The Apocalypse: Race For The Cure

The Reappearing Act

"Is this the place?" Tim asks, pulling up next to me.

"Yeah." I nod and look at the building where I got my start.

Where this all began.

Where I am became this Ashley...the Ashley I barely even recognize. The Ashley I wish I could turn back everyday. I told Spencer that I wanted to come here to mass produce the cure, which is true in a way, but what I didn't tell her is that I'm also looking for a cure for myself. Something to change me back to the Ashley I was before all this.

I just want to be normal again.

"I'm not sure if this building has been cleared yet so we better tread quietly." I tell him and he gives me a stern nod.

"We'll pull up closer to the building and go the rest on foot." He says and I nod.

"There's a parking deck about a block down, if we get in deep sh...stuff" I correct myself, remembering that Tim's an adult. "...then the garage is directly connected to the building. It'd be a quicker and easier exit." I say and he nods and smiles.

"Good thinking, Ashley. Lead the way." He gestures towards the building. I put the car in drive and head towards the parking garage. After parking we all loaded our weapons and readied ourselves for entry.

"Are we ready?" I turn and ask the group. This is my land, my territory so Tim doesn't mind me taking point on this. Everyone nods as I open the door from the parking garage that leads into the building. I'm in the front with Tim and Aiden on my left and Glen and Spencer on my right. Everyone else is closely behind us the the three kids in the middle. Yes, I included my sister in that group, even though her and Spencer are the same age... logistics.

"What floor is the lab on?" Tim whispers on my left.

"Fifth." I answer just as softly.

"This place is creepy." Glen says and shutters for effect.

"I think I'm gonna have to agree with my brother on this one." Spencer chimes in.

"Well it is a lab, all labs are super creepy." Aiden pipes up.

"Guys we should keep really quiet..." I turn and say to the group, "...we don't know if there are-"

"Too late." Glen says as his eyes go wide and he nods behind me.

"Great!" I half shout as I turn around and load my cross-bow. I take a shot and hit three zombies at once but that means nothing when there are over two dozen running towards you at full speed. Now that I think about it... why do we call them walkers?

"Let's go!" Tim bellows out and takes off to my left where the stairs are. I let the rest of the group follow him, opting to be the last one up. I have the best shot at taking out more walkers. Once the group is in the stairwell I reload my bow twice, taking out four more walkers then take off up the stairs behind the group.

"Ashley!" I hear Spencer shout from somewhere on the stairwell, I guess she didn't realize I'd stayed behind.

"I'm here!" I yell up to her.

"You two are pathetic." Glen says and laughs.

"I will push you down the stairs." Spencer retorts.

I inwardly chuckle as I run up the stairs to catch up with them as fast as I can.

"The door is locked from the inside." Mr. Carlin says in almost a panic. I look down the stairs and see the zombies still hot on our trail. I throw my bow over my shoulder and take a pin from my pocket.