Chapter Two
1053 Words
Leo-----
"How many are there this time?" I ask Reed. I need to know what I'm up against so that I can mentally prepare for this mission.
"They said there were about ten of them."
"Am I the only one who hates these missions?" Riley complains. "We shouldn't have to kill our own people."
Adam interjects. "Exactly, we should be capturing them until we figure out how to change them back. Or at least until we figure out what's going on with them."
Reed interjects. I can tell he is holding his tongue. "We are doing what the courts have asked us to do. So, let's get it done."
The cool night air blows a foul stench towards the truck as we climb out in front of the abandoned school. Its dilapidated features are what keeps most people away but these things are barely people anymore.
The concrete steps that lead to the doors are covered with splotches of dried blood. My stomach churns as we climb the stairs due to the stench intensifying. Reed signals for everyone to split and enter the building.
I enter around back with Onyx, my halberd, ready to strike. I also have my pistol on my hip for back up. Shooting would be easier but I prefer my own one of a kind weapon over a factory made one.
The trash littered halls are eerily quiet. Something flashes to my right. My eyes follow the small flicker that is coming from one of the classrooms. I approach the door cautiously, not sure of what waits on the other side. I peer into the room and a face pops up in the tiny dingy window.
My hands motion for the woman to come out of the door. She exits slowly, her clothes sagging on her tall frame. Her long brown hair is a tangled mess of knots that accompany the dirt piled onto her pale skin.
I sigh. She's not one of them.
"Are you okay?" I mouth to her making sure that no sound escapes from my lips.
She nods.
"How did you get here?"
Her wild hair shakes once more. Continuing to question her isn't going to get me anywhere and I need to get her to safety. Her eyes follow my hand to the exit sign on the ceiling, then to the end of the dimly lit hall. She nods in agreeance and I pass her my backup flashlight.
Once the door shuts behind her, I proceed down the hall. Another flicker of light? How many hostages are here? Something skitters across the floor in the darkness but I can't make out anything.
The turned slowly emerge from the shadows, surrounding me on all sides. I'm outnumbered four to one, three men and one woman. Their graying skin and sunken black eyes let me know that they have been this way for a while. The stench of rotting flesh isn't enough to cover the putrid odor coming from them and the two mixed together is unappealing.
Their blackened eyes stare at me with nothing but hatred as the circle begins closing in. Onyx hums in my hand, anticipating the bloodshed.
"You don't have to do this." I warn. "Just come with me and I can help you."
"It's too late for us." The tallest man hisses. "Soon, it will be too late for you."
He charges at me and the others follow suit. Onyx slides across the base of his neck with ease, leaving me splattered with his blood. His head hits the ground a second before his body making a loud thud. His eyes remain open.
Shifting my weight to my right leg I put all my strength into a roundhouse kick that connects with the woman's face. Her head whips to the left and she flies back across the hall. Another man shoves me and I lose my footing landing into a low crouch. I waste no time sweeping my leg under his feet taking him down. He groans in pain but doesn't move.
The last man is raining down punches on me before I can stand. I catch his last punch mid-air and connect my foot with his knee. The sound of bone breaking slices through the air and he falls to the ground as if he is getting ready to propose. Onyx is poised at his throat ready to disconnect his head from his body.
"Why won't you let me help you?" I huff.
He laughs maniacally, his yellow teeth glinting in the dim lighting.
"You'll all need help soon. He is coming and you won't be able to save her."
My face contorts in confusion. "Who is coming? Save who?"
He falls to the ground mid-laugh. His eyes are still open and lifeless. Riley's mace, blackout, protrudes from the back of his head.
"Why did you do that, man?" I grit. "He was just about to tell me something important."
"Right." He replies sarcastically. "You mean to tell me that you believe what comes out of their mouths?"
"It's not like you gave me a chance to decide."
He shrugs. "Whatever. Nothing they say can hold much truth."
"How do you know?" I scold. "Weren't you the one who said that you were tired of killing our own?"
"I still feel that way but I also know that the turned never tell the truth. You should know that by now." He pulls blackout from the dead man's head. It gives with a squish. "If they wanted to chit chat with you they would have welcomed you with open arms and not try to rip your head off."
The dead eyes of the man stare at me and his words resonate in my mind. Who can't I save? What was he talking about? I mean could his words hold any truth?
Riley's snapping fingers pull me from my thoughts.
"Leo, we need to go."
"Not before you help me get him to the truck."
"You want us to ride around with a dead body?"
I point at the unconscious man who I tripped. He is the only one that's not in a pool of his own blood. "No. All of them aren't dead. He is still alive."
"There is no way in hell we are taking him with us." Riley protests.
"You said that they don't ever say anything worthwhile but I think he may have some answers."
"Alright. I'll help but if Reed starts tripping this is going to be all on you."
"Let me handle Reed. Just help me tie him up and get him to the truck."
- Writer
