"So this is the hospital?"
It's a building that barely resembled a hospital, in some sense all they can see is haunