Apocalyptic Story Made On A Whim

Fear

     There is silent dread within the air. Moonlight thin and weak, shadows are faint and loom outwards, silver metal reflects in the light. Hiding behind a collapsed and muddled car I brace myself as I grip the axe handle. The sound of my heartbeat throbs in my ears like ticks of a clock, except it isn't rhythmic or smooth it's skittish and panicky and loud. Thump, thump, thump, like bodies falling to the floor, like remnants of what happened.

    They're getting closer. Just like the beat of my heart the messy clopping of their steps get more and more urgent. I don't think I can prepare myself. Uneasiness from head to toe and a growing welt within my throat, it's a palpable fear that kneads at my conscious. I hear the drag of their feet and I know it's time. Wait for it. Wait for it...I peak over the side.

    Ashy and grey, near silver like the faint sickly moon it's like they're already dead. They are dead. Closer. I know they spot me. Fear and chills travel down my back and send jitters to my limbs. It's too late they saw me already, but it's my only chance. I heft the weight of the axe in my hand and scrunch my fingers tightly around the handle. They come running and with all my strength I bring it up above and strike to the side with as much force as these trembling hands of mine can do. The edge of the blade glints in the moonlight. A ray of death and chops into their side. Existing rotting skin peel away and it's gnarled nails reach out rapidly, but it already slams into the front of the vehicle. Rebounding off and falling to the ground, but the grip on the handle never loosens. The smell is putrid. Disgusting. Fermented blood and moldy bread smell permeates the air and I gag. Pus colored liquid flows and I slam the blade down again and again. This time the actions sways it's hair from place and I can see their grayed blank eyes like the ones of fish at the supermarket; yellowed, beady, and so large it'd swallow you whole. It's speaking out only one emotion: Emptiness. Dry wrinkled lips gasp out and gurgle incoherent speech. Chanting a haunting noise that fills the silence, soft squelches of their bleeding flesh, too. They look so young. And they're already facing death the second time.

    Rough gasps escape out before they breathe their final breath. I did this. Fluids stain the toe of my boots, splatter on the knees, I did this. Rot and death in their air, I did this. A young child who once stood falls to the ground lifeless, I did this. In light so faint and gray, the world is no longer itself, I did this. Struggling foot before foot I move backwards staggering. Tears well up in my eyes as I feel the same putrid taste enter my mouth and I clamp my hand before I double over and spill the contents of my own stomach. Burning acid climbs up my throat and on the ground and splatter like them, I run past and away. Continuing until the familiarity of the buildings before dissipate and the wretched moon is hidden by the canopy of trees.