I ponder whilst closing my eyes, drowned on my heavy thought. That's right, I ought to save the girl. It is indeed reckless but as for the son of a great scientist, my dad, he would've done the same thing without any hints of regret.
I informed everyone about my plan. Timing, topography of entrances and exits, and the necessary tools needed in the attempt to save these individuals. As if mocking us with series of unfortunate events, the infected became more versatile upon looking for their prey. They were now knocking on the wooden door, moments later to be broken. The crowd, which roamed around our front, was now swarming the little hut. Time had always been the man's enemy; and thus we carried our plan.
Our house comprises with 2 main ingresses; one at the front and the other one at the back. We also have 1 terrace at the second floor. Our maids gathered the items which I had requested: a rope, scissors, plastic bags, hammer, machete, roller skates, goggles, and a large hoodie to cover my body. It was decided, I will be the one conducting the rescue. My mum turned crazed but soon complied on my request. I had the steel to do it and I knew for a fact that one mistake can be crucial for our survival, including my life on the line. The only ace that I hold amongst my peers is my swift critical thinking despite these stressful conditions. Marionette and Quinn will probably be paralysed the moment they could set their foot outside and my mum, she'll be traumatised and panic once inside the situation. I, myself wouldn't falter and If my theory would prove me wrong I will not hesitate to escape and leave the two fella's behind. Saving them depicts of my humanity, and so I harness my resolve.
I took my hoodie on and compiled large amounts of plastic bags and covered them all over my body, like a mummified pharaoh in Egypt, albeit in a modern time. These rabies like infection spreads rapidly from each hosts; as if wanting to reproduce. One thing I had in mind that my observations, with the messages from my dad, indicated that this phenomenon are a combination of a virus/fungi contamination, purging the nervous system of the brain like a mad animal with rabies. So, I'm guessing that these consists of 'spores' which are found in different mushrooms and fungi that could be seen sprouting all over their body; decayed fungi to be the least. Suiting up a defensive armour such as these plastic bags may seemed pretty unrealistic but would consider the least amount of protection for my body. As long as my body and holes are all patched up and unable to let them inside my body, and everything will be all worth it.
With all the protective equipment in hand, of course with my goggles intact, I proceed forward for my course of action. I tied, fasten and secured myself on the spared rope which we already obtained; hoping it'll reach the hut. The maid's role will be securing the other end of the cord, whilst tying a knot to a sturdy platform, in order to pull me up close upon any dangerous circumstances that may rise. I will be using my roller skates all throughout the event to outrun and manoeuvre myself from these horrid creatures. Although I hate to admit this but I need to execute some of these individuals perfectly, if the situation turns out of hand, slaying them using my machete will be the best option to survive. These people are no longer living, and even if they did, to kill or be killed from these life forms are my only possible outcomes. In order to save a child, I needed to steel my resolve and later on brace for violence; when the condition arises, of course. With all preparations perfectly readied, I once again traverse my way on the terrace I had once longed feared.
These infected are circling over the hut, fortunately had yet to be enraged. They are around 9 infected swarming around our vicinity. I searched thoroughly my surroundings, but unfortunately found nothing to be of used…except for…
A bottle? Sound! They too had been relying on their five senses, based from my understanding. At least I could use anything like a glass bottle and attempt to draw their attention away from the hut.
The maids brought me two large glass bottles, much like from the common carbonated drink sold from the miniature stores downtown. I was ecstatic, hoping that my theory would work on these buffoons. I cleared my anxious thought with a heavy sigh and gripped the bottle hard on my resolve.
The infected started banging on the wooden front. If we need to save the girl, now should be the right time. I threw one of the glass' bottles away from the hut, hoping it had drawn their mindless attention; and frankly, it did! I supposed in that allotted second could be all the space that I needed to close in and save the girl and the dog's lives,
I gaze into my mum's worried eyes, wanting to stop my motives. She then hugged me suddenly, praying it wouldn't be our last; I too prayed silently in my mind. The two maid had also been drowned it grief, wishing it'll be them straying in the depths of danger, but I still insisted. It was my duty to protect those whom I care about. "Master…Grey, please return safely" they said, whilst gripping tightly on the rope.
I placed all of my emotional baggage behind, struggling to my reform. I stood up, wriggling, yet abundant in confidence. Gathering once more the last ounce of courage stored, I began my leap of faith above the 15 feet deck, and skated my way through the lawn, approximately 20 metres long; with the rope still entangling my waist. The bottle indeed had proved its work as the zombies were now scattering from the noise, making myself dazzling as I glide down the trail. But for every fortunate events leads to its downpour. Upon closing by the hut, for around 5 metres more, the rope that had been wrapping around my hips came to a halt; making myself immobilised from the stretched string. With moments delaying me, the infected turned their attention towards me, angrily as they gritted their teeth. I took a toll and decided to loosen the grip of the rope and charge straight for the little girl.
"OPEN UP. I'M NOT INFECTED. I'M NORMAL!" I roared. As I punched the wooden door. It hurt so badly but I needed to endure this pain. It was for their sake. The door had trembled and began falling over, overwhelmed from the punch I had thrown. I saw the girl, trembling in fear while hugging her knees on the ground, gazing at me. She had found the last hope that she needed, was the expressions from her eyes. She's a little girl, not so tiny up close. About my age. Around the same height. Aubrey hair, the most natural colour I had ever seen in my entire life. She was petite in nature, but not too thin and malnourished.
"I've come to save you" as I grabbed her hand outside. Her only companion, a Shepherd dog, came tagging along. The zombies were still far away, around 25 seconds yet reaching our ground. With a moment's notice, I went on to the loose rope and tied it to my waist once again.
