p data-p-id="6805f6eac8bf344ba8010fd986c081b2"My only question at the moment is.../p
p data-p-id="5a1654a57098eea4438aa4c8de3d663a"emGod, why?/em/p
p data-p-id="3b981c8f6fcfbc62af61c3c4e8d4a3b9"Seriously, I cannot comprehend why this happened. I mean, Sam's great and all-he has to be if I like him-but still I can't exactly comprehend how I started liking him./p
p data-p-id="097376bd3d91ef6c7b89c1ba1b95b6ed"I was always told love is a choice, and so is liking, so did I just tell myself I didn't while actually choosing to like him?/p
p data-p-id="9fc4cef09b7aaa8b907d550ff37bd422"emI'm too young for all this complicated crap./em/p
p data-p-id="c5fa635b88dd65de910ea9da710d0486"But the worst part is I can't find any valid reason to not like him. He doesn't believe in God anymore, but he used to, and once saved always saved; He's never killed anyone, at least one that was actually alive, unlike me; And he's a pretty nice person from what I've seen over these past three months./p
p style="text-align: left;" data-p-id="dd1758f37d9d4767ccc32f4f7cb0402f"emAt least nothing has changed since this... realization./em/p
p data-p-id="0675235d5767a8cdecb4ad319ce31464""Runner Four, Runner Five, Runner Eight, are you ready?"/p
p data-p-id="07e60d3e4905fc811c9561524b795d12"emExcept I want to slam my head against a wall every time I hear his voice because well, it's been over two years since I've had these feelings. /em/p
p data-p-id="b0804dd889107fce8eeec7a79c49815c""We're ready," Sarah says./p
p data-p-id="6728004336389be78f653bf8f46a5e98""Ready," Jody pipes./p
p style="text-align: left;" data-p-id="892a40773b430e7bbf20bbaeb6cadaab"'Ready.'/p
p data-p-id="d115681c754d7fe1cf71c824fe8e224b""Do you like how I called you in number order there?" He laughs. "N-not that the numbers really mean anything, obviously. I mean-I mean, Five, you shouldn't image Runner Four as your boss and Runner Eight as your junior of something like that."/p
p data-p-id="c918e1abc7843185dcb97feb55bd4186"emHe does know my old running number was Forty-three, right?/em/p
p data-p-id="d2105a074661f6585abd4eaa4585fb30"Jody giggles. "Kind of the opposite, really."/p
p data-p-id="723ce961e340a15ccd0240b63312ad42""Hey, now we're all just people," Sarah snaps. "The Major's in charge."/p
p style="text-align: left;" data-p-id="fb3d8c3e447ac3e01cfe08cd803a15d1"I raise a brow at that. I've heard talk of this Major and I still have yet to meet her./p
p data-p-id="0834ae22982d816d5fc6af32607789d6""If she comes back-"/p
p data-p-id="9fc3f6b562fb63e8d5aeb91177e19bf5""When she comes back," She states with confidence. "Chin up, Four."/p
p data-p-id="a35779645fc6ff9918d4313df3aefb3b""Do we even know where she's gone?"/p
p data-p-id="6806f70dd9e67067f8f2d05baa414a59"'I don't even know who she is,' I sign, which Jody understands perfectly while Sarah raises a brow in confusion./p
p data-p-id="d0c85e1ba8b5f8ce87fc5b200b9c25a3""I heard it was a meeting with a bunch of ex-military personal in the North," Sam cuts in. "You know, to try and coordinate strategy across the country; Something more long term than just survive 'till tomorrow, rinse, repeat./p
p data-p-id="74db7cc155582446c42946fc4ec4ad8d""You're pretty well connected, Eight. Is that what you heard."/p
p data-p-id="0bcf296535579b8c53789a76a8e29437""I don't know anymore than anyone else," She answers, looking at the gates. I know exactly what she wants: the gates to open and Sam to not ask anymore questions./p
p data-p-id="17ebdf245dcb8800ab96dd6bb0f3e2ab""She does, you know," Jody mutters to me before Sam speaks./p
p data-p-id="52eb740f3df253d01b1b085b9f987421""What's our mission today? That's what I bet you'd all like to know."/p
p data-p-id="2a8942d4e3b184952a4a59472cc346a5""We're dying to find out," Says Sarah with sarcasm dripping from her voice./p
p data-p-id="337fc89491d37622c8b6c312c08028fa""Today we have," There's a pause for dramatic effect, "a scouting mission! Runners, ready?"/p
p data-p-id="58c9dd427f73c242336d442a4d8e4879"The two give out words of confirmation once more and I tap out an answer on my mic./p
p data-p-id="9b7badf61a612326b87901599712887f""Raise the gates! Covering fire and... go!"/p
p data-p-id="beacda0230c100aee2b8d97cf77277c1"I run out the gates first, Sarah behind me and Jody behind her. Our steps are all in sync as we we run past the dead zombies. Jody scrunches up her nose in disgust at the zoms, with their rotting fleshing and less that pleasant smell. She pushes herself to pass Sarah and run by me./p
p data-p-id="c6496879c4d1586ff82f32dc15af41d1""So we're going to what, scout?" Jody questions, her tan hand running through her blonde bangs./p
p data-p-id="1ffddd68aa230a21dd2e03bcb0d4290c"'That is what you normally do on a scouting mission.'/p
p data-p-id="95834b45c777b005ef5d141693c2f59f"She frowns slightly at that, until Sarah speaks./p
p data-p-id="f8eaeafbf9873e10fc8c0863ba1cc367""Didn't realize you haven't done one of these before, Jody. It's not complex; Just checking up areas we haven't looked at in a while."/p
p data-p-id="5a5099e91869751a36c9d0155ef2fe01""That's why there's three of us?" She replies while holding a questioning gaze. "Usually there's no more than two runners on a run."/p
p data-p-id="810080a4119b397e561a0f762b31955f""Yes, I thought it'd be just Five and me," Sarah says rather spitefully, while I say a prayer of thanks that Jody was sent to tag along. I'd rather not have Eight turn the coms off to interrogate me. She may say she trusts me, but I'm sure there's still questions she wants to ask me that I don't want to answer./p
p data-p-id="f7318377d54a70fe848451cc78d11127""But we've got weapons stored away," Sam says, "which means we've been dealing with zoms more efficiently so we've got some extra runner capacity and we thought you'd enjoy the company. Isn't that right, Runner Eight? That's what this is-enjoyable?"/p
p data-p-id="4bd285440e4feef5942b31a4545f51b5"Sarah sighs. "The truth is, three team members is the best practice for a scouting run. If one gets injured, one can stay with 'em to fight off zoms while the other one runs for help."/p
p data-p-id="9fb7ba9f15b052bab33a6bd2b989a898"'Well I don't plan on getting hurt anytime soon,' I tap into the mic, and I hear an amused huff in my headset. Jody glances over at me with a twinge of amusement in her eyes as I try to keep from smiling./p
p data-p-id="e4c04e5bf07f532b92e6092a706c9ffd"I fail, epically./p
p data-p-id="44c697e49b20aa71e5bf442bad74b73d""We don't know what we'll find," Sarah continues. "No cameras where we're heading. I used to do a lot of these with Kytan-that's Runner Eleven-and Alice, the old Runner Five. Remember that, Sam? When we were scouting out new locations for the Township."/p
p data-p-id="1ab3188e5ae49462459107c2bd614240""You were looking for new locations?" Jody turns her green eyes to me and I shrug./p
p data-p-id="51ba8245341ebfb7e662e7e6467c69f1"'Don't look at me,' I sign, feeling the same curiosity as I know she does./p
p data-p-id="dee8ce3eb60db7614fe3d2a01e58c50a""Oh, yeah. That was just before you arrived, Four. Oh, yeah-yeah, Janine had this crazy idea that there might be some problem with Abel-that we might have to move. I think she just wanted us out of her house, to be honest."/p
p data-p-id="8a9cf4198f3897113bde3741b5e64c4d"emI don't doubt it./em/p
p data-p-id="57849ce3d3d745e0416ab0858c5bf651""She's a smart woman, Sam," Sarah says lowly./p
