Godead

IX

"What? But I wanna see Claude's house!" Misty protested.

"Blair's right, Misty. It's best if you stay in the car. Don't worry, we'll be back shortly. And trust me... my house is nothing special," Claude said. Misty frowned as Blair closed and locked the doors, the three surveying the property as they warily approached the front.

Claude's house was a modest one story abode, white and beige with an overgrown lawn. As the three reached the front door, Claude stepped forward, opening the screen door before knocking. After getting no reply, he blinked, again knocking as the three continued to wait. As they received no reply, Claude stood motionless, heart sinking as a sick feeling washed over him. As his expression turned grim, Lucy looked to him with a weak frown.

"...You okay?" she asked gently.

"...Y—Yeah. I'm fine. There should be a key around here, somewhere...," he said, concern evident in his voice as he bent down, peeling back the doormat before retrieving the spare house key. He unlocked the door, briefly pausing before creaking it open, the three slowly entering the living room.

"...It's so dark," Blair said. Claude raised an arm, flipping a light switch up and down.

"...No luck. Seems the outage is citywide," Claude replied, the three traipsing further into the house as Claude carefully looked around. "...Mom? You in here?" he asked.

No reply.

The three searched around, warily navigating the darkness as they visited each room. After several moments of searching, they realized the house was empty.

"...Looks like nobody's home," Lucy said.

"Yeah. Mom's car wasn't in the driveway, either. Maybe she escaped after all," Claude said, sounding less than thrilled.

Back outside, Misty waited in Blair's squad car, kicking her legs back and forth as she peered over the dashboard. The neighborhood was in ruins, bits of rubble scattered everywhere as broken glass and debris lay strewn about.

As Misty looked out the window, she froze, suddenly spotting a curious looking girl in the middle of the cul-de-sac. As the two met eyes, the girl outside smiled, slowly approaching the driver side window. As she arrived, she stopped, leaning forward before peering into the vehicle, Misty unable to move as she watched in fright.

The girl before her stood silent, eerily smiling as Misty nervously trembled. The stranger tilted her head, face white as her hair as her dark green dress blew in the wind. The girl looked to be around thirteen years old, eyes surrounded by thin, black circles as her dark eyes stared Misty down.

"...Will you play with me?" she asked.

Suddenly, Misty screamed, overcome with fright as the three in the house were alerted, quickly rushing outside before noticing the girl. As Blair readied her gun, the girl approached.

"Don't move!" Blair exclaimed, the girl standing motionless as she tilted her head at them.

"Ooh! You three look like fun. Won't you play with me...?" she asked, her childish tone sending chills down their spines.

"W—Who are you?" Lucy asked nervously.

"Me? I'm Abby," she replied with a smile.

"...Where did you come from? You're not one of them, are you?" Blair asked warily.

"Hmm? One of who?" Abby asked, tilting her head back and forth.

"One of the zombies," Claude replied.

"...Zombies? What are zombies?" Abby asked.

The three then paused, warily looking her over as she casually stood in the yard, a breeze kicking up as it blew Abby's hair around.

"...You. You're a damn zombie," Lucy said, clearly on edge. Abby giggled.

"Me? No way. I'm just a normal girl," she said with a smile. The three stood in silence, sizing Abby up as Misty watched from the car.

"...What do you think?" Blair asked under her breath.

"...I don't trust her. Look how pale she is. She looks like one of those kids we saw earlier," Lucy replied.

"Yeah, but she's talking, isn't she? That means she's still alive, right? Or at least... still human, anyway?" Claude asked. As the three hesitated, Abby rolled her eyes.

"Geez... is that all you guys do is talk? Bo—ring. I know! Let's play a game!" she said.

Suddenly, she turned to the squad car, breaking the window as Misty shrieked in fright. Abby grabbed her collar, pulling her out of the car with one hand. As Blair raised her pistol, Claude stepped forward.

"Don't! You might hit Misty!" he exclaimed, Blair cringing as she lowered her weapon. The three worriedly looked on, Misty squirming as Abby held her in her grasp.

"No sudden moves, or I'll rip this brat's head clean off!" Abby warned. "Now... let's have some fun, shall we? The game is called 'Simon Says'. I'll give you orders, and if you comply, I'll let the girl go. If you don't, I'll peel her face off and laugh as she bleeds!" Abby said wickedly.

"Damn you!" Blair replied.

"Damn me? Now that's not nice. You have bad manners, cop lady. For that, my orders apply only to you!" Abby said with an evil smirk. "Simon says: step away from the others!" Abby ordered. Blair hesitated as Claude and Lucy looked on. As Blair did as commanded, Abby smiled. "Simon says: raise your pistol!" she commanded. Blair cringed, pausing before slowly doing as asked. "Simon says: point it at the girl in the belly shirt!" Abby ordered.

Blair froze in place, warily looking to Lucy, the teenage girl in a red, sleeveless belly shirt and tight blue jeans.

"W... Wait. W—What are you doing...!?" Lucy asked nervously.

"...I... I'm sorry, Lucy. I have no choice. It's to save Misty...!" Blair replied tensely.