Chapter 04: Obtained
A quick charge and a forceful shove would be deflected between two of the hunters. Blood did not falter in standing his ground, or rather his crouching when keeping himself between the largest of their pack and the newest member. Despite the conflict, Grahvik wouldn't use his talons on the comrade though these talons hungered for it. Now more than ever since the boss had returned, threatening to stop his chance at ending the female's life. "Get the hell outta meh way! Now!" He screeched, hovering over the stubborn defender. These last few minutes shook Kita's world. She was not safe, not in the slightest. That hunter would undoubtedly kill her if given the chance, and without the Alpha's presence was willing to challenge the others to get to her. It scared her so much that Blood's horrible ordor did not bother her when she gently clung to the backside of his dirtied hoodie that given him his nickname. He wasn't bothered by her embrace, if anything it helped him keep a better protective stance to help gaurd her. When this dispute first began it was just a small complaint, when she apologized to Grahvik he snapped out at her as if he was holding in pint up energy. Then the argument busted out between Grahvik wanting her to be dead & gone and Blood supporting Alpha's wishes for her to be apart of the pack.
She hated this tension & fear, but the thought of being out there alone terrified her more. Least she had a chance inside this 'zombie pack', With some affiliates willing to protect her from harm. Even if Blood is a frightening monster... or infected- he was laying his undead life on the line for her. Somebody who was practically useless to the pack.
Grahvik persisted to use his body and weight so he could push and break pass Blood's unwavering stance. She couldn't stop her thoughts from wondering. Did they have a sense of what life was? Did it matter at all to them? Did this battle have any emotional connection at all or was it just instinct and left over personality? Kita had a hard time swallowing even that possibility of them having personalties.
Havoc just stood there a distance away observing the squabble. Looking over his shoulder when Alpha and Culver were getting close, he was quiet and didn't seem to have any input in helping out. She felt Blood stagger, and fall over, she quickly found herself on her backside with a satisfied Grahvik exposing fangs, and raising a hand in preparation of a clawing attack. His attempt destroyed before it could begin as a quick flexible movement got Blood to crawl over Kita, facing the aggressive member once more with a shrilling screech. "You defy Alpha?!" He hissed out from under his gurgled growling breathing. Grahvik had no problem in returning a answer. "Alpha will thank meh later! She will get us all killed!" He wanted to continue his rant but the arrival of Alpha distracted him. "Alpha, yerh heard me. This is a mistake yarh'll doing to us." He snarled out at the pack leader with his unique accent; as odd as it was for his growls and snarls to be distinctive. Alpha; who surprisingly tolerated the overly aggressive Grahvik offered a answer with a question of his own. "You wish for her to leave the pack? To be given away?" He would only get closer to the blond brute hunter. Blood kept in his defensive stance over Kita, who didn't particularly enjoy what Alpha just said, she didn't enjoy being directly under a hunter either- but the circumstances made it the best place to be at the moment. Grahvik settled down into a squat, continuing to release his venting anger & rage, and now aiming at his own leader with it. "Hell no! Yah think I'm stupid?! The female needs to be finished off. No risk." He snickered out, exposing strong jagged fangs afterwards. Culver stepped in hoping to help calm everything down. "Hey- I thought there was something wrong too but-" He was quickly and rudely interrupted by the snapping Grahvik; "Shut up runt! I'm not askin yurh opinion in this!" He rumbled out a growl that could've been mistaken for distant thunder.
Havoc kept quiet. He seemed to be used to this bickering, Blood also kept his maw shut & Culver needed to know when to keep out of things. Alpha crouched beside Blood, near Kita's head, nearly stepping on her hair. "She stays for now. If she endangers the pack, I'll dispose of her myself unless it would please you that much to do it yourself. Now, end this. It's wise to hunt now before we loose our prey. " He trilled softly, having seemed to calm down the members. Grahvik wasn't happy, but he seemed content with the answer. "I'll be keeping yarh to yer word Alpha." He turned around, and looked towards a old tall brick building. Kita felt sick to her stomach at this moment, couldn't she just leave? Begone with them before they decided to kill her?! How was she supposed to make herself useful?! Alpha got back onto his feet, and observed each of the hunters.
