(Unedited)
(A/N: Biggest Chapter yet, 2300 words. Pretty good eh?)
Mason sat cross-legged on the floor, back against the wall. He counted the bullets again, sliding each round from palm to palm, feeling the cold brass like tiny weights dragging his chest downward.
Ten.
Eleven.
Twelve.
Thirteen.
Fourteen.
Fifteen.
He closed his eyes, letting the number settle like a stone in his stomach. One magazine. That was it. A bitter sigh slipped out before he could stop it. "Fuck…"
He stared at the rounds a moment longer, then slid them carefully back into the magazine, pushing until the spring resisted and the final bullet clicked into place. Fifteen rounds between life and death.
He holstered the Glock, leaning his head back against the wall.
It wasn't just the ammo. Water was running low with just a few bottles left. Food wasn't far behind. Canned goods could only stretch so long, and they'd already eaten through most of what the orphanage had.
He knew they couldn't stay here. Not anymore. The solution had been obvious from the moment he first checked the cupboards.
His apartment.
It wasn't close. It wasn't easy. But it had everything they needed months' worth of MREs, bottled water, proper clothes, cleaning supplies, a stocked med kit, and weapons. His AR-15. His Beretta M9. Boxes of ammunition he'd slowly collected over the past year.
The apartment was small, but it had what they needed four walls, a locked door, escape exits and enough supplies to keep them alive.
He just had to get them there. Mason rubbed both hands down his face, pushing back the exhaustion threatening to drag him under.
"Tough shit," he muttered to himself. "Ain't got the luxury."
Across the room, Samantha sat on the couch with Cheshire curled against her leg, the dog's head resting peacefully on her knee. Samantha watched Mason quietly, her expression unreadable.
"Thats two bad words" she said softly.
Mason snorted a humorless laugh. "Yeah. Guess it is."
"You're thinking about leaving?"
He blinked, surprised she'd come to that conclusion on her own. "Yeah… I am."
Samantha nodded once, "Where?" she asked.
"My Apartment"
She swallowed. "You think its safe?"
He hesitated. Lying to her felt wrong. "It's… safer than here," he said. "Safer than staying somewhere with no supplies, no ammo, and nothing' but boarded windows holding' the world out."
"And your apartment has everything?"
"Yeah. Everything we need."
Samantha ran her fingers through Cheshire's fur, staring at the floor.
"So… we go?"
Mason pushed himself up, joints popping. "Yeah, kid. We go."
~~~
It didn't take long to gather their things, what little they had left. Mason packed the remaining cans, the bottles of water, the matches, and the first-aid kit. Samantha carried the lighter pack, filled mostly with food and small essentials. Mason took the heavier load and the hatchet he'd two days prior; it wasn't too sharp, but it was easier than a metal rod.
Cheshire padded beside them, tail stiff and ears alert.
Mason took one last look around the orphanage at the boarded windows, the dark hallway, the blocked door that would lead them out back to where the rest of their family is.
"Let's go," he said. Samantha slid her hand into his without being asked. Cheshire nudged the door with her nose.
~~~
The first block was quiet. Thankfully. Only the wind seemingly brave enough to make any noise.
Samantha stayed glued to Mason's side, one hand gripping Cheshire's leash tightly. "You ever… get scared?" she whispered.
Mason scanned the street in both directions, every rooftop, and every alley.
"All the time," he admitted. "But being' scared ain't the same as being' done. Fear keeps you sharp."
"I'm plenty sharp then," Samantha muttered.
Despite everything, Mason cracked a small smile. "I know."
They crossed the street, weaving between abandoned cars. Some had crashed into light poles. Others sat with doors open; airbags deployed. A stroller lay on its side near a mailbox. A pizza delivery bike rusted against a fence.
Halfway down the block, Cheshire stopped suddenly ears pricked, tail stiff as a rod, with a silent growl.
Mason froze. "What's she hearing'?"
A soft groan drifted from behind a vandalized sedan.
"Roamer," Mason whispered. "Stay behind me." He gripped the hatchet and stepped forward slowly, body low, shoulders tense.