p data-p-id="8aef037a351baf1dc4f949deb2e294b0""Oh, yeah. No, definitely. Yeah-yeah, absolutely. Incredibly smart, sharp, savvy, controls all our communications. Never know when she might be listening in." I stifle a laugh at the nervousness in his tone. "Yeah, I think she thought we'd get a better signal over a wider area if we moved the Township. We found somewhere that seemed perfect but it was never quite the right time to leave."/p
p data-p-id="2bac5aeca3f3f577afd2af6eda320735"Jody's brows furrow as she pumps her arms in a steady pace. "And we're still... looking to leave?"/p
p data-p-id="37990962fa8fbebf38261183e744be3e""Um, not really-"/p
p data-p-id="f4ba2bab985fd4cc0a2d75d4da409a7e""I think it could still be on the cards," Sarah interrupts, and Sam grunts over the coms in annoyance./p
p data-p-id="540df68f090b7ece556e754cba53918d""Haven't heard a lot about it since you arrived, Five. That rocket launcher scared everyone."/p
p data-p-id="51a92c205e85edf26ebcb3fc46d73401"'It scared me too,' I sign. 'Almost scared me to death."/p
p data-p-id="8e139bb1abd5b62185864b0ab5c86a89"Runner Four snorts at my joke, and Eight gives us both an unamused look./p
p data-p-id="91005bd8d90fc8ceaec5081de2082750""Okay," Sam continues, "so when you cross the next field you'll be out of range of my farthest northwest camera. We've done great work extending our cameras."/p
p data-p-id="64e84e33b35905c200137811f83fe00f""I heard about what happened to Runner Nine out there," Runner Eight mumbles. "Damn shame."/p
p data-p-id="423d0e8f1e2e108cadfdad77b60b7a23"'What happened?' I ask, and by the look Jody gives me I know I don't want any details./p
p data-p-id="afc90a54b8acb6113db091fd8adfcb1c""Yeah... yeah, he-he did good work but there's still a lot of sectors that aren't covered. We still have your tracker signals and mics but no more eyes." He pauses for a short moment. "When you get there, guys, say what you see."/p
p style="text-align: left;" data-p-id="2cac57008f72b47bae865af77321e817"We continue running, 'Am I Wrong' playing in our headset, and Jody lets out an audible groan./p
p style="text-align: left;" data-p-id="1edc85b221dbb6b312f7ff21cbb9e59e""I never thought I could hate a song so much," She whines, while the brunette behind me chuckles breathlessly./p
p style="text-align: left;" data-p-id="9321a254435ca62ad75c8ba2b3cffffb""That's what happens when you listen to a song every other day for nearly three years."/p
p style="text-align: left;" data-p-id="54695f87c3b69b5686c8eac5a779e399""I wish we could go on a run just to get some new music to play for the runners."/p
p style="text-align: left;" data-p-id="590d42a7dda48e049370ae20dd8a9c0a"'I'll keep a look out for it,' I say, and the blonde grins./p
p style="text-align: left;" data-p-id="0cbd9a3f9bfad9418a0c73524db89a04""You are pretty good at finding stuff, Five. I'm sure you could find just about anything if you looked for it."/p
p style="text-align: left;" data-p-id="a8d81d7b8d348e6b5c1ce9635e479665""It's a good thing you answer everything so clearly, Four," Sarah pants, "or else I'd never know what good 'ole Five said."/p
p style="text-align: left;" data-p-id="92298a5d99a876c364b1b0b4f75ab86c""You don't know sign language?" She asks in mild surprises, and Eight merrily shrugs./p
p style="text-align: left;" data-p-id="dd5ab54e2112c64cb5adc82c51c224d6""Didn't find the time to go to any of Five's classes, and..." Her voice trails off as she squints. "What is that?"/p
p style="text-align: left;" data-p-id="91e1b3cbda602c344d1a97f41b464509"As we get closer to a small shop, I see a group of people, or they were people, until they died and regenerated into the undead./p
p style="text-align: left;" data-p-id="a25b79cb7f23bb734f080db1d27447ae""It looks like some zombies," Jody responds, and I try not to roll my eyes. I try so hard, but still I fail. It's not hard to tell, seeing that most of them are missing at least one limb./p
p style="text-align: left;" data-p-id="6dc9fb6babd99184c5fd0ae22a5b0091""They look pretty old too," Sarah says, sneering as a strip of skin slides-emslides-/emoff a zombie's arm, and Jody shudders. I myself swallow around the bile that's rising in my throat. "But it only looks like a few. Four or five maybe. We can easily take them."/p
p style="text-align: left;" data-p-id="06f7b389d9eac8ee9a8c226c63494230"She pulls out her pistol and I raise a brow, motioning to my axe and Jody's baseball bat. Thankfully, Four gets what I'm try to say./p
p style="text-align: left;" data-p-id="84c33f3d68c35e05030d7e97e466e8a8""Don't you think we should save the bullets? Five and I both got a weapon, and I'm sure you've got some other weapon with you."/p
p style="text-align: left;" data-p-id="b2ea9db21ca00f7e10f767c89a931f58""And why do you think that?" She asks with a small smirk forming, and I scoff./p
p style="text-align: left;" data-p-id="69f020d3251d2cf641c66fd9e57e0e43"emYou're Eight, that's why./em/p
p style="text-align: left;" data-p-id="73d52fca060a1e84d8f1a9fec455050f""You're you," Jody deadpans, and I mentally high-five her./p
p style="text-align: left;" data-p-id="87b2e675caeeef0d0c62e5ea73f92f84""Well, I can't argue there. Come on, Five, Four. We have some zombies to take down."/p
p style="text-align: center;" data-p-id="53fe0881d8553a8d801dfb95b88f4e40"•/p
p style="text-align: left;" data-p-id="86881417b947c26a044d22335aad16a9""Checking in," Sarah says about ten minutes later. "We're about one K away from the last boundary marker. Things are quiet; Passed a small clump of zoms near Nino's supply shop-mostly crawlers. We stopped briefly to put them down."/p
p style="text-align: left;" data-p-id="1d80750a6bc8b4fe9445310b22ec30b6"I kind of find that phrase amusing, since using that term sounds like putting down a sick animal. But we know these things aren't animals, or human. They're monsters./p
p style="text-align: left;" data-p-id="4b4cfe8caf2cb1fc93c686bfa26ddcc0""Oh, I hate damn crawlers-hate 'em. Like rats or hands shooting out to grab your ankle under the bed." Jody makes a noise of disgust, almost gagging./p
p style="text-align: left;" data-p-id="5f1deb251bf018e70f5be6cb87f5313d""I'm not bothered about crawlers," She replied with a shrug, "not like the ones with... like, parts of their face missing, especially eyes. Anything sticking out of the eyes."/p
p style="text-align: left;" data-p-id="bcbf94b2c11c30f67b3d1e554deb43bb"I frown. I hate them all. They're all gross; They are literally rotting corpses walking around./p
p style="text-align: left;" data-p-id="0d8c2112507672af2bff491cb3592a12""Enough, enough," Sam commands with an oddly muffled voice. "Don't say that while I'm try to eat here."/p
p style="text-align: left;" data-p-id="2d2223a1f5530105b8df929c93c1e6a5"emAnd that's why./em/p
p style="text-align: left;" data-p-id="40c3abf88548473abf5b474c24bf7f63""Should you really be trying to eat-what is that, a chili and mayonnaise sandwich-when you have three runners out on a dangerous mission?" A voice-female-asks with a bite./p
p style="text-align: left;" data-p-id="2a048a4d1a36b19ac6d9383fddd00e5f""Oh, yeah," He says with a mouthful of food, "Forgot the best part. Janine has stopped by on an unexpected visit. Great news."/p
p style="text-align: left;" data-p-id="661aff6a3ed8327ba611e1d55fa9f1b1"'I love your enthusiasm, Sam.'/p
p style="text-align: left;" data-p-id="8288dca24d58eddfba9cd8f7d4bc47a6""Too bad I don't love your sass, Five," Janine snaps, and I flinch./p
p style="text-align: left;" data-p-id="a7b834b67f6f140a2b8c430b9e0b8bcd"emDamn, somebody's grouchy./em/p
p style="text-align: left;" data-p-id="393297bf10a79a1c439a8cb82bb5579d""Hey, Janine," Sarah chirps./p
p style="text-align: left;" data-p-id="a1b244f48bf28ae5ed0a18a3649b6d77""Hey, Sarah. How's that foot holding up?"/p
