Chapter 8 September 15th, 2037

It’s been five days since we last heard the transmission come over the radio. We’ve decided to stay in the garage a few extra days, with any hope the people who made contact over the radio will try again. This garage has proved to be a better safe house than we could have ever imagined. The water and sports drinks in the cooler have helped us rehydrate. The few cans still stocked on the shelves have helped us fight off starvation. But no matter what this is just a temporary fix, and Connor has recommended leaving after daybreak if we don’t hear anything from the mystery voices. According to my watch the sun will be up in less than an hour. I hope they reach out to us again. Connor tells me I shouldn’t get my hopes up, that if you truly were in medical need they are probably dead by now. Part of me thought the same thing, I just feel ashamed admitting it.

I can see sunlight sneaking in through the windows in the bay doors. Connor and Penelope are inside the car listening for any news on our fellow survivors. Kennedy is stretched out in the back seat just resting, waiting for the word that we are heading out.

“Anything yet?” I call out from my perch in the middle of the stairs.

“Nothing but static,” Penelope calls back frustrated.

“This is useless,” Connor growls, “We should get going, before we waste too much day light.”

I agree with him and pack up my journal and open the bay door before jumping in the car with the others. I watch the scenery from the window, we’ve been walking so long I forgot how good it was to just sit and watch the trees pass by me. There are Zombies down in a ditch feeding on whatever meaty scraps they can find. Connor enjoys running the tires over the few Zombie we find, even going out of his way to hit one or two. The road is pretty clear, most of the cars are off to the side, long since burned, the metal charred and black

“How long do you think the gas will last?” I ask.

“If we’re lucky we’ll be able to make it to Virginia, maybe a little bit further if the road stays as clear as it is,” Connor answers.

We ride mostly in silence as we pass into Connecticut, only the slight crackling from the radio keeping us entertained. Connecticut turns quickly into New York, the crackling in the speakers is becoming more prominent in my ears.

“Wait, turn the radio up,” Kennedy speaks up.

“I heard it too,” I nod, “people need us.”

Connor slows the car down as he turns the volume up.

“Hello,” Penelope calls into the microphone, “Hello, my name is Penelope and I am calling out to any survivors. If you can hear me please respond.”

The radio cracks, the white noise is almost deafening.

“Hello? Hello?” a voice fights through the interference, “This is Matthew, can you read me?”

“We can read you Matthew,” Penelope responds, “What’s your situation?”

“It’s not looking good,” Matthew’s voice sounds concerned over the radio, “we have multiple wounded and our bunker is surrounded by Zombies. Can you help?”

Silence again. None of us says a word.

“We have to help them,” Kennedy says breaking the silence.

“It’s suicide,” Connor calls back.

“But we have to,” Kennedy urges

“I agree, we have to find them,” Penelope backs her up.

“We don’t even know where they are,” Connor argues.

“I repeat, can you help us?” Matthew’s voice calls out again, screams heard in the background.

“We have to help them,” I speak up, “if there really are survivors out there, then we have a responsibility to at least try and help them.”

Connor grunts in defeat.

“Matthew,” Penelope calls into the microphone, “We are willing to help. We need your location.”

“We are in a stone building on Twenty-First Street in New York city,” he responds.

“We’re only a few blocks away!” Kennedy calls out pointing at the street signs.

“We’ll be there soon,” Penelope call out, “just hold on.”

We plow our way through the streets before finally arriving at the stone bunker that Matthew described. There is a small horde of Zombies scratching and flailing at the metal door and boarded up windows.

“Everyone get out of the car,” Connor orders.

We all emerge from the car leaving Connor alone revving the engine.

“What are you going to do?” Kennedy asks him.

“I’m going to give us some cover,” Connor says with a smirk before driving away. The tires squeal leaving black marks on the road.

“He’s insane,” Penelope states.

“No he’s a genius,” I smile watching Connor smashing the car into the horde, and right into the building, “now’s our chance, let’s go.”

We each draw our bladed weapons and approach the mass group of Zombies, most still struggling to get back to their feet. Connor slips out of the car, his machete already drawn, his blade slicing off the heads of the two Zombies closest to him.

“Airbags, got to love them,” he laughs.

We manage to take out the rest of the horde without much trouble. The car is totaled, the front end smashed up. We roll the car away from the building freeing the door of the wreck. Once the door is free we watch it slide open slowly, a set of eyes peering out from the darkness behind it.

