Wither With Me

CHAPTER 57 - HERO

The metal stairs of the helipad rattled violently under the weight of several people. With the weapons of the military roaring behind her back, Claire flew upstairs, following Nora and Lilian.

All civilians bunched up close to the border of the platform, which was about fifteen meters in diameter and decorated with a large, white letter H.

As if welcoming them, the rescue helicopter, now clearly visible in the sky, approached the tower. It was a gigantic vehicle, much bigger than conventional helicopters, driven by two enormous rotors that emitted a deafening sound.

'Is that thing going to fit up here!?'

On the back of the helicopter, the access ramp was open, and two soldiers observed the situation from above. The vehicle positioned itself over the helipad, and one of the soldiers pulled out a megaphone.

"Watch out!! Stay away from the center of the platform!!" he announced.

The strong winds produced by the rotors made hearing difficult. Claire saw several soldiers working together to push something that looked like a chest, until they dropped it into the void, towards the helipad.

The box impacted the concrete with a dull sound, creating a thin dust mist, and it slid some meters in the direction of the stairs. Colonel Rowan ran to the box and opened it, revealing a stash of weapons and ammunition.

"Attention! The rescue team needs some minutes to land the helicopter! Everyone who's able to fight, arm yourselves!! Hurry!!"

Only a few dared to grab the weapons, but those who did showed no hesitation, taking position near the edge of the helipad and opening fire on the shamblers emerging from the stairwell. The soldiers had lost their ground, and got farther and farther away from the stairwell, while the corpses piled up by dozens.

William rushed to Claire's side, and almost grabbed her by the shoulders, although he didn't do it, perhaps upon noticing her wounds.

"Claire...! Where's Eleanor!?"

Claire felt her heart sinking. She had completely forgotten. She had lost sight of her when they were forced to evacuate the area due to the gas attack.

"A-Ah...! I don't know...!!"

"What do you mean!? Are you kidding!? You were supposed to—!"

"Down there...!" said a female voice by their side.

Stella, armed with a rifle, pointed at something. Following her finger, Claire spotted her. Very hidden among the air conditioning units of the rooftop. Very close to the place the shamblers were pouring from.

"Fuck...!" mumbled William, bolting towards the helipad stairs.

'N-No, she was my responsibility...! Not again!'

Claire pounced on the weapon box. Most of it was combat rifles, which she had no idea how to use. She rummaged among the supplies, and laid her eyes on a pistol.

'Ah!'

Unconsciously, she found herself back on the lower area of the rooftop, following William's steps. It didn't matter she was wounded. It didn't matter she was tired. She had to make that last effort.

"What're you doing here!? Go back to the helipad!!" shouted one of the soldiers as soon as he saw them.

They could barely hold the shambler wave back. The bodies piled up in front of the stairwell door, but that didn't slow them down in the slightest. They erupted outside en masse, pushing and climbing over the corpses.