Dead Rising: The Run Aways

Chapter Four

The figure turns around, and the moonlight shines so I can see his face.

He’s not a man, but a boy. He has short, auburn hair, and piercing blue eyes that make me hold my breath for a second. He’s taller than me. Probably a whole three or four inches taller, and I’m five foot three. He is actually kind of intimidating.

“Dylan Bennett huh?” He says, flashing his perfectly aligned teeth.

I step a foot closer.

“That’s me.” I say, eyeing him. “Who are you?”

He takes a seat behind the counter on the desk chair.

“I’m Mitchell. But just call me Mitch.” He says, leaning back in the chair.

How is he so chill? The world is practically over and he’s acting like all is fine and dandy still. I clench my fists to keep from punching him. Who does this guy think he is?

“What’s your story? How is it that you’re sitting in front of me right now?” I ask him.

He laughs. “I could ask the same about you. But, I kind of already know.”

“What? How?” I ask him, getting ready to pull out my knife.

“You mean you really don’t recognize me?” He asks. His eyes show he’s a little hurt, but that look vanishes as he gets up and leans towards me from the counter top.

I just shake my head, still ready to pull out my knife in case he does something.

“I’ve been your neighbor since you moved here in sixth grade. My house was only two doors down from yours. I was also in your health class in freshman year, and in your tech class sophomore year.” Mitch says.

My hand relaxes. “Oh.”

I think back to when I moved here. I do remember a little boy bringing over some cookies with his mom the week we moved here. He had the same prominent blue eyes, but he had freckles covering his face, just like Grace. That I remember clearly.

I look up at Mitch and see that the only freckles he has are two left on his right cheek.

Mitchell cocks his head and looks me right in the eyes, “Remember now?”

I nod. “So you brought me cookies. But how do I know I can trust you? I mean, I don’t even know you!” I start pacing back and forth, thinking, viewing all the possible scenarios in my head.

“You should trust me because we’re both run-aways. I’ve lost everything and everyone too ya know.”

I stop pacing and just stand, unmoving.

 Mitch breaks the silence. “Actually, there was a whole survivor party I was with a couple days ago. There was a young couple. Brad and Cindy, and their little boy Justin. He was about five years old. There was some doctor, but he refused to share his name for some odd reason. He said something about dying respectfully. I think he was already going crazy, and there was me, my dad, and my little brother.”

He sighed, and looked up to see if I had been paying attention. When he saw me looking right at him, he continued.

“Everything was going well. We somehow escaped the CDC. We drove in my truck as soon as we heard all the gun shots. We drove down the interstate until we saw a little farm. We thought it would be great for shelter. Turns out that’s where the CDC keeps all the ill. It was absolute chaos. They were just roaming around freely.”

He takes a breath.

“Basically, I guess, somehow they detected we were there, and they all just came running. They ran faster than anyone I’ve ever known. They had this foam shit coming out of their mouths and their skin was so cold looking and dull. We all started sprinting back. But they got Cindy. Her scream echoed so loud it still rings in my ears sometimes. Brad ran after her, and they got him too. Justin started crying, and he started running towards them. I tried to get him. I really did. But they were so fast. I was already a couple yards away and then his crying stopped. My dad had started the car already with Michael, my little brother, already inside. The doctor was banging on the truck doors, begging for them to let him in. That’s when the CDC came. They had these huge trucks and they were coming straight for them. Without even thinking I turned around and started running back towards town.”

His eyes started watering, and I could tell he was serious about all this.

“I really wish I could go back and try to save them. I’ll never forgive myself for what I did back there. I wasn’t thinking about anyone but myself.”

He pounds his fist on the counter and I jump, “God dammit.” Mitch swears.

“I’m really sorry.” Is all I can think to say.

“It’s not your fault. It’s mine. But I'm going to find them. You can count on it."

After a moment when his eyes are finally dry and his anger seems to have subsided, he asks, “So what’s your story?”

“Well, let’s just say my mom became sick, the CDC shot someone right in front of me and my little sister, and I’ve basically been a mom for nearly three weeks in the middle of the woods.”

“And you’re here gathering more supplies.” He states, nodding his head understandably.

“Precisely.” I say. “Now if you’ll excuse me, I’ll be on my way.” I say as I head towards the door.

“So that’s it. You’re just going to leave me here?”

I turn my head. “You seem like a big boy. I’m sure you can fend for yourself.”

The bell jingles as I walk out.

I’m about to cross the street when I hear the bell jingle once more.

Next thing I knew Mitch was by my side.

“Well, did you ever think maybe I actually needed you? Hell, I’m all alone.” He says with a cocky smirk.

I grunt. “Fine. But you do what I say. Get me?”

“Gotcha.” He winks.