Nearly There Chp. 3 - New Arrival
#4 of Nearly There
I'm sorry for the long awaited chapter 3, but I had exams last month plus with everything that was going on in my life I was a bit preoccupied with it. I hope most of you like where I had decided to go with this story and that most of you will stick with it because I personally enjoyed it. I hope you all will too, I'll work as much as I can on the next upcoming chapters to post as soon as I can. Sorry if it seems a bit rushed as well~
Yawning as I woke up, the sudden motion of the vehicle forcing me to sit up right in my seat as I bounced a little from the road. Squinting a little as I feel a kink in my neck, groaning quietly slowly sitting more straight up, rolling my shoulders and stretching a little as I take a look around through the window. Barely being able to see anything as a thick layer of fog covered the streets and road, leaning up to the front seat to see Troy still as focused as ever on the road as he drove. I glanced around once again, seeing nothing but fog and clouds up above us, starting to wonder where we were and why the weather was so terrible. Suddenly hearing a clash and rumble as I sat there, my heart jumped at the sound as my fur went on end. Looking up ahead to see dark clouds and thunder, tapping Troy on the shoulder as he drove.
"Where are we?"
"I really have no idea, there was a turn off a while back and my GPS told me to take this route instead of the other..."
"Oh, well what time is it?"
"I think its like, five in the afternoon."
"Wow...I slept long..."
Settling back in my seat as we slowly made our way towards the storm. Jumping nearly every time I heard the loud obnoxious rumbling made in the sky. I hoped that we would pass by a known city, or that we would just be in New York already, a feeling of being followed had sent chills down my spine as I started to constantly look behind us. Pushing the thought of these feelings being caused by the storm into my head as I sat in my seat, sliding my paws along my jeans, wiping away my sweaty paws. It started to become unbearably hot inside of the vehicle as I sat in the backside, the other two canines in the car seeming to be unaffected by this as I sat there, tugging on the collar of my shirt, wiping away more sweat from my forehead.
I blinked my eyes hard, feeling unbearably uncomfortable sitting there I couldn't take any more of this, shouting out to Troy to stop the vehicle. The rain started to pour down, hitting the top of vehicle as we slowed and stopped off to the side of the road. My breathing becoming heavy as I struggled to open the door, finally flinging it open, the rain had became louder as I started to wiggle in my seat, feeling my breathing becoming harder and harder. I felt trapped almost, finally being able to unbuckle the seat belt as I propelled myself out of the truck, landing on my knees with my paws on the ground. I flopped down onto my face as I felt the rain wash down my back, the sounds of voices entering into my mind as I lay there, I didn't know what to do as I rolled onto my back, looking up into the dark grey skies.
Closing my eyes momentarily as I let the rain wash over my face, feeling each rain drop hit me, the cool wet sensation making my clothes and fur soaked as I opened my eyes again to see the two canines peering over me, watching as their muzzles moved but no sound came out. I laid there confused, trying to focus onto their mouth movement as they stood over me. For seconds, maybe even minutes I laid there, wondering if I had gone deaf before the sound of familiar voices finally started to slowly come back. Slowly at first, like voices down a long dark tunnel, I couldn't make sense of it at first but eventually I finally was able to understand what they were saying as I laid there, my fur completely matted down from how heavy it was raining.
"Are you okay?" Finally came through
"I'm fine...I just couldn't breath in that car..."
"Are you good? Can we go now?"
The sound of anxiety was clear in Luc's voice, but I slowly nodded as I grabbed onto his paw, slowly lifting myself off the ground. Glancing around the road to see it was completely dead, no traffic, no lights, no sounds, nothing, just a clear coat of rain covering the road as it glistened in the rain. I turned my head towards the left to see some buildings in the distance, I wondered where we had been but it felt we should be close. We had drove all night and day since we were in Wisconsin. The rain felt nice against my fur as I stood there, washing and matting down my fur, my head fur starting to push down and into my eyes as I stood there still staring at the city as I heard the sudden noise of the truck trying to start.
Shaking my head as I turned back towards the vehicle, Luc had still been in front of me with both his paws on my shoulders as he looked deep into my eyes, glancing back to Troy to see him fiddle with his keys as he tried his best to start the truck, his cussing being muttered underneath his breath. Luc and I stood outside of the vehicle, watching as the wolf tried his best to make the truck work, but failed attempts after failed attempts made him stop trying and bang his fists against the wheel as he sat there. Letting out a sigh as I glanced down both ways of the road, it was dead, there had been no traffic since we had pulled over, and I had little hopes that there would ever be a car passing by. I walked by the front of the truck, looking at Troy as he had his head peering over his engine. Turning back to Luc and Troy before standing a little ways down the road.
