This is a story I have been working on with one of my very good friends when we became extremely bored during winter break. We we're looking for some feedback, so please don't hold back! Constructive criticism, please (: I like to soundtrack my stories by chapter, this one is "Dead and Buried"-A Day to Remember
I hope you enjoy!
A dark cloud hung over the entirety of the earth. A buffalo sized zombie moaned as he cracked a smile. His lips were painted red by the blood of his victims, his mouth bursting with the tantalizing flavor of human flesh.
In the distance a young boy observed the overweight decomposing body walk lazily down the street. The teen, Jobani, had been waiting months for him. He couldn't wait to end that retched life as the monster had done to his family. With his eyes closed, savoring the moment, he clutched his javelin. This was it, the moment he would finally get his revenge.
As the man came closer, Jobani prepared his spear. He executed it skillfully through the zombie's shoulder, leaving the corpse both startled and angry. He let out a mighty roar, instantly attracting other walkers to his aid. But Jobani's luck hadn't run out yet. One of his closest friends, Abby, heard his shouts of frustration and quickly sprung into action. She pulled out two pistols and fired straight through their parasite invested brains. If she didn't make it passed these numbskulls quick enough it could end up being too late. She ran swiftly, maneuvering over a multitude of dead bodies she narrowly managed to elude the touch of walkers.
When she reached the location all she found was a trail of blood leading off into the distance. Suddenly a scream echoed throughout the forest. The atrocious sound sent crows rampaging out of the tall trees, causing numerous feathers to cascade down onto the broken path. Despite the familiarity of the shouts, she couldn't be certain whether she should continue on the trail or change course.
After a quick analysis of the situation she realized the pools of blood were obviously that of Jobani's influence. He must have buffeted the walker enough to cleverly generate a trail for her to follow. Sure enough when she reached the end of the path she found her missing friend. He held his spear well above his head. A horde of olive-tinted, scab-faced zombies surrounded encircled him. She readied herself and aimed her pistols to have Jobani's back.
Jobani drove the spear into the biter's stomach, pushing it into another. He wielded his spear wildly, nearly stabbing her in the process. However she managed to dodge at the last minute. The blade, in turn, hit its original target: An excessively large walker. The spear wedged itself between the zombie's eyes; the two shared a moment of celebratory shouts for the last zombie had fallen. Then Abby suddenly realized Jobani had almost killed her…again.
"You know, after all the times I've jumped in to save your sorry butt, you'd think you would stop trying to kill me," she teased. "I know I'm not that ugly."
She gestured to the decapitated zombie at the word 'that' to add emphasis. Jobani merely rolled his eyes at his friends attempt to lighten the mood.
"You don't save my life that often." He groaned.
Suddenly, movement from behind the bushes caught Abby's attention. One last zombie lurched forward, fully equipped to eat Jobani's brains, but her feline reflexes kicked in. She fired a single bullet. The deadly projectile pieced the putrid skull, causing the zombie to recoil. He doubled over before his body became stagnant in the dirt.
"I rest my case," she smugly retorted as she blew across the tip of the steaming gun.
"I would stop using those pistols," Jobani calmly stated, "It attracts other walkers. That's why I use a spear. It's silent and has unlimited ammo."
"You're welcome" she mumbled before audibly adding, "You could let me get that scythe, already. I've practically been begging for it since we started our journey three months ago."
A few more walkers made their way to the war grounds, alerting the pair of their vulnerable position. The escaped the walkers without any hassle.
"You wouldn't even know how to use it," Jobani protested, "let alone be able to handle it."
"What's that supposed to mean?" She snapped, "You have absolutely no idea what I'm capable of."
"I didn't mean it like-" he paused. "Never mind. We need to get somewhere safe. There's a high school close by. I heard they had some sort of refugee camp there."
Deciding it would be best to close the conversation for now, Abby obediently followed her companion. They journeyed off to the school where the possibility of new allies brought along a kindling sense of hope. Though the walk wasn't long, the silence between them seemed as though it could carry on for miles.
Being each other's only company had made them almost like siblings. They were constantly quarreling as such, even though Abby lacked experience in the matter. Jobani acted much as an older brother would, despite his being a year younger. He was a determined leader, looking out for her in more ways than one.
Abby couldn't deny the uneasiness she felt when she thought of cooperating with his headstrong behavior for it matched hers so much it should be considered dangerous. However she managed to dilute her independent streak once she discovered his great loss. She understood the desolation one builds after losing someone they had watched over, protected, for years without any compensation except for the joy their smiles bring.
To have that snatched away during the outbreak…it was unbearable. If she could manage to help her friend by provided a replacement, no matter how impossible it may seem, she would put aside her own emotions. They were all each other had now; the thought of that changing brought about a bit of anxiety to both of them. Learning how to interact with each other took almost an entire month before they got the hang of it.
If they were going to remain at the camp, they would have to make a solid impression on them within the first few minutes, or else risk being killed on sight.
