PARADOX ↦ ZOMBIE APOCALYPSE

25

Lance covered his ears as Lotor jumped away from the small bomb he had stolen. The explosion was minor but still was loud enough to draw the attention of a few incoming walkers. Lotor then ran to the horse's saddle, something he was lucky to have since most were salvaged for other uses. He grabbed his gun before he shot twice, hitting a walker before he looked at Lance.

"I need you to take the gun and shoot while I hit the gate down!" He shouted before he turned the gun to Lance, the hilt to the teen.

Lance quickly took the gun, using one hand to hold the reins while the other kept his hand on the gun, shooting when the walkers got close. "Where are the others?" Lance shouted through all the noises, his eyes staying ahead.

"They'll be here!" He shouted back, kicking in the thick wall, revealing a gate hidden between the boarded up wall. He then went to push it, his strength not enough. "Dammit!" He cursed before he heard more horse hooves pounding through mud, the others finally arriving. Lotor turned toward the others, his hand over his eyes to protect them from the light rain and to see clearly. "I need a hand!" He cried out, immediately seeing Ezor and Keith jump down, Shiro staying on Allura's horse to help fend off the walkers.

Keith had been able to recover from the headache quickly, he had to. He went to the door before he and Ezor press hard against it, the wood finally starting to Budge. It was tall enough for horses to get through if the rider ducked, perfect backup plan since the entrance was blocked.

Ezor went to get on her horse, but she looked around, her eyes scanning the area before she felt her heart sink. "Where's Zethrid?" She cried out, stepping away from the horses and looking for her friend.

Allura looked at Ezor before Lotor cut her off.

"We don't have time to go back for her." He said, trying not to think about the fact his friend was most likely dead at this point. It pained him, but he had to keep the others safe.

Ezor shook her head and Narti covered her mouth in horror, saying nothing as she watched Ezor look frantically. "No! We cant leave her back there! She could be hurt!" She cried out, tears in her eyes starting as if she would run back where they came from.

Lotor went to Ezor before he grabbed her arms, her body trying to kick him to let go as she screams, only to be pulled toward Acxa and sat on her horse, Acxa's arms around her as she held the reins, not letting her risk her life no matter how much it pained her to leave now.

Shiro watched them, but returned to aiming his gun, reloading as Allura grabbed her own pistol, aiming and shooting. "Hurry!" He shouted and waited for the others to go through the gate.

Keith jumped back on with Coran, Pidge in front and holding onto the reins now while Coran held on as well, his gun in hand as he protected her. Coran said nothing about Aaron, knowing they would have time for such things later.

Lotor let Lance lead the horse as he climbed on, Acxa going through with Ezor first, then Narti and Hunk.

There was a moment of silence when Pidge was about to leave with Coran on his horse with Keith, when a certain sound rang in her ear.

"Stop!" She cried out, sliding from the horse's back.

"Pidge!" Keith cried out as he slid from the horse, not wanting her to go alone.

The sound was so prominent to her. So familiar.

The small grey shape in the distance let out another bark, running toward them with his fur matted, red stains on some of it. Rover ran past walkers and around fallen corpses, straight to Pidge.

"Rover let's go!" Pidge shouted as she waved for him to follow, the dog running to her as she was helped back onto the horse, knowing she could hug the dog later.

Lance looked down and smiled at Pidge and Rover before Coran lead the horse out, the dog following and running alongside the horse. He then checked back, Shiro and Allura both following a moment later before he urged his horse on, running behind them as they all joined together, Coran now leading. He knew the way to Altea would be overnight, but they had to keep moving before the walkers began to head in their direction.

Pidge then smiled, something she hadn't been able to do for a while. Sure, the ground was all muddy and some bleeding in areas, but right now she felt safe. Safer than she had been in a while. With Rover next to her and allies all around her, maybe they could get somewhere safe, to this Altea.

Hunk looked at Narti, knowing she was most likely heartbroken along with the others, but she flinched when he felt his hand on her shoulder. She looked back at her friend for a moment before he sighed softly, urging the horse to pick up the pace. She wanted to get far away.

Ezor wasn't there when her father died, but she knew Acxa would have had to snipe him down if he tried to hurt Lance. After all, they promised to get all of them out safely. She just wished that would have been the case. Her eyes remained closed, her tears still falling as she kept her head against Acxa's chest, too tired to move.

Lotor and Allura rode next to each other, both exchanging a single glance before they both forced a smile to each other, neither one of them believing the other's was real. They both lost someone close today.

Keith was still ahead, his hand on Coran just to make sure he wouldn't fall off. He looked back a couple times to see if Lance was okay, and he was actually surprised Lance knew how to ride a horse. He looked so professionally when he did. Keith brushed his long bangs from his face, but he finally saw the sun start to show through the clouds, the small drizzle ending and the warmth hitting their skin. They rode, heading to where they would find refuge, where they could hope for freedom.

Two pairs of eyes watch the distance, seeing the horses leave, their former allies with them. Zarkon stood on the hill the group of five crossed over when they arrived just about a week ago. Haggar then walked up behind him, her eyes looking up at him for a moment before she sighed. "This will not be the last time we see them."

He shook his head, his eyes not leaving the distance before the horses vanished into the air and too far to see. He then turned and looked down at the city in the gates, walkers, maybe 1,000 left alive crawling throughout the streets. "The undead are not the only thing Altea has to fear." He said before turning back down the hill, the 24 remaining troops below him. "Not anymore."