Chapter 10

Author's note:

I appreciate D-ZombieDragon for the suggestion of games to use. I figured a way to add a game reference, so try to guess it. I also have another reference that was not suggested. Hopefully, though, it will be obvious.

Disclaimer: I do not own left 4 dead. Valve does. Also do not own the game referenced in here. Capcom does.

When the door was locked, Amanda looked at me, "What the hell was that about?" she said, "Why were you so scared?"

"They were dead." I said.

"No," Josh said, "no, it can't be.

He looked down and I walked over to him, "did you know them?" I asked.

He nodded solemnly and said, "They were my commanding officers." He said, "Although, they were more like parents to me."

"Wanna talk about it?" I asked.

He looked like he was going to say "no," then he looked over at Eric and heaved a big sigh, "I never actually planned on joining CEDA," he said, "I was just waiting at home that fateful night. My parents had left on a vacation and left me home to housesit. (I didn't like to travel) I was 16 at the time; I heard a knock on the door. I opened it expecting to see my parents, but instead, I came face to face with Sanders and Jones. They told me that my parents were killed in a terrorist attack. I was shocked at first, but they talked me through it. I decided to join the field medics, going for the same job as my appointed guardians, but after a couple months of the outbreak, I was transferred over to flying survivor helicopters. I hadn't seen them since."

I wasn't too keen on making Josh so uncomfortable, so I kicked up another story, "I ever tell you about the time Ellis tried to deep-fry a turkey? Third-degree burns over 90 percent of his body." I flinched, remembering my past story, but to cover it up, I said, "His doctor called up, like, other doctors to look at him cause they'd never seen burns on top of existing burns?"

"Wanna hear my backstory?" Amanda interrupted, "It's really good."

"Moving on!" I yelled, making her jump.

Unfortunately, this got a reaction from further down in the Evac center. Since we were still in the safe house, I didn't see much to worry about.

"Hello?" I heard. I looked outside the bars as a girl of about 18 came to the door. She had purple hair. There were two green hair clips on some of her bangs; these were pushed to the side. She also had a white eye patch over the left eye.

"Oh, shit! It's a survivor!" I yelled.

She gave me a sleepy smile and said, "Well, hello to you too!" Her face was covered in streaks of dried blood and mud. I stepped forward to unlock the door and Josh stopped me.

"Wait," he said, and then to her, "have you been bitten?"

She gave us another sleepy smile, then said, "Yes, but I'm immune."

"Good enough for me!" I said. I reached over and opened the door. I finally got a good look at her. She was wearing a long black dress with a white collar and a red bow on the front.

"My name is Chihiro," She said.

I nodded, "Keith, Amanda, Josh, and Eric," I said, pointing to each, "Pleasure to meet you."

I was glad to finally be somewhere safe, but I was stopped by the large amount of zombie bodies strewn throughout the floor. "What happened?" I said, "I thought this place was supposed to be safe!"

"It is!" Chihiro said quickly, adding quietly, "…now."

"Is there even anyone left?" I asked.

"Only me," she paused, "and… Crazy Dave."

"Wha-?" I started.

"A man came in who was infected," she said, "he just didn't know. Dave decided to take a nap right before the outbreak in here happened. He woke up to a zombie chewing on his hand."

"Oh," Amanda said, cringing.

"Yeah, Chihiro continued, "he's been held up in the bathroom ever since. The others who survived left for another Evac center, while I stayed behind to help new survivors who come in. She led the way down the hall until we came to a kitchen. I was more than a little disappointed that the zombie bodies didn't just stop at the safe room. There were many lined up along the walls.

"In the kitchen, you can eat before you go!" Chihiro said, smiling.

She pointed to a table that used to have a feast on it. I looked at the table, holding back the bile threatening to come out. The food looked completely rancid. There was maggots and mold all over the food. There was no way it was edible.

"Amanda gave an ugly look, "What the f-."

"Thank you," I interrupted, "we appreciate it, but we ate before we got here!" I gave her a smile.

"Alright," she returned my smile and walked away.

As we walked on, Amanda ran up behind me, "What was that?" she hissed.

"I think she went bonkers because of the outbreak." I said, "try not to say anything stupid."

Amanda just pouted and walked on.

We came to the bathroom next. The bodies over here were more concentrated around the door, as if they were shot as they tried to beat down the door. This thought was backed up by the bloody handprints on the door.

"Dave?" Chihiro said, "You still in there?"

"Who's there?" Dave yelled back.

"It's Chihiro," she said, "I have some new survivors here, did you want to come out and meet them?"

"Not until I know that they aren't infected!" he yelled back. Then I recognized his voice.

"Dave?" I said, "It's me, Keith!"

"Keith?" he said, "no way!" I heard the door unlock, then a pause, "wait," he said, he locked the door again, the rest of the time, he just chanted, "Better safe than sorry. Better safe than sorry. Better safe than sorry. Better safe than sorry. Better safe than sorry. Better safe than sorry. Better safe than sorry."

"Sorry, she said, "he's been that way ever since the outbreak."

I sighed. Dave would be missed.

Chihiro led us further until we came to a concert hall. There were supplies all over. Molotoves, pipebombs, and med-kits were spread through the room. I reached down to grab a pipe bomb and stuff it in my pocket, and I saw a camera on the ground with a press badge next to it.

I picked it up and read "Frank West." Whoever this guy was, I hoped he made it out.

Chihiro didn't seem to even notice the camera. Continuing to the far side of the concert hall, she led us to a train box car. When we got in, she started to close the door, but Josh stopped her.

"What was with those soldiers in front of the door?" he asked.

She just looked up at him with a big smile then said, "I needed scarecrows to keep the zombies away!"

With that, she closed the door and sent the train on its way. I looked back to see her pull a truck into the gap to block the concert hall from the train.

Josh looked down, "They deserved better than that," he said sadly.

Author's note:
I had my brother read this and critique, and apparently, Crazy Dave is from plants versus zombies. I just meant to have him be Ellis's friend, but I guess that works. Who would win in a battle, Crazy Dave or Whitaker? Reveiw to answer, that way I can take credit for reviews.