Better off Undead

Chapter 38: Dead End Drive

Within minutes they had woven through the increasing crowd of zombies and pulled off the main road into the nearest neighborhood. Despite what Aliyah had said only moments earlier, the number of zombies out on the main road convinced them to play it safe by driving a short distance into the neighborhood before pulling to a stop in front of one of the houses.

They all quickly climbed out of the vehicle, thankful for the chance to stretch their legs and eager to be on with their work. Aliyah looked around at the area, frowning deeply.

"We've drawn too much attention," she said. Eli turned to look and could see that there were a number of zombies that had followed them through the neighborhood. Most were already starting to break off and head in random directions, but a few were still plodding on towards them with single minded determination.

Not only that, but the neighborhood around them was not entirely empty of the undead, either. While there were no immediate threats, they had clearly gained the attention of several of the creatures that had previously been simply roaming about the neighborhood.

"Jay, Eli, you stay out here and clear the rabble," Aliyah was saying. "When you're done, siphon as much gas as you can get from any nearby vehicles." She pointed to the driveway of the house where a big white SUV and a small blue sedan were still parked as though the world had never ended. "The rest of us will go inside and clear out the rooms before gathering any supplies we can find."

"I suppose," Gabriel interjected, "that I should remain here and watch our car."

Aliyah eyed the preacher up and down, a doubtful expression on her dark features. "We're not gonna have an issue with you when it comes to fighting those things, are we?"

Gabriel seemed completely unfazed. "I've released my fair share of tortured souls. I will not be an imposition. I just think it pertinent that someone guard our only guaranteed means of escape."

Aliyah consented, though clearly not without some degree of distaste. "Whatever," she muttered, turning away. She motioned to the others. "Come on, let's get inside. And remember," she turned and pointed in the general direction of Jay and Eli, "no guns. We don't want to attract any more attention than necessary."

"Ay ay, captain," Eli said, throwing a mocking salute. Aliyah simply rolled her eyes and walked away.

Eli smiled at Jay as he pulled two bats from his bag. "You ready?"

Jay held up a crowbar and a rubber mallet. "Let's do this," he said.

Eli tapped the crowbar in Jay's hand with one of his bats. "Those things are surprisingly useful."

"Yeah," Jay scoffed, as though Eli had just said something incredibly obvious, "I know."

Without another word they turned and began the rather gruesome work of clearing out the nearby zombie infestation. The creatures had not had a chance to form a pack, and most were just wandering about by themselves. Eli and Jay worked in unison, one person crushing the skull of a zombie while the other watched their backs, and then they traded off. Before long they had worked their way through pretty much all of the approaching dead. Red faced and short of breath, they made their way back to the car, where the other group had clearly had similar success.

Eli stood and watched as Mac and Daina lugged out a body from inside the house and tossed it out on the lawn, where several other bodies already lay. "This everybody from inside?" he called to them.

"Appears to be," said Daina, wiping the sweat from her brow.

Eli frowned as he looked over the four bodies on the lawn. Two of the bodies had clearly been adults, while the other two looked to be younger. "It looks like the whole family was holed up in there."