"I doubt that we'll get her running...Let's just go to the town down the road and see if there's a mechanic close by."
"I'm down for that." Luc said as he jogged down the street to catch up to me.
"I dunno how I feel about just leaving all our stuff and truck behind..."
"We won't even be gone that long, come on Troy.."
"Fine, just let me grab a few things."
Seeing him run to the back seat as he reached inside, watching as he started to dig around inside. Letting out another sigh as I lean my head back to feel the rain wash over my face, closing my eyes as I felt each drop hit my face and my eyelids. Smiling softly as I started to hear giggling and laughter in the distance, suddenly hearing my own voice calling out to Luc. Opening my eyes as I stood there, watching myself grabbing a hold of Luc's paw as we ran through puddles just outside of his home, splashing through them and laughing loudly as we played around. Watching as that Luc grab onto me and pull me close as their muzzles lock together, I smiled even more as I could feel that kiss again on my own lips, suddenly a paw on my shoulder tugging me back into reality as I stood there.
The memory fading away before me as Luc stood beside me and tilted his head towards Troy, watching as he made his way towards us. His footsteps splashing through the water as he made a short sprint towards us. Looking into Luc's eyes and wondering if he saw the memory too, but his eyes were fixated on Troy as he splashed through puddles, glancing back at him to see him running along with two backpacks. Tossing me one as he threw one over his shoulder. Opening up the bag to look inside to see two guns, my cell phone and a radio. Raising my eyebrow as I pick up the radio in my paws, dropping it back inside the bag as I close the zipper and toss it over both my arms. Catching up to Luc and Troy as they walked down the road.
"What's the radio's for?"
"Just incase we lose each other and there's no service or something..."
"I doubt we're gonna lose each other, we're just gonna go see the mechanic."
"Still... This place is creepy."
"And guns?"
"Like I just said, I'm not getting good vibes from this place."
Shrugging a little as I look at Luc as he walked down the road alongside Troy, passing by a sign on the side of the road, but the rain was so hard that I couldn't read the city sign. It also looked old and rusted, focusing back towards the town as we got closer. The city was empty, all cars abandoned, stores bordered up, no street lights. It was getting dark as the rain finally slowed to a small drizzle as we walked through the town. I wondered what happened here, the city started to give me the chills as I walked with Troy and Luc, our footsteps echoing throughout the city. I continued to glance around at each building, hoping to see some light, or some sign of life inside. Finally seeing a door being shut as we walked by it, I turned back to Luc and Troy to see them not bothered by it. Grabbing onto Luc's paw as I try to tug him towards the small diner like place.
"What?"
"There's someone inside. They can tell us where the mechanic shop is... Let's goo." Tugging more onto his paw.
"I don't know about this...That place looks too creepy...I don't think anyone's inside."
"Let's just check it out. Please"
"I don't think that's very safe..." Troy speaking up as he stands alongside Luc
"Fine. You guys wait here and I'll go check it out..."
"Wait!"
Not waiting to hear the rest as I turn around and jog towards the poorly bordered up building. Hearing them shout at me as I make my way towards the diner "I really don't think that's safe!!" not even bothering to listen as I continue to run, finally reaching the door as I stand in front of it for a few moments. Hesitating for a second as my paw reaches out for the door knob, finally swallowing my fear and quickly flinging the door open as I stand there. Taking my first step inside as I peek my head in, looking around the room and calling out to see if anyone was in here. Waiting a couple seconds for a response but the silence wasn't interrupted as I stood there.
Continuing to walk inside as I look around some more, turning back to look out the door to see the two canines standing not that far away as I turned back around. I could feel a burst of wind blow in my face as I stood there, my clothes blowing backwards as it passes by and shuts the door behind me. A cold chill going down my back as I slowly walk forwards into the diner, calling out once more to see if anyone responds again. Hearing nothing as I walk through the building, looking at all the things in the diner. Everything was covered with dust and cobwebs, plates were left on tables and the place was trashed.
It seemed like no one had been in here for a while, trailing my finger along the top of a table as I walk by. Taking a look at my finger to see my fur covered in dust, wiping it away as I continue to wonder in the building, looking into the kitchen to see someone quickly walking back around the corner. I shouted out once more, suddenly hearing an audible bang behind me. I quickly jumped around to see the door tightly shut, hearing the familiar sound of metal banging behind me, turning around once more to see a pan twirling a little on the floor in the kitchen in front of me. I continued on inside as I walked into the kitchen, the sudden smell of gas had filled my nostrils.
