Lenz raised an eyebrow, a smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. "So what you're saying is we just grab a chair and use it to make space between us and the infected? Sounds a little risky." He shook his head, his tone skeptical but not dismissive.
Jackie rolled his eyes, his smirk widening. "Okay, look. These things are basically walking dead. Their brains don't work, or else they would've figured out how to open this door by now. They're not exactly problem-solvers." He grabbed a chair from the dining table, holding it up so the four sturdy legs were pointed outward like a makeshift shield. "See this? We're going to use it like *this*."
He demonstrated by holding the chair in front of his chest, the legs creating a barrier between him and an imaginary attacker. "The legs keep them at a distance," Jackie explained, his voice confident. "If they try to grab us, they'll have to reach through the chair first. That gives us time to hit them or push them back. Plus, if we're careful, we can use it to trip them up or buy ourselves some breathing room."
Lenz and Ted exchanged a glance, both of them clearly unsure but willing to listen. Ted, still shaken but trying to focus, spoke up. "But… what if there are too many of them? What if they just… push through?"
Jackie shrugged, his smirk never wavering. "Then we run. But at least it gives us a fighting chance. Better than just standing here waiting for them to break in, right?"
Lenz studied the chair for a moment, his mind racing through the possibilities. It wasn't the most foolproof plan, but it was better than nothing. "Sure," he said finally, his tone cautious but willing. "I guess it's worth a try. But if this goes south, we're not sticking around to see how it ends."
Jackie grinned, clearly pleased that his idea was getting some traction. "Deal. Let's grab a couple more chairs, just in case. Ted, you stay behind us and watch our backs. Lenz, you take the left side. I'll take the right. We'll move together, keep them at a distance, and make our way to the stairs."
Ted nodded, his hands still trembling but his expression hardening with determination. "Okay," he said, his voice steady. "Let's do this."
Lenz grabbed another chair, holding it the way Jackie had demonstrated. The four legs felt sturdy in his hands, and for the first time since this nightmare began, he felt a flicker of hope. It wasn't much, but it was something. "Alright," he said, his voice firm. "Let's move. And remember—if things get too hot, we run.
Ted nodded and moved to the door, pressing his ear against it to listen for any sounds outside. The room fell silent as they all held their breath, waiting for his report. After a moment, Ted turned back to them, his voice low. "I don't hear anything. The coast is clear… for now."
Lenz exhaled, his grip tightening on the chair he was holding. "Alright," he said, his voice steady. "So the plan is to get to the second floor, to the kitchen. If I remember correctly, after we go upstairs, there's a big hallway leading straight to it."
Jackie nodded, his expression focused. "Yeah, but there's another way. At the beginning of the second floor, there's a room with a balcony. It leads directly to the kitchen. I remember when I was a kid, me and Ramsey used to sneak up there to read. It's a shortcut."
Lenz raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "A balcony? That sounds like a better plan. Less chance of running into those things in the hallway." He paused, then added, "By the way, you and Ramsey were close when you were kids?"
Jackie hesitated, his expression flickering with something unreadable. "Yeah… kinda. We were. Not so much anymore, though." His tone was clipped, and he didn't elaborate further.
Lenz didn't press, sensing it was a sore subject. Instead, he glanced back at Ted, who was still listening at the door. "Ted, anything?"
Ted shook his head. "Still clear. But we should move fast."
Lenz nodded, his jaw tightening. "Alright. Let's stick to Jackie's plan. We'll take the balcony route. Less risk, faster access. Everyone ready?"
Jackie adjusted his grip on his chair, his smirk returning. "Ready as I'll ever be."
Ted stepped away from the door, his hands trembling but his expression determined. "Let's go."
Lenz reached for the door handle, his heart pounding in his chest. "On three. One… two… three." He turned the handle and pushed the door open slowly, peering into the hallway. It was empty, but the faint sound of distant growls sent a chill down his spine. "Stay close," he whispered, stepping out into the hallway with Jackie and Ted right behind him.
