kill us, they have branded us. Why us?
“We have been branded for something-” I spend no time in crying or wonder, I get to the point. I know we have been branded, like we have been chosen.
“I don't care what; we are getting out of here” Uncaring, Ed shoves past me towards Maya. I spare no glare or ill-will. I don't care anymore. I want to go home to my family. My wife; my children...
Something slams into the window outside the room? It is the same one clear window that didn't get broken into? Inspecting this slamming, I see it is someone, not something. Terrified to her core, Vicky beats her enclosed fists against the windows. She is clearly saying something but we can't hear her. Not from here. My feet guide me, telling me to go and see if she is okay.
“Robert?” Ed calls out.
“Yes?” I reply, still giving my undivided attention to Vicky who is gradually approached by the Carnage who has fully rebuilt himself. My soldiers are dead. Graham is dead. The bodies in the port town are gone. Well, I suppose, the Carnage is technically cleaning the area up so...
The smell is more or less gone-
Oh, is that Chris in the distance? I can see him just behind the Carnage! He survived. Wow, is this pride for someone else? I actually feel happy to see someone I trust so dearly is still with us. Matty joins him, pointing at Vicky who seems rather troubled. What is wrong with my head, I feel so, strange. It's like all my fear is gone and I am no longer taking this situation seriously. I am self-aware of this, yet I don't care! It is a nice feeling to not care.
Holly and Callum appear, and I watch as their own story unfolds. So, Holly has lost Steven evidently as the man is nowhere to be seen. Matty tries his best to calm Holly down. Callum confidently hands Chris an RPG. The rocket launching weapon that wreaks havoc on all it touches-
Oh shit.
“MOVE YOU FUCKING IDIOT!”
Suddenly, all the sound washes through an immense gust of wind that throws me back and into Ed-
The outside world is with us again when the Carnage's foot pulverizes Vicky, taking down a part of the military command centre with him. Accelerating blood, guts, glass and metal throughout...
Chapter 4 - The Mist
Robert
Not feeling anything anymore. Maybe I should be worried?
Laid down on the floor behind some stupid piece of machinery or technology or whatever this fucking place used to be is my shield. I feel like no matter what I do, I just don't care. Gazing around, I treat the ruins of this place as if it were the mystical night sky. No clouds or fog, just a clear view of the beauty we struggle to comprehend. Except, this beauty, with the debris, smoke, dirt, and blood, is not something beautiful at all. Each and every time, my body is sent into shock when I see that this is the world I am living in now. Worst of all, I chose to live this life, because I openly volunteered to venture here with my division.
Grabbing my wits about myself, I considerately force myself off the ground when the noises die down, and the flickering of nearby flames are all that is left. An immense, gaping hole presents itself in the side of the massive warehouse, the Carnage's foot gently being lifted up and back. He feels even larger up close; it's wondrous to see what my own species created. Some of us are just far too capable, and shouldn't ever have been in control of beings such as him...
We created him, for the better or the worse, and this Organisation, with all their secrets, has no more tricks left up their sleeves. We are alone now, no aid, no help, no more god-like super soldiers to guide us. We had our warning and chance, and now it is dead. You know, it is certainly strange the more I think about it. I keep wondering my little head over those details.
We had a chance...
We had a chance...
We had a chance...
Splattered into mash potato, except it's red and disgusting, is Vicky. I see her remains from where I stand. Proceeding any further takes us outside. At the same time that he had stomped down, Chris had fired. The Carnage, he flails madly, his whole body erupting into a blaze anew. Seems like that is the one thing he hates. Continuous damage and strain to the body will impede the healing factor he obviously has. This leaves him vulnerable...
By the time I collect my wits properly, I find myself spinning, treading through the glass and crushed organs, rushing after everyone else! Head forward, eyes straight, heart pounding, I spare neither look nor glance, and I have no time-
Sprinting, dashing, braking-
“WHEN WILL YOU STOP?” The Carnage, his voice loud and clear, not through a scream, but he is certainly blatant enough that we may all hear him. When I reach everyone else, and I turn to see the damage done, I watch on in awe as the Carnage groans tiredly, annoyed at the tremendous chasm in his chest. This time, he struggles to heal himself; he is running out of options...
Tumbling backwards, the severely crippled Carnage trips over and into the warehouse, crushing the entire side of the building where the medical bay area is...
Well, aren't I glad I got out of there?
Approaching us, we hear the heavy footsteps of the other group who was able to take down the Carnage. Their footsteps playing the mud like an instrument.
“We need to get out of here” Matty demands, focused on me as if I still hold the leadership I once did. Shifting, I see Chris nod at me. I don't nod back. I am not worthy. I got all our soldiers killed...
“Steven?” I hear Holly gasp, her frail body moving her towards Steven who turns a corner and blankly watches us all. Was he seriously just wondering around unfazed? Untouched to boast as well, the lucky bastard...
“We're going north” Ed hums, grabbing Maya and holding her close, constantly checking every so often that she is okay. Maya doesn't feel like the woman she was made out to be. I always felt like she'd be strong and...
Well, she's not.
Tender, like a little working generator that is running on fumes, a moderately descending rain falls from the sky. Its compact, like a sprawling mist, it is sent forth from every hole on the deflating Carnage's body. This mist is...
I remember when researching the Resort, as a leader I would always check beforehand on every mission. Being debriefed or given some folder with information is never e
nough. Always do your own first-hand research for the best chances of survival. Of course, news reports were the quickest way to finding out everything you need to know. It isn't the reports themselves you pay attention to; it is the detail in the background. This same cloud levelled the Capital at one point because it's not mist. It's a gas cloud, designed by the Carnage to kill, infect, or make easy consumption of large groups of humans in one go. It leaves him paralysed while he produces it of course, but it doesn't make it any easier for us.
The Carnage cannot beat us with the overwhelming firepower we have at our disposal. We've made our impacts, but so has he. Ironically, we can't eliminate him either. Regardless, we were close in a way, the second he struggles to heal; you already are one step closer to winning. Unless he can keep finding new bodies, most of which he has already consumed to rebuild, he will constantly be closer to death than he ever has.
The Carnage Trilogy (Book 3): Aftermath [Who Will Be Left?] Page 2