Chapter 5

“What do you mean?” Sarah asks a slight stammer in her voice.

“I don’t know. She seems so dark. There used to be a light about her, like even though the world was… was shit, that maybe, just maybe there was a little ray of, of,” her voice trails off as she loses the words.

“A ray of hope?” Sarah says trying to fill in the blank.

“Yeah,” Hope says with a quick chuckle. “But here that seems gone.”

“Maybe there is a reason to that,” Sarah says sifting through a stack of scattered items that lay on the ground.

“Yeah what reason could there be?” Hope asks getter angrier.

“The only reason I could even think of is she is doing what she can to keep us alive,” Sarah responds.

“That might be so,” Hope says with a sigh, “but still I wish she would calm down a little bit.”

“Maybe I could calm down if you learned how to take this more seriously,” Fanny says standing in the doorway.

“Hey I take things very serious,” Hope says caught off guard.

A loud scratching noise from the glass door stops the fighting. The fear inside the small store intensifies. Fanny pushes her way toward the door, her flashlight out and her gun drawn.

“You sure that’s wise?” Karen asks.

“No,” Fanny responds, “but it’s better than just hiding in fear.”

The scratching sound comes from the window again causing Fanny to jump back slightly. The glass shatters, a half rotted hand reaches inside. Growling and hissing accompany the hand as it reaches wildly for Fanny.

“How did it know we were here?” John asks huddled in the corner with the others.

“It must have tracked our scent,” Fanny says backing up slowly, reaching carefully for her machete.

She slices downward, severing the arm at the elbow. The creature growls louder, almost as if it’s in pain. Fanny stands still, paralyzed with fear as the beast rams its head repeatedly into the glass.

“What do we do?” Karen asks, her face drenched with tears.

Fanny doesn’t answer, she just watches as the Zombie manages to smash its head through the glass. Its skin is a pale gray color, its hair almost completely fallen off its head. Scabs hang off around the cheek, shards of glass stand newly erect from the beast’s head.

“Supper time bitch,” Fanny exclaims before slicing off the head. “See that wasn’t so bad.”

She turns around and flashes a halfhearted smile, her heart beating a mile a minute inside her chest.

“Are you alright?” Karen manages to mutter.

“I’m still alive and that’s all that matters,” she replies, “besides we have a bigger problem.”

“What could be worse than that?” Hope asks.

“If one was able to find us then we have to assume there are more on the way. We need to take what we can and keep moving,” Fanny says wiping off her blade.

“But, where are we going to go?” John asks a hint of fear surfacing in his voice.

“When I was younger, a few months after the virus spread actually, I spent time in a bunker,” Fanny starts.

“You mean the one where mom and dad found you?” Hope asks.

“Yeah. Anyway, when I was there I overheard the others mention that there were several other bunkers all over the country. I think that’s our only chance of survival,” Fanny finishes.

“But where would we even begin to look?” Hope asks.

“The bunkers were primarily set up for people of importance. You know like, scientist, politicians, and so on. So I suggest we head toward the biggest city we can find,” Fanny rationalizes. “Who has the map?”

“Greggory did,” Sarah says.

“And no one took it off him?” Fanny questions slightly confused.

The others look back and forth at each other.

“We didn’t think it was important,” John finally says.

“Well that makes sense,” Fanny says starting to get mad, “I mean I don’t know my way to Texas from here but obviously you do.”

“That’s not what I meant,” John sighs, his eyes looking down at his feet.

“It was an accident,” Hope says stepping in front of him.

“Its accidents like that, that will get us killed,” Fanny says with a harsh lower tone.

“Then I guess you should have grabbed the map yourself,” Hope snipes back.

Fanny walks back, frustrated that the discussion isn’t going anywhere. She throws her bag over her shoulder her eyes filled with fire and intensity as she glares at the rest of her followers. She doesn’t have to say a word, instead they each let out a sigh before they each grab their bags and grudgingly follow her out of the abandoned store.

“It’s so cold,” Karen whispers to John as the pair bring up the rear, “I’m getting chills down my spine.”

“That’s not the night air,” John replies, “that’s fear; a sense of impending doom.”

“Well that’s reassuring,” Karen says with a cringe.

