Chapter 20

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   "I-I'm sorry". Dennis softly spoke. "It was mom...she...I'm sorry".  Dennis looked away from me and started crying. I turned away from him.

    I'll have to leave Dennis behind. Inside I felt like crying too. He was bitten by a female, he could turn in minutes.

   "But that doesn't mean I can't help you outta here". Dennis said firmly. I looked back at him. There was seriousness and hope in his eyes. He was going to use his last moments to help us. I gave him a firm look and nodded.

     "I'm a red". He said. "I know this market like a Walking Dead comic". "There about one hundred zombies in here and hundred more outside, the only way out is the tornado tunnel that is underground and leads into the sewer". "Only way out of the sewer is the opening that's lead you into the parking lot". "Even if you went out there, there'd be tons of zombies there too". "The only way for you to get out alive is if every zombie in this area dies". "Only way that'll happen is if be blow this place up".

    Dennis kinda lost me. I just got "blow this place up" and I was cringing a little. It could be the only way out tho...

    "Follow me, we gotta get to the tires section, the alcohol section, and then to the main office".

   I nodded and suddenly the lights turned off. It was almost pitch black. "We have to go now". Dennis whispered.

   I grabbed Ozzie's hand and we followed Dennis repeatedly taking cover and crouching trying to avoid being seen by roaming zombies.

    We finally made it to the tires section taking cover behind a check out counter. Ozzie gasped at the sight of a zombie ripping off a leg of a child. I covered her mouth so it wouldn't notice us.

    "Here", Dennis whispered handing me his knife " I'll be back, stay here". Dennis crouched low and dashed in the hallway of tires.

    We sat there for what felt like hours. It was terrifying. Sitting in the dark listening to screams and snarls. I hope we aren't the only people left of this market.

    Dennis finally returned with 2 red canteens of gasoline. He was seriously gonna blow this place up! "Ok, lets get to the alcohol place".  He whispered. "While we walk pour this stuff everywhere". I grabbed the gas and we made our way to the alcohol section.

    Again, Dennis left us hiding behind something. He came back with big bottles of alcohol. "Pour this everywhere-  Glass shattered and rained down on us.

   We looked where the bullet came from. It was Ivan. He sat yards away with a chunk of his leg missing and a gun in his hand.

    "You're not getting away you son of a bitch". He muttered. He shot a bullet into another window raining glass over us. He was trying to draw attention!

    Already there were footsteps running our way. Dennis rose from his hiding spot. "Run!" He screamed. I grabbed Ozzie's hand and we followed Dennis.

   "Oh no you don't!" Ivan yelled. He got up and chased after us firing shots. Now we were running from a hoard of zombies, a crazy limping old man with a gun, and all the gasoline that we were spilling that was almost touching our legs.

    Dennis stopped at a door and kicked it open. "Get in!" We ran in and Dennis locked the door behind us. That didn't really help much since the door's window was shattered open.

   Ivan arrived at the door and tried to open it. When he noticed the window, he pointed his gun at us. Everyone froze. Ivan pulled the trigger but...it was empty. Ivan looked at his gun.

   "F- A zombie bit into his cheek and took him down to the floor. Dennis barricaded the door with two file cabinets.

    Everyone caught their breaths. Dennis leaned against the file cabinet. "I can feel it". He muttered. He turned to us.

   It was horrible. The crust has already formed on his skin and he was weezing. "Its taking over my body". He said with his new raspy voice. "We don't have...much time".

    Dennis walked over a Emergency Box and busted it open then grabbed the firefighter axe. He turned to the gas pipes that were attached to the wall and swung at it. It cut both of the pipes open spilling gas everywhere.

    "Don't...breathe a whole lot". Dennis said. He struggled fighting but the zombie side was winning. Dennis went to the desk and got a box of matches. He put them in his pocket and flipped over the desk with his zombie strength. It reveled a big sewage escape.

   He lifted the bars high enough for Ozzie and I to crawl into. I let Ozzie crawl in first then I crawled in. I looked back at Dennis who was still holding the bars.

   He gently let the bar down and sat in a chair. He looked...peaceful. He realized I was staring and stared back at me.

   "Thank you". He mouthed. I didn't know why he was thanking me, I should be thanking him. He pulled out the matches.

   I forced myself to pull away from Dennis and climb down the ladder to meet Ozzie.

   I took her hand and we walked straight. The sewer really smelled and I wondered if alligators were down here. Ozzie and I kept walking intill we came across another ladder that lead to the surface.

    "Stay here". I said. Ozzie nodded her head. I made my way up the ladder, lifted up the cap and peeked my head up taking a look around.

   Zombies were everywhere! Some roaming around the parking lot and others still trying to get in the market. As long as I kept my head under the cap and stayed low they didn't notice me. We were still close to the market so getting out the sewer isn't a option anytime soon.

    The market suddenly exploded. Dennis must've lit the match. The explosion demolished the market but didn't stop there. The fire spread out into the parking lot scorching up every zombie.

   I was about to drop the cap and retreat into the sewer but something grabbed my ankle and pulled me down. I hit my chin against the ladder and fell flat on my back almost squishing Ozzie.

   It was Nia who pulled me down. She was armed with a small kitchen knife but still had the upper hand.

    "This is all your fault!" She yelled. "Everyone would've been safe but you and that redheaded brat were so selfish!" "I'll do whatever it takes, even if it means leaving my favorite student to die!" Nia turned and started climbing the ladder.

    "Mrs. Parker no!" I screamed.

    "See ya sucker!" She said opening the cap and peeked.

    There was a flash and Nia's body started moving as if it was having a seizure. There was a nasty burning smell.

    Mrs. Parker's body dropped down to the ground in front of us. Her entire head was burnt black and roasted. Ozzie turned to the side and threw up but I couldn't stop staring at my old teacher.

   She used to be the nicest person I knew. Now she'd sacrifice everything as long as she got out ok.

    It goes to show, this apocalypse can change even the best people.

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