“Thank god you were able to dispatch of those creatures and not get yourselves hurt. Or worse,” a familiar voice from the darkness says to us.

The man walks out of the darkness revealing his face to us. He has a young looking face, and shaggy looking dirty blonde hair that falls just above his eyes. Sadness radiates from his eyes and I notice the abnormality, he has one blue and one green. He doesn’t like to look at us, his eyes looking down most of the time like he is trying to hide this. His clothes are ratty with dirt and blood stains.

“Matthew?” Penelope asks.

“Yes. Are you able to help us?” He asks.

“Our friend here is a doctor,” Penelope says pointing to Kennedy.

“I’m not really a doctor. I went to school to become a doctor but I never graduated,” Kennedy says sheepishly.

“Can you help my friends?” Matthew asks hopeful.

“I can try,” Kennedy responds.

“That’s all I can ask for,” he backs up, back into the darkness and holds the door open, “please come in, all of you.”

The building is dark and I can feel anxiety building in my chest. I hate not being able to see where I am going. I fumble around in my pockets pulling out my flashlight. I turn it on, the soft beam lights most of the inside of the building. There isn’t much inside just a staircase leading downward.

“Please no lights,” Matthew asks.

I shut the flashlight off, “sorry. I just don’t like being in the dark.”

“It’s ok,” Matthew responds before clapping his hands together. A series of soft lights come on one by one creating a trail down the staircase. The lights don’t shine too brightly, just enough to help us follow Matthew down the staircase.

We arrive at the bottom of the staircase where we are greeted by another door. Two big men stand on either side of the door, each holding a shotgun, machetes by their sides.

“More outsiders?” the first guard says sternly.

“They are here to help. The female says she can help Emmanuel,” Matthew responds to the guard.

“Let’s hope for all of our sakes she can,” the second guard says.

“I’m not really a doctor I…” Kennedy starts, silenced by the rest of us.

The two guards back away from the door. Matthew nods appreciatively and turns the handle on the door revealing the inside of the large bunker.

“Who would have guess that there was an underground bunker of this size in New York?” I gasp.

“I’m not surprised,” Connor says, “most big cities have bunkers like this. They were supposed to house political leaders and other ‘important’ members of society.”

“What do you mean ‘Important’? “ I ask.

“Scientists, Actors. Basically anyone with money or had an important skill that would be useful in a time of crisis,” Connor replies.

“So what made you so important?” I ask Matthew.

“I am no more important than you or your friends,” Matthew replies, “we were protected by god. He found us this sacred place, saving us from the ravages caused by man.”

“Then why do you need our help?” Penelope asks.

“When we found the shelter it was amply stocked with both food and drink. We did what we thought God would want from us, we went out and found survivors and brought them back here. Many were killed here, not after taking their share of rations that is,” Matthew says, a glazed look in his eyes.

“You ran out of food, didn’t you?” Penelope asks snidely.

“Yes. Most were given to survivors and we had to replenish so eventually we sent out Teams to gather food. Many didn’t return, sometimes whole teams. I started questioning if it was worth sending anyone out at all. But Emmanuel insisted that the only way to survive was to have faith that god would protect them. I argued that God had turned his back on us, that he no longer cared about us. Emmanuel said he would prove me wrong. He went out on the last quest for food. He managed to come back a few days ago but he was hurt, lost a lot of blood,” Matthew trailed off.

“We heard your call. But we were unable to get back to you in time,” Connor said.

“I was called back to Emmanuel’s side,” Matthew nodded, “we needed leadership, he asked me to watch over the flock but I’m unable. He is the one who can guide us.”

“How’ his condition?” Kennedy asks.

Matthew shakes his head and lets out a sigh, “he’s stable for now. We managed to stop the bleeding.”

“Can I see him?” Kennedy inquires.

“Hey Matty boy,” a female voice calls out from the shadows. A young woman steps out into the light. She has medium length black hair with a pink streak running down the left side of her face. She is wearing camouflage pants and a black tank top, a large jagged knife grasped in her left hand. “Emmanuel wants to see you…and your friends.” She has a rather mischievous smile on her face as she talks.

“We were just on our way to see him,” Matthew replies, “thank you Natalie.”

