Chapter six - plan gone wrong

Chapter six- Plan gone wrong.

 Daywalkers are sensitive to light, Nightwalkers are sensitive to sound and smell combine with aggressiveness, but the Predator's formidability is what makes it stands out. Just as planned, we stay far away from the barracks then Larry launched the first explosive decoy which is supposed to attract the Predator. After the loud blaring noise. 

 “Are you sure it's going to come?” Mel asks as we all watch the gate from a hill, afar.

 Eddy peered through the binocular. “Sure, we just have to wait”. 

We all bent down as soon as we heard a rustling sound approaching. The animalistic growl and swift movement cannot be mistaken. The sound begins to fade after a while. We hurry down into a pit then Larry's drone took off. 

 While in the pit we watch the footage capture by the drone from above, the progressive movement of the Predator into the barracks. It slides open the gate then it stepped in but it suddenly it hesitates and looked straight at the drone above.

“He can't see us, can he?” I ask.

Larry snort. “There's no way it's able to figure out what this is, it's not as smart as humans”

“Xiao, initiate decoy B, Mel, Adam cover her" Eddy ordered.

 Xiao climbs out of the pit while Mel and I stood an aim at the barracks gate, should in case the Predator spots her, we'll be able to slow it down. Xiao move slowly to the fifth tree on the left, she pauses and looks around, trying to figure out what she's looking for.

“Be fast, it's coming out of the barracks” Larry says.

“Found it!”. Xiao bent and pulled a thread. Instantly, the sound of a machine gun echoes, shooting sporadically. Several shots fire at the Zombie then Xiao rushed into the pit breathing hard.

 As expected, the predator stayed away from the bullet after sustaining some gunshot wound, growling in anger, it dashed towards the direction of the shooting which leads into the explosive room inside the barracks, finally we're able to lure it.

Eddy tapped Larry's shoulder. “Get ready” 

 The gunshot stopped as the predator break down the explosive room door and rushed in.

“Now!”

Larry pulls out a small remote from his pocket, he raises his above the pit, then he presses the button with his thumb. Several loud bangs echoed repeatedly, coupled with the chirping sounds of birds fleeting away for their lives. The ground vibrate, sending a powerful explosive shockwave which covers the pit with sand. We all bend down and close our eyes, waiting for the sound to suppress. Finally, it did.

 After a long while, Eddy climbs out of the pit, then we follow. My hairs were covered in sand, I wipe off the sand particles, scratching my hair scalp as sand particles begins to drop off.

We watch the blazing remnants of the barracks. The strong smoke partially covered the sky, making it look darker. For a while, I wonder why we're still waiting, our plan worked, and we should be on our way.

Eddy's fix his eyes at the fire in front, he holds on to his handgun as he stands still, we waited for his orders, but he didn't seem to be conscious of what's going on, his mind seems to be occupied with thoughts roaming his head. Finally, Xiao break the silence.

 “We should be on our way”

 Eddy raises his left right-hand, then he clenches it.

 He turns to Xiao,” Wait for it”.

 Larry chuckled. “Wait for what? Come on, this thing is long dead and barbecued”.

 Eddy remains still. Almost thirty minutes past and nothing seem to happen, except for the fire which is beginning to suppress. If not for the slow movement of the daywalkers, we would be crowded by now. Wasting my ammo on something that could be prevented isn't worth it.

I turn to Eddy who's still staring blankly at nothing, I moved close enough to talk to him. 

“I think we should-”

“Shhh,” He cut me off without turning to look at me. Eddy reach for his left holster and pulled out his other sidearm, quickly, he aims at what's left of the blazing barracks. I turn to look at what his eyes are fixed at, still, I see nothing until a human figure out of the fire.

“Is that what I think it is?” I ask, but I got no response, immediately I pull the shotgun from the side pouch of my backpack. I crack the gun and aim forward.

