Chapter 7 - Predator

A man walked away from the old, standard car, fixing the position of his star-shaped sunglasses and tilting the long, red cap that covered his head. The look was hardly befitting considering the atmosphere of the city, especially with his “hat” looking like something an elf would wear. He pulled out a box of cigarettes and fumbled for the lighter. Finding it deep in his pockets he lit the deadly stick, breathing deeply to soak in all of the tar and carcinogens it had to offer. He put away his things and stopped, taking a look back. There were more survivors than he had expected...this would be good. If he played his cards right, he could use them to play a necessary distraction and ruin the flow of his enemies' plans. Completing his objectives by himself would be far too difficult; so, for now, he scouted out the city, observing the creatures that were unleashed, thinking about how they functioned. He also looked for survivors to see who would work as an efficient tool, a person that could survive any peril to fit his schemes.

Pulling out a BlackBerry, he looked at all the nearby establishments. “A news building, hmm?” he mentioned to himself as his eyes scanned the brightly lit machine. If he was near it, he might as well go in and check it out. There was something he needed to investigate there, anyway. Continuing his walk down the street, the man pondered how long he could prowl the streets safely before having to worry once more from the undead around him. With each step, he distanced himself from the car that held one sleeping teenager in it – the afro-wearing man would find himself unwittingly drawn into the mysterious enigma’s plans.

-

The ferocious roar that echoed just moments ago froze the quartet of survivors. Even the baby was silent for a moment, before sniffling in fear. The red-tinted zombies stopped their squabble in awe of the sound. Slowly - as if it were majestic - a large zombie turned into the alley, fully visible. He was at least three feet wide, his massive torso making the narrow alley seem even smaller. His arms were enormous and his hands were big enough to encase a normal human’s entire head. The creature breathed in long, deep breaths, audible amongst the silence. His jewellery shined; a gold necklace that sparkled inspiringly even in the night, and diamond ear studs that Wild thought might reflect his image. He was dressed in a purple business suit, made from silk and other expensive material. And, finally, on his right index finger lay a large ring that could easily draw blood. Obviously, he was a man of high stature before death. But now…even when covered with jewels and metals that brought envy, his pinkish skin could not be ignored. He was one of the dead now.

MG broke the moment with hysterical laughter. “Look, guys! It’s the human lard! Watch out or he’ll sit on you! Ahahaha!”

No one joined in his hysterics, but the heart-pounding moment of suspense died with the daredevil’s apathy. Mandew sighed with relief.

“He can’t climb that fence, either. He’s too burly.”

Turning to continue his leave down the alley, MasterGodzilla followed. The baby started to hush his wails. WildGamer continued to watch the behemoth from afar. Slowly, with stride, it approached the fence. Casual steps soon turned into rapid movement; the monster began charge towards the bolted chain-link barricade. The other zombies on the fence quickly jumped off and moved out of the way. Wild narrowed his eyes. There was something about him that struck him the wrong way…

MasterGodzilla turned around. “Hurry up, WG! You’re lagging!”

Ignoring his friend, Wild stayed fixated on the giant man. As it neared the fence, he realized.

“GUYS!” he screamed without notice. “We need to get out of here, now!”

Screaming with fury, the monster jut out his shoulder and destroyed the fence, his strength completely ripping it from the bolts that held it down. The fence bent unnaturally around his body as it was pulled clear off the ground. The large zombie then slowed its approach, allowing the steel impasse to fall sloppily to the floor. Once again, he screamed with vigour, asserting his dominance and strength.

Wild was the first to run, passing his companions in a matter of moments. “That isn’t fat! It’s all muscle!” he shouted as he escaped the end of the alley. MG was stunned with amazement - and Mandew with fear. The behemoth took a step forward, but the other infected made their move first. They dashed ahead towards their prey, looking for a quick kill. They didn’t get far.

As the first one tried to overtake the monster, he swatted his left hand into its head, blowing it into the wall with such force the zombie’s head split open. The second running zombie attempted to dash around his right, but an enormous hand clutched its torso. Lifting the helpless infected above his shoulders, the large creature grabbed his victim with both hands on each end. Howling with rage as he pulled, he ripped the zombie’s torso off, from the waist. Blood splattered everywhere: on the walls, floor, and even the killer himself. Tossing the two pieces behind him, he grabbed the last minor zombie and wrapped his fingers around his head. Squeezing viciously, the killer made the head blow up like a zit in his hands, coating it in crimson. That last body was tossed in front of Mandew and MG, foreshadowing what was to come.

