A/N: Nope, still don't own anything. Thanks so much to everyone who reviewed, it really does mean a lot. Now, enjoy!
The three travelled slowly, carefully, ducking behind parked cars and buildings, anything that would provide cover from the prowling creatures. Despite their caution, Sophie and Hardison still had to take out a handful of zombies, growing more and more afraid with each one. The girl tried to help, but without a weapon, was essentially a sitting duck.
Even as they stood there the number of zombies seemed to be growing. At first, there had been more humans than zombies. By now, however, the normal people were far outnumbered, and dropping like flies. They still saw multiple cars speeding out of cars, and each one that passed they whispered silent thanks. People were getting out. But going where?
"Almost there," Hardison would say, arm around the teary girl. "We're going to be okay," Sophie whispered, clutching her hand. But the thieves exchanged desolate glances over her head after every bit of comfort.
"What's your name?" Hardison asked at last.
"J-Julia," she stuttered.
"Great. Julia. We'll, we're going to take care of you. Don't worry." She was 16, she and her mother and younger sister (12) had just moved here two weeks ago after their parents' divorce.
"Look," Sophie said at last, pointing ahead to the grocery story. "We made it." The amazement in her voice was plain to hear.
"One last street," Hardison said, taking a deep breath. "On three. One… two…"
"Three!" Sophie cried, dragging them onto the pavement. The nearest zombie, once a teenage guy from the looks of it, swung around with a roar and lumbered towards them.
"Go!" Hardison shouted, shoving the two girls ahead of him. He pulled out the butcher's knife Parker had given him and waited for it to get close enough to feel the heat. Then he swung. He winced and looked away as the blade connected, ignoring its bellow of pain and racing after his friends while it was distracted.
He dived into the store, the automatic doors closing behind them. He slumped to the floor, shaking uncontrollably for a brief moment, then leapt up and pulled out his phone, tapping into the system. He turned the automatic trigger on the doors off, at least for now. Outside, three or four zombies slammed themselves against the glass, bellowing.
"Sophie?" he shouted, turning around. Panic overcame him as she didn't appear. "Julia?"
"Here," Sophie panted from his right. She and Julia dragged out the limp body of a zombie. "It was the only one in here. We checked."
"Great thinking," he said, voice shaking. "But what can we do about them?" He pointed to the bodies prowling around out front. Sophie shook her head, solutionless. Wordless. Hopeless
Nate rushed to the phone booth, slamming the door and locking it behind him. So far, so good. Taking a deep breath, he turned to the phone and pulled out his slip of paper. He called Archie first. No answer.
(The phone was ringing, but the man inside was otherwise occupied. "Get back!" Archie shouted futilely, swinging the fire poker as hard as he could. It didn't make a dent in the onslaught of bodies. The first few reached him and in no time he was hidden from view. "Help!")
Nate winced- how much more could Parker take? He tried Hardison's nana next.
"Hello?" a young woman answered, sounding terrified. "Sandy Spring Retirement Village."
"I'm looking for a patient," he said shortly.
"Everyone is," the young woman whispered. "I don't have time…"
"Please," he said desperately. "It won't take long."
"Who is it?" she asked shortly.
"Hardison," he answered. "I don't know the first name."
There was a brief shuffling on the other end, then he heard the woman call out, "Is there a Hardison here?" Nate couldn't hear a reply, but the woman returned to the phone. "She's here, alive. Do you have a message?"
"Tell her Alec's alright," he said, breathing a sigh of relief. "Thank you."
("Who was it?" Edison asked Olivia, gently laying a hand on her shoulder. "Another relative?" She nodded, shaking, as the tears finally made their way down her face. This Hardison man was the dozenth to call in just the past hour. But how was she supposed to tell them that no one was left, everyone was dead? Only the two of them were alive, and for much longer she didn't know.)
Sighing with relief, Nate quickly punched in the number of the girl's mother- no answer.
(The woman was sobbing as she forced down the acceleration, already far past the speed limit. Her cell phone rang next to her, but it was an unfamiliar number. She didn't answer.
She had called her ex-husband, called her daughters. No one had picked up. She didn't know if they were alive, dead, or already turned into whatever the hell those things were. It didn't matter. There was nothing she could do. Right?)
When Nate dialed the next number, however, the younger sister answered. "Who are you?" she demanded. He could hear her crying.
"My name is Nathan Ford," he said. "I can help you. Your sister is with people of mine…"
"Julia?" she asked, relief thick in her throat. "Julia's alright?"
"Yes. We can bring you to her…"
"Please. I'm locked in at Bates Middle School."
"Alright. I'll be there in fifteen minutes. Can you meet me right inside the front door?"
"Yes. Thank you."
(Everyone was in the cafeteria, clutching friends, dialing parents, crying, screaming. Most of the teachers weren't even trying to calm the kids down, sitting blankly off on their own. The main doors were locked, but there was a side door off through the boiler room, and it wasn't hard for her to get out without being seen. She raced through the hallways, tears streaking her face, until she reached the lobby. She sank down, wrapped her arms around her knees, and prepared to wait.)
Nate hung up and hesitated, afraid to call the last number. But at last, with shaking fingers, he dialed. "Hello?" his ex-wife asked.
"You're alright," he said. "Thank god."
"Alright? Of course I'm alright. What's going on?"
"Where are you?" he asked, surprised. Was not everywhere like this? That would mean there was hope.
"Nigeria," she answered. "Africa. Nate, what's going on?"
"There are zombies," he stated flatly. "All over."
"You're not serious," she said.
"Turn on your news," he said. There was a click, some unidentifiable noise, then she returned to the phone.
"Oh my god," she whispered, her voice shaking. "I can send a plane over, or… or…"
"No," he said firmly. "I'm sure the other governments are doing everything they can. You just stay there, okay?"
"Alright. Nate, please be careful, okay? Don't try to be the hero."
"No promises there," he answered humorlessly. "I'll talk to you again soon." She started to speak again, but he hung up and stared at the phone for a moment. Then, glancing around outside, he dashed out, diving to the ground behind several bushes.
"Bates Middle School, here I come."
A/N: So... what'd you think? I'm serious, please lemme know! Or else the flying pigs will come for you... I provided them squirt guns.