p style="text-align: left;" data-p-id="b371d5eda3070339226cd2fb1d20f673""Not bad. The doc strapped it for extra support. How's your-what's it? Fazed array?"/p
p style="text-align: left;" data-p-id="38390977bc4a2f83db4dd6cd29bd8f8e"She chuckles in reply, and I huff with furrowed brows. "Something like that. Civil idea for the moment, but coming along well."/p
p style="text-align: left;" data-p-id="18495ad89fcc4da8af8547f9d085e98c"I blink as I continue with my quick pace. emWhat the hell is she talking about?/em/p
p style="text-align: left;" data-p-id="5fb584f47b870d13e4cdf5cb8936029d""Mmm, yeah. Sorry to interrupt," Sam says not sounding at all remorseful, "but couldn't this wait until you were, you know, not at my coms desk?"/p
p style="text-align: left;" data-p-id="d1c555c9c5f786c3b984bb03ff2c8c0c"While he speaks, I hear a weird tone hum through the air, and for a second I loose the ability to focus, but it's cut off by.../p
p style="text-align: left;" data-p-id="f67b28c42cf95186cfd260bbb25a53b2"I swallow thickly. emOh, this sounds like trouble./em/p
p style="text-align: left;" data-p-id="916675a83d2ea761443c6920178f6f57""What's that?" Runner Four asks timidly as the noise starts up again, looking at me with her bright green eyes. "You heard those, too? Are those... musical sounds?"/p
p style="text-align: left;" data-p-id="16d13247c680d25d30e4744327067480""Gun shots heard from the north, north-east of our current location," Eight informs. "Heading there now to check it out."/p
p style="text-align: left;" data-p-id="3ef89438005e0f9c2a7390368ed519c3"emYes, because we should definitely go towards the place where we heard gunshots, especially since only one of us has a gun, /emI think, my sarcastic voice sounding louder than normal in my head. emSo smart you are, Eight./em/p
p style="text-align: left;" data-p-id="67c61438aad93110757be0c28fee963a""Okay, be safe; Check in," Janine instructs, and Sam grumbles./p
p style="text-align: left;" data-p-id="ad90dc79e244194f7101821ed70f5529""I-will you stop that? Runners, yes, that. Be safe; Check in."/p
p style="text-align: left;" data-p-id="d658efda1329e051794f0883c757fc2c"The coms goes silent for a quick second before a song starts up, all three of us ignoring it./p
p style="text-align: left;" data-p-id="ff3a249c54a5b3442cf5690e4aba168d""What do you think those sounds are? The ones that keep getting cut off by the gunshots?" Jody asks worriedly./p
p style="text-align: left;" data-p-id="0b3907f16519e666275fdee50d8bd17d""I'm not sure," Sarah says, her lips pressing into a thin line, "but we need to be more concerned about the gunshots than whatever these other sounds are."/p
p style="text-align: left;" data-p-id="0b47516c29b0d994adfe1b36af78a920"'What's going to happen when we find the guns that made said shots, and the people holding them?' I ask, my eyes trained on Runner Four. 'I'm sure you have one hell of a swing, Sarah's got great aim and I can do some damage with my axe but if there's more than three gun men...'/p
p style="text-align: left;" data-p-id="d53e2c91c49b261b365cf8f32d129314""If you're talking about what I think you're talking about, then stop right there," Sarah instructs, "If we get close enough to see if there are more people than we can handle, we'll call and ask Janine what she thinks we should do."/p
p style="text-align: left;" data-p-id="4a8351351d1edbee26a5f0af3f4c4bb7"I nod curtly at the answer, continuing after the noise until both the musical tones and gunshots just... stop./p
p style="text-align: left;" data-p-id="54137b52a7111bab190fb4ea7e70383b""Odd," Runner Eight hums, pausing for only a second. "Come on, let's keep going."/p
p style="text-align: left;" data-p-id="e00939923643c9538e5786e34384c3d0"emSomething tells me this is not going to end well./em/p
p style="text-align: left;" data-p-id="c92b86372f2fa8deac6024f3a7360469"I run with the other two runners, the beat of 'Tell Me Something I Don't Know' pumping into my ears, which I ignore. This song is too happy for a mission like this./p
p style="text-align: left;" data-p-id="45a063460c2d9e702671c643cc04e46d""Runner Eight, report," Sam says. "What's going on?"/p
p style="text-align: left;" data-p-id="1ebe77e55c3d8261c9200e355ed531cc""See?" Jody says in a mocking tone. "She says she's not the boss but look who Sam asked to report."/p
p style="text-align: left;" data-p-id="bc70bc463c4803448f40d5e2b33c947e""We cant see anything yet, Sam," Sarah says, ignoring Jody's previous comment. "We were following the noises but they seem to have... Holy Mary mother of God."/p
p style="text-align: left;" data-p-id="719955be673c18dadc09cb2c94ec304a"My breath catches in my throat as my eyes scan the scene before me, and I nearly gag from the smell of decay. My eyebrows knit together and I breath through my mouth./p
p style="text-align: left;" data-p-id="37a0dd13ee7fa48e9f1a67cc52b14953"Sam groans. "What are you seeing? Ugh, no cameras; I can't see."/p
p style="text-align: left;" data-p-id="2c7b9815eb32a5a94ba4de20467fd209""It's a... they're all..." Jody tries to choke out, but Sarah finishes for her./p
p style="text-align: left;" data-p-id="388050acb42d89833617c1ae780457b2""It's a pile of corpses. Looks to be about forty zoms. They have that white-gray flesh. Looks like each one single shot to the center of the forehead."/p
p style="text-align: left;" data-p-id="438ba6cf98d18c2ada28f95950469915""A-and the guns-" Jody squeaks./p
p style="text-align: left;" data-p-id="d49dac0496e46d42d7f817b1e1f016ed""There're a lot of guns," She picks up a pistol and fires a few shots. "Yep, they look to be loaded-some of the anyway."/p
p style="text-align: left;" data-p-id="21ab3f031891abf30ff0f83715bc782c"emWould it be bad if I said 'I call shotgun'?/em/p
p style="text-align: left;" data-p-id="124bf5f0dc8378b896e4cb418b3cdf32""What... what happened here?"/p
p style="text-align: left;" data-p-id="fe1fb82f56c71f6b8ee1d48ad5313187""It's just like the Jamerson-Heston stadium," She mutters./p
p style="text-align: left;" data-p-id="a8ed4d57ce40969fe9e3a1c6d4b4fa79"I blink in confusion, still trying to process all this when Sam questions, "The-the what?"/p
p style="text-align: left;" data-p-id="b955763cf7f3f838d9b2a7a0b003647c""We've seen this before, Mr. Yao," Says Janine in her professional tone. "Very early on, even before you arrived here at Abel. Jamerson-Heston stadium-it was torched in the end, but before that we went looking for supplies and found-"/p
p style="text-align: left;" data-p-id="06a27a1a133b15c65931923cfe12aec9""We found this," Sarah interrupts, "couple a hundred zombie bodies, perfect headshots; Bunch of guns just dropped."/p
p style="text-align: left;" data-p-id="b86046693031ed8b6fec13205504636d""Well... well that's good, right?" He asks. "The zombie fairy has come in the middle of the night and left us a present of some dead zombies and-and guns for everyone."/p
p style="text-align: left;" data-p-id="c1fb963f5efb26641cc0b885d351f3d4"If this were any other situation I'd probably laugh./p
p style="text-align: left;" data-p-id="7909e5c19c6e2b3bf84df1ec40c7f139""Haven't you heard, Mr. Yao, there is no Father Zombie-Clause. No one just leaves guns lying around for no reason. Something happened here./p
p style="text-align: left;" data-p-id="6e5e296d495aa1b51d19075e634a6e9a""Runner Eight, can you and the others scout the area to see if there are any clues?" Janine requests. "And be quick. We don't know what's out there."/p
p style="text-align: left;" data-p-id="60ab7dd88d48ebadabbdea4aba5f0956"emAnd you're sending out there anyway./em/p