Mandew couldn’t close his mouth. “Holy sh-” he began before MG snapped him out of it.

“L-let’s get out of here! B-before Big Rig does that to us!” He stuttered the sentence with surprising anxiety as he started running. Mandew followed his fearful companion as the two turned the corner, leaving the narrow alley behind them. The remaining normal infected stayed behind Big Rig, wary of getting “extinguished” like the ones before them. Bellowing once more, the large zombie gave chase.

MG and Mandew ran with amazing speed, despite the fact that they hadn’t had much time to compose themselves. Adrenaline shot through their legs and somehow kept them moving. The will to live was overwhelming.

“Wait up, Wild!” Mandew tried to shout, but the lack of energy dulled his voice. The heavy thumps behind them made Dew realize that Big Rig was close behind. It was slower than the more slender zombies, but it would catch up soon...

WG, who was much farther ahead of them, looked behind him to see the behemoth on their trail.

“Every man for himself!” he replied before pushing his legs even harder than before. MG grunted and began to run faster, too, but Mandew wasn’t as fortunate. As he tried to put in more energy, the baby started screaming uncontrollably - he was discomforted from the eratic movement and the monster’s screams. Throwing out his small arms and legs, he fought against Mandew’s hold forcing the cook to unconsciously slow in order to get a better grip on the baby. Big Rig closed in for the kill.

“Mandew!” MG screamed as he realized the danger that his friend was in. Making an immediate one-eighty degree turn, he ran back to save his friend.

Dew looked behind him to see the massive zombie looming over his frame, raising its hand to crush him in any which way. Frozen with fear, Mandew shut his eyes for imminent injury. Luckily for him, MasterGodzilla quickly stepped in. Jumping forwards to gain momentum, the daredevil swung his bat horizontally in hopes of breaking Big Rig’s arm and do some significant damage. The wooden bat struck the infected man’s risen appendage with a loud thud.

Nothing happened.

Shrugging off the blow, Big Rig used his same arm to smack MG back to the ground, making him grunt with extreme pain as he hit the unwelcoming pavement. The baby wailed continuously as Big Rig made lowered himself towards the quivering Mandew.

Wild saw it all unfold from a safe distance. He had a choice. If he continued to run, he would undoubtedly make it back to the car in one piece. It was the most logical decision, but his friends...

No. There was no point in surviving if it meant sacrificing everyone he knew. He was realistic, but not cold-hearted. Holding onto his weapon for dear life, he made a charge towards the monstrosity.

Big Rig wrapped his fingers over Mandew’s shoulders. The warm touch of the zombie’s pinkish flesh snapped sense into the cook as he squirmed, but it was too late. His grip was too powerful; he couldn’t escape. MG tried to get up, but was still stunned from the enemies’ blow. The baby cried even louder as Big Rig lowered himself towards his victims. His mouth opened wide, the odour of rotting flesh wafting into Mandew’s nostrils. The blood stained teeth that lined his orifice was reflected in the light of a nearby street lamp, nearing itself to the survivor and the baby.

WG brought back the iron pole into a stabbing motion as he neared the creature. “You want to eat?” he yelled as he thrust the weapon forward. “Taste this!”

Stabbing the pole towards Big Rig’s face, he violent thrust it into his eye and pushed it into the back of his head. A squishing sound could be heard as the gelatinous ball moved back in its socket. The pole was too big to fit, through, and only managed to dent the skull around the place of injury – but the damage was done. Howling with pained rage, Big Rig took his right hand off of Mandew and clutched his face, stumbling blindly. As built as he was, an attack on his sight could not be ignored. WG gave a superior smirk, looking towards Mandew and the child in his arms.

“Are you oka-”

Immediately, in revenge, Big Rig thrashed his other arm in anger and caught the vulnerable survivor - his curled fist hammering Wild into the ground like a train. WG screamed with pain as he crashed onto the pavement, his left shoulder hitting first and dislocating with a sickening pop. The iron bar flew from his hand into the background. Clutching the area of injury with his right palm, his body shook from the intense throbbing.

MG managed to stable himself and rushed over to Wild’s position. Helping his companion up, he lifted the gamer’s arm over his shoulder to aid his movement. “Let’s move before that guy recovers,” MG suggested, motioning towards the still flailing Big Rig.

