Rising of the Dead

Chapter 7: Join or Die

CHAPTER 7: JOIN OR DIE

My voice echoed through the clean hallway like a desperate plea, "LEX!!!!" Lindley, Jaidyn, and I sprinted, hearts pounding, to reach Lex. Our initial plan had been to leave Carrie and Rose behind with Lex temporarily while we formulated our next escape strategy. Retrieving our weapons from the car's trunk was paramount, even though we knew using guns would attract more of the infected.

Lex, his life hanging in the balance, managed to break free from an infected's grasp just as we reached him. The horde, like an inexorable tidal wave, pressed relentlessly forward. The seconds seemed to stretch as we observed Lex's peril.

Then, a deafening BOOM pierced the air as Lindsey's gun erupted, shattering the tense silence. The infected that had threatened Lex lay lifeless, dissolving into a gruesome pool of blood and viscera.

Jaidyn and I shared a wordless nod, acknowledging our need to act in unison. Lex, adrenaline coursing through his veins, got back on his feet, and we understood that time was of the essence. Lex made a snap decision to return to help Carrie and Rose, while Lindley, Jaidyn, and I forged ahead, determined to locate the rest of our group.

"I'll help them!!" Lex's voice echoed back to us as he veered in the direction of Carrie and Rose, his protective instincts taking over.

Jaidyn and I gripped our weapons tightly, ready for any challenge that lay ahead. I couldn't explain what had happened earlier, when it felt like I'd blacked out, but there was no time to dwell on it now.

Together, we continued our search for our missing friends. The dimly lit, sterile hallways of Walmart felt like a labyrinth of uncertainty. Every corner we turned held the potential for danger, and the air was thick with tension.

Finally, we heard their voices—Carrie, Rose, and Lex. Relief washed over us as we rushed to their side.

"Thank god," Carrie exclaimed, the tension in her voice betraying the terror she must have endured.

"We're alright," I replied, my voice striving for normalcy, despite the lingering adrenaline.

Jaidyn, on the other hand, was a stark contrast, his fear palpable. His voice trembled as he urged us to run, fear coursing through his veins like electricity. It didn't take long for us to realize the urgency of his plea.

"guys.... I think.. We should run!!!!" Jaidyn's voice quivered with fear, and I turned to see a monstrous horde closing in on us, moving like a relentless wave. Panic surged through me, mirroring Jaidyn's fear.

Lex acted swiftly, picking up Rose and hoisting her onto his shoulder. We all followed his lead, sprinting toward the fire exit door with a shared determination to escape. I slammed the door shut with every ounce of strength I could muster, my heart pounding with the realization that our lives depended on it.

But the horde outside was unforgiving. They pounded on the door relentlessly, causing it to shudder. Then, with a deafening crash, the door burst open. The force of it sent me sprawling to the ground, the pain from the impact momentarily eclipsed by the surge of adrenaline coursing through me.

I scrambled to my feet, mind racing, heart pounding. The situation had taken a dire turn, and we were surrounded. Lex's stark exclamation summed it up perfectly, "SHIT, WE'RE TRAPPED."

Lex, now fully aware of the gravity of the situation, grabbed the nearest available weapon. In the darkness, his movements were fluid and precise, a dance of survival. I drew my Bowie knife, its gleaming blade a stark contrast to the surrounding gloom. Together, we fought with a frenzied determination, our breaths ragged and our hearts thundering in our chests.

The horde closed in, a wall of infected that seemed impossible to escape. Desperation clawed at us, and then we heard it—the blaring horn of a truck. A massive, rugged-looking man stood in the driver's seat, his arms flexing as he gestured for us to climb aboard.

There was no time to contemplate or second-guess. Lex and I shared a glance that conveyed all our uncertainties, but the driver's commanding voice snapped us to action.

"QUICKLY GET IN OR YOU WILL DIE!!!!"

Lex and I sprinted toward the back of the truck, where Rose was already seated with Lex. The rest of our group followed suit, piling into the truck bed. The men who had rescued us jumped in as well, their armor and weapons gleaming in the sunlight.

The truck roared to life, and we were on the move. The ride felt surreal, like a distant memory of going on a school trip. But deep down, I knew this was only a temporary respite. We didn't know where we were going or who these people were, but it was clear that our journey was far from over.