They Left Us For Dead

The Passing: Underground

"I hear there's a stock car museum in New Orleans." Rochelle mentions, breaking the ice.

"Get outta here! Alright, let's get a move on!" Ellis sprung up and got his health kit, gun, and ammo together. It was probably how we looked when the world was normal, too. Not that is was much of a shocker, considering some of the ends of his stories.

"Coach, we make it to New Orleans, there's a cheeseburger museum!" Rochelle says, pumping Coach up for the journey. We hadn't eaten in two days, and Coach was already feeling the effects of malnutrition. We couldn't do much if we weren't somewhat healthy.

"Oh, in my heart, I'm there already." Coach holds his heart, and reminisces about the last time he had a good meal. Or, a meal for that matter. We needed to find food and soon.

"Yeah, no. I'm good, I don't need a one-liner." Nick was already waiting at the door for us. His. stomach growled, but he seemed to not mind it. Rochelle gathers her stuff, and helps unlock the door.

"I'm missin' Jimmy Gibbs Jr already..." Ellis was obsessed with the car, at this point I was kind of over it. I wouldn't tell him that, though. Especially after what he had told me. We honestly hadn't done much, other than flirt and talk about the situation. I think maybe he's a bit unrealistic, but his confidence in himself and his humor, sure helps aid the treacherous journey.

We kept walking, following the way the roads took us. I don't think any of us had noticed that we were slowly becoming close. Inside jokes were being made, and we truly do care about each other. I mean, countless times we've helped someone after they'd been incapacitated.

"You heard anything about this Under the River tour?"

"Yeah, it's under the water." Coach replies, and we laughed. At least there is someone being happy at this point. It's easy to lose sight of when you're constantly battling for your life.

We went further through the tour, but there wasn't much to see. It was one long pipeline under the ground with a view of dirt, mud, and rust. Not exactly the best museum I've ever been to.

"Wow, what a shithole." Nick says, getting his gun at the ready. There were several zombies throughout the tour. What a terrible place to die. I couldn't imagine becoming one of those things, let alone be in the sewers. But, you gotta do what you gotta do.

What came after was much worse. We neared a stairwell that was a few stories, which led to a collapse. The collapse must have happened recently as the sewer was widely visible. The smell was horrendous, making Rochelle nearly vomit, she wasn't the only one. The sewer had bodies upon bodies, just floating just above the water line. Nevertheless, we had no choice but to go through with it. Swimming in literal shit. This should be great...

My legs were almost completely submerged, and I could feel the water seep into my clothes. A shower sounds like a good idea right now. Nick was obviously uncomfortable, as he was trying to cover his nose, and avoid looking down at the water. Which we all knew was basically inevitable. His mouth was running 90 miles a minute, and as his voice raised...

Hoards came hurdling from the lower end of the tunnel, making us all jump. The sudden alarm going off, and the sound of Nick's complaining about sanitation must have led to this.

"RUN!" Ellis yells, leading the way to the safe room. He was actually a speedy sprinter. Maybe he did track in high school? Something must put some fire under your ass to run like that...like not getting torn to shreds by some infected.

"Goddamn, this saferoom had better have some water. This is disgusting." Nick tries to wipe the sewage from his suit, which was one white. Too bad, the zombie apocalypse doesn't make time for fashionistas.