When I Die

Ch.20

Keith

I fucked up. I fucked up everything.

I should've taken her somewhere else, anywhere else. I should've known the neighborhoods wouldn't be safe. Tons of families, tons of food for the biters. If I had stuck to the god damn highway, I wouldn't be looking at her horrified face. 

I was a survivalist. I knew how to weld knives and shoot guns. I knew how to take them apart and clean them. I knew how to end a man's life with my bare hands, yet I had no clue how to get us out of this.

Its been two hours and the herd doesn't seem to be thinning. We could wait another few hours but unless something else distracts them, we'll still be in the middle. I could try to drive us through the herd, but the blood and guts will probably cause us to get stuck.

"Keith," Perry touched my hand and my eyes shot up to hers. God, she was so beautiful. I can't believe I was such a fucking prick to this girl.

"What is it, Per?" I tried my best to give her a non-bullshit smile.

"We'll get through this. Its fine." She smiled and I nodded. If I believed in some higher being, Id be praying.

***

After another couple of hours, the heard began to thin. There wasn't a sign of it actually stopping, but we could make a break for it. 

"Perry, I need you to listen to me." I cupped her face with both of my hands, clearly a mistake as my hands nearly engulfed her entire face. It was a cute sight.

After she nodded and I made sure she wasn't zoning out, We went over the game plan. 

The next opening we see, we're gonna make a run for the building across the way. The front window was busted, but it looks like a business which means there's a chance there's a cash room. Solid steel door equals safety. Its not much better then a car, but at  least we wont be exposed in the open. Not to mention, we can finally make food and rest safely. 

We'll have to grab the duffels out of the backseat, but its almost fool proof. 

"How long do you think they'll stay around?" Perry asked, I could tell she was anxious. I was too.

"Hopefully not much longer. I'm sure a deer or random car alarm will cause them to leave." By tonight they'll have made themselves scarce and we can get back on track. 

After a few more hours, the herd began to thin and it was dark. We could do this.

"Alright, it looks like there's a gap. Are you ready?" I grabbed the hunting knife from the holster by my boot and Perry did the same. With a nod, we both hopped out of the car. The automatic lights made it feel like a beacon. 

I ripped open the back door and grabbed both duffels. The biters that passed us didn't seem to notice the car lights, but the ones behind, began beelining it straight for us. 

"Perry, Go!" I yelled as they began to close in. Before I knew it, both duffels were on the ground and I was being grabbed from different biters. I swung and slashed, cold blood coated my hands. Body after body dropped until there was once again, a gap.

I frantically looked around for my girl, she was nowhere to be seen. Thank god. I grabbed the duffels and followed the path of bodies to the building across the street. It looked like it could've been a boutique. Mannequins and dresses were scattered across the floor.  

I hopped through the smashed window and carefully worked my way to the back. Broken glass crushed beneath my boots. The shop smelled like copper and cheap perfume. 

"Perry?" I called a little louder then a whisper. I didn't want to draw those fuckers back.

I followed the 'Staff Only' sign, pushing through the double doors, I followed the hallway to the steel door. 

My heart dropped at the sight of a fresh bloody handprint on the door. 

"Perry!" I yelled and pounded on the door, it opened before I could swing a second time. The door creaked on its' hinges and a pale Perry was on the other side. I opened the door the rest of the way and tossed the duffels on the floor.

"Per, whats wrong? What happened?" I grabbed her shoulders and she winced, the sound of water hitting the floor made me look down to see a puddle of red blood.

Her sleeve was torn open and mangled flesh could be seen, "No." I shook my head.

"I got bit."