Let Me Out

by A H Alhaila

  Everyone started applauding Mr. William as he became excited and threw his bottle from the center opening overlooking the ground floor. Everyone also got excited and did the same, while cheering for Mr. William. “What a positive influence you are!”, said Steven to himself talking about Mr. William.

  Addressing everyone, Steven said, “Okay, we’ll first look for the paint. Then food and medicine. We’ll then make our way back. Does everyone know the stores we’ll be heading to?”.

  “We know the arts shop, restaurants, supermarket and pharmacy.”, most of them replied.

  “That’s good.”, said Steven.

  Some others said they only knew a few of those stores.

  “Don’t worry. We’ll walk together, and Victor here will guide us. You guys ready?”, said Steven.

  “Yes.”, they answered at once.

  “You’re really coming with us?”, said Adam.

  “Of course. I won’t let a small injury keep me from doing it.”, replied Steven.

  Everyone got excited and stood up heading towards the staircase door. Everyone stood in a que as Elma put her tools beside her and started giving them instructions saying, “Don’t ever open your eyes unless you are in an area with no creatures. But also, don’t keep your eyes open for a long time so that the paint won’t be washed away by sweat. Also, don’t close your eyes too hard so that the wrinkles don’t mess up the fake eye which could get you into trouble. Is that clear?”.

  “Yes. We’ll also rescue Sam!”, they said.

  Elma became emotional hoping that they would really find Sam. They all stood in line as she started painting the fake eyes on them one after the other. Joseph, Adam, Mr. William were among those she had painted on. Victor stayed behind because they did not want to risk losing their only doctor. Once Elma was done painting on someone, they would then go to Steven who would give them a gun. Then they would make their way down the stairs and wait in front of the ground floor door. Elma painted the final person when Joanna came up to her too. “You too?”, said Elma.

  “Yes, me too.”, said Joanna.

  Elma was overwhelmed with emotions and couldn’t help herself from hugging Joanna. She then started the paint on her eyelids. Joanna then went to her father who gave her a gun and she made her way after everybody else. Some women followed Joanna’s example and they too had eyes painted on them and were given weapons. Steven was the only one left. He went in front of Elma and said, “This is all for Sam Elma. He’s family.”.

  Steven closed his eyes and Elma was just about to start painting when she suddenly started crying. “It will be okay. These are tears of joy!”, said Steven.

  After Elma had finished drawing, Steven headed towards the stairs and went through everyone that was there and became in front of them. He turned to Victor and said, “Lock the door tightly after we all go out then you and who is left start guiding us and warn us if there is anything dangerous in front.”.

  “Okay.”, said Victor.

  Steven then addressed the group saying, “Don’t forget. Never open your eyes or you will turn into one of them. But don’t shut it too tight either. Don’t fight the creatures. It will let go by itself. It’s simple, but dangerous at the same time if you don’t do as I say. Understood?”.

  “Yes.”, they shouted out.

  As Steven put the keys in the door, he turned back to them and said, “Keep your eyes closed guys. Let’s go.”.

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Abort Mission!

  Everyone closed their eyes when Steven opened the door. He and the group started moving forward until they mixed in with the creatures. When the last person went through the door, Victor closed it shut.

  “Stay together. Don’t separate.”, said Steven.

  Because they were stuck to one another, someone creatures started jumping over their heads trying to reach those in the middle.

  They’re jumping on us!”, said Adam who was in middle.

  “Don’t fight or shot them.”, said Joanna.

  “That’s right. Don’t fire. If they spread out, you spread out.”, added Steven.

  Everyone kept calling out Steven’s name as well as shouting out “separate” so that everyone would know what to do. The creatures kept jumping on top of them, but they were able to solve that problem by spreading out. “Walk in group of twos or threes.”, said Steven.

  They also repeated what Steven had said and they separated as follows: Steven, Joseph, and another man as a group, Joanna, Mr. William and a woman as another, Adam and another man as the third group, and Brian and Daniel as the final group.

