A/N: I love reviews; constructive criticism welcome! This is my first fanfic, so go easy on me. Hope you like it. :)
Der Reise, Part One
Fear. Ever present, ever lingering.
Fear. Crippling, heart-stopping.
Fear was all Eugene Sledge knew, it seemed... all he ever thought about. It was a unseen force that followed him every waking moment. He couldn't remember a time without fear. He was afraid during the war as he fought against Japanese terrors; he was afraid after the war, fighting the nightmares that plagued him as he slept; and he was afraid now, fighting a force sent from hell itself. But how do you fight against something that never dies? How can you win a battle against an immortal monster?
Eugene was crouched in a corner, gun hugged close to his chest and knees drawn up close to his gun. Fear had taken hold of him, wrapping its cold fingers around his heart and paralyzing his soul... or what soul he had left. He struggled against the violent tremors that sparked through his body as adrenaline rushed through his veins. Breathing came in short gasps and shallow wheezes as his lungs seemed to collapse from the fear.
A roar ripped through the air, a demonic howl that sent shivers down Sledge's spine. It was a barbaric, animal-like sound, but he instantly recognized it: A victory cry. They were getting closer... to getting in.
"Put some more boards up, quickly!" a voice barked harshly. "Shove them back and shoot them down! Hold. This. ROOM!"
Lena, though a thin and lanky woman, spoke with the authority of a drill sergeant, spewing out commands left and right. The others scrambled to do her bidding... all except Eugene.
The cracking sound of splintering wood filled the air, signaling their impeding doom. Lena, locating the source of the noise, flew to what used to be a window. Its glass had been replaced with boards, creating a barrier- a barrier that kept those monsters out... a barrier that was quickly disintegrating.
She now pressed her full weight against it, trying to keep out the demon spawn who were doing everything to get in. Undead fingers slipped through the cracks near the top, swooping and clawing ominously near her face.
"I need help over he- aaAAAGH!" she screeched suddenly in pain. A zombie had clenched onto a tuft of her brown, hair, yanking and ripping it out in a frenzy. She roared with anger and backed off the barrier, holding her throbbing scalp. With her free hand, she whipped out her Python from its holster at her hip.
"Damn thing." she muttered. The culprit could be seen through a slot between the boards, peering hungrily back at her and grunting like an ape. She raised her gun, sliding the muzzle through the crack and in between those glowing red eyes.
"Go to hell you son of a bitch." she growled as she squeezed the trigger. Blood splattered and oozed through the barrier as the zombie's head burst from the impact. Silence fell on the other side of the boards.
"Hey Sophie?" Lena called over her shoulder, her brown eyes still on the barrier.
"I- I can't-" returned a voice, frazzled and strained. Across the room, Sophie was in the same predicament Lena had barely escaped. The short, blond haired girl was leaning backwards on a barrier, desperately trying to push against the weight of the horde pushing back. A sudden sob of fear escaped her lips as a green, rotting fist smashed through a board near her shoulder.
"YESSSS!" hissed the zombie from the other side. Its gravely voice slithered next to her ear, and its hot breath huffed against the nape of her neck. Sophia's sobs quickly turned into shrill screams as she scrambled away from the barrier in horror.
As if they saw the opportunity, the zombies made their move. In one guttural roar they burst through the boards, spewing a shower of splinters across the floor. Into the room they poured, tumbling over each other in a ravenous frenzy.
"Oh God." moaned Sophie, backing away in terror.
"Nice goin' Mary." sneered Snafu in his thick Southern drawl and even thicker sarcasm. His bulging, red-rimmed, eyes peered lazily at the girl.
"It's So-Sophia!" she hiccuped, her blue eyes filling with tears. He didn't have time to retaliate, even if he cared to do so (which he didn't). Zombies poured in through the now non-existent barrier, their red eyes glowing in the dark like luminescent marbles.
