Chapter 14
With an astonishing speed it ran across the roof, the smell of fresh meat passing into it olfactory system as it hungrily sought a true meal.
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"Come, try and stick together for crying out loud" called out Hirano as he sprinted along the straight corridors, the others trying to keep up with him. Ohyama was busy straining himself, but Kagura had noticed she seemed to have little problem keeping in pace with Hirano. In fact, she found herself going slightly slower then she could go, so she didn't have to be isolated up with Hirano who she didn't like.
"Shit!" called out the man, standing by an open door.
Kagura caught by surprise at stopping narrowly avoided him. By the door was a small flight of metal stairs leading down to a lower floor. The other door was a short distance across from them. The only problem was the vast hoard of zombies that stood in the way. She looked across at Hirano.
"So what now?" she asked.
Hirano turned back to the others. "This is our way out. It's filled with those things, so if you want, just turn back, try and find another way. I'm a keen fan of doing things the hard way" he said, before leaping onto the floor below and sprinting across to the other door.
Kagura sighed and jumped down, followed by a protesting Ohyama, and Kimura who hadn't realized what was waiting below. He continued repeating the word shit as he sprinted between the creatures, trying to kick them out of the way. Kagura surprised herself by kicking out at a creature lunging towards Kimura, the knee cracking as its leg slumped beneath it.
"Cheers" said Kimura.
"No problem" replied Kagura, as they followed Ohyama who had suddenly found some pace.
Behind them Ishihara and Yomi looked down from the doorway apprehensively.
"Is this the only way?" asked Yomi.
"It is for me now" said Yukari leaping down and smacking zombies out of the way with her shotgun. Only a fool would wish to fuck with her right now- and she was surrounded by plenty of brain dead people. She yelled out in anger and expressed her pleasure as she kicked the head of one of the people clean off. She turned back to Minamo who'd followed her.
"Holy shit did you see that? Kicked that bastards head clean off!" she called out, before rushing across as the creatures swamped Minamo as Yomi and Ishihara sprinted past.
Minamo yelled out in pain as one bit down on her hand, not getting a good enough grip to rip much flesh away before she destroyed its head, skull cracking as she slammed down on it. Another bit down on her leg, Yukari kicking it away and pulling a moaning Minamo away.
"Oh stop your complaining" said Yukari as behind them Kubo leapt down onto the floor calling out fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuucccccccccccccccccccckkkk. Well at least he managed to remain dignified.
"You're always complaining!" said Minamo, "Who are you to tell me anything?"
"If you want I can give you back to those things."
Kagura stood waiting as Hirano kicked the door open, holding it for Kagura and the others to pass through. Kagura gasped in surprise as she stepped into a vast amphitheatre, standing amongst a row of chairs supported above the ground below where a large stage and electronic projector screen stood. The chairs were in perfect condition, seemingly never used. She stood back, taking in the sheer size of the room. At the same time it seemed oddly familiar, a faint sense of recognition passing through her. She'd been here before.
She turned sharply as the door slammed shut, Kubo the last to enter the vast room. He helped Hirano rip up one of the red padded chairs and lodged the door shut. Kagura stood in the chilling silence as the things outside hit the door with their hands groaning and snarling in despair. Those things really wanted them, wanted to feast on them. They would never stop.
Kagura knew she and the others would have to get out of here as soon as they could, or they would all die. She was certain of that now. They would die down here if there was no manner of escape.
"What is this place?" asked Kimura, walking along the rows, narrowly avoiding tripping over one of the comfortable chairs.
"It was supposed to be used as a briefing and meeting room" said Ishihara. "It was going to be used for when the facility grew larger and expanded upon its products. Never been used, never will be" finished the man.
"Seems pretty nice" said Kagura.
"Yeah all nice" said Yukari as she wrapped a bandage around Minamo's injured hand. "But it's never going to be used so who gives a toss?" she asked.
"You don't have to be so crass about everything Yukari" said Minamo. She winced gingerly as Yukari pulled down on the bandage tightening it quickly. "Ow Yukari!" said Minamo as Yukari grinned widely.
"My hand slipped" said Yukari quickly as the look of pain vanished from Minamo's face, replaced by a look of anger.
"Stop screwing around you two" said Hirano.
Kagura took the opportunity to sit down in one of the chairs. Almost like a cinema chair. Only without the sticky floor, popcorn everything and people kicking her seat. Nice and comfortable. She wouldn't mind staying here a bit longer, maybe get a little bit of sleep… She felt her eyes drooping, and woke herself up suddenly. No, she couldn't allow herself to fall asleep. Hopefully just a short period of time until they left this place. She'd just have to try and stay alert. And alive.
Ishihara slowly walked alongside the back row, his hand passing over the row of chairs as he moved deep in thought. This could have been a nice place. He definitely wouldn't have been against working in this place. Giving his own speeches, possibly even lectures to people who wanted to learn. Wanted to learn from him. But obviously that wouldn't happen here now. He had no intentions of ever returning to this place. Almost everyone he knew down here was dead. The only one left had been that damn Yomi. She just had to find him. Little girl slowed him down. He could have been out of here by now…but he just had to come across her. He should have just pretended he hadn't seen her.
He paused, looking out across the large amphitheatre. He paused as something hit his head and slowly began to trickle down his back. He groaned as it slid along his back.
"Yuck, what is that?" he asked aloud, patting it with his hand. He looked down at his hand, a slimy mess resting in his hand. He held his hand up, watching as it slowly oozed onto the floor. "What is this?"
He paused, spotting the horrified look on Yomi's face, who sat a good distance away. Ishihara realized too late he had ambled too far away from the others, and had left himself isolated and alone. He paused, shivering as a muscular tongue ran up his face. His face covered with saliva, he spat, and turned as he heard a large thud behind him.
Through slime and spit covered glasses he watched as a vein covered powerfully built creature slowly rose in front of him, its large tongue ripping out seating with one powerful swipe. He paused in shock as it strode towards him, seeing a vague outline.
Kagura had heard the large thud, and Yomi's cry for someone to help. She sat, gripping the chair she'd sat on. Chairs- the only thing standing between her and that thing. Ishihara yelled out as the creature leant down and roared. Its powerful looking jaws closed around his head and bit down. Kagura winced as a loud crack resonated around the vast room as it snapped through the mans skull. The teeth closed around the man's head and then the creature pulled away, ripping off the top of the scientists head. With blood pouring from his mouth, Ishihara slumped to the floor, fragments of bone scattering across the floor. The evil thing feasted upon what it had taken, cracking the scalp as it bit down. It leant down again, ripping off an arm.
"So what now?" whispered Yukari.
"Running would be a good idea" said Kubo, as the thing's head rose and looked towards them.