"Whatever you do, don't let go of my hand, got it?" I requested, much more like a demand. My voice was bit shaky, but calm as I ever could be. She took my hand without a second thought and clinged at me like a human sized body pillow.
"MARIONETTE" I yelled. That was the signal. The maids pulled the rope as hard as they could, at a steady pace or so I would trip. The briskly wind engulfed our surroundings, hoping to outrun them. But alas, our efforts might've been futile. An infected took a detour and managed to move in a curvature manner, blocking our route. One infected could mean our demise.
The infected hurdled upon reaching our distance. 40 inches. 29 inches. 18 inches. "FAST" I gulped, hoping it wasn't too late for the both of us… but suddenly.
The shepherd dog came in just the nick of time. Its golden fur sways from the endeavour and his body, much similar to an average size adult, came tackling down the infected individual, making him tumbling his way across the ground. I smirked as I watched the hilarious scenery and began complimenting the young hound.
"Great job!" I snickered.
"Woof" it hurriedly went back on our stride, whilst wagging its tail. Will the dog become infected? Could it be that this virus can contaminate animals more so like human beings? I brush the thought aside and skid from the pursuit of the undying mob.
Closing on the front door, a few mobs, specifically 3 infected were guarding our strife. Finally, our last struggle. Running out of time, I decided to end their misery by slaying them using my machete attached from my back. I sliced them off, cutting their lower limbs to distort their balance while the maids opened the door. We came flying down inside, rolling like thunders, as the people inside slammed the door shut. The other zombies caught our attention, as they continuously banged their fists against the wooden gate, wishing to go through whilst groaning in agony.
"Are you alright?" I asked the girl one last time, but soon saw her sleeping on the ground, unable to move.
4 hours had passed and still the girl shows no sign of waking up. Her dog, however, was so energetic and started following me wherever I go. To the kitchen, restroom, and on to my room. I couldn't even mast…master the information and the things needed for our future.
"Hey now, what's your name little buddy" placing my annoyance aside, I tried conversing with the guest's dog.
"Woof!" it circled around and jumped in front of me, pushing myself towards the bed as he licks my face in content.
"Woof woof!" is he thanking me? I'm unsure. I will never be close to any animals aside from reptiles; I rebuked.
Judging by its genitally, it's a 'he'. I further observe the dog and found a name tag dangling over its neck.
"Danny" I whispered. "That's his name, huh?" I couldn't help but chuckled unto his name. He looks Danny enough for me. I gently patted Danny, rewarding him with everything that had happened. He is a smart dog, nevertheless. 'I want to train it for my own' was my selfish thought, but the reality woke me up that this dog was the sole owner of the girl downstairs, who was sleeping soundly after everything she had went.
"Let's go meet your friend~" I said, as I got up from my bed and exited my room. Much to my surprise, our guest who had been sleeping for hours had finally awoke from her slumbers.
"You nearly died" I exclaimed, as I walk down the stairs.
"We" she corrected. Her soft voice made me remembered the kids who usually plays around the park, which was her tone. It was cute, of course. Her hair, fuzzy yet mesmerising, flows down at the length of her shoulders. I gaze her through her eyes, and she stared into mine.
"Thank you for saving me back there. What were those anyway?" She thanked me but changed the subject. Not that I wanted to linger more on her gratitude. I actually like this kind of fast phasing, moving to crucial topics needed to be discussed.
"You just happened to stumbled on our lawn. Those are what I wanted to call 'infected' by a virus and a fungi, a new discovery by mankind" I explained the little details onto her brain. If I tried rushing out the information, it might make her mind to overload.
"A virus. That's what happened on New York City yesterday, right? People brushed it off and made a meme about having an apocalypse. Undead things are the highlight of horrors nowadays." She chuckled on her comment, while lavishing the fragrance and taste of the tea that my maids had prepared. They took a liking to her. She wasn't the run-around person who can be normally seen out in the public, but rather a dignified lady which came from our village. And so I asked.
"What happened? Why were you out here in the open? Did the news not broadcasted instructions, which staying indoors will be necessary for our survival" I pointed that out. I was curious about her situation, but cared no less from the matter. She may have had things to do, or problems inside her house.
"By the time I got home, not far from here, my mum got infected. And my dad, he's…" She mumbles. I stopped her from explaining more of her sensitive outline.
"He's the mayor of this region." She claimed.
'I've been living in this town with the mayor's daughter all this time and nobody informed me?' is what I wanted to shout. But then again, my idiotic father of mine did mentioned something that there's a big shot right across the town. It was this. Right.
I hid my astonishment and sat on the sofa.
"Your problems will be yours. Right now, our concern isn't the virus rather the stability of our resources. Mostly food and water. With this incident coming around the globe, sooner or later we need to relocate everything that we have and settle in a near specific place." I said, while browsing on the phone. I'm particularly tinkering the settings to find further leads on the exact chemical components that I need to create an antidote. One and a half day had passed and the world is now in a crisis. Talking about the approximate interval between the pacific and the western time, it was on point. Somehow, I felt a chill running through my spine. This was planned. Everything, from distributing the virus and leading to its contagious outcome. But who. Who could be our perfect candidate? Was it a form of terrorist attack lead by a country who found interest on my dad's laboratory experiments? Or was it Ja…
My thought was cut out by the girl, who sat right beside me.
"Right, what's your name?" she asked.
"Corpse" I replied in a straight face.
"Like those undead? Well, your face suits it though" she bickers and giggles to her thought, wiping her laughing tears on her eyes.
"Annette Santos" she offers me a hand.
"Grey Turner" I shook her hand as firmly as I could. She gleams me a smile, frankly amused from my every reaction.
"Grey"
"Yeah?"
"Thank you once again for saving my life"
Father, did you somehow felt your heart beat when my mum similarly smiled right at you?