Born In The Apocalypse by Joseph Talluto Read Free Book Online Page B

his hand before it shut. “Looks okay.  Let’s take a quick look inside.”
    I followed and we stepped into the gloom.  The candle was not very bright, but it threw shadows and light all over the place. Trey held it high, and the light of the candle was barely able to get to the ceiling, and we could make out some dark opening at the other end of the room.  Right next to us was a small hallway with a sign that said ‘GIRLS LOCKER ROOM”.
    Over by a tall wooden structure was a pile of clothing and supplies. When I stepped over that way, my foot struck something.  It felt soft and stiff at the same time, and I really didn’t want to look down.  As a matter of fact, I was doing everything I could, apart from closing my eyes, to not look down.
    “Trey?”
    “What?”
    “What’s on the floor?”
    “Hang on.”
    I saw the light shift as Trey brought the candle to the floor.  My eyes had adjusted to the gloom, and I could see very clearly the body at my feet.  I could also see the bodies all over the floor.  They were everywhere, lying in various positions.  Some were on their backs; others were in little balls.  Some were face down and tucked in corners that were the made at the bottom of the wooden wall.  The floor was dark and heavily stained in dried blood.  The bodies were mostly dried-out husks with sunken cheeks and exposed bones.  Several seemed almost normal, and they looked weird to me.
    “Holy crap,” Trey said.
    “Yeah.”
    “Wonder why those ones are in better shape than the rest?” Trey wondered out loud.
    I didn’t answer because I didn’t have to.  Three of the corpses heads turned, and their eyes opened at the same time.  There was a hesitation as they figured out what we were, and then they were slowly trying to get to their feet.

Chapter 9
     
     
    “Go. Now,” I said, turning and running for the door.  Trey was right behind me.  The candlelight was coming from behind and below, having been dropped by Trey.  We cast huge shadows onto the wall as we bolted for the exit.  Behind us, the Trippers we had awakened were remembering how to walk, and were gaining ground.
    “Go, go!” Trey yelled as we hit the door.  Thankfully, they opened outward, so we could just bolt through without stopping.
    “Which way?” I shouted as we made the hallway.
    “Outside, just go!”  Trey yelled, bolting for the exit.
    “Move, OW!” I stopped suddenly as pain exploded in my face.
    “What the hell?” Trey yelled.
    “Just go, go!” I said, rubbing my injured forehead.
    We ran to the big exit doors and had to stop again. The doors were held together with some serious-looking chains, and we had no way of even trying to find the key to the big brass padlock that stopped us cold.
    Behind us, the gym door banged as the Trippers ran into it, and it was only a matter of time before they found their way out.
    I exhaled and adjusted my stance, angling my bow for a smooth draw.  I was reaching into my quiver for a second arrow when Trey stopped me.
    “Come on!  We can get out!” he said excitedly as he pointed to the doors.
    Trey pushed on the big doors, and there was enough slack in the chain to let a couple of skinny kids squeeze through the opening.  I nodded and set my bow aside as Trey put his crossbow down.  I pushed on the doors, holding them open while Trey wiggled through the narrow opening.  On the other side, he held the doors open as I passed.through the bows.
    I was just about to start going through when Trey suddenly yelled. 
    “Move your ass!  They’re right behind you!”
    I didn’t bother to look, mostly because I didn’t want to.  If I looked, I would freeze.  If I froze, I was dead.  I threw myself at the opening as Trey held it, wiggling as fast as I could between this legs. 
    “Hurry, hurry, JESUS !” Trey fell back as the doors began to close.  Dark hands slammed into the doors, opening them slightly again, just enough for a Tripper hand to slip through and