A/N: Special thanks to mischieflover for betaing my work. I hope you enjoy this chapter!
Chapter 2
"Remember when I told you about the fence in the alleyway which should be locked up?"
Chad and Chandler tear their eyes off me and jerk their head off in frustration when I conclude my sentence. Both of them mutter something about walkers under their breath, while pacing around in exasperation.
"That alley's full of walkers." Chad gets to the point.
The plan's 'simple' - I told them (why?!) - we just need to cut across the alley and into the kitchen of the diner from the second exit of this storeroom. From the kitchen, we can get to the gate of a fence. Once we get through the fence, it'll be Free Willy all the way to the plane.
Now that those walkers are in the alley, they'll get to us before we even enter the kitchen. Even if we do get into the kitchen, who can say that there won't be walkers coming at our faces in the kitchen, or at the fence, or at the runway-
"Guess your wife's right - our best chance is to wait it out," I relent. "What if there are walkers in the diner? Or even the runway?" We've barricaded the door, have a metal rod in our hands, and we're sitting in a place stocked with canned food, so... I think we're good. If we wait it out, maybe …...uh...
Ok, at least we won't be walker chow!
I hear a can dropping on the floor. Turning back, I find the source of the noise. Apparently, the little girl had been playing with one of her puppies and it knocked down a can of preserved peaches.
Then, there is a rap on the barricaded door. Then two more raps, followed by what seems to be scratching on wood. Everybody moves away from the door. I move the furthest. Please don't let there be more...
Alas, the scratching sound turns more furious and frequent, with the wooden door soon resonating with banging sounds. Everyone moves away from the door.
"More sounds bring more walkers." Chandler said. We just can't catch a break, can we?
Chad angrily storms over and reprimands his daughter. "I told you not to make a noise!" He then snatches the two puppies and the ball she was playing with them away. He motions Chandler and me to come closer.
"Chandler, I need you to stay her-"
"No Dad, you can't go alone-"
"I'll clear the path! I need you to take care of your mum and sister if something happens to me!" he barks back. Chandler remains silent, but it doesn't seem like he approves of it. "We have to try..."
Chad turns to me. "I'll need you to come with me, since you know this place." I hate to agree with you, but …...Ah, damn it.
"I'll go, Chad." Chad nods in response. "But how are we to get out of here?" I ask.
Chandler's eyes lights up. "I know! We can distract them! Throw something to the other side of the alley and they will go over there. We managed to slip into here because those walkers were busy eating." I see …... So we just need to throw something in the direction of the road away from the alley?
"I'll go grab a can-" Chandler stops me. "No... They need to be distracted longer than that."
"Need to buy more time, huh..." Chad mutters. Distraction? How do you guide them away without using...
Inanimate objects...
No WAI-
Chad opens the back door and puts one puppy down on the ground. The moment I throw myself at him, he throws the ball. The puppy bolts after it, and it leaves my sight. Moments later, I hear its sharp and repeated whines, but the frenzied cries of the walkers drown the puppy's voice out afterwards.
"Coast is clear! Go! NOW!"
Chad pulls me.
Walkers all huddle up at the other side of the alley, where they must be... ripping the puppy to shreds...
My knees buckle under stronger gravity, and I wobble towards the ground.
How can he...
But his grip is vice, and he hauls me from the store room and into the diner. After releasing me, I find the next nearest source of support – the wall. With the door closed, the lack of light makes it difficult to see what is ahead of me … or what monsters lie ahead.
So, find your footing, Lena, before anything else bumps you. Continue… ah yes, checking if the kitchen is safe. I hear what sounds like a metal plate being kicked across the ground.
Then, a soft growl follows.
That unholy noise.
I can make out its silhouette, slowly and lethargically marching towards me. Moments ago, I would be scared shitless. Not this time.
I'm done running. I'm done being scared.
Now die, bitch!
I gather as much force as I can and take a huge swing with the rod, striking what should be its arms - damn bastard still comes at me. Chad throws a kitchen knife - wow, you throw a knife in semi-darkness? - which sounds like it is buried into its torso. What, still coming? Maybe it's the heart. The lighting may be poor, but I can still make out the chest. After ramming the rod through its chest, it drops to the floor when I pull the rod out.
