Fright of the Living Dead: Smosh Edition
Chapter Summary: Passage turns to blockage, corners turn to exits, and determination turns to uncertainty. What will happen when the crew is forced to choose between survival and friendship?
DISCLAIMER: I do not own the main characters nor Smosh along with its connected enterprises. I only own this story.
Faster than Joven at the sight of an ostrich, the assumed sole group of survivors within the complex were racing to the rear, aiming to go for the garage where they could get into Ian's blue van and escape the city. With seven standing, and one being carried, everyone needed to keep extreme focus on the goal if they all were to make it out alive.
"What direction is it again?" Courtney asked, with fear causing her to "forget" the layout of the complex.
"To the first left," Ian replied, trying to maintain composure, "It should be around the corner, down the stairs, and through the white doors."
Ah yes, even now, they all expected things to go at least somewhat right. It can't be bad all the time right? Actually, it can be. As the crew turned the corner, they looked down at the ground floor, noting that not only had the staircase been completely demolished, but that there were hundreds of zombies in front of the main doors to the garage.
"What else is new?!" Keith rhetorically asked, "So our other only option is to turn around and find a new way out?"
"We don't really have much of a choice now do we?" Anthony agreed, turning around, only to spot producers Sonny & Joe, editors Sped and Michael, along with ten other zombified co-workers blocking their path.
"Y'know, this really is starting to get irritating," Olivia complained, sick and tired or the situation, "It's like we're the only one's here that are smart enough to do anything!"
"I've got an idea!" Ian announced, running quickly to the right in the direction of an upward staircase, "Follow me!"
For once, when caught in between a rock and a hard place, a logical decision was actually made that didn't end up with someone's potential death. Despite Ian not telling the group what his plan was, the group, as usual, had no choice but to follow him. Across the floors and up and down flights of stairs, they all were starting to wonder where exactly they were being lead to. In terms of sanity, most of them were pretty intact. Ian was as stable as can be, leading the group through these endeavours. Anthony, inspired by Ian's bravery, tried to dig deep within himself to remain calm. Mari was more frustrated than scared; given that she was still carrying Sohinki, it's completely understandable. With Sohinki, he was completely locked in a state of shock after seeing Joven being attacked by zombies; not even caring what was going around him. Keith was on the borderline to freaking out, constantly looking in all directions to observe for any incoming zombies. Noah was like a math textbook, the outside is smooth, the inside is the extreme fear. Olivia was slightly more irritated than scared; to her, every time something seemed ever so simple, it was abruptly stopped by the zombies. Courtney was the normal one, both scared that today could be her last, but also reminding herself that she has a chance to escape if she takes it.
"Ian!" Anthony shouted, trying to get Ian to be more vocal, "Where exactly are we going?"
"We're going to the roof!" Ian replied rapidly, "Quick! Down the hall, to the right, up the stairs!"
"But why?" Mari asked, still wanting more information, "What's so good about the roof?"
"I'll explain it all when we get there!" Ian responded, not wanting to waste time that could be used for running.
The entire group really could do nothing but follow. They had been running for a total of twelve minutes before reaching the desired destination; the rooftop. Only then did Ian stop running, signalling the others to do so as well.
"Alright, now that we're here, what the heck do we do?" Noah questioned, wanting to know what Ian had in mind.
"Well, for once, you guys can rest, I'll be right back," Ian responded, darting to the barriers surrounding the rooftop.
"Great!" Mari stated in elation, whilst dropping Sohinki to the ground and sitting herself down, "I need a break!"
The next five minutes could be described as a calm frenzy. Ian was still roaming around the edges of the roof, scouting for something that only he knew. Sohinki was still out of it, both from Joven's apparent sacrifice and Mari dropping him on the floor (or rather, roof). Because of this, Anthony and Courtney were still trying to resuscitate him. Mari was completely spread out on the ground, trying to regain some strength after carrying Sohinki for over ten minutes. Keith was panicking over how high up they were and how black people can't fly. Olivia was desperately trying to calm Keith down, knowing that more stress wasn't gonna help. And with Noah, he took the time to try and call his family to see if they were alright. After eight tries with no responses, he knew what the answer was.
"Hey guys! I've got information!" Ian announced, finally back from his scouting.
"Finally!" Keith exclaimed, wanting out of the city, "How are we gonna get out of here?!"
"That's the thing..." Ian replied, preparing for the extreme amount of hatred that was gonna come his way, "I may have misinterpreted what would be up here..."
The reactions that this invoked from the group were generally identical. Anthony was wide-eyeing Ian, surprised that his friend had let them down. Mari jolted up, looking prepared to punch Ian right in his bowl haircut. Noah was still on the ground, crying over his family's apparent death. Sohinki was still collapsed on the ground, not yet awaking from his stupor. Keith, quite in shock from Ian's revelation, nearly fainted. Olivia was too busy catching Keith, not wanting to have two non-responsive people. Courtney was acting identical to Anthony, albeit a few more words to say than Anthony had.
"What do you mean you misinterpreted?!" Courtney shouted, running to tackle Ian before Anthony held her back, "Misinterpreted what?"
"When we moved into this building a few years ago, I distinctly remember taking Melanie up here for a nice view, and spotting a ladder down to the ground over one of the edges," Ian explained, hoping his friends would understand.
"Well guess what?" Keith asked rhetorically, "THERE AIN'T NO LADDER!"
"I'm pretty sure that was actually the eighth floor balcony," Anthony clarified, trying to make good of Ian's idea.
"Alright then, let's go," Ian announced, easily willing to follow Anthony's advice.
"You aren't serious are you?" Mari asked, tired of walking, "We're as high up as we can get! Can't we just rest for another half hour and then escape! Zombies are slow anyways!"
"Not slow enough to climb up to the-the-the... ROOF!" Keith screamed, running in the opposite direction from the stairs that they came from.
The whole group turned to see an entire mass of almost fifty zombies stumbling towards them; among them producers Sonny & Joe, editors Sped & Michael, and some other complex members. With the stairs blocked and Ian's mistake of direction had lead them all to a dead end. Everyone was too saddened by their apparent doom to blame anyone. All they could do was huddle together, hoping in vain that they could survive just a little bit longer. The zombies got closer, thirty feet, twenty-five feet, twenty feet, fifteen feet, which by then everyone had close their eyes, not wanting to face their deaths. The zombies were only ten feet away when the group heard a distinct yell from behind the horde.
"DUCK!" The mysterious voice had called out, knowing that there was someone behind the horde.
The group had no hesitation. They knew that a zombie wouldn't speak such clear of English. And given the circumstances, they really had no option but to follow any piece of advice thrown at them. They all ducked, stooping to the ground. It wasn't until they heard the sound of rapid gunshots that everyone ducked onto their sides, hopelessly covering their heads to "protect" them from the bullets. The barrage of bullets had lasted almost thirty seconds before it had stopped. The group had opened their eyes to an ungodly sight; nearly fifty undead corpses collapsed on the ground to their final deaths. Standing above them all was one person; tall, muscular, carrying a large amount of weapons, this person was clearly ready for the future. After standing up and wiping their eyes, the group was able to identify the mysterious gunner once and for all.
Don't worry, the story still has a relatively long way to go before it's end. The main purpose for this chapter was to elaborate on how each member is feeling towards the zombie apocalypse and their thoughts on survival. The next chapter will finally introduce the start to the group's escape. As for the gunner, it should be pretty obvious who it is. If I do get any readers at all, I encourage you to write a review. Give your thoughts. I'd like to see what opinions you have on where this could go.