Fear the Roaming Dead

The Stage (chapter 17)

The sun rose brightly. The day was hazy but all seemed well. A new day broke over the horizon and birds chirped and animals prowled. A long shadow casted over every object. A new days work starting at the Factory.

"Hey, good morning." Tinley said quietly. Dex tossed around in his sleep. His eyes cracked open and he murmured a little bit. He wrapped his arms around towards his back and felt the damage on his back. He quivered in burning pain as his fingers slid into the deep gash. He removed his hands from his shredded white shirt and looked at his palms. Some weird white mucus and dark red blood all over his palms. Some darker red scabbing also stuck to his fingers and wrist. He looked up slowly at Tinley and smiled calmly. "Is-Is it morning?" Dex asked weakly. Tinley caressed his cheek. "Yes, it is." she smiled holding his head. Dex tried sitting up but his torn back wouldn't let him.

"Woah, no! Stop!" she said. She slid away from his head and put his jean jacket underneath his head. She got her white cloth and paid it over him. The concrete was still freezing. The concrete acted as an evil being that stole the life energy out of all things it touched. Tinley stood up and stretched. Her back popped from leaning on Dex all night. She cracked her knuckles and walked towards the cell door.

She pushed her head towards it and glanced out. Workers walked in the hallways. Some carried jars of food and some carried buckets of water. Other held sponges with soap and others carried boxes of ammunition. Tinley turned around and Dex was breathing heavily while laying down. "Are you feeling okay?" she asked. Dex weakly nodded.

Tinley turned back around and spoke up. "What are you guys doing?" she asked. Tinley watched as both workers sped past her. They completely ignored her. "Hey!" she yelled. Other workers that passed also disregarded the fact she was yelling. "What are you guys doing!?" she yelled. It was a like a bee hive. Everything was in a perfect system. No time for failure.

"They're not allowed to talk to you guys." Someone said. Tinley looked to her left to see someone wearing a dark blue jacket. The jacket had fur on the collar and he was wearing grey jeans with black boots. His hair was really long and black. His eyes were brown and his skin looked a little pale. Tinley gave him a judgmental look. "Who are you?" she asked. The man smiled and looked behind him. "I'm Blaise. Blaise Myers." he said.

"Tinley." she said quietly. "Why are you talking to me then? If they're not allowed to then why are you?" she asked. Blaise turned around then looked at Tinley and whispered. "I don't give a sh*t about what Wally says. You're the new prisoners that he took from his native community. Where you the only ones?" Blaise asked. "No, we have two more. We had three but I shot that little b*tch because she whines too much." Tinley said.

"Okay, nice..." Blaise said awkwardly. His voice was deep. "Are they Aaron and Sam? The new ones?" he asked. Tinley nodded. "Okay, well they look devoted to Wally. I've never seen someone so quickly-" "They're faking it. We're planning on breaking out sometime." Tinley crossed her arms. Blaise's face lightened up. "Me too!" he whispered.

"Why are you wanting out? You look healthy." she said. Blaise cough and rubbed his forehead. "It's more complicated than just malnutrition. If I ever see you guys again I'll tell you. But I know Wally's routine and he always comes to get the prisoners at eight. I'll see you guys." Blaise said backing up. He flashed his clock at Tinley. The big hand was nearing the twelve and the small hand was on the eight. He walked face paced around a corner.

"Who was that?" Dex groaned. Tinley turned around. "Someone named Blaise or Blake. He said he wants out too." she said. Dex lightly chuckled and held his sides. "Who doesn't?" he smiled a little bit.

Tinley heard the sound of someone walking behind her. She turned around and Wally was face to face with her from behind the bars. "Good morning," he said unlocking the cell door. "How'd you guys sleep?" "Dex and I were too busy in pain to sleep." Tinley said with a grumpy face. "That makes three of us." Wally said quietly. The cell door clicked and he opened it. Two soldiers stood behind Wally.