We were all gathered in the motel lobby staring at one another. We would every now and than glance over at Kankuro.
Shikamaru was on the couch holding Temari's hand calming her. While Kiba was pacing around the lobby. Tenten just stood leaning against a wall watching me. I had my hands behind my back and was standing between all of them.
''Ok. First things first, where are we headed?'' Kiba asked all of us.
''Well..'', Shikamaru started, ''According to this map I found in the motel, there is a outlet store, only a few blocks away from a city.''
''A city?'' Kiba interrupted. ''You already heard Kankuro, that place is a slaughter house!''
''Kiba there is no way around the city to get to the lake house, you understand me? We have to go through it.'' He sighed leaning back in his seat. ''Besides the outlet store has guns and camping supplies we might need.''
''I still don't think its a good idea.'' Kiba mumbled. ''We have what? Two guns.''
''We will just have to take the risk.'' I spoke up.
''Fine.'' Kiba growled.
''Now the next problem.'' Shikamaru pointed over to a unconscious body. ''Him.''
Temari immediately looked pissed, Tenten and Kiba were indifferent, and Shikamaru... Well I couldn't tell behind his poker face. I sighed, this won't be good.
Temari stood up in anger. ''He is already infected, shoot the son of a-'' Shikamaru cut her off by placing a hand over her mouth.
''Shh.. Calm down.'' He muttered.
''CALM DOWN? How the hell can I calm down?'' She screamed.
''We could just leave him.'' Kiba added.
''That's horrible.'' Tenten yelled turning to Kiba.
''He is infected..'' I started but Tenten glared daggers at me as I put my hands up in surrender.
''He is going to turn any minute, what's the point.'' Kiba stated.
''The point is, he is still human!'' Tenten yelled stomping up to get in Kiba's face.
He stood up to meet her as I moved to push them apart. ''Do you remember that gun in your face Tenten!'' He yelled, pushing my hand off him. ''Or did you already forget?''
''How the hell could I forget?'' She yelled back at him. ''He is scared like all of us. If we leave or kill him we will be no better than he was!''
''Guys! Guys! Just stop it.'' I yelled at the both of them.
Shikamaru was trying to calm Temari down, but like me was having no luck.
''Ok listen. Get in the car, all of you.'' I yelled, glaring at all of them. ''Pack your supplies and get in the car!''
''What about Kankuro..?'' Kiba started.
''You leave that to me.'' I growled in anger.
My look drove them away as they asked no questions, but quietly picked up their stuff and supplies and walked out of the motel.
I sighed in frustration looking at Kankuro. Why did you have to go and point a gun at our heads? I knelt down by him, and lifted his shirt to see how worse the infection was. Its was three times worse as it was the last saw I it. His entire chest and abdomen was covered in blackish veins. Along with his neck and his thighs. He didn't have much longer. I looked at how he was still tied. Pulling on the ropes, I noticed they were still tight holding him against the pole. I guess we could leave him here. There would be no use in taking him. He will be dead before he even wakes up.. I don't think he would mind us taking Naruto's car back. I patted his left pocket down. Nothing. I turn to the right as I felt something sharp against my palm. Digging into his pocket, I pulled out the keys, with a fox keychain on them. I stood back up and sighed. Looking back over my shoulder I whispered, ''Goodbye old friend..''
I walked out of the motel silently as I opened the door of the driver's side. Climbing in, I started the car and looked down at the gas meter. A fourth of the way full. That should get us where we are going.
I backed out of the parking space, putting the car in drive, I took one last look at the motel and sighed for the hundredth time. We pulled out onto the road as I glanced by my side. Tenten was next to me, behind me was the same order we were always in. I kept driving down the road before I even realized where we were going.
''Uh where to Shikamaru..? Do I need to get on the main highway?'' I asked, glancing in the rearview mirror at him.
''Well I'm a little unsure we should take the highway, but there is no other way to the outlet store.'' He replied casually.
''Ok then, what loop do I take..?''
He opened the map from his pocket and said, ''It should say National Highway 88 up ahead. Take a right when you see that.''
''Oh I see it.'' I said, taking a right turn.
Like most of the world, I believed, the highway was empty. Not a soul in sight. Half of me was glad it was that way, while the other half longed for more survivors. Shikamaru had said it was only a thirty minute drive to the store but each minute seemed to last forever.
Abandoned cars littered the road. Their doors wide open as if the passengers were in a hurry. More and more started to appear as we got closer to the outskirts of the city. But that wasn't the only thing that lined the roads. One by one bodies started to appear. Some not even could be recognized as a human being. What scarred me the most was many of them appeared to be suicide. Instead of mangled bodies, more of them had a single bullet hole coming from their head.
