I do not own Left 4 dead nor the special infected.
You know that feeling when you get when you know something bad is about to happen that your stomach drops? Like the one before the drop on a roller coaster or when you see a dead body for the first time. That is what I am feeling while I am suiting up for today's mission, everyone seemed cheerful and I felt out of place, a feeling I didn't have since the first time coming here. Today was the day that we had to head out for our mission, how can such a simple mission make me feel this way? I put on my gas mask which covered my face, Leader beliefs that the infection is airborne, which it's not but they don't listen. I buckle my bullet proof vest then put my black shirt over it. I put on my black pants and combat boots; I then cover my hands and head with my fingerless black gloves and hat.
"Saya, automatic shotgun." I commanded without looking at my team that is getting ready in the same room. Since we work for Z we must all get ready in one room at Central Base, we are not allowed to dress alone when we go for a mission, we're watched by the camera's that's in the room. Even though we work for them, they yet have the ability to trust us. I heard Saya throw the gun and I caught it, I then grabbed the pistol and strapped it to my left leg, threw my backpack on along with my AK47. I turned around to see if the team was done, come to find that Tiff is still in her underwear.
"Sexy underwear is not for hunting zombies, yeah know." Tyler said while leaning back and watching a blushing Tiff try to hurry and put on her clothes. Tiff sat on the floor sharping her machete and sword; I crossed my arms and glared at Tiff.
"Tiff hurry up we don't have time for you to be fucking around!" I yelled my order, seeing my team flinch at my tone I smirk. I still have it. When we were walking down the white halls to the outside I briefed my team about our mission.
"When we get to section A95 Tyler take the high ground but do not get to such a high rate that it takes forever to get down from, make sure the area is able to access the whole section. Saya stick to the shadows but stay close Tiff, stay in front. When I give the signal plant the device and get out too open area where you have cover from me or the other teams. And if you come in contact with Nathan or Skittlez-"
"You mean subjects WAR-"I interrupted Tiff with a glare.
"They are not subjects, they have names and I expect you to call them by their name. Understood?" Tiff nodded not willing to give me a proper agreement, but at least she understood nonetheless. When we reached the outside I had to cover my eyes from the brightness of the sun, the heat made my body sweat instantly. Since we live in a metal dome it gets hotter in here then on the outside, in order for the heat to not burn us alive we have central cooling. Even with the central cooling throughout the Dome it seems as if my skin is melting off. When we got out, the other teams were already waiting for us near the cars. I heard team 30 talking about my team, saying that we would end up betraying them as soon as we get the chance. I didn't bother with them because we were a higher rank then a low rank such as have a weird ranking system here in the Dome, the lower your team number is the higher your rank is, which means you get more respect and privileges.
Upon walking out my team and I headed to our van, this certain mission requires a van for a reason I do not know. Apparently squad 50 and 30 has an addition to the mission in which team 43 cannot interrupt. For this particular reason is why I am on edge, why do lower ranks then us get a mission that we were not informed about? Usually Leader would tell us bits about their mission and tell us to help out in any way we can, yet this time is different. As I got into the back of the military jeep my team followed along. Saya on my right, Tyler in front and Tiff to the right of Tyler, seeing how we are ready I lifted my hand and flicked my wrist.
When the vehicle exited the dome I felt a cold wind making me shiver in pleaser. I heard Tyler sigh; he must feel relieved as much as I do for the breeze. We shot infected on our way to our sector, half way they're the other teams went their separate ways. This making us alone with only one driver for our transportation.
"How much l-"
"Shut up Tiff we get there when we cross the bridge." I growled without looking at Tiff and shot a jockey in the face. I whispered to myself "You're dead" but I aimed it at the jockey, I then looked ahead and saw the bridge in site, feeling a hand on my shoulder I looked to find Saya her face in full concentration. All she said was, "Tank, look." The whole team saw the Tank Saya spotted running down the bridge yet away from where we were heading, I also saw a charger and other infected." I commanded the driver to slow while crossing the bridge, not wanting to have those infected to spot us and take us off the bridge. Not only would that be a bother and piss me off but Tyler cannot swim, and the current is too fast and deep.
