Rogue

Chapter 1: Deliverance

My breath was shaky. In front of my face, I could see a tiny cloud of smoke in the dim light. I could hear the hundreds of footsteps coming from the other side of the tree. I prayed the Lurkers didn't change course and come my way.

I poked my head out, curious to see where there were going. I almost choked when I leaned out. Hundreds of disfigured flesh bags stumbled along through the forest. Their eyes stared forward, looking at nothing in particular. Their destination was unknown, they just traveled onward, marching to oblivion. For ten terrifying minutes, I waited in near silence until they passed. Once they had left, I let out a sigh and slid down the slick trunk.

Cold rain was pouring down. My thin, ragged jacket didn't protect me, but it was better than nothing. Slung over my shoulder was an old .22 that I've had with me for years. In my pack was barely enough supplies for a week. I had to find some more supplies, or I would surely parish. I decided to head down the side of the valley I was in. I would be sure to find a creek that could lead me somewhere. I stood up, adjusted my pack and began down the valley.

The ground was so steep, I had to brace myself against the scraggly trees. The ground below my feet was a muddy mess. Hundreds of footprints were imprinted into the sludge. I was so fascinated by the footprints, I didn't see the bluff ahead. It was too late when I started to fall. I probably feel about five feet, but landed in a pit of mud. It was so slippery, and so steep, I started to roll down the hill. I could't stop myself. I got pummeled by rocks and twigs and felt extremely nauseous. Somehow, as I was falling, my gun went off, and I shot myself in the leg. I screamed out in pain and held my hand against the wound. Warm blood was already pouring out, soaking my torn jeans. I finally stopped rolling at the bottom of the valley. To my left was the forest, the left, a tall cliff with a raging river down below.

Bracing against my rifle, I shakily got to my feet. I was receiving horrible pain from leg and I had to fix it. At that moment, there was a strike of lightning followed by the clap of thunder. When there was another strike of lightning, the whole area around me was illuminated. Not twenty feet in front of me was the horde of lurkers. They had heard the gunshot and had seen me. I hastily started to limp away and they followed. Although they were rotting from the outside, they could still run faster then me. I knew I couldn't outrun them. I turned around, raised my rifle, aimed and shot at the closest one. The shot hit it right in the head. I could see a chunk of its skull fly into the air. The body dropped into the mud with a hard slap. I fired at the next one, and it took of its whole head. I fired eight shots and realized I was out of ammo. I swore and took my machete from belt and waited until a Lurker grew close. I swung forward, and the blade landed just below its chin. It growled as its head was cut clean off its body. Foul smelling blood sprayed on my shirt. I limped forward and slashed at the next flesh-eating ghoul. There was a crunch, and the Lurkers arm dropped from its shoulders. With the next thrust, I lodged the blade in its head, and pulled it back out.

By now, I was surrounded. The whole horde encircled me. I hacked ferociously at the prying hands, but I was still being pushed towards the cliff. I was finally thrown over, when a larger than average zombie slammed into me. For a second, I whisked through the air, and then there was freezing cold. The water was moving at a swift pace. Beneath the surface were large boulders that I was slammed against. As the Lurker tried to bite ,y neck, I was struggling to keep it at bay and to keep my head above water. After a a couple terrifying seconds, I could feel the bottom of the river side of the river scrape my back. I was on shore, but the Lurker was still on top of me.

With one hand, I pushed the Lurkers head away from me, and with the other, I reached for my boot and pulled out my concealed knife. With all the force I could. I drove the blade into the monsters skull. There was a sick crunching noise, and its moans were silenced. I sighed in relief and was happy that I was still alive. I then realized I was trapped under the weight of the large Lurker. I looked up and saw Lurkers walking off the cliff and falling into the chilly waters. Most were getting swept away by the current, but some managed to crawl ashore. If I didn't push this Lurker off me, I'd be their next meal. I pushed with all my might, but the rotting corpse wouldn't budge. I cried out in anguish.

"I'm gonna die," I thought to myself over and over, "I'm going to get ripped apart."

The next second, the sound of gunfire filled the air. The Lurkers that were headed for me were filled with bullet holes. Blood and chunks of flesh flew everywhere. I looked around and saw two figures emerge from the brush.

"Cover me!" One man shouted and ran over to me. The man slung his machine gun over his back and took a bandana off his face. He had a scruffy beard and brown eyes. "Don't worry, we're going to get you out of here." With great ease, he pushed to dead Lurker aside and lifted me onto his shoulder. "Dune!" He shouted to the other man blasting away at the undead, "let's get the hell outta here!" The man nodded and dissapeared into the brush next to the river. The man carrying me followed him. On the other side was acres of cornfields. In the dim light, I could see hundred of Lurkers stumbling towards us.

"Crap!" The other man yelled, "they heard the shots!" The man had a deeper voice and was much taller than the one carrying me. The entire time we were running, he was shooting at any Lurkers that got close.

"Where are you taking me?" I asked, my voice barely audible.

"We've got vehicles on that road," the man said, pointing at a road with his free hand.

Finally we reached the road, and the man was telling the truth. Parked on the road were two quads. The man set me down on the backseat and took out his pistol. One Lurker was on the road with us. He violently pistol-whipped it on the head, and when it staggered back, he unloaded into its skull. He holstered his weapon and got on in front of me and kick started the engine. It revved to life and we, along with the other man, sped off leaving the massive horde behind.