The wind whistles, rattling the tree branches above them. Hope stays close to Fanny, almost matching her step for step. Sarah is huddled in the middle, her gun gripped in both her hands. Karen is walking beside John, almost right on top of him as she continually scans through the darkness, almost waiting for something to pop out. The small group continues on their trek as the moon slowly starts to descend from the sky and the sun starts to rise.

The sun has just started to cover most of the terrain, the only darkness around them coming from the shadows of the trees and broken down buildings. They have stopped for a rest outside of an old supermarket. Their feet burning, a raw throbbing feeling on each of their heels.

“All this walking sucks,” John whines.

“Yeah well suck it up buttercup,” Fanny says switching out her socks, “we still have a long way to go.”

“Why are we even risking our lives for people we don’t even know?” Karen asks.

“Hey!” Fanny says getting to her feet, “you volunteered remember? Besides their lives are just as important as ours.” Karen lowers her head, nothing further to say. “That’s something everyone here should remember. We are here to save lives. Even if we all die, at least we know we died trying.”

“I don’t want to die,” Hope says with a whisper.

“None of us want to die,” Fanny says sitting back down, “but eventually it will find us. Maybe not here, but it will.”

The silence that falls over the group is almost deafening. Karen’s eyes dart from person to person as her hand starts to tremble, her eyes watering as she starts to break down. “I…don’t…want…to…die…” She says huffing and puffing.

“Don’t worry,” John says patting her hand, “we’ll do the best we can to help each other stay alive.”

“Yeah the best way to do that is to find shelter first,” Fanny reminds.

“Then I guess we’d better get moving again,” Hope says getting to her feet, swinging her bag over her shoulder.

“That’s the smartest thing I’ve heard so far,” Fanny says following her friend. The rest of the group follows closely behind.

“Are we sure we are going the right way?” Sarah asks, her voice is soft and stuttering almost as if she was afraid to ask.

Fanny and Hope stop short, the rest of the group bumping into them in an almost comedic fashion.

“I’m not sure about anything anymore,” Fanny admits.

“We have to find a place to rest soon, I’m tired,” John whines.

“Yeah I could use some sleep too,” Karen speaks up.

Fanny looks around at each of the buildings hoping to find one that might keep them safe for a short duration. She scans the horizon with little luck. Most of the buildings are partially destroyed, walls crumbled around bones of tortured survivors and undead. The buildings that are still standing have an uneasy feel about them. A bloody handprint, drags from the window of an old dry cleaners almost like a sign saying “Stay Away!” Her eyes draw upward, over the buildings and the treetops and off into the distance toward an old chapel.

“That way,” Fanny points.

“Why?” Hope asks slightly confused.

“I can see the point of a chapel off in the distance,” Fanny answers.

“But how do you know it’s still standing?” Sarah asks.

“I don’t,” Fanny replies with a smile, her eyes focused on her friend, “but sometimes, even here, you have to have hope.”

“Wow that was corny,” Hope says with a slight chuckle.

“Yeah, it’s a gift,” Fanny winks before starting toward the church.

The walk doesn’t take long with the chapel guiding them. The old brick church stands tall in front of them. They check the outside thoroughly, the solid metal side doors look complete, each one flat with no visible way through them but many derogatory graffiti marks, one even going so far as to have a crude biohazard symbol with the words “The end of mankind”, written above it. The group shares a solemn look before continuing their way around. The stain glass windows look mostly intact with a few exceptions of what looks like small holes where they were penetrated by stones.

“Looks pretty solid,” Sarah says after they get back to the front steps.

“Yeah,” Fanny says cocking her gun, “now we check the inside.”

They inch slowly up the stairs, Fanny once again taking the lead. The double doors stand tall and solid. The outside wood is a corroded red. The paint has started to chip showing the original brown oak underneath. Fanny nods as she turns the handle slowly, John waits beside her his flashlight on and his gun cocked. He gives her a quick nod before she swings open the door and he rushes in. Fanny follows behind him her gun ready as she stands behind John, her eyes scanning the immediate vicinity. The others join them in the hallway, each pointing their flashlights in several directions before Fanny signals that they close the door.

“John, Karen and Hope, take the right side,” Fanny orders, “Hope you’re with me. Any sign of trouble, shoot first.”

