Undead Defenders

Chapter: 8 The Waking Night

From the distance you could see Ambers group driving in the wave of traffic. "So you are telling me that we have to storm into head quarters. Alarm the city and call for government assistance while we have to deal with angry citizens attacking anyone on site?" Amber in the passenger side back seat just taking a breather after explaining the situation to Carly. "Y-yes..." she spoke while catching her breath. "You sure you aren't high?" Matt interrupted while looking in the rearview mirror. Amber was frustrated by Matts unwanted opinion. "I don't know the full situation there, we can only hope things aren't too bad when we get into town." Joseph kept quiet, focusing on navigating the quickest route to get to their destination.

"Okay Amber, you win. Well go to work, I know you just miss working there." Carly sighed. "But, if you are wrong and this is only a minor riot. You need a long vacation, like a very long one." Amber forgot she had evidence with her phone. "Wait no I have the voice mails to show you!" Calling her voice mail system, she taps onto the missed voice message that was left behind by the director. With the worse of luck to help her case, her phone dies from low battery. "Shit!" she cursed out loud with the current situation not helping. "I forgot to charge my phone..." Joseph hearing her, handed the charging wire to Amber. "Thanks...Joseph." Joseph just smiled to her then continued navigating for Matt.

Focusing onto Catherine peeking from the blind of her apartment, looking outside gathering information for Ron. With her anxiety building up, she worries for her husbands safety. She is truly baffled why Ron would risk his life when its complete chaos. Recalling how a woman running away from her attacker, had she not worn heels she might have gotten away. Only to trip because of the uneven asphalt concrete catching her foot of the heel. As she was on the ground a group of people ganged up on her tearing her from limb from limb. Clear as the night, she could still make out the head of the woman that is still lying against the rim of the car. Although she had promised Ron to let him know when the area is clear. Her own gut feeling tells her that her husband will end up like the woman on the ground. Unfathomable dread was all she could feel. The children unable to sleep due to the events are afraid of their papa's safety.  Especially when screams can be heard from a distance. Hector comforts his two sisters, while staring  at his papa lying on the couch. Occasionally looking over to Catherine, for any signs.

With the noise dying down, Catherine could no longer see any more bodies moving about. Her uneasiness delays her from waking her husband. However, knowing that they need food and supplies she stops her hesitation. She knows Ron would be upset if she did not do what he tasked her.  Making her way to Ron, Hector sees the que and whispers to Marcus, "Papa, wake up it is time." Marcus at first disregarding his sons calls asks for a few more minutes of sleep. With persistence he arose when Hector became more rough with his shaking. Catherine on the other hand, "Hey wake up sleepy head....its quiet and clear right now!" Ron immediately stood up. Grabbed a secret gun compartment that even Catherine did not know about. "Oh m-" She paused for a bit before speaking, "How long have you kept that from me?" Ron just stared to Catherine while he straps more gear onto his person. "Since we got this apartment, we live in a ghetto area after all." Catherine could not believe it, but she could not argue with Ron right now. His resourcefulness and his military background is in dire need right now. Taking a sip of water and using the restroom, he hands Marcus a pocket knife and a Carbon Fiber Flashlight. "Thank you senor Ron, I can not thank you enough."  

"Don't mention it..." while whispering Ron opened the door slowly to test the waters. Understanding the situation he waves to Marcus that they are heading out. Saying his goodbye to  his kids, he grabs a tennis racket that was peaking out of the door. "Wait that is my- " Catherine could not finish her words as Marcus shut the door immediately. She did not mind it, after all she hasn't used it since she got her new design job a few years ago.

Ron still gazing from the stairway waits for Marcus. He can see that there wasn't any oddities. He was mostly a scout when on the field. Rarely ever in combat, but he was capable of it only as the last resort.
"Senor Ron, let us go. I cannot let my children and you struggle from starvation." Ron nodded, pointed to Marcus. "Listen my vehicle isn't too far from here. Wait for me and I'll come pick you up." Marcus obliged and stayed hidden so he would not be seen.

Ron made his way down witnessing the ungodly scenery before him. Had he not been exposed to past traumas he would vomit to the ground. However, he must calm his nerve. Although he wants to help his fellow man and country, he has people he wants to protect. As he took small slow steps he could feel a mushy texture. Knowing all too well it was the guts of a person Ron did not look at it. Ignoring anything unsightly is the best approach. Long as you do not see something fear will not take over.

Making contact at ground level Ron could barely see anything with the night darkening the shadows.  Even though he was rusty, Rons body could still remember the instincts of the battle field. From the dark alley ways he can see a dead person getting devoured. Pointing his gun towards the cannibalistic man, Ron tells him to stop. "Hey! Stop that are you insane?!" Stopping with what it was doing the man looked at Ron, then began continuing its meal.

Not wanting to further any conflict he ignores the lunatic, and continues on his car. Turning he can see someone lunging at him. It was a zombie that had attacked. Currently to Rons knowledge he only identifies them as psychopathic cannibals. With quick reflex he was able to avoid the lunging undead by turning his body to the side. Turning around aiming the pistol at the attacker he aimed for body shots. Ron still keeping his aim at the person yelled out, "Stay down I have a gun!"

Thinking the undead would submit he was shocked that they were unfazed with his threats. Ron did not want to kill, only to pacify. The undead after falling crawled on all fours and began chasing Ron. Ron pulled the trigger. When the bullet made contact, the undead flinched for a bit then continued pursuing. Keeping his distance he shot again. Still aiming for non lethal shots.

"What the hell?" Ron had shot a total of four times, wondering why the undead was not backing off. When it almost reached Ron he pulled out his tactical combat knife. Stepping to the side he accidentally injured the undead. The blade had grazed against the eye. "Sir, are you ok? I think it's best you stop!" Growling towards the voice of Ron it lunged again. Except without its eyes intact it landed against the edge of the stairs. The railings edge point punctured under its jaw. Ron immediately went to check on the attacker.
Seeing the rail poking out through its mouth, Ron quickly called 911.

"Hello?! My name is Ron and I've been attacked, but now thei-" Ron could not believe what he just saw, in all his years in the field he never witnessed such unordinary action. The undead still moving its arms and flailing its legs, unlogged itself off the railing. It's mouth fully exposed bleeding from the jaw being torn off.

"What the fuck?" Ron with no more choice put a bullet to his attacker. With no other choice he could not hesitate anymore. The body now lifeless dropped to the ground. Looking back towards the other individual in the alley he saw that it was still feasting on the corpse. Taking a deep breath he looks elsewhere.

After assuring there was no more unidentified assailants he went to his car. Opening the car door, Ron began vomiting to the ground. Recalling the ungodly event with what he saw. His military background and experience could only do so much. His ptsd returning, it made Ron's heart rate spiraling. Gathering his composure using his therapy session techniques he calmed down.

Getting in the car he was able to start his car, making his way to Marcus. Marcus unaware of the bodies because Ron made sure to have his car out of sight. "Are you ok?" Marcus asked him as he put his seatbelt on. "Y-yeah." Ron answered back while keeping his eyes to the front view window of the car. Driving off Ron began thinking to himself. He did not know why he is feeling what he is feeling. But he knows that morale would simply plummet from fear.

End