Godead

VIII

"How the hell did they even survive this long?" Andrew asked.

"Oh, the poor dears... we have to help them!" Blair replied.

"Wait," Claude said, slowly leaning forward. "...Look closely...," he said, grimly looking on as the others watched in fright, the kids stepping up to the car, faces white as a sheet as they peered in through the windows.

As those in the car watched in terror, the kids gave childish smiles, curiously pressing their faces against the glass. As Blair looked on, she frowned, heart breaking at the sight of the pale children surrounding them.

"...They're... They're so little! We have to take them with us!" she said worriedly.

"No. Look at them. Those aren't ordinary kids. They've already turned into those... things," Andrew replied.

"...Are you sure? They seem... different. Like, they don't moan or limp like those others do," Lucy said.

As the group looked on at the children, a ghost-faced girl circled around to Misty's side of the car, peering inside as Misty recoiled in fright. The eery girl smiled, pressing her cheek against the window, fogging up the glass with her breath as she slowly opened her mouth, creeping her tongue across the window, leaving a small trail of saliva as Misty shivered in fright.

"...Maybe it effects kids differently?" Claude asked.

"Who knows. Let's just get out of here, already. These brats give me the creeps," Andrew said.

No sooner did he say that did one of the children smile, suddenly raising its hand before shattering the glass of the back door, grabbing Andrew's throat as his jugular vein tore open, blood spurting out as the boy violently clawed at him.

"Andy!" Lucy shrieked, pulling her brother away from the window as the pale-faced boy reached further into the car.

"Blair! Get us out of here! Hurry!" Claude yelled, Blair pausing before turning around, flooring the pedal as they quickly sped from the scene.

"Andy! Andy!" Lucy yelled, tearfully holding her brother as he fiercely bled out, staring up at his sister as he writhed in pain. As Andrew's body went limp, Lucy's eyes widened, Claude frowning as he lightly put a hand on her back. Lucy wept, clutching her brother as he lay dead in her lap. As the others looked on, Misty frowned, peeking around the passenger seat.

"...Poor Mister Andy. Now he's broken, too. I bet he'll start moving again, soon," she said in a quiet voice. As Claude consoled Lucy, he slowly looked to Misty, giving her an odd look.

"Misty... what are you saying...?" he asked.

"Mister Andy will soon come back to life. Just like Miss Linda did," Misty replied. The others suddenly froze, Claude pausing before warily turning to Andrew's body.

"...That's right! Linda came back to life shortly after one of those zombies got her. Blair, stop the car. We need to get rid of this corpse. Now!" he said. Lucy suddenly turned to him.

"...What!? But he's my brother!" she said frantically, car screeching to a halt as Claude shook his head.

"I'm sorry, Lucy, but if Misty's guess is right, your brother will soon come back to life as one of those creatures. We need to get him out of here before he does," he replied.

"But—!"

"There's no time!" Claude said, cutting Lucy short as he opened the door, booting Andrew's corpse out of the vehicle.

Before even hitting the ground, it twitched, suddenly springing to life before turning around, groaning and raising its arms as Lucy watched in fright. As she stared into Andrew's lifeless eyes, Claude slammed the door shut, Blair speeding away moments later.

"No! Andy! Andy...!" Lucy exclaimed, weakly looking out the back window as her brother vanished from sight.

Lucy broke down in tears, hands clasped to her face as she wailed in grief. Claude frowned, gently putting a hand on her shoulder. As Lucy felt his touch, she turned to him, hesitating before diving into his arms. Claude paused, taken aback as she cried.

"...Lucy... I'm sorry," he said, Misty watching as Blair looked to them from the rear view mirror.

After several moments, Lucy leaned back, slowly composing herself as she wiped her eyes. She then looked to Claude, still half in his arms as she stared in his eyes. As the two sat in silence, Lucy blinked, blushing as she shyly returned to her seat.

"...Great. So my brother's one of those... things now, is he?" Lucy asked, voice trembling as she wiped the last tear away.

"It would seem that way. I'm so sorry, dear...," Blair said somberly.

"You could have at least shot him and put him out of his misery. Now he's cursed to wander the streets in that condition...," Lucy said sadly.

"I'm sorry Lucy, but trying to fight him would have further put us at risk. We had to act fast, not to mention Blair has a limited supply of bullets. And besides, what if there's a cure? What if it's just some... temporary condition these people have which wears off after awhile? If that's the case, maybe it's best if your brother remains alive. Err... not dead, at least," Claude said. Lucy folded her arms.

"...Somehow, I doubt that," she replied, staring out the window as the group fell silent.

Moments later, the vehicle pulled into a housing development, passing through streets lined with palm trees before eventually coming up to a house. Claude froze in place, grimly looking out at the familiar residence before them.

"...This is my place," he said quietly, the four leaving the car as Blair turned to Misty.

"Stay in the car, honey. It'll be safer for you in here, even if one of the back windows is half shattered. Just keep away from it, and at the first sign of danger, holler and we'll come running. I'll lock the doors," Blair said.