p style="text-align: left;" data-p-id="3ef42f05600f22077a5016f32802cc44""Five, I think it'd be best if you stayed here to see if anyone comes back. Four, you head up that hill and see if anyone's using that for cover," Sarah jerks her head towards the trees. "I'll head over there see if anyone's hiding there. Be quick."/p
p style="text-align: left;" data-p-id="0434f7b53ab5e73b6214f2168896b66b"I nod as Jody says a word of confirmation before darting off towards the hill while Sarah starts her jog towards the run. I look down at the bodies around me, still breathing through my mouth to stop from smelling the rot. But still I nearly gag at the taste of the death in the air./p
p style="text-align: left;" data-p-id="4afb11051245766242bc46ccf498d129"I pick up a rifle and wonder in confusion why the hell someone would leave these lying around. Even after killing the zombies dropping the guns would be pointless because there's always the chance you could run into more./p
p style="text-align: left;" data-p-id="7fefb6bb66f05dec84e088969cfc9a37"emWhat the hell happened here? And what did those sounds have to do with it./em/p
p style="text-align: left;" data-p-id="05a1fc821847359ee18019cba6a9f7cc"I look towards the trees, and I see a flash of brown hair as Sarah runs through the bushes, and then I turn to the right to see Jody's form trudging up the hill as quickly as she can manage. When she reaches the top, she stops-freezes-and it takes less than a second after before she's barreling down the hill as quickly as possible./p
p style="text-align: left;" data-p-id="991a96183ca595186d7414dceca35525"Out of the corner of my eye I see Sarah stop her search and start her jog towards me./p
p style="text-align: left;" data-p-id="089517294a6b34327cae4d9e40feb8cd""We've got incoming," Jody informs once she and Eight reach me. "Once I got to the top of the hill, I-I saw them. About twenty, moving as a pact."/p
p style="text-align: left;" data-p-id="a957a879fc9d186f9d6452ff0743cc55"I don't even have to ask what./p
p style="text-align: left;" data-p-id="7e59faf2365cf0c6d965e4c9ba6becba""How fast are they moving?" Both Janine and Sarah say in almost exact unison./p
p style="text-align: left;" data-p-id="ca4775204f1755f00c2f713b768de636""Shambling, like zombies." The tone is literally the the sound version of an eye roll./p
p style="text-align: left;" data-p-id="3b48b96c431026c99d5e17c708ade5cc""Okay, still, it's time to go. We'll look through whatever we picked up back at Abel. Take as many guns as you can carry and run. Come on, Five. As quick as you can."/p
p style="text-align: center;" data-p-id="51cb9e245e02ff74880c0c1b0fb31e63"•/p
p style="text-align: left;" data-p-id="137b8762e62dc00f53f19a60936c2eef""Okay, okay, right. We've got you back in cameras," Sam says about fifteen minutes later. He sighs in relief. "Oh, God, I feel so much better now."/p
p style="text-align: left;" data-p-id="cd796745a67a7ba4b249fcc41dc3a4e1""Look at the screen," Janine says./p
p style="text-align: left;" data-p-id="5094e821d71a076c02750ace8d3e5a36""How did they... but-but they're still just shambling. You know what, scratch that about me feeling better because runners, we don't know how but either the packs got closer or you've picked up some new zoms. They're about mmm, twenty zoms on your heels."/p
p style="text-align: left;" data-p-id="2d93d6e5dc1e92e699daea84fd908972"Jody turns her head back and her eyes nearly pop out of her head. "They're the same ones! I remember that man in the bright green."/p
p style="text-align: left;" data-p-id="19d33249b37c1d399a88ba6a951a3f3a"I look back and cringe at the said man with half of his jaw missing./p
p style="text-align: left;" data-p-id="3072c7930ca74c6bce39316a775fd15b""Oh, God, how did they get here? Run. Run! Run! Run!"/p
p style="text-align: left;" data-p-id="dafc385225002725c83b51a4e573d996"emWhat the hell do you think we're doing right now, Four? Going on a peaceful stroll?/em/p
p style="text-align: left;" data-p-id="9ef9d2e68eb00a031d23434afb489e9e"I thrust my rifle in Jody's arms, which are already full with two rifles and another shotgun. I click the shotgun twist around, firing and watching the zom fall to the ground./p
p style="text-align: left;" data-p-id="dba18381ec939647f01cd41f16c978b4""Why are you using the shotgun when you could use a rifle?" Jody asks./p
p style="text-align: left;" data-p-id="1bce106aa92f155fc67425a61b974979"'I'm from Arkansas. My dad taught me how to use a shotgun when I was seven. Let's just say I'm better at using it,' I sign with my free hand, craning around and preparing to take another shot./p
p style="text-align: left;" data-p-id="3134c20cb980b87075479b1c40b5ad6e"I hear the little emclick-click /emsound then proceed to pull the trigger, watching another zom fall to the ground./p
p style="text-align: left;" data-p-id="c1105641e8b6698ece41563651644ed4""We don't need to waste any bullets," Sarah says with a stern glare. "Just keep running and we'll outpace them."/p
p style="text-align: left;" data-p-id="f96688eb8c6d2f4ee980ae6e6dda50c9"I roll my eyes but still grab my rifle from Jody, who's just barely managing to keep from dropping the guns she's holding./p
p style="text-align: left;" data-p-id="5946b02cc6b6ad37a7c4cd868fde871c"I turn around and my breath catches in my throat when I see the zombies are still on our tail./p
p style="text-align: left;" data-p-id="ecf912ecb03d45487dd846c8987ee75b"emHow the hell...?/em/p
p style="text-align: left;" data-p-id="2687715246be0c60ab1c2545fd295ae1"I push myself to run faster, Four and Eight doing the same. Abel's just in sight, and the closer we get the louder I here Sam yelling through my headset./p
p style="text-align: left;" data-p-id="48a2fa9ed4453373bef8ee3f9dc89694""Raise the gates! Raise the gates! Send out Runner Thirteen, Cameo Wood, and Runner Seventeen, Summer Swan-with the rifles. We're bringing you guys in."/p
p style="text-align: left;" data-p-id="644d71ed35e149c7ff1d72b69de6820b""Confirmed," Sarah pants with slight panic in her voice. "We have running zombies behind us. That's a confirm."/p
p style="text-align: left;" data-p-id="3dfdc5752717d9a143b13be32b0d7bee"Summer and Cameo run out the gates, both carrying a rifle in their hands. They race past us and start firing at the undead that are rushing towards us./p
p style="text-align: left;" data-p-id="f1af221169eee59930c490043d076d02""That's three down. Keep running," Janine instructs, her voice barely audible over the gunshots./p
p style="text-align: left;" data-p-id="f8ebd4909fa0fbb317cf39455fbe8713""Yes, headshot!" Sam cheers. "Come on, guys. You're here."/p
p style="text-align: left;" data-p-id="64a4bc9609cae01580c31eb41555c761""Runner Four is through the gates. Runner Eight is through the gates. Runner Five through the gates."/p
p style="text-align: left;" data-p-id="4610366d7686b8fa1fde0c72ffd01bbe"I slow down to a stop, and lay the guns on the ground while slipping my backpack off my shoulders. Breathing heavily, I place my hands on my knees./p
p style="text-align: left;" data-p-id="fc17ed77311e48d71b3466353a00697f""Take a break, catch your breath," She says. "When you're ready, I'll need to talk to each of you about what you saw and take a look through what you found. Something strange happened out there. We need to find out what it was."/p
p style="text-align: left;" data-p-id="8bdad333f4828280cfd2a7ef4d04af7d"I internally groan at grit my teeth. emJust add that to the list of mysteries./em/p
p style="text-align: left;" data-p-id="d000301850bc8a1058e69dbfa6128538"strongA/N: Hope you enjoyed this chapter. Please be sure to vote and comment. Thank you all and have a blessed day./strongu/uspan style="text-decoration: line-through;"/span/p
