The next building they were in wasn't really safe but at least there are fewer zombies there. Seeing Piers very exhausted from their first run away, Chris think that it would be best if they stop for a moment to rest. The building they were in was a small hotel for light travelers. Chris quickly scouted the first room they were able to find and the area around it. He can see a zombie wondering around on the floor below. Not making the same mistakes, Chris quickly grabbed the Fire axe from the emergency box.
"Piers, turned away please," He knew that the kid has seen many horrible things these past few days. He didn't want to add more to the list. With a quick hard swing, the zombie fell down. Chris wanted to get rid any nearby threat as much as possible. They went back to the room after that. Piers was busying himself with the minibar in the room.
"I got these from the snack shop down the street after what happen," Piers opened his back pack to reveal a heap of snacks and energy bar. Chris can finally come to conclusion on how the boy survived on his own. Piers handed Chris a Crunch bar and a huge pack of M&M.
"Please tell me you have something like Instant noodles or any kind of instant food too. We can't survive on plain sugar," Chris asked as he watched Piers munching on his Mars bars. That kid was going to have cavity soon. "You should eat some proper food. I would kill for any steak at the moment."
Chris inspected the room for more supply. There's a couple of coffee and cocoa mix with water boiler. He could always go the kitchen but he didn't want to leave Piers alone. Going around alone right now was also a bad choice. Zombies and other monsters would pop up anywhere. In the end, they had coffee and cocoa with cheese and tuna spread crackers. Piers seemed a little less scared and depressed. Chris was relieved that the boy has finally found it in his heart to trust him.
They barricaded the door chairs and counters after that to make sure that they rest not be eventful. Piers took a quick cold shower before sleep in small single bed. Chris took the floor instead with spare blankets to help him feel comfortable.
"Thank you Chris, for saving my life," Piers said in a small voice, "When I grow up, I hoped that I could do the same to return the favor."
Chris chuckled at the statement. He doubted a little that he might see the kid again after all of this. He night not even survive his investigation with Umbrella because they had a price on his head for poking too deep into their business. Though he did not want to discourage the kid and reply like he should be. "I know you will Piers. Maybe someday you will grow up and join this awesome group of people that defeat these monsters, saving people's lives and fight bad people."
Piers smiled at the statement. He would really love to do that. "I will."
And in the dream, Piers pictured himself with a sniper, fighting monsters. He was a lot taller than he was now with heads held high and marksmanship skills that no one can ever matched. Just like how he would be in many years later.
The sunlight slipped through the torn curtains of the room as Chris and Piers woke up. They feel a lot better; especially Piers who hadn't have much sleep in the last few days. They ate more chocolate bars and more milk carton from the mini bar. Packing enough rations for emergency, they are set to go. Chris opened the window of their room and inspects the road below. There are still a few zombies there which grouped in front of the hotel exit. That means more detouring and more time consuming journey for them.
"We have to find another way out, the front is crowded," Chris started to look for alternatives as Piers was searching for something in his bag before running into the bathroom to get…a small hand soap. Chris looked at it with a frown on his face. "Piers, what are you doing?"
Piers leaned out of the window and started to look for something before reveal another item in his hand, a slingshot. "You said that they are attracting to sound right?"
Piers pull his slingshot back with the soap bar. He aimed at the thin metal sign plate of the building a block away that was barely holding on its single bolt. A loud clank was heard when Piers let go. The sound echo through the silent street and the zombies turned their head towards the sign. They started to turn towards the source of the sound. Piers gave Chris a quick grin and Chris, in turn, gave him a thump up.
"Here try this one," Chris gave Piers a little heavier arsenal, rubble from the building. "Try to aim at the bolt."
Just as Chris expected, the rock hit straight to the bolt. The man couldn't be more proud. With a loud snap, the sign fell down to the ground with a loud crash, drawing total attention from the zombies around that area.
"Great one Piers, you will be a very good marksmen in the future."
With the front clear of zombies, Chris and Piers tiptoed out of the crowded city area with ease. Along the way, they felt as if the ground shook for a second and noticed that there was something approaching. Chris and Piers quickly hide in a small shop to wait for anything to pass. What Chris didn't expect was to see a huge humanoid monster with long coat. A product of Umbrella's experiment with something they did not have control over. The monster reminded him of Tyrant that he faced back in the mansion. Just how many more monsters will Umbrella create? His fist shook with anger as he thought about the death of his teammates back at the mansion. They lose so much and yet Umbrella still roamed freely. If only the public knew about what STARS members faced in the mansion, maybe this disaster would have been prevented.
"Chris," Piers' voiced snapped him back to reality. He should focus on his mission right now which was getting Piers out of here.
"Sorry, I was spacing out. Let's go," Chris held Piers' hand and guide him out of the shop after the monster passed. With the limited ammo and weapon, fighting big ones were out of question.
The resident area that Chris passed the day before started to catch fire that spread from the center area. Some of them were caused by gas explosion. Things started to grew worst as each day passed. Piers looked at the houses with uneasy feeling. He couldn't shake his worries for his mother and brother away.
They were close to the barrier Chris entered. Chris' face lightens up when he saw the barricade. He pointed it for Piers to see, to give him hope. "See that Piers, we are getting out of here in on time."
A roar was heard from right beside him as a mutated dog jumped from behind Chris. Piers screamed as the dog mounted on Chris and tried to bite him. Chris was holding the dog away from him as much as possible before hurled it onto a car and shot it right in the skull. The gunshot made echoed around the silent neighborhood, followed by the alarm of the car. Chris and Piers were glowing beacons for Zombies.
"Piers run! I will hold them back," Piers felt as if the same movie has been replayed but with a different actor. His thought went back to the soldier that told him to hide in the school on that day. He didn't want that to happen again.
"No! I am not going without you!"
"Piers we are talking about your life here!"
"And what about you?! I don't want you to die. I don't want anyone to die because of me," clear liquid started to form in his eyes as Piers spoke. Chris looked back at Piers who stood solid still even with a horde of zombies started to advance towards them. This kid who he barely knew was willing to stay for him. The loyalty and compassion that he showed was beyond Chris' understanding. He cannot let him die here when this boy can have a better future.
"Dammit Piers!" Chris ran and grabbed Piers' hand as they made their final sprint towards their freedom. There are some zombies in their way which Chris quickly eliminate the ones that are necessary but at this rate, they will ran out of bullet. More came and chasing them from behind. C'mon Chris, think! His mind was racing with this phrase over and over again. That was until he saw an oil truck.
"Piers hold my hand tight!" Chris shouted as he aimed at the tank and squeeze the trigger.
The explosion made his ear went deaf as he saw nothing but fiery smokes and flames. Chris didn't see the zombies being blown apart and their path being cleared. He didn't look at any of them. He can only see Piers' hand being separated from him as the explosion force their grip apart. His ears were muffed by the sound as Piers shouted his name.
"Piers!" he couldn't even hear his own voice.
A/N: Please do leave some reviews/comments about the stories! I really love to hear them XD The next one will be the last chapter!