I know you are probably tired of hearing all the excuses in the book so I'm not going to lie to you, I've just been plain lazy. But here is the next chapter anyway. I've been trying to get better at writing and I think I might be doing alright. Let me know. Don't worry about the smart zombies I have a marvelous plan for them.

Chapter 8 Lunchmeat

April 3rd afternoon

We burst through the door, ready for the on coming assault. The first zombie lurched forward at me. I shot in the head a couple of times, bits and peices of it's head shattered instantly spraying the walls with a dark red blood. Sophia moved forward as a zombie was about to bite me, it bite down hard into her arm. She didn't flinch, instead she balled up the fist of her free arm and slammed a punch into the zombie, causing it to fall backwards impaling itself onto a peice of broken wood. Soldier took an incredible leap into the next two zombies viciously ripping into any body part he could sink his teeth in. I watched in awe as he did this. He was such the methodic killer and yet he was a zombie. This whole incendent had me believing that a unicorn could just show up and I would believe it. Suddenly I heard gun shots and cried to the others.

"We've got to get past this!" I cried.

A zombie dog caught the sound of my voice and glared straight at me. It was hungry and it wanted food. Somehow it knew the others were already dead. It charged at me full speed regarding nothing but it's prey, which at this moment was me. It jumped at me but it wasn't like I was just going to let it take a bite out of me. I brought the gun up and pulled the trigger knocking a slug into the threat. But luck wasn't on my side and the creature all though injured would not give up so easy. It came at me again with all its force and slammed into me knocking me to the wall and causing me to lose hold on my gun. I scrambled for my weapon as the beast turned itself around to collect. The gun was just out of my reach.

"Damn it." I cursed through clentched teeth. I tried pulling myself back only to hit a wall. No where else to go. I glanced up at the dog as it came forward slobbering and growling, a horrible growl not the warning or frightened growl that some dogs give. No, this growl was for the lack of a better word demonic. It lurched forward at me nashing its teeth, ready to taste my flesh. With one last desparated attempt, I slide sideways and grabbed for the gun. I had it in my hand when the dog yelped and part of its rotten flesh peeled back. It turned and barked at its attacker, Soldier, ofcourse. He tore into the zombie dog like he had done the others but this one he took extra care in making sure it wasn't going to move again. He bite into the neck and shook violently ripping and tearing more of the flesh.

"That's enough, boy." I called softly and he imediatly stopped and released the corpse from his hold. His eyes had been red but as he approached they turned normal again. He approached me and I held out my hand. He licked it and sat down to the side of me. I pet my dog. He had saved my life. I didn't care if he was a zombie or not. I came to the conclusion and turned to face Sophia.

"I have to get that antidote. My dog saved my life and I refuse to have him taken away from me again."

"Don't. Soldier is dead." She stated. She looked terrible with all the bite marks and scratches. She was starting to smell like she'd been in the garbage too long..

"I know but maybe the antidote will revive him. I cannot leave him in this state. He is suffering."

"Then shot him. Shot him until he isn't moving. Do the same for me. I'm suffering just like he is. Look around us." Sophia exclaimed.

My eyes left hers and I peered around. Bodies were littered everywhere. Blood sprayed the walls like graffiti. Limbs and parts of bodies were bent and mishapen.

"And what about Leon?" She inquired emotion rising in her voice.

I looked down at Soldier who looked up at me. His eyes were tired and dead but I could still see that glint that made me love him as a puppy.

"Fine, I'm going to get Leon. But I refuse to kill either of you."

"Even if we turn?" Sophia asked.

"You haven't turned yet what makes you think you will. Now come you two, Leon's waiting."

We made our way quickly and quietly with little interference, which worried me. We passed a couple corpses that didn't look as if they had been shot. They were in shreds. It was hardto tell what had really happened but the bad feeling in my gut was getting stronger. The others were doing fine, which surprised me. Before reaching the inner door, it flung open.

"Where have you been Holland?" Leon spoke. His eyes were filled with amazement and relief.

"I couldn't get the anitdote in time. Sophia is dead." The words tasted awful coming from my mouth.

Leon slammed the door shut and reloaded. I know he had heard me but he wanted to prepare himself.

"No she's not, she's right behind you." Leon said and his gun went off firing into Sophia's side.

"What are you doing?" I cried incredously.

Sophia was hunched over now but she felt no pain. She was more surprised than anything.

"You jerk, you shot me." She replied.

"I don't under...stand." Leon's eyes went large, "the bite marks on her neck and face."

"No time to explain. It has something to do with my dog. What were you running from?" I told him and pointed to my dog, who whined a greeting at him.

"Don't go trying to shot him." Sophia scoffed.

"I've seen a lot but those things in there almost killed me. We can't get through that exit. We're going to have to go deeper in."

"Is there another way out?" I questioned.

"There should be. It's not on the map...but then again a lot of things aren't on the map. We've got to take our chances." He stated.

"Fine, lead the way." Sophia spat.

Leon turned to face her and grabbed her hand.

"I'm sorry. I thought you were one of them. I would expect the same thing from you. I don't know how all this happened but I refuse to let this continue."

Sophia withdrew her hand and smiled. The two were so close I thought they might kiss.

"Don't even think about it while I'm here that is just disgusting." I said aloud and they stopped.