p data-p-id="5a1654a57098eea4438aa4c8de3d663a"emGod, why?/em/p
p data-p-id="3b981c8f6fcfbc62af61c3c4e8d4a3b9"Seriously, I cannot comprehend why this happened. I mean, Sam's great and all-he has to be if I like him-but still I can't exactly comprehend how I started liking him./p
p data-p-id="097376bd3d91ef6c7b89c1ba1b95b6ed"I was always told love is a choice, and so is liking, so did I just tell myself I didn't while actually choosing to like him?/p
p data-p-id="9fc4cef09b7aaa8b907d550ff37bd422"emI'm too young for all this complicated crap./em/p
p data-p-id="c5fa635b88dd65de910ea9da710d0486"But the worst part is I can't find any valid reason to not like him. He doesn't believe in God anymore, but he used to, and once saved always saved; He's never killed anyone, at least one that was actually alive, unlike me; And he's a pretty nice person from what I've seen over these past three months./p
p style="text-align: left;" data-p-id="dd1758f37d9d4767ccc32f4f7cb0402f"emAt least nothing has changed since this... realization./em/p
p data-p-id="0675235d5767a8cdecb4ad319ce31464""Runner Four, Runner Five, Runner Eight, are you ready?"/p
p data-p-id="07e60d3e4905fc811c9561524b795d12"emExcept I want to slam my head against a wall every time I hear his voice because well, it's been over two years since I've had these feelings. /em/p
p data-p-id="b0804dd889107fce8eeec7a79c49815c""We're ready," Sarah says./p
p data-p-id="6728004336389be78f653bf8f46a5e98""Ready," Jody pipes./p
p style="text-align: left;" data-p-id="892a40773b430e7bbf20bbaeb6cadaab"'Ready.'/p
p data-p-id="d115681c754d7fe1cf71c824fe8e224b""Do you like how I called you in number order there?" He laughs. "N-not that the numbers really mean anything, obviously. I mean-I mean, Five, you shouldn't image Runner Four as your boss and Runner Eight as your junior of something like that."/p
p data-p-id="c918e1abc7843185dcb97feb55bd4186"emHe does know my old running number was Forty-three, right?/em/p
p data-p-id="d2105a074661f6585abd4eaa4585fb30"Jody giggles. "Kind of the opposite, really."/p
p data-p-id="723ce961e340a15ccd0240b63312ad42""Hey, now we're all just people," Sarah snaps. "The Major's in charge."/p
p style="text-align: left;" data-p-id="fb3d8c3e447ac3e01cfe08cd803a15d1"I raise a brow at that. I've heard talk of this Major and I still have yet to meet her./p
p data-p-id="0834ae22982d816d5fc6af32607789d6""If she comes back-"/p
p data-p-id="9fc3f6b562fb63e8d5aeb91177e19bf5""When she comes back," She states with confidence. "Chin up, Four."/p
p data-p-id="a35779645fc6ff9918d4313df3aefb3b""Do we even know where she's gone?"/p
p data-p-id="6806f70dd9e67067f8f2d05baa414a59"'I don't even know who she is,' I sign, which Jody understands perfectly while Sarah raises a brow in confusion./p
p data-p-id="d0c85e1ba8b5f8ce87fc5b200b9c25a3""I heard it was a meeting with a bunch of ex-military personal in the North," Sam cuts in. "You know, to try and coordinate strategy across the country; Something more long term than just survive 'till tomorrow, rinse, repeat./p
p data-p-id="74db7cc155582446c42946fc4ec4ad8d""You're pretty well connected, Eight. Is that what you heard."/p
p data-p-id="0bcf296535579b8c53789a76a8e29437""I don't know anymore than anyone else," She answers, looking at the gates. I know exactly what she wants: the gates to open and Sam to not ask anymore questions./p
p data-p-id="17ebdf245dcb8800ab96dd6bb0f3e2ab""She does, you know," Jody mutters to me before Sam speaks./p
p data-p-id="52eb740f3df253d01b1b085b9f987421""What's our mission today? That's what I bet you'd all like to know."/p
p data-p-id="2a8942d4e3b184952a4a59472cc346a5""We're dying to find out," Says Sarah with sarcasm dripping from her voice./p
p data-p-id="337fc89491d37622c8b6c312c08028fa""Today we have," There's a pause for dramatic effect, "a scouting mission! Runners, ready?"/p
p data-p-id="58c9dd427f73c242336d442a4d8e4879"The two give out words of confirmation once more and I tap out an answer on my mic./p
p data-p-id="9b7badf61a612326b87901599712887f""Raise the gates! Covering fire and... go!"/p
p data-p-id="beacda0230c100aee2b8d97cf77277c1"I run out the gates first, Sarah behind me and Jody behind her. Our steps are all in sync as we we run past the dead zombies. Jody scrunches up her nose in disgust at the zoms, with their rotting fleshing and less that pleasant smell. She pushes herself to pass Sarah and run by me./p
p data-p-id="c6496879c4d1586ff82f32dc15af41d1""So we're going to what, scout?" Jody questions, her tan hand running through her blonde bangs./p
p data-p-id="1ffddd68aa230a21dd2e03bcb0d4290c"'That is what you normally do on a scouting mission.'/p
p data-p-id="95834b45c777b005ef5d141693c2f59f"She frowns slightly at that, until Sarah speaks./p
p data-p-id="f8eaeafbf9873e10fc8c0863ba1cc367""Didn't realize you haven't done one of these before, Jody. It's not complex; Just checking up areas we haven't looked at in a while."/p
p data-p-id="5a5099e91869751a36c9d0155ef2fe01""That's why there's three of us?" She replies while holding a questioning gaze. "Usually there's no more than two runners on a run."/p
p data-p-id="810080a4119b397e561a0f762b31955f""Yes, I thought it'd be just Five and me," Sarah says rather spitefully, while I say a prayer of thanks that Jody was sent to tag along. I'd rather not have Eight turn the coms off to interrogate me. She may say she trusts me, but I'm sure there's still questions she wants to ask me that I don't want to answer./p
p data-p-id="f7318377d54a70fe848451cc78d11127""But we've got weapons stored away," Sam says, "which means we've been dealing with zoms more efficiently so we've got some extra runner capacity and we thought you'd enjoy the company. Isn't that right, Runner Eight? That's what this is-enjoyable?"/p
p data-p-id="4bd285440e4feef5942b31a4545f51b5"Sarah sighs. "The truth is, three team members is the best practice for a scouting run. If one gets injured, one can stay with 'em to fight off zoms while the other one runs for help."/p
p data-p-id="9fb7ba9f15b052bab33a6bd2b989a898"'Well I don't plan on getting hurt anytime soon,' I tap into the mic, and I hear an amused huff in my headset. Jody glances over at me with a twinge of amusement in her eyes as I try to keep from smiling./p
p data-p-id="e4c04e5bf07f532b92e6092a706c9ffd"I fail, epically./p
p data-p-id="44c697e49b20aa71e5bf442bad74b73d""We don't know what we'll find," Sarah continues. "No cameras where we're heading. I used to do a lot of these with Kytan-that's Runner Eleven-and Alice, the old Runner Five. Remember that, Sam? When we were scouting out new locations for the Township."/p
p data-p-id="1ab3188e5ae49462459107c2bd614240""You were looking for new locations?" Jody turns her green eyes to me and I shrug./p
p data-p-id="51ba8245341ebfb7e662e7e6467c69f1"'Don't look at me,' I sign, feeling the same curiosity as I know she does./p
p data-p-id="dee8ce3eb60db7614fe3d2a01e58c50a""Oh, yeah. That was just before you arrived, Four. Oh, yeah-yeah, Janine had this crazy idea that there might be some problem with Abel-that we might have to move. I think she just wanted us out of her house, to be honest."/p
p data-p-id="8a9cf4198f3897113bde3741b5e64c4d"emI don't doubt it./em/p
p data-p-id="57849ce3d3d745e0416ab0858c5bf651""She's a smart woman, Sam," Sarah says lowly./p
p data-p-id="8aef037a351baf1dc4f949deb2e294b0""Oh, yeah. No, definitely. Yeah-yeah, absolutely. Incredibly smart, sharp, savvy, controls all our communications. Never know when she might be listening in." I stifle a laugh at the nervousness in his tone. "Yeah, I think she thought we'd get a better signal over a wider area if we moved the Township. We found somewhere that seemed perfect but it was never quite the right time to leave."/p