 The blazing body moves out of the flame, its body is as dark with cracks as charcoal and smoke evolving out of it body. The wind blows the little flame on it burning body, and almost immediately it opened its bloodshot eyes. Instantly, I felt like someone who just sights a ghost as I read the anger written all over its black face. In a millisecond, millions of questions floods in my head.

Eddy's voice snaps me out of my vain thoughts. “Contact!" He shouted at the top of his voice. 

Bullets riddled through the Predator, but we all emptied our magazines in vain. It flinched a bit, but our effort did not make any difference, the bullets dropped momentarily then its skin begins to heal.

“To the Rovers!” Eddy shouts, pointing towards the roadside. 

*****************

We all took heels, realizing there's nothing else to be done, the predator is unbendable than we imagined. Mel and I run towards the Land Rover at the left, closer to the roadside. Xiao and the others rush into the first Land Rover while Larry drives away. 

The plan is to drive north in case things goes wrong, Xiao decides we meet at a river below a mountain in case we split up.

 The thudding footstep of the predator behind me sent a shiver to my spine, I run alongside Mel, I'm some inches close to the vehicle when she suddenly slips and fall.

 I stopped running on hearing Mel screaming. Quickly, I turned to see the predator dragging her by the hair, his body already heal up, still, its naked skin is wrinkled but free from scars. 

  Mel pulls out her knife from her knee sheath stabbing the predator severally, but it seems fruitless. 

 I really don't know what to do at that moment knowing that the predator will kill Mel anytime time from now, 

 'Remember rule two'- Eddy's words ring inside my head, but a decision has to be made. Larry and the others are gone. And In cases like this-there's only two options.

 Suddenly, the predator shove its fingers into Mel's chest, she grunts with her eyes wide open. Mel spout blood from her mouth as It pulled out its bloodstained hand quickly to make another strike. I throw my rifle aside, and grab my shotgun, aiming at the predator's hand. It fingers splatters as I pulled the trigger. Without hesitating, I fired again, peeling off half of its cheeks. The shotgun seems to be more effective than my rifle's tiny bullets. 

The predator bolts to me as soon as he throws Mel aside. I slide under his arm and shoots him from behind, the bullet bore a large hole through his chest from behind due to the close range shooting, staggering backwards, I fired repeatedly in close range, the closer the effectiveness. Finally, I point the gun at his head after breaking both knees, the bullets splattered its skull as soon as I pull the trigger, resulting in a big hole in its forehead.

 I place Mel on my shoulder immediately, knowing that it's just a matter of time before the Predator returns to its feet. 

 She sits on the passenger side, while I sit in front of the steering.

 By now, predator is on his feet. My hands are shaking as I start the vehicle, pulled the gear and stepped on the accelerator. My driving skills are poor, but We have to get away from the monster before it gets to us. I grip my hand on the steering, and I sight the predator running after us.

I thump my feet on the accelerator trying to escape the enemy behind whom seem relentless. As expected, the predator runs after the vehicle. Quickly, I swerve to the tarred road with full speed, sighting the predator who's an inch closer. 

Thankfully, A daywalker shuffled out of the forest bumping into the predator who suddenly collides with it, the Predator pulls the Daywalker closer and tear it apart, feasting on its half decayed body. Finally, that will buy us sometime.

“Adam”

 Mel said weakling, as I look away from the mirror, then I notice the big tree in front. Quickly, I turn the steering to the left, again I stray to the forest, bashing everything in my path. 

To make matters worse, my legs were fixed on the accelerator, while I try to figure out the brakes, but the vehicle is moving too fast and unsteady as it keeps jerking anytime it climbs a tree root or big rocks.

 I slam the pad beside the accelerator's pad, but it's too late, the car bash a tree and my head slam on the dashboard.

 *****************

***********************

 A sharp headache kicks in almost immediately I open my eyes, which seem heavy. I hiss as the pain feels like a hammer continuously hitting my head. A voice startles me, bringing me back to reality.

