Don't own a thing. 'Cause I'm poor. Very poor...and hung over. It's March 18th and I'm Irish, what do you expect?
=================================================
Okay, I'm getting worried now. I just smashed a zombie's head in, but I did it as calmly and easily as if I were hitting a pinata at a birthday party. I wonder if I ever had a pinata at any of my birthday parties? As I leave the drugstore with the stench of death behind me the same questions keep repeating in my mind. Who am I? Why is this happeneing to me? Why am I not surprised to see flesh eating zombies around here?
I have to get out of here. But where am I going to go. I don't remember where I am, so how can I _know_ where to go. A hospital would be the best idea but judging by what's happening here they might be a little busy...or the doctors will try to eat me. This doesn't make any sense. I'm gonna die in a shopping mall wearing a stupid bandage on my head and carrying a kid's backpack full of shotgun shells. At least I still have my slightly dented baseball bat. Fucking brilliant, that'll save the day!
Okay, Claire, calm down. All you have to do to get...wait a minute. Did I just call myself Claire?...Holy shit, I did. I don't remember being called Claire before but it some how feels...right. And why would I call myself that otherwise...unless I am a serious schizo, of course, but I don't think I am. Well, at least I have a name, a first name anyway. But I don't think having a name will be much help until I get out of here, though. But first I'm gonna have to find out where _here_ is.
As I continue down the corridor I find a place that could be helpful. That bookstore should be a good place to start looking. There has to be something there to tell me where I am. There might even be a few maps of the area, or a tourists' handbook or something. Only one way to find out. I walk over to the darkened bookshop and go inside. I feel for the now familiar emergency light switch and turn it on.
It doesn't look like this store has been hit as hard as the others. I guess not many people want to take a break and read a book during a zombie attack. It's not like there's many weapons here either. That's fine though, I'm not here for weapons. If I can find out where I am that'll suit me. I walk over to the counter first. I barely even have to look before I find what I'm looking for. It's a brochure for the bookstore.
-------------------------"Anderson & Sons Bookstores"--------------------------------
Anderson & Sons is now the fastest growing chain of bookstores in
Michigan. Since opening our first store in the Liffey Valley Shopping Mall
in Chicago, we have expanded to over twenty stores state-wide thanks to
the support of our customers. All this month we will be offering an amazing
20% off all books and art supplies. Magazines and newspapers will also be
30% off for the next two weeks
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chicago. Well, that's another question answered but I still have no idea what I'm doing here. I don't think I live in Chicago, not that I would remember otherwise. It's just another feeling I have but I just know I'm right about it. Mabye I work here? Not in the mall but somewhere in Chicago. I think I had a job to do around here. What the hell was it? Everytime I find an answer there seems to be ten more questions that I can't figure out.
I should probably- ugh...damn, I'm feelin' dizzy again. I grab onto the counter to try and keep myself standing. My legs feel like jelly. I can feel myself beginning to slip. I can't...I can't let this... I can see the floor rushing up to meet my face and then...
darkness...
emptiness...
nothingness...
Ugh, what's going on? Not again. I remember what has happened in the past few minutes to realise the situation im currenly in. It takes me a few more seconds to register the sound of shuffling feet next to me. I spin around onto by back, causing another jolt of pain in my skull, as I hear the empty groan from the zombie mere inches away. I open my eyes and stare directly into the stained yellow eyes of the corpse above me. Before it can move to take a bite out of my throat, I act. A move my head up as quickly as I can, smashing into it's face. Despite the intense pain caused the headbutt I manage to use the short distraction to scurry away.
I'm able to stagger to my feet but I don't have anything to fight with. My bat is still over at the counter with the zombie. The zombie starts to move towards me, driven on my the scent of fresh meat. I throw the first heavy book I can find but it doesn't even slow the zombie down. I check the shelves for anything I can use...books...notebooks...pens...pencils...rulers...erasers...scissors... Wait, scissors will do. I grab one from the shelf as it comes closer and closer. I claw at and rip the packaging but it wont come off.
With one final burst the packaging rips, with the zombie less than three feet away. I grab the scissors by the handle and jam it into the side of the zombie's rotting head. The zombie almost instantly crashes to the ground with blood streaming from the wound. I lean back against the shelf and try to catch my breath. Note to self: Never headbutt a zombie when it's likely you've got a concussion.
As I take some deep breaths I look over the shelf opposite me. One book in particular catches my eye. "The Complete Map Of Chicago: 2004 Edition" Mabye it was worth coming in here. I grab the book before I step over the twitching corpse and walk back to the counter. After recovering my bat and backpack I walk back out of the store. (After taking a few more painkillers) I'm not staying here for any longer. Two zombie attacks is enough for me. According to the map of the mall the exit should be down to the left. I start walking again
Well, at least the map was right. The mall's exit is just up ahead, flanked on both sides by fast food restaurants. Despite being so hungry that my stomach is probably starting to digest itself, I can't bring myself to go in and look for food. Not because of zombies, but beacuse I can remember how bad the food used to taste in all of them. And I doubt being left out for God knows how long is going to improve it. I can find something edible once I get out of here.
