Despair

Despair | Chapter 23

Sweat poured down my hairline and began to coat my face. Hastily, I wiped my face with my sleeve, which was coated with blood.

I stuffed my pistols, pulling out my trusty rocket launcher and reloaded it.My hands tightened on the trigger and the rocket shot at James.

The explosion was bright.

Good. No recoil. Happiness finally rose inside me, only to be shot down by the amount of stress caused by the zombies zerg rush. I hate zombies.

Other explosions were triggered, blinding me. Smoke filled the air. I dropped the rocket launcher, pulling my trusty pistols out and receiving a cut in my knee in the meantime. It was a miracle I wasn't bleeding to death—or maybe I was. The zombies appeared out of the thick smoke and were growing in numbers.

I shot them as fast as I can.

It seemed like it was over. We fought, but there were simply too many of them.

I pointed my pistol at the zombie right next to me. Click.

Nothing. I paused. Clicked again.

The gun was jammed.

Dread filled my heart.

I braced for the incoming knife, braced for a hole to be stabbed in my heart.

Nothing. I opened my eyes.

The zombie was on the ground, ugly limbs spread. I exhaled and peered around.

"Hey! Look out!"

Mason dropped on top of me.

"Ow!" I yelled.

Mason looked at me. I stared back at him. Did he save me? "Come on," he said, his expression one of discomfort. "You're looking at me funny. Let's go."

We headed in James' direction. I began to tire out. The gash in my knee was practically pouring blood, and the two bullets that had grazed my shirt were like knives buried in my chest. I could barely breathe as I started to drag myself forward.

I unjammed my pistols when we were halfway there. Finally. My feet were aching.

Footsteps rang out.

I froze as a lone zombie barreled towards us, chucking the long sword in its hand towards me.

It was too late. I saw my death in slow-motion.

My heart drummed like a cuffed bird trying to escape a cage. I couldn't move, rooted to the spot. I was too weak.

The heavy feeling in my chest, the anticipation of death came with a simple thought: the regret that I didn't tell Abigail.

I tried, I thought. I tried my best.

That's when Mason jumped in front of me.

The sword pierced straight through his body.