“Adam, are you ok?”

 My sight is still blurry, but I manage to respond by humming.

 “You're hurt” the voice says again, but this time I recognize it.

I shook my head in response as I look around me, it's past sundown and the moon already sets in, I must have been unconscious for long. I lay back trying to manage the temporary ache in my head which is very much likely to fade soon, being a meta save you time and drugs.

Furthermore, I turn to Mel, who's still seated.

“How long have you been awake?” I ask lowly.

“I didn't pass out”, she grips her seat belt. “Five years ago, my dad sustained a serious injury in the head which led to a coma for three months. Luckily, he survived and ever since, it's been a culture in my family- Seat belt comes first”.

 I stare at the lights inside the car, the amber headlights and rear red light are also switched on. “Did you turn on the lights”.

She nods. “Yes, those nighwalkers would have crowded here if not for these lights. While you were unconscious, some daywalkers try to force their way in, but they aren't smart enough. The nightwalkers needed to be kept at bay”

 As soon as she stopped talking, a zombie dash, it groaned while covering its eyes. I sighed in relief, at least we're safe. 

“I just don't know how long the battery will last.”

 “I hope it last until morning,” I say.

Mel hiss and grunts, then I turn to see fresh blood oozing from her chest. She's still bleeding, how's that possible? Her face is covered in sweat as she keeps breathing hard. I looked around, but my bag is nowhere to be found, that moment I recalled where I left it.

 Mel's eyes were beginning to redden with dark circles under them, while her face is beginning to lose most of its tan color. She's burning up, I can feel her hot breath as she turns to me. For a moment, I tried not to give in to my thoughts, it's not possible, she can't turn into one of those things.

 “Adam, Can you help me check on my wound, I can't move my arms well at now”. 

 Her fingers begins to twitch, and I wondered how much pain she's feeling now? There's got to be a way to help her.

Firstly, I unstrap her belt, tossing it aside then she breathes deeply as I begin to unbutton her shirt, after unhooking the fourth button from below, I pause. At that moment, I noticed she's not on underwear, as I sights the bottom part of her breast. 

“Just get on with it” she says, hurtfully.

Mel moaned painfully as I peel off the blood soaked part of her shirt which already stick to her chest. I try not to stare at her breast, pretending not to notice the nice curvy shape of her bosom with the pink nipples pointing straight to my eyes. My heart raced as a million thoughts filled my mind, but I shake it off and focused on the bleeding part at the top of her chest close to her shoulder blade. 

The wound looks really messy, as puss flows out of it, I noticed the dark purple color at the edges of the wound, it's been infected.

 I search around the car trying to find any first aid kit, then lay back and take a deep breath, realizing that there's none. She begins to wheeze as fresh blood mixed with puss flow out of the wound again. Accidentally, I spot a small black, pointed object inside her wound. Quickly, I reach for my knife and place it at the edge of the warm wound.

 “What are you doing?” She asks.

I unfasten her seat belt.

“There's an object in your wound,” I say, then I look closely, “it's the Predator's finger nail.”

 “Shit." She looks away.

“I guess it's the reason you aren't healing.”

 “What are we going to do now, Adam I'm I'm pains” she says, almost bursting into tears. 

“Don't worry, I'm going to give you a small cut to expand the wound surface, then I'll pull out the nail”.

 She sighed and nods her head quickly. “Go on” She whispers.

Fresh blood pours out as I cut the wound, she hissed deeply, trying not to shout. Slowly, I pulled out the bloodstained knife and placed it on the dashboard. Mel's chest is covered in blood, but I'm not done yet, I wonder how much blood she's lost in the past few hours.

 She grinned and clench her fist as I stick two fingers into the soft wound, I could feel her heart beating fast, sweat from her chin drips on my hand, the broken nail is caught in-between my fingers. I turn to looked at her tiring eyes, instantly, I pull the object out. 

