Beyond the Walls

Up and Running

“I was not convinced until I saw this.” Adam said as he pulled back his half body back inside the jeep and put back his glasses. 

The walls’ military is really in some shady business.

The sun was up and morning had started but it felt dark seeing the traces of upward red lasers in the surrounding theme parks.

“Should I throw something there?” Alexa asked as she threw up and down rubble. 

“I wouldn’t recommend it. It could be something like a motion detector also.”

“You sure do know lots of hidden military equipment.” Xian said as he went back from the top of the jeep back to the back seat.

“We’ve used something similar to that…”

“The world had ended but the technology seemed not to cease advancing.” Xian commented as he admired the rows of parallel lines of lasers.

“You’ll be surprised to see other techs.” he mumbled.

“How will we disable these lasers?”  

Adam looked at the laser once again and sighed. “We can’t. They are like gates, if we want to remove the entire gate we should head for pillars and unscrew from there.”

“Let’s jump over.” Gabrielle said from the top of the jeep.

Adam and Alexa sighed. “How in the world did she turn out like that? Should I talk to her or should you?” said the former.

*Swish swish swish

One by one the lasers are disappearing. 

“Is this normal?”

Adam answered with a frowning suspicion. “Yes. when the device has been turned off.”  

Adjacent, on the farther side of the theme park, behind a ride place called ‘bump cars’ are four men cramped and hidden away from barely flying monsters roaming around the area.

“f**k. We are screwed.” Scrunched tightly expression was shown by Kiko after cautiously peering outside. 

“What are those?” Elijah was still in shock of what he had witnessed. If others don’t have the leisure to turn back, he, who was being carried at the time can and he did. He saw it all.  He saw how that monster opened its mouth and tore Jack's upper half. It’s munching sound and —

“Get a grip everyone.” Lucas was the only one who had remained calm. He is still catching his breath but his eyes are not shaking at all. He looked at the remaining members of their group. They are horrified at the new sighting.

“You can’t be that surprised every time.” He continued.

Dumbfounded, maybe they can’t believe that they are hearing such words from meek Lucas. The last thing they expected is to listen to advice from someone who shakes in fear and looks distraught always. Sure he is smart and knows things but, at the back of Elijah and Aaron’s mind, he was ‘supposed’ to be the last to calm down. 

“Hah. Is this really the ‘real’ you?” Only Kiko, who spent the least time with him, was able to talk back. He stood tall and Lucas looked up to him. “...okay smartypants, what should we do with those fuckers? And oh. By the way, the watch you need is with that person.”

“You can start by shutting up. Those monsters don't have eyes, so as long as we don't make noise, they will not be able to track us.”

Another shock to two men in the background, Lucas never hushed or said shut up to anyone.

Aaron set it Lucas changed his attitude aside and asked. “Do you know what kind of mutants are those?”

“Troublesome kind. I suggest we make preparations in haste. Take only the weapons you could use.” He answered. 

Lucas' breathing started to return normal, he pulled a duffle bag from below his seat. He opened it. There are several items left in there. He stacked the remaining cases of bullets and opened the magazine. There is only little left to it and he filled it again. He put the rest into a pocket and hung it to his waist together with a first aid kit. 

*Shiiiiing

Aaron sheathes and unsheathes his machete before putting it behind him, he also has one revolving gun to his side and first aid kit.

Elijah has one short sword hanging also on his back and a pocket knife. 

Kiko has one revolving gun and a pocket knife. 

The last two don’t have much additional skill points so it was given that their weapons can only be these decent. 

“You can’t fire those guns...unless you want every… thing’s attention.” Lucas eyed on the revolving gun.

*TING TING TING TING

First it was like an alert tone then it turned to some music. Music started playing everywhere.

“What is happening?” Kiko asked confusedly.

‘It sounds like…’

Lucas jumped up from the mutant’s body and cautiously peek outside when it’s safe he moves to another spot until he can see it.

“What an actual f**k?!” Kiko says the words out of Lucas’ mind.

*Ting ting *ring *ring

*Music plays

*Chooo chooo

The theme park is up and running. Lights are lit up. Rides and attractions are in motion.

*Vibrate vibrate

Their watches vibrated while they were making sense of everything.

“Let’s go back inside first.” Lucas said.

As soon as they were inside, the hologram opened as if it knew. Lucas looked up and saw the camera adjusting to zooms in his strained expression. It was hard to capture his expressions all the time since his messy shaggy hair is always in the way. 