The roamer staggered into view a woman, one arm hanging limp, head tilted unnaturally to the side. Her shirt was stained with dried blood, and her mouth hung slightly open; teeth bared.
She lunged as soon as he saw them.
Mason didn't give it the chance to get close. He met the roamer halfway, swinging the hatchet in a clean arc. The blade sank into the side of the skull with a bone-deep crack, and the roamer dropped instantly.
Mason exhaled hard through his nose and yanked the hatchet free.
Samantha watched, wide-eyed but steady. "You okay?"
"Yeah," Mason said, wiping the blade on the roamers clothes. "Just one. Let's keep moving before more show up."
They made good time, sticking close to fences and hedges, cutting through the shadows, avoiding long straight streets where walkers tended to wander.
At the corner of Willowbrook Lane, Samantha tugged lightly on Mason's jacket.
(A/N: Just made it the street names, cba to look for actual ones in Atlanta)
"I remember this street," she whispered. "We used to walk this way to school sometimes."
Mason nodded. "Yeah. We're not too far now. Just gotta get to the old laundromat and cut through the alley behind it."
"Is the laundromat safe?"
"Safe as anything' else," he said. "Just keep your eyes up."
Cheshire growled low in her throat.
Mason spun. Three walkers shuffled from the side of the laundromat drawn by the sound of footsteps, maybe, or the scent of something living.
A man with blood down his chin. A woman missing half her sleeve. A teenager in a letterman jacket.
"Shit…" Mason muttered. "Alright. Same plan. Behind me."
Samantha retreated a few steps, pulling Cheshire close.
The first walker rushed forward faster than expected a stumbling sprint powered by instinct alone.
Mason sidestepped and swung wide, the hatchet slicing down across its jaw. It fell hard, twitching once before going seemingly still.
The woman lurched next, grabbing for him. Mason shoved her back with his shoulder and swung downward, catching her across the skull.
The teenager came last. He was slower, dragging one leg. Mason stepped toward him, adjusting his grip.
"Sorry, kid," he muttered. The hatchet came down clean.
"AAaaHH" A terrifying scream rings out.
Masons heart leaped into his throat as he spun round; the first roamer that he struck didn't die. Now it's on its feet heading towards Sam. Mason bolted fueled by anger, fear and adrenaline as he watches the roamers' hands stretch closer to the only person alive he cares for.
No I won't make it.
Just as the hands of the roamer are about to wrap around Samantha's arm, a furry saviour leaps into action. Cheshire leaps onto the roamer, knocking it down and tearing into its throat. Giving Mason the time he needs to end it with a swing of his hatchet into the skull of the roamer.
Cheshire stops and looks to Mason, letting out a whine. "Good girl Cheshire. Good Girl" Mason gives her quick scratch between the ears before turning to Samantha
"You okay?" He asked her checking her over to be sure.
"Yeah," she whispered, shaking like a leaf. "You?"
Mason forced a small shrug. "Just tired."
"Me too." Mason pulls her into a hug.
Then he starts to hear something, a faint snarl, something dragging on the ground, objects being bumped into.
Mason lets Samantha go and cautiously walks to the end of the alley. One look onto the main road and he wished he didn't. What can only be described as a horde of roamers was heading their way.
"Oh, Fuck Me" Mason whispers in horror, before turning on his heel and running the fasting he's ever ran before. "Cheshire, Find home"
Cheshire stiffens, ears pointed as she turns spiriting off. "Mason wha-Oof"
Mason didn't bother stopping just scoping her up and putting her on his shoulder in a Fireman's carry.
"Oh shit" Samantha says looking at the small horde of roamers following after them.
On pure instinct Mason muttered, "Language"
*Woof Woof*
Mason looks toward Cheshire, sees her barking at two roamers leaving the bakery. "Fuck" Mason almost snarls out; they must make it past the Bakery to get to his apartment.
Pulling out his Glock, one shot takes down the roamer closest to Cheshire, another hits the shoulder, and the third puts down the last roamer.
Running past, the now permanently dead roamers. Mason glances back sees that he's put some distance between them and the horde, but not enough.
Nearly two blocks later with the horde still on their tail, Mason has started to slow down. "We're close," he said between pants quietly. "Real close."