GOD DAMN IT! IT LIVES! It's reaching out for me!
It got to be the head. I jam the rod straight into the back of its skull. Nothing CAN survive that.
It didn't. Well, it seems like the weak spot is the head.
Hope this little vengeance is of some comfort to you two, Laurie and Jonah.
Once the threat is eliminated, Chad goes to get his family into the kitchen, while I try to avoid the "mines" while traversing across the kitchen.
Chad crosses my path - I feel something furry brush past me.
That rat bastard.
I accompany him and take a lookout from the back door, to check if it is safe to cross to the fence. Annnnnnnnnnnd, it's the alley situation all over again.
Chad raises the puppy higher up to his chest. He looks like he is ready to strike pins with a bowling ball. Oh no, you don't -
"I'd be damned if I let you throw it to the walkers!" I hiss, baring my teeth and pulling his hands away from the door.
"Are you tired of living?!" He snaps back quietly.
"NOT the dog! NOT like this!" I retort.
"Then what else do you have in mind, genius?"
I look all over the place, keeping my eyes peeled for any opening, opportunities...
There's nothing.
"If you wanna live, let me do it my way." He positions himself again.
I do not let him.
Chad turns belligerent. "MY FAMILY'S LIVES ARE WORTH MORE THAN THIS DOG!"
The dog's life is worthless?! HOW DARE YOU!
Seething with rage, I take a swing in the general direction towards Chad with my metal rod. Flesh and metal collides with a dull thud, stunning Chad. After targeting his face, I try to hit his forearms, hoping that he would let the dog go. Chad regains himself, and catches my rod in mid-stroke.
Big mistake, Lena - should have gone for the head.
I struggle to twist the rod free, but it just refuses to move, like as if it is glued to his hand. Suddenly, I feel myself backing up against the wall. I try to stop myself, but I have lost directive power over my arms and my legs just can't stop the dragging. Something hits my stomach, caving it in and knocking the wind out of me. I can only try to regain my breath as I feel my arms twisting, and then get stuck behind my back.
Oi thanks, Chandler.
"You don't want me to throw the dog?" Chad questions menacingly, raising the rod to my face. Nice one, Lena - now you've got more than just walkers to worry about. But it's worthed it - at least Chad's reconsidering on throwing the puppy to a certain death.
"No." I reply. What's he going suggest?
"Daddy, don't…" The girl whimpers. Someone does have a heart after all.
Chad scowls at me. "Give me the keys to your plane, then go make this place safe – distract them."
Nobody protests.
What? It doesn't make sense – I'm the only pilot here… no wait. You all are not protesting because you know that there's more than one pilot here. Once you have the keys to my plane, I would be dispensable. Even if I survive, it prevents me from taking off without you and your family.
You have just got yourself a heck of a deal on your life insurance policy, haven't you, Chad?
"Search in my wallet. It's the one with the green mark," I instruct them. They find it, and honour their agreement, giving me the puppy and setting me free. This reminds me of movies where pirates condemned people to be thrown overboard a ship, having knives pointing at them while they walk the plank towards the sea. I am just like them now - only one way to go, but will be screwed to no end.
The puppy feels warm and soft to the touch, as if I'm touching velvet. Even with the dim lighting, I can still catch a glimpse of the little bugger turning to look at me and - oh sweet heavens – it's the most adorable fluff-ball I've seen, besides Snow. Yeah, I'll take that as payment for risking my life. If we both get out of here, you better make up for it. Now for the suicide missi-
Gunshots ring out loud, then someone shouts, "Jeffrey, come on!"
Melissa?
"But… The plane…" Sounds like an old man….could it be-
"WE'LL GET THERE BY CAR! LENA WILL BE THERE! LET'S GO!"
Uncle Jeffrey! Melissa! Andy and….. and….. THEY'RE ALIVE!
I stay put in the kitchen, straining my ears to hear better. The moaning and growling of the walkers crescendos and grows stronger, as well as the pace of their footsteps. No, no, no…. don't you all dare get Uncle. They don't deserve this - they are good people! The dog didn't deserve this either, but they still got the dog... Uncle, Melissa, Andy, Steven, and Norman - wherever the hell you are get the hell-
There is the sound of metal clanging on the other side… where the fence is….