The town had a distinct dystopian charm about it. Garbage fluttered about the smog filled skies. The dirt encrusted sidewalk glistened as the intense heat danced visibly above it. Shattered glass formed fragile pictures in the dying grass and shimmered as we passed each house. The so-called 'charm' came from the lack of zombies roaming about and an absence of decaying bodies polluting the roads.
It was a small town, but it was large enough to have a decently sized school zone. Just before they reached the high school, they stumbled upon the junior high.
"Not much longer now," Jobani informed.
Abby wandered over to a shattered window. She knocked out a few stray fragments before peeking through.
"Ouch," she muttered as a shard grazed her wrist.
"Curiosity killed the cat," he said.
"Ha ha. Very funny." She mocked, discarding the scratch. "I think we should go in there, though. They might have supplies. The cafeteria could be stocked."
"There's probably a good reason for that. The world may be at its end, but I don't wanna eat that food." He joked.
"We don't have too. But we could offer it to the people in the high school as a sort of peace offering." She explained.
She looked at him with her large brown eyes, doing her best to convince him with 'the look'. The second she stuck out her lower lip in a pout he caved.
"Five minutes." He instructed, grabbing her arm like a child undergoing punishment.
They scaled the building and leapt threw the window. Jobani touched the ground without making a sound. Abby followed close behind him. Though she landed stealthily, she misjudged the distance between her and a small lamp on the short bookshelf. The clatter resounded throughout the empty school. Abby cursed, earning herself a glare from Jobani.
"What? Oh, right. The swearing…sorry." She apologized.
His glare remained as he mumbled, "Just be glad there wasn't anyone around to hear that."
All at once a couple of teenagers appeared from behind the counter, one holding an antique ninja sword, the other with a threatening pocketknife.
The young man, obviously in charge, held the knife to Jobani's neck as the girl's ninjatō gleamed in the orange glow of the sunset creeping in.
"I stand corrected," he said with a sassy edge.
The boy inched his blade closer to Jobani's throat.
"There's no need to fight," Jobani eased.
The red-haired girl interjected, "It's not a fight when the opponent is pinned helplessly against the wall."
The leader ignored her comment and instead asked, "What are you here for?"
"We were looking for supplies. We will leave if you want us to, we don't want any harm."
"Whoa," Abby interrupted, "we aren't leaving without supplies. Where's the compassion, huh? I bet you have enough to spare a couple of items. If you want us to earn it why don't we have a real fight?"
She stared down the redhead, challenging her to drop her weapon and engage in hand-to-hand combat.
"Says the girl wearing a dress." The girl judged Abby's black skirt. It fell just above her knees and had a blood red petticoat underneath, making her seem just a little bit intimidating.
"It's a combat skirt," she countered, folding her arms across her chest.
"Whatever. You have no room to be making demands here, anyway." She growled.
Suddenly the guy in charge lifted up his hand to calm his associate's fiery temper.
"You've got spunk, kid. I'll give you that." He said, giving Abby the once over before turning to his partner.
"Reba," he soothed, "I understand she shouldn't be making such high demands, but we could spare some of our material for their benefit. It is the humane thing to do after all."
He flashed a debonair smile at the intruders as though he were welcoming guests. Jobani's eyes remained on Reba, fearing she might retaliate from her shock and kill them on the spot. Instead the girl turned to her executive with a wide-eyed expression.
"You can't be serious, Ethan!" She practically whined.
He turned and put a stern hand on her shoulder; in a way that she would know there was no questioning him. She sighed and nodded. She signaled to Jobani and Abby to follow her down the corridors.
As Reba lead them to the cafeteria, Jobani started some small talk in order to gain some insight on the place.
"How safe is this place?" he ventured, knowing the girl was still riled up from the previous events.
"Well, it's pretty safe from ghouls, but apparently not from other people." She faltered before asking, "Where were you guys headed, anyway?"
"To a ref-" Abby began only to be elbowed in the side. Jobani shot her a austere gaze before answering for her.
"We weren't going anywhere in particular. Just looking for a safe place to break for the night."
Reba gave them a suspicious glance but chose to ignore it and continued walking. She turned the corner, pushed the double doors opened, and lead Jobani and Abby into the cafeteria. Reba tossed them each a pack.
"Fill these with enough supplies to last you. I don't deserve the pleasure of seeing you two again. I'll be with Ethan."
When Jobani and Abby were left alone, the latter let out a frustrated scream.
"What the heck was that all about?" She fumed.
"What was what about?" Jobani replied without a second glance.
"You know." She stated, referencing to the nudge in her side.
He looked up at her finally, "I don't trust them, especially that Ethan guy."
"What did he do?" She asked. "It was all Ms. Hothead's doings that bothered me."
"Ethan was way too friendly. I didn't like it. I think he is hiding something."
"Well, it is getting dark soon. We should bunk her for the night, at least."