Natalie nods at him before looking at our group again. I could have sworn she blinked at us before heading back into the shadows. Matthew waits until she is completely out of sight before waving at us to follow him. He walks us through the mini colony. Many people are huddled together in the corners looking for both warmth and comfort, fires burning close by. Matthew urges us to continue on with him until we reach what I could only determine was the back of the bunker. A sheet divides a pair of walls. Matthew pulls the sheet off to the side and ushers us through the opening. There is a bed in the makeshift room, a man lying in the middle unmoving. He has dark skin and dark hair but you can still see the smudges of dirt built up around him. He is breathing heavily, his left arm holding on to a bible tightly, his right hand fingering a set of rosaries. His eyes open slowly as Matthew approaches his side.

“Sir, we have visitors. From the outside,” Matthew’s voice is soft as he speaks, “one of them is a doctor. She can help you.”

“Thank you Matthew,” Emmanuel’s voice is weak as he tries to sit up, “could you give us some privacy please.” Emmanuel pats his hand.

Matthew nods as he walks away. He looks over at Kennedy one last time before leaving, “please help him,” he whispers at her.

“I’ll do my best,” she assures him.

Kennedy walks over to Emmanuel and checks out his arms. There are scratches and cuts all over his body. He places his hands on hers as she checks the abrasions, “You have a gentle touch. You don’t see that from many doctors.”

“I’m not really a doctor,” Kennedy admits, “I was a medical student before. Well before everything took a turn for the worse.”

“I’m sure you have the heart of a doctor,” Emmanuel winks.

“At one point I thought I did,” Kennedy says checking his legs. More cuts and bite marks everywhere she looks, “but that was a long time ago.”

Emmanuel shakes his head, “you say that because of the circumstances. Your head is clouding what your heart wants. Don’t let the misfortune that has plagued humanity corrupt your heart’s desires.”

Kennedy smiles at him before turning back to us, “He’s dehydrated, and has lost a lot of blood. From what I can see he is still bleeding internally. I don’t think there is anything I can do.”

“You mean he’s going to die?” Penelope asks.

“I’m afraid so,” Kennedy says.

“Then it is my time,” Emmanuel says, “but I do have a favor to ask.”

“Name it,” I say.

“Protect my flock,” Emmanuel says, “Matthew is good and kind, but I fear he does not have the heart of a leader. He has lost his hope.”

Connor chuckles, “of course he’s lost his hope we all have. How can you still have any hope for human kind? It’s because of your hope that you’re dying.”

"In the end it doesn't matter if it’s hell on Earth or just an average Tuesday. If you can't find the slightest bit of hope in humanity than you are probably better off putting that gun in your mouth and pulling the trigger. Because in the end all we have is hope. Hope that humanity will someday thrive again, hope that we will be able to rebuild our civilization, and hope that there is at least the slightest bit of good in everyone. That's what I believe in,” Emmanuel says his head held high and his words strong and vibrant.

He drops his head back against his pillows groaning in pain. Kennedy starts to search through her bag before finally pulling out a small box full of shredded linen. Wrapped in the linen she pull out a needle with a clear liquid inside. She sticks the needle into Emmanuel’s arm and pushes the plunger down slowly. Emmanuel gasps after a moment before looking slightly more relaxed.

“What was that?” Connor asks.

“Toradol,” Kennedy replies as she places her hand on Emmanuel’s forehead, “I picked up a few vials a few months ago when we rummaged through that hospital. I figured they would be handy sooner or later.”

“Good to know you’re prepared,” I say, “but what now?”

“Someone has to get Matthew back in here,” Kennedy says walking over to us, “he has to know that there is nothing more I can do for Emmanuel.”

“I’ll find him,” Connor says leaving the room.

“I’ll go with you,” Penelope says following close behind.

I sit in a chair besides Emmanuel’s bed as Kennedy continues to keep Emmanuel comfortable. Time seems to pass by slowly, I can feel myself drifting off slowly. I open my eyes and see Kennedy with milky white eyes growling at me. My eyes open up wildly, leaving me out of breath and dazed. I look around the room and find Kennedy looking at me from across the room with a smile on her face.

“You ok?” She asks.

“Yeah, just fell asleep there for a moment,” I reply.

“Bad dream?” She asks.

“Only for the last couple of months,” I joke, “How’s Emmanuel?”

“He’s resting. But I don’t think he’ll make it through the night,” She answers honestly.

I stand up and look at Emmanuel’s body. His dark skin is purple in a few areas, it’s easy to tell those are areas that Kennedy has cleaned lately. Penelope pokes her head through the curtain that divides the room.