The three of them moved quickly but quietly, their chairs held like shields as they made their way toward the stairs. The plan was risky, but it was their best shot. And if things got too hot, they'd run—no heroics.
Lenz held up a hand, signaling for the group to stop. "Alright, guys, stay in formation," he whispered, his voice barely audible. Lenz and Jackie moved forward, their chairs held like shields, while Ted stayed behind them, his eyes darting back and forth to watch their rear. They moved slowly, every step deliberate and careful, their boots barely making a sound on the wooden floor. The tension in the air was thick, and none of them dared to speak, their breaths shallow and controlled.
As they crept through the hallway, the stairs leading to the second floor came into view. Lenz glanced at Jackie and Ted, who nodded in silent agreement. They were about to make a run for it when a sudden movement caught their attention. An infected woman staggered into view, her left arm hanging grotesquely, cut clean in half. Her black eyes scanned the hallway, and for a moment, it seemed like she hadn't noticed them.
Lenz's heart skipped a beat. He quickly signaled for the group to duck behind the wall, pressing themselves flat against it. They held their breaths, their bodies tense as they listened for any sign that the infected had seen them. The sound of shuffling footsteps grew louder, each one sending a fresh wave of dread through them.
The infected woman was getting closer. Lenz could hear her ragged breathing, the faint guttural growls escaping her throat. His grip tightened on the axe, his knuckles turning white. He glanced at Jackie, who was holding his chair like a lifeline, and Ted, who was crouched low, his eyes wide with fear.
The footsteps stopped. For a moment, there was silence. Then, a low, guttural snarl echoed through the hallway.
The curiosity was killing Lenz. He had to look. He had to see what was going on. Slowly, he leaned out from behind the wall, his heart pounding in his chest as he peeked around the corner. What he saw made his blood run cold. His eyes widened, and for a moment, he felt like he'd just seen a ghost. His grip on the axe loosened, and it nearly slipped from his hands.
Jackie noticed immediately. He grabbed Lenz's arm, his voice low but urgent. "Lenz! What's wrong?"
Lenz didn't respond at first. He was still staring, his face pale and his breathing shallow. Sweat dripped down his forehead as he turned to look at Jackie and Ted, his expression a mix of shock and disbelief. After a long, tense moment, he finally spoke, his voice barely above a whisper. "Her… arm… somehow… it grew back. Like it regenerated."
Ted's eyes widened, and Jackie's jaw dropped. "What? That's impossible," Jackie said, his voice tight with disbelief. "You're saying her arm… just grew back?"
Lenz nodded, his hands trembling as he tightened his grip on the axe. "I saw it. It was… it was like it was healing itself. Like it was regenerating."
Ted's face paled, and he started to move, as if to look for himself, but Lenz stopped him with a sharp gesture. "Don't," Lenz said, his voice firm but low. "If she sees us, we're dead. We can't risk it."
Jackie's mind raced, his usual confidence faltering for the first time. "If they can heal like that… if they can regenerate… how are we supposed to stop them?"
Lenz didn't have an answer. He glanced back around the corner, his heart sinking as he saw the infected woman standing there, her arm now fully intact, her black eyes scanning the hallway. She let out a low, guttural growl, and Lenz quickly ducked back behind the wall, his chest heaving.
Lenz, Jackie, and Ted pressed themselves flat against the wall, their bodies tense and their breaths held. The infected woman was close—too close. Her guttural growls echoed through the hallway, each one sending a fresh wave of dread through them. Lenz could hear the faint shuffle of her footsteps as she moved closer, her uneven gait scraping against the wooden floor. His heart pounded so loudly he was sure she could hear it.
Jackie's knuckles were white as he gripped the chair, his eyes locked on Lenz, silently urging him to stay still. Ted, crouched low behind them, had his hands clamped over his mouth, his wide eyes darting between Lenz and Jackie. The tension was suffocating, the air thick with fear.
The footsteps stopped. For a moment, there was silence. Then, a low, wet sniffing sound filled the hallway. Lenz's stomach dropped as he realized she was right on the other side of the wall. He could almost feel her presence, her unnatural energy radiating through the thin barrier separating them. His grip on the axe tightened, his muscles coiled like a spring, ready to strike if she came around the corner.
