Chapter 3: A World in Flames
"What do we do now?" One survivor asked as they stopped in an old warehouse to hide.
"There's nothing we can do," said Pete. "Except wait for them to come."
"Are you kidding me?" Rob shouted. "We need to find the military, or at least some link to the outside world!"
"There is an armory five miles north of here in Oxford." said another survivor. "if we can make it there, we'll be safe."
The group agreed, and they were off.
They continued their journey in secrecy. If a dragon found them, there would be nothing they could do.
They slipped behind a building into an alley way.
"Wait, stop. Did you hear that?" Rob asked.
'No, what was it?" Pete asked for the group.
"It sounded like-"Rob's sentence was drowned out by an explosion in a building near them. Its windows shattered as flames shot out of them.
"Run!" shouted Rob as a dragon busted out of the roof of the building.
Rob's shoes kicked up dirt as he ran, fearing to look back. He could hear the sound of wings flapping, and that's all that kept him going. A burst of flames grazed his hair as he ran. They hit full on for a customer of the store as the dragon swallowed up the burning man.
Rob stared in horror at the place were the survivor was a second before. It had all happened so quickly.
"Up the fire escape!" he shouted as the dragon rounded the corner.
They began climbing as fast as they could. The beast crawled quickly toward them; its claws slashing at the ground. Rob was the last to get up. He jumped up and grabbed the ladder. The dragon was only a few yards away now. He pulled himself up to the platform just as a jet of liquid shot out of the dragon's mouth, and coated Rob's sleeve. It seeped through the material and burned his skin. The pain was unbearable, but he had to go on. He ran across the platform and up the winding stair case to the top. They still weren't safe as the dragon took to the air. Everybody slipped through an open window, and landed in an old apartment.
Pete looked out the window as the beast shot flames through the openings.
"Get down!" he shouted, and everyone dropped to the floor. A second later, fire erupted into the room, setting it ablaze. The dragon lost interest and flew off.
The dragon was gone, but they were still in danger. The entire room was filled with smoke. Rob hid his face in his jacket and stumbled around for the door. The heat was burning his eyes, and tears streamed down his face. He couldn't see a thing. The smoke choked him even through his jacket. He couldn't catch a breath, and just as he found the exit, he passed out.
-----
Rob awoke to the deafening scream of jets flying through the air. What happened while he was unconscious? He could fell his hands being wrapped around someone's shoulders, carrying him. He stirred, and looked up ahead. Pete was carrying him, and he could see the armory in the distance.
"You're a good man Peter." He mumbled.
"So you're awake?" Pete pointed out.
"Yep, how come the smoke didn't bother you?" Rob questioned.
"These damn Marlboros." Pete joked, holding up his pack of cigarettes.
"Those can kill you, you know." Rob laughed.
"Well, today they saved both of us, so I'm not quitting." Yep, that was Peter alright. Rob, dropped from Pete's shoulders, and walked on his own. He was still wobbly, but he stiffened out soon enough.
-----
When they arrived at the armory, they were greeted by the screaming of injured people, and medical cots everywhere. A TV in the corner showed the news.
"We now have reports of the dragon epidemic spreading through Germany, France, Spain, Portugal, and even the United States. Casualties number in the thousands, and are climbing quickly." said the reporter. "Citizens are advised not to go out into the open, and find underground shelter if it is available."
"Dear God." said Rob and Peter in unison.
They turned and a soldier coming towards them holding out two assault rifles. He asked.
"Do you two know how to use a gun?"