The Boss Is Dead

Chp:6 The First Loss

With the group safely in the stairwell catching their breath, Ben asked "Now what? Zombies are still out there."

Greg peered through the window in the door. "Place looks clear for now but... who knows how long."

Diana shuddered. "I vote we get as far from those things as possible."

"I second that," agreed Amanda.

Just then, a crashing sound came and echoed from below, causing them all to jump. "What was that?" whispered Sarah with wide eyes.

Ben crept to the edge and peered over. "I don't see any—wait, Larry what are you doing?!"

Down several flights, Larry was frantically kicking at a stuck door, grunts of exertion punctuated by the undead groans outside. As if they would break the door any moment; but, who knows?

"Stupid thing won't budge," he huffed, oblivious to the danger.

"Dagnabbit door...shouldn't a person be able to kick in a simple exit without summoning the undead?! You just wait til I find the lazy maintenance worker who—urk!"

"Larry, look out!" shouted Ben. A hand had emerged through the crack in the jammed door, grasping blindly.

Before Larry could turn, rotting fingers snagged his ankle in an iron grip. With a curse, he toppled backward just as the door flew open under the zombies' assault.

Three zombies spilled out, jaws snapping for Larry's legs that were flailing. Teeth sank into flesh with a spray of gore. Larry let out an unearthly shriek that everybody even the zombies from one floor down could have heard.

Ben froze in horror. "Son of a—we gotta help him!" He took off down the steps three at a time.

Greg glanced uneasily at the floor below. "Guys wait... it's too late! More are coming."

Sure enough, Larry's cries had summoned a veritable parade. Before long, the stairway was packed with shuffling dead.

Ben skidded to a halt, cursing.

Peeking through the rails, Sarah felt queasy watching Larry's thrashing legs being dragged downward like pulled pork. "Blegh... can we find a nicer view? This isn't doing my empty stomach any favors."

Down below, Larry kicked and clawed weakly as the color drained from his features. His screams ceased with dreadful finality.

The zombies rose as one, turning their milky gaze upwards. Might be drawn by the panicked breaths above. With a throaty moan, the horde began to climb.

"So much for the clear place," said Jason with a gulp. Everyone shot him annoyed looks through teary eyes.

"There's too many... we'll never outrun them in these tight quarters," panted Diana.

Ben racked his brains, glancing frantically around the enclosed space. Then his eyes fell on a ceiling tile above, out of reach of course. But through the slats, it looked like a crawlspace.

"Quick... help me up!" He ordered. Greg hoisted him onto his shoulders and Ben pried off the tile, revealing a shadowy crawlspace overhead.

One by one they hauled each other up just as grasping arms emerged onto their level. With a final shove, Ben kicked the tile back into place, plunging them into darkness.

Below, moans and scratches echoed as the undead masses filled the stairwell, oblivious to their prey tucked safely out of sight. For now.

"Well...that was close," said Greg, breaking the tense silence.

"You think?" snapped Amanda.

"Poor Larry getting dragged off like that. Really puts things in perspective... you know?" She wiped a tear from her eye. They all felt sad for Larry, may he rest in peace. Even Jason kept his mouth shut for once.