Mel squalled as blood squirt out of the wound, she clench her fist and hit her laps repeatedly as she groans.

She lay back gently, pressing a piece of clothing on the bleeding surface.

***************

An hour past and Mel wound isn't healing up, though the bleeding stopped but the surface now wider.

 I looked away as she wore my shirt, pretending like I didn't see her half naked moments ago. I try to distract myself away from the thoughts of her bosom, this is the wrong time to have lustful thoughts.

“Adam, can you-” Her low voice trailed off as she points to the seat adjuster. I turn the iron adjuster by the seat side slowly, the back rest of the seat to tilt horizontally making her to lay flat just like sleeping on a bed. Mel sighed after laying comfortably.

 “Thanks” she mutter before shutting her eyes.

 I remain awake while watching the Nightwalkers roam around, some tried to bypass the lights, but they can't get close to us. It pains to look at food without having to eat it. 

 My stomach rumbles several times reminding me that I need to put something inside, I only had few chocolate bars last night before the Predator hunt, my plan is to eat something after the Predator's execution, but things turned out to be worse than we expected. 

 I corked my handgun slowly trying not to wake Mel, she deserves to sleep after all she's been through today. Having look around to make sure coast is clear, I pulled the door lock slowly then after hearing the tick sound, I pushed it open.

 “Where are you going?” Mel's voice startled me, I jerk backwards turning to her. 

“I'll be back, I'm going for a supply run” I said, calmly.

“It's not safe out there”

“Don't worry I'll be back before you know it…get some rest”

 I shut the door behind me, looking around for a while before marching into the forest carefully. 

I followed the car trail into the forest, trying to spot my backpack. Mel and I need to be equipped for the next day and since we're both alone, one handgun won't be enough if we're surrounded by zombies.

 I arrive at the main road trying to retrace the barracks where I dropped my bag while I was fighting the Predator. 

 After wandering around the cold dark forest for a while I spotted an army green bag in front, at last. Slowly, I move away from the tree where I stood, but a rustling sound makes me pause immediately. Zombies shuffled close to my bag, I quickly hide behind a tree trying not to be spotted by half a dozen of nightwalkers standing around my bag. 

 "Shit" 

 After waiting for almost an hour, they seem not to go away anytime sooner, and I'm sure Mel is waiting for me. The zombies on the other hand keeps looking around like they are trying to find something.

 A zombie drops as I squeeze the trigger. Instantly, the others turn towards my direction, growling with their disfigured mouth. I pull out my knife and tighten my fist on the handle. 

“You want a piece of me, come and get it.”

Two zombies bolts to me in a stagger manner, but one drop as I pull the trigger again, lodging a bullet in its forehead. 

 The one behind get closer to me, I shove the knife into its chin. Another one appear from behind, quickly, I pull out the knife immediately and stabbed it in the neck. Congealed blood spurt out of its neck, and before I pulled the blood stained knife, two others rush towards me. Instantly they fell to the ground as I pulled the trigger, a bullet riddled into their forehead, I kill two Zombies with a single shot.

 I thrust my gun into the left holster, walking to my backpack on the ground waiting for me.

 The exciting feeling of relief suddenly cut short as I get closer. I lift my bag, but the weight sent disappointment down to my stomach. My feet turn cold as I dig into the bag, the zips are open, and the contents are gone. My shotgun, my packed food, my ammunition, everything is gone.

 For a while, I wondered what occurred here. Zombies don't ransack supply bags, certainly they ain't the one who took the guns and supplies. Eddy and the others left before us, did they come back to get the supplies? 

Growls of zombies approaching snap me out of my thoughts? The gunshot must have attracted the zombies, fighting is of no use now that I have limited ammo, I stand up on my feet and run away.

 Things are worse when I return to the car, the doors are open and the light bulbs are missing. 

I bolt to the car, as soon as I sight the shattered piece of glass on the ground, my heart raised. Mel is gone. It's very strange and hard to believe, this is no Zombie handiwork, someone took her. 