But she didn't. Instead, she let out a sharp, guttural snarl, and the sound of her footsteps suddenly moved away, growing fainter with each step. Lenz's eyes widened in disbelief as he listened to her retreating footsteps, her uneven gait fading into the distance. It was as if she had lost interest—or perhaps she had caught the scent of something else.
Jackie let out a shaky breath, his shoulders slumping slightly as the tension eased. "What… what just happened?" he whispered, his voice barely audible.
Lenz shook his head, his chest still heaving. "I don't know," he said, his voice low and strained. "But we're not sticking around to find out."
Lenz, Jackie, and Ted bolted toward the stairs, their chairs held up like shields, their guards high. At this point, they didn't care how much noise they were making—survival was all that mattered. Their footsteps echoed loudly as they climbed the steps, the sound of their heavy breathing and the clatter of their chairs filling the air. But when they reached the second floor, they froze, their hearts sinking at the sight before them.
A group of infected stood in the hallway, their black eyes staring up at the ceiling as if transfixed by something. Their heads snapped toward the sound of the trio's arrival, and in unison, they let out a bone-chilling scream. The sound echoed through the hallway, alerting more infected, who began to shuffle toward them from every direction. Their numbers were overwhelming—far more than Lenz had anticipated.
"What now?!" Ted screamed, his voice cracking with panic as he struggled to hold his chair up. The infected lunged at them, their clawed hands reaching through the gaps in the chair legs, their guttural growls filling the air. The trio pressed the chairs forward, creating just enough space to keep the infected from biting or grabbing them, but it was a fragile barrier. The infected's strength was terrifying—unnatural. Lenz's arms burned as he pushed against the chair, his mind racing.
"They're dead, yet they're this strong?!" Lenz shouted, his voice strained as he fought to hold the chair steady. The infected pressed harder, their numbers growing by the second. Lenz glanced at Jackie, who was backed up against a door, his chair barely holding back the tide of infected.
"Jackie!" Lenz shouted, his voice urgent. "Protect yourself! I'll cover you while you open the door!"
Jackie nodded, his face pale but determined. He shifted his weight, pressing his back against the door while keeping the chair up with one hand. With his free hand, he fumbled for the doorknob, twisting it desperately. But the door didn't budge.
"It's locked!" Jackie yelled, his voice tight with frustration.
"What?!" Ted shouted, his voice rising in panic.
"It's locked!" Jackie repeated, his tone frantic. He shoved his shoulder against the door, but it didn't move. The infected were pressing harder now, their growls growing louder, their black eyes gleaming with hunger. The chairs were starting to buckle under the weight of their numbers.
Lenz's mind raced. They were cornered, and the infected were closing in fast. "Jackie, hurry the fuck up!" he shouted, his voice cracking under the strain. "We can't hold them much longer!"
"I'm trying!" Jackie yelled back, his voice strained as he twisted the doorknob again, slamming his shoulder against the door. But it was no use. The door was locked tight.
The infected were inches away now, their clawed hands reaching through the gaps in the chairs, their guttural snarls filling the air. Lenz's arms burned, his legs trembling as he fought to hold the chair steady. Ted was struggling too, his face pale and his hands shaking as he pushed against the tide of infected.
"We're not going to make it!" Ted shouted, his voice breaking.
Lenz gritted his teeth, his mind racing for a solution. They were out of time, out of options. The infected were too many, too strong. And the door was locked. They were trapped.
Lenz's mind raced as the infected pressed closer, their guttural snarls filling the air. The chairs were buckling under the weight of their numbers, and the door behind Jackie was still locked. They were out of time. Lenz's eyes darted to the axe strapped to his back, and a desperate idea formed in his mind.
"Jackie, cover me!" Lenz shouted, his voice urgent. Jackie nodded, his face pale but determined. He and Ted shifted their positions, pressing their chairs together to form a tighter barrier. The infected clawed at the chairs, their black eyes gleaming with hunger, but Jackie and Ted held firm, their arms trembling under the strain.