p data-p-id="2bac5aeca3f3f577afd2af6eda320735"Jody's brows furrow as she pumps her arms in a steady pace. "And we're still... looking to leave?"/p
p data-p-id="37990962fa8fbebf38261183e744be3e""Um, not really-"/p
p data-p-id="f4ba2bab985fd4cc0a2d75d4da409a7e""I think it could still be on the cards," Sarah interrupts, and Sam grunts over the coms in annoyance./p
p data-p-id="540df68f090b7ece556e754cba53918d""Haven't heard a lot about it since you arrived, Five. That rocket launcher scared everyone."/p
p data-p-id="51a92c205e85edf26ebcb3fc46d73401"'It scared me too,' I sign. 'Almost scared me to death."/p
p data-p-id="8e139bb1abd5b62185864b0ab5c86a89"Runner Four snorts at my joke, and Eight gives us both an unamused look./p
p data-p-id="91005bd8d90fc8ceaec5081de2082750""Okay," Sam continues, "so when you cross the next field you'll be out of range of my farthest northwest camera. We've done great work extending our cameras."/p
p data-p-id="64e84e33b35905c200137811f83fe00f""I heard about what happened to Runner Nine out there," Runner Eight mumbles. "Damn shame."/p
p data-p-id="423d0e8f1e2e108cadfdad77b60b7a23"'What happened?' I ask, and by the look Jody gives me I know I don't want any details./p
p data-p-id="afc90a54b8acb6113db091fd8adfcb1c""Yeah... yeah, he-he did good work but there's still a lot of sectors that aren't covered. We still have your tracker signals and mics but no more eyes." He pauses for a short moment. "When you get there, guys, say what you see."/p
p style="text-align: left;" data-p-id="2cac57008f72b47bae865af77321e817"We continue running, 'Am I Wrong' playing in our headset, and Jody lets out an audible groan./p
p style="text-align: left;" data-p-id="1edc85b221dbb6b312f7ff21cbb9e59e""I never thought I could hate a song so much," She whines, while the brunette behind me chuckles breathlessly./p
p style="text-align: left;" data-p-id="9321a254435ca62ad75c8ba2b3cffffb""That's what happens when you listen to a song every other day for nearly three years."/p
p style="text-align: left;" data-p-id="54695f87c3b69b5686c8eac5a779e399""I wish we could go on a run just to get some new music to play for the runners."/p
p style="text-align: left;" data-p-id="590d42a7dda48e049370ae20dd8a9c0a"'I'll keep a look out for it,' I say, and the blonde grins./p
p style="text-align: left;" data-p-id="0cbd9a3f9bfad9418a0c73524db89a04""You are pretty good at finding stuff, Five. I'm sure you could find just about anything if you looked for it."/p
p style="text-align: left;" data-p-id="a8d81d7b8d348e6b5c1ce9635e479665""It's a good thing you answer everything so clearly, Four," Sarah pants, "or else I'd never know what good 'ole Five said."/p
p style="text-align: left;" data-p-id="92298a5d99a876c364b1b0b4f75ab86c""You don't know sign language?" She asks in mild surprises, and Eight merrily shrugs./p
p style="text-align: left;" data-p-id="dd5ab54e2112c64cb5adc82c51c224d6""Didn't find the time to go to any of Five's classes, and..." Her voice trails off as she squints. "What is that?"/p
p style="text-align: left;" data-p-id="91e1b3cbda602c344d1a97f41b464509"As we get closer to a small shop, I see a group of people, or they were people, until they died and regenerated into the undead./p
p style="text-align: left;" data-p-id="a25b79cb7f23bb734f080db1d27447ae""It looks like some zombies," Jody responds, and I try not to roll my eyes. I try so hard, but still I fail. It's not hard to tell, seeing that most of them are missing at least one limb./p
p style="text-align: left;" data-p-id="6dc9fb6babd99184c5fd0ae22a5b0091""They look pretty old too," Sarah says, sneering as a strip of skin slides-emslides-/emoff a zombie's arm, and Jody shudders. I myself swallow around the bile that's rising in my throat. "But it only looks like a few. Four or five maybe. We can easily take them."/p
p style="text-align: left;" data-p-id="06f7b389d9eac8ee9a8c226c63494230"She pulls out her pistol and I raise a brow, motioning to my axe and Jody's baseball bat. Thankfully, Four gets what I'm try to say./p
p style="text-align: left;" data-p-id="84c33f3d68c35e05030d7e97e466e8a8""Don't you think we should save the bullets? Five and I both got a weapon, and I'm sure you've got some other weapon with you."/p
p style="text-align: left;" data-p-id="b2ea9db21ca00f7e10f767c89a931f58""And why do you think that?" She asks with a small smirk forming, and I scoff./p
p style="text-align: left;" data-p-id="69f020d3251d2cf641c66fd9e57e0e43"emYou're Eight, that's why./em/p
p style="text-align: left;" data-p-id="73d52fca060a1e84d8f1a9fec455050f""You're you," Jody deadpans, and I mentally high-five her./p
p style="text-align: left;" data-p-id="87b2e675caeeef0d0c62e5ea73f92f84""Well, I can't argue there. Come on, Five, Four. We have some zombies to take down."/p
p style="text-align: center;" data-p-id="53fe0881d8553a8d801dfb95b88f4e40"•/p
p style="text-align: left;" data-p-id="86881417b947c26a044d22335aad16a9""Checking in," Sarah says about ten minutes later. "We're about one K away from the last boundary marker. Things are quiet; Passed a small clump of zoms near Nino's supply shop-mostly crawlers. We stopped briefly to put them down."/p
p style="text-align: left;" data-p-id="1d80750a6bc8b4fe9445310b22ec30b6"I kind of find that phrase amusing, since using that term sounds like putting down a sick animal. But we know these things aren't animals, or human. They're monsters./p
p style="text-align: left;" data-p-id="4b4cfe8caf2cb1fc93c686bfa26ddcc0""Oh, I hate damn crawlers-hate 'em. Like rats or hands shooting out to grab your ankle under the bed." Jody makes a noise of disgust, almost gagging./p
p style="text-align: left;" data-p-id="5f1deb251bf018e70f5be6cb87f5313d""I'm not bothered about crawlers," She replied with a shrug, "not like the ones with... like, parts of their face missing, especially eyes. Anything sticking out of the eyes."/p
p style="text-align: left;" data-p-id="bcbf94b2c11c30f67b3d1e554deb43bb"I frown. I hate them all. They're all gross; They are literally rotting corpses walking around./p
p style="text-align: left;" data-p-id="0d8c2112507672af2bff491cb3592a12""Enough, enough," Sam commands with an oddly muffled voice. "Don't say that while I'm try to eat here."/p
p style="text-align: left;" data-p-id="2d2223a1f5530105b8df929c93c1e6a5"emAnd that's why./em/p
p style="text-align: left;" data-p-id="40c3abf88548473abf5b474c24bf7f63""Should you really be trying to eat-what is that, a chili and mayonnaise sandwich-when you have three runners out on a dangerous mission?" A voice-female-asks with a bite./p
p style="text-align: left;" data-p-id="2a048a4d1a36b19ac6d9383fddd00e5f""Oh, yeah," He says with a mouthful of food, "Forgot the best part. Janine has stopped by on an unexpected visit. Great news."/p
p style="text-align: left;" data-p-id="661aff6a3ed8327ba611e1d55fa9f1b1"'I love your enthusiasm, Sam.'/p
p style="text-align: left;" data-p-id="8288dca24d58eddfba9cd8f7d4bc47a6""Too bad I don't love your sass, Five," Janine snaps, and I flinch./p
p style="text-align: left;" data-p-id="a7b834b67f6f140a2b8c430b9e0b8bcd"emDamn, somebody's grouchy./em/p
p style="text-align: left;" data-p-id="393297bf10a79a1c439a8cb82bb5579d""Hey, Janine," Sarah chirps./p
p style="text-align: left;" data-p-id="a1b244f48bf28ae5ed0a18a3649b6d77""Hey, Sarah. How's that foot holding up?"/p
