Dead Air (English Version)

Chapter One: Part Three [3]

They all went back into the backroom of the gadget store. Terrified and trapped in their thoughts; they had no energy to speak out a word. Nigel just leaned on the wall and slid down until he sat. Everything just felt so heavy. He rubbed his face and grabbed his hair in frustration. He looked up to inhale more air as his breath became more shallow. His chest was still tight. He closed his eyes and still, the sight of Noah being feasted on was vivid in his mind. He can't imagine the pain he was suffering during his last moments. Even though he didn't know him that much, for him, he doesn't deserve to go out that way. No one deserves to go out that way.

He didn't even notice Joseph by his side, until he placed his right arm on his shoulders, with his hand gently squeezing his arms. He shifted his gaze to him and their eyes met. "It was his eyes," he realized. It was Joseph's eyes that calm him every time he loses his mind, he is afraid and hopeless. His brown eyes were speaking to him in a different way. "How can he be so calm during these moments?" he asked himself.

He looked away and turned his sight to the others. Derek was massaging his forehead, looking at the floor. Era, on the other hand, was silently crying; she was hugging her legs while burying her mouth on her knees to control her sobs. And by her side was Czarina, hugging her and rubbing her back.

No one attempted to break the silence for hours. Nigel fell asleep on the floor but from time to time, he kept waking up because of his horrible dreams and his system warning him of the zombies lurking around. Joseph was by his side all the time, snoring faintly. Derek and the others were wide awake, just waiting for the time to pass by. It was already dark when Nigel woke up and decided to give up on having a good sleep. He was hungry and thirsty.

He slowly got up and noticed the others, through their silhouettes, were already eating. The only light they had was a small solar-powered lamp that only gave off a faint illumination. He slowly got up and leaned on the wall. He stretched a bit and massaged his left arm which he used as his pillow.

"Let's eat." Joseph handed him a canned good.

He took the opened canned tuna flakes from Joseph and began eating using a disposable plastic spoon. Even if he was used to cooking the canned goods, it still tasted good because of his hunger. They all had their dinner silently until Derek cleared his throat and broke the silence.

"Alright, guys. I just want to share what I was thinking these past few hours. I have a plan," Derek announced.

"What is it?" Joseph asked.

"Tomorrow, we will take Noah's remains. After that, I will be going to my family's farm. I will bury him there. It's a one-week hike from here, I think. I believe it's safer there; there are fences, hunting rifles, food, water sources, radio, and shelter. We will never survive here. I know we all just met and we don't know that much of each other, but I am inviting you to join me. We will have a much greater chance at survival if we're together. I'll give you time to think about this."

Nigel stopped eating and looked at Joseph, who put the empty can aside. "What do you think?"

"I think it's worth the risk, 'Gel. If that place is much safer than here; where we have enough food and water, then I see no point in staying here much longer. What I always want is a safe place from these zombies."

"I agree. We will never survive in this city." He nodded and they both turned their attention to Derek.

"We're coming with you."

THE SUN CAME up and they walked out of their hiding. The zombies were gone in the mall, but still, they remained cautious in their every move in fear of attracting them again. They brought their backpacks full of supplies, weapons, and other things they would need along the way. Back on the ground floor, they went to the elevator where Noah died.

His only remains were pieces of his bones, dried bloodstains on the wall and floor, and shredded clothes. Noah's machete was also left on the floor, bloodstained, mixed with his remains. Nigel chose to stay at the back of the group to avoid seeing the bloodshed; he still couldn't forget how Noah died. Derek on the other hand, took out a blanket from his backpack and laid it on the floor. He picked up the broken spine, a skull with a few strands of hair and and a little flesh of its scalp, the broken hip, and a few detached finger bones; placed them on the blanket, and wrapped them up. He secured it with a knot and tied it to his backpack.

But Nigel felt something eerie. There was this wave of heat in the air that was different. He felt this warm air hugging him from behind that speaks something. He turned around only to be surprised by an old naked woman; with a few strands of hair left on her head; and a body full of dried bloodstains. She let out a guttural scream and charged at them. Nigel froze but he immediately reached for Joseph. In a snap, the next thing he saw was Era, screaming in pain as she dropped to the floor. The zombie climbed over her and clawed her face repeatedly.

The place was filled with Era's cry for help and the zombie's growl. Derek picked up the machete and chopped the back of the old woman's neck. Its flesh was torn and a dark red blood flowed out. The zombie shrieked in pain. Derek was about to chop its neck again but the old woman swung its right arm and shoved Derek away. Czarina rushed to Derek and helped him back up. And the old woman began biting Era's neck, sucking out her blood and gnawing her flesh.

Nigel picked up the improvised spear that Czarina dropped and stabbed the zombie in its face. The knife went through its nose and brain. The old woman screeched, pulled its face away, and was about to attack him next. Good thing Joseph was quick to step in; he grabbed the machete from Derek and in one strong swing, he beheaded the zombie. Its head rolled away and the body dropped on the floor, next to Era.

Nigel rushed to Era and checked on her. She was choking on her blood and she couldn't utter a word. Her face was full of blood; her cheeks and nose were clawed so hard and couldn't stop bleeding. Her white shirt was soaked with the blood that was also pooling around her. Before he could even touch her, Joseph pulled his arm.

"We need to go!"

"But—"
He threw his gaze to where Joseph was looking and there he saw a horde of zombies rushing towards them.

"Nigel!"

Joseph dragged him in with all his strength. He quickly stood back up and ran and they both followed Derek, who was limping, and Czarina.