Author's Note: I decided to split the escape scene up into two separate chapters.

Enjoy the final two chapters, 11 and 12 :3


The rescue group darted through the mall, moving towards the few others who'd stayed behind. Ana, Michael and Kenneth had the lead, while Kyle lingered back behind everyone else on purpose, Tucker and Terry in front of him. As they sprinted up one of the many staircases, he saw Monica and Glen who turned toward the group, confused.

"Where are you guys going?" Monica asked, frowning.

"They got in!" Someone shouted a quick explanation.

"We have to go! Now!"

"Move! Move! Move!"

And then Glen and Monica were running as well. Kyle spared a glance back. There was a good distance between them and the first of the pursuing horde, but nothing that couldn't be crossed within a couple of seconds at the speeds they were running. Twisting his body, Kyle turned and fired seven times. Only two of the infected collapsed.

So much for that plan. He thought to himself.

Turning forward again, he saw the elevator coming up. The stairs might've been a better solution, but they were in the sporting good's store, which they'd already passed up. No time to turn back now. Whoever reached the elevator first pressed the call button and the doors slid open painfully slowly.

As soon as the doors were open, everyone began to shove inside. Michael desperately beat the Basement Floor button, but it didn't seem to be doing anything. The infected were drawing closer and if the doors didn't close soon, they'd be overrun. As the first infected, a dark haired man with a red shirt, reached the doors, they began to close.

It was clear there wouldn't be enough room to get through and any thinking person would've seen this. However, the infected man wasn't thinking. He threw himself against the steel doors, screeching wildly, jaws snapping, arms flailing. He tried desperately to force himself through, but to no avail. The doors slid shut and the elevator began to descend, allowing everyone a quick breather. Kyle began reloading his USP, slipping the half-used magazine into his pocket.

"I like this song." He heard C.J. say from behind him, referring to the elevators soft jingle.

Everyone cast a glance back. If they weren't so tired or scared, they might've laughed.

The elevator finished it's journey and the doors opened. Everyone rushed out as quickly as possible, moving down a concrete ramp toward the two buses which were still unfinished. Kyle's blood boiled as he spotted Steve, leaning against the first bus as casual as ever.

"There you are." Steve spoke up, standing up and turning toward everyone. "What the hell happened? I was waiting and-"

"Prick." Ana hissed as she climbed into the first bus, The Pinta, Michael right behind her.

"Deal with you later, motherfucker!" C.J. growled, shoving Steve back before moving into the first bus as well, duffel bag bouncing against his side.

Grunting miserably, Steve shuffled away from the first bus and to the second one. Kyle followed him, glaring daggers at the back of the man's head. Monica and Ken climbed onto the bus ahead of them, The Santa Maria, followed by Steve, then Terry, leaving Glen and Kyle outside.

"W-wait! Nicole!" Terry shouted, glancing at the other bus.

"There's no time, kid! Get in!" Kyle said, giving Terry a shove.

The Lieutenant stepped back, allowing his elder to climb in before him. As he glanced around the The Santa Maria, he realized that neither Melissa nor Tucker had gotten aboard this bus. He mumbled under his breath, unslinging a large bag from around his shoulders, as well as the Savage 99 rifle. His M21 was leaning against the shelf they'd installed.

"Alright, guys. Here we go." Ken called back as he started the bus. The first bus rolled out, Ken following it closely.

Both buses picked up speed and The Pinta smashed into the gate to the garage, easily plowing through it and making room for it's sister, The Santa Maria. Thing seemed to be working out fine and Kyle couldn't help but smile. They were doing it! They were escaping! They'd left far earlier than planned, but it didn't matter! They were going to live!

Less than a minute later, the crowd outside was mercilessly rocking the bus as it moved forward at a snail's pace.

"Fucking Christ!" Monica yelped, grasping the shelf.

"This is just a big clusterfuck." Steve mumbled, bringing his arm up as he was thrown against the side of the bus.

"They're trying to tip us over!" Kenneth growled, grasping the steering wheel tightly. "Hit 'em with the saw!"

Amazingly, Steve was the first to react. He snatched up the chainsaw and jerked the rope. The engine roared to life and the chain spun. Grinning like a madman, Steve jammed the blade of the saw through the small opening they'd designed and began cutting through the poor bastards who hung onto the side of the bus.

The others grabbed what guns they could get their hands on and began to pick who they could off the sides as well, blasting who Steve didn't cut through. Everyone but Kenneth and Steve had a gun, desperately blasting away at the infected who were gathering on the bus.

"This isn't getting us anywhere!" Terry said, cocking a blue steel revolver.

"Security boy's right." Steve said. "We need a plan or we're fucked."

Kyle was busy reloading his Heckler & Koch when his thoughts wandered back to the gun store. He thought about how effective the propane tank had been and grinned. Snatching up the radio, he hit the talk button.

"C.J.! C.J., do you read me?"

Nothing for a few seconds. But then he got a response.

"Loud and clear, Kyle. What's up?"

Kyle grinned, staring down the walkie evilly. "We need another barbecue!"

He heard C.J. laugh, then reply with, "On it!"

"Excellent." Kyle muttered to himself before looking back at the others. "Alright guys! Hold onto something, these fuckers are about to go out with a bang!"

Everyone exchanged uneasy glances, but took the advice. Steve killed the chainsaw and tossed it aside, grabbing onto the nearest solid object that was bolted down. Others followed suit, including Kyle. It was only a matter of time before Ana yelled over the walkie-talkie.

"Fire in the hole, guys!"

Five seconds later, there was a large explosion which shook the buses with an intense fury. Glancing outside the bus, Kyle could see infected sprawled out all over the ground, some even on fire. He couldn't help but laugh menacingly, a borderline psycho grin forming on his face.

"Burn motherfuckers, burn." He whispered.

"Let's floor it, Ken!" Michael shouted over the walkie and then both buses were speeding off down the road again.

As they passed the gun store, Kyle gave one final salute to the store and the fallen friend they'd been forced to leave behind inside. Behind them, the parts of the crowd who'd recovered were relentlessly trailing the buses, but were no match for the shuttle's speeds, getting left in the dust. Things were going great again.

"There's still one hangin' on." Ken announced, glancing back at the others.

Everybody was glancing around, uneasy now.

"Which fuckin' side?" Steve asked.

Ken glanced in the mirror and gritted his teeth before answering, pushing the pedal down even further. "Right side!"

"I got him!" Glen said, bending over and retrieving the chainsaw. He yanked the rope, trying to start the saw.

There was a loud shriek followed by a thump. Kyle whirled around, eyes wide as the infected threw itself against the side of the bus. The Lieutenant could hear the chainsaw being revved and knew they problem was about to being taken care of.

Suddenly, the bus took a hard left and Kyle lost his footing. He tumbled to the side, crashing into Steve and sent both of them into poor Terry, who was caught between them and the side of the bus. Glen on the otherhand flew toward Monica, involuntarily raising the chainsaw.

Monica screamed.

Blood splashed Kyle's face.

The Santa Maria began tipping over. Kyle brought his arms up and covered his face and he crashed roughly into the wall as it became the floor. He rolled, smashing his back into the shelf and bringing tons of supplies down on top of him.

Ammunition and guns crashed down around him as the bus slid across the street. The next few seconds were blurry. He thought the bus came to a stop, but he couldn't tell. Something hard smashed into the back of his head, sending him into a daze. He heard someone shuffling around, but didn't have the strength to look around and see who.

Slowly, Kyle faded into blackness.