  “It’s quite simple you see.”, said Mr. William.

  Those who were near Mr. William felt confidence because of what he said. They continued walking, however, one of them tripped and fell into the water fountain pulling someone else along with him. Covered in water, the first opened his eyes knowing that the colors were washed away while the second kept his eyes closed. The former drew his gun as some creatures headed towards him.

  “Everybody get down!”, shouted Victor.

  Everyone lowered their heads not knowing what was happening. Then the man started shooting. Everyone laid on the floor after Victor until the shooting stopped. The man who was shooting and the other who had his eyes closed both started to scream as neither one of them made it. “Good God! They’ve transformed!”, said Victor.

  “What’s happening Victor?”, asked Steven.

  “Two men fell into the fountain washing away their fake eyes. The creatures attacked them and transformed them.”, replied Victor.

  “So soon?”, said Joanna.

  “Yes.”, replied Victor.

  “Oh God!”, said Joseph.

  “Let’s keep walking.”, said Steven.

  They all stood up and started walking out of the building with some help of Victor and those left behind in directing those who lost their way. Victor then headed to the roof followed by a few others to direct those outside. They were leading them towards the Arts shop to gather paint. When they arrived, Steven asked some of them to stand in front of the shop to prevent the creatures from going in then he and three other men went in. They started gathering the equipment they needed until their bags were full. “Let’s head to the supermarket next.”, said Steven.

  As soon as they had arrived at the supermarket, the group divided into two groups; one to get food and the other to stop the creatures from entering. The two groups kept switching roles until everyone filled up their bags, leaving Steven and Joanna’s bag for the medicine. “Let’s go to the pharmacy.”, said Steven after they were done.

  The kept walking towards the pharmacy until Victor and the others could not see them anymore. Steven and Joanna were able to go into the pharmacy to gather the medicine they needed easily thanks to the large group that prevented the creatures from entering. Steven and Joanna then turned around and saw the bodies of the creatures being tossed away as they heard the rambling sounds of the car that was sending the bodies flying. Everyone then opened their eyes and ran into the pharmacy. They found that a large number of the creatures surrounding them had disappeared. They then heard the sounds of another car coming from behind them, running the creatures over mercilessly. “Forget the mission. Run for your lives!”, said Steen.

  Everyone ran back to the shopping center as the plan was aborted. Their eyes were wide open as they ran across the street, while the cars were running the creatures over, killing any creatures that got close to them. Even-though it looked like a well-planned plan, the creatures were so many in numbers that some managed to go through the cars and attack them. The group used the weapons they had defending themselves.

  Victor froze in shock when he was able to see the group again. One of the cars slowed down in front of the group allowing Joseph to hold on to the side of the car, before the car could take off once more. Steven got confused as he noticed joseph pointing to the driver where the group were stationed. The cars slowly changed directions allowing everyo
ne to enter the shopping center without harm. When Joseph approached the center with the car, Steven saw Victor disappear as if carrying out orders after Joseph had spoken to him. More people were lost as the group got into a vicious fight with the creatures. After entering the shopping center, they found that Victor had opened the door for them. Some creatures followed them, but they were able to shoot them before they got a chance to go through the doors. Everyone was exhausted and out of breath after they all made it in and closed the door behind them. Steven saw Victor heading towards the basement, so he followed him. Joanna also followed her father after sensing that something was happening. Steven saw Victor who said, “We’re ready.”, to the man standing next to him.

  In order to help the drivers, enter the basement, they formed a line of communication where the man then shouted out the message to the next man, who shouted it out to the next man, and so on. Still out of breath, Steven turned to Victor and said, “Well done!”.

  “Damn it! How could I forget?”, said Victor.

  “What are you talking about?”, said Steven.

  “I forgot about the car blocking off the entrance to the basement.”, replied Victor.

  “I forgot about it too! We should warn them.”, said Steven.

