A New Beginning

Chapter XIII

Ronny felt the pressure of the trigger. He expected death to be different, much more dark and empty. He looked at the gun and wondered if he was dead or not. As Ronny looked at the gun, he caught a glimpse of the bite. Ronny knew he was alive. The gun was jammed. Ronny cried as he threw his gun in frustration. The thud of the child remained consistent as Ronny balled up. "You weren't meant to die, Ronny. Not yet". Ronny saw someone walk up to him, he saw the person's shoes as they stood in front of him. Ronny looked up to see Gavin standing in front of him with a helping hand. Ronny was resistant as he looked back to the ground. Gavin crouched as he said, "Ronny, listen man. This isn't about me anymore. You and I both know that. Albee still needs you. That gun jammed for a reason". "It's hopeless", Ronny said in a low raspy voice, "I'm trapped here". Gavin stood up and walked to the window at the end of the hall. He looked outside as he said, "Not quite. I still see a way out". Ronny stood up as he walked to the window. Gavin said, "The biters are busy. We could climb onto this roof and jump down". Ronny looked outside to see the roof stuck out just beneath the window. "Even if I got away, there's not much I could do to help Albee now. I could be dead before I get back". Gavin said, "You won't. We know better than that. You're a fighter and you'll do your very best to get Albee to Juneau". Ronny looked to Gavin with hope. "Thank you, Gavin". Gavin smiled as he said, "I'm sorry for all that I did before". Ronny said, "I knew you were still good deep down. I'm just sorry it had to end the way it did". Then Ronny and Gavin hugged as Ronny tried to not cry. After a moment, Ronny opened the window as he climbed onto the roof.

Once on the roof, Ronny observed the scene. Most of the biters were near the front door, however, a good amount was still huddled around Thomas's corpse. Ronny tried to avoid it as he walked to a section of the roof where the biters were furthest away from him. He then jumped down, however, the snow did very little to break his fall as he felt the pain shoot up his legs. He, however, tried to remain quiet as to not draw attention. It was too late, though, as the biters had noticed him. Ronny tried his best to quickly make his way back to the courtroom. However, the snow and his legs caused him to move slow.

Finally, Ronny made it to the courtroom as he began to try to barricade the window. He grabbed chairs and desks as he blocked the window. The others heard the commotion as Xavier and Sarah walked upstairs to see what was happening. "Ronny, what the hell is going on", Xavier asked. Ronny yelled, "Help me block this"! The two immediately jumped in to help Ronny. After grabbing all they could, Ronny realized it wouldn't hold the biters back forever, however, it would long enough to think of another plan.

Once they felt they were safe, Sarah said, "What the hell happened out there? And where's Thomas"? Ronny had his hands on his knees as he said, "We were attacked by biters. They were hiding in the snow. We couldn't find any antibiotics". Xavier said, "Where's Thomas"? Ronny gave Xavier a look that confirmed his untimely demise. Sarah said, "Well let's get you to warmth". As the trio walked to the courtroom, Ronny saw Nick was holding Albee. Nick looked uncomfortable. Everyone knew he needed antibiotics, however, everyone also knew how hard it'd be to find some. Nick forced a smile as he watched Albee laugh. Once he saw Ronny return, he knew something happened as Ronny looked upset.

As Ronny sat down near the fire, he looked at the bite as he closed his eyes. "Guys", he said, "Something else happened out there". Xavier, Sarah, and Nick looked at Ronny as he showed them what happened. Nick closed his eyes as he felt dreadful. Xavier shook his head in disbelief. Ronny's face was grim as everyone looked in horror. Ronny said, "Listen, no matter what happens to me, you guys make sure Albee survives". Sarah said, "Cut your arm off. Thomas mentioned before about someone he was with who got bit and they cut their arm off and he was ok. It could work here". Ronny shook his head, "I've been bitten for a while now. It's probably too late now". Sarah teared up as she tried to think of another solution. Xavier walked away from the group as he tried not to cry. Ronny took Albee from Nick as he held him close. Ronny saw Albee's bright green eyes staring at him. In the corner of his vision, he could see the bite, its mere presence was menacing enough for Ronny to not feel happy while holding Albee. 

Finally, Xavier had the strength to look at Ronny as he said, "How many are out there"? As he spoke, everyone could hear the bangs of the biters struggling to enter the building. Ronny said, "We won't survive if we stay". Sarah said, "We have to try! We've been running for far too long". Xavier said, "Fine. We'll fight, but if it starts to look like a loss, we have to leave". Ronny said, "How are we gonna leave if they got us cornered in here"? Xavier pointed to the door that stood behind where the judge's podium was. "We searched through there. There's a service ladder that leads to the roof". "So what's the plan", Ronny said. Xavier looked around as he said, "You, Sarah, and I will head up there and try and take them out before they can get in. If it gets to be overwhelming we retreat and regroup. Nick, if you see us backing up into the courtroom, you get yourself and Albee out of here. Wait for us on the roof". Nick looked exhausted and defeated, however, he was still ready to fight. Ronny handed Albee to Nick as Ronny took out his pistol. Ronny racked the slide as the bullet popped out. Ronny stared at the bullet that now laid on the ground. 

After making it back to his ground, he realized his importance regardless if he was bitten or not. Albee needed his father, Xavier and Sarah needed his support, and Nick needed his help. Regardless of whether it was fate or a coincidence, Ronny was still alive and ready to fight for those he still loved. For his family. 

As the tree ascended to the main level, they could hear furniture begin to fall over as a herd of biters started to rip it apart. Ronny was to the right, Sarah to the left and Xavier was in between them. Xavier said, "Remember, as soon as you see a head, take the shot". The three of them waited. The growls and groans grew louder as they readied themselves. More furniture fell as they grew anxious. Finally, the first biter began to crawl through as Sarah took the shot. It body laid flat on top of the furniture. Another biter crawled through as Ronny took the shot. It fell to the ground as another crawled through. Xavier took the shot. As Ronny looked at the window waiting for the next biter to crawl through, a wave of heat fell over him as his vision went blurry. He wasn't sure what was happening, however, he tried to push through it as another biter appeared. Xavier shot it as Ronny grew focused again. However, as his sight readjusted, he saw that several biters were crawling through at once. Ronny began to shoot as more crawled through. However, as more crawled in, suddenly, most of the furniture fell over as the cold winds blasted into the room as well as several biters. Xavier had to move toward Ronny's direction as to avoid being hit by the furniture. There were a dozen biters within the building and many more outside. 

As Ronny and Xavier began to back up, they saw Sarah was holding her own as she made her way over to them. As they backed up to the stairway, they cleared the biters that were in the building, however, more were making their way in. "There's too many. We have to go", Ronny said. Sarah yelled out, "No we can take them. There's not many left". Xavier looked at the biters. There was a significant amount, however, with the right shots they could clear them. It was risky though as Xavier shot another one. Xavier looked to Ronny and then to Sarah as he thought about what they should do. Finally, he told them to go to the courtroom. As soon as they made it in, he shot a few more biters and slammed the door.