"Fine, but that doesn't mean I have to like it."
"So…" Abby edged, after a moment of awkward silence, "I saw the way you looked at Reba. Sure you don't like it her, even just a little?"
He shot her the death glare.
"And the way Ethan was looking at you isn't having any effect on your decisions right now?" he countered.
Abby's face scrunched up, "Ehh, okay. Fine. I won't mention the sassy redhead anymore."
She added a package of…
"Hey!" She shouted excitedly, "They have rabbit!"
Jobani looked back at her.
"Hate to brake it to you, but those are just chicken nuggets." He replied.
"No!" She insisted. "I guess you wouldn't understand…"
Her face fell as her eyes glazed over, threatening to release tears. Jobani remembered the stories Abby had told them about lunch. He never sat with them, he usually skipped lunch and went to his biology class to study more, but he knew the significance of the so-called 'rabbit'. He knew full well about how Abby's best friend had been mutilated before her very eyes when the outbreak began.
"Why don't you take some rabbit for the road." He smiled.
The cafeteria door opened to reveal Ethan and Reba. They stared blankly at the scene before them. Abby was smiling through tears, holding a pack of 'rabbit' against her chest. Jobani was holding open the bag for her to put them in.
"Uh," Reba looked dumbfounded.
Once he noticed them, Jobani's smile vanished without a trace. Abby quickly rubbed her eyes and placed the package in the sack.
"We think it'd be best for us to stay a while," she said, then hastily added, "If that's okay, I mean?"
"Sure, we could use some help around here." Ethan smirked.
"Not that much help." Reba added quickly.
Ethan ignored her, as did the others.
"You can stay in the gym with the rest of our guests."
The pair deposited their company into the gym. The bleachers were bunched up against the wall, except for the one nearest to the door. It was covered with a thick layer of dirt and grime.
"Hope you're comfortable," Reba seethed.
"If you need anything just holler. My room is the office," Ethan informed as he turned to leave with Reba trailing close behind.
As soon as they were out of sight, Jobani walked over to the boarded walls and ran his hand against it until he found a crack. Just as he suspected: Walkers.
"Like hell am I staying in here," Abby mumbled to herself. "This place is creepy as fu-it's creepy."
She amended to avoid the stare Jobani was giving her.
He paced around her.
"and what do you expect to do about it?" he scolded.
"Maybe Reba stays in the office, too? I think I might go visit her."
She was about to open the door when she noticed a pair of intense blue eyes looking at her from underneath the bleachers.
"Ahh!" she shouted, tripping over a loose bar.
A lanky boy of about seventeen eased himself up from his hiding spot and whistled. The call brought out two girls from behind a box of dodge balls and an Asian-looking boy from beside the water fountain. The boy that had emerged from the bleachers grinned. He had ghostly white skin that had a sharp contrast against his dark brown curls that fell just short of his ears.
"Hi," he said simply with his hand outstretched to help Abby up.
"Uh…hey, yourself." She said, taking up his offer of assistance.
"Dude, nice set of pipes! That was some scream!" the Asian boy complimented, making an embarrassed blush appear on her face.
"That's Ryan." He curly haired boy laughed.
"The girl over there is Lesli-" he paused so a girl with pin-straight hair and tanned skin could give them a shy smile and wave "-and that's my sister, Catlin."
A girl with freckles slathered across her face gave an energetic wave paired with a wildly eccentric, "waz up, Buttercup?!"
Jobani and Abby stared at each other, unsure how to react.
"Oh, and I'm Austin," he smiled sweetly. He waited patiently for their names.
Abby retaliated from her confusion swifter than Jobani did.
"I'm Abby! And this is my BFFL, Jobani." She gave him a gentle nudge and waited for him to respond.
"Um, hey." Jobani muttered. He turned to Abby, uncertain as to how the conversation should be carried.
"Why?" he finally asked. Austin cocked his head sideways in confusion.
"Why is there half a gym of walkers?!" Jobani asked again, exasperated.
"Protection," answered Ryan. "Apparently, another group attacked this one and they used walkers as weapons.
"What do you mean 'apparently'?" asked Abby.
"He means," Lesli explained, "we are just as new as you guys."
"Really?" Jobani asked in disbelief. "I didn't expect them to accept newbies so quickly."
"Well, they did accept us like that," Abby responded with a snap of her fingers for emphasis. The others smiled.
Abby was filled with the overwhelming sense of longing. Each of them had come a long way. Every single one of them was a unique story in the making. She could only hope they would be around long enough to learn and be apart of each other's story.
On the other hand, Jobani held his suspicions higher than anything. His mind was set. They had all fallen for Ethan, for the food, and for the security. He was convinced that Ethan was a complete phony. He just needed to make the others see it too.
When the time was right, he would talk to Abby. He wasn't sure if he could trust the others yet.
There is the first chapter and the second will be up soon.
Thank you for taking time to read, and I hope all of you passed the intro of the song!
=^.^=