Hope nods, drawing her sword from its sheath as Fanny flicks on her flashlight. They watch as the trio merge together and slink down the right wall. Fanny and Hope start down the left wall. Hope’s light beam shines down their path while Fanny’s scans back and forth as she checks for any signs of Zombies. Beams of light flash across the church from the trio’s position. They come to the back of the church, just to the left of the Alter where the others have already arrived and begun to search.

“Hey look,” Hope calls out grabbing Fanny’s attention, “a door.”

“Probably leads to the office,” Fanny rationalizes, “ready to check it out?”

“After you,” Hope says.

Fanny rolls her eyes slightly before cracking the door semi open before kicking it open the rest of the way. Hope shines her light inside as Fanny enters the room with a slight hesitation. Hope follows a few steps behind, her heart beating slowly, her stomach sinking deeper into her body as she crosses the threshold. A foul odor invades her nostrils causing her to drop the flashlight as she starts to dry heave off in the corner.

“You alright?” Fanny asks.

“Yeah, the smell just got to me,” Hope replies through the huffing and puffing. “What was that anyway?”

Fanny turns her head finding the flashlight resting on the ground, the beam pointing at a male body decomposing off in the corner. His head is detached from his body, his black suit ripped, teeth and claw marks all over his body.

“This isn’t right,” Fanny says turning the body over revealing the front side of the priest’s body revealing more marks.

“What isn’t?” Hope asks trying not to look at the body.

“This body looks almost fresh,” Fanny answers, “If this body was killed years ago it would be decomposed by now.”

“What does that mean?” Hope asks slightly befuddled.

“I’m not sure. Maybe it doesn’t mean anything, but it just seems strange,” Fanny replies gathering the flashlight and handing it back to Hope, “Do you know how long it takes a body to decompose?”

“No?” Hope replies unsure, “why?”

“I think this is a fresh body,” Fanny answers.

“That means there are those…things around here,” Hope says backing into a filing cabinet knocking over an assortment of items.

“You’re missing the big picture,” Fanny says with a smile, “that means there are others around. People, like us!”

“Wait that means there is a place to hide for the night,” Hope says catching up.

“Exactly. We need to find the others!” Fanny says with a hint of excitement in her voice.

“I don’t think that will be a problem,” Hope says turning her friend around.

Karen, John and Sarah are on their knees just outside the door. Two shadowy figures can be seen behind them only their silhouettes can be made out.

“What are you doing here?” A deep booming voice questions.

Hope and Fanny raise their hands peacefully, their weapons dropped to the ground.

“We don’t mean you any harm,” Fanny replies. “We are just looking for a place to rest.”

“You have invaded our sanctuary and now request safe haven?” The voice asks angrily.

“Yes please,” Hope gulps.

Whispering sounds come from the doorway as the group waits anxiously for an answer.

“We will take one of you to our leader,” The voice calls out, “they will decide your fate.”

“What about the others?” Fanny asks.

“They will wait here,” The voice answers, “now choose one to come with us.”

Fanny goes to step forward but she is stopped when Hope speaks up first, “I will.”

“What are you doing?” Fanny asks pulling her back.

“I’m taking charge,” Hope replies, “this is my choice, let me do it.”

Fanny warily removes her hand before letting out an exasperating sigh, “please be safe.”

“I’ll be fine. But just in case,” She bends down and picks up her sword and hands it to her friend.

“No. that’s yours,” Fanny says pushing it away.

“I know. I just want you to guard it until I get back,” She winks.

Fanny takes the sword, her fingers feeling the warmth radiating from Hope’s hands as she does. One by one, John, Sarah and Karen enter the office before wishing Hope good luck as she joins the shadows into the darkness.

“Please be safe,” Fanny whispers as the office door shuts. A locking sound can be heard from the other side followed by footsteps.

Hope follows closely beside the shadowy figures. Each one has its hands wrapped tightly around her arms. They lead her back through the main part of the church and then down a set of stairs into the basement, which clearly used to be a recreation room. Tables are cracked in half and strewn about the dark room. The only light is from the few random candles that are fixed onto the wall. There are a few plastic chairs around the room, most are knocked over or missing a leg, but a few are set up against a wall, one with a third shadowy figure that stands in attention as the trio march in. The shadowy outline starts to come into better focus as they get closer, rugged dark curls and a dirt covered face. It’s hard to distinguish if it’s a guy or a girl the way the dark sweatshirt hangs off its body. Only the figure’s high voice reveals that it is a female.