"Dear god..." I heard one of us mutter.
The highway moved upwards as we got on an overpass. Like what my parents used to say when I was little, the spaghetti bowl. It was full of roads going in different directions and up and under one another.
I had to swerve to avoid running over the corpses. My grip on the wheel tightened as I saw a dead little girl, holding her father's hand. A gun was is the father's other hand, blood running from his head and dripping onto the pavement. A single bullet hole in each of their heads, with their bodies propped up against a small van. Up ahead the road was blocked with cars and bodies. I turned the wheel and squeezed the Cadillac through the emergency lane.
The smell of rotting flesh hit my nose. I started coughing and so did someone in the back seat behind me.
"Turn the air conditioning off. The smell is coming through there." I told Tenten as she reached over and turned it off.
"Shikamaru how much farther? I don't want to stare at the bodies for another hour." Kiba complained.
"The store is up ahead on this road. To the left I believe." He answered.
"This road leads to the city? From what I see here.. I doubt anyone is alive." Temari pointed out.
"We don't know that for sure." Tenten said hopefully.
No one replied. The car just continued down through the highway. Or a more appropriate term, graveyard. After a few minutes I slowed the car down to a halt. In front of my was a huge flipped over eighteen-wheeler. It took up the entire lane, including the emergency lane. Part of the wheel was hanging off the side of the road. Other cars were stopped in front of it, but the doors were wide open, abandoned.
I put the car in park and leaned back to Shikamaru.
"There is no way around this. How much farther? We could walk it." I asked.
Before Shikamaru could speak, Kiba spoke up, "Walk it? Do you remember last time we tried that..?"
"Yes, yes. I know Kiba. But there is no way around this pile up." I explained to him.
"Besides," Shikamaru added, "the outlet store is up ahead. Roughly two blocks, three tops."
I grabbed the rifle from behind my seat and opened the car door. Not waiting for his answer, I jumped out of the car and landed with a soft thud. Leaving the door open. I walked closer to inspect the wreckage.
I heard car doors close softly and Kiba complaining as they appeared at my side.
"I think we might have to climb over it." I pointed out.
"I'll get over first and see if it's safe." Kiba offered.
I nodded a yes to him and followed him to the lowest part if the wreckage. Using my hand as a step, I help him get onto the eighteen-wheeler. The sound of metal being walked on reached my ears as he walked a few steps and came back to look down at me.
"All clear." He said, smiling. "Send someone up, I'll help them."
I motioned with my hand to bring the rest if the group over. Temari was by me first as I offered my hand to help her over. With Kiba holding her arms and she using my hands as a ledge, she got over safely. I turned to Shikamaru next and he shook his head. Using his arms he grabbed a hold of a metal bar sticking out and pulled himself up.
"Show off." I joked, to myself.
"What was that?" He called back over.
"Nothing." I smirked.
I turned to Tenten. "Come on, your next." I said, half-smiling.
She looked unsure, but took a step over towards me.
"I'll be right behind you." I promised.
Doing the same with Tenten as we did with Temari we lifted her over. I tossed my gun to Kiba. He caught it and set it down besides him. I grasped a hold of his hand and he pulled me up to stand beside him.
The sun was slowly going down. My guess was that it was seven pm. The road on the other side looked slightly better. And by that, I mean less bodies.
It was easier getting down from the wreckage. I jumped down and landed softly on the other side. Kiba handed me the rifle as we continued our journey forward.
Twenty minutes later of walking, we saw the outlet store. It was a little smaller than a average grocery store. From this distance the name was illegible. As we neared the store we saw the city. Buildings peaked up out of the ground. Strangely there was no smoke coming from this one.
We reached the store. I peered into the dark glass. Pretty much your basic hunting/outdoor store. The lights were on. Meaning the blackout had no affect on this area, but the lights were dimly lit. Kiba, who was currently holding the shotgun raised it up to break the glass but I stopped him.
"There might be an alarm. Don't do that." I rested my hand on the handle.
Pulling back, the door swung open. I guess it was unlocked this whole time. I opened the door for the rest of the group. After they were all in, I closed and locked the door.
Turning to face the store, I saw tents, lanterns, beach floats, and other items for sale. I slowly walked past the fishing aisle, looking. I stopped when I came to the hunting area.
"Over here, guys." I called out.
They slowly came, Kiba already carrying stuff. He walked over to the different pistols on the glass counter. Tenten came up behind me. "There is a second floor to this place. Temari and I checked it out. It's like a mini home. Whoever owned this place, also lived here." She told me.
"Ok, good. We have a place to rest." I sighed, and relaxed a bit.