Lenz struggled to reach for his axe, his movements awkward as he fought to keep the chair steady with one hand. Finally, he managed to grab the axe, his fingers tightening around the handle. He stepped back from the chair, leaving Jackie and Ted to hold the line, and turned toward the door. With a grunt, he swung the axe at the door, the blade slamming into the wood with a loud *thud*. The door shuddered but didn't budge.
"Come on, Lenz!" Jackie shouted, his voice strained as he pushed against the tide of infected. "We can't hold much longer!"
Ted's face was pale, his hands shaking as he struggled to keep the chair steady. "Hurry!" he screamed, his voice cracking with panic.
Lenz gritted his teeth, his arms burning as he raised the axe again. He swung with all his might, the blade slamming into the door with another loud *thud*. The wood splintered, but the door still held. The infected were inches away now, their clawed hands reaching through the gaps in the chairs, their guttural growls growing louder.
"Lenz, now!" Jackie shouted, his voice desperate.
Lenz's chest heaved as he raised the axe one last time. He gripped the handle tightly, his knuckles white, and with a roar, he swung the axe with every ounce of strength he had. The blade slammed into the door with a deafening *crack*, and this time, the wood gave way. The door splintered and swung open, revealing a dark room beyond.
Lenz stumbled forward, nearly falling to the ground, but he quickly caught himself. "Come on!" he shouted, his voice hoarse but urgent. "Move!"
Jackie and Ted didn't need to be told twice. They shoved the chairs forward, creating just enough space to break free, and sprinted toward the open door. The infected lunged after them, their guttural snarls filling the air, but Lenz, Jackie, and Ted were already through the door. Lenz slammed it shut behind them, his chest heaving as he leaned against it.
Lenz leaned against the door, his chest heaving as the infected pounded on the other side. The wood groaned under the force of their blows, and he knew it wouldn't hold for long. He turned to Jackie and Ted, his voice sharp and urgent. "What are you waiting for? Grab something heavy! Come on!"
Ted didn't hesitate. His eyes darted around the room, landing on a heavy wooden closet pushed against the wall. "Jackie, help me with this!" he shouted, already moving toward it. Jackie sprinted over, and together, they grabbed the sides of the closet, their muscles straining as they lifted it off the ground.
"On three!" Jackie grunted, his face red with effort. "One… two… three!"
With a collective heave, they shoved the closet toward the door. Lenz, still leaning against it, ducked and rolled out of the way just in time. The closet slammed into the door with a loud *thud*, the weight of it causing the wood to creak but holding firm. The infected on the other side snarled and growled, their clawed hands scraping against the door, but it didn't budge. The closet had done its job—for now.
---
Jackie collapsed to the ground, his chest heaving as he wiped the sweat from his forehead. "Holy shit…" he said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "I think I just lost 10 kilos from that."
Lenz smirked, leaning against the wall as he caught his breath. "I can bet you pissed your pants earlier," he said, his tone teasing.
Ted let out a nervous laugh, his hands still trembling but a faint smile on his face. Jackie shot Lenz a mock glare, then reached over and lightly punched him in the arm. "Shut up, man," he said, though he was grinning despite himself.
Ted raised his fist, signaling for a fist bump. Lenz and Jackie exchanged a glance, then smiled as they bumped Ted's fist. "We couldn't have done it without you, Ted," Lenz said, his tone genuine.
Ted shrugged, his face flushing slightly. "Don't even mention it," he said, his voice quiet but proud.
Jackie pushed himself to his feet, his legs still shaky as he looked around the room. It was small and cramped, with only a bed, a desk, and a few candles providing dim light. The air was musty, and the walls were lined with old, peeling wallpaper.
Lenz glanced around the small, dimly lit room, his eyes scanning the peeling wallpaper and the sparse furniture. "Now what?" he said, his voice tense. "Aren't we trapped here?"
