[4-14] The Town

[Kenpachi Zaraki]

The huntress and the hound slipped silently through the divided doors, performing more of a shuffle than a walk. Though the elevator’s safety systems had ensured that they would incur no lasting damage, there was nothing like falling 8 stories to make one feel a bit unsteady. Compounding this was the nigh-constant rush of endorphins that accompanied fighting off cannibals, elementals, and the undead at every turn. All in all, things could certainly have been better.

“A basement,” the burgundy beast noted, attempting to catch his breath. He gazed around the area, noting the presence of various supplies. “Do you think we’re safe here?”

The blonde opened her mouth to reply to her ally, only to be silenced by a deafening crash from above. First Floor. Had the undead army who had corralled them in the library in the first place finally broken through their barricade? Before he could give it much thought, however, the ceiling split above them, depositing its occupants and a mound of rubble into the center of the cellar. 

As the dust cleared, those involved raised their heads to survey the damage. Red immediately looked up, letting his gaze rest upon a trio of newcomers, a group that looked decidedly non-zombie. The tallest among them looked to be some variety of robot, his arm terminating in a cannon, his body clad armor. Beside him was a frazzled looking young man in a dirty Syntech uniform and a scruffy fellow armed with a fair few firearms. The threesome looked to be just as surprised as Red at their sudden arrival. 

“Abner-” Christa cried, though her greeting was cut short by the sound of several heavy somethings colliding with the roof of the elevator car. She stole a glance at the compartment before turning back to the grizzled gunman, sharing a look that spoke volumes. A smile. A nod.

“Follow me,” the mammoth machine commanded, a loud whine becoming audible a moment before a deafening boom as the rusty iron doors of the basement's bulkhead exploded open.

The 5-piece scampered quickly through what remained of the entryway, allowing the loose chunks of iron door to swing free upon the mangled hinges. They needed to run, though common sense told each of them that such a feat would not be advisable in their condition. Under the dim, flickering light provided by the blaze engulfing Karl Jak’s office, Christa caught sight of what could have been the closest thing to heaven at that point: A double cab pickup. “Let’s go!” she all but commanded, grabbing Abner by the arm and dragging him along behind her. The rest quickly followed suit, Colonel taking up the rear.

“The keys in the ignition?” Abner inquired, popping open the passenger side door and sliding onto the leather seat. Beside him Christa took her position, immediately ducking beneath the dash. 

“Something like that,” the blonde answered, as Nanaki hopped into the bench seat beside Trent. Sparks flew from exposed wires beneath the steering wheel as she worked her magic; in a matter of moments the engine sprung to life, humming faithfully. A smile slid across the ex-trooper’s face as she revved the engine, glancing into the rear-view and silently performing a head count.

Colonel clamored into the bed of the vehicle, taking a knee and aiming his formidable blaster toward the rear. “Drive,” he monotoned, eyes locked on the incoming surge of flesheaters. Electricity crackled at the end of the barrel as the car took off, the enforcer raining explosive concussive blasts onto the street that rent the asphalt, toppling their would-be executioners. 

The truck whipped down the dilapidated city streets like a bat out of hell, Abner taking pot shots at approaching zombies as they stumbled into view. Christa kept her one functioning arm busy with controlling the speeding auto, gripping the wheel tightly. Beside her she could hear the shrill bleep bleep of her radar laying in the ex-trooper’s lap, urging them forward. Dead ahead lay what could only be their destination, a towering office building that stuck out among the sea of residential buildings. Before it, yet another horde of the animated corpses.

“Hold on!” Christa yelled, loud enough for the mechanized man in the rear to make out. He obliged as she pinned the gas, headed straight for the shambling dead. The blonde bit her lip as she compelled the truck forward, bracing for impact.

Taking note of their inevitable collision, Red clamped his eyes shut, gritting his teeth hard as he channeled a massive amount of magicka through his body, the excess energy enrobing the vehicle in turquoise light. Mere seconds later they collided with the fleshy barricade, the mako-infused F-150 tearing through the attackers like a hot knife through butter. Gore splattered over the windshield as the leprous walkers were obliterated. As they cleared what remained of the undead army, Christa stomped the brake, coming to a stop mere feet from the front door. A beat later the door sprang open, a trio of individuals striding into view.

“Well, hello everyone.”

2398 words, both posts