The sound if breaking glass got my attention. But it was just Kiba breaking into the glass containing the guns. Picking up two M1911 he smiled wickedly at everyone. I pretended to shudder, but Shikamaru's voice sounded.
"Hey, Neji, there's a storage room in the back." He informed me.
"Yea and?" I asked, confused.
"There are a couple of illegal guns back there. This guy must have been an ex-military." He chuckled.
I followed him to the back. We walked past various items for sale, mostly junk in my opinion. He pushed the swing doors open and lead me to a metal safe in the corner of the room. Up against the back of the safe were three different guns. An AK-47, M14, and laying down a M16. All three were assault rifles. A few spots for guns were missing. The owner most likely took the others.
Shikamaru pulled open the drawer beside the safe, revealing boxes of ammunition. I leaned over and picked up a box. I opened the lid of the box. It was filled with twenty-four shells.
"We have enough bullets to last us a lifetime." Shikamaru chuckled.
"Yea. I know." I picked up the AK-47. "I will use this one."
"Of course you would." he rolled his eyes and retrieved the M16.
"One of the girls can have the last one." He remarked picking it up, and swinging it over his shoulder.
"Let's go get the others." I started walking out of the storage room.
The doors swung open, and Temari was waiting for us, with an eyebrow raised, noticing our guns.
"The others are up stairs." She told us and turned, walking up the stairs.
I noticed something on her lips, but brushed it off and followed her. The stairs creaked as we made our way up. Kiba was laying out all over a mini couch. Tenten held a shotgun in her hands, loading shells into it. Shikamaru tossed the M14 to Temari. She looked at him with a confused expression.
"It's your gun from now on." He replied calmly. "There is ammunition downstairs in the storage room."
She nodded and sat down on a chair by the TV. I walked over to the balcony leading to look out over the city. It was pitch black outside but a small light in the distance caught my attention.
"Here." Tenten handed me a pair if binoculars. "I found them in the hunting section."
I nodded a thanks and took the black binoculars from her hands and put them up to my eyes.
I saw people. They were standing by the bridge. A blockade was blocking their way in. I focused more in and I saw police officers in a line keeping them from entering.
"Hey guys! There must be a hundred people by the bridge entering into the city." I called out.
"Really?" Tenten asked.
I handed her the binoculars so she could see. They all crowded around Tenten waiting for their turn to look.
After a couple of minutes, Shikamaru spoke.
"They are not letting anyone through by the looks of it." He announced.
"I wonder why.." Tenten thought to herself.
The others walked back inside, all in deep thought. I sighed and looked over at Tenten who stayed.
"About earlier this morning.." She started by I cut her off.
"I've felt that way for a while. I just never had the guts to say so." I replied, calmly, looking at her.
She smirked and laughed to herself. "How long?" She questioned.
"Uh.." I scratched the back of my head, "three or four years."
"Four years? And you never said anything." She exclaimed.
"I said three or four." I jokingly defended.
"Whatever." She laughed.
"I decided to finally tell you, because quite often I'm surprised we made it this far." I told her truthfully.
She didn't answer but look down at her feet. I put my arm around her shoulders and pulled her in closer. She leaned her head in on my chest.
"I'll do everything in my power to keep that from happening though." I added.
"Thanks." She mumbled.
We stared up at the stars for a while. She pulled away from my hold and said she was going to get something to eat. I nodded and continued to gaze out towards the city.
God. It has been nearly three days and I still can't believe this is really happening. My thoughts returned to the test tube filled with the infection. Half of me thought there could be a cure. But the other half of me knew damn sure if it was a virus, we were screwed. I hated moments where my mind could stop and think. Mostly because I would realize what is happening and my thoughts would wander back to the two friends of mine that did not make it. Naruto loved Sakura but never got around to say it before she died. That was the main reason I finally told Tenten. I didn't want us to be like Naruto and Sakura and die not knowing.
I glanced down at my watch. Nine pm. Day went by so fast. I sighed and pulled the binoculars back up to my eyes.
The police blockade cut half the bridge off. City officials were not letting anyone across. Those on the other side were healthy, I was guessing. The police are probably trying to contain the infection. There was a lot of noise and screaming. Only non infected people were allowed to pass. But there were thousands of people and little medical personal to check the survivors. People were rioting and attacking the police trying to get in. Some were demonstrating and holding up signs. The signs said thing about the government made this biological weapon and the government are trying to hide information from us. I focused my binoculars on the police line. They had shields butting people back. A police officer standing behind the line shot his gun into the air causing the crowd to hush for a moment. He had a police microphone, but I was too far away to make out what he was saying. But whatever he said brought a negative response from the civilians. They started to trash the police line harder and scream insults. A man ran and jumped on the fence and started to climb, trying to get on the other side. Two shots rang out and the man dropped back down on the ground, dead. The screaming got louder as the police pulled out their guns, pointing them at the people trying to break through. More shots rang out. I pulled the binoculars back from my eyes, unable to watch.
