Godead

XLV

"Looks like those zombies that were out there dispersed already. They sure have a short attention span," Zoe said.

"Let's go," Claude said, the three leaving the house before heading into the woods.

Elsa took the lead, looking around at the trees as she lead them through the forest.

"Are you sure you remember the way back to Calbury?" Zoe asked.

"Yes. I had a bunch of brothers, and they always used to take me hunting. I hated it, but at least it taught me how to navigate the woods," Elsa said.

"How long were you running from those zombies for, anyhow?" Claude asked.

"I don't remember. These woods are crawling with them, though, so stay alert. Calbury is probably about twenty minutes north of here," Elsa replied.

The three continued through the woods, all the while avoiding wayward zombies along the way. They crossed a small creek, soon spotting some buildings off in the distance.

"Is that it?" Claude asked.

"Yeah. That's Calbury," Elsa said. "Now I've kept my promise and showed you the way. I'm outta here."

"Where will you go?" Zoe asked.

"I don't know, but anywhere's better than near that weird girl with wings," Elsa said.

"Thanks for showing us here, Elsa," Claude said, looking toward the town. "...Abby must be somewhere nearby."

"I wish you two would reconsider. That girl is beyond dangerous," Elsa said.

"...I know. But she was dangerous before and we handled her. We just need to talk some sense into her, and convince her to come back with us," Claude said. Elsa shook her head and sighed.

"Suit yourself, kid. Good luck," the woman said, heading back into the woods moments later. Claude and Zoe looked to each other, steeling their resolve before entering Calbury.

Upon reaching the town square, the couple suddenly froze in place, looking around at the sheer destruction surrounding them. Buildings were destroyed, rubble and debris were scattered everywhere, but most notable were the countless body parts strewn about. Zoe stood in shock, hand to her mouth as she warily looked around.

"Oh, my...!" the girl said, lost for words.

"...Such carnage. Abby couldn't possibly have done all this...," Claude said.

"Claude, let's get out of here. I have a bad feeling about this place!" Zoe said worriedly.

Just then, a small shadow cast over them from above.

"Did I hear my name?" a familiar voice asked. Claude and Zoe turned around, looking up as a winged girl stared down at them from a rooftop.

"...Abby!" Claude said, taken aback by her new appearance.

As Zoe trembled in fright, Abby smirked, suddenly nose diving from the four story department store. She quickly swooped down, spreading her wings as she swiftly brisked past them. As Claude was pushed to the ground, Abby's razor-sharp wings sliced through Zoe's neck, knocking her head off her shoulders and falling to the ground along with her body.

"Zoe!" Claude hollered, watching in horror as Zoe's head rolled to a stop. Claude violently cringed, standing up before turning to face Abby. She smirked.

"...Troublesome little ape. I never said she was allowed to spend time with you. You're mine, Claude!" Abby said wickedly.

"Damn you! Damn you, Abby!" Claude screamed.

"What's wrong, darling? Are you mad at me...?" she asked, touching her chin with her index finger.

"How could you...? How could you do that?! Oh, Zoe...!" Claude said weakly.

"You know, you're really starting to bore me today, dear. Come! There's something I want you to see!" Abby said. In an instant, she flew into the sky, flying over Claude before grabbing him by the shoulders.

"...Hey! Let go!" Claude protested, Abby snatching him and pulling him into the air. She flew high in the sky, Claude struggling in vain against her might.

"Look around! Isn't the view magnificent?" Abby asked, the two ninety feet in the air and rising.

"Dammit, Abby! What the hell has happened to you?!" Claude exclaimed.

"I've awakened, Claude. That's the only way I can explain it," Abby replied. "It's like my entire life has been but a dream until recently. After growing these wings, I finally feel alive for the first time!" As Abby spoke, she flew higher and higher with Claude in her grasp. Though the young man felt fear, he couldn't help but briefly bask in the feeling of flight. As Abby flew ever higher, she suddenly spotted Michelle's house off in the distance. "...Ah. I vaguely recall that old place. That's where we lived for awhile, and where my lovely transformation took place. Tell me, Claude... are you still really living in such a dump?"

"...Yes," Claude replied tensely, heart pounding out of his chest. "Now could you please let us down? We're really high up, here."

"Hmm? What's wrong, hon? Scared?" Abby taunted.

"Yes. Very," Claude replied.

"Oh, alright...," Abby replied, returning to the ground moments later. The two landed in the woods, Abby putting Claude down as he caught his bearings. He then turned to her, standing in silence as Abby tilted her head. "...What's that look for?"

"...You didn't have to kill Zoe, you know," Claude said.

"I did," Abby replied.

"Why?!"

"That bitch had her scent on you. Even now, you reek of the little maggot."

"Dammit, Abby! Are you still really as violent as you used to be? What happened to fighting the urge to kill?!"

"F*ck that. I need to kill. It's the only thing that gives me that nice little tingly feeling."

"Did you kill everyone in that town back there, too?"

"Yes. Though to be honest, most of them were already mindless zombies. That town was so easy to raze, though. I've learned a few tricks along the way. Watch this!" Abby said. She turned toward an old tree, flapping her wings as the tree broke apart into countless pieces, slowly falling to the ground moments later.

"Watch out!" Claude said, dodging out of the way as the tree crashed down.

"Tim-ber!" Abby said, cackling as the tree landed, shaking the ground beneath them.