3 Years Later

There are... Few things that pose a real threat to those left.

The constancy of food shortages and raiders was almost as normal to life as it was to never have a stable home. We all felt the bite of hunger and the fear of being hunted. Zs, after a while, just stopped being that much of a threat. Those who are left knew how to deal with them quickly and effectively and if not? Well, it's easy to run away before being grabbed. The same can't be said for larger groups however. Single bodied Zs are manageable but the moment that they start to gather, start to swarm, start to create a hoard is the moment everyone fears.

After all, how else do you survive a sheer tidal wave of gnashing teeth and diseased skin.

Thus, leading me here. My heart pounding up another tune as the ground started to shake. What must be thousands of feet all coinciding with one another seemingly formed a wall large enough to send my stomach into flips. Clammy hands slapping against rusted metal to try and find my weapon as the other two exchanged silent worries. Their words were drowned out by the song that my mind played up.

A loading screen started to boot up just in time for my fingers to wrap a tight grip around my bat. Nails soon raking down into the fabric woven handle and soon my body moved, the start button having been selected. My last glimpse was Jake's slowly widening eyes, Nick's low growl, and the quickly advancing figures in the distance before I broke into a sprint.

Left and right, a fast pace was set as the sounds of trumpets heralded the change in mood. I barely had the mind to keep upright, practically scrambling before I could set myself straight, with the morning air biting into my skin in glee. Almost every bit of my perception worked side by side with the strange, almost jazzy soundtrack my mind decided to play. The throb in my leg was the drums, my heart beat the piano, the roar of groans behind me was the perfect cacophony for the chorus. Had I had a moment to, I would've bobbed my head along but now's not the time.

Not when my destination was unknown.

The wind kicked up after me as my panic rose with the song. I wasn't sure where I was going. I didn't even know if there was a place to go. All I know is to run. To run along with this hellish song. Surely, if I run fast enough, I'd get there.

Old bits of memory, the buildings and road signs, flashed each time I took a look around. Flying by the ruins of restaurants to the shambles that used to be office buildings. The height slowly getting taller as did the rumbling of the ground. Cars starting to quake and street lamps practically waning under the sudden movement happening about. Whatever glass that was left began to crash back to earth, shards exploding beneath my feet.

I wanted to scream. I wanted to cry. Yet I found myself at a loss to do either. Too focused on keeping my footing stable or perhaps I was too distracted by the song playing about in the confines of my brain? Maybe it was the fact that the voice in me was singing along. Words strung together with hisses and promises of death if I dared to falter now.

'Run. Run Rabbit. Run Until Your Lungs Bleed.' It sweetly sang just as I vaulted over a turned over car. Missing a beat in my step and rolling for a quick second. My heart practically leapt as I screamed upon impact just as the bridge started to the song.

'Get Up. Get Going. The Wave Will Drown You. Run Rabbit Run!' It hissed causing tears to stream down my eyes. Empty cries leaving my lips as I struggled to get up. The rumbling of the ground kept bouncing back into me leaving me no room to get steady. Falling over every few steps and crashing into more rubble. Arms outstretched and bat spinning out of my reach. Images of chipped nails ripping my body open at the seams caused a whole new wave of nausea and fear. My mouth, previously dry, began to flood with some sort of liquid. It could be bile, saliva, or a mixture of both that is hitting the floor in front of me. Part of it being spread into the cracks on the road as failed to stabilize myself. It wasn't until I felt someone grab the scruff of my jacket did I get forced back onto my feet.

My eyes turned upwards just in time to see tattooed wrists push me forward. Soon Jake pulled into frame, one hand grabbing mine and the other gripping my bat. His own rifle slung right onto his back. His mouth opened as if to yell something at me but I couldn't hear it. The soundtrack too loud to let any of his words to hit me. I watched as he turned, shooting more wordless shouts to Nick, before pulling me in front of him.

A dry heave began to build deep within my c.h.e.s.t as I watched them. Their heads moving side to side, up and down, as the scenery began to change. The rundown buildings and stores began to blow up into 4 story, hell maybe even 7 story houses. Walls began to sprout on either side as more of the sky began to get covered the further we went in. Exposed metal and concrete chunks littered the floor leaving the walkway a wasteland. Each of us climbing and dodging as more debris that fell from being offset with the rumbling of the hoard behind us. High rises slowly started to filter through as, overhead, I saw the train line begin to appear. Parts of it now left on the ground as left over railing stuck out of concrete like skeletal remains.

"-uck! This way!" All of a sudden, the voices came back. Pain hitting the back of my head that I've begun to stumble but the boys wouldn't allow it. With one hand on my arm, the other on the fabric of my jacket, both dragged me to the right. The harsh turn led straight into the doors of one of the highrises. Glass crunching beneath our feet as we slid across the dust covered floor. A small cry was all that was able to leave my lips as I was, yet again, pulled on forward. My head being forced through a doorway and soon breaking into a crawl as I fell onto steps.

