Breathing the Dead ~ H.S

Chapter Seven

CHAPTER SEVEN: MONSTROSITY

 "I don't like this, Hailee," I whispered as we pressed our backs against the door, "I don't like this at all,"

"Neither do I," she whispered back, "fuck this. Forget about finding supplies. We'll just try and find a way out of here, get back to base and tell Harry what happened,"

"I like that plan," I said.

Hailee nodded in agreement. "Let's get moving,"

After a few deep breaths, we proceeded further into the building. We then gasped as we made a sudden stop at an oak door with a bright red cross painted on it. I had no idea if I was just being paranoid, but...to me, that red paint looked nothing like paint...and a lot more like blood.

"Smells like blood," Hailee said in a low voice; as if reading my mind.

"I think it is blood," I replied with an anxious bite of my lip.

"We'd better find a way out of here fast," said Hailee. She began to look around almost frantically; her brows furrowing in nerves and slight fear, "but...it looks like every other door's been blocked off. Through here's the only way,"

"W...what?" My breath hitched, "A-Are you sure?"

Hailee only responded with a reluctant nod. "There's no other way, Laura. If we want to get out of here, we have to actually grow a pair and walk through this door,"

"Do we really have to?" I asked desperately.

"Oh, suck it up Laura!" Hailee almost hissed, "I have a son waiting for me back at base, and I want to get back to him as soon as possible!"

I cowered back a little. "OK...OK," I gulped and faced the bloody door; taking a deep breath as I dug deep to find the courage to open it, "you're right. Let's go,"

Hailee responded with a thankful nod before placing her hand on the door and beginning to push it open. However, as soon as she began grunting in frustration and effort; I knew something wasn't right.

"It's...barricaded or something," she puffed, "I can't open it,"

"Let's try together," I suggested, "on three. Ready?"

She nodded and positioned both hands on the door, and I did the same.

"One...two..." I looked at her.

"Three," Hailee finished for me.

We both pushed; squeezing our eyes shut and gritting our teeth in effort and concentration. As the door began to push open, instead of the ugly scraping sound I was expecting to hear when a rusty door chafes against the floor, I instead heard a weird squelchy noise – sort of like the sound that a walker makes when you stomp on its head – and my stomach churned over with fear.

Hailee & I stumbled into the room; gagging as the stench of the dead immediately invaded our nostrils. It was almost completely dark inside, and neither of us could see a thing.

"Ugh...what the fuck..?" Hailee stifled a retch, "what the hell's in here?"

"Shine a torch around the place," I said with a cough.

"OK," I heard Hailee fumbling around as she searched around her belt for her torch.

As soon as the place was lit up by the torch's beam; I had to let out a little scream at the sight before me. Dead, rotting corpses – at least five of them – scattered all around the cramped little room; all looking as if hundreds of bullets had mercilessly ripped through their defenceless bodies. No wonder the place smelt so rancid.