Silence
Silence. All there was, was cold calming silence in the early morning hours. Daylight peeked in through the cracks in the wall of the dilapidated shack we had taken refuge in only hours before the last attack. I had never seen so much blood in my life. When we ran it sounded like we were being chased by rabid animals. When we past the clearing half a mile back the noises died down and we finally stopped running. The burned down home just quietly waiting in the middle of the grassy plane and the run down shack were the only type of protection from the outside world that seemed somewhat safe. We took our chances on it.
Included in the small party of wayward people included Frank, myself and Leena the girl we met at the gas station. Im just sorry we couldn't save the rest of the group. When they attacked someone panicked and the gas flew everywhere. I never imagined flames could travel that fast in a small amount of time.
As more light entered the shack we began to slowly creep along the interior of the building for supplies to hold off any impending attacks.
"does anyone know what time it is," Leena whispered as she peered through the crack in the wall. I glanced at her for a moment before I looked at my dirt stained watch. I had to wipe away the grime before I could get a good view of the ticking hands. I looked at Frank before I turned to her again. "6:47... You waiting on someone?"
Leena paused for a moment before a slight smile came over her face.
"I'm late for work..." Leena laughed to herself as she turned to Frank and I. "I think I just lost my job."
Frank adjusted his vest and pulled out the folding knife he had kept close to his heart, wipes off the small traces of blood. He sighs as he picks up a broken broom handle and starts sharpening the end.
"is that so? Well I think we have more things to worry about than your nine to five- for example how are we going to stay alive or where we're going to go from here," Frank grimly replies.
It was a shock seeing frank go from carefree to a no nonsense robot over the passing day. It's understandable. I'm sure we've all done our fair share of changing along the way. We all had lost something or someone during these few hours of survival and reflection. I feel myself becoming more jaded as time passes.
Off in the distance sounds of low moans and gurgling could be heard. I reached for the shack door and cautiously opened it fearing the worst. Frank tosses the half sharpened broom handle to me as he redies his knife in anticipation. As I slowly crept outside I could see multiple figures shambling towards our present location. A group of about 15 or 20 people with tattered, blood soaked clothing. A foul faint stench began to linger in the air as Leena and Frank emerged from the shack.
"whats wrong with them? This just ain't right." I say to myself.
"look you know what they are, this ain't a movie and we know what the deal is," Says frank as he pulls out his phone. It beeps a couple of times before he keys in something.
"I don't think the cops are gonna be able to help us right now," Leena chimes in.
Frank gives her a dirty look as he looks up from his phone. "i was using the gps in my phone to see where we are and from it looks like we're about a 6miles away from the closest public place."
"I suggest we leave before they-"
Suddenly a snarl followed by a shriek are heard in the distance. The group had finally taken notice of us and had begun to charge with furious speed. They ran like goats on fire. In unison all of us uttered a calm "fuck" before we hauled ass in the opposite direction towards the field that led to the main road. In the dense grass it was difficult to keep ones footing and running while in it only made us panic more. I found that stumbling through the grass was more effective than trying to run. As we made our way through the dense field we could see a sea of abandoned cars and bloodstained doors crowded along the main road. The stench from earlier began to get increasingly stronger as we dredged on. You could taste the putrid smell with every breath inhaled.
We blazed through the parked cars and climbed over any smashed debris that got in our way. The dried blood that stained each vehicle served as a bold reminder that we couldn't stop no matter what but it we couldn't run away forever. Stopping was barely an option, because of how large a number it was compared to us we'd be overwhelmed within moments.
"Frank, What the hell are we gonna do!" I shouted out to him as I pressed forward trying to catch up. "We can't run from these bastards forever."
"Don't stop running!" He yelled back as he picked up stone from the road and heaved it at the horde approaching from behind.
Suddenly, in the distance we saw a downed cop car. There was a sense of hope. Maybe there's a shotgun or something in there to get those people off our backs until we can get somewhere safe. But before I could think about the car something hooks my legs out from under me. The force was so great that I didn't have time to brace myself for the fall and smashed my face against the ground. I looked up to see that Leena and Frank we becoming smaller and smaller as they trailed farther away. As I looked behind me to see what happened a figure emerged from underneath the car. With unbelievable speed he grabbed my ankle and applied so much pressure that to call it a death grip would be an understatement.
"Hey come back," I shouted as I struggled to get away. "Help!"
But no one came back. I had to think quickly, if I didn't I was gonna be feeling more than a slight concussion in a few moments. So with my free leg I kicked as hard as I could to free myself but the grip it had on me was ridiculous. Shit this was bad.