“Well, well, what have you got there?” She asks, her smirk revealed by the flickering flame of the candle.

“Trespasser,” the deep voice replies, “got a few more locked in the office.”

“Oh,” She says with almost a sing, song tone, “what do you think the Major will do with them?”

“Not sure,” the deep voice replies becoming more irritated with the questions, “just open the door Lynn.”

“With pleasure,” Lynn replies as she turns her back on them.

They wait patiently as Lynn enters the door’s code, the wall then separating just wide enough for the trio to pass one at a time. The opening is well lit giving Hope her first look at her two new guards. The first is a tall dark skinned male. His head is bald. A dark scruff that is emerging into a thick beard embosses his face, small patches of gray sticking out slightly showing his older age. The second one is a younger looking attractive female. Her blonde hair is pulled back into a ponytail that sticks out the back of a worn black baseball cap. She has on a black tank top that fits snuggly over her curvy figure.

“So, you guys army or something?” Hope asks breaking the silence.

“Something,” the female replies.

“Who is the Major that you are taking me to see?” Hope asks again.

“Please don’t take this the wrong way,” the man says turning around swiftly, stopping the others in their tracks, “but we aren’t here to be your friends. I suggest you hold your tongue until the Major says you can speak. Understood?”

Hope nods not wanting to add any more problems for herself or her friends. The guards escort Hope over to an elevator, remaining on either side of her as the female guard hits the button closing the door. The elevator drops swiftly, a sick, queasy feeling enters Hope’s stomach only going away when they stop swiftly and the doors open. Hope stands in awe as her eyes focus on the shelter in front of her. The walls are white, reflecting the soft glow of the light bulbs hanging from the ceiling. She doesn’t move until prompted and even then her feet move slowly as she tries to take in all of the sights from the shelter. There aren’t many survivors around, in fact she counts less than a dozen including the girl guarding the entrance and her two personal guards. She does notice that everyone down there is older, most much older then she is. She is told to sit down as the dark skinned male leaves the two alone.

“Is he always like this?” Hope asks.

“Yeah,” the female guard replies.

“I’m Hope,” She says introducing herself.

The guard looks at her cautiously, her face scrunched up as she tries to read Hope’s gesture, “My name is Amanda.”

“How long have you guys been here?” Hope asks.

“Officially? We’ve been here seventeen years, seeking refuge here as soon as we got word that the virus had started to spread,” Amanda replies.

“But why are there so few of you?” Hope asks still trying to calm her nerves.

“At one point there were almost two hundred of us down here. But over time many began to die. Some starved to death due to the lack of food, others died of old age or medical diseases. But mostly we lost survivors to idiotic missions out of our bunker. You met Father O’Malley who was our most recent loss when he went upstairs,” Amanda answers.

“Why would he go upstairs?” Hope asks.

“No one is sure. There is a theory that he gave up. I remember talking to him once and he mentioned not believing in God anymore. He used to preach to us, telling us God would save us and give us purpose again. Then over the years he got less sure eventually losing all faith whatsoever,” Amanda says her voice trailing off as she reminisces.

“That’s so awful,” Hope mumbles.

“It doesn’t matter. Not really anyway. I mean we’re all going to die down here. Might as well go out how we want,” Amanda says grimly.

“But that doesn’t have to be your only option,” Hope says with a wide smile.

“What are you talking about?” Amanda asks impatiently.

“I come from an island just off the Florida coast. We are self-sustained. We grow our own food, we raise animals, everything. We work as a community. You could all come back with us.”

“That sounds great,” Amanda says with a smile.

“A little too great,” a male voice calls out from behind them causing them both to jump. “If your island is as great as you say it is why would you return to the main land?”

“We were sent by our leader Joshua in search of another group who reached us by radio. We came here looking for shelter before we made our journey,” Hope answers.

“And where are these, ‘others’, you speak of?” The Major asks in a slightly sarcastic tone.

“Houston, Texas.”

“That’s a long way from here by foot,” The Major informs.

