With our makeshift camouflage in place, we waited in tense silence as the pounding on the door intensified. The stench of death and decay mixed with the metallic tang of blood filled the air, making my stomach churn.
As the door creaked under the relentless assault, Victor motioned for us to huddle closer together. "Stay quiet and still," he whispered, his eyes darting between us to ensure our disguises were effective.
The zombies outside grew more frenzied, their guttural moans and scratching claws creating an eerie symphony of horror. I held my breath, praying that our macabre ruse would fool them long enough for us to slip away unnoticed.
With a powerful force, they broke through the door as expected. I steadied myself like a stone statue, adrenaline pumping through my veins. Despite my growing nervousness as the zombies closed in, I remained calm, having experienced this before.
As the zombies started to sniff us, to our surprise, they suddenly attacked, sinking their teeth into our flesh. Our screams pierced the air, drawing more zombies to the feast. The pain was excruciating as they tore into us, their hungry groans mixing with our agonized cries.
I staggered backward, desperation filling me as I realized there was no escape. In a moment of grim acceptance, I retrieved the handgun I had taken from the nurse. With trembling hands, I raised it to my temple and pulled the trigger, ending the torment and freeing myself from the horrors of the undead.
The gunshot echoed through the night, a somber punctuation to our futile struggle for survival.
…
I again gasped, looking around. I saw Elena's look at me with disgust. "You... monster," Elena muttered with disgust as she watched me take the gear, equipment, and weapons from the fallen SWAT zombie.
"Let's not waste time arguing. We need to go," Victor urged, sensing the tension in the air
"Wait!" I exclaimed, my voice tinged with desperation. "There's a horde of zombies outside, Victor. Trust me," I pleaded, locking eyes with him.
"We have to do it," I continued, gesturing towards the dead SWAT officer's body.
"What's happening? What are you two talking about?" Elena's voice was filled with confusion and concern.
"Let's do it, it won't hurt if we stay cautious" He said and approach the dead body, "Hey, Hey, What's going on? Can anyone tell me?" Elena asked confused
"Honey… please. Just follow along" Victor urged as he moved toward the corpse, preparing to make the necessary incisions.
"No! What the hell are you doing!?" She exclaimed in shock "Are you guys still not satisfied? Not only did you killed him but you also took his property! And now this!? What the hell is this!?"
Then, because of her shouting the zombies outside the backdoor start banging the door. "You were… right" Victor admitted as he hurried to put blood on his clothes, I followed alongside him.
"We can't just do this! This is wrong!" Elena persisted, her fear and moral compass driving her objections.
"Please, Elena. We're out of options. It's either this or we face certain death," Victor reasoned, casting a worried glance at the banging door.
Elena, visibly shaken and torn, finally relented with a resigned "Dammit," complying with our desperate measure in the face of imminent danger.
As we hastily applied the blood, the sounds of the zombies' relentless assault on the door grew louder, filling the room with a sense of urgency and dread. Elena's expression was a mix of fear, anger, and sorrow, mirroring the turmoil we all felt inside.
Once we were coated with the blood and viscera of the dead SWAT officer, Victor motioned for us to stand still. The banging on the door reached a fever pitch, as if the undead outside could sense fresh prey nearby.
With a deep breath, Victor cautiously opened the door just a crack, peering outside to assess the situation. The sight was grim: a sea of rotted faces, hungry groans, and grasping hands greeted his gaze.
"We have to move quickly," Victor whispered, his voice strained with tension. "Stay close and follow my lead."
Elena nodded, her earlier objections muted by the immediate danger we faced. I steeled myself, gripping the handgun tightly, ready for whatever came next.
With a sudden burst of speed and coordination, we blended ourselves into the horde as Victor led us. We moved silently, using the blood-soaked disguise to our advantage. The stench of decay and the moans of the undead surrounded us, but we pressed on, driven by the need to survive.
It was a harrowing journey, every step fraught with peril. But somehow, against all odds, we managed to navigate through the throng of zombies and reach the edge of the clinic.
However, even though we're at the edge of the the clinic. The place is still infested with zombies, however there are only some of them. Around a dozen, surrounding the armored SWAT truck.
Maybe the horde here went to the commotion in the front gate? Well, whatever. Victor went and check if we can use the armored truck, and to our luck the keys are inside and it's still working fine with only minor damage.
