Godead

XII

"...No way...," Claude said, Misty clinging to his leg.

"That... that's impossible...!" Ralph said nervously.

"She... just slaughtered an entire National Guard unit by herself...," Blair said in disbelief.

As Abby's cackling carried across the parking lot, a sea of moans slowly echoed out from the hospital. The zombies began to stir, alerted by gunfire as they slowly crawled out from the shadows. As their dreadful moans steadily grew, Claude and the others looked around, noticing the zombies closing in around them.

"...Great. Zombies on the inside and Abby on the outside. I can't tell which is worse," Claude said.

"What do we do? What do we do!?" Misty asked frantically.

"I say we make a run for it. Abby is dangerous, but we'll at least stand a chance if we reach the outside," Blair said.

"I'm afraid I must concur," Ralph said, tensely pushing up his glasses.

As the zombies grew near, the four hurried off, cutting a path through the mob before reaching the lobby, hurrying outside as countless rotting arms reached out at them. As Abby spotted them leave, she paused, smiling before rushing over.

"...Well! What do ya know? It's you guys again!" she said wryly.

The group suddenly froze in place, staring into Abby's dreary eyes. As a zombie approached them from behind, Abby tilted her head, suddenly raising her M16 before firing a round at it. As the creature dropped to the floor, Claude turned to Abby in confusion.

"...What the...?" he said.

"...What?" Abby asked chipperly.

"...Why did you... help us just now...?" Claude asked warily. Abby shrugged.

"I dunno. It's just I had so much fun playing with you earlier. And these guys are all such bores!" Abby said, gritting her teeth before firing at the approaching zombies, felling more of them as they neared. "...See? Just look at them! All they do is moan and mope around. They don't even put up a fight!" she said in annoyance.

"Abby. That wasn't 'playing' we did earlier. You killed Lucy, and were trying to kill us!" Blair said.

"Bah! Playing. Killing. What's the difference?" Abby asked casually, firing at the zombies as her rifle started to click. She paused, raising a brow at it. "...Hmm? What's wrong with this stupid thing? Is it broken?" she asked, pulling the trigger over and over.

"It's out of ammo," Claude said, watching as a wave of zombies poured out from the building, shuffling their way forward as the group stepped back.

"I'm not scared of these guys. Come on! I'll take you all on!" Abby said, rushing toward the zombies as she leapt forward, swiping her arm as she knocked one's head off its shoulders. As Abby fought the mob, Blair looked around, picking up an assault rifle from a dead soldier.

"...You know how to use one of those?" Claude asked.

"...I think so," Blair replied, looking over the rifle. She then took aim, firing at a tight cluster of zombies as they fell one after another. As a bullet grazed Abby's arm, she cringed.

"Hey! Watch it, cop lady! I'm trying to help, over here!" she exclaimed, killing more of the creatures as Blair did the same, the two killing the zombies as the mob thinned out. As the last of them fell to the ground, Abby cheered.

"Ha, ha, ha! Now that's what I call fun!" she said playfully.

"This isn't a game, Abby! How can you act so cavalier...?" Claude asked.

As the group looked on at Abby, Blair approached from behind, slowly raising her rifle at her.

"Don't move," she said firmly. Abby turned around, pausing before curiously tilting her head.

"...What's this? I help save your lives, and this is the thanks I get? You're mean, cop lady...," Abby said.

"No. What's mean is you tearing Lucy's head off. It's time you paid for your crimes," Blair said.

As the young officer took aim, Abby grinned, coldly staring into her eyes.

"...And you think that little toy of yours can stop me...?" she asked wickedly.

Blair looked on, rifle trembling as Abby stared her down. She wanted to pull the trigger and avenge Lucy, but just couldn't bring herself to do it. As the two stood in tense silence, Abby smirked, suddenly raising her hand and batting the weapon away, Blair staggering as Abby picked up the M16, pointing it at the four with a naughty grin.

"Ha! My, how the tables have turned! Now... what do ya say? Let's play another game, shall we!?" Abby said, the four looking on in tense silence. "...You! Brat! Get over here!" Abby exclaimed, motioning to Misty.

"...Misty! Don't move!" Blair said.

"Shaddap, cop lady! I'm callin' the shots, here! Now get over here, runt, or I'll mow you all down!" Abby replied. Misty hesitated, soon stepping forward as Abby grabbed her shoulder, turning her to the group as she aimed her rifle at her. "Alright! The game is called 'Sacrifice'! One of you will step forward and let me kill you in exchange for this kid's life! If you do, I guarantee I'll let her and the rest of you go. Now! Which of you will volunteer...?" Abby asked with a cruel grin.

"...Damn!" Claude said.

"...How do we know you're not lying?" Blair asked, Ralph watching nervously from nearby.

"Are you deaf? I made you a guarantee, didn't I? Now hurry! I'm getting bored here, and my trigger finger's getting itchy!" Abby replied.