Mandew nodded slowly as they started to run away once more. Big Rig’s erratic movement started to calm as the initial pain shock wore down, but was ambushed before he could move. The other previous running zombies - who had taken a back seat to the action - saw their giant brethren’s vulnerable state as a moment of opportunity. They made chase after the survivors, but Big Rig wasn’t done yet. Throwing his arms out, he caught one of the zombies and gave a strong punch to the face, blowing her back. He then targeted the others, focusing his attention on them for the time being. It was the distraction that the trio of teens needed.

“He’ll be back soon,” WG grunted amongst the heavy running breaths of his peers. “We can’t...we can’t lead him towards the car. He’ll get us before we can get in and drive away.”

“Then what can we do?” Mandew asked as they continued to move. Wild responded.

“There’s a gas station further down...I saw it while I was ahead of you guys.”

MasterGodzilla’s eyes opened at the thought.

“I have...hurgh!” WG grunted as the man carrying him stepped awkwardly. The pain jolted in his shoulder.

“Sorry,” MG quickly mentioned. Wild recomposed himself.

“I have a plan...”

-

Big Rig growled defiantly at the lesser zombies. One of them tried to move past him, but none of them were going to get their hands on his prey. The infected moved as fast as possible but wasn’t quick enough. Big Rig’s hand grabbed his leg and lifted the zombie’s entire body into the air displaying the raw power that made him such a threat in the first place. Bellowing a sound of superiority, his hand clenched harshly around the leg; the bone broke, forcing pained screams from the victim. However, Big wasn’t finished. Glancing at the rest of the zombies that cautiously surrounded him, he whipped his arm towards the floor, implanting the zombie with ferocious speed and power. The infected crumpled under the force of the blow, dead, as blood started to pool around his body.

Suddenly, he felt a weight around his back. Another one of those insects had latched onto his back, trying to destabilize the giant. Such petty tricks wouldn’t work...he was getting irritated by their efforts. Throwing his arms back, he caught the offender by the ribs. Ripping him off from his body, he tossed the female infected clear across the street, changing his target when she landed onto the roof of a truck.

One more insect dared to defy him. None of them had eaten in a while, Big Rig himself included, but he wasn’t willing to share the meal. He could get them all himself; there was no need for teamwork. The small zombie was fast, zipping left and right to dodge Big’s unrefined punches. His luck could only last for so long, though, as the enormous zombie stretched out his left arm to block his opponent from moving left. Drawing back his fist, he let loose a strike that hit the running zombie’s stomach, knocking out all the air in him as the lesser creature staggered. The blow also disrupted some inner organs, but Big Rig would make the kill before his victim could feel the effects. Raising both his arms over his head he swiped downwards in a hammer motion, crushing the zombie into the ground. The blow was so heavy that the zombie’s skull broke upon impact, but such facts were trivial to Big Rig. He didn’t have the capacity to comprehend such things. What was on his mind was his prey and how he would eat them – that was all.

Two more of the infected watched him with leering eyes, but didn’t move. Smart.

Now with his priorities straightened out, he turned to where his meal had run off too. His breaths were more ragged and deep – he was getting weaker by the moment. He would die soon if he didn’t get some energy. Though he was imbued with almost super strength and faster speed, every moment he felt his life being taken away from him. Other creatures like him were the same...over time they lost their strength and died. Eating would prolong survival...so he was always hungry.

Walking now to conserve his strength, he sensed the movement of his prey. They were scurrying around a building...but it offered no protection. He would reach them soon. He saw them using their weapons to hit machines. After hitting the object many times, a hole would open up and black liquid would pour out all over the ground. The large zombie didn’t know what to think of their actions...but there was nothing to think. He was getting weaker and would die without nourishment, and there they were. Maybe they didn’t notice him? Taking advantage of his apparent stealth, he kept his mouth closed as he approached the survivors.

-

MG smashed open the last gas machine at the station. The floor was coated in the dark substance as oil spilled all over. He motioned towards the inside of the station, where WG responded with a wave. Walking out of the door back outside, he handed MasterGodzilla a lighter. “I found a gun, too,” he stated, holding up the old firearm. “Behind the counter...I think it’s a red9.”

MG’s eyes bore holes into the weapon. He’d love to take it and just face Big Rig alone, forgetting their strategy. But he knew when to hold his tongue. He watched as the human tank closed the gap between them. It would all go according to plan...