There was no time for anything. No time to properly climb the steps. No time to care about my screaming limp. No time to care about how the building g.r.o.a.n.e.d with the increasing vibration.

A loud crash appeared from below causing all of us to be sent into overdrive. No doubt that the hoard was near minutes away from being at our heels. Higher and higher we climbed and louder did the little stairwell become. A screaming chorus of groans, screams, scratches, and heavy patter climbed the walls and almost surrounded us. To think that mere minutes ago, I was peacefully staring into the fog. Now, I wonder if I will ever live to see the sky again. My lungs began to burn something fierce that I felt my legs give way, a curse slipping out of my mouth as Nick slid down to keep a hold on me. His hands pressed me back onto the steps as he began to fish something out of his jacket.

"Nick?!" I cried as he shook his hand at me.

"Just go! I'll catch up!" He hissed back as he grabbed a small bottle from his pocket. I was turned back upwards with Jake hurrying to continue with his grip on my arms. Soon throwing me upwards and forcing me to run once more with how he pushed me. Hands pressed onto my back to usher me further. The sound of a bottle crashing from down below caught my attention as Nick sighed an apology. My confusion was met as, at the base of the stairs, large flames sprouted and licked upwards. Whatever figures that was nearest to us fell back, now charred to a crisp, but another wave replaced it.

I wasn't sure if it was my own desperation or exhaustion, but I swear those burned bodies howled in pain.

"Come on friend. Just a little bit further," Jake chanted, his head kept upwards perhaps searching for the end, "Just a little bit further!"

It felt never ending. Whatever tune that was playing before now switched to a hellish orc.h.e.s.tra that seemed to be playing in a loop. The more we wind up this space, the more it seemed like we were stuck doing the same thing. We'd run, reach a landing, then run again. Over and over. My brain pulsing as I struggled to belief whether we're even moving anymore. How much further do we have? How much longer can we keep up with this?

Upon reaching another landing, Jake's legs buckled. A painful groan was stifled but I can still see his exhaustion, his pain. I could do nothing except pat at his back and shoved him again. Despite how much I wanted for him to catch his breath, there is no chance to. Every second was needed to keep distance away from the hoard. One false move and we'd all be sent back into a teeth-filled death.

The longer we went, the more we had to throw each other upwards. Pushing through with sheer fear of not wanting to be eaten. To be swallowed by the waves. As both me and Nick caught Jake in between us, I saw the faint outline of a door just a few steps ahead. My heart soaring with hope, soaring with relief, and excitedly I screamed at my new finding.

All of a sudden the next I knew, everything moved in slow mo. The end of the stairwell just in reach. Nick's hand slamming onto the doors. His roar of frustration as it didn't give way. Jake staring at me-no staring behind us. Me turning back and feeling my breath hitch. A hand gripping my ankle and my chin slamming into the steps. Shouts and gun fire exploded leaving my world loud and fuzzy. I didn't even realize I was free until I was thrown out onto the roof.

I gaped as both men slammed their backs closed on the door. A hand getting crushed in the process. A roar bellowing from the cracks as I watched the door bouncing and quake. I moved to help but found no more strength in my legs. Something warm began to trickle down my side making me grasp at it. Mouth opening to gape at air when I felt pain starting to make a come back.

"Shit shit shit! What do we do?!" Jake cried, pulling back a second only to slam back into the heavy metal doors. Nick clutched as his head, his normal exterior gone.

"F.u.c.k-shit I need to think. Shit..." His face was scrunched up, his body nearly doubled over. It looked like he was in pain but I couldn't tell. He threw his head back as pained yowl was all he gave before he forced himself to slam back into the door. His heels digging into the material of the roof. With a grunt, he slammed his fist against the door before his eyes shot open. For a second, a strange milky hue covered them before it was blinked away. His concentration seemingly coming back.

"We've got to jump."

"What?!"

That familiar smile came back to him as he nodded at the both of us. Throwing his arm out towards the edge as a crazed laugh left his lips.

"We. Need. To. Jump."

"What good will that do?!" Jake sneered back as a particular shove sent him barreling forwards. Hisses coming out of his form as he made quick haste to return back to his spot. "Do you know how high we are?!"

"Well it's either this or we f.u.c.k.i.n.g get ripped alive!" Nick retorted before sprinting forward, throwing himself against the ledge. He stared hard at, what must be, the building next to us before giving us a nod.

"We have to do it. We must take the chance. I rather risk my f.u.c.k.i.n.g life then get eaten by the hoard." He cried as he stared at us expectantly. A dry gulp went down my throat as I froze. Unsure of what to do.

My heart pounded louder and louder as the voice bubbled back into the centre of all the noises. Speaking in a clear, crisp voice that urged my panic to rise.

'What Will You Do?'