When we were off the bridge and turned to our sector which was a high school, I told the driver to head back to base and come back in a half an hour for pick up. Once off the jeep we headed to our destinations, I had the bomb to take down the building; all I needed to do was plant it and meet up with the other teams at a hotel parking lot, the ones with the high stories filled with cars. I heard Tyler snipping and Saya and Tiff silently taking out he infected who tried to run after me. Once inside I left the door open a crack for Saya and Tiff. I then turned on my ear piece when I got to the middle of the school. "Tyler stay out there in anything out of the ordinary occurs call in." Tyler gave a grunt and I saw Tiff taking out a Boomer and Saya chasing down a Hunter. I quickly set in the code and when the numbers started to go down I yelled everyone to get out, I also radioed Tyler to evacuate from his location to safety. When we were running I heard a Smoker and felt its tongue wrap around my waist. I quickly glanced back and saw that the Smoker was going to drag me into a Witch.
"Smokers got me!" I yelled out to Saya since Tiff was already running to safety outside. Saya saw what was happening and rushed to get me as I began to drag across the tile floor. I heard the Witch growl in warning and I tried to reach for my knife that was strapped to my thigh. The tongue was wrapped around me in a way that I couldn't grab my knife. I growled in frustration but stopped when I hear a swish sound and a screeching Smoker. Looking up I thanked Saya as she quickly unwrapped the tongue. Once free I grabbed her wrist and started to run for the doors to freedom. I quickened my pace as we got closer to the outside world, which was, until I felt Saya's hand get ripped from my grip. I turned to see a Charger making its way down the hall with Saya in hand. When he plowed through a horde of normal infected realization hit me. A school which a shit ton of infected, the bombs we planted about to go off anytime, and Saya swopped away by a charger.
"Shit!" Was the word I started to scream down the hall after Saya. As I got halfway down the hall I could see the Charger starting to smash Saya into the ground, picking up my speed and taking out my pistol I shot the Charger in the back of the head killing him instantly.
"David look out!" Saya screamed while trying to shoot whatever was behind me. Not taking a chance I Yelled for Saya to run as I threw a Molotov behind me. Saya not doing as I asked waited for me until I was in arms reach then started to run down another hall that was close to us. As we ran Saya did the shooting while I led us to the outside, turning left out of the hallway I saw the front doors ahead of us.
"Hurry! That place is going to-"Tyler's panicked voice was not heard for our bombs we planted earlier went off breaking out connection. The ground shook and the ceiling above us caved in, blocking our only way out. Another explosion was heard but to our left, then above us. Unable to keep my balance from the collapsing place I fell to my knees. I felt Saya haul me back on my feet, but it wasn't long until the walls surrounding us exploded. The last thing I saw was Saya's concerned eyes before we were covered in dust and rubble.
I knew this place all too well; it was a dark void…my void. This void is where I choose life or death, surviving for surrendering. As I floated I thought, I thought about my options. I wanted to embrace death so I can finally be at rest, be at peace; yet I want to live because my best friend has the wrong idea of me. I want to help her in any way I can and with me dead…with me dead…Feeling my time to choose coming to the end I again bring myself to wake up. I opened my eyes and groaned in pain, I saw Tyler singing while uncovering my body from the rubble.
"Well good evening sunshine!" Tyler said with a smile, I winced at his high tone of voice at the end of his sentence. My ear slightly rung but I shrugged it off. It wasn't long until I uncovered my body from the rubble, looking around I found that our mission was a successful one, the school was destroyed. Tyler was helping me up while Tiff was searching and calling out for Saya. I looked down at my body when I was on my own two feet, Tattered pants and shirt, and cuts and bruises nothing to bad, I looked around trying to find a spot where Saya's body might have landed. Getting nothing but only piles of failed attempts, my head began to pound.
I sat myself down and watched as Tyler helped Tiff in the search. I knew today was a bad day to go out and do this sort of shit.
"You know, today is just going to get worse" The man appeared and sat next to me. I glanced at him quickly then adverted my eyes back on my team. "How, I already lost another teammate." I whispered too him. The only thing he said was "I have a feeling" before he touched my head and disappeared. Shaking my head in irritation and not wanting to ponder on what he was trying to say I looked back at my group. Seeing that Tiff was picking a fight with Tyler I knew that this would take forever if I didn't step in.
"Tiff give me twenty-five pushups!" I commanded, Tiff was swearing while getting in the grass to start her punishment and Tyler was on the ground laughing. Knowing that Tiff was not fit in anyway and her lack of upper body strength would keep her from interfering anytime soon. Rubbing my face in frustration and the maturity of my team was putting me on edge. I went to look where I was found since Saya and I were next to each other when the explosion happened, one would only assume that would but be close to that area. On my way there I saw a shine from within a rubble pile that was near where I was found.
