Walking Among the Dead

Part 2.2 (On the Road Again): Chapter 8

Walking Among the Dead: On the Road Again

CHAPTER 8

Mike and Chuck pick up Ryan and the group runs through the gates. Assuming those who spoke let this whole horrific incident play out and waited to open the gate, Andrew screams up to them, "And why should we put down our weapons? How can we trust someone who just watched one of our friends get bit"?

The voice hollers back, "Because ours are stronger," and proves so by picking off a couple of the freaks outside the gate which had been coming from behind. This arrogance does nothing more than further piss off the group and John begins picking up his axe over his shoulder and is stopped by Alex who silently tells him with his eyes to drop the issue for now.

Paul looks to Martin, "Bit?! See, this was a horrible idea you dumbass!"

Richards comes running to the group, which still has their weapons drawn, "How many of you are there?" is his first question.

Andrew answers, "Seventeen," then remembers Nikhil is no longer with them and adds with a frown and a tear, "Well, sixteen now."

"Is that including the bit one?" Richards asks instinctively quick.

"Um, yes? Of course," Andrew asks, offended and confused.

Paul hollers down from the tower, "Richards, I said it was a bad idea. I told Martin not to-"

He's interrupted by Richards, "Can it, Private. Follow me, kids." Andrew's group puts their weapons away but keeps them nonetheless, and slowly begins to walk behind the military man who appears to be in a hurry. Everything that just happened took place way too quickly and they're more concerned in getting Ryan help so they control the aggression for now. Richards leads them into a building that is almost entirely one giant room in a state of disaster. There are papers everywhere, tables on their sides, chairs flipped over, and very few people inside who appear to be moving; very lifeless. Andrew spots a pair of binoculars and realizes they were watching from inside as well. Before he can begin to question the suspicious man about it, Richards asks for the "hurt one's" name and Andrew's friends look around, them all being hurt in one way or another at this point. Richards then commands, "Bring Ryan behind that curtain over there, there's a doctor. Then come with me."

Alex speaks up, still feeling guilty, "What will the doctor be able to do for him?"

Richards looks at him and stutters, "Where have you guys been this whole time? There are apparently more things for us to discuss than I thought." He takes a better look at the warrior group of teenagers and adds, "When did you guys last have something real to eat?" as he catches Mike eating a bag of chips at the back of the group and dripping blood out of his cheek down his face right alongside his mouth. The group paints a picture of absolute exhaustion and depression. "First things first, you kids need cleaned up. We've got limited hot water, but I can't imagine being covered in all that shit for a second longer. Follow me." Walking away, they hear the doctor talking about painkillers and Ryan's cries slowly calm down.

They're lead to a large bathroom with several different stalls for showers and take turns, a few at a time, standing in the steam and letting the hot water not only cleanse their bodies but temporarily their minds as well. Dried blood streams down their legs, layers at a time and the hot water on their sore and tired shoulders helps their bodies enough to focus on their mental and emotional pain. Some of the group members break down in tears at the thought of Nikhil and now Ryan. Maybe it hasn't even been twelve hours since John and Andrew saw the first freak behind the garage but so much has happened and this is the first time they've been able to take a second and try to let their tired minds register it all. John walks up to Andrew, with nothing but a towel wrapped around his lower half, "Where'd they say they were bringing our clothes?"