UnEarthed

Chapter 22

It is dark by the time they arrive at the theater. Everyone climbs out of their cars and look around. The atmosphere is thick and gives everyone a sense of dread. The old theater looks to be over fifty years old and by its exterior, it seems as though Mother Nature has not been gentle. Most of the windows are busted and the marquee over the entrance is worn with a cluster of holes in it. The building is surrounded by a chain length fence that is closed with a chain and lock.

Joe tells another hunter to grab the bolt cutters from his truck and then turns to Rob. "We need a game plan going in here. I have no idea how many zombies are here."

"We should split up into teams and cover more ground." Rob answers.

"Meet back here in an hour?"

"Yeah..."

Joe reveals the plan to the other hunters while Rob and the team grab their weapons from the car.

"I think I'll join your team tonight." Harry says as he approaches Rob with a gun in each hand.

"Of course." Rob says. "If by some chance, we don't make it out of here, at least we got to hunt together one last time."

"Boy, don't go sentimental on me. We're getting out of here alive." Harry scolds.

Rob shoots him a half smile. "Yes sir."

"I'm gonna load up on ammo." Harry says and scurries away before an awkward moment has a chance to present itself.

As Rob stands near the trunk of his car loading a gun with ammo, Kenzy's face races through his mind. His conscious eats away at him with guilt over not jumping in his car and searching for her. She may have left the team thinking she was protecting them when all he wants to do is protect her. He fumbles a bullet through his fingers and drops it.

Hope picks it up and hands it to him. "Are you okay?"

"Im fine." He grabs the bullet and avoids eye contact.

"Rob..." She places her hand on his shoulder, causing him to lock eyes with her.

"We should be out there looking for Kenzy. What if she's..."

"She's not!" Hope interrupts. "She is alive, Rob. Don't start thinking the worst yet. We will finish this hunt and then head straight for Aurora."

Rob simply nods and turns his attention back to his gun feeling slightly pathetic. He only prays that Hope does not look at him as less of a leader with him acting so vulnerable. He decides to try and bury the thoughts for now and grabs four pairs of night vision goggles. He then hands them to his team members and they all put them on. Harry stands next to them, also wearing a pair. Harry is the one who taught Rob about night vision goggles when hunting at night. As he watches Rob's team getting ready for the hunt, Harry cannot help but feel proud of how strong they have become.

Joe signals for everyone to huddle up near the gate. "Alright, we're gonna break up into groups and take different areas of the theater. We'll meet back here in an hour. I know this theater is two stories. Two teams take the first, two take the second and the others take the perimeter around the building."

"We'll take the first floor." Rob says.

Joe nods. He then grabs the bolt cutters from another hunter and snaps the lock off that is holding the gate shut. He pulls the chain off and slides the gate open. "Let's kill some zombies."