Zombie Exodus: Aftermath, scene 11

Continued from scene 10 

“Portland, why don’t you cause a distraction on the far side of the cabin to draw the zombie over to you. The three of us can then open the door, sneak in, and take it out.” You point to the back outside wall.

She nods and picks up a large rock from the ground. “Ready?”

You, Cameron, and Jesse step to the door and prepare to fight. When you flash a thumb’s up to Portland, she slams the rock onto the back of the cabin over and over again. A long howl interrupts from inside the small room, and footsteps pound the ground away from you. The back wall stumps, shaking it, and Portland keeps hammering to keep its attention. As you reach for the doorknob, Cameron grabs it and swings the door inward. It opens with a high-pitched creek. You see a poorly lit narrow room with bunkbeds on the right and a writing table on the left. Across the room stands a figure in the shadows, and slams its hands against the wall, leaving dark stains of blood behind each assault.

“We’re trying to sneak in,” Jesse says in a whisper, slapping Cameron’s arm.

He slips inside. “Let’s just get this done fast while he’s turned away.”

“We can barely see him,” you say. “He could be a higher variant. Cameron, dude!”

He hurries across the wood floor on the front of his feet and raises the rock over his head. Jesse curses under her breath and moves in behind him, and you take the rear. No sooner has Cameron stepped within a few paces, he swings his weapon. It slams against the side of the zombies head, opening a gash. The zombie recoils from the sudden hit and turns towards Cameron with its mouth wide. Long rows of teeth flash in a stream of moonlight through the broken roof. Red saliva dribbles out and smacks the ground with hisses. Dark green lesions freckle his face, and inch-long striations of bone push through the skin.

“Run!” Jesse shouts and turns towards the exit. She fails to see you and the two of you collide, tumbling into the bottom bunk bed.

The zombie lunges at Cameron who back pedals into the writing desk and swings his rock. It collides with the side of the zombie’s head, but he grabs Cameron by the wrist and pulls him in to his waiting mouth. Cameron shoves the rock between the zombie’s teeth. He flinches as the zombie bites down, and Cameron pulls his hand away. It shakes its head violently as the rock stays lodged between its teeth and chases Cameron a few steps towards the open door of the shack.

Jesse pushes herself off of you, raises the twisted piece of wood, and slams it onto the back of the creature’s head. Its forward momentum combined with the hit causes it to tumble forward. You follow after them and get out of Jesse’s way as she slashes at the zombie’s legs. It trips and tumbles face first to the dirt. Dodging to Jesse’s left, you step up with your staff and slam the point into the base of the zombie’s skull. The shaft pokes through the weaker area of flesh, and the creature goes still.

Portland runs from the other side of the cabin, her eyes wide in fear. “Is everyone okay?”

Jesse takes a few deep breaths and turns towards Cameron. “What the hell are you doing? We had a plan.”

Cameron stares at his hand. His extended index finger shows a cut along the inside with a coat of fresh blood. “Guys, his teeth cut me.”

Portland gasps. Jesse tightens her grip on the twisted piece of wood. “Dammit. What the hell?”

“I’m sorry. I thought I could kill it fast. What do I do?” Cameron asks, tears running down his face.

Jesse runs behind him and lifts her weapon. “I’m sorry, Cameron.”

Portland moves up and raises her hands. “We just can’t kill him!”

“It was a variant. Those kind of zombies spread the infection faster than normal. He’s going to change and kill all of us,” Jesse says. “We don’t have a choice.”

“Cut off his hand. It was only a little nick,” Portland says, her voice hopeful.

Cameron sits on the ground. “Maybe I’m not infected. Maybe the virus didn’t get inside. Just go. Get on that boat and go. I’m not your concern anymore. Maybe I can survive, but if I change, you need to get far away from me.”

Continue to scene 12