It burned at my eyes and started to make them water as it filled the room, worry had entered my mind as it felt as if any moment this place would explode with me inside. I started to walk by each stove, turning them off and making sure no other kitchen equipment was on as I stood there. Swatting my paw in the air as if the gas would disappear faster.
I stood there for a few moments, staring around the kitchen as I wondered where the fur that was just in here had gone. Noticing a back door I walked up to it, slowly wrapping my paw around the handle as I twisted and turned it. Nothing happened, I jerked at the door for a few moments, no budge and no movement. Even if so, it would've made a noise and I would have heard that. Glancing around out the window, as I slowly turned back into the kitchen, my eyes widen as the glare of orange had covered the stoves.
The sudden burst of heat hitting my face as I turn a little off to the side, the heat was almost too much. I quickly looked around the room, looking for a quick way to extinguish the sudden flames that filled the room. Within moments the fire had engulfed the floor, walls, all around me, the flame starting to sweep under my footpads. I jumped in the air, thinking I could avoid it, but as I landed I felt no heat upon my feet. I wiggled my toes looking at the fire underneath my feet, I didn't know what was happening.
Looking upon each wall and the entire room to see it engulfed in flame. As quick as it came, the fire seemed to evaporate from the room, but the walls and the room had started to seem to get older as peels of paint came off the wall, leaving nothing but a metal frame here and there. Confusion filled my head as I had no idea what was going on, I stood there inside what was left of the diner's kitchen, it almost felt as if I was in a whole different place but I wasn't. My sudden worry of what was happening outside and where Luc and Troy had been jumped into my head as I stood there motionless as I continued on taking in the completely new look of the entire place. Starting to slowly make my way for the front of the diner as I walk through, I heard the sudden noise of something almost choking, I darted around the corner and stopped completely in my tracks as my eyes widen at the sight.
Some disfigured person had been standing in front of me, a layer of skin had covered everything, even leaving his arms trapped in skin, I mumbled my words and stumbled backwards as fear entered into my mind. I had no idea what the thing was, and the hole in its chest had made me feel disgusted at the sight. The sound of dripping had almost echoed throughout the room as it leaked some black liquid along the ground, its body twitched and stumbled around as it took notice of me, slowly starting to make its way towards me my phone had started to make a static noise, like some interference in the room but there was nothing to cause it. I continued to back away speechless to the figure, the dripping of the black fluid had become more persistent as it got closer, I didn't dare to turn my back on it and make a run for it. I wanted to leave but it was blocking my exit and I felt trapped as it started to twitch and move on forward, its limbs and bones making cracks and other noises as it moved closer.
Out of nowhere a heavy spray of black liquid sprayed out and onto the floor in front of me, I shouted for it to back away, but it continued on forward, spraying more out and onto my jacket, a sudden smoke emerged out from where it had hit my jacket. I looked down at it and it burned away at the fabrics of my jacket, I panicked as I try to instantly toss it off me, doing my best to wiggle free from the sleeves as I stood there, finally breaking free as I toss away the burning jacket. I turned back and ran back into the kitchen as I blocked off the doorway and ran for the back exit, suddenly hearing gunshots coming from outside. The loud noises had persisted as more and more shots were being fired, my mind raced as I hoped that Luc and Troy were okay. I looked out through a small window back into the diner area to see that the monstrous thing had turned back towards the gun fire and broke through the glass door to enter into the streets. I panted heavily as I stood in the kitchen, not knowing what to do as I stood there. My breathing had been rough and hard as I whimpered a little, tears starting to swell my eyes.
Troy and Luc stood in confusion as everything around them had gotten brighter as a flame had almost absorbed everything for what seemed like barely a second, but as quickly it came it disappeared. The place darkened quickly, and things had seemed to change as they stood there; too shocked to do anything. Troy and Luc had turned on their flashlights as the sudden darkness had filled every inch of the street and sky, it was pitch black and their lights only lit up a portion of the street in front of them. The sudden noise of static had brought Luc back from gazing to the road and diner again, the place looked different almost, and the sudden thought of Neon being in danger had entered his mind. His attention almost going straight for the door but his eye caught something as he saw some disfigured movement out in the distance, suddenly gripping the radio in his back pocket as he realized that the static noise was coming from it, he looked at it momentarily and glanced over towards Troy to see him glaring at the movement from afar. He wondered what was happening as he looked over the black wolf in front of him, suddenly seeing Troy grab hold of his gun from his side holster as he slowly backed a bit. His lips parting as he stood, his eyes widening, Luc was confused for a second as he stared at Troy, slowly turning his head back to see what he was staring at. His eyes had widen also as Troy broke the silence.