Everything seemed to be in a content mood. With things patched up it meant they could hunt and work together with the best possible results. "Any news Havoc?" Alpha trilled, glancing to the quiet hunter identified by his scars & unique difference not discovered by Kita yet. "No new movement. They've been quiet since the argument. Still inside though, to my observation." He had been keeping track of their target this entire time, to the best of his abilities would allow him without entering the building. "Good. No gun fire means their cautious or fallen." Alpha growled at the thought, to his hopes the commoners wouldn't devour their prey. Most infected didn't do such things to recently attacked prey. The urge and instinct to hunt was there, but once life vanished- that instinct also vanished. Most infected attacked what enraged them then wandered away after killing their prey until the next thing irritated them. Because they needed their host bodies alive, eating was now something infected were challenged with; cannibalism in fellow kin becoming just as common for them as it was for the city rats achieving free decaying meals.
The gunfire is what woke up the pack, it was a rare treat these present days to have. A survivor, or a group of them to be wandering the cities was a great excitement indeed. Kita was a bittersweet rarity too. Originally thought to be easy food surprised them all when her scent was a hunters. The leader exhaled a long growl, figuring out a quick plan of tactics in his head. "Havoc. " He alerted his subordinate, "Stay here with Kit. Call if something goes wrong and keep watch. Grahvik, Blood, Culver and I will search them out. We keep hidden and quiet from this point on." Kita pondered that exceptional trait of the hunter strain, how unlike any of the other infected only they were capable of complete silence.
The others gave a agreeable nod, Four was usually the amount they hunted by anyways, with a lookout for other invading packs or enemies so there wasn't much of a change in how the pack did things. Havoc had no squabbles over playing babysitter, he was often the lookout although at times Culver switched places when tougher enemies presented themselves. Lead by Alpha, the hunters easily made it to the brick building and crawled through a opened large window previously broken to where no glass remained. Curtains waved outside as wind tugged and toyed with the light fabric. Kita sat up after Blood got off of her, but she couldn't shake off the despair. It felt like she was on death-row, and invisible bars kept her caged from leaving. She sighed heavily, looking around at all the destruction of the city's terrain. The emptiness of the city.
"Why does Alpha let him talk back like that? He's the leader right? Is that how th-" She stopped herself, realizing she was about to say infected. "Is that how things work here?" Pleased that she didn't say something stupid she hoped for some insight about the pack's pecking order & ruling. A second of silence worried her, finally he answered out in a soft quiet trill. A whisper of sorts. "Keep quiet Kita. But yes, that's how things work. It's like this every time a new member comes, Grahvik is less tolerative of weaker members. He is strong and has much experience on his claws. Because of this, he is not corrected as much as the rest of us, Culver was equally disliked at first." He kept his senses keen on watching his surroundings, going back into silence. Kita thought about that, it made sense. Grahvik was larger than Alpha in size comparison, and Culver was still alive. It lifted her spirits, that maybe it was not as bad as it seemed. From now on, she had to make a huge commitment to doing her best! She would try to help this... zombie pack if it meant keeping herself alive. Looking around she abruptly realized something. How silly of her not to think of this earlier.
"Uhh..." She quietly whispered, "What.. are we supposed to be watching out for?" She lightly flinched at a sudden bark of surprise from Havoc who turned at her with a look of disbelief. Did she just really ask that? Common sense can't tell her the obvious answer? Really? Havoc sneered a soft growl from his vocals while going back onto his sentry duty. "...The uninfected. The enemy. Those that don't look like they belong. " He was annoyed, still in disbelief he'd have to explain something so apparent. Kita could feel his annoyance, but tried to ignore it as she looked around for signs of danger. It was a depressing scene, zombies scattered everywhere, fires, and wreckage. A very somber setting indeed. But in the darkness she spotted something lurking between two large crashed trucks. It was a hazy green colored vapor, it reminded her of smoke but with odd ember-like fireflies fluttering within it. "...What about that?" She pointed to the green haze, and her comrade perked up. "Heh. Not bad." He expressed his gratitude, keeping his own focus on the smoker who did his best to try to keep out of sight. A poor attempt due to it's smoke giving it's position away. "That smoker's been causing trouble in our turf for some time. Been trying to keep our attention on him. Always manages to get away somehow." He explained with a quiet growl.