“We found Matthew,” she says.

“Ok, keep him out there. I’ll be right out to speak to him,” Kennedy says. “Can you keep him company while I talk to Matthew?” she asks me.

I nod prompting another smile from her as she leaves the room.

“You care about your friends don’t you?” Emmanuel asks weakly. I turn around and see Emmanuel’s eyes. They are barely opened as he struggles to breathe.

“I do. I care about them a lot, they have become like a family to me,” I reply.

“Promise me something,” Emmanuel asks.

“What?” I ask nervously.

“I heard your friend saying I was dying. I could already tell,” Emmanuel says trying to sit up in his bed, “would you watch over my family for me.”

“But what about Matthew?” I ask.

“Matthew is a good person but I don’t believe he has what it takes to protect the rest of the flock. Sometimes it takes tough decisions to keep everyone alive,” Emmanuel says as he struggles to breathe.

“I just don’t know if I’m that kind of guy though,” I argue, “I’m just nobody.”

“You know what, I used to be like you,” Emmanuel starts, “I spent my whole life feeling like a place saver. That the world doesn't even want to acknowledge my existence. Then one day I woke up and notice the small group of people looking up to me, for leadership, for courage, and I didn't want to let them down. Believe me I know the stress of being depended on day in and day out and makes you miss the days when you thought nobody noticed you. At least then if you screwed up nobody died."

My eye focus on the ground, “your right. That is how I feel, have always felt.”

“It doesn’t have to be that way though. The same way that the rest of your flock draws strength from you, you get to draw strength from them,” Emmanuel says patting my hand, “I found that out the hard way. I used to push most people away so I didn’t get to attached and feel worse about making decisions. But that’s when it got harder. I didn’t know my flock anymore and they started to resent my choices. That’s how I found Matthew, he confronted me making me realize that I needed to be someone that others looked up to because of hope.”

“But because of all that, you are now laying here dying,” I argued.

“Yes that’s true. But although I might die, I know I left my followers with hope,” He says as he reaches under his blankets and pulling out a worn out bible. He opens to a page near the middle marked by the ribbon, “‘for I know the plans I have for you’ declares the lord, ‘to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come pray to me, and I will listen to you.’ Book of Jeremiah.”

“I don’t believe in God,” I say harshly, “I mean how a being with all the wisdom can and power in the known universe could allow all of this bad shit happen, it just seems like bull shit.”

“He didn’t let this happen, human kind let this happen. They forsake him, thinking they could do better than him, and then they have the nerve to blame him?” Emmanuel says his voice strong and stern.

“That’s nice, and while it might be true, I’m sorry I’m just not religious,” I say honestly.

Emmanuel pats my hand again, “I’m sorry. I wasn’t trying to push it on you, I was just trying to offer wisdom.”

“I know and I appreciate it,” I say with a weak smile. I feel bad, like I hurt Emmanuel with my words, “I’ll watch over your team. I promise to do the best I can to protect them.”

“Don’t do it because of me,” He says sensing my doubt, “do it because you can.”

“I’ll do it for everyone. Because they need a leader, and because I’ll need them,” I say.

“And please take this,” he says holding his bible out, “you may not believe now, but one day you may need to seek his advice. If not, just keep it as a little piece of me.”

I take the bible from his hand, “if I need advice in the future I’ll turn to the book. But not because of God’s words, but because I know it will be you guiding us.”

My words bring a smile to his face before he starts to gasp for air. His body starts to shake and convulse. I rush out of the room and find everyone standing outside of the room.

“You have to come quick. Emmanuel is… I don’t know,” I say urgently.

Kennedy rushes back into the room with Penelope following behind her. I turn back towards the curtain but can’t seem to force myself to go back into the room.

“Its ok,” Connor says, his hand on my shoulder.

“Yeah we have bigger problems anyway,” Natalie says, “there is a horde of Zombies heading this way.”

“What is the protocol?” I ask.

“We don’t have one,” Matthew admits, “we never thought this would happen.”

“So what do we do?” I ask Connor.

“I’m not sure. I don’t know this place well enough to have a plan,” Connor admits.

“What is the probability that they can get inside?” I ask.

“Slim. Between the building outside and then the solid metal door. But our biggest problem is lack of food and drink,” Natalie responds.

“What about entrances?” Connor asks.

