Silent City

Ch. 8 - Suvival

The crash seemed to have attracted more creatures to my location. For the moment, I was safe but couldn't stay here unless I wanted to put that to the test. 

Before I moved to explore the area, I looked at my equipment in more detail to make sure everything was working properly. My red combat knife was fine, not a single scratch on it thanks to its cover around my leg. The gun received a few hits but nothing to worry about, not that I used it much regardless but it helped to have it in working condition. I preferred close combat since I wasn't a good shooter. Out of the two full extra magazines I had, one was missing. Only twelve bullets to defend me. Lastly, I checked the device strapped on my left arm, which I called "The Weaver". 

It was my main weapon, something I created and skillfully mastered on my own, giving me the alias for Spider. It was a small round device attached to my left wrist with two different openings, one in the front pointing towards the palm and the other on the back pointing at me. The front entry had four weights with strings attached to it, made for pulling. The back opening was different, with just a piece of string held by a small door that kept part of it out. That part of the weaver is meant to be used to cut the string utilizing a small blade the device came with, sharp enough to cut the string. The string was made of a special metal that was very thin yet very hard to break, making it perfect to lay traps and cut objects. Having my equipment in full working condition, I got ready to explore.

I was glad of doing this job. Everything had gone out of control, wild, but thanks to that I was given permission to let loose, do as I'd like, a way to release my frustrations. I was addicted to the adrenaline danger brought me, especially this new menace that threatened humanity. The longer I remained in this city, the more I felt like I belonged somewhere but I had something I wanted to see through to the end. 

Equipping only my knife and weaver, I began to look around. My long black coat made it uncomfortable to move around the darkness but I kept it on me due to its material. Mylar foils are a type of material used to block infrared signatures in the militia, this coat had a similar tool but was specifically adapted to combat the symptoms or abilities of the new virus.

Not planning on leaving any time soon, I had to find a safe place to rest. I glanced over the darkroom noticing multiple racks full of shoeboxes, shoes, and hats along with other footwear accessories. There was nothing of interest except for the metallic door on the other side of the room. After taking the exit, I was now on the main selling floor. The place was ransacked just like any other store in this city. It had a big opened entrance where I could see another store on the other side of the tiled floor past a set of massage chairs located in between. 

I had crashed inside a mall. It was a good place to hide and lay trap not to mention easy movements around its wide spaces. There was no energy, making the only light source the transparent glass windows on the ceiling. However good this place was, I had to be very careful. Since it was big, I assumed there were plenty of bodies around and that meant infected. Who was to say how many of those creatures lurked within? I had to find out if any of the entrances were wide open for creatures to walk in and closed them to be secure.

Without much of a warning, two stalkers rushed towards me, as if drowning in their own phlegm. I got myself ready, both arms up, knife forward on my right arm waiting for the first attack. The closest stalker swung its long left arm vertically towards me. I dodged towards the right, grabbing its arm firmly with my glove. Ignoring the squishy feeling of decaying skin, I pulled the arm behind the creature, easily dislocating it due to both forces pulling in opposite directions, skin ripping apart from the shoulder. I quickly used my combat knife to dismember the creature, facing the other who was now a few steps away, and stabbing its head with the other creature's arm. The squishy sound it made as it came out from the other side echoed through the long hallway. As the creature fell on the floor lifeless, I turned around to face the armless stalker once more, who was regaining its balance. I ran toward it and slashed half of its neck, leaving the head hanging from one side of its body.