The Quiet Before The Swarm

Chapter 6

As we unload on whatever the hell this thing is, I panic. What the hell is this thing?! It just won't die.

It keeps running at us. This thing is bigger up close. I change my estimate. At least 9 feet tall, most likely half a ton. It reaches out and grabs me. I pull out my shotgun and I shoot it about 10 times. In the face.

It finally falls. I hit the asphalt and I reload all my weapons. Ashton grips my hand and pulls me up and into his arms.

"Are you okay?" He breathes.

"I'm fine!" I breathe.

We calm down and make our way into City Hall.

"Finally!" Ashton runs his fingers through his hair and puts his hat back on.

I pick up the radio.

"Hello? Is anyone out there who'll rescue us?" I ask through the speakers.

"There's someone out there? Are you immune?"

"Yes, we're all immune." I tell them.

"How many?"

"Three. I'm nineteen, a teenage boy, and a little girl. We need some help."

"We're on our way. Wait outside." The man says. I hang the radio up and we walk out to the steps.

Silence.

Then, a loud group-cry. There comes a horde of AT LEAST a thousand.

We unload on them all as much as we have left.

Then, I'm out. Of every bullet in every weapon.

"STAY BACK!" I have an idea. "TOSS ME A CROWBAR!" I yell. Peggy does, I catch it, and I twirl it. I'm slightly hunched as I get ready for the impact. I slice it into my wrist. Blood leaks down and they surround me. I smirk as I spin and swing and slice every single one of these stupid things.

Arms, legs, torsos, even heads go flying. Blood splatters me violently and aggressively, cries of pain from a not-so-braindead horde. I smash and rip bones and flesh.

Though a few get some bites in, I'm fully immune in every way. I keep slicing and moving as quick and smooth as one of those ninjas you see in the movies.

I leg-sweep several Zombies and I slam several hits on those stupid things.

The Zombie Apocalypse is fun and all... But it gets old after a while.

I mean, I'm narrating my life in my thoughts while I murder a horde of Zombies. If that doesn't say anything, then nothing will.

I turn around and nail a Zombie right in the head.

Panting and sweating, I look over at Ashton and Peggy.

"That was... Different..." Peggy mumbles.

"Uh... Yeah... We have to live somehow, don't we?" I ask them, a slight smile forming.

"Hey!" A raspy voice cries. We look over. An army truck is open out the back. We run inside and sit down. The door closes and we look at the soldier sitting there beside Ashton. Obviously a general.

"You have bites on you." General says, acknowledging the 3 or 4 bitemarks on my arms.

"Yeah... And?"

"Why aren't you changing?" He asks me.

"Because I'm immune." I sit back, staring into his eyes.

"Good lord..." He sits up straighter. "We need your blood..." He says, eyes widened.

I look at Ashton and he looks at me. I smirk and look at the general.

"What's so funny?"

"Everything." I look directly into the general's eyes. "You think I don't know what'll happen when I give you the blood?"

"Listen, you've survived a Zombie outbreak. Don't you think your life can end to save everyone else's?" The general inquires.

"Will you really, TRULY save everyone... Or will you just make everyone pay? You understand how terrified everyone will be, there will be chaos to get those vaccinations!" I tell him. He narrows his eyes at me.

"What are you suggesting?" He asks me.

"Information."

"What the hell do you mean?" He asks.

"It's obvious I can easily take on an entire city of Zombies. Take me back to wherever you guys are based at."

The rest of the ride is awkward. Complete silence.

They pull into a military base, and we all get out. The soldiers? They're all staring as I walk right behind the general, Ashton carrying an exhausted, sleeping Peggy behind me.

"Really? THOSE are the big heroes?" Some of the soldiers snicker.

We stride on, straight to the main room. Information and military operators are located here.

"There is only one state that is blocked off and infected. Where you just were, one of the smaller cities. New York." The general says. "What do you suppose we do?"

"It's just New York?" I ask.

"Yes, only New York. Why...?" He turns to me with suspicion in his eyes. "What are you proposing?"

I pull my M16 out, grab some ammo and I load it completely, with all my other weapons.

"I propose you send me in. After all.." I look him directly in his eyes, every soldier looking at me. "I am the cure."

"You can't do it alone! You'll die!" The general exclaims. Ashton smiles.

"She won't!" He says.

"You think you can really take an entire state?!" The general scoffs.

"Yeah. Why not?" I ask with a shrug.

"It's suicide!" He yells.

"Better than nothing," Ashton shrugs.

"You know? I say we just take her blood!" A soldier suggests. I deliver s roundhouse kick to his chest and he flies backwards.

"IF YOU THINK YOU CAN!" I challenge.

"Well.... We'll give it a chance..." The general finally tells us after a meeting with government officials.

"The little girl.... What about her?" I ask him, nodding toward Peggy, sitting there in a bathrobe while her clothes are being washed. We already got our showers and clothes washed.

"We're tracking her relatives now." The general says. Peggy looks at him.

"My Aunt Sheila should be living in Wisconsin." Peggy says.

"Yes, and we're attempting to get a hold of her soon." He nods.

We stay and make sure Peggy gets away safely. Then, we're taken back. To the edge of the New York state line.

When they drive away, Ashton and I stare out at the abyss of shit we're about to be consumed by.

As we cock our guns....

Silence.

The End.