Keep Going (Book 1): The Beginning (5 page)

“Charlie.” Alex hissed.

He looked at her hesitantly. He dropped the book on top of the mess and went to her side. Leaning against her, he looked out the window as well. She pointed outwards past some trees.

“We can get to the bunker by hopping a few roofs. It’ll be difficult but I don’t think we’ll have too much trouble. Basically looks like we ran in a circle, look Donoghue’s house is like three jumps away.”

Charlie stepped back shaking his head vigorously and squared his shoulders.

“Fuck the bunker!” He roared.

Alex narrowed her eyes and moved closer. She couldn’t believe what he was saying. She had risked her own life for him twice and he was still willing to turn his back on them. She had enough of his attitude, enough of him; he had left her to die and she would not allow him to do it them. She kept her voice low and even.

“I am not leaving them because you’re being a scared little bitch. Do you understand me?” He opened his mouth to fight but she was not finished. “I am going back to the bunker. I am going to help our friends and if you want to go off on your own that’s fine. Let’s see how long you survive.”

He snapped his mouth closed with a painful clink. His body ran cold at the thought of being alone out here. He didn’t want to go back to the bunker, he wanted to get the hell out of here but he couldn’t do it alone. He knew that so he nodded his head in submission.

“Good.” She spoke a little more gently now. “Let’s get out of here before those things break down the door.” He nodded.

Alex took notice of something and stepped back to look him up and down. “Where’s your bag?”

“I dropped it so I could run faster.” He admitted.

Alex sighed and rolled her eyes. She doesn’t know why she was surprised but she was. She turned away and back towards the window brushing off as much glass she could. She stepped on the roof testing the slant of it. She was able to stand straight with a bit of a struggle but it seemed to be fine. She turned towards Charlie extending her hand. He reached out hesitantly but he trusted her. He had to, there were enough chances for her just to leave him behind but she didn’t. He grasped her hand tight as he raised a foot to join her on the roof

‘Yes, they’d make it back to the bunker safely.’ Was the last thing he thought before he was yanked back.

“Charlie!” Alex screamed.

She put her other hand on top of his tying to use the full weight of her body to pull him back towards her. She braced herself on the roof, using its slant to dig her feet into. She crouch down half his body hidden as he tried to scamper out with his upper half.

Multiple hands pulled at his clothes and yanked at his body. He screamed in horror at the feeling of their hands like ice, nails breaking skin. They were tearing at his legs so he could not stand ensuring their victory.

Not willing to give up, Alex tightened her grip in this lost battle of tug of war. Charlie reached out trying to grab more of her but he couldn’t. He trued to mimic the monsters and dug his nails into her forearm. Her screams joined his as she felt her own skin break. The sweat from their palms weakened their hold.

“Please, don’t let go.” He begged one finally time.

Alex wanted to promise she wouldn’t but before she even got the chance he was taken from her. She fell back on the roof holding tightly as to not fall off. She sat frozen in fear as she watched those things tear into his flesh with their hands, their teeth sinking into any available part of his body as he begged and screamed. She wanted to turn away but her eyes wouldn’t allow it. Ears stayed open as her mind cataloged every scream and plea he made towards her. Calling out her name over and over until it softened into a gurgling sound as the blood spilled from his lips.

Her gently gasp drew the attention of what was once the mother of the family. It looked up slowly locking its glowing eyes with hers. It continued to chew a piece of fat, the end part hanging from the corner of its mouth. Releasing the fatty substance with intention of feasting on fresher meat.

It was not until the sound of cracking glass did her mind finally start up again. Alex scrambled up as best she could. Without a second thought she jumped off the roof onto the other, the feel of fingers grasping at her ankles.

Alex landed harshly on her side, the pack on her back made her feel heavier. More weight falling down upon her and pushing the air out of her body. Knowing bruises were sure to form she ignored all the pain and tried to pull herself up. Her fingers tips burned as she claw4ed at the roof to keep from sliding down. She turned on her back and saw the monsters grasping at the air. They looked almost offended that their food was just out of reach.

As if their clenching hands and groans were not enough to make her heart stop, the sight behind them made her blood run cold. It was Charlie. He had made it onto the roof with them, as one of them. His body missing chunks as he snarled reaching for her. His eyes, oh god, his eyes were not glowing blue, just like them. They had changed him into one of them; he wasn’t human anymore as he watched Alex hungrily.

Alex shuttered as she got up. She didn’t look back at the monsters, that’s exactly what they were monsters. Not her friends or neighbors, they were monsters. Minding the windows she walked across the roofs. It didn’t take long for her to get to the Donoghue’s roof. She saw the bunker just below in the yard.

She looked through a window into one of their bedrooms. Alex thought about the Robertson’s and what they were now. She had not been that close with them but she was close with Mr. Donoghue.

Her hand shook noticeably as she stepped inside and raised her machete, ready to fight if need be. She remembered being in this house multiple times but never like this. Never filled with terror and misery. This house used to be filled with laughter and stories about old loves, lost family and youthful times. Now all those stories would never be told again, not like before. Not over bottles of scotch or greasy Chinese food. They were just stories now.

Without trouble Alex made it to the backyard.  Relief filled her as she stared at the empty space. She wasn’t’ sure if she would have the will power to…to kill Mr. Donoghue if he had become one of them. Then again she didn’t think she had the will power to kill anything but there she stood.

Alex moved towards the hidden door but her body had other thoughts. She stopped mid-step, spilling all the contents in her stomach. Her knees threaten to buckle but she kept on wobbling while wiping away any evidence from her face.

Alex made her way in and she could hear voices speaking to her. Asking her what happened and where was Charlie but she didn’t answer. She couldn’t even make out who was speaking but she knew there were two people and they were speaking to her. She dropped her bag on the floor along with the machete. It clattered, the blood splashing a bit causing silence to fall.