p style="text-align: left;" data-p-id="b371d5eda3070339226cd2fb1d20f673""Not bad. The doc strapped it for extra support. How's your-what's it? Fazed array?"/p
p style="text-align: left;" data-p-id="38390977bc4a2f83db4dd6cd29bd8f8e"She chuckles in reply, and I huff with furrowed brows. "Something like that. Civil idea for the moment, but coming along well."/p
p style="text-align: left;" data-p-id="18495ad89fcc4da8af8547f9d085e98c"I blink as I continue with my quick pace. emWhat the hell is she talking about?/em/p
p style="text-align: left;" data-p-id="5fb584f47b870d13e4cdf5cb8936029d""Mmm, yeah. Sorry to interrupt," Sam says not sounding at all remorseful, "but couldn't this wait until you were, you know, not at my coms desk?"/p
p style="text-align: left;" data-p-id="d1c555c9c5f786c3b984bb03ff2c8c0c"While he speaks, I hear a weird tone hum through the air, and for a second I loose the ability to focus, but it's cut off by.../p
p style="text-align: left;" data-p-id="f67b28c42cf95186cfd260bbb25a53b2"I swallow thickly. emOh, this sounds like trouble./em/p
p style="text-align: left;" data-p-id="916675a83d2ea761443c6920178f6f57""What's that?" Runner Four asks timidly as the noise starts up again, looking at me with her bright green eyes. "You heard those, too? Are those... musical sounds?"/p
p style="text-align: left;" data-p-id="16d13247c680d25d30e4744327067480""Gun shots heard from the north, north-east of our current location," Eight informs. "Heading there now to check it out."/p
p style="text-align: left;" data-p-id="3ef89438005e0f9c2a7390368ed519c3"emYes, because we should definitely go towards the place where we heard gunshots, especially since only one of us has a gun, /emI think, my sarcastic voice sounding louder than normal in my head. emSo smart you are, Eight./em/p
p style="text-align: left;" data-p-id="67c61438aad93110757be0c28fee963a""Okay, be safe; Check in," Janine instructs, and Sam grumbles./p
p style="text-align: left;" data-p-id="ad90dc79e244194f7101821ed70f5529""I-will you stop that? Runners, yes, that. Be safe; Check in."/p
p style="text-align: left;" data-p-id="d658efda1329e051794f0883c757fc2c"The coms goes silent for a quick second before a song starts up, all three of us ignoring it./p
p style="text-align: left;" data-p-id="ff3a249c54a5b3442cf5690e4aba168d""What do you think those sounds are? The ones that keep getting cut off by the gunshots?" Jody asks worriedly./p
p style="text-align: left;" data-p-id="0b3907f16519e666275fdee50d8bd17d""I'm not sure," Sarah says, her lips pressing into a thin line, "but we need to be more concerned about the gunshots than whatever these other sounds are."/p
p style="text-align: left;" data-p-id="0b47516c29b0d994adfe1b36af78a920"'What's going to happen when we find the guns that made said shots, and the people holding them?' I ask, my eyes trained on Runner Four. 'I'm sure you have one hell of a swing, Sarah's got great aim and I can do some damage with my axe but if there's more than three gun men...'/p
p style="text-align: left;" data-p-id="d53e2c91c49b261b365cf8f32d129314""If you're talking about what I think you're talking about, then stop right there," Sarah instructs, "If we get close enough to see if there are more people than we can handle, we'll call and ask Janine what she thinks we should do."/p
p style="text-align: left;" data-p-id="4a8351351d1edbee26a5f0af3f4c4bb7"I nod curtly at the answer, continuing after the noise until both the musical tones and gunshots just... stop./p
p style="text-align: left;" data-p-id="54137b52a7111bab190fb4ea7e70383b""Odd," Runner Eight hums, pausing for only a second. "Come on, let's keep going."/p
p style="text-align: left;" data-p-id="e00939923643c9538e5786e34384c3d0"emSomething tells me this is not going to end well./em/p
p style="text-align: left;" data-p-id="c92b86372f2fa8deac6024f3a7360469"I run with the other two runners, the beat of 'Tell Me Something I Don't Know' pumping into my ears, which I ignore. This song is too happy for a mission like this./p
p style="text-align: left;" data-p-id="45a063460c2d9e702671c643cc04e46d""Runner Eight, report," Sam says. "What's going on?"/p
p style="text-align: left;" data-p-id="1ebe77e55c3d8261c9200e355ed531cc""See?" Jody says in a mocking tone. "She says she's not the boss but look who Sam asked to report."/p
p style="text-align: left;" data-p-id="bc70bc463c4803448f40d5e2b33c947e""We cant see anything yet, Sam," Sarah says, ignoring Jody's previous comment. "We were following the noises but they seem to have... Holy Mary mother of God."/p
p style="text-align: left;" data-p-id="719955be673c18dadc09cb2c94ec304a"My breath catches in my throat as my eyes scan the scene before me, and I nearly gag from the smell of decay. My eyebrows knit together and I breath through my mouth./p
p style="text-align: left;" data-p-id="37a0dd13ee7fa48e9f1a67cc52b14953"Sam groans. "What are you seeing? Ugh, no cameras; I can't see."/p
p style="text-align: left;" data-p-id="2c7b9815eb32a5a94ba4de20467fd209""It's a... they're all..." Jody tries to choke out, but Sarah finishes for her./p
p style="text-align: left;" data-p-id="388050acb42d89833617c1ae780457b2""It's a pile of corpses. Looks to be about forty zoms. They have that white-gray flesh. Looks like each one single shot to the center of the forehead."/p
p style="text-align: left;" data-p-id="438ba6cf98d18c2ada28f95950469915""A-and the guns-" Jody squeaks./p
p style="text-align: left;" data-p-id="d49dac0496e46d42d7f817b1e1f016ed""There're a lot of guns," She picks up a pistol and fires a few shots. "Yep, they look to be loaded-some of the anyway."/p
p style="text-align: left;" data-p-id="21ab3f031891abf30ff0f83715bc782c"emWould it be bad if I said 'I call shotgun'?/em/p
p style="text-align: left;" data-p-id="124bf5f0dc8378b896e4cb418b3cdf32""What... what happened here?"/p
p style="text-align: left;" data-p-id="fe1fb82f56c71f6b8ee1d48ad5313187""It's just like the Jamerson-Heston stadium," She mutters./p
p style="text-align: left;" data-p-id="a8ed4d57ce40969fe9e3a1c6d4b4fa79"I blink in confusion, still trying to process all this when Sam questions, "The-the what?"/p
p style="text-align: left;" data-p-id="b955763cf7f3f838d9b2a7a0b003647c""We've seen this before, Mr. Yao," Says Janine in her professional tone. "Very early on, even before you arrived here at Abel. Jamerson-Heston stadium-it was torched in the end, but before that we went looking for supplies and found-"/p
p style="text-align: left;" data-p-id="06a27a1a133b15c65931923cfe12aec9""We found this," Sarah interrupts, "couple a hundred zombie bodies, perfect headshots; Bunch of guns just dropped."/p
p style="text-align: left;" data-p-id="b86046693031ed8b6fec13205504636d""Well... well that's good, right?" He asks. "The zombie fairy has come in the middle of the night and left us a present of some dead zombies and-and guns for everyone."/p
p style="text-align: left;" data-p-id="c1fb963f5efb26641cc0b885d351f3d4"If this were any other situation I'd probably laugh./p
p style="text-align: left;" data-p-id="7909e5c19c6e2b3bf84df1ec40c7f139""Haven't you heard, Mr. Yao, there is no Father Zombie-Clause. No one just leaves guns lying around for no reason. Something happened here./p
p style="text-align: left;" data-p-id="6e5e296d495aa1b51d19075e634a6e9a""Runner Eight, can you and the others scout the area to see if there are any clues?" Janine requests. "And be quick. We don't know what's out there."/p
p style="text-align: left;" data-p-id="60ab7dd88d48ebadabbdea4aba5f0956"emAnd you're sending out there anyway./em/p