“I know sir. But I have faith that we will complete our mission.” Sirens go off as soon as Hope speaks. Red lights flash as she watches the group leave her alone. She follows behind slowly, curiosity getting the better of her. She follows them into a mostly empty room, a single computer setup the only thing inside. She watches as Amanda slides into a computer chair and begins typing, bringing up video onto the screen in front of them. “What’s going on?”

“Something has entered the church,” The Major replies, “we have security cameras placed all around the inside of the church with motion sensors placed around the perimeter. That’s how we knew about you and your group.”

Hope watches as Amanda jumps from camera to camera trying to spot the intruders. She stops as they watch a small horde of Zombies trample around the main part of the church.

“We have to go,” Hope cries, “my friends are still in the office.”

“It’s too risky,” The Major replies, “we don’t have the weapons or the man power to stop that many. I’m sorry, but your friends are likely already dead.”

Chapter 6

“NO!” Hope shouts, “I refuse to believe that.”

“I don’t care what you think,” The Major growls back at her, “that’s the truth. There is no hope for survival.”

“Sir with all due respect, there is always hope if you are willing to fight for it. That’s what my parents taught me, and that’s what I believe,” Hope says turning her back on them and starting to walk out of the room.

“Where are you going?” He asks.

“To at least try and help them,” Hope calls back, “if not at least I’ll die with them. Either way it’s better than being a coward.”

Amanda looks back and forth at the two large men before jumping out of her chair and rushing after Hope. She manages to catch up with her just as she manages to reach the elevator doors.

“What so the Major Ass isn’t going to let me go?” Hope asks, her arms crossed over her chest.

“Actually I’m here to help you save your friends,” Amanda replies.

“Thanks,” Hope says with a wary smile, “it’s going to be tough, I just remembered I left my sword with Fanny.”

“Then I guess you’ll need this,” the male guard interrupts holding out pair of old machetes.

The handles are solid wood in color and texture, the two foot blade slightly rusted and pitted around the edges. The middles are somewhat faded, the shine distorted and grungy but all and all they still look sturdy as the girls each take one. In his other hand he holds a fire axe. The trio climbs into the elevator and wait as it starts its rise back to the surface.

“By the way, my name is Mika,” the male guard says.

“I’m Hope.”

“Good, now we are all acquainted,” Amanda smirks, “if we survive maybe we can all have a slumber party.”

“I know you’re joking, but that would actually be really nice,” Hope says with a grin just as the doors open.

Lynn is back to sitting on her chair, but she doesn’t move when the trio walk past her.

“Asleep on the job,” Mika says walking over to her. He shakes her gently trying to wake her up. “Lynn wake up, come on you know you can’t fall asleep out here.

Her head rolls back and in the candle light they can just see the teeth marks around her neck. Hope rummages around her pocket finding her flashlight. She illuminates the area around Lynn, backing away as the light beam focuses on the pool of blood built up around their feet, soaking into the once green carpet. Hope spins the light around and finds a Zombie sprawled out against the opposite wall, a large hunting knife sticking out of its head.

“It must have smelled her down here,” Amanda reasons.

“Yeah, too bad it looks like it took a pretty good bite out of her jugular before she was able to finish it off eh?” Mika snorts as he wrenches his fingers around the handle of the blade and yanking it out of the Zombie’s skull. “I don’t reckon she’ll be needing this anymore.”

“HEY!” Hope says soft but sternly, “Show some respect for the dead.”

“What for?” Mika says with a scoffing attitude, “it’s not like she’s coming back.”

“It doesn’t matter. She was someone once. A daughter, a sister maybe, but most of all she was a person,” Hope scolds.

“A lot of good any of that did for her,” Mika says, his voice starting to get louder, “In the end she still got killed.”

“Enough you two,” Amanda says stepping between them, “let’s just drop it. If we survive then later we can discuss proper attitude toward the dead.”

“Agreed!” the pair reply in unison.