"Here we go." mumbled Snafu, a crooked smile creeping across his face. Swinging up his trench gun and grabbing the muzzle with his left hand, he released a barrage of fire onto the mob. The corpses exploded into pieces wherever the shell struck- one was completely blown in two. Sophia just watched, her face pale from shock, her arms hanging limply at her sides.
Lena knew they wouldn't make it if they stayed there.
"We have to go..." she murmured to herself. She then glanced at Eugene, still huddled in the corner, watching numbly as Snafu tried to hold back the horde as best he could. Lena could see the distance in his eyes, the same distance she had seen in so many others... not long ago...
"We have to go." Lena repeated as she knelt down next to him, placing a hand on his shoulder. He didn't even flinch in response. Her brow furrowed, and firmer, "Eugene. We have to go."
Nothing. She huffed in exasperation. They didn't have time for this, especially now. She grabbed his shoulders, giving his small frame a sharp shake.
"SOLDIER!" she bellowed, her brown eyes fierce and flaming with a strength she didn't know she had. Eugene flinched slightly, blinked, then stared at her, looking like a confused child. Good. She got his attention.
"We need to move!" she shouted, this time over her shoulder and at the others.
"I think we're good, Rosie Riveter." Snafu drawled as he pumped the trench gun. "There ain't much more of 'em-"
His voice was cut short as a zombie fell from above and smashed into his body. They were entering through the ceiling.
"SNAFU!" wailed Sledge. He was fully alert now, on his feet and gun in hand.
"Move! This way!" Lena screamed simultaneously. Sophia eagerly complied, sprinting towards the older woman, but Eugene scrambled toward his fallen friend.
"Eugene! NO!" Lena roared in anger, frustrated with his stupidity, but he wasn't listening. In one swift movement he shot off the head of the zombie just before it took a bite at Snafu's neck. He then slid across the floor, landing next to his comrade.
"Get up!" he shouted as he shot at another. They were quickly being surrounded, and a dull knot of dread formed in Sledge's stomach. He grabbed a handful of Snafu's sleeve, and they both stumbled to their feet.
"COME ON! COME ON!" Lena's frantic shouts snapped both their gaze's in her direction. She had unlocked a heavy steel door, and both she and Sophia stood in the archway screaming and waving hysterically. This, however, attracted unwanted attention. The horde, like a herd of cattle, shuffled and moaned their way towards the women.
"Aw shit." Snafu muttered, knowing what he had to do. He glanced at Eugene, and gave a crooked smile. "Let's go, Sledgehammer."
He then bolted, weaving through the mob, and Sledge had no choice but to do the same. With one final leap, they soared through the doorway, crashing on top of the two women.
"The door!" Lena grunted, pushing Snafu off of her. Eugene was already on it, smashing his body against the steel frame. It swung with ease, groaning slightly before slamming shut. The hall was enveloped in a sudden quiet, broken only by the gasps and huffs of the exhausted four and the soft whimpers of Sophia. Eugene slid his back down the door till he reached the ground, slumping limply against the steel. The rest of the group lay on the floor, trying to catch their breath and gather what sense they had left. It's unknown how long it was before Snafu broke the silence.
"Dammit. I forgot to get their gold teeth."
Lena tilted her head to frown at him.
"Wha... what did you say?"
"I said I wanted some-"
"I know what you said." she muttered, holding her hand up to cut him off. Then, beneath her breath, "I just didn't believe it..."
"Don't mind him." remarked Sledge. "He's insane."
Snafu slowly raised himself, propping his upper body on his elbows. His eyes narrowed as he studied the man across from him. His Marine green button down suit was utterly disheveled, his brown pants were ripped at the knee, and one of his boots' shoelaces was broken. Everything was stained in the green-brown oose of rotting blood.
"Yeah, Sledgehammer, I'm crazy," he drawled, "And you look like shit."
"Fuck you, Merriel."
Snafu grinned in response.
"Fuck you too, Eugene."
A/N: Yeah, I know it was a little long, but I couldn't find a spot to split it. :/ Chapter 2 coming soon! Please leave a review with some helpful tips. Thanks!