She listened, feeling somewhat proud of herself at the moment. His irritated vibe had been replaced with a easy-going attitude. Kita held a well earned smile on her dried lips, until now she didn't realize how thirsty she was. Hungry too, but the thought of the feast... her appetite died. The feeling of their atmosphere changed, looking at that green smog and the tumor covered silhouette which it originated from gave her a very uneasy feeling. Much stronger this time though, she felt trapped, surrounded. It drove her skin to quiver visibly. Havoc noticed right away and decided to confront it. "Something wrong?" He asked, only to have gunshots near by interrupt his concentration. Kita flinched from the sound echoing through the air, as if she blinked once the smoky figure was gone.
"Huh?! It's gone!" She whined, searching desperately. How did he get away? Havoc kept calm, nudging her aside. "Switch places." She had no problem with that, yet that feeling of being watched nagged at her insides. Twisting and pulling on her gut instincts so badly it started to effect her actual gut. "Don't worry, they're fine. We would've heard a cry if not. We'll be gorging ourselves soon enough." He tried to reassure her, assuming she was anxious over the pack hunt. Kita nervously swallowed. "I feel like we're being watched." She admitted, trying to spot anything to support her feelings. Havoc shrugged, trying to spot their little spy problem without having to move from his sentry spot. "The smoker is likely lurking." She shook her head, "No, I mean from all over. I don't like it." She furrowed her brows. Havoc went silent for a moment, then softly growled. "If something does happen. Call out for Alpha. If things get worse, you run to him & the others. Got it?" He explained quickly as the scratched up member began to feel just as uneasy. It felt like claws were ripping at their throats, and Havoc obviously had nothing to comfort Kita with. He should call, alert the troop, however if Kita was going to be any useful she should at least have the trial of trying first. "Call for them. Now."
She swelled with anxiety, and the thought of screaming out on the top of her lungs was embarrassing. She'd do it though no matter how stupid she might sound or feel afterwards. "Alpha! Alpha come quick!"
Her voice carried strong and loud, slightly more higher pitched as it echoed between buildings. She widen her eyes, was that what she sounded like? Wasn't much different from the monsters she used to be terrified of in the nights when surviving back at her apartment. She thought about his plan, "If I get Alpha, what about you? You'd be by yourself." She couldn't help but to feel concern for the infected male. He exhaled sharply, amused by the fact the female would have a soft spot. "I wasn't always a part of a pack, female." He purposely avoided saying her name while preparing to lower himself, as if ready to pounce on something. The pressure of being watched became so strong, it was as if the air wouldn't allow you to breath. Then her eyes narrowed on a tall lanky figure who popped out into view. "There! I found him!" She yipped out in excitement, Havoc quickly turned his head to see and hissed. "That's not him!" He corrected her but scooted closer to Kita, his shoulders arched in a flexible feline fashion, the infection having made his body more adaptable to crouching like some lion. She was confused, and looked over to him only to spot another smoker in the distance. A few other special infected came into sight, most being the smokers, a hunter or two and a burping boomer. They were surrounded by a challenging troop who were likely just as interested in the rare appearance of non-infected humans as Alpha's pack was.
Kita looked to Havoc for answers, but he was deeply focused. A slurping sound could be heard as a whipping tongue aimed for Havoc and Kita, and in a single swift movement Havoc jabbed his hand out to shove Kita on the ground while kicking against the surface of the rooftop in order to escape the enemy smoker's tongue. She skid on her back, and was able to recover back onto her feet just as Havoc landed. A second attack was made afterwards just as she was capable of getting onto her feet. Screeching from a green hoodied hunter lunged and tackled Kita back down, he raked out his claws and lashed towards her chest and shoulders- only capable of a single clawing before he himself was pounced by Havoc. The hunters screeched loudly as Havoc began ripping at the other hunter.
