Too Far Gone

Chapter Five

     Eric felt the creature's body go heavy and limp on top of him, and he slowly opened his eyes. The creature's skull was split open, patches of hair spread across its scalp. The brain was split, as well, and what was left had been reduced to a pulp. Disgusted, he threw the corpse off of him before struggling to his feet. Backing away from the spreading pool of blood, his stomach churned. "So, did it bite you?" The woman asked again. Turning to fade the sound, he noticed a young, petite woman. She had short, red hair and radiant green eyes. While she was thin, she was clearly in above-average physical condition. In her right hand was a claw hammer, coated in black blood and what appeared to be brains. Opening his mouth to reply, Eric suddenly lurched over and retched, vomiting all over the floor. Tears forming in his eyes, he wiped the bile from his mouth with his right hand, adrenaline still pumping.
"No, it didn't, why?" Eric asked, stepping away from the pile of vomit.
"Look, we can talk about that when we get somewhere safe. That horde's probably coming back here, now. Noise attracts those things." Without asking, she took off running down the street, gesturing with her free hand for him to follow. Breaking out into a sprint, Eric trailed closely behind the woman, not seeing any reasonable alternative.
     "Can I at least ask where we're going?" He inquired, hopelessly confused.
     "We're going to my house. It's two stories, so we should be able to hide out upstairs." The woman called back, suddenly turning to the right and running across the front lawn of a simple two-story house. Eric followed suit, and, upon reaching the front door, was pulled in by the woman. Slamming the door shut behind him, the two faced each other. "Alright, I think I owe you some answers." The woman spoke, taking a quick glance out the window.
     "Yeah, I think you do." Eric responded, impatient.
     "I asked if you were bitten because the bite turns you into one of them." She explained, her tone nonchalant.
     "Them?" Eric repeated, pressing for more information. Sighing and throwing her head back, the woman replied.
     "Those things out there. The ones that attacked you." She quickly checked the door, making sure that it was locked. "This door should ho-" Eric cut her off, his tone grave.
     "It won't, trust me." The memories of the call returned once again, and he glanced out the window as well. In the middle of the road, he saw a dog collar and a trail of blood leading around the corner.
     "Then what do you suggest, boss?" The woman snapped.
     "I suggest that we get out of here and get help from the authorities. This isn't something we can-" His voice was unceremoniously cut off as a pale, lifeless face pressed itself against the front window, snarling like a wild dog. Pounding echoed through the house, and nearly a dozen hands began to cover the windows. Turning back around, Eric saw the woman throwing the back door open and waiting for him. "You know, I never got your name. I'm Jennifer." She chirped, and he rushed to the door.
     "Eric." He grunted, stepping outside.
     "Alright, Eric. Let's get out of here." She sighed, closing the door and taking off.