I reach the sliding doors at the exit and nothing happens. The motion sensors must have no power. I'll have to open it the old fashioned way. I jam my fingers into the tiny gap at the centre of the doors and try to pull them open. After a few minutes of clawing furiously at the door I realise this plan isn't working. Oh, well, when Plan A fails...smash the fuck out of it. I'm not going for another stroll through the mall. I'm leaving now. The first hit from the baseball bat hits the centre of the glass but doesn't smash it. Cracks spread out to the edges of the glass. It must be re-enforced. I hit the door a couple more times until the sheet of cracked glass begins to slip.
I put all my energy into a kick against the loosened glass. It takes two kicks before the cracked sheet is finally torn from the door's frame. I feel the rush of cold air blowing in from outside. I step out, bracing myself for the cold air. My jeans and brown leather jacket keep me warm enough though. I must be in the suburbs somewhere. There are no skyscrapers in sight and this parking lot is pretty big, and also devoid of life.
I'll probably need something to travel around in...or on. I notice a beautiful motorcycle parked next to a bicycle rack...pity it only has one wheel. Most of the cars here seem to have serious damage done to them too. Probably more zombies around here. First things first, I need to find the nearest hospital if I want to get treated. I take out the map book from by backpack and begin looking. I find Liffey Valley after a few seconds. The nearest hospital is...the James Power Memorial Hospital...that's over fifteen miles away. I'll definitely need a car, one that wont break down in the middle of nowhere. I start walking through the parking lot looking for a decent car. After a few minutes I spot a car still in good condition. The passenger window is smashed but that'll save me from breaking in. I climb in avoiding the glass in the passenger seat. It only takes me a few minutes to hotwire the car, a useful skill.
I probably shouldn't be driving in my condition but i would be delighted to get pulled over. I just want to see that someone's left alive. I put the car into drive and begin my journey to the hospital. Hopefully after that I'll get some answers
======================================================
Thanks to everyone who reviewed, your pennies are in the post.
If you want more you have to keep reviewing.
I'm guessing most people thought it was another character but I had planned for this to be Claire from the start.
=================================================
Okay, I'm getting worried now. I just smashed a zombie's head in, but I did it as calmly and easily as if I were hitting a pinata at a birthday party. I wonder if I ever had a pinata at any of my birthday parties? As I leave the drugstore with the stench of death behind me the same questions keep repeating in my mind. Who am I? Why is this happeneing to me? Why am I not surprised to see flesh eating zombies around here?
I have to get out of here. But where am I going to go. I don't remember where I am, so how can I _know_ where to go. A hospital would be the best idea but judging by what's happening here they might be a little busy...or the doctors will try to eat me. This doesn't make any sense. I'm gonna die in a shopping mall wearing a stupid bandage on my head and carrying a kid's backpack full of shotgun shells. At least I still have my slightly dented baseball bat. Fucking brilliant, that'll save the day!
Okay, Claire, calm down. All you have to do to get...wait a minute. Did I just call myself Claire?...Holy shit, I did. I don't remember being called Claire before but it some how feels...right. And why would I call myself that otherwise...unless I am a serious schizo, of course, but I don't think I am. Well, at least I have a name, a first name anyway. But I don't think having a name will be much help until I get out of here, though. But first I'm gonna have to find out where _here_ is.
As I continue down the corridor I find a place that could be helpful. That bookstore should be a good place to start looking. There has to be something there to tell me where I am. There might even be a few maps of the area, or a tourists' handbook or something. Only one way to find out. I walk over to the darkened bookshop and go inside. I feel for the now familiar emergency light switch and turn it on.
It doesn't look like this store has been hit as hard as the others. I guess not many people want to take a break and read a book during a zombie attack. It's not like there's many weapons here either. That's fine though, I'm not here for weapons. If I can find out where I am that'll suit me. I walk over to the counter first. I barely even have to look before I find what I'm looking for. It's a brochure for the bookstore.
-------------------------"Anderson & Sons Bookstores"--------------------------------
Anderson & Sons is now the fastest growing chain of bookstores in
Michigan. Since opening our first store in the Liffey Valley Shopping Mall
in Chicago, we have expanded to over twenty stores state-wide thanks to
the support of our customers. All this month we will be offering an amazing
20% off all books and art supplies. Magazines and newspapers will also be
30% off for the next two weeks
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chicago. Well, that's another question answered but I still have no idea what I'm doing here. I don't think I live in Chicago, not that I would remember otherwise. It's just another feeling I have but I just know I'm right about it. Mabye I work here? Not in the mall but somewhere in Chicago. I think I had a job to do around here. What the hell was it? Everytime I find an answer there seems to be ten more questions that I can't figure out.