  “I think it’s too late.”, said Victor.

  “I’ll try. If I fail, out only hope is that Joseph remembered and warned them about it.”, said Steven.

  “I hope so.”, said Victor.

  Steven headed towards the roof. Joanna overheard their conversation and so she too started thinking of how to solve the problem. While Steven was on his way up, the men were delivering another message to the basement. “Open the gates!”, they said. Steven then realized it was too late and turned back and headed towards Victor who he found opening the entrance. “Tell everyone to be ready”, said Steven.

  Victor went to tell them as Joanna stood next to her father in front of the garage gate. “If the armored car is in front, that means Joseph had told them about the car blocking the entrance. If the smaller car is in front, then things would become more difficult. They wouldn’t be able to get in, nor will we be able to go out.”, said Joanna.

  “Joseph didn’t disappoint us before, I hope he doesn’t start now!”, said Steven.

  After Victor had warned them, everyone gathered around Steven, ready to fight the creatures. Thankfully, the armored car was in front followed by the other cars. It smashed through Alexander’s car. Victor started closing the gate, while the men got out of their cars, raising their guns and shooting the creatures. They kept on shooting them, preventing the creature from coming in until the gate was closed. Joseph welcomed and hugged who appeared to be the leader of the new group. “It’s good to see you Leonardo!”, said Joseph.

  “It’s good to see you Joseph. I knew you were tough and won’t die easily.”, replied Leonardo.

  Steven stepped in and said, “Don’t mean to break up the reunion but we have to head upstairs quickly. The creatures can see us and may break through the gate.”.

  Leonardo got silent as Joseph said, “This is Steven. Our group leader. Steven this is my friend Leonardo.”.

  “I can tell you’re a good leader.”, said Leonardo.

  “Thanks.”, replied Steven.

  Leonardo’s group were packing up their things when he turned to them and said, “Hurry up you bastards so we can get some rest.”.

  Steven’s group then went upstairs followed by Leonardo’s group. When Leonardo reached the floor above. “He looked around then said, “Things look good around here.”.

  “Everyone here helps around. All thanks to Steven.”, said Joseph.

  Steven came along with his daughter, interrupted them and said, “We haven’t been probably introduced. Pleased to meet you Leonardo.”.

  “It’s okay, I understand. Pleasure’s all mine.”, replied Leonardo.

  “This is Steven’s daughter, Joanna.”, said Joseph.

  “She doesn’t have her father’s looks, but I have feeling she has his personality and mentality.”, said Leonardo.

  Joseph leaned towards Leonardo and whispered in his ear saying, “Joanna’s worth twenty of your men. She killed a lot of creatures.”.

  Not being able to control his admiration, Leonardo said, “Really? You killed some creatures?”.

  “A lot of them actually.”, replied Joanna.

  “That’s amazing.”, said Leonardo.

  “How did you find us?”, asked Joanna.

  Joanna’s tone of voice turned the conversation into a serious one. “I’m surprised you didn’t ask me that yourself Steven.”, said Leonardo.

  “My daughter beat me to it.”, said Steven.

  “I said that you think alike, didn’t I? Well, we were hiding in a building not far from here. A day ago, we saw an old man enter the pharmacy and the creatures didn’t attack him. Then you Joanna and another women went in as well. We also noticed you walking between those creatures without transforming. How do you do that?”, said

  “Do you know how we transform into them?”, asked Steven.

  “Yes, I’ve seen many of them transform before my eyes!”, replied Leonardo.

  “We simply covered our eyes.”, said Steven.

  “How?”, asked Leonardo curiously.

  “Well, thanks to Joanna, we discovered that painting fake eyes on our eyelids can prevent us from transforming.”, replied Steven.

  I took some time for Leonardo to understand, but after seeing eyes painted on their eyelids, he said, “Oh I see, I see. Do you close your eyes then?”.

  Everyone closed their eyes to show him. “Amazing. Just like that?”, said Leonardo.

