Running in Hell

Chapter 1 - The Dog

Written by Tikobiko333

Nathan's P.O.V.

The ground underneath my feet gradually slid under them, as I trudged along the destroyed terrain. I had been roaming for several weeks, keeping with me only a small backpack that I had found while escaping the firefight.

The pops of gunshots rang throughout the neighborhood, as I hid behind a small car with several other people.

"Nathan!" I heard my grandfather shout, while shooting his hunting riffle up ahead. 

"Run! Don't look back!" He yelled again over the Regime's soldiers gunshots.

I froze with fear, not willing my body to move.

"No! Grandpa! I'm not leaving you!" I replied back over the screams around me.

"Nathan, you will do as I say, listen to me this once and do as I say!" 

My reply was muffled by the sound of several missiles firing overhead.

"Go now Nathan!" His warnings were cut short as he fell to the ground.

Mustering all his strength left within him, he yelled:
"Nathan! I love you . . . now run!"

My frightened state soon filled with adrenaline, prepared for what I must do. I took a breath, and ran. 

As I recalled the events of the past month, I remembered how the Regime had invaded our city, destroying it all. Rumor had it that the Regime fell several weeks after, though it was unclear. My main priority was to survive. 

I continued down the street, eyeing the, now destroyed, shops and restaurants. To my surprise I heard a small yelp from one of the shops. I stopped walking, paying closer attention to the yelp.

Yelp.

I heard it again, walking closer to the store I had heard it from.

Yelp,

My pace hastened, now curious as to what was producing the odd sounds.

Yelp.

The noise grew louder as I dawned closer. I frantically ducked through a small hole in the wall, to see the shop inside mostly destroyed.

Yelp.

Hearing it in the corner towards the back of the store, I jogged towards it, bracing myself of what was there. To my surprise I saw a . . . dog? A matted and ruffled dog lay under one of the fallen tables. Holding out my hand, it slowly moved forward. I eyed it closer, coming to the conclusion that it was some sort of Labrador. Its golden fur moved closer to my stretched hand. As it came closer, I sent my other arm to pet its, now exposed, back.

"Hello, little guy," I whispered quietly to the dog, being cautious of other people nearby.

The dog sent its paw in the air, as though swiping at a fly.

I laughed, remembering how many people used to have dogs.

My stomach dropped as I went over what I'd said. Used to.

Glancing back at the dog lying before me, my spirits began to lift.

"So, little guy, what should I call you?" I questioned the pup, raising an eyebrow.

The dog released a short woof, raising its paw again. Almost instinctual, a name popped up in my head: Beue. 

"Beue, okay."

At the hearing of his new name, Beue crawled up, wagging its ragged tail. I held out my hand as if to say "Come with me" and began to walk outside the restaurant. Beue followed in pursuit, eager for adventure. I climbed over several mounds of rubble (stopping several times to wait for Beue) when I saw them, In front of me, several men stood, backs face toward me. The three men walked at a short pace, crawling recklessly over the debris. One, wearing a dark green hunting jacket, reached its hand out, demonically, as though grasping an invisible object. Puzzled by the trio, I began walking closer, aware of their odd presence. Getting closer, I smelled a scent of rotten flesh. Nearly centimeters away, reached out my hand, preparing to tap their shoulder. Taking a breath, I launched my hand forward, pecking the man's back. The man emitted a low groan, then quickly turned, along with the other two. I blinked in horror at what  I saw in front of me.

Those were not people.

They sported a frail, wrinkled skin that was covered in hints of brown and green. Their eyes were long and drooped, blankness lining the eyes. Their hair sagged over their face, uncut and frizzed. The other two looked nearly the same, although their clothes were a bit different. They began to slide forward, obviously unaware of the objects around them. Still dazed, I quickly grabbed Beue and began sprinting down the road. I ran as fast as my legs could take me, although I had been suffering from minor fatigue. Picking up my legs, faster and faster I ran, heaping over lumps of rubble and fallen debris. The things were still in hot pursuit, picking up their paces as well.

"I'm not going to die," I repeated, a new found energy pulsing through my veins. Unaware, I continued to run, now going off instinct and adrenaline. My mind had "shut down" giving way to my natural state. I turned a corner, hoping I would lose the things. Taking one last intake of air, I raced faster and faster, now my surroundings were a blur, and I hoped that I would not bump into anything. However, I did the worst thing I could possibly do:

I bumped into something. 

Losing conscienceness fast, the last thing I heard was this:

"We're going to save you."

Yay! It's released! This book will be great! With three amazing authors writing this, what could go wrong? (If you have something to say, please don't, that was a figure of speech :P)