I should probably- ugh...damn, I'm feelin' dizzy again. I grab onto the counter to try and keep myself standing. My legs feel like jelly. I can feel myself beginning to slip. I can't...I can't let this... I can see the floor rushing up to meet my face and then...
darkness...
emptiness...
nothingness...
Ugh, what's going on? Not again. I remember what has happened in the past few minutes to realise the situation im currenly in. It takes me a few more seconds to register the sound of shuffling feet next to me. I spin around onto by back, causing another jolt of pain in my skull, as I hear the empty groan from the zombie mere inches away. I open my eyes and stare directly into the stained yellow eyes of the corpse above me. Before it can move to take a bite out of my throat, I act. A move my head up as quickly as I can, smashing into it's face. Despite the intense pain caused the headbutt I manage to use the short distraction to scurry away.
I'm able to stagger to my feet but I don't have anything to fight with. My bat is still over at the counter with the zombie. The zombie starts to move towards me, driven on my the scent of fresh meat. I throw the first heavy book I can find but it doesn't even slow the zombie down. I check the shelves for anything I can use...books...notebooks...pens...pencils...rulers...erasers...scissors... Wait, scissors will do. I grab one from the shelf as it comes closer and closer. I claw at and rip the packaging but it wont come off.
With one final burst the packaging rips, with the zombie less than three feet away. I grab the scissors by the handle and jam it into the side of the zombie's rotting head. The zombie almost instantly crashes to the ground with blood streaming from the wound. I lean back against the shelf and try to catch my breath. Note to self: Never headbutt a zombie when it's likely you've got a concussion.
As I take some deep breaths I look over the shelf opposite me. One book in particular catches my eye. "The Complete Map Of Chicago: 2004 Edition" Mabye it was worth coming in here. I grab the book before I step over the twitching corpse and walk back to the counter. After recovering my bat and backpack I walk back out of the store. (After taking a few more painkillers) I'm not staying here for any longer. Two zombie attacks is enough for me. According to the map of the mall the exit should be down to the left. I start walking again
Well, at least the map was right. The mall's exit is just up ahead, flanked on both sides by fast food restaurants. Despite being so hungry that my stomach is probably starting to digest itself, I can't bring myself to go in and look for food. Not because of zombies, but beacuse I can remember how bad the food used to taste in all of them. And I doubt being left out for God knows how long is going to improve it. I can find something edible once I get out of here.
I reach the sliding doors at the exit and nothing happens. The motion sensors must have no power. I'll have to open it the old fashioned way. I jam my fingers into the tiny gap at the centre of the doors and try to pull them open. After a few minutes of clawing furiously at the door I realise this plan isn't working. Oh, well, when Plan A fails...smash the fuck out of it. I'm not going for another stroll through the mall. I'm leaving now. The first hit from the baseball bat hits the centre of the glass but doesn't smash it. Cracks spread out to the edges of the glass. It must be re-enforced. I hit the door a couple more times until the sheet of cracked glass begins to slip.
I put all my energy into a kick against the loosened glass. It takes two kicks before the cracked sheet is finally torn from the door's frame. I feel the rush of cold air blowing in from outside. I step out, bracing myself for the cold air. My jeans and brown leather jacket keep me warm enough though. I must be in the suburbs somewhere. There are no skyscrapers in sight and this parking lot is pretty big, and also devoid of life.
I'll probably need something to travel around in...or on. I notice a beautiful motorcycle parked next to a bicycle rack...pity it only has one wheel. Most of the cars here seem to have serious damage done to them too. Probably more zombies around here. First things first, I need to find the nearest hospital if I want to get treated. I take out the map book from by backpack and begin looking. I find Liffey Valley after a few seconds. The nearest hospital is...the James Power Memorial Hospital...that's over fifteen miles away. I'll definitely need a car, one that wont break down in the middle of nowhere. I start walking through the parking lot looking for a decent car. After a few minutes I spot a car still in good condition. The passenger window is smashed but that'll save me from breaking in. I climb in avoiding the glass in the passenger seat. It only takes me a few minutes to hotwire the car, a useful skill.
I probably shouldn't be driving in my condition but i would be delighted to get pulled over. I just want to see that someone's left alive. I put the car into drive and begin my journey to the hospital. Hopefully after that I'll get some answers
======================================================
Thanks to everyone who reviewed, your pennies are in the post.
If you want more you have to keep reviewing.
I'm guessing most people thought it was another character but I had planned for this to be Claire from the start.