“There is the main entrance that we brought you in and then there is a back way out. But we don’t know where it comes out,” Matthew replies.

“We have to evacuate,” I say.

“That’s suicide,” Matthew argues.

“So is starving to death,” I remind him.

“What about Emmanuel?” Matthew asks.

“He isn’t going to make it one way or another. We’ll have to leave him here,” I say kind of harshly.

“We can’t do that, he’s our leader,” Matthew sobs.

“Not anymore, he asked me to watch over everyone,” I reply.

“I don’t believe you,” Matthew fights.

“Look!” Connor shouts getting between us, “we can worry about that later. How many people are down here?”

“At last count we had almost two hundred,” Natalie replies.

“Is there a way to evacuate everyone at once?” Connor asks.

Natalie nods, “There is a P.A. system set up. We can inform everyone with that.”

“Good. Connor,” I say, “go with Natalie, and let everyone know that there will be a mass evacuation at seven tomorrow morning.”

“Right!” Connor calls out before parting with Natalie.

“Kennedy, you and Penelope take care of Emmanuel. Just make sure he is comfortable,” I say.

Kennedy nods before walking back into the room with Penelope following behind her.

“What about me?” Matthew asks.

“Pack up everything you’ll need to survive outside, clothes, food, water, some sort of weapon, and anything else you think you’ll need,” I answer him.

“I don’t believe in violence,” he says softly.

“You had better start making exceptions,” I say getting right up in his face, “because if you’re not willing to fight than you are no good to, or for us. And if that’s the case than we’ll have to decide if it’s even worth protecting your sorry ass.” I turn around, walking away leaving Matthew alone outside of Emmanuel’s room, his head hung low.

A buzzing comes from the ceiling before Connor’s voice comes over the intercom. His words echo through the underground bunker as panic begins to spread through the inhabitants. I can hear the gasps and screams coming from all over. I shake my head worried that telling everyone was the wrong choice.

Chapter 9 September 18th, 2037

Sleep was scarce last night, even inside a secure bunker I don’t feel safe. I don’t think any of us do. Kennedy spent most of the night tending to Emmanuel, while Connor and Natalie spent most of the night training with various weapons. Matthew spent most of the night worrying about what he wanted to pack, Penelope offered to help him. Which left me alone. I was given a small corner of the bunker for the night. It was mostly empty except for the cot laying against the wall. I haven’t spent a night off the floor since my last night at home. My watch says it is slightly after five in the morning. In less than two hours we evacuate the entire bunker, I’m worried about how that will go. My mind is racing, and I can’t seem to slow it down. I hunt through my bag looking for something to slow the racing. My hand stops on the bible that Emmanuel gave me and I pull it out and open to the middle, the pages split by the ribbon. I spend the next hour reading through several of the passages, engrossed with each page. The idea of hope and being watched over is kind of a comfort.

“It’s almost time,” Connor’s voice calls out to me. I slowly close the book and place it back into my bag. “Are you ready?”

“Do I have a choice at this point?” I joke, “Have you checked on Emmanuel?”

“I just came from there,” Connor responds, “Kennedy said he has slept through most of the night.”

“I’m glad one of us was able to sleep,” I say getting to my feet.

“You sure you want to go through with this?” Connor asks, “I mean you look like shit.”

“Thanks. I take that as a compliment,” I smirk as I walk past him.

Connor follows me out of the room and through the bunker. People are lined up throughout the halls most sitting on bags, a look of fear on many faces as I continue past them. Each of their lives depend on me and the choices I make. I feel sick. We arrive back at Emmanuel’s room. Penelope and Matthew are waiting patiently for us outside. Penelope rushes over to us and throws her arms over Connor’s shoulder and mine.

I can see the look of worry in her eyes as she speaks, “did you sleep well?”

We both shake our heads.

“Yeah, me either,” She admits.

“Where’s Natalie?” Connor asks.

“She said she’d be here before the evacuation,” Penelope winks at him, “I think she likes you.”

“All we did was work out,” Connor says with a scoff.

“I bet you did,” Penelope chuckles.

I can’t help but laugh, even Matthew smiles at Penelope’s crude joke. The curtain to Emmanuel’s room slides open revealing Kennedy. Her eyes look heavy, with dark bags under them giving away the fact that she is tired. She looks at each of us with a slight grin.

“How is he?” Matthew asks breaking the silence.

“He’s fine,” her smile fades, “He asked to see you. All of you actually.”

