There came a growl from Rochelle's left. She spun to see Nick, eyes darting around in the gloom of the alleyway.
"Careful," he muttered. "I sense a Charge-"
Ellis gave a winded cry as the Special Infected pummelled into him, huge arm raised like a Riot Infected held its shield.
"It's got me!" he yelled, struggling. The Charger twisted and slammed him into a wall, the stone crumbling around him. Ellis' cap flew off, and the Special Infected trod on it. Ellis' machete slipped from his good arm's grip. He screamed a curse as the Infected shifted its grip, holding him by the waist. His blows to its arm were fruitless as it lifted him and threw him into the floor. Its overalls flapped loosely, and it reached to grab him again-
There came the guttural rattle of a gun as Nick snatched up his assault rifle. The Charger gave a bellow that sounded like a wounded cow. It then rushed at Rochelle, who gave a scream as it hurtled towards her and whacked her into a wall. It turned, snorting, and raced towards Nick, who neatly stepped aside and stabbed at its small, flailing arm with Ellis' fallen machete. Then he embedded the blade up to the hilt in its skull.
Nick swiftly leapt off the Charger's corpse as, giving a great groan, it toppled forwards, spilling its blood over the pavement. With a swish of his jacket, he turned back to see Rochelle gaping at him. Her knees were trembling.
"I-" She collapsed abruptly, and Nick darted forwards and caught her. He lowered her to the floor, dragged Ellis then Coach over and stood to attention, gun loaded, alert and ready to blast those demons back to the hell they came from.
"Steady ... can you stand on your own?"
"I'm okay, Nick. Really!"
Rochelle's voice reverberated through the narrow alleyway, and Nick winced.
"Are you okay?" Ellis asked, in his drawling accent.
"Yeah. Just a little lightheaded. Must be the Green Flu getting to me."
"Ya sure?"
"Yes. Coach?"
"I'm alright," came the reply. Coach appeared unscathed as he stood up, brushing dust and rubble off of himself.
Suddenly, Nick got a pang of pain. He doubled over, groaning. He coughed, a sharp noise that tore like a vicious animal at the back of his throat. Blood speckled the pale concrete sidewalk. His throat felt raw and painful, and he rubbed it gingerly. He saw the others staring above him in horror. Turning, Nick saw what they saw. He blanched.
A Jockey was watching them. It was sat on a Hunter, which crouched on a Tank. Nearby, maybe a few metres away, a Smoker and Spitter stood. By them was a Boomer, and by the Boomer was a Wandering Witch. She was currently stood quietly sobbing.
Nick looked at the crowd, then the Charger.
"Ah. Well, we'll be going-" The Tank let out a deafening roar- "GET OUT OF HERE! GO, I'LL HOLD 'EM OFF!" Nick yelled, readying his assault rifle.
"Nick-" Rochelle began. He swung round, and she flinched at the wild, inhuman glint in his green and red eyes. Crazed eyes. Eyes full of bloodlust.
"I'D RATHER DIE THAN LET THEM KILL YOU! GO!" At this, Nick shoved all three survivors into motion, before turning to face the army of Special Infected. Hordes of Common Infected stood idly behind them.
"Oh, this is on."
The Hunter let out a screech, shooting towards Nick; as it neared, Nick let out a shot that missed the creature by a hair. It quickly skidded to the side, hissing and growling.
Too late did Nick notice the absence of the Jockey.
Maniacal laughter assaulted his ears as a heavy weight hit his back, gnarled hands scrabbling at his shoulders. It twisted and Nick went with it; it made him hit his face on a car bonnet hard. He caught a glimpse of its face, eyes bulging, spittle flying from its distorted mouth. Crazy laughter spewing from between those shredded layers of skin.
"SEE YOU IN HELL, YOU SONS-A BITCHES!" Nick roared.
"Did ya hear tha'?" Ellis asked. He glanced at Coach and Rochelle. The bigger man was supporting her with an arm, keeping her standing. Rochelle was quivering with worry. But suddenly, the door near to her blasted open. She jumped away and the two men around her raised their guns. A figure stumbled in and threw them all a lazy smile.
"Never thought I'd see you guys again."
Rochelle cried his name with happiness. Behind Nick was splattered carnage. He didn't even know himself how he had defeated everything. But he knew now, everything was okay, and would continue that way.