"Is the entire state uphill?" Murphy loudly complained, continuing to trudge. "Where are we anyway?"
We had been hiking for miles and per norm, Murphy made sure to complain practically the entire way. We could hardly take five steps without him finding something to complain about. First it was the weather, then it was our low supply of food, oh a bee almost stung him...the list honestly goes on.
Warren held her map out in front of her, "According to this map, we're in the Black Hills of South Dakota."
"I miss the truck." Cassandra whined.
"At least we're out of that damn horde." Warren sighed.
"There's nothing to kill out here." 10k groaned as we walked uphill.
"And that's a bad thing?"
10k smirked as we continued to walk, softly bumping into my shoulder as he came closer to me. I didn't have the energy to play fight back, that energy disappeared a few miles back. My skin was practically soaking in sweat. My sweatshirt securely tied around my waist, leaving me in just my tank top.
"We need to find a place to make camp soon." Doc panted, "My dogs is getting tired."
"I agree, I'm completely exhausted."
Murphy scoffed, "Maybe you should do more sleeping and less making out."
I rolled my eyes at Murphy, far to tired to fight with him.
"Yeah, that's right." Murphy continued, "We all heard about you and lover boy's little make out session."
"Alright." Warren cleared her throat, "There's supposed to be a little town nearby called Edgemont." She continued to walk into a more open clearing, "I'll take a compass reading at this next ridge up here."
"Can't we just take a break?"
"A quick one."
I let out a relieved sigh, thankful to finally be able to have a break. I have been 'fit' my entire life and there is nothing in the world that could've prepared me for this much physical exercise.
"Oh my god." Cassandra gasped, she pointed, "Look."
The group all turned, coming to stand where Cassandra was. It wasn't hard to miss what she was talking about. In front of us was the famous Mount Rushmore but it wasn't exactly just that. Someone had managed to get up there and turn and turn our first four presents and made them resemble zombies. Blood now dropping down their chins.
"Now who in the hell did that?"
"Some daredevil with a sick sense of humor." Doc answered.
"Is that Mount Rushmore?" 10k questioned, turning to look at me.
"Yes." I confirmed.
"This is why we can't have nice things." Murphy groaned.
"Probably the same jackass that tagged the Liberty Bell."
"I think it's awesome." 10k smiled, his eyes twinkling.
Typical boy.
"If I ever catch who did that, they're gonna get a whoopin'," Warren smirked, turning around. "Come on, let's find that town. It's gonna get dark soon."
Murphy looked at her, "I thought we were taking a break."
"Break time's over."
"You know, I would've been more creative." 10k said as we walked.
"Oh yeah?" I laughed, "How so?"
"I'm talking full zombie glam." He smiled, "I mean if you're going to do all that work to get up there, might as well go big right?"
10k and I continued to walk side my side as we trudged through the open clearing. The rest of the group walked in front of us. Warren and Murphy were bickering over if Warren was leading us in the correct direction. Of course, Doc eventually stepped in, coming to Warren's defense. It was typical things.
"Look." Cassandra nudged against me, she motioned towards the structure in front of us.
It was some sort of facility, maybe even part of the town we were looking for.
"Hey guys." I called, "Come look over here."
"That's not a town." Murphy pointed out.
"No shit Sherlock but there could be something useful."
"She's right." Warren agreed, "Let's go check it out."
Murphy groaned but he didn't argue any further when it came to our decision. He actually shut up for once, following in line with the group. Doc and I went first, the two of us creeping around the corner. We moved slowly between the buildings, the rest of the group following behind us.
"You know what, this actually might be a place for us to get some rest and load up on some supplies." Doc whispered.
"Yeah, I could use some a few hours of sleep." I whispered back, "You got the door?"
Doc nodded, creeping up to the nearby door. We both stood with our weapons ready as Doc grasped the door handle, attempting to turn it.
"Why do they still lock doors?" Doc rolled his eyes, groaning, "Luckily I have a skeleton key."
Doc quietly wedged his tire iron between the door and the door frame, breaking the door open with a single pull. Warren went first, turning on her flashlight as she stepped inside the dark building. I followed closely behind her, my machete clutched tightly in my grasp as I prepared myself for zombies.
"Well being Doctor Darkside," Doc sighed, "We are not gonna find much food or ammo in here."
"Yeah," Warren agreed, shinning her light around as she continued to look around, "If we wanted industrial pipes this would be the place to me."
10k crept up beside me, his sneaky presence nearly scaring the crap out of me. I had gotten used to him being by my side but he was just so quiet it was hard to keep track of him sometimes.
10k softly softly nudged my shoulder, "Look."
He gestured towards the oddly glowing Z roaming around the corner. Even in the darkness I could see exactly where it was by his oddly glowing skin.
"Oh my god." I gasped, "That's so weird."
"Come on." He whispered.
10k and I dipped behind the shelves as we slowly crept up to the others. We did our best to be careful not to draw any of the Z's attention. Its' glowing skin could be dangerous and it would probably be wise to stay clear until we figured out what was exactly going on with it.
"Warren." I whispered, coming to stand beside her, "Look."
Warren looked around for a few seconds, clearly questioning what on earth I was talking about. I could tell the moment she caught sight of the oddly glowing Z by how her facial expressions shifted. She looked back at me with a surprised look on her face.
"Take cover." She whispered to us as she crouched down, "Come on."
Warren quietly darted behind a nearby doorway. When the coast was clear once again the rest of us slowly migrated beside her. Warren stood closet to the door, Doc crouching beside her with his small crowbar ready. 10k crouched beside him while Cassandra and I stood behind them. Murphy stayed safely tucked beside Murphy.
"Everybody sit quietly."
So we all did.
Until Murphy decided to let out a rather loud fart.
"Sorry," He mumbled as we all glared at him, "It got away from me."
Doc rolled his eyes, "If I died because you farted I am taking you with me."
"Shhh." Warren attempted to shush them.
However, it didn't do her any good. Between Murphy's loud fart and the two of them whispering we had made more than enough noise. The had surely heard them, his growling and groans becoming louder the closer he got.
Grr!
The Z turned the corner, growling and snapping its' jaws at us. Doc popped up first, quickly taking the Z out by burying the end of his crowbar into its eyes. The Z dropped to the ground while Doc looked at the rest of us with wide eyes.
"It's glowin." He gestured to the dead zombie.
"It's like a zombie ghost."
"Why is he glowing?" 10k asked.
His questioned remained unanswered as a few more Zs, much similar looking to our dead glowing friend came stumbling out from around the corner.
"He's got friends"
"Shit."
The side door bursted open, catching all of us off guard. Two figures in bright yellow hazmat suits came storming in, quickly stepping between us and the glowing zombies.
"Don't touch them!" They yelled, "Back away from the Zs! It's not safe!"
I staggered backwards as we all moved backwards, moving away from the freakishly glowing zombies. The two unknown figures were hesitant at first, going in slow. The two of them split up, each of them taking down a Z. The sound of gunfire filling the air. Warren came to stand by one of the fallen zombies, moving to poke it with her blade.
"No!" The man came rushing forward, seizing her hand to prevent her from touching it, "Don't touch them?"
"Are they contagious?" Warren questioned.
"Radioactive." He stated.
"Radioactive? How is that possible?"
"Let me show you."
I don't have a good feeling about this.