“Is that including me? Or is this a guy’s only party?” Natalie calls out.

“That includes you,” Kennedy answers obviously irritated by Natalie’s remark.

One by one we enter the room and find Emmanuel sitting up in the bed. His body has lost most of its color and he fights just to keep his eyes open.

“I’m glad you all could be here,” Emmanuel starts, “I know I haven’t known any of you for too long, but it is truly an honor to know each and every one of you. I hope as you move forward with your lives you will remember the words I have said to you so that I may live on in each of your memories.”

“Wait?!” Matthew calls out, “you’re not evacuating with us?”

“No,” Emmanuel says bluntly, “I talked it over with Kennedy throughout the night and we both agreed that I am not strong enough to leave with you.”

“But we could get you out now. There has to be a way,” Matthew argues.

“There isn’t,” Kennedy speaks up, “but Emmanuel does have an idea, a way to contribute to our safety.”

“I’m going to blow up the bunker,” his voice is soft but his words hit each of us hard.

“What do you mean you’re going to blow up the bunker?” Connor yells.

Emmanuel pulls out a small remote with a dull red button in the middle of it, “It’s a failsafe measure. Whoever built the bunker lined the walls with explosives. Those explosives can only be set off with this remote.”

“How long have you been sitting on that one?” Natalie asks snidely.

“Look I know this must come as a shock to each of you,” Emmanuel defends, “but I never thought it would come to this. So yes I hid the remote from everyone. I’m not sorry I did it, it was done with the best of intentions.”

“Ok, now that that’s settled, what is the actual plan?” Penelope asks.

“This is the fun part,” Kennedy chuckles nervously, “each of you is going to get every single person out of this bunker. Once the shelter is mostly empty I’m going to open the door, letting the Zombies in. I will than have five minutes to escape before Emmanuel presses the button destroying everything inside.”

Everyone looks at each other each unsure of the plan.

“No,” I say.

“What do you mean ‘No’?” Kennedy asks.

“I mean no. You are needed for this team,” I say, “I’ll do it.”

“The hell you will,” Natalie chimes in, “I know this bunker better than everyone else here, and I’d bet I’m faster than each and every one of you.”

“That makes sense,” I say, “You sure you’ll be able to get out in time?”

“No problem,” Natalie winks.

“I can’t give you any more than five minutes,” Emmanuel says.

“I’ll be out in three,” Natalie laughs.

“Then it’s settled,” I say taking in a deep breath, “let’s do this people. Let’s save some lives.” Natalie rushes out of the room heading for the metal door. “Penelope and Connor I’m going to need you both to exit the shelter first. Take care of any loose Zombies and keep people safe.”

“What about me?” Matthew asks.

“Just try not to die,” Connor says to him.

“You know what, I’m tired of your crap,” Matthew says defending himself, “we are all in this together and I just want to do my part to save people.”

“Enough!” Emmanuel calls out from his bed.

“Emmanuel is right, this isn’t the time to squabble. Matthew you stay toward the back with me and Kennedy. People will be scared, help us keep them calm,” I say.

Everyone leaves Emmanuel’s room one at a time, each saying their farewells as the walk past him.

“Please keep them safe,” Emmanuel says to me one last time.

“I will,” I assure him.

I walk out of the room and follow the others through the bunker to the secret back door. Matthew pushes a hollow spot in the wall revealing the ascending staircase. Connor and Penelope each draw their guns and machetes before slowly heading up the stairway into the unknown. I send Matthew to greet the approaching crowd as the time reaches seven.

“Whatever happens today,” I start to say to Kennedy, “I just want you to know how special I think you are.”

“You don’t think we’re going to survive do you?” Kennedy asks in almost a whisper.

“Honestly? Not all of us,” I admit, “but you have to. You have skills that are needed. So watch your back and just stay alive.”

She moves in close, her lips pressed firmly against mine, her arms wrapped around my neck. She pulls her lips away and lays her head on my chest.

“That’s your motivation to come back to me,” her words vibrate throughout my body.

She pulls away from me as Matthew joins us with the rest of the refugees. Roaring can be heard from the stairwell in front of us followed by gunshots. Matthew, Kennedy, and I begin to wave the survivors through the doorway.

“Everyone be prepared to fight as soon as you get outside,” Kennedy calls out.

The sound of survivors beginning to scream as soon as they make it out of the stairwell. Kennedy grabs Matthew by the shoulder and pulls him into the stairwell.