They continue on up the stairs, taking each step one at a time. The old wooden stairs creak lightly with each step sending shivers up each of their spines. Hope leads the way, the old machete gripped confidently in her right hand, the flashlight secured in her left. Amanda follows closely behind her. Her eyes dart back and forth in the darkness following the nonexistent shadows that lurk around them, her stomach twisting with each one she thinks she sees in the distance. Mika brings up the rear, his back turned to the girls as he follows them slowly, unwilling to believe that there isn’t anything behind them. Growls and grunts stop them every few feet, the hardwood floor squeaking under their shoes each time they stop short. They manage to make it to the office door without any sign of Zombies lurking within. Mika slides the key into the respective hole, turning it hesitantly until he hears a soft ‘click’ signaling the door unlocked. Hope’s flashlight begins to flicker, the beam struggling to stay lit as she smacks the bottom softly trying to keep it running. A growling sound is heard as soon as the light dies. Hope shakes the flashlight feverishly before the light turns back on, shining dimly into the lifeless eyes of the half dozen Zombies standing in front of them.

“Mika, open the door,” Amanda screams.

“I’m trying, the damn things stuck again,” He yells back.

“MIKA, OPEN THE DOOR!” Amanda screams again before the trio falls inside the office, John and Karen slamming it shut in front of them.

“What’s going on out there?” Fanny asks.

“We’re here to save you!” Hope declares as she gets back to her feet.

“Save us from what?” Sarah asks.

“A horde,” Mika replies coldly.

“How many?” Fanny asks remaining calm.

“It looked like half a dozen,” Amanda replies, “but it looked like more through the cameras.”

“Wait, what?” Fanny asks.

“They have this whole place set up, with video cameras and motion detectors,” Hope says with a smile, “isn’t that cool?”

“Yeah wonderful,” Fanny replies almost blowing her off, “wait, are you telling me, you guys have power?”

“Only in the bunker,” Amanda replies, “there is a self-sustained generator. The Major rigged it to charge by bike pedal.”

“Who the hell is the Major?” John asks, “Sounds like some sort of hard ass.”

Mika punches him in the arm hard, “The Major saved our lives.”

“Yeah he sounds great,” Fanny says pushing past the drama, “what can you tell me about the generator? Can we use it to send out a radio signal?”

“It is possible,” Amanda says.

“No, it’s not,” Mika says giving her an evil look. “The Major only keeps the generator powered up enough to keep the few lights we have left on, and the cameras.”

“Really? We couldn’t send one message back home?” Fanny asks.

“Look I don’t make the rules, the Major does,” Mika says before scratching and pounding sounds start to be heard from the door.

“I think we need to survive those monsters behind the door first,” Karen says with a shudder.

“Not a problem,” Hope says holding up the machete.

Fanny taps her on the shoulder and takes the old blade from her with relative ease before she slides it into the handle of her father’s old katana with her free hand. Hope tosses the dead flashlight to the side and grips the handle with both hands giving Fanny a nod as her friend retrieves her machete from her bag. They stand side by side, the rest of the group spread out around them, each with their own weapons drawn. They all wait with anticipation as the door begins to break. The door flies open, shattering as it connects with the wall. The first Zombie storms into the room grunting and growling as it makes its way for Mika. He slices the blade of his machete sideways, making a connection with the Zombie’s neck. The creature lets out a loud, high-pitched squeal as it drops to its knees. Mika fights to remove the dull old blade with very little success.

“I’m having problems getting my machete free,” he screams as the next couple of Zombies raid the room.

“Do what you can,” Fanny says cutting off one of the foul creature’s heads, “we’ve got your back.”

One by one more Zombies enter the room. They start to overpower the group as their numbers begin to close in on them, backing them each into a circle. Mika still without his blade starts instead firing off pistol shots one by one trying to buy the others as much time as possible.

“I thought you said there was only a dozen of them?!” Fanny calls out kicking a few of them back.

“That’s all we could see,” Mika replies still firing off rounds until his gun runs dry, “I’m out.”

“Here,” Amanda says tossing him a clip, “it’s my last clip so make it count.”

“We need to find a way out of here,” Hope cries.

“She’s right. Even if we can fight them off, eventually it won’t matter because we won’t be able to move,” John says cutting off a Zombie’s arm before kicking it back and slicing off its head.

“There has to be another way out of this room,” Fanny says.

“Just that door,” Amanda replies, “and right now it seems a little occupied.”

“Then I guess this is the day we die,” Mika says.

“No. Today is the day they have to fight for their supper,” Hope says slashing her sword.

