Death comes for us all
(Zombie Apocalypse) (Part Two of DCfUA)
Surviving the apocalypse was hard, especially when the group you're stuck with is unstable. You wince as Jeremiah smashes in the head of yet another undead creep. The blood and brain matter splatters across his boots and on the pavement. "What's that bring my total to?" He turns his head, looking past you at Alice, his closest friend, and she dryly recites the number. "Eleven today, thirty-five this week and one hundred and seventy five this month." "You're behind, Jeremy, even Ray is ahead of you." A monotonous voice belonging to the unofficial leader of the group, Ericson. Then Eric points his head to Ray, the youngest of the group, and they smile. You shiver, Ray's smile makes you uncomfortable, something about braces being on such a reckless individual didn't sit right with you
Jeremiah scoffs and rolls his eyes, hoisting his weapon, a metal bat, onto his small shoulder. "Whatever, at least I'm doing better than Mx coward over there." He points the bat at you and you jump as the group turns their attention your way. Smiling nervously you shrug, "You guys do great without me." Shuffling, you step away from the decaying body and hug your jacket close to your arms. Slouching somewhat, you avoid the judgmental gaze of your teammates. "We'd do better if you helped, L/n." Jeremiah's irritating voice snarks, groaning you roll your eyes and prepare for another monologue about responsibility as if you weren't the main scavenger in the group. Fortunately Ericson interrupts this painful conversation and moves the group along. "We can discuss this once we reach our new base." Exhaling, relief floods through your body as you pray that Jeremiah will forget this conversation once your group gets to safety.
Eric moves you to the side as he passes by, Alice follows behind him then Jeremiah and Ray group up and your left rushing behind them in an attempt to stay close by. You knew falling behind wasn't an option, they'd leave you in a heartbeat. Your solemn gaze surveys the area as you walk, noticing the many dilapidated buildings and then ruined signs. All remnants of their former glory, you remember walking down this street years ago and being awestruck with every step. Now you only felt grief. But there was no time to dwell on that, survival was all that mattered right now, adjusting your backpack you continue behind them as close as possible.
Gravel crunches under each members feet, their previous speed slowed due to exhaustion and hunger. "Can't we take a break?" Jeremy whines, leaning against Ray as he walks. Ray shoves him off and hustles closer to Alice. Scoffing, Jeremiah continues complaining. "Rude, I always let you lean on me." He grumbles and the group sighs, well you don't cause you aren't close enough for him to let that slide. "Jeremy quit complaining." Alice counters, casting an annoyed glance over her shoulder as she speaks. Jeremiah, ever the rebel, sticks his tongue out and flips her off. She responds by turning around and punching his shoulder, which he stops and whines about. Lost in your thoughts you don't register your teammate halting and unfortunately bump into him. Grunting, he glares at you and you sheepishly shrink away. "Sorry, dude." Rolling his eyes, he sighs and ignores your apology. "Don't cause problems." Eric's stern voice chastises, you assume he's talking to you and by Jeremiah's smug smile he likely assumes the same. "I'm talking to you Jeremy." Gasping, he splutters protests as the others ignore him. Eventually he gives up and pours silently.
The remainder of the walk is much more quiet from then on, until a rather large group of zombies is seen nearby. Ray silently points it out and the group naturally eases closer to one another, even you are not left out of this survival tactic. "Quiet, just watch for now." Eric mutters, pulling his machete from the side of his bag. The rest of your teammates ready their weapons, Jeremy his bat, Alice her gun and Ray their knife. You prepare your weapon as well, a small, somewhat useless, pocket knife that matched Ray's. A complete coincidence you had been assured. You really should get a better weapon to some ammo for your handgun at least. The team slowly steps forward, watching the undead warily. It seems they haven't noticed your team yet, too preoccupied with whatever is inside the department store in front of them. "Should we go in there?" Jeremy's stupidly asks and was rewarded with a withering glare from the leader. Clearing his throat, Jeremy looks away and keeps his mouth shut. "Obviously not, dumbass." Alice mutters as Ray Snickers. "Shut up." Eric hisses, as he tries to lead the group away from the corpses.
Passing by wasn't nearly as hard it should have been, it seems the undead were extremely uninterested in such easy prey. So, your group relaxed as the dead were left behind. However their relief was short lived as turning the corner revealed a much larger herd. Suddenly success does not seem possible. Gaze anxiously flicking across the numerous zombies, each turning to face the humans. These corpses were much more interested in easy prey and most of them look freshly turned. Which meant they would be so much faster. Whimpering quietly, you back away, survival did not seem guaranteed in this situation. The rest of your teammates were just as nervous, each tensing and waiting for Eric to form a plan. But there was no time, decaying hands grabbed at your shoulders and you turn, shrieking as you fight off the creep that hand snuck up behind your small group. Panicking, you haphazardly shove your knife into the sinking sockets of the wretched creature. It squishes with a disgustingly wet sound and you gag at the sickening smell wafting from the corpse.
Your shriek alerts other nearby and they begin to close in, "You idiot!" Jeremiah shouts, whipping his head your way as he shoves a walker away, drawing more attention to them. "Shut up, just fight!" Alice interferes, holding off a small portion of the dead with her gun. Ray says nothing, simply glances your way, then turns back to the zombie they were stabbing up. "We have to get over there!" Eric commands, pointing to a fire escape which led into the building across the street. Acknowledging his order, the group fights through the horde staying close together. Sadly, you struggled to focus, panicking controlling your thoughts as memories rush through your mind and you shove away the poor undead. Regrettably, a newly turned body distracted you. They looked so young and so familiar, the soft eyes watching vacantly as the dead chase after their meal. For a moment the body resembled Ray or perhaps Jeremiah or Alice even and your stomach sinks, then you felt a sharp, burning pain on your arm. Turning your head, you meet the rotting face of a hungry zombie. You have been bitten.
The world slows as you realize what that means, gasping as you shove off the corpse and stumble away from the swarm. Some chase you, but most are preoccupied with the scrambling humans killing their fellow dead. Alice meets your gaze, watching as you're torn from the group. You think no one else notices, but they do, at least Ray does. Always watching you, even when you're at your most vulnerable. There was no time to dwell on this devastated feeling that lingered and for a moment you considered rejoining the group. But, your eyes turn to the wound on your arm. The marks buried into your skin and ruining the comfortable long sleeves you wore.
Sighing you realizes that there's no point going back, it would endanger them all and despite how little they cared for you your morals wouldn't allow that. Plus they had an entire horde after the and there was absolutely no one chasing you. So, you cautiously stepped away and when none of the dead react you turn and run from them. You don't know where you'll go, but maybe it wouldn't be so bad adventuring on your own. The alternative was being shot by Eric once he found out.
(definitely gonna write a part two to this, sorry it's a bit rough. Hope you enjoyed! Also, I did not period read this, sorry guys.)