''Has it gotten worse?'' Shikamaru asked coming up behind me with his assault rifle slung casually over his shoulder.
''Yea the police are starting to fire on anyone who tries to get on the other side.'' I replied, gravely.
''Let me see.'' He opened his hand, and I handed him the binoculars. He studied the scene before replying, ''Some of the people are changing in the crowd. Even people who know they are infected are still trying to get in.''
''Like I said before, I'm glad we didn't go on ahead. Its a war zone down there.'' I sighed. ''Where are the girls?''
''I think Temari is bathing, Tenten, last time I checked, is loading all the guns.'' He said, handing the binoculars back to me.
''Your lake house is on the other side of this city. I'm pretty sure this is not the only entrance blocked off.'' I said, looking at the chaos below us. ''In one day, the whole world goes to shit.''
''Yea, there is no way we are getting through the blockade.'' Shikamaru sat down beside me and heavily sighed. ''Its the first time I don't know what to do..''
''No one does. Its ok, dude.'' I leaned back on the wall. ''The power seems to be working in this city. I saw a reporter down by the police line, try the TV so we know what's happening down there.''
Shikamaru stood up with an ok and walked back into the room.
Uh. So much has happened in the past twenty-four hours. There was a party at my house last night and now we all are fighting for our lives. I finally realized I love Tenten. God all those wasted years and who knows how long we still have left.
A loud shriek broke my train of thought.
''Neji! Come quickly! The TV is working!'' Shikamaru yelled from inside.
I stood up and ran inside to where he was. A news reporter was down by the police line reporting.
* Police have seemed to be using dangerous methods of containing the infection. Only a few minutes ago they fired onto a crowd of unarmed citizens. A loud scream is heard behind the reporter as he turns around. It appears one of the older infected is attacking the healthy people. *
''Older infected?'' I asked confused.
''Apparently forty-eight hours after turning infected, you become one of those creatures we saw when this all happened. I don't understand how that's possible though.'' Shikamaru answered.
''So they call the creature-things the older infected?'' I asked appalled.
He nodded and turned back to the screen.
* Police are trying to- Louder screams are heard as police try to shoot the infected. The tall creature jumped ontop of a police officer as it opened its mouth with its sharp teeth and dug into the man's abdomen. His screams continued until his fellow comrades shot it down. The condition down here is getting very danger- The reporter was cut off as an infected bit into his arm. His screams were cut off as the camera went black. The TV brightened up, and 'Please stand by' popped up.*
''Just turn it off.'' I moaned.
He turned it off and looked at me with a questioning expression.
"Something wrong, dude?" He asked me.
"We have to get through that blockade to get to the other side of the city. And not to mention those 'things'. " I removed the AK-47 from my shoulder and set the gun down in front of me.
"There is no way, only if we fight our way through and kill innocent people... Or one of us causes a distraction long enough for the rest of us to sneak behind and jump the fence." He told me.
It was a long silence before I spoke again, "I'll do it."
"Neji-" He started before I cut him off.
"I don't want anyone else to risk their lives for me, Shikamaru." I quietly told him.
He sighed looking at me, then scratched the back of his head. "How do you even plan to distract the police officers?"
I didn't answer him but merely pointed to the gun at my feet.
His eyes widen, "That's suicide, Neji, and you know it. You pull that gun out and they will put over hundred if bullets into you." He yelled quietly.
"No they won't. I was down stairs earlier. There is a bullet-proof vest I could wear." I countered.
"Your head. They could shoot you in the head." He said angrily.
"It's a risk I will have to take." He glared at my comment. "I might as well shoot myself anyway because if we stay here, we'll die here!" I shot back.
He groaned and leaned back in annoyance. "Fine."
"Also one more thing." I added.
"Yea?" He asked.
"Don't tell Tenten." I said standing up, leaving the gun.
I walked past the TV and headed down the wooden stairs. Entering the main shop area, I turned and made my way to the back of the store. I pushed open the storage doors and walked to the back shelf. Two bullet-proof vests were hanging up on a rack out of sight. Sighing, I removed my jacket and placed it on the storage shelf. I pulled the vest down and started to strap it on top of my white under shirt. I clicked all the parts into place. It felt snug on me, but bulgy. I re-grabbed my jacket and put my arms through it. I slowly zipped it up to an inch below my neck.