She drives through the massive amount of bodies lying on the ground around her. Her boots chug and scrap along the blood soaked carpet as she shuffles along waving for the others to follow her as she makes a path. They manage to retreat out of the office as sunlight starts to peer in through the stain glass windows. The colorful light almost clears a path for them as Amanda leads them down to the basement. Karen lets out a scream as a Zombie grabs her leg and knocks her to the ground. John rushes over to help, only to make it in time to see the Zombie sink its teeth right into her neck, silencing her. Blood spills out onto the hardwood along with her larynx and the rest of her throat. John swings the machete blade with a force of rage. Tears spill out of his eyes as he drops down beside her body not caring that another creature is standing behind him. Light bounces off a blade that cuts through the monster’s neck. The Zombie falls and reveals Sarah standing behind it.

“Fight now; cry later,” She says helping him up, “now we’ve got to go.”

John wipes his face on the sleeve of his shirt before taking his hand. They follow the others down the stairs, the remaining horde struggling to follow them. Amanda rushes over to the control panel, struggling to enter the code in the low light of the basement. Fanny flicks on her flashlight and hands it to her. Fanny turns around to check on her group when she sees a pair of eyes reflecting the light, standing right behind Mika. She rushes over, knocking John and Sarah over as she does. She manages to push Mika out of the way just as the creature goes to take a bite out of him. She can feel the sting of its teeth piercing through her shoulder and down to the bone. She fights off the pain just enough to slash the beast with her good arm, making sure to send the blade all the way through. Mika pulls her away as the Zombie’s decapitated body falls to the ground. More Zombies can be seen stumbling down the stairs as they pile into the elevator. The doors creak shut as the elevator starts its descent downward.

“Her shoulder, it’s bleeding badly,” Mika says cupping his hand over it trying to slow down the blood loss.

Fanny cries out in pain as he pushes harder, the blood staining his hands and starting to pool out between his fingers.

“As soon as we get down to the base we need to rush her to medical,” Amanda says tearing off a strip of her own shirt and wrapping it tightly around her arm just near the bite. “That should help, but she is losing a lot of blood, there isn’t much time to waste.”

Fanny’s eyes roll into the back of her head before she blacks out. The elevator doors open and Mika picks up his savior and rushes her out and down the white hallway, drops of red blood falling behind like breadcrumbs in the woods. Amanda is right behind him with the others still trying to come to terms with everything that just transpired. Hope is running her fingers through her hair as she starts to gasp for air, almost to the point of hyperventilation.

“Glad to see you survived your little mission,” The Major says walking over to her.

The tears stop almost immediately when she hears his voice, her eyes bloodshot and red fill with hate and anger. She drops her sword to the ground, the clanging of the metal on the floor like music as she punches the Major right in the face, knocking him back a few steps. She continues to swing wildly.

“You could have helped us,” She screams, “you could have had the elevator waiting for us, you knew we were coming back you son of a bitch!”

John and Sarah grab her arms and pull her away from the Major. He takes out a square of cloth from his pants pocket and wipes the blood off his lip.

“Yes I could have,” He admits, “but I told you not to go, I warned you. But no, you had to go and be the hero and save your friends. Well this is the consequence of your actions. Now one of your friends is dead and the other is in serious condition. And both of those are your fault.”

“Yeah but we’re still alive because of her,” Sarah says angrily.

“Yeah if she listened to you then we would have all been killed,” John chimes in.

“A small price to pay for security,” The Major says in a cruel tone.

“You’re a monster,” Sarah says, her voice in almost a whisper.

“No, I’m a survivor. I know what it takes. And if that means sacrificing a human life every once in a while then so be it!” His rugged voice echoes off the bare walls of the bunker catching the attention of every resident inside, but not a one says a thing. In fact most seem to ignore him, “See, even they know it. You’re just the only one stupid enough not to realize it.”

“I’d rather die a hundred death then let people I care about suffer. It might seem stupid to you, but in my opinion, you are worse than those… CREATURES out there,”

“Watch what you say to me little girl, or you’ll find yourself back out there with those things,” The Major says with a sly smirk before turning his back and slowly walking away, but not before adding one last thing that irks Hope some more. “You may want to find your friend in the infirmary and say goodbye. It’s not likely that she’ll make it through the day.”

John and Sarah struggle to hold her back as she tries to wriggle herself free.

“It’s not worth it right now,” John says in a whisper.

