To Save or Kill Them

Chapter 4: Three's A Charm

The Next Morning.       

Nathan reached for bow the moment he heard the movement outside. He held his breath and glanced over to see Alex sleeping peacefully. He had no idea what could possibly be outside and making such a racket, but whoever it was they were not dead. He rose quietly to his feet and peered out the gap in the door. An eye shot into view causing him to fall back into the dirt. The person pulled at the door but Nathan had the lock still set in place. Granted it was as simple as one on an apartment door but it held up and did the job.

“Stop!” Nathan barked at the intruder.

Caught by surprise by the anger behind the command the intruder stopped rattling the door.

Slowly Nathan rose to his feet once more and undid the lock. The handle sprang from his hand as the perpetrator pulled it open. Nathan was caught by the collar and thrown to the ground. He pushed up on the grass beneath him and stood. A boy not much older than Nathan matched his stare. Nathan dove for his legs, wrestling him to the ground. They rolled until Nathan managed to get a strong grip on the man’s neck with his legs.

The man gasped for air. Nathan caught a glimpse of something in the man’s hand, a blade. Swiftly Nathan caught his wrist as he tried to strike. He held it as tight and firmly as he could, while trying to maneuver the blade from his hand. He slammed his wrist across a rock knocking the knife from his hand and into the bushes. He lessened his grip on his neck and pinned him on his back with his knee.

“Are you crazy? What the heck man?!” Nathan growled at him.

The man tried to get out from under Nathan, but was unsuccessful.  “Get off me.” The man ordered.

“Now why would I do that?” Nathan leaned close to the man’s ear and whispered. “Who are you?”

“Randy, Randy Cross. Now please get off of me.”

Nathan pulled out the knife he kept at his belt and held it to the back of Randy’s neck. “Give me one good reason why I should.”

“I… I can help you.”

Nathan drew back his knife and turned Randy over. “Help me with what?”

“You’re trying to protect someone… are they hurt? I’m a doctor and scientist for the Marines; well I was until the outbreak.”

“If I let you go you will help us?” Nathan asked him quietly.

“Yes…”

Slowly and hesitantly Nathan released Randy. He watched him intently as he rose to his feet; no one had trust in other people, especially outsiders. People couldn’t be trusted and Nathan knew this, for all he knew Randy could kill both him and Alex. But they did need help and if Randy could provide that it was worth the risk.

“Now, what happened to them?” Randy asked rubbing his sore neck.

“First of all it’s her.” Nathan said bitterly.

“Well, I’m sorry, what happened to her?”

Nathan stood above the door to the hideout, blocking Randy’s view, “She took an arrow to the shoulder.”

Nathan could tell that Randy was trying to hide his laughter, “So, how did that happen exactly?”

Nathan did all he could to bite back his anger, “We were cornered and had to get to the next building. Long story short, she landed on the arrow during her fall.”

Randy listened carefully taking in the details he could as Nathan explain the wound more.  “How large was the arrow head?”

Nathan thought for a moment, “About two inches...”

Randy nodded, “And you said this injury occurred yesterday?”

 “Yes.”

“We don’t have much time, now judging by your description she’ll need medicine, plenty of rest and water. With how things are now, infection won’t take long to set in, but medicine is hard to come by.”

“Thanks for telling me what I already know.” Nathan said pacing to and from the hideout.

Alex’s head popped up from the doors. She looked around but completely ignored Randy. She heard the two arguing, god are they stupid. She pulled up her bow, arrow already set in place. She released her grip and sent it whirling just past the man’s ear. It made contact straight through the dead’s skull. Slowly she stepped out of the hideout and had a new arrow set within seconds. Her movements were so clean and swift she could pass for a pro. That’s what the military does to you, but her expertise comes from shooting back at home.

Nathan was suddenly jerked into action and fully alert. It had not occurred to him that their argument would attract the dead. He cursed himself for being so stupid and slid into the hideout. He took his bow and slung the bag of supplies and spare arrows over his shoulder. He came back up to see that Alex had already taken out three other uninvited guests.

Randy watched in amazement as the two worked so quickly. Neither of them spoke, it was as if they had an understanding and routine. With how things are now it was no surprise if they did have a routine. He searched the bushes for his blade, looking over occasionally to make sure he was not alone. He found it and a set of feet with it. He dropped back just as the dead went to strike. He sliced her Achilles tendon and rolled back, landing on his feet. He rose quickly and moved out of the way just in time for an arrow wiz by where he had stood just moments before.

He dashed over to where Nathan and Alex stood and surveyed the trees.  Nathan nodded at Alex and took the lead. Randy’s knees knocked together at every slow and painful step they took. They had to move, the hideout was exposed and it was only a matter of time before the dead came pouring in. Nathan led them towards their back up hideout. It served for only temporary use, due to its size and visibility. It was two miles from the path to the city, but it was nothing compared to the journeys they had made before. If two miles is what it takes for safety, then it’s worth the journey.

Alex stopped and listened as the heavy breeze flowing up in the trees carried a strange sound. Nathan’s reaction was delayed; he motioned for the party to stop and turned to Alex, who was ten feet behind. A strange expression crossed Alex’s face. It was running, the sound of something running. It wasn’t the unsteady and sloppy pace of the dead, but quick and swift humanlike footsteps.

Alex motioned Nathan back and kept her bow fixed toward the noise. Nathan walked backwards to Alex and followed her line of vision. Something dashed past the tree line and disappeared into the shadows. Nathan led the party silently into the bushes and knelt beside a tree out of view.

Two men burst from the trees and stopped running to catch their breath. They surveyed the area and reloaded their guns. Randy started to step forward, but Alex caught his wrist.

“Let go.” Randy hissed. “They’re not infected.”

“But what they are running from is. Think about it. Why would they be running if there is not something behind them?” Alex whispered.

Randy pulled his wrist away and continued to move. He stopped dead in his tracks as a dozen of the dead emerged from the trees.

The two men had no time to react and were swarmed in seconds. Gunfire and screams filled the air. The three soldiers watched in horror as the two men were torn to shreds right on the spot.

Nathan held his finger to his lips and motioned them to follow. They had no chance on the dirt path, so they would have to go around.