“You coming?” She asks.

“I’m going to wait for Natalie,” I call back, “I’ll be up soon.”

Kennedy nods reluctantly before dragging Matthew up the stairs. I draw my sword and wait impatiently, pacing back and forth for Natalie to arrive. I can hear the sounds of rumbling coming from the other side of the bunker. Growling can also be heard getting closer. I begin to rock back and forth, my heart feels like it has sunk into my stomach. Natalie’s head is finally in view, along with a hoard of thrashing Zombies chasing after her. I rush toward her and watch as she limps toward me. Her leg is bleeding and her face shows her pain. She is grabbed from behind as I make it to her side.

“Duck,” I call out as I pull the blade of my sword backward. She ducks her head just in time, the strong steel of my sword slices through the undead creature’s neck, its head rolling off his shoulders, “We have to go, now.”

She nods in agreement as I wrap her arm around my neck and help her limp out of the bunker. She winces and cries out with each step. I can see the daylight at the end of the vast hallway.

“Just a little bit more,” I say.

A blast is heard behind us and I push Natalie out of the stairwell with all of my might before jumping out of the way of the mighty fireball that wipes out any remaining Zombie behind us. I roll over and see a Zombie standing above me, I thrust my sword upward into the neck of the creature. It squeals in pain as I flail the sword back and forth until I’m able to get back onto my feet. I pull the blade out of the Zombie’s throat and swing the sword with all the anger and aggression in my body, leaving the creature decapitated. I look around at my new surroundings, many dead bodies lay around me, but I don’t see any of my friends. I spot Natalie’s body amongst the piles on the ground. I slump over to where Natalie is laying, she is still lying face down in the dirt huffing and puffing in aggravation. I tap her on the shoulder, forcing her to roll over and look at me.

“You threw me,” She growls, “onto piles of dead bodies.”

“Yes, yes I did,” I laugh holding my hand out for her.

Reluctantly she takes my hand and I help her to her feet, “Just know one thing, you ever throw me to the ground without warning again and I’m going to kick you in the balls so hard you’ll have to cough them up.”

I give her a rather strange look, “that’s a funny was to say ‘thank you’ after I saved your ass.”

She pushes me away, “I would have been fine without you.”

“You would have died. If the Zombies didn’t devour you, the explosion would have!” I yell at her.

“If you didn’t come around, I never would have had to leave the bunker,” she screams, “And another thing…”

I raise my hand silencing her, “Shh, hear that?”

A low rumbling is heard from all around us, growling and scratching follow closely behind.

“Any idea where they’re coming from?” Natalie asks as we stand back to back. Natalie holds up her knife and I raise my sword as we circle around.

“It’s hard to tell,” I say, my voice trembling as I speak, “it sounds like it’s coming from every direction.”

“What about the survivors, could it be them?” Natalie asks hopefully.

“Doubtful,” I answer, “Kennedy, Penelope, and Connor are making sure they get as far as possible.”

“So we’re just going to die here?” She asks.

“It looks that way,” I mutter.

The first wave of Zombies is seen coming out from behind the row of buildings. Natalie and I swipe and slice at each Zombie that get close to us but it seems almost useless as they continue to pile in. I don’t see any way out, survival seems bleak, but we continue slashing away. A Zombie grabs me by the arm, its teeth biting into my shoulder. Natalie drives her knife into the beast’s head, pulling him off me.

“Thanks,” I grunt.

“See I saved you and I didn’t have to throw you to the dirt,” she smirks.

“I’ll remember that next time,” I laugh.

“If there is a next time,” She says seriously.

“There will be,” I say slicing off another head, “because my friends wouldn’t just leave me.”

“They would if they were dead,” she says harshly.

Just than a horn blasts out catching Natalie and myself off guard. A gray van roars in from around the corner crushing as many Zombies as possible.

“THAT’S CONNOR’S DRIVING,” I shout out as the van pulls up beside us, the side door sliding open revealing Penelope waving us inside.

Connor drives off wildly after we stumble our way into the back. I lay on the floor of the back of the van, my shoulder continuing to bleed. Kennedy rips my shirt off revealing the gash. She pours some rubbing alcohol into the wound causing me to scream once again. The pain becomes intolerable, I can see each of their faces becoming blurry, their words sounding muffled until I can’t take the pain anymore and drift off.