"I think I found her!" I yelled out and quickly made my way over to the pile, Tyler getting their faster then I began to remove the rubble. Once I got to the pile I removed a block and saw black hair, seeing this made me remove the pile faster. Once we got half the pile off her we were met with Saya holding a pipe that was leaning against a heavy looking piece of wall so it would not crush her skull. Her lower half was smashed under rubble, her hair was undone making her face covered and look like a dark pool around her. Her face was scratched up and blood was pouring out of her mouth.
"We need to get this off of her; I believe one of her ribs punctured her lung." Tyler said in a hurried voice, I agreed and we rushed to lift the weight off her. I started to panic slightly not wanting to have yet another teammate die on me in my life. Yes death is unavoidable but if I am with them I tend too, you know, not let them die.
"One, two, three, Lift! Tiff put your fucking back into it!" I screamed not caring that I altered the nearby zombies. We tried countless times on trying to lift this junk but we failed to even lift it an inch off the ground. Tyler screamed in frustration and run off a few steps forward to shoot the remaining zombies in the area, Tiff still tried to life off the rubble. I looked around to see if there was anything we can use as leverage. Feeling the ground vibrate I groaned, a Tank at a time like this, someone must hate me.
"A Tank get ready! Guard Saya and lead away the Tank!" I commanded while turning towards the direction where a flying car just came from. Not seeing if Tiff or Tyler heard me I walked towards the direction the Tank was coming. I was going to draw the Tank away from Saya, I was just hoping that Tyler and Tiff will cover me if anything were too happen. Seeing the Tank quickly descending down the road its eyes locked on behind me with determination to achieve its goal, whatever that was. When The Tank reached a car I threw my grenade making the car explode, and having the tank stumble for a few steps. Cursing when the thing didn't back off, the explosion only making it more determined then it was before. Running back when I noticed that the Tank refused to slow down, looking at Tyler still trying to lift the rubble off of Saya I screamed at him to move. Looking back when I heard a snort my eyes widened, not only was the Tanks speed incredible but he was right behind me. I could see his eyes that was filled with rage and determination, two things an infected such as a Tank should not have. Flying into a car when the beast punched me out of the way, upon impact my head slammed against the passenger window, instantly breaking it to tiny shards.
My hissed out in pain, my eyes blurred as if I have been crying, my ears felt hot like I was trying to listen to the sound of fire. Bile came up within my throat begging to be spewed on the grounds; I refused to show weakness to my own body. I heard the Tank roar in anger and then gunshots blared, I knew even without actually seeing that the Tank was heading towards Saya. Trying to get up without my legs giving out, I placed my hand on the car my other hand reaching for my automatic shotgun that was strapped to my back. Another roar was heard and then the ground shook, the Tank hit something. Quickly getting my head together and ignoring the blood that was pouring down my face, I raced to Saya.
As I was running I noticed that no hoard was around, usually when a Tank appears a hoard is not too far behind. Shaking that unnerving feeling I raised my gun and shoot, which I successfully shot the Tank on the shoulder making him drop the rubble that was over Saya. The beast screamed out in pain, seeing Tyler taking this opportunity to attack he took out his sniper and aimed it at the said monsters face. Curing when I saw Tyler miss and attracted the attention of the Tank.
"Tiff, cover Tyler!" I commanded when I saw Tiff hiding out behind a car. Tiff looked at me as if she was scared, I shot her a glare before I pulled my backpack out and looked for a bottle and rags that I stashed in my bag. When I found my said materials I looked up to see where everyone was located, to say I was shocked when I saw the Tank storm down a street.
"What the hell what that all about?!" Tiff screamed, ignoring the brat I looked around and indeed the Tank left without trying to harm us and there was no infected in sight. This was indeed a strange occurrence, and that feeling of dread washed over me, this isn't right…something is wrong.
"Hey boss! The Tank took off the rubble off of Saya! Give me a hand would ya?" Tyler's strained voice was heard over Tiffs loud complaining. Commanding Tiff to scout the area and get the location where the other teams were I walked over to Tyler to help him out.
"Holy fucking shit." I stared down at Saya only to see that she was missing her right arm and her right side of her face was severely burned, the said burn ran all the way down her neck. Her hair came undone and was like a halo around her head. Her cloths were ripped and burned in various places. To top it off she was flat out unconscious. Scrunching up my nose at the disgusting smell of burned flesh I bent down and help pick Saya up. Tyler said that he would carry her and I did not complain. Tyler and Saya even though they bickered they were close friends, seeing that they met when they were shipped over to America when the virus came out to be recruited by Z.E.R.O. Seeing Saya like this is probably crushing Tyler. "Those fucking infected. It's their entire fault!" Tyler growled out his eyes began to gloss over.