Jackie, still catching his breath, walked over to the window and pushed it open. A cool breeze rushed in, carrying with it the faint sounds of chaos from outside. He leaned out, his eyes widening as he spotted something. "I don't think so," he said, a hint of relief in his voice. "Look at this, guys."
Lenz and Ted hurried over, crowding around the window. Below them, they saw a makeshift rope made from torn curtains, tied securely and leading up to the third-floor window. It was clear someone had used it to escape—or at least tried to.
"Looks like we weren't the only ones hiding," Jackie said, his tone a mix of awe and grim determination.
Lenz stared at the rope, his mind racing. "You think it's safe?" he asked, his voice cautious.
Ted leaned out a little further, his eyes following the rope up to the third floor. "I mean… it's either this or stay here and wait for those things to break through the door. I don't like our odds if we stay."
Jackie nodded, his expression serious. "Guess we don't have an option. We climb."
Lenz hesitated for a moment, his eyes flicking back to the door where the infected were still growling and pounding. The closet was holding for now, but it wouldn't last forever. He took a deep breath and nodded. "Alright. Let's do it. But we go one at a time. Jackie, you first. Then Ted. I'll go last."
---
Mother Charmine sat in the corner of the room, her hands clasped tightly together as she tried to keep the group calm. The tension in the air was palpable, and the sound of the infected's distant growls only added to the unease. Anna, one of the younger girls, sat nearby, her face pale and her stomach growling audibly.
"Mother Charmine," Anna said, her voice trembling, "when will Zuck return? I'm starving here."
Mother Charmine turned to her, her expression softening despite the stress etched on her face. "Look, sweetie," she said gently, "he said he would be back by night time. It's still noon out there. Don't worry. He'll come back with food and supplies."
Suddenly, a voice cut through the room, sharp and bitter. "Bullshit."
Everyone turned to see Henry, a wiry, cynical teen with a perpetual scowl, leaning against the wall. His arms were crossed, and his eyes were narrowed. "How do we know he's coming back? Maybe he escaped himself. Maybe he left us here to rot."
Mother Charmine's eyes flashed with anger, but she kept her voice steady. "Shut your mouth, Henry. Zuck is a good kid. He would never betray us."
Anna opened her mouth to say something, but her words caught in her throat as her eyes locked onto the window. The makeshift rope—the one they had used to escape to this room—was moving. Her voice came out in a desperate whisper. "Mother… what is that? The rope… it's moving."
Mother Charmine's head snapped toward the window, her heart skipping a beat. She saw it too—the rope was swaying slightly, as if someone—or something—was climbing it. Her mind raced, but she didn't hesitate. "Henry, Bart," she said sharply, her voice commanding. "Get your weapons ready. Now."
Henry and Bart, two of the older teens in the group, scrambled to their feet. Henry grabbed an iron object he had been using as a weapon, while Bart picked up a heavy wooden plank. They moved toward the window, their faces tense but determined.
Anna clung to Mother Charmine's side, her eyes wide with fear. "What if it's… them?" she whispered, her voice trembling.
Mother Charmine placed a reassuring hand on Anna's shoulder, though her own heart was pounding. "We'll be ready," she said firmly. "But stay back, just in case."
The room fell silent, the only sound the faint creak of the rope as it continued to move. Henry and Bart positioned themselves on either side of the window, their weapons raised and their eyes locked on the edge of the sill. Mother Charmine stood behind them, her hands clenched into fists, ready to defend the group no matter what.
The tension in the room was unbearable as they waited, every second stretching into an eternity. The rope swayed again, and then a hand appeared on the windowsill. Henry tightened his grip on the iron object, his knuckles white, but before he could swing, a familiar voice called out.
"Wait! It's us!"
Mother Charmine's eyes widened in relief as Jackie's face appeared at the window, followed by Ted and Lenz. "It's them!" she exclaimed, her voice filled with relief. "Let them in!"
Henry and Bart lowered their weapons, their expressions shifting from tension to cautious relief. Jackie climbed through the window first, followed by Ted and then Lenz, who quickly turned to secure the rope behind them.
"You're alive," Mother Charmine said, her voice trembling with emotion. "Thank God."