My plane!
Oh GREAT! Chad and co. are all there right now, and no one even bothers to remind me?
Wait – if the walkers by the fence are cleared, this means that….. the diner will have a sea of walkers. It's suicide if I go in there. There's NO way I'll be able to get to Jeffrey.
Or are they outside? Did they manage to drive off, or are they still stuck outside? I want to know I NEED TO KNOW BUT I… can't… walkers…. Chad… plane…
Oh man…
I don't need to see what's in the diner… but I know this for sure – it's jamming up with walkers, so…
The choice is clear.
They have to get to the centre by themselves. No, I HAVE to believe they will! So to the plane it is-
Suddenly, ear-piercing screams for help comes from where the fence is.
SHIT!
Walkers are covering up the space where Chad and co. are supposed to be standing! Needless to say, Chad and Co. are taken down by them. I see one taking a huge chunk out of Chad's face, ripping a tongue out of Chandler, spurting blood everywhere … All while they're screaming for help.
You had it coming, Chad.
For the rest - I'm sorry, but you all are officially screwed.
What now?
We managed to slip into here because those walkers were busy eating.
I zip straight for the fence – hope Chandler's right about live bait being distraction again.
Oh yeah, Karma's a bitch.
With the walkers busy eating them, I can stand right next to them and they won't even give a rat's ass about me. It's also easy to see that Chad and co. didn't even break the lock on the fence.
You're a real gem, Chad.
More sounds bring more walkers.
Damn right – more walkers are coming straight for the all-you-can-eat buffet, which is Chad and co.
Bloody hell, I don't have time to break the locks!
Cradling the puppy in one arm, I jam my foot into the holes of the wire fence and haul myself up. The wire fence is no cliff face – it gives slightly whenever I pull onto it, and I can swear the fence is on the walkers' side, bending backwards so that they can reach me easier. Halfway up to the top, I can feel them shaking the fence below me.
Damn it – it'll be game over if I drop off! Ok, this is no time to panic – come on – maintain your balance and grip, step, grip, step ….. And we're over the fence!
The runway's clear of walkers, but the fence don't look steady, so…
RUN!
The plane out of hellhole is there – IT'S JUST THERE! I've come too far to die down here, you hear me?! I don't deserve it, I tell you! Same for Madison or Livia or Jonah or –
AWESOME! I'VE GOT TO THE PLANE! Now, INTO THE COCKPIT!
Once I plant my ass on the pilot seat, I proceed to search the underneath of it with my hand. Alright, keep calm and find the little bit of plastic… Cloth …Cloth…. Cloth… God damn it where's th- oh there it is! I drag the orange plastic pocket out, and then I dig my hands into it.
Key key key key KEYYYY- AWWWWW YEEAAHH!
Suck it, Chad! You're not the only one with an insurance policy!
Lena, keep cool, just:
1) Turn the plane towards the mountains.
2) Make sure the runway is clear
3) Travel in a straight line, increase speed slowly.
4) When it reaches take-off speed, GTFO!
Now for step 1)… Oh my goodness…. While turning the plane, I can see the place where I left Chad and co. is now filling up with walkers, and they're causing the fence to rock back and forth dangerously. Fence, I just need you to –
Damn it.
NO MATTER, no matter, the plane is facing the mountains already – I can outrun them, because it's time to speed the hell up! All that's left to do is to pray to the runway god.
No bogeys on runway, no bogeys on runway –
20 miles per hour.
No bogeys no bogeys no bogeys
40 miles per hour.
PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE
55 miles per hour.
BYE SUCKERS!
I can feel the plane slowly lifting up. Everything's looking steady – the plane, the front, the speed… And…
We…
Are…
CLEAR!
Congratulations! Lena Reyes will live to see another day, and will also tell the tale of how she shouldn't be alive! Right now, I'm free – FREEEE! – FROM THOSE WALKING NIGHTMARES…
Right?
W-Will they still be there when I …. Touch down? I've got to find out – think of something! I can… maybe…
Know what? Give me 10 minutes – I'll think of something later.
Right now, let me concentrate on flying with my new co-pilot ….. What's your name? Oh, Kona's your name, says your dog tag.
Please, I deserve to catch a break.