“Yeah, we should check on Fanny just in case,” Sarah agrees.”

“Fine,” Hope says pulling her arms away.

They follow the drops of blood to the infirmary. A giant Red Cross is painted on the sliding glass door. The trio watch closely not wanting to disturb anything. Amanda looks up and notices them at the door and waves them in, a worried look on her face.

“How is she?” Hope asks.

“The doctor was able to close the wound fairly quickly. He also gave her a shot of antibiotics and the last of the painkillers we have,” She says with a wary smile.

“Does that mean she’ll be alright?” John asks as he watches Hope stroke her friend’s hair.

“No, he’s afraid that she lost too much blood. And I’m afraid our reserve blood is dried up, or whatever we do have left is severely out of date. So unless we find her a match I don’t know what we can do,” Amanda sighs.

“Where’s Mika?” Sarah asks.

“He’s with the doctor checking the records of each of the few survivors we have left to see if we have a match,” Amanda replies.

Hope’s eyes start to water again as her eyes look up and down her friend’s body. Her shirt had been removed to give easy access to the bite mark. A gray sports bra keeps her covered but Hope slides the thin white bed sheet just past her breasts.

“Take mine,” Hope says, her eyes never leaving Fanny’s pale face as she speaks.

“But if it’s not a match it would kill her,” Amanda says.

“We are both A positive,” Hope says with an unpleasant chuckle, “I know because I remember when I was seven or eight my father was training me outback with a machete. I really didn’t want to, I was scared I was just a little girl but he insisted. He took a few light swings at me, it wasn’t much but it scared me enough to back me up without looking. I tripped and split my chin on a rock. The medical team on the island stitched me up but said I needed some blood. They did a quick check and found Fanny was a match. Now I want to repay her for that day.”

“We are going to have to take a lot of blood,” Amanda warns.

“I don’t care if you take it all,” Hope says, “just save my friend.”

“That won’t be necessary,” Mika says coming back into the room with the doctor beside him.

The doctor is an older gentleman. His head is partially bald, with dark hair grazing around the side and the back of his head. He is wearing a white doctor’s jacket with the name Belcourt embroidered on the front. A clipboard clenched within his two boney hands.

“We are only going to need a pint or two,” The doctor says flipping over a few pages on his clipboard.

“Will it save her?” Hope asks.

“It’s a start,” The doctor says, “after we give her the blood it the rest will be up to her and her will to live.”

“Then let’s get started,” Hope says roll up her sleeve and sliding a chair over to Fanny’s bed.

The doctor nods and wipes her arm down with a cool cloth before placing the tip of the needle against her skin, “this is going to sting a bit,” he says driving the sharp point deep beneath her skin only stopping when he reaches the vein. Hope lets out a short grunt and cry as he digs around. His fingers are bony and rough against her tender skin. He holds the needle still; his thumb gripped tightly around her arm as he tapes the needle down. He clamps the end of the needle stopping the rush of blood from going anywhere. “Now don’t move that arm too much. I wouldn’t want you to blow a vein.”

Hope sits as still as possible, watching carefully as the doctor proceeds to stick Fanny’s arm. He then positions them carefully as blood starts to run from her to her friend. She can feel her head start to become lighter; the room starts to spin slowly around her. She tries to shake it off but only manages to give herself a headache.

“Are you ok?” Sarah asks.

“I…I’m beginning to feel dizzy,” Hope responds.

“She’s losing too much blood,” Amanda says, catching her before she could fall out of the chair.

The doctor rushes over and begins to check out Hope’s body. He lifts up her shirt his hand squishing as he sees the gash in her stomach, slowly leaking. Thick amounts of blood coat her pale skin. The doctor goes for the needle but is stopped by Hope’s free hand.

“No,” She says weakly.

“If I don’t take that needle out and patch you up, then you are going to die,” Doctor Bettencourt says.

“Then let me die,” Hope says trying to sit up.

“You don’t understand,” Doctor Bettencourt starts, “you are getting delirious from blood loss.”

“No I understand,” Hope says as the room grows fuzzy, “but I don’t care. I’m willing to give every last drop of blood to save her.”

“There is no saving her,” The doctor says forcibly, “there is nothing you can do.”

His words hit Hope hard. She lets out a loud gasp, her face draining of all color just before she loses consciousness.