The sound of screeching and yelping flooded the air, drowning out the minor sounds of clothes tearing and enemy infected whose gurgled groans, coughing, and grunts became closer. Blood and clothes were thrown like confetti as Kita got to her feet, remembering what Havoc told her. To run to the pack if things got worse. This was not a doubt one of those moments. Yet when she looked over to him attacking at the green hunter she caught glimpse of another smoker in the distance. He was different, and obviously ready to attack. His line of fire was- She gasped as she realized Havoc was about to be a victim.
"Watch out!" She cried out and quickly ran over as a strong tongue lashed out and constricted around her comrade's neck & body tightly. She threw herself at Havoc, circling her arms around him as she pinned him to the ground keeping him from being dragged off with the weight of her feminine body. He yelped and gurgled, desperately seeking a breath of air. She yanked and tugged at the tongue then, at least around his neck- but it was too strong! It was then she was capable of seeing something unique. Under that hood, Havoc's shaded eyes which were wide open offered a rare glimpse. One more than the other, his right eye had a sickly golden hue to it with a additional soft glow. The other eye was either too dark in color or shaded to be seen. They gave her a look of feral rage, but somewhere inside a cry for help. It helped boost her will to fight for him, to prove herself!
Pulling as hard as she could, but nothing would work until she did the only thing she could think of... Biting down on the slimy-sore covered tongue as hard as she could. Kita felt her teeth dig into the tough muscle, she tasted the awful blood and who knows what else sort of gooey smoky ooze. Kita's actions caused it to release, recoiling back to it's owner like a retractable tape-measure. The instant it did he inhaled with a yelping gasp. Getting off of him, she tried to help Havoc recover back onto his feet while she did Kita looked around as the other smokers prepared for a attack. Scooting close to Havoc who gurgled a weak growl, returning to a pouncing position. Just as the other green hoodied hunter struggled to do but his body kept falling, pouring a stream of blood from his chest. Havoc wanted her to leave to personally get the pack but even he knew it would just make her a easy target. It worried him that Alpha and the others haven't came yet. What the hell was taking so long to arrive?!
Neither would no longer have the luxury of wondering why anymore as another tongue lashed out. Havoc slashed at it just in time to force it recoiling back, but another taken it's place and constricted around that same arm. It was in rapid succession that many more tongues directed their attacks only on Havoc who could not keep up. Kita quickly tried helping, but her efforts seemed to be of little use. She nipped and tried to bite, using her body to keep the tongues from reaching any vitals. He struggled to free his arms and legs, yelping out in pain as they coiled tighter. "They're busy attacking me! Run for it Kita! Go while you can!" He knew he was done for, they had all the intentions of pulling him apart. She shook her head swiftly and kept shielding him. It kept the tendrils from being able to coil around the core of his body and his vulnerable neck. She refused to just leave him for dead! Biting finally released one tongue but there was too many more of them. Slithering around like aggressive serpents trying to reach his neck and chest or stomach. Havoc narrowed his sights on the background as the wounded enemy hunter finally got to his feet and with weak movement was getting in reaching distance of Kita. He went to screech and warn her but the tongues finally wrapped around his head and mouth; giving up on tangling around his neck."Ki-" He winced, not capable of getting a single warning out in time. Kita was too focused on trying to bite at those tongues to notice the looming shadow behind her.
The enemy hunter raised and raked his talons against Kita's backside, nearly falling over as he did. She let out a shriek in pain, flinching in surprise of the unexpected attack. The moment she gave a break to yelp in pain those tongues coiled around Havoc's neck. She desperately fought them using her hands and teeth, whimpering in pain as the wounded hunter continued clawing at her, doing what little he could manage to stop the stubborn female from protecting their main target. The scent of blood filled the air. Finally a responding screech in the near distance. It was Alpha's screech. The pack was coming!
Hello and Thank you again to all willing to read this story. u^u I'd like to give my appreciation and gratitude to everybody, and to those who have commented and given me some advice. I know I still have a lot to learn when it comes to writing and grammar. So it means a lot to me! Thank you! Please continue to give me insight and let me know what you think of everything so far! ^-^