Chapter 6: A ticket out of hell

The sun was beginning to set, casting long shadows on the darkening streets; a constant growling and moaning was heard, filling every space of air. The infected began to leave they’re dark hiding spaces and explored the streets, usually only three or four traveled in packs until they found food, but that night, something else would alert them to a feast.

Todd awoke in the street, his legs numb with pain. Realization hit him as he looked around the empty street, he saw the burning building that managed to light up most of the alley, but it wouldn’t keep the infected away; they feared the sun, not light.
He tried to crawl into the nearest building, somewhere where he could barricade himself until morning came, but as he did, a figure walked out of an alley, followed by another in a separate alley. The infected surrounded him, eliciting a loud scream from him, as they dropped on top of him. Claws ripping open flesh and tearing bone.
As Todd lay in the streets screaming, more infected came, hearing the possibility of a meal; on a night when a feast lay in wait for them…

.  .  .  .  .

Chance awoke with a start several hours after his injection, he screamed out for Scott. “Scott? Scott, I can’t move.”
“You can move, Chance.” Was all Scott said in reply.
“No, I can’t feel my arm, I can’t move it.”
“Chance! Move your damned arm!” Scott said, obviously becoming frustrated.
Chance lifted his arm and looked at it, he then opened his Kevlar vest to see the bandages gone, in its place was clean un-scarred flesh. “I-I don’t understand…”
“It was a last resort, but needed to save your life. I injected you with some of the infected’s blood, and some Stimulyte. The virus rebuilt and repaired your dead cells, and the Stimulyte killed it off before you could become one of them.”
A familiar voice split the air, coming from the open door where Aaron stood. “I got the guns.” He was holding onto two MP4s’ and one Assault Shotgun. “They should do better than our arsenal of two handguns and an empty SMG.”
“I like the idea of this!” Scott grabbed one of the MP4s and looked out of the window; the smile was instantly washed from his face. “Its getting dark, time to go met Cody.”

.  .  .  .  .

Cody stood in the bed of the truck, holding onto his fully loaded Assault Shotgun, he saw several vehicles, all differentiating from one another. They all pulled into the square of the city, most of them stopping behind Cody; he turned around and addressed the truck behind his own.
“I take it you received the same message from Scott huh? Well, he’s not here, I’m not sure what’s going on, but he better get here soon if he wants any help at all.”
The man in the driver’s seat of the truck looked out of his window, and stared at Cody. “Those are some very mean words aimed at someone who is trying to help us.”
Cody looked at the man, obviously becoming angry, he aimed his Shotgun at the man, and yelled. “Scott can burn is hell, want to address this with my little friend, my riot gun?” Brantley stopped him, pushing his Shotgun to the ground. “We don’t want to anger anyone, Scott will be pissed.
“Fuck Scott!” Cody yelled angrily at Brantley, when a shot rang out piercing a bullet hole into Cody’s truck.
“Fuck me, huh? Maybe I should leave the infected to deal with you?” Scott said as he entered the square, followed by Chance and Aaron who was driving their armored truck.
Cody shut up quickly, apologizing to the man in the truck. “Now listen,” Scott began, “This is a dangerous situation; I’m missing a vial of Stimulyte, and we have to travel by night, so the National Guard isn’t at the wall. Now then, is everyone ready? Yes? Good, because we have to go now, so lets get going.”

Suddenly a loud scream pierced the night, as both Scott and Cody turned around and pumped lead into the source, they both watched as an infected fell out of a building. Which elicited more screaming and roaring, as zombies and infected alike poured out into the streets. “Run!” Scott yelled, as they all started their trucks, screeching down the street as the sound and smell of gunfire filled the still night air.

.  .  .  .  .

The newly formed convoy pulled up near the rising that led onto the bridge, its middle severed and several pieces dangling in mid-air, left behind from the assault five years ago. In the distance, Scott could see the ferry he had contacted, which was slowly approaching the coast. As their trucks began to pull forward, a figure walked out in-front of them, not running or limping, obviously human. Chance pulled the leading truck to a stop and turned the headlights on bright.
Scott could just barely make out the looks of Ethan, who had obviously endured a lot. He became excited and yelled out, “Hey, Ethan, Ethan, over here!”
No reply came from Ethan as he stared blankly into the headlights of the truck. Suddenly, Ethan let out a dry, empty laugh, as Scott could make out something on his shoulder; Cody approached him to state the obvious. “He’s been bitten.” Was all Cody said, as Scott recognized the marks on his shoulder as a deep open gash.
“What do you think?” Ethan said, his eyes slitting as he smiled at Scott.
“Your one of them.” Cody said, aiming his shotgun.
“One of these fools? I’m not one of them, I’m better, I’m their master.” Ethan reached into his vest and removed a small vial, something Scott recognized instantly.
“The stimulyte!” Both Scott and Aaron said in anguish, seeing the effects it has on the infected.
“This virus…It’s a door to power, uncontrollable power worthy of the name god…”

Several of the convoy members aimed their guns, but Scott ordered them to lower them. “Don’t do it Ethan, We’ll be forced to kill you, you’re diseased, and I can save you!”
“I don’t want to be saved…” Ethan said plainly, as he reached the vial up to his mouth, preparing to drink it. As he poured it down his throat, Scott screamed out “No!” in vain.
“The virus is a door to power, and your compound is the key…”

.  .  .  .  .

They stood there in an empty stalemate, neither making a move. “I don’t get it…why hasn’t the Stimulyte taken hold?”
“Because it already has, Scott.” Ethan said, surprising Scott, he didn’t expect Ethan to hear him. Ethan began to walk towards the convoy, eliciting a shower of excited talk from the group, who was still at a cease-fire by Scott’s order.
Ethan reached the armored truck, with Chance inside, several of the convoy members began to panic; as Ethan punched the truck, sending it careening into a wall, a shower of flames and sparks in sued, killing Chance instantly and bringing the building to the ground, Ethan stared at the group and smiled, as the gunfire began.