I look around aimlessly, it's dark and lack of supply worsens it. I can't leave her behind.

 I wander aimlessly for almost an hour trying not to run into hoards of flesh eaters, it's raining heavily as thunder clapped severally. Thoughts of what could have happened made me curious, a scream from a distance gets my attention. Impulsively, I trace the sound, bolting as quick as my legs can carry. I caught a glimpse of some men pulling another humanoid figure, probably a female, as soon as they stepped in front of a vehicle headlamp, my heart dropped. 

A man groan and fall as I pulled the trigger, the others took cover behind some cars parked, while one of them pull the female into a building. 

 I crouch behind a wall as the endless shooting begins, a low growl beside me gets my attention, but I was faster to stab the staggering zombie in the forehead, it froze and drop as I pulled out the knife.

 As soon as the shooting stopped, I shift out of cover and fired another bullet, but I missed. 

The men retaliate with another round of shooting, they seem not to be bothered about running out of ammo. My gun ticks as I pull the trigger once more.

 “Oh no” I say.

 Quickly I hid behind the wall then I eject my empty magazine and toss it away knowing that I'm left with a knife, it's best I come up with a better idea.

 “Ok! Ok!!” I shout.

 The gunshots echo trailed off, a total silence goes on for a while then I decide to talk. 

“I don't want any trouble” I say, loudly but calmly. “Give me the girl, and I'll be on my way”.

 A roar of laughter made me realize how ready these men are. “Get away mate, she is ours” someone says.

 “Go masturbate while we yank off on her face” Another man says in a strange accent, infuriating me. 

“Why don't you come out and let's discuss man-o-a-mano" the earlier voice speak again.

 I clench my fist, trying to process my plan. Quickly, I rushed out of cover, running as fast as I can but a gunshot on my chest slam me to the ground. 

I'm just a few yards away from them, the pain is extreme, but I try not to flinch, I bit my lips to fight the urge of shouting. The bullet wound felt like a hot red iron pierced through my heart. 

I can hear a footstep approaching, my eyes are wide open but fixed on a spot. One of the men pointed his torch to my face, but I try not to blink, I remain steady waiting for the right time. He scoffed and turn to the others behind him.

 “He's dead,” he says.

 “Take his gun,” another man nearby says.

Finally, my body healed and the bullet fall out of my back, I draw my knife slowly and suddenly then the man in front of me gruff as I shove the knife into his back.

“What the hell!” A man in front shouts as he points his gun towards me.

 The others shoot at me, but I use the stabbed man as a body as a shield. I pulled a handgun from his holster and shoot quickly at the others who drop-dead immediately, foolish humans seem easy to kill than zombies. One thing I don't understand is why humans still choose to be evil despite the situation at ground.

“Adam,” a female voice calls.

“Mel!” I shout. As soon as I recognize the voice, I trace it to a building nearby.

 I sight Mel and a man pointing a gun to her head while she knees weakling. His bloodshot eyes fix to mine. I felt sorry for Mel, despite being tough, her wound makes her weak and vulnerable.

“I don't want any more death, give me the girl, and I'll be on my way,” I say.

 A thunderclaps as I raise my gun.

The dark skinned, heavy beard man points his gun to me, but he missed his shot.

He drops immediately, I burst open his forehead by squeezing the trigger. I rushed to Mel and knee beside her.

“It's ok, I'm here now”

She smiled and shook her head. “Thank you”. 

 We sat inside the building, exposed to the dangers of the night. I can't imagine that humans can still be cruel in a world like this. The rain fall heavily, thunder clapping and wind blowing raindrops to different direction. Mel rested her head on my shoulders, while I try not to imagine what those men would have done to her if I didn't save her. I take a look at the men corpse once again and I feel ashamed; after all they're also human, but the beast in them is no different from the flesh eaters. I hold on to my gun, but gradually,I doze off.