The Dark Side

Chapter 5 - Horses

They were nice when we escaped the zombies. For like the first five minutes at most. The group laughed with us and joked, but than their mood seemed to completely drop when we began walking towards their camp. It's almost like their old, normal selves, from before the apocalypse was showing through for a few minutes when they realised they were safe.

Before the plague began, the world was normal and quiet cheerful, but then as soon as the plague started everyone turned to their other sides, their cruel, harsh, merciless other sides. Their dark sides.

It all happened so quick. Just like a bullet. Just like the bullet that has been shot right in front of me. The bullet that is on it's way to my head.

Everything seems to be going slow. Drew trying to stop me from pulling on the chains anymore and getting myself killed and Jamie's face of anger as he pulls the trigger.

I quickly lift my wrists and separate them as far as possible from each other. At the same time, I move my head to the side.

The chain breaks from the bullet and lands in a pile on the snowy ground with a rusted sounding crack that echoes throughout the forest around us. The horses rear, buck and neigh in fright behind us, still stuck to the post. The wood creaks louder and louder as the horses pull on the chains around their necks.

I quickly stand up and Jamie steps to the side as soon as I throw a punch. He continues to dodge my punches every time. I finally get sick of the repetitive situation and lower my body and within a split second I sweep his feet from beneath him. He falls backwards in surprise and I stand up quickly. I kick him in the face and snatch his gun. At the same time, I hear the creaking of the wooden post.

"Jess! Here!" Drew lifts his wrists above his head and I shoot the chains. He stands up as soon as I do so.

I feel someone grab me around the neck from behind and aim their pistol at the side of my head. It's Jamie, he must've had a second pistol in his pockets somewhere. Drew takes a step towards us. "No closer!" Jamie shouts at him and aims at him. Drew gives a worried look and steps back.

"Let her go." He demands sternly.

"Why should I do that? Hm?" Jamie questions him, still aiming at him. Blood drips out of his mouth from the kick in the face that I gave him. The snow continues falling heavily upon us and the cold wind blows. The only light source is the moon that barely manages to shine down through the clouds.

Suddenly, Jamie and I are wrenched back. He tightens his grip on my neck, causing me to choke. He hits the ground and forces me down beside him. The deep snow freezes my exposed hands and some makes it's way into my black, leather hoodie. I claw at Jamie's hands around my throat, he must've dropped the gun. After a couple seconds from when we hit the snowy ground and Jamie choking me, Drew kicks Jamie in the side, he finally lets me go as he collapses back on the ground beside me. I gasp as air finally enters my lungs once more.

I look up to see Vincent punch Jamie in the face a single time, causing him to fall still. Vincent must've pulled Jamie back.

Drew helps me up and I look at Jamie, only to find him unconscious. I watch as Vincent makes his way over to the horses, "No, no, no. Nah ah. I don't do horses. Not happening." I say, taking a step back from them.

"Jess, c'mon. It'll be fine." Drew says, taking my hand.

"Unless you want to be zombie bait, I would suggest the horses." Vincent says, "The gunshots would've been a dinner bell for zombies within a hundred metre radius." He adds.

Drew takes me closer to the horses, "Look. I understand why you don't want to, but you have to at least try." He turns me to face him, while Vincent takes the chains off of the last horse, "Please, Jess. Otherwise, I'm gonna have to tie you to one and force you, cause there is no way I'm leaving you here." Drew says, his dark brown eyes looking deep into my own, crystal blue eyes, as he raises an eyebrow expectantly.