We opened the back door, inside was filled with medical supplies and also a two zombie SWAT personnel. "Victor, drive. I'll handle this" I said as I go inside.
"That's…" before he could say his worry, I am alright inside. He sighed, and close the door. The two zombies followed the noise that the closing door made and just walk passed through me.
Holding the first SWAT knife I took from him and the screwdriver from both of my hands, I tap the back of their heads. And as soon as they both turned around I stab their head, killing them.
We wasted no time in getting the armored SWAT truck on the move. Victor skillfully navigated through the narrow streets, carefully avoiding any large groups of zombies that we encountered along the way. The truck's powerful engine roared as we sped through the desolate city, leaving behind the horrors of the clinic and the undead horde.
As we drove, Elena's gaze often drifted to me, her expression a mix of fear and disbelief at what had transpired. "I can't believe we did that," she murmured, her voice trembling slightly.
"It was necessary for our survival," Victor replied, his eyes focused on the road ahead. "We had no other choice."
I sat quietly, my mind still reeling from the events in the clinic. The memory of taking a life, even in self-defense, weighed heavily on me. But in this new world overrun by the undead, such actions had become grim necessities.
Time passed, and we eventually reached their house. The truck slowed to a stop, and we all stepped out, taking in the relative calmness of our surroundings.
I opened the door, for the truck to go inside. As I watch the truck get inside, I lock the gate. Securing it.
Alicia and Alex went outside, Alicia saw her mother and father and was rejoice. However, before she could hug them. "Wait, honey. Before everything, let us take a shower first" Elena said
"Ahh… right" Alicia nodded understandingly, her excitement tempered by the need for basic comforts after the tumultuous events we had endured. As they all headed inside, exchanging smiles and light-hearted banter, Alex and I shared a nod of agreement, silently acknowledging the importance of taking care of ourselves amidst the chaos of survival.
With the gate securely locked behind us, we took a collective breath, grateful for this temporary respite and the chance to regroup before facing whatever challenges lay ahead.
I sighed, then sat down. "Alicia's father, when we got there. The whole street where the clinic is at is filled with zombies, we have no choice you know? It's a risk but it's worth a shot…" I said to him, with full of regret
Alicia's parents headed for a shower, leaving us to wait outside. Alicia couldn't contain her curiosity. "So... what happened?" she asked, her eyes searching for answers.
"Maybe it's best if your parents explain it," I suggested, wanting her to hear the story from them first.
"Alright," she replied, a hint of impatience in her voice.
"Hey, why don't you go inside for now?" Alex suggested, sensing the tension. Alicia nodded and went indoors, leaving Alex and me alone.
"Siah, you alright?" Alex asked, his concern evident in his voice as he approached me.
"Yeah, I'm okay," I replied, forcing a smile to reassure him.
"I've known you since we were kids, Siah. You can tell me," Alex insisted as he sat next to me.
"You're persistent aren't you?" I said to him
"Why thank you" he replied in a sarcastic tone, "Come on, tell me, what's up with all those blood?"
I let out a sigh and took a seat. "Alicia's father... when we arrived at the clinic, the entire street was swarming with zombies. We had no other option, you know? It was a risk, but we had to take it..." I explained, the weight of our decisions heavy on my shoulders.
As I recounted the events to Alex, his expression shifted from curiosity to concern. "That sounds intense," he remarked, his gaze fixed on me. "But you did what you had to do to survive. We all did."
"I know," I replied, trying to convince myself as much as Alex. "It's just... seeing Alicia's father go through that, making those tough calls... it's not easy..."
"It never is," Alex agreed, as he look at the ceiling. "But we're here now, and we made it through together. That's what matters."
I nodded, grateful for Alex's support. "Yeah, you're right. We have to focus on what's ahead and stay strong for everyone…" I need to, to protect them.
Just then, Alicia emerged from the house, a smile on her face. "They're done with their shower. It's your turn now. "
"That sounds amazing," Alex said with a grin, lightening the mood.
Alicia approached us, her eyes reflecting gratitude. "Thank you Siah… for everything. I don't know what we would have done without you."
"It's nothing to be thankful for, I was just doing what I had to do ," I replied sincerely, feeling a sense of relief wash over me.