Shikamaru walked in by me and handed me a M1911 pistol, like Kiba's. I looked at him questionably.
"If you drop your main gun, you might need this. Strap it to your leg." He commanded.
As I was strapping the gun in he continued, "You are going to meet us after your distraction." He pulled an old map out of his pocket. Pointing to the map he added, "There is an old warehouse near the outside of the city. I circled it in red." He looked down at his watch, "It's eight pm right now. You are to meet us there by dawn, roughly six am. After that, we can't wait any longer." He sighed. "We are losing time every hour. Every hour this event or epidemic gets worse." He looked me in the eyes, "After six, we have to assume your dead. I'm sorry."
"It's ok. I'll be back by then." I assured him. "Is everyone ready?"
"Yes. What do I tell them when you approach the police?" He asked.
"Something believable, I'm asking how long it's going to take." I replied.
"Ok." He handed me an automatic machine gun.
"It only has ten rounds, just so you could scare them. And if you lose the gun, we won't lose any ammunition." He nodded to my direction.
"Thanks." I smiled slightly.
We walked out of the storage room and saw Tenten, Temari, and Kiba waiting for us. They were each holding guns talking amongst themselves.
"Took you guys awhile." Tenten said, smiling.
"Yea sorry." Shikamaru itched the back of his head.
"Here is the duffle bag you wanted." Kiba tossed it over to Shikamaru.
Shikamaru caught it with ease and set it on the ground. Opening it up, he looked at everyone, "Put your guns in here, so the police don't question us."
They nodded and each placed their gun into the black bag. I started walking towards the door as Tenten jumped beside me. I side-stepped slightly to avoid her touching my vest, so she wouldn't know. But I smiled down at her and grasped her hand in mine.
As we walked towards the blockade, it got louder and louder. My heart sped up, like right before a huge game you're playing in. I was nervous, I had to admit. Not everyday, you pull a gun on the police and expect to live.
My hand squeezed hers at the thought. But she was too focused on the scene before her to notice.
The crowd had gotten a lot larger than I last saw it. Demonstrators have not stopped chanting and the police line seemed to be smaller. We stopped at the edge of the crowd.
"This is why I don't go to concerts." Kiba mumbled. "Insane crowds."
"Try to push your way through. Don't get to close to anyone." I told them.
We pushed through with angry citizens yelling at us, but mostly people crying over bodies that just laid on the road.
"Don't look." I muttered to Tenten.
Hundreds of people later, we reached the front. Letting go of Tenten's hand I turned to them, but mostly to Shikamaru.
"I'm going to ask the officer over there how long this is going to take." I nodded to Shikamaru and turned around and headed to a group of officers talking quietly to each other.
''Neji?'' I heard Tenten say but I kept going.
I pushed past people, until I made it to the circle of police. Speaking out of the crowd, I stood next to the police line.
I cleared my throat, "Um excuse me officer, how long is this going to take?"
A middle-aged man with brown hair turned to me. He looked rough and tired. His once blue eyes, were now blood shot, with dark circles under them. His police uniform was dotted with blood and dust.
"We don't know, sir, please get back in line." He yelled.
"I don't think I can do that, sir." I said slowly, pulling the machine gun out from behind me and pointing it at the officer.
I backed up, so his attention was away from the fence. My foot hit the curb as I realized I had my back to the edge of the bridge and the rushing water under it. I fired into the air getting the attention of all the officers on duty and some of the crowd. I brought the gun back down to my hip and started to yell fake demands. "I want you to let me over to the other side or I will kill all of you."
The brown-haired officer put his hands up in surrender, but I noticed his hand twitch towards his firearm.
Most of the officers had pulled out their own firearms and the red dots lined my body, mostly concentrated in my chest area.
''Stand down! Drop your weapon.'' An officer yelled at me.
Others moved in position, to get an aim at me.
''Get on the ground!'' Another yelled.
I laughed out of fear and how I was seriously stuck in this situation. But to the officers and the citizens, I sounded insane or crazy. Out of the corner of my eye I saw Kiba get over the fence, he was the last. I thought I saw Tenten by the fence, holding on to it, but I wasn't sure. I smiled and put my finger on the trigger and pulled. The gun was out of bullets but the police didn't know that. I felt the impact before I heard it. It felt as if I was hit by a truck going a hundred miles an hour. My gun flew forward out of my hands and landed on the pavement. But as my eyes closed I saw blood spray out of my shoulder. Pain instantly shot through my entire frame. The impact of the bullets pushed me back as my spine collided with the rail. Unable to catch myself, I flipped backwards, off the bridge. My eyes closed as my body rushed towards the churning waters. My name being called was the last thing I heard.