“Alex?” Petey whispered.

“We have to get out of here.” Alex muttered.

She had to focus. She…they needed to get out of there. Alex shook her head and collected her thoughts. She needed to focus; she needed to get them out of there. She didn’t know how to described what the hell she saw but she hoped they would just trust her for the most part.

“We need to get out of here. Petey, you need to get that radio working.” She pushed passed them grabbing a blankets and tearing them up.

“What’re you doing?” Maggie screeched.

“We lost supplies so I need use what we have here to make a sign or signal.” Alex didn’t spare a glance.

She raced around the bunker and found it lacking in brightly colored things. She dropped the tattered sheet to the ground it wouldn’t be enough to get attention. The house however had color things inside. She moved passed them grabbing a shovel and picking up her machete she moved to climb back up the ladder.

A strong hand held her down forcibly turning her. Petey moved enough to avoid being smacked in the face by the shovel and caught her fear stricken eyes.

“Alex, what happened? Where is Charlie?” He asked firmly.

“He’s dead.” She looked Maggie. “I’m sorry.”

Without further explanation she went back up making sure none followed her and gripping tightly at her machete just in case.

6

Alex hadn’t meant to find peace among the monsters. She stayed above ground longer than what was safe, long after she had made her sign. She listened to the groans and moans in the distance and pondered how many were actually out there. If her sister was among them.

The sun began to set and she knew it was time to face her companions again. She dreaded the questions that were to come her way but she descended down the ladder anyway. When she turned to the room she was greeted with something more delightful instead. Petey smiling stupidly as he held up an open bottle of wine; she eyed it suspiciously.

“It’s a good year.” He shrugged. “I assume so. Older is better right? This is pretty old; so good year I assume.”

“Thanks man.” Alex muttered.

She chuckled and reached for the bottle never needing a drink more in her life. Petey’s hand shot out and grabbed her wrist. She looked shocked by the swift movement but was really shocked by her other hand. How it moved without consent to the machete on her side, she let her arm hang lifelessly to her side and didn’t pull away but grabbed the bottle more firmly. He raised her sleeve up and revealed the scratches, she winced quietly as the blood had dried and attached to her clothing.

“You’re bleeding.” Petey muttered.

Alex pulled her arm away and brought the bottle to her lips. She took a large gulp the wine dry and sweet. She rubbed her face and sniffed.

“I’m fine.” She replied her tone tight.

She plopped down and leaned her back against the wall. Taking large sips from the bottle, as if enough would erase the memories of the day’s events. Petey sat down next to her, first aid kit in hand. She didn’t fight or protest when he took the bottle away from her and set it down. Grabbing her arm he cleaned off the dried blood revealing the still very red scratches. She looked away, the scratches seemed so angry to be on her skin.

It didn’t appear to be as bad as he originally thought it to be. She winced as the alcohol from the cleaner burned just like before. Petey uttered a small apology at her discomfort believing to only be from the medicine. He wrapped her arm after it was clean and moved on to her fingertips. He saw that some skin had been taken off the top but no blood had been shed. He wiped them off quickly making sure no other cuts were hiding.

After he had finished he leaned back against the wall sitting closer to Alex and he took a sip of the wine before handing the bottle back. Alex wasn’t willing to lean in but the closeness did bring a great sense of comfort. He watched as she started blankly at the bottle in her hand as if it was speaking to her. Sharing secrets about what had happened. The painful expression in her eyes made him want to keep silent but he knew he had to ask.

“What happened up there? How did Charlie die?” He questioned.

Alex didn’t answer; she let a dark chuckle. He felt a shiver go up his spine at the sound. Snatching the bottle back he took a large swig. The story that was about to be told was not going to be a good one, he knew it. Alex took the bottle back and just like him took a large swig. It left her a bit woozy but she embraced at as it hazed her memories just a little.

“Everything looked fine. All the glass was broken but other than that everything looked okay. Charlie identified some tracks as Humvees.” She stopped and clenched the bottle. He feared it would shatter in her vice like grip. “Did you know he was going to be the first in generations not to be a mechanic? I’m not sure what he was going to do. I should remembered though, he told me and should have remembered but I don’t.”

She swallowed the wine until only three sips were left in the bottle. She didn’t want to remember anymore, she didn’t want to talk but the look on Petey’s face. She had to finish; she had to warn hm.

“We got to my house. Got a couple of bags, I changed clothes and my old machete.” She looked at the blood stained blade on the floor. “I need to clean that.”

She spoke as if it was just an ordinary task. Petey nudged her shoulder and brought her back to her tale.

“We were headed back but then we ran into people.” She furred her brows. “No, they weren’t people. They were monsters.”

Alex looked at Petey’s face twisted in confusion and fear. She cleared her throat and looked away; if she continued to stare she wouldn’t be able to finish. She would come up with some lie to make him feel better but she needed him to be scared.

“They were not alive. They had these eyes; glowing blue but…I’m not sure.” She bit her lip hard enough to draw blood. How could she properly explain what they were? She had no clue what they were. She looked up and stared intensely at the ladder as if she was excepting one to climb down at any moment.

“What happened to Charlie?” He asked once again.

Alex locked eyes with Petey; he felt a child go right through his very soul at the stone face. It was like she had completely shut down any emotion.

“We were trapped in a house, the idiot ran upstairs. So we were going to just jump roofs to get back here.” She decided to leave out how Charlie argued with her about leaving them. How he thought only of himself in his last moments. She didn’t want to dirty his name, as he was no longer around to defend it. Her vision blurred as unshed tears collected in her eyes.