  “Just like that.”, replied Joseph.

  “If people knew that, thousands who have survived.”, said Leonardo.

  “Leonardo, were you in the nearby building since day one?”, asked Steven.

  In a satirist way, Leonardo replied, “You know, I’m really starting to be afraid of your questions. We were far away from here. Joseph agreed that he would come back to us, but I can see know why he wasn’t able to.”.

  “That’s why I had the weapons bags. I was supposed to bring them back to Leonardo, but I couldn’t”, said Joseph, interrupting them.

  “Actually, Johnny was the reason why we came here. Joseph could you call him over? He’s the bold new guy in our group.”, said Leonardo.

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Threatened … Confused

  While Joseph went to call Johnny, Steven asked Leonardo, “Where did you get the weapons and the armored car from?”

  “We’re arms dealers. We bought this armored car to transport merchandise to protect it from robbery.”, he replied.

  “You mentioned earlier that you and Joseph were going to meet somewhere; where were you meeting?”, asked Steven.

  Before Leonardo could answer, Joseph returned with Johnny. Steven and Joanna suddenly took their gun out and pointed it at Johnny as soon as they saw him. Tensity prevailed, as Joseph and Leonardo were unaware of what was happening. “What are you doing?”, said Leonardo.

  “He knows what we’re doing!”, said Steven in an angry voice.

  “Johnny what did you do?”, asked Joseph.

  The loud voices and tension were noticed by the two groups who had come over, ready for a fight.

  “When I was part of this group, I stole their food and threatened them with my gun. I did that because I was scared. I’m sorry.”, said Johnny.

  Everyone was listening to the conversation as Leonardo said, “You knew Joseph was among them, why didn’t you tell me?”.

  “I’m sorry I didn’t mention it.”, said Johnny.

  “You know that you’re not supposed to hide anything from me. Hand over your gun Johnny and get out of my face!”, said Leonardo.

  Johnny shamefully handed over his gun and went to sit by himself. Even-though he had shaved his head, Steven and Joanna were still able to recognize him. Leonardo then addressed the two groups and said, “
Please everyone, just go back to where you were.”.

  “Who’s Johnny? What did he do?”, Mr. William asked Adam.

  “On the first day that all this happened, Johnny pointed the gun at us and took away all the food.”, replied Adam.

  “What happened then?”, asked Mr. William.

  “Joanna faced him and they all kicked him out. I think you should rest now Mr. William.”, said Adam.

  “Maybe I should.”, said Mr. William.

  Everyone went back to their places as Leonardo turned to them and said, “I apologize for what happened.”.

  “Never mind! How did he tell you about Joseph? Does he know him?”, asked Steven.

  “I only remembered him when you guys pointed him out. I didn’t recognize him without the hair. I was looking for a place to hide the weapons when I bumped into Johnny as he was heading out. I think that’s how he knew me. Him joining Leonardo’s group was just a coincidence. Isn’t that right Leonardo?”, said Joseph.

  “Yes, it is.”, replied Leonardo. “He said that he was part of a group before, but he left it because it had little food and was well-organized. When we asked him about Joseph, he described him to us perfectly. We then knew that we had to go back to save our friend.”, he added.

  “Now that everything is cleared up, I hope you guys can get some rest. We’ll be giving out food in a while. We can continue talking then.”, said Steven.

  Leonardo left and was followed by Joseph. Steven and his daughter went and sat in front of the glass window. “We have to be cautious of them.”, said Steven.

  “I agree.”, replied Joanna. “What do you think they have in their truck?”, she added.

  “You mean their armored car?”, asked Steven.

  “No, I meant the smaller car that came in last.”, said Joanna.

  “Yes, I’ve seen it. I think it has food and weapons.”, replied Steven.

  “We have to know what’s in it.”, said Joanna.

  “I’ll ask Leonardo about it. Oh, I also forgot to ask him about the place he and Joseph were going to meet.”, said Steven.