Short Stories: 10-31-18

Apocalypse Hideout

(Warning, gross scenery)
Joseph led his group far from the herd. Julia, his sister, grabbed her arrows from the ground quickly. Dennis and Alix followed shortly, running as fast as they could.
   The herd has gotten more violent the past few weeks, and it was getting more and more dangerous.
   The four adults ran and ran for a while, the herd gaining up on them. Joseph looked around for a building to hide in. To his left, a broken gas station. To his right, a somewhat clean bowling alley.
   Joseph signed off to the other three and they ran to the right. Joseph let all three of them in before running in himself.
   In a matter of seconds, all four of them barricade the door as best they could. Alix and Julia grabbed planks that were torn down. Dennis quickly nailed them in with his large rubber mallet. Joseph kept an eye outside to see if any of them could sneak in.
   Soon the door was completely barricaded, and all four of them watched cautiously. It wasn't until they heard a gunshot that the noise began to dwindle. The monsters were leaving. Joseph sighed with relief.
   The peace of the room didn't last as Dennis walked right up to Julia. "We could've died back there," he scorned. "And it could've been your fault!"
   "Me?!" She yelled back. "I was trying to grab medicine, you're the one who decided target practice was such a great idea! Dumbass."
   "At least when I do things, I don't take more than an hour!"
   "I only took so long because you and your stupid, useless pistol just had to ruin it!"
   "Enough!" Alix intervenes. Joseph stood with his arms crossed, annoyed. The two of them looked at Alix. "It doesn't matter now, we're supposed to be quiet, remember?"
   A low snarl could be heard outside. Joseph went to the window to see a monster. Her skin was a pale green, her eyes whited out. Her blood seeping through her wounds. Her teeth jagged and bloody. Joseph signed off saying he'll take care of it. He tries to sneak out the window, but...
   "Is it stuck?" Alix walked over to help him lift it, yet the window stuck. "Dammit, I think we're stuck in."
   "You serious?" Dennis replied.
   Julia walked near the back of the building. "There's no windows back here," she called.
   "Shoot," Alix murmured. "So that means the only way out would be through the door."
   "No way," replied Dennis. "That's too dangerous."
   "Not right now," Alix said quietly. "I mean when we have to. For now we should stay inside and keep safe." They all nodded in agreement.
  
   And that's what they did. For three days, the pals stayed in the bowling alley. Around this time, their food and water were gone, meaning they had to leave the safety of the building. They decided that the next morning they'll leave. For now, rest was upon them.
   Dennis slept on one of the couches for Alley 1. Julia slept on Alley 4. Alix and Joseph slept together on the couch for Alley 9.  Alix had his arm protectively around Joseph.
   A loud thump caused Joseph to awaken.  Alix slowly opened his eyes as well and he looked at Joseph, his eyes widened.
   "Hey," he whispered as he rubs Joseph's arm. "Is it the basement again?"
   Joseph nodded, concerned. Ever since they've decided to stay, there were weird noises near the basement door, which was located near the front desk. It usually consisted of thumps and creaks, but one night there was a moan. They checked, but there were no monsters outside and no key for the door. Joseph looked at him.
   Can we please try to look for a way in? Joseph signed. I know there's something down there.
   Alix groaned as he sat up. "Joseph," he replied quietly. "Whatever's down there can stay there. And besides, we don't have a key so-"
   "Oh my god," Dennis was suddenly awake and annoyed, as per usual. The two boys looked at him. "Please don't tell me you're talking about that stupid door."
   Julia groaned and tossed a couch cushion at him. "Shut up," she groaned.
   Joseph picked up his axe. Alix tried to drag him, but the determined Joseph walked towards the door with caution. Julia decided to get up and grab her crossbow. "I'll go with him," she declared as she follows. The other two groan as they get up. Alix grabs his club while Dennis grabs his katana and his pistol.
   Joseph walked up to the door. He picked up his axe and hit the doorknob. The knob broke off and fell to the ground. Alix lit one of his matches and held it towards Joseph. "You can lead, since you're so curious." He whispered. Joseph smiled before using the match to light a small candle. He leads them down to the basement.
   The nosies started to grow louder, allowing all of them to be concerned. There was another door, completely unlocked. Joseph opened it, and immediately found a light switch. He flicked it on. All four of them had wide eyes.
 
   It was a small room, a small party room with a large table. The table could sit 15 people. Only eight of those seats were filled. With monsters.
   Horribly mutated monsters. Their guts spilled below them, and some of them had no legs. Some guts were on the table in a huge bloody mess. There was cake covered in intestines, and flies surrounded  them. Some were alive, some were not. Some were adults, some were children.
   It was enough to make Julia vomit towards the side. It was enough to make Dennis look away in horror. It was enough
to make Alix stare in disgust.
   But it wasn't enough to make Joseph move.
   Joseph was probably always weird, but he was trying to think for this situation, as per usual.
   Who were these people?
   Have they always been there?
   Were they moved?
   Were they always undead?
   If they were moved, who moved them? Why? For what purpose?
   Maybe as a warning?