“Congratulations Players! You’ve passed Level 4: Test of Intelligence. We are commencing Level 5: Test of the Apocalypse. ”

*BAM

Kiko punched his wrist watch. He is having a violent reaction to the announcement. “What the f**k are you talking about?! You said it! This is the last level!...”

[Goal: Survive the Mutants Attacks and Exit the Theme Park]

Continuous curses and complaints went out of Kiko’s mouth but that is understandable since Lucas can guess that all remaining players feel the same way.

*Ting

[Time Limit: 01:00:00]

‘They are just toying with us.’ Reality of them trapped inside a game and their deprived of free will crushed them once again.

But Lucas can feel something doesn’t feel right, something unexpected might've happened for Level 4 to suddenly be dropped again in the middle of the game.

[00:59:55]

‘No. time to waste.’

Lucas immediately opened the map and located a few exits but they are far from any of it. 

“UAWARGH!! Uierrrgh!!” Unhuman-like voices follow coming towards their hideout.

Aaron already sheathed his machete and positioned his hands to ready to swing. Since the back part of the ride is doorless, and there is no corner they can hide, they are left with one choice.

The sun from outside shone brightly as it lit and created shadow for the incoming thing. It was huge in frame but as it gets closer and closer it’s image shrinks … but not so much.

Its long dirty nails had grabbed the sides of the pillar now it only needs to remove the cloth to see the humans inside.

*Grab

It was Lucas’ hand that touched the tensed shoulders of Aaron as he whispered. “Stand aside.” and took over the frontline.

*Click

He released the lever.

“UWARG—---” *phew*

*thud

Together with the hanging cloth and the hunched back ghoul, they fall down revealing Lucas on the other side with his gun pointed. 

He waited for a few seconds and when it didn’t move, He put his gun at his thighs where he put his gun holder and proceeded to pull the huge body of ghoul inside.

“ARGHH…Argh!! Ah? Maybe you could help me?” he asked others with his usual meek self.

Aaron and Elijah helped him pull it inside, while Kiko tried putting back the cloth.

“Man, your switching personality is giving me whiplash.”

“...I’m sorry.”

“Ah. no! I, I mean… see? Aaron? It’s like I am dealing with two different people.” Elijah complained.

Aaron glanced at Lucas but then averted his eyes when they met eyes. “...”

“Man, say something!” Elijah tried shaking Aaron but with Aaron’s built against Elijah, he wouldn’t even budge a centimeter.

Watching Elijah, looking carefree and light, made Lucas’ heart at ease. As if the impending hell on the other side of the wall is a little bearable.

“Uwaregh… ARghhh”

“Kwarguhh…”

*Click

Lucas reacted fast, he brought his gun up and released the lever fast in under a second. His eyes are wide and focused.

Multiple groans are heard from outside, and the shadows are showing there are more than two that are coming close. Kiko failed to hang it again because it was already torn and served no purpose.

Lucas clicked his tongue. Seeing that ghouls are being drawn here means they can’t hide their scent anymore. They all had been running and sweating crazy, some of Jack’s blood had splashed to him also. He bit his lips. It will be the end of them if one of those mutants growls. They won’t be able to escape. 

“Huuuu…” He controls his breathing.

‘Can I kill them fast?... No. I can’t. There’s too many of them.’

He looked at Aaron then the ghoul’s body. ‘Cut-it.-Scent’ He mouthed.

*Thud

Aaron sliced the body open and the stomach turning indescribable foul stench came out of the body along with the jumbled black insides.

It was so strong that everyone looked like they were punched away.

Only Lucas was firm to his spot but his expression gave away the troubled feeling.

“Uwarkkkk! Eighhhkk”

“UWARGHH!”

As if the ghouls are repulsed too, the unsure number of them backs out and doesn't enter the space anymore.

Only then the tension was relieved a little.

*RIIIIIP

Lucas ripped cloth from the fallen divider and covered his nose with it. It doesn’t smell good either but it helps miniscule with the stench swimming in the air.

“We don’t have time. We need to get out of here.”

[00:56:12]

Elijah followed Lucas' example and tied a cloth in to cover his nose and mouth.

“Okay, what should we do first?”

Lucas didn’t hesitate and kneel at the opened body and scoop the unidentified black inside and pour it into his body.

“Mask our scent.” He said with closed eyes.

“Aw. s**t. Do you really have to… ughhh” Kiko closed his mouth and turned back.

“I feel like fainting.” Elijah said weakly.