"Put me down" Sam says wrigglingly
"Sam-"
"You can't carry me and fight roamers," Sam said, sliding off Mason's shoulder.
Looking back at the horde, Mason decides it's not worth arguing with the 9-year-old. "You stay close. Follow Cheshire no matter what" Samantha nods as the trio starts to run again.
Cheshire runs off ahead rounding the corner, almost scouting ahead. Mason and Samantha follow coming to a stop as they round the corner.
There it is at the end of the road, Mason's apartment. The only thing that could stop them now is the horde that is slowly coming closer, and the few roamers that stand between Mason and his apartment.
"There's only four, I'll shoot them" Mason tells Samantha, "When I do you run to the apartment"
Sam nods, "Okay"
Mason takes a breath, leveling his Glock on the nearest roamer in front of him. "Go"
*Bang*
One roamer drops dead, but the gunshot attracts the attention of the other three roamers that are wandering around the road. All three immediately start heading for the trio.
Mason follows after Sam and Cheshire, not even five steps behind them. Taking aim once again, Mason pulls the trigger, dropping the second roamer leaving only two left. Mason speeds up, coming level to Samantha as they run through the road.
"Left side, to the fire escape" Mason tells her between breaths, before taking out the third roamer, just one left.
Mason fires at the fourth roamer, hitting its jaw. It stumbles but keeps going the second shot lands right between the eyes killing it for good.
"There" Mason looks over to see Sam pointing at the fire escape.
"Good eye" Mason tells her as the jog over to the escape. "Hold this" He gives his Glock to Samantha who takes it tentatively. Mason takes a few steps back before running and jumping up to get the bottom of the Fire escape ladder, pulling it down.
"You first kid"
Sam doesn't argue, she just climbs the ladder quickly. "Alright, you'll have to pull Cheshire up"
"But she's heavy" Sam complains, Cheshire lets out a huff at the disrespect and insult.
"Your strong Sam, you can hold her" Mason picks Cheshire up with a grunt. Holding her above his head with difficulty, Sam wraps her arms around Cheshire and heaves her over the ledge and onto the steal platform. Letting out an "oof" as Cheshire lands on her.
"You good?" Mason asked, looking up. Sam and Cheshire heads pop out a smile on one face and a dopey looking smile on another.
A smile the drops as soon as it appears, "MASON BEHIND YOU"
Mason spins around to see the horde coming around the corner, but that's not what captures his full attention. A lone Roamer does.
It's just walking across the road before it stops suddenly and tilts its head in his direction. It lets loose the loudest snarl he's ever heard, then it does something chills him to the bone.
It doesn't limp towards him or stumble nor does it even walk.
It runs. It Fucking Runs.
Mason stumbles back reaching for his Glock only to freeze, he gave it to Samantha to hold. FUCK!
* Grrrwl*
The roamer is almost upon him, barely a few feet away.
Just as Mason's hand wraps around his hatchet, the roamer is there hands reaching; face contorted into a horrifying snarl.
The force of the roamer colliding into mason takes him off his feet and onto the ground.
Instinctively Mason reaches out and wraps his hand around the roamers neck. To keep it from biting him, while trying to free his other hand from behind his back. But the weight from himself and the roamer keeps it trapped.
Mason hears faint yelling and screaming. But he can't focus on anything other than the bloodied teeth that are ever so slowly toward his face and neck.
*Bang*
Blood splatters across his face. The roamer just stops and falls on top of his chest unmoving. Blood leaking onto him. Mason tosses the roamer off him and scrambles back. Heart beating a mile a minute.
He looks up onto the fire escape, Samantha is there breathing just as heavily as him, but her hands are steady. In those hands is his Glock.
Mason struggles to his feet, his body shaking as the adrenalin fades from his veins. He climbs the ladder, Samantha taking a few steps back to let him up.
He gets down to her level and just looks into her eyes. No words come out of his mouth, for none could even describe how grateful he is. Mason just opens his arms, and Sam runs into them.
He can feel her shake, as a sob escapes her. "Thank you, Sammy, I love you"
(A/N: I was quite unhappy with some things in this chapter, mostly the escape from the horde. But I'll work on bettering my writing)
~End