p style="text-align: left;" data-p-id="3ef42f05600f22077a5016f32802cc44""Five, I think it'd be best if you stayed here to see if anyone comes back. Four, you head up that hill and see if anyone's using that for cover," Sarah jerks her head towards the trees. "I'll head over there see if anyone's hiding there. Be quick."/p
p style="text-align: left;" data-p-id="0434f7b53ab5e73b6214f2168896b66b"I nod as Jody says a word of confirmation before darting off towards the hill while Sarah starts her jog towards the run. I look down at the bodies around me, still breathing through my mouth to stop from smelling the rot. But still I nearly gag at the taste of the death in the air./p
p style="text-align: left;" data-p-id="4afb11051245766242bc46ccf498d129"I pick up a rifle and wonder in confusion why the hell someone would leave these lying around. Even after killing the zombies dropping the guns would be pointless because there's always the chance you could run into more./p
p style="text-align: left;" data-p-id="7fefb6bb66f05dec84e088969cfc9a37"emWhat the hell happened here? And what did those sounds have to do with it./em/p
p style="text-align: left;" data-p-id="05a1fc821847359ee18019cba6a9f7cc"I look towards the trees, and I see a flash of brown hair as Sarah runs through the bushes, and then I turn to the right to see Jody's form trudging up the hill as quickly as she can manage. When she reaches the top, she stops-freezes-and it takes less than a second after before she's barreling down the hill as quickly as possible./p
p style="text-align: left;" data-p-id="991a96183ca595186d7414dceca35525"Out of the corner of my eye I see Sarah stop her search and start her jog towards me./p
p style="text-align: left;" data-p-id="089517294a6b34327cae4d9e40feb8cd""We've got incoming," Jody informs once she and Eight reach me. "Once I got to the top of the hill, I-I saw them. About twenty, moving as a pact."/p
p style="text-align: left;" data-p-id="a957a879fc9d186f9d6452ff0743cc55"I don't even have to ask what./p
p style="text-align: left;" data-p-id="7e59faf2365cf0c6d965e4c9ba6becba""How fast are they moving?" Both Janine and Sarah say in almost exact unison./p
p style="text-align: left;" data-p-id="ca4775204f1755f00c2f713b768de636""Shambling, like zombies." The tone is literally the the sound version of an eye roll./p
p style="text-align: left;" data-p-id="3b48b96c431026c99d5e17c708ade5cc""Okay, still, it's time to go. We'll look through whatever we picked up back at Abel. Take as many guns as you can carry and run. Come on, Five. As quick as you can."/p
p style="text-align: center;" data-p-id="51cb9e245e02ff74880c0c1b0fb31e63"•/p
p style="text-align: left;" data-p-id="137b8762e62dc00f53f19a60936c2eef""Okay, okay, right. We've got you back in cameras," Sam says about fifteen minutes later. He sighs in relief. "Oh, God, I feel so much better now."/p
p style="text-align: left;" data-p-id="cd796745a67a7ba4b249fcc41dc3a4e1""Look at the screen," Janine says./p
p style="text-align: left;" data-p-id="5094e821d71a076c02750ace8d3e5a36""How did they... but-but they're still just shambling. You know what, scratch that about me feeling better because runners, we don't know how but either the packs got closer or you've picked up some new zoms. They're about mmm, twenty zoms on your heels."/p
p style="text-align: left;" data-p-id="2d93d6e5dc1e92e699daea84fd908972"Jody turns her head back and her eyes nearly pop out of her head. "They're the same ones! I remember that man in the bright green."/p
p style="text-align: left;" data-p-id="19d33249b37c1d399a88ba6a951a3f3a"I look back and cringe at the said man with half of his jaw missing./p
p style="text-align: left;" data-p-id="3072c7930ca74c6bce39316a775fd15b""Oh, God, how did they get here? Run. Run! Run! Run!"/p
p style="text-align: left;" data-p-id="dafc385225002725c83b51a4e573d996"emWhat the hell do you think we're doing right now, Four? Going on a peaceful stroll?/em/p
p style="text-align: left;" data-p-id="9ef9d2e68eb00a031d23434afb489e9e"I thrust my rifle in Jody's arms, which are already full with two rifles and another shotgun. I click the shotgun twist around, firing and watching the zom fall to the ground./p
p style="text-align: left;" data-p-id="dba18381ec939647f01cd41f16c978b4""Why are you using the shotgun when you could use a rifle?" Jody asks./p
p style="text-align: left;" data-p-id="1bce106aa92f155fc67425a61b974979"'I'm from Arkansas. My dad taught me how to use a shotgun when I was seven. Let's just say I'm better at using it,' I sign with my free hand, craning around and preparing to take another shot./p
p style="text-align: left;" data-p-id="3134c20cb980b87075479b1c40b5ad6e"I hear the little emclick-click /emsound then proceed to pull the trigger, watching another zom fall to the ground./p
p style="text-align: left;" data-p-id="c1105641e8b6698ece41563651644ed4""We don't need to waste any bullets," Sarah says with a stern glare. "Just keep running and we'll outpace them."/p
p style="text-align: left;" data-p-id="f96688eb8c6d2f4ee980ae6e6dda50c9"I roll my eyes but still grab my rifle from Jody, who's just barely managing to keep from dropping the guns she's holding./p
p style="text-align: left;" data-p-id="5946b02cc6b6ad37a7c4cd868fde871c"I turn around and my breath catches in my throat when I see the zombies are still on our tail./p
p style="text-align: left;" data-p-id="ecf912ecb03d45487dd846c8987ee75b"emHow the hell...?/em/p
p style="text-align: left;" data-p-id="2687715246be0c60ab1c2545fd295ae1"I push myself to run faster, Four and Eight doing the same. Abel's just in sight, and the closer we get the louder I here Sam yelling through my headset./p
p style="text-align: left;" data-p-id="48a2fa9ed4453373bef8ee3f9dc89694""Raise the gates! Raise the gates! Send out Runner Thirteen, Cameo Wood, and Runner Seventeen, Summer Swan-with the rifles. We're bringing you guys in."/p
p style="text-align: left;" data-p-id="644d71ed35e149c7ff1d72b69de6820b""Confirmed," Sarah pants with slight panic in her voice. "We have running zombies behind us. That's a confirm."/p
p style="text-align: left;" data-p-id="3dfdc5752717d9a143b13be32b0d7bee"Summer and Cameo run out the gates, both carrying a rifle in their hands. They race past us and start firing at the undead that are rushing towards us./p
p style="text-align: left;" data-p-id="f1af221169eee59930c490043d076d02""That's three down. Keep running," Janine instructs, her voice barely audible over the gunshots./p
p style="text-align: left;" data-p-id="f8ebd4909fa0fbb317cf39455fbe8713""Yes, headshot!" Sam cheers. "Come on, guys. You're here."/p
p style="text-align: left;" data-p-id="64a4bc9609cae01580c31eb41555c761""Runner Four is through the gates. Runner Eight is through the gates. Runner Five through the gates."/p
p style="text-align: left;" data-p-id="4610366d7686b8fa1fde0c72ffd01bbe"I slow down to a stop, and lay the guns on the ground while slipping my backpack off my shoulders. Breathing heavily, I place my hands on my knees./p
p style="text-align: left;" data-p-id="fc17ed77311e48d71b3466353a00697f""Take a break, catch your breath," She says. "When you're ready, I'll need to talk to each of you about what you saw and take a look through what you found. Something strange happened out there. We need to find out what it was."/p
p style="text-align: left;" data-p-id="8bdad333f4828280cfd2a7ef4d04af7d"I internally groan at grit my teeth. emJust add that to the list of mysteries./em/p
p style="text-align: left;" data-p-id="d000301850bc8a1058e69dbfa6128538"strongA/N: Hope you enjoyed this chapter. Please be sure to vote and comment. Thank you all and have a blessed day./strongu/uspan style="text-decoration: line-through;"/span/p