Jackie looked around the room, his brow furrowed. "I thought you guys were in the kitchen on the second floor," he said, his voice tinged with confusion.
Mother Charmine nodded, her expression grim. "We were, but those things were everywhere. We had to relocate to this room. It was the only safe place we could find."
Lenz glanced around, his eyes narrowing. "How did you get up here?" he asked, his voice low but curious.
Mother Charmine turned to Anna, a small, quiet girl who looked to be around 15 years old. "It was all her," she said, her tone softening with pride. "Anna made a makeshift rope for us. She's the reason we're still alive."
Lenz's eyes shifted to Anna, who was sitting quietly on the edge of the bed, her hands clasped tightly in her lap. She looked up briefly, her face pale but determined, before quickly looking away. Lenz gave her a small nod of respect, then turned his attention to the others. Bart and Henry, the two older teens, were standing near the window, their weapons still in hand. Bart looked to be around 16, his face set in a grim expression, while Henry, the more cynical of the two, leaned against the wall, his arms crossed.
Mother Charmine sighed, her voice heavy with worry. "We were with another kid—his name is Zuck. He agreed to go out and find us some food, but… it's been two hours already. He hasn't come back."
Henry let out a cold, bitter laugh. "He's probably dead now, if I had to guess," he said, his tone dripping with sarcasm. "I mean, let's be real. Out there? With those things? No way he made it."
Mother Charmine shot him a sharp look, her voice rising. "Hey! That's enough.
Henry rolled his eyes but didn't argue further. Mother Charmine turned back to Lenz, her expression softening. "More importantly," she said, her voice steady but concerned, "where's Paulie? Is he with you?"
Lenz shook his head, his tone calm but firm. "Don't worry about him. He's probably at the Great Temple by now. He must be safe and sound."
Mother Charmine nodded, though the worry in her eyes didn't fully fade. "I hope so," she said quietly. "We've lost enough people already."
Lenz paused, his expression serious as he looked around the room. "Look," he said, his voice steady but urgent, "right now, our best option is escaping and getting to the Great Temple. We can start by making a long rope to get us down to the backyard. It's our safest bet."
Jackie, exhausted from the chaos, slumped against the wall, his legs trembling. He scanned the room for a place to sit, his eyes landing on a small table in the corner. Something on it caught his attention—a book, old and worn, its cover embossed with intricate designs. He picked it up, his brow furrowing as he turned it over in his hands.
"Bart," Jackie said, his voice low, "what's this?"
Bart glanced over, his expression shifting slightly. "Oh, that? It's Saint Eldric's holy book. Mother Charmine almost risked her life to get it. I mean, it was crazy—she got separated from the group just to grab that thing."
Jackie's eyes widened as he stared at the book, his fingers tracing the faded gold lettering on the cover. He turned to Mother Charmine, who was still deep in conversation with Lenz, her voice filled with urgency as they discussed their next steps. Jackie's voice cut through the room, sharp and filled with emotion. "Mother… is this the book you wanted to give me?"
Mother Charmine turned, her eyes lighting up with excitement. "Yes!" she said, her voice warm but hurried. "I figured you'd want it. You've always talked about becoming a preacher, and I know how much this book means to you. I thought… I thought it would help you. So I—"
He couldn't control it anymore, Jackie's face twisted with rage, his hands trembling as he clutched the book. His voice was low, almost a growl, as he interrupted her. "You risked your life… for *this*?"
Mother Charmine's smile faltered, her expression shifting to confusion. "Jackie, I just thought—"
Before she could finish, Jackie's anger boiled over. With a sudden, violent motion, he threw the book across the room. It slammed into a vase on a nearby shelf, shattering it into pieces. The sound of breaking glass echoed through the room, followed by a heavy silence as the book thudded to the floor, its pages splayed open.
The room froze. Everyone stared at Jackie, their faces a mix of shock and disbelief. The vase lay in shards on the ground, the book resting among the debris. Jackie's chest heaved, his fists clenched, his face a mask of fury and pain.