"What...The fuck, are those things?" Troy exclaimed as he backed away from the disfigured monstrous creatures not to far from them.
"Stay back!" Luc shouted out, hoping their movements would cease, but they kept moving.
"L-Luc, what's happening?"
"I said stay the fuck back!" Luc had taken grip of his gun in both of his paws
The two canines started to slowly back away as more entered into the dim light of their flashlights, there was dozens of them, Luc opened fire as he bumped into the hood of a car, shrieking out as he fired off into the crowd of disfigured things. Continuing to squeeze onto the trigger, he fired off an entire clip into the crowd before even realizing it. His gun making a familiar clicking noise as he watched as they all fell onto the ground, most of them twitching and kicking as they laid there. Troy starting to shoot rounds into their heads as they laid there, Luc panting heavily as he felt chills shoot down his spine, another thought of Neon being in danger made him worry even more. Turning his attention back to the diner, he started to make a sprint for it, before noticing something break out the front door in front of him, slipping in a puddle as he laid beneath the monstrous thing, hearing it choke and twitch as it leaked out its black liquid on the ground in front of Luc. The dobermans eyes widen and he froze as he laid there, watching as the thing started to leak more and more of the burning liquid out onto the ground, he gasped as he felt a paw grab his shoulder, instinctively he clutched onto the paw. Looking up to see Troy grab hold of him, dragging him away, he started shouting for Neon, and tried to wiggle out of Troy's grip but his overpowering strength kept him within his grasp.
"NOOO!!" We have to go back for Neon!...NEON! Please! Go back!"
"He'll be fine...we have to go! There's too many, and if we go into the diner, we'll give away Neon's position! We have to go!!"
"NOOOO, We can't!! Please Troy!!!"
"I'm sorry, but he'll be safer in there, we'll be the diversion, let's just go!"
"I can't leave him alone!! Pleease"
Luc's attempts of getting free starting to slow and weaken as he reached out his paw towards the diner. He started to feel tears roll down his cheek as he whispered out, 'I'm so, so sorry Neon...I'll come back for you' his attention going towards the monstrous creatures again as he screamed out, gripping his gun again as he fired off his entire clip behind them. His screams echoing out throughout the town as he felt more tears running down his cheeks, he panted as he watched the diner disappear into the darkness before him. Luc had been thrown over Troy's shoulder as they ran throughout the streets, Luc continued to struggle every now and then as he wanted to go back ever so badly.
"Luc, you need to calm down, everything will be fine!"
"How can you be so sure, we just left him alone in that dark diner. I never leave his side..."
"Don't worry, Neon's smart, brave, and strong. We'll meet up with him soon."
"...Can you let me down now? I can walk you know."
"Oh, ah...Yeah, of course."
Troy grabbing onto Lucas' waist as he lowered him onto the ground, smiling slightly at him before ruffling his hair. Hearing him grunt as he sighed, looking back behind them into the darkness.
"I wonder why there was so many..." Luc exclaimed
"Maybe they were attracted to all the noise we were making."
"What the fuck is going on anyway?"
"You're asking me?" Troy asked, looking over at the worried doberman beside him.
"Don't worry, he'll be okay. I know he will be."
I stood inside the kitchen as the gunfire stopped, wondering what was going on, if Luc and Troy were okay, I slowly started to walk towards the door, running my claw along the metal wall as I continue on. Suddenly stopping as my phone had more static coming from it, looking at it momentarily before looking back up to the door to see the monstrous thing appear at the doorway again, I started to stumble backwards again, how is it still alive after the assault of gun fire I had just heard moments ago, thinking to myself. My thoughts ending abruptly as I noticed more and more behind it, I turned around and ran back into the kitchen, running to the other side of the table. Grasping my paws around the edges as I started to force all my weight into it as I grunted, finally feeling it move slowly as I pushed it forward, it was heavy, real heavy. I heaved as I closed my eyes, forcing all my weight on it as I struggled to move it towards the doorway. Grunting audibly as I finally get it close enough to the door, sliding my paws underneath it as I flip the table up, propping it against the door.
Turning back around to quickly run to the back door, accidentally knocking over a microwave as I run for the door, hearing a loud thump I turn back instinctively. Taking a quick glance at the fallen microwave before turning back for the door, stopping again to turn back towards where the machine was. Noticing a button sticking out from the wall, stepping away from the door and walking towards the button, hearing the grunts and groans coming from the dining area as I continue on towards the button. Reaching out my paw as I hesitate for a moment, looking at the button and how close my paw is to pushing it. Hearing the monstrous things in the other room again, quickly pushing the button as I hear the sounds getting closer, fear had filled every void in my head as I heard the monstrous creatures just a couple feet away.
