Beyond the Walls

Can’t Win

“UWARGHHHHHHHH!” Penelope jumped in Unica’s body to the other side of the door.

Penelope, a newly turned undead, is overflowing with strength. She tried biting Unica’s neck but out of reflex she pulled the machete up and pushed Penelope’s salivating mouth.

“AHHHHH! AH!!! HELP ME—-!”

*Bite

Unica didn’t last three seconds in the battle of strength. Penelope had bitten off Unica's neck including her vocal chords. The blood gushed out like a fountain and flowed like a leaked faucet.

The convulsing body of Unica was helpless underneath the undead as it took another bite and another until Unica’s head was torn.

*c***k crack

Even the other bones she had were crushed merely against the grips.

The group watched it happen, unable to respond as fast as the scene unfold.

Growling like a rabid animal, Penelope, continues to devour Unica’s body until the blood pool reaches the group's space.

“Don’t make a sound.” Lucas warned in a low voice.

*Thud

The teenager fell to his butt.

The sound had caught undead Penelope’s attention.

“UWARRRRRRRRGH!!”

Dropped in all fours, Penelope growled and charged in like a hungry predator. Lucas grabbed Hiraya’s hand and led her to run while Athena, and Aaron firmed their stand and positioned themselves to face it.

The additional members of their group were too stunned.

As if everything is in slow motion, Lucas can only think of surviving. They are without proper equipment to kill newly turned undead. A baseball bat and a hammer might stun it for a moment but it might take a few more blows before it can be killed.

Aaron tried blasting it away it’s head but he hit it’s shoulder, there was a cracking sound to it, and it dislocated it’s arm.

*Grab

He was grabbed by the other hand and was pulled, he would have been bitten if not for Athena putting her bat at it’s open mouth and pulling it away. She manages to pull it away but it's showing no distress even with one arm dangling. Afterall, the undead can’t feel anything.

Tremblingly Elijah managed to take the machete, called Aaron and throw it to his side. but by doing it he only took it’s attention. It growled at him with black blood dripping.

“Ah! I’m sorry I’m sorry.” He repeatedly said as he ran towards Lucas’ direction.

“Lu…cas?” Hiraya trembling called.

Hiraya tried shutting her eyes but she couldn't take her eyes off the monster in front of her.

It was another level compared to other times where people were devoured. She can win against level 1 undead on one on one, that’s how she thought before and the very reason she was able to hold on and face them head on but this?... This is different.

It was fast, strong and vicious. Tears fall down.

Lucas grabbed her hand and began to pull her for a run.

‘We can’t win against that… not now.’

“Huh?” Lucas sees a figure in the hall that appeared behind a pillar, holding up a gun and fires it.

*Bang

*Shiiiik

As if he could feel the bullet pass the sides of the temple, everything remained slowed.

It was bullseye. The bullet hit the undead’s head straight to it’s forehead.

Penelope, the newly turned undead was stopped on its track and fell dead down.

*TING TING TING

[Attention Players! Please stay inside the yellow line…. Attention Players! Please…]

Lucas stopped in his tracks after hearing the warning sirens and man’s voice. He looked down and saw he was at the verge of passing the yellow line. He looked at the figure who fired the gun, he was dressed in all black and wearing a hood and gas mask. The figure didn’t make any sound and retreated back behind the pillar.

“Haaa.” Hiraya’s legs gave out.

*TING

[Congratulations Players! Level 2: Test of Stamina is complete!]

[Please wait in the waiting room, for the rest of the duration of the Level 2]

*Psssssssssssh

The gas was released to their group and not long, one by one they dropped to the floor, leaving them unconscious.

****

“WOHOOOOO!!” A Déjà vu excited sound echoed but this time there were several enthusiastic howls cheering with him.

“How come you are always right?” Said a man behind the monitor as they watch Lucas’ unconscious group being transferred to a bed by people wearing a black uniform and gas mask.

“I told you, there is something about that guy.” Answered by his pal as he rotated his chair in glee.

“Lucas Maximillian, 28 years old. Residence: Wall 103. Job: Wall Maintenance. Family: 1 sick younger sister…. There is nothing notable here! You just got lucky! Tsk.” Clicking his tongue on his pal.

“Dude, I am telling you, there is something in that person. What should we bet next time?” Browsing his tablet, he showed the money he earned from the betting game.

It seems like, the betting for the games where done online now and winning money where wired.

“Should we see other betting options?” Sliding his chair to his pal’s cubicle they saw numerous betting, most of the betting choices were closed, like.

[Number of Survivors for Level 2: Test of Stamina]

{CLOSED}

The guys looked up at the big screen on top of the main stadium field view and some mini camera angles decreased in numbers as the number of players decreased as the games dragged on.

[LEVEL 2: Test of Stamina]

Number of Remaining Players : 32

“Ah damn, we should have placed bets earlier.”

“Can’t help it, the group we are watching was active all night long. Coffee?” Offered one as he put the tablet down and stretched his arms.

“Yeah. Let’s do it… Hey! We are taking a break.” The other taps the cubicle next to him to inform them. He gave a thumbs up and the two made their way.

“I bet the next round, your player won’t make it.” He said.

“I bet he will ace it.” Confidently the man smirked. They both laugh and pass lines of cubicles with the same set up as theirs. Each is monitoring every player, switching cameras to make sure they catch all players in camera.

“Ey! I heard the next round will be moved and rescheduled.” A third party joined the conversation as he moved his chair out of his cubicle.

“Huh? Why?”

“I think it’s because of some low ranking renaissance officer, finding about the level 1 venue.” The third party shrugged his shoulders not knowing anymore about it.

“Can you take a break like this?” The other one asked as he gestured towards the monitor.

“Ah! Yeah, the player I am monitoring just died. He crossed their group leader, so he ended up as undead’s food. Isn’t he stupid? Hahaha. It was frustrating to watch him also. Glad he died now, actually.”

In his monitors shows a man’s arm stretched up while undead gathered around eating him up on all sides. Above the field watching his companion getting devoured. He turned his back on the cries.

“That man is something, not your player!”

“Should we take a bet again? Hahaha! ” He rubs his fingers together in sign of money.

“Wow, you really believe in your player huh?” This third guy was seriously amazed at the confidence.

“Never mind this guy, he was like this last time, his player died after 20 seconds in Round one.”

The three of them laughed as they discussed the deaths of the players.

Meanwhile, the monitors showed that Lucas’ group are being carried over to their previous trailer by individuals wearing white overalls and being guarded by individuals wearing black overalls.

Lucas was placed in his original spot and strapped to their seats.

*Thud thud

Outside a bang sound was followed by “Let’s go.” and the vehicle starts roaring and moving.