Irony hit MG’s last thought like a bad jinx. Two more infected zombies made a gamble and dashed for the survivors, hissing wildly as they quickly passed the unsuspecting Big Rig. The giant tried to follow them, but without a head start he just couldn’t keep up. Wild took a quick look behind him. Mandew was still far away from the gas station. ‘Good’, the survivor thought to himself. Whipping out the awkwardly designed yet powerful pistol, he pulled the trigger on the nearest zombie.

A miss. He hadn’t stabled himself, and the pain in his shoulder wasn’t helping. MG rushed in, his bat poised.

“No!” WildGamer cried. “You don’t want to step in the gas!” It was too late.

MG immediately cracked the bat over the first running zombie’s head, the sound audible as its skull cracked and it dropped to the ground, unconscious. The second one managed to claw MG’s chest, significantly ripping his undershirt but barely missing flesh. Acting quickly, MasterGodzilla’s used his left hand to grab the offender’s outstretched arm; jerking it to the side and pulling the zombie’s body forward with the momentum. Vulnerable in that split second, MG regripped his bat and struck the zombie across its neck. The second one fell to the floor in a messy heap. The teen tried to take a quick breath.

The moment cost him. Big Rig entered the proximity and gripped MasterGodzilla’s neck with his right hand, lifting the survivor clear off of the ground. MG squirmed desperately as he tried to breathe in. He swung the bat in a craze, but the behemoth wouldn’t stand for it. Taking it away with his free hand, he clenched it with a vice grip and broke it in half.

Wild positioned the red9 once more. He didn’t bother to shout out his friend’s name, trying his best to focus on the beast. Closing one eye and seeing through the reticule of the pistol, he pulled the trigger once more. This time, the bullet hit its mark, going through Big Rig’s left kneecap. The sudden influx of pain jolted the giant and he dropped the near-suffocated MG to the ground. The pooled oil splashed as he landed, and the daredevil gasped for air.

“Get over here, quick!” Wild shouted to the still-lively man. MG shakily got up and hurried towards WildGamer’s position just outside the borders of the station. He whipped out the lighter.

WG snatched it. “You’re coated in gas. You’ll burn alive if you flick it on.” He motioned behind him in a rush, sweat beads dripping from his forehead in tension. “Back up behind me so no sparks of flame land on you.”

MasterGodzilla did so and WG flicked the lighter with his thumb, watching sparks emit from it. “Come on, come on...” he muttered, cursing silently. Big Rig stopped cringing from the pain of the bullet wound and started his slow acceleration towards the group.

A flame finally appeared. WildGamer tossed it towards Big Rig’s position and the lighter hit the oil-soaked floor. The reaction was immediate. The ground under the gas station exploded with violent orange flames, catching the giant zombie amongst its fiery tendrils. Roaring – a burning sensation searing all over his body - Big Rig out stretched his arm. His breaths were extremely heavy and ragged, as if he were going to die soon. His prey was so close. He just needed one bite...

The flames consumed everything in the vicinity of the gas station as it neared the gas tanks. WildGamer and MG immediately made a run for it. As they escaped, MG took one last look behind him.

Big Rig was walking through the sea of flames. Pure willpower – the primal desire for food kept him moving forward despite his flagging body. He pushed himself through the heat and burns to get his hands on the survivors, and he was nearing the end.

The flames reached the gas tank.

An explosion ripped through the air like a howling beast. The darkened streets light up as a ball of fire and power broke the air, the explosion consuming everything in its wake. The small earthquake and pure concussive force of the explosion blew MG and Wild off their feet as they ran towards the waiting Mandew. Hitting the ground harshly, they were quiet as the explosion completely obliterated any zombie nearby – Big Rig included.

Silence, besides the rampaging sounds of the flames.

WildGamer laughed. They were alive. Somehow, they had all managed to survive this ordeal. With his face on the ground, his energy wiped and unable to stand, he continued hysterics. MG soon chuckled with him.

The baby in Mandew’s arms continued to wail, the constant noise irritating his vulnerable ears. Mandew slowly rocked him in a rhythmic pattern, hushing him. Taking a good look, he figured the child to be around two years of age.

“What’s your name, little fella’?” he asked softly to the giggling baby – not really expecting an answer.

“Yoshio!” The baby chimed out in response, as his laughter permeated the atmosphere. The innocent sound somehow cleansed the air of all the hopelessness that this apocalypse had wrought, and for a moment, the teens felt that they may actually live past that night.

Previous | Next