Hell On Earth

Chapter IX: New faces in different places

I'll say that Indiana was perhaps the longest trip I had ever taken from Washington D.C. But when we arrived, at least at the border, there were hundreds of ruined houses; perhaps from the infected. As we walked several miles over the course of several days, things in Indiana weren't looking better than how our surroundings were in D.C. In fact, everywhere we went, we saw infected running all over the streets, mutilating anyone in their reach with blood, flesh, and human carcasses littered everywhere.

"Are you sure that this is the only place we can go," Tyson panted. "We've walked several miles and I think we should rest."

"We can't do that now," Dr. West said. "The longer we take to get to the hospital and my research, the faster that we can end all of this."

Perhaps the creepiest experience we had was that we were walking in the dark when we arrived in Indiana and we could see the yellow eyes of the infected, at least those that were nearby. Due to the low level of light around us, it was impossible to tell how many there actually were.

At first glance, I could probably guess at least 30. Shortly, we arrived at the hospital without encountering any infected, but the hospital was bigger than I had anticipated.

On the first floor when we walked in, there was a typical front desk and waiting area, but there was an elevator towards the back. While we were on the way, Dr. West told me that the 2nd floor was the location of his research lab and equipment and that the third floor was used for the emergency helicopters to fly in, that is if there are still people left.

"Well isn't this hospital amazing, Eric," my mom asked. "We have a lot of resources that we can use and survive here."

"I guess so," I replied. I particularly was focused more on the task of helping Dr. West when suddenly, we heard screaming coming from down a hallway.

"What was that," Taylor asked. "Is this hospital infected?"

"Well," Tyson replied. "Looks like we'll be finding out then will we?"

Our group ran towards where the scream was to find infected using ladders on the bottom floor climbing up to where we were.

"Dr. West," panted the nurse. "Is there any way that we can stop them? There's gotta be some weapons in this hospital."

Dr. West surveyed the room and the outside, then realized just how many infected were trying to infiltrate.

"Our group is carrying weapons," he said. " But they won't be enough, not just us. Are there any other survivors in this hospital by chance?"

"I-I don't know," the nurse stuttered. " I haven't seen anyone here in a while."

Dr. West cursed and started to grow uneasy.

"We'll have no goddamn choice but to fight these bastards," Dr. West said. " If we survive, then everything will be okay, but we need to take the fight to them."

In agreement, our group went outside to fight the infected head-on. At first, it seemed things were going in our favor, but the infected would only adapt to our strategies and counterattack. Eventually, we were cornered, the 5 of us. Taylor had injured herself from the fight, but I knelt down to protect her. Suddenly, arrows, bullets, and people were arriving to help us.

"My, my," the stranger said." Do you guys need help?"

There were at least 10 more people who showed up, with some carrying guns, knives, and other sorts of weapons. The stranger who talked to us was a woman with what looked like pads or some sort of body armor, her weapon was a cutlass covered in blood. The rest of the people were all dark-skinned, but some had scars and others had dirty clothing, but all of them looked fearless. Then, the stranger noticed that our weapons didn't survive due to their poor quality.

"Can someone give these people better weapons," she asked.

Then a large man grabbed a bundle of weapons and started throwing them towards us.Some of us caught pistols and assault rifles, but I grabbed a knife and a baseball bat. Then together, this new group plus ours was able to successfully eliminate all of the infected who were attacking the hospital. There was not one casualty on either one of our sides.

"Excuse me," Tyson said. " Not that we don't appreciate your help, but who the fuck are you?"

Then the stranger started to laugh.

"My friend," she replied. " I see you've gotten to realize the world around you, but no one hasn't heard of the great Abigail?"

"Great, a cocky bitch," Taylor muttered.

"So," I said. "Would you care to answer my friend's question or not?"

"Gladly," Abigail said. " We are the 5 Fangs community. Well, part of it anyway. We're nomadic and are looking for a place to move all of us."

"Wait a second," Dr. West said. " How many of you are there?"

"Well," Abigail replied. " There are about 50 to 100 of us total with each having a role. However, since we saved your asses from mutilation, perhaps your group can pay us back?"

I was stunned and also slightly confused.

"How do you expect us to do that," I asked.

"You see," Abigail said. " Money is shit now, but resources like food and whatever weapons are quite valuable to us. If not that, people are also a resource and we'd either like it if you could hand us half of what you have or join us and get your share."

My mom was completely stunned at the offer but was also a little pissed off.

" You ungrateful bitch," my mom cursed. " You can't be kind to us for free with the world that we live in?"

I looked at Mom and the rest of the group and noticed the tension and mistrust.

" I have a proposition for you," I spoke. " If you join our group with the hospital, then your group can get a fair share of both groups as a whole. In addition, you wouldn't have to go hungry due to your nomadic lifestyle."

Abigail was intrigued by the idea. It seemed to me like her group hadn't eaten for a while, so my strategy was to bargain better.

"Well aren't you quite a bargainer," Abigail commented at me. "You may have just earned yourself a deal... that is under one condition."

Everyone in my group and the hospital were annoyed with who Abigail was and how selfish she came across as, but I was more interested in her counteroffer.

"What would it be," I inquired.