Godead

VII

"Of course. Just point the way there," Blair said, Andrew giving her directions as they drove through the streets.

As the four raced their way toward her location, Lucy gulped, warily looking around as she remained hidden from sight. She took cover behind the convenience store, lightly trembling as she leaned against the building.

As she slowly peeked around a corner, a zombie suddenly lunged out at her, Lucy screaming as she quickly jumped back. As she stepped away, two more crept out from the shadows, grabbing at her as she yelled, darting away as the dark alley soon filled with moans.

As Lucy ran out into the streets, she stopped, suddenly spotting a small army of zombies turning their attention to her. She froze, face going pale as her heart pounded in her chest. As zombies closed in from all sides, Blair's squad car pulled up, door flinging open as her brother motioned over to her.

"Sis! Get in, quick!" he yelled.

Lucy paused in surprise, racing toward the vehicle as fast as she could, narrowly avoiding several zombies along the way. As she reached the vehicle, she got in, slamming the door closed as the vehicle sped away.

"Andy!" Lucy said.

"Lucy! Oh, I'm so glad you're alive! Are you alright!?" Andrew replied, worriedly looking her over.

"I'm fine. What about you!?" she asked with concern.

"Fine," he replied, the two tightly embracing each other.

As Claude smiled at the tearful reunion, he paused, slightly tilting his head as Lucy looked over to him.

"...Claude!?" she asked in surprise, peering at him through the darkness.

"...Lucy! I thought you looked familiar!" Claude replied.

"You two know each other?" Blair asked from the front, Misty peeking around the passenger seat at them.

"Yeah. Lucy and I went to the same high school. We even shared a few classes," Claude said.

"Yeah, when you were there, anyway. Why'd you stop coming to school, anyway?" Lucy asked. Claude paused, soon shaking his head.

"...It's a long story. Besides, it hardly matters now. That school's probably a burning pile of wreckage after all this," he replied.

"Probably. Just what in the hell is going on, anyway?" Lucy asked.

"That's what we've all been wondering, and the truth is, no one knows," Blair replied.

"Yeah. Before the electricity went out, the news said it could be some new form of disease. They're probably just guessing at this point, though," Andrew said.

As the group conversed back and forth, Misty remained silent, quietly staring at the back seat as Lucy looked over to her.

"...And what's your name, kiddo?" she asked with a smile. Misty remained silent, cowering behind the seat as Claude raised an eyebrow at her.

"Misty, you're being rude. That's Misty. I barely managed to save her from a group of zombies not long ago," he said.

"...Oh yeah? Way to go," Lucy said, sounding slightly impressed.

"It's no big deal. We were lucky to get out of there alive," Claude replied.

"So where do we go now?" Andrew asked.

"Your guess is as good as mine. Do you all have any relatives you want to check in on?" Blair asked.

"Well we certainly don't," Lucy said. "Those freaks pillaged our whole house. Mom and dad are dead, and Andy lived alone in his apartment, so there's no one to check there," Lucy said. Misty then frowned.

"...My mommy and daddy turned weird. They still moved, but... they weren't the same anymore. I think they're broken...," Misty explained. The others frowned, sadly looking to her as Blair rubbed her shoulder.

"Well most everyone I know is up in Connecticut, and we certainly can't drive all the way there," Blair said, soon looking to the rear view mirror. "...Claude? Do you have anyone you want to check up on?" she asked. Claude paused, soon shaking his head.

"...No," he replied stoically.

"...Seriously? Not anyone?" Lucy asked. Claude paused, soon looking out the window.

"...Well... there was my mother, but... I'm sure she's probably dead by now. And besides, my house is pretty far from here. It's best if we don't go," he said.

"Are you sure? I know you had your differences, but if you don't go, you might regret it later," Blair said. Claude hesitated, again looking out into the night.

"...Well... alright...," he said, reluctantly giving directions as Blair drove to Claude's house.

As the group traveled the streets, they left downtown as their surroundings turned to suburbs. As they continued down the road, they suddenly spotted a small group of people off in the distance, huddled near the center of the street.

"Looks like more of them," Andrew said warily.

"...No...," Blair said, taking a closer look as the car approached the group.

As the headlights of Blair's squad car shined on them, the three turned their heads, eyes glowing red as they rose to their feet, creepy smiles on their faces as they slowly approached the vehicle.

"...What the...?" Lucy said worriedly.

"...They're...," Claude said, looking ahead in surprise. "...They're... children!"