Suddenly a loud, rumbling noise had distracted me as I turned my head towards the sound, noticing the cage like wall be raised above, revealing a hidden passage. Without thinking I had made my dash for the opening, not wanting to spend another minute with those creatures just seconds away from getting inside my quickly built barricade. Running through the passage as I trip and start tumbling down the staircase before me, grunting and bouncing along the stairs as I reach the bottom. Groaning out as I reach out my paw dragging myself forwards slowly as the pain throughout my body from falling was too great at the moment to get up. The noise of monsters had reminded me I had to get out, quickly erasing all thoughts of pain as I forced myself to get up, glancing around the place.
It was dark, I could barely see what was in front of me, remembering to myself that I had a flashlight with me, quickly reaching into my back pocket as I pull it out, it was small enough to fit inside my jeans pocket so I wouldn't have to carry it in my hands. Quickly turning it on as I slipped it into my pocket, the top light part sticking out and sending a wave of light out in front of me. I started to wander throughout the passage, seeming to take lefts, and rights, I had no idea where I was anymore, just as long as I was away from those creatures. The sudden thought of Luc and Troy in danger had entered into my mind, quickly relinquishing that thought as I knew better, that they could get away. The only thing that I could do was continue on moving forwards. I started to hope for light at the end of a cave as I continued venturing through the darkness, wondering where I had been and where these tunnels led me.
Finally reaching a ladder as I start to climb up it, wondering where it would take me. Pushing the manhole cover aside as I climb out, it was still pitch black everywhere, but it was silent. Dead quiet where I was, brushing myself off as I stood in the street, looking around the street before noticing a school building. Starting to walk towards it as I look around the city, from what my flashlight could light up, walking up to the schools door, slowly pushing the door open as it makes an audible creaking noise. The place seemed safe enough for me to stay here until I could figure out how to find Lucas.
I walked throughout the hallways, walking by classrooms, most of the rooms had desks that were flipped and turned over, finally walking by a room with all the desks still in proper manner. Walking inside as I go up to the teachers desk, sitting in the chair and spinning and facing the chalkboard as I look at it. Closing my eyes and taking a deep breath as I tell myself everything will be fine, and that it was all a dream that I would wake up from. Suddenly hearing some screeching noises I open my eyes as I spin around, but there was nothing in the room except for me. Feeling a shiver shoot down my spine as I feel like somethings behind me, spinning around to see nothing there either. Hearing more noises and screeches behind me, slowly turning around as the screeches don't stop.
I slowly back up to the chalkboard as these little monsters were surrounding me, they looked like children, I wondered if these monsters were the people that lived here, but my thoughts were cut short as one of those things got closer to me, it looked like it was all ash, with ember burning in certain spots. I felt trapped, with no where to go, screaming for them to get away, I pushed through the crowd as I made a run for the door. All of them trying to grab hold of my clothes, trying to tug me back into the crowd but I resisted as I pushed and ran out into the hallway. Forcing myself to run as fast as I could, not being able to control myself as I slam into lockers, running down the hall. Those things freaked me out more than the acid things, I could still hear them screech out, their footsteps gradually getting louder as I looked back to see them running after me.
My heart rate doubled as I saw them chasing after me, watching as one of them screeches out again, when they opened their mouth it was all ember and fire inside. I needed to keep running as I thought to myself, turning back around to face in front of me, coming to a complete stop as I see one come around the corner in front of me, my foot losing grip underneath me as I stop, slipping up onto my back, wincing out slightly as the cold hard ground met my back. I didn't have time to react to the pain as another screech filled the air, quickly leaning myself on my arms as I crawl back into a room, I got up and went to go slam the door shut but I looked as the door was gone, turning back around to run for the window. Seeing all of them boarded up, I felt trapped.
Running towards the window anyway, suddenly tripping over a leg of a desk, falling onto the ground as I slam my head against the desk before I hit the ground. My mind felt jumbled, my vision felt blurry after I hit my head, opening my eyes to see them surrounding me. I was helpless, I cried out, screaming as loud as I could. I could feel myself getting weaker the longer I screamed but it was all I could do, my head falling back to hit the ground as I close my eyes. I needed rest, the last thought I had, opening my eyes once again, nothing was in the room. Closing my eyes as I laid on the dust covered floor, I felt heavy and weak, quickly dozing off into sleep.