Whatever It Takes: Mutations

Chapter Twenty-One

Fighting the Odds

October 4th, 11:13 am (Now in CST)

Current Location: Sparta, TN

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The roads were terrible. They were basically destroyed, potholes everywhere, and littered cars all over the place. Damien was right about the roads between Knoxville and Memphis being one of the worst. I couldn't imagine driving through something worse than this.

"Jesus, I'm going to throw up if I have to through another hour of this," Olivia said, shaking from the bumpy road. "When are we gonna stop?"

"Soon, trust me," said Navarez. "I'll find another way around that's less destructive."

I was relieved to hear that, but I was also wondering how the truck itself could hold itself together. I decided not to question it.

A few minutes later, Navarez was able to find a way off of the interstate and onto another highway that was slightly less broken and destroyed. I was sort of worried that it would cost us more time than we could afford, but I had a little faith in him.

Dad tried to turn on the radio, but it was nothing but static. He sighed and turned it back off, and it went quiet again.

Eventually, the road smoothed out some, but screeches filled the air. All of us immediately went on guard.

"What was that?" Olivia asked, her eyes scanning everywhere around us.

"Sounded like Gouls," Navarez said. "Help me keep watch, alright?"

He slowly crept the truck forwards. I intently stared out of my window, halfway expecting something to jump out at any given moment.

Suddenly, Braxton screamed. "THERE!"

In a panic, Navarez floored it, but it didn't do any good. More of them began to flood the road, and we didn't have a choice but to stop it.

"Everyone on top!" Dad yelled as he grabbed both of the rifles. I opened the sunroof and let the kids out first, then myself.

I stared in shock. Goul after Goul came out of nowhere, and they began to beat on the truck, causing it to shake. They were fast and quick enough to be able to climb on, but one shot or stab would cause them to fall off.

I kicked one in the face, and it screeched loudly. Then one almost grabbed Olivia, but I got there first.

"There's no way that we'll get all of them!" I yelled. "What should we do?!"

Navarez continued to fire until he ran out. He reloaded and glanced at me. "Hang on!"

I growled and kicked another one off as hard as I could, and it's head bent backward in an uncomfortable manner. I grimaced but kept my focus.

"Will!" Navarez called out after a long minute. "Climb back inside the truck and give Jeremy the gun! I want you to push past them!"

Dad tossed me the gun, and I immediately fired a bullet right through the zombie that tried to grab Braxton. He scrambled backward and almost fell, but I grabbed the back of his shirt just in time before he fell over. A Goul grabbed my ankle and attempted to bite me, but I shot it through the head. Fortunately the bullet went through the passenger side and not the drivers.

Then, my father laid on the horn and pounded the roof a few times. Then Navarez crouched down and said, "Grab on! This one's gonna be bumpy!"

I grabbed onto the edge of the sunroof and quickly made sure that my siblings were doing the same, and then Dad slammed on the gas, now pushing through the horde of Gouls. Unfortunately, they continued to jump on top of the truck.