Giving him a pointed look and a sneer I told him that it was no one's fault that she was at the wrong spot. Not believing a word I was saying Tyler continued to curse the infected to hell, yet before I could say anything Tiff came over the ear piece her voice of filled with laughter, which made me instantly glare at nothing. I dislike it when she is happy, she should not be happy, nothing is good when she is happy. Instantly remembering the time when my team had to scout for supply's all the while too teach a noob about the basics. Remembering how I found him and Tiff in the back making "music", having the only thing that led me to them was Tiff laughing. Shuddering at the thought I shooed it away from my mind, refusing to go back on that unholy day.
"You guys have to come down here! Just go down four blocks from there, it's like a party!" Hearing this made me growly anima like out loud, having Tyler back up with Saya in his arms, knowing what is coming next. I pressed my headset, closed my eyes and took a deep breath before snapping my eyes open to death glare towards the place Tiff gone. "WHO THE FUCK DO YOU THINK YOU ARE?! I ORDERED YOU TO DO ONE THING, BUT YOU DISRESPECT ME AS A LEADER AND DO WHATEVER YOU PLEASE! DO YOU WANT ME TO REPORT YOU, YOU UNGREATFUL LITTLE SHIT!" Huffing after my screaming I crossed my arms and marched down the road Tiff went, Tyler silently walking behind me.
"Whatever, sir." I heard Tiff stress on the "sir" but choosing to pass over that little factor I headed towards her destination.
Once we passed two blocks my thoughts wondered to the other teams, teams 50 and 30 were giving an secret mission not only that but their whole team is filled with new recruits. What did Leader want those teams to do that no other team can, especially higher rank teams? Leader's way of assigning missions was a mystery to me. Not only that but all the infected in this area are nowhere to be seen, the silence of the city street was more eerie then the zombies themselves.
"Don't go."
My steps almost faltered when I heard that familiar voice, looking back to see if Tyler noticed I sighed in relief when he was too busy trying to wake up Saya. Looking my Him as he was in the reflections of the windows that we passed, his step matched evenly with mine. "What?" I whispered harshly, making sure that Tyler didn't hear me talking to Him. He his looked in the direction we were heading, shaking his head he said; "You will not like it, it will cause the end of ZERO. You and I both know it, do not lie to me." Looking away from Him I told him I have no clue what he was talking about, that he needed to leave me alone before I report him to Leader. Seeing Him sadly smile at the corner of my eye before he disappeared and once again I could see my reflection.
Startled when Tyler and I both heard pain filled, piercing screams of the undead, we stopped and looked at each other. "That sounds like more than one hoard." Nodding in agreement with Tyler he and I both picked up are pace and raced to the noise. When we rounded the corner we saw something horrific making Tyler nearly drop Saya and me almost fall to my knees.
"Mother of God."
The whole street was nothing but infected and special infected getting beat and tortured by Z.E.R.O. I staggered in the depths of the bloodbath not caring if Tyler followed. Shouts, laughter, car horns, howls, groaning, screeching could be heard and it echoed within my head. As I staggered down the massacre my eyes widen when some of the infected even trying to reach out to my for my help, not before some Z.E.R.O member dragged them back into their grasp. I flinched when I heard a sound of a Hunter screaming out in pain, slowly turning my head towards the direction my eyes widened even more. There on the ground I saw my infected best friend surrounded by team 30 and Tiff. Tiff was towering over Skittlez and beating her senseless with a bat while the others pulled her hood down to revile her empty eye sockets, which started to fill up with black goo which I guess was infected blood. Bile arose in my throat at the sight; this was not my best friend. Her screams rang my ears and I nearly puked when I heard a sickening crack when Tiff wacked Skittlez in the face, dislocating her jaw. I did nothing but watch as others were being treated the same way. I did nothing when I saw Skittlez blood everywhere, and that they put her in a orange prison suite, drag her to a van and throw her in like a sack of potatoes. I only watched them, I only moved towards the van silently giving her an apology, I ignored Tiff yelling at me and her laughing.
When a screech was let out within the van and loud banging could be heard, it jolted me out of my state and into shock. Looking over at the crowed that was watching me intently I saw Him walked through the crowd and away from the scene. I could hear his unsaid words.
"There is no going back."