Survival Mode

Chapter Three

It was now evening. The sky was painted perfect shades of blue and purple. The moon was merely peeking out from behind the clouds. Dashi was enjoying her daily evening walk around the yard.

Suddenly, a growling sound came from behind. Dashi turned, but to her surprise, nothing was there. She hesitated before continuing to walk. Moments later, the expensive, glass front doors opened to the mansion. Her father approached, a frightful look upon his face. "D...Dashi! Get inside, immediately!"

Dashi looked to him with confusion. "Why so, father?"

"I received news from a nurse only a minute ago. There has been a zombie outbreak!"

Dashi busted out with laughter. "You expect me to believe that? Father, you have completely lost your mind. There is no way -" She was interrupted by yet another deep growl. This time, when she turned, a hunched figure was nearing the mansion.

"Dashi, hurry! He is going to... To..." Before Doctor Wilson could finish, he raced outside, flailing his arms. His daughter stood frozen, watching as the monster outstretched its arms, coming to hunt her down. "Dashi, come on!"

Dashi, therefore, could not move. The figure was only inches away from her. As it lunged at her, Doctor Wilson grabbed her by the wrist. Dashi was dazed, but she ran along with her father. The two entered the safe refuge of the mansion. Peso stood before them. "I saw the whole thing! Dashi, are you alright?"

"I...I believe so."

Doctor Wilson whirled her around. "Why didn't you move? Dashi, I could have lost you to those flesh eating beasts!"

Dashi shook herself out of her reverie. "It isn't my fault, father! I was frightened!"

"Coming face to face with a zombie should cause you to run, not freeze! You will not be allowed to leave this house until the zombies leave, do you understand me?"

"G...Guys? I think we have bigger problems." Peso motioned for them to look out the window. The two obliged. As soon as they saw the sight, they gasped. It was horrifying - possibly gruesome! These creatures attacked innocent humans. Cries of pain rang out through Burkland. A population of approximately one million was slowly starting to die off.

Dashi shook her head. "How in the world did the zombies get here?"

Doctor Wilson pondered his next words carefully. "I have considered the potion Mister Carter Mason forced Mister Cedric Hathaway into drinking could be the possible cause of this mess. Although, it's best not to jump to conclusions. It's best to stick to the basics."

Dashi took one more glance through the window. Zombies growled with hunger for human flesh and blood. "What about the other humans who were fortunate enough to get away from the zombies? Have they reached shelter as well?"

Doctor Wilson gave her a confused shrug. "It is best we stay inside for now, my dear. No one will sleep a blink tonight. We will spend it preparing - preparing for what is yet to come."

Meanwhile, Shellington was rushing through the lonesome streets of Burkland. He turned around and waved to the others behind him. "What are you waiting for? Hurry!" He encouraged his crew as they ran. He continued his own running. Their lives were in grave danger - and that danger was right behind them. They roared with hunger for their flesh. He wouldn't dare let these savages eat him or his crew.

Only what seemed moments before, the four had been chased out of their abandon home by these ferocious creatures. Luckily, they were fortunate enough to escape. Alas, now, they had bigger problems - being chased by them.

The crew came to an alleyway. Thankfully, the creatures did not follow them in. Shellington turned to the others and held a hand to his throbbing chest. "Everyone alright?"

The group gave him hesitant nods. He turned around to see more of the creatures piling into the alleyway. "Crap! We have to hide!"

"Where on earth could we hide?" Tweak asked in worry and pulled Tunip closer to her.

Kwazii nodded assent to Shellington. "She's right. There is no way out of this alleyway. We're trapped!"

Tunip wailed with fright. Shellington turned to him and put his hands to his hips. "Suck it up. You're a man, not a cry baby."

Tweak let out out a horrified gasp before kneeling to the ground to hug Tunip. "Don't be so hard on him! He is only ten!"

"That's the least of my concern." Shellington looked behind them once again. The savages were now inches away from the crew. "Crud! Everyone, we have to climb this building! It's our only hope!" The crew obediently rushed to the side of the short building. They reached the top in a nick of time. Shellington looked below them, watching as they tried to climb up after them. It was a relief their efforts failed. He came to the other edge of the building. "We'll have to jump for it!"

Kwazii gasped sharply. "Are you insane!"

"Yes, I am! Hurry, let's go!" Shellington was the first to jump. Once his feet hit the ground, he outstretched his arms to catch his group member if they were to fall. His crew followed one by one after him. Once the crew reunited on the concrete, Shellington lead them away from the flesh eating savages. They came to the doorstep of a mansion. "Let's pray someone's home!" He knocked loudly on the door. "Let us in! The zombies are right behind us!"

There was no answer. Shellington continued to bang against the glass doors. "Please! We need shelter! We will do anything to repay you in return if you open this door!"

The door finally opened, revealing a middle aged man. A grumpy look was upon his wrinkled face. "Why should I allow strangers in my house?"

"Please!"

"Father, what on earth?" A female appeared from behind him. Shellington's eyes suddenly grew wide. She was a fairly attractive woman - possibly in her early twenties.

The man - known as her father - looked to her. "These strangers beg of us to allow them indoors."

Despite his daze from the beauty of the woman, Shellington folded his hands and continued to plead. "Please, they are right behind us. We promise to do anything to repay you."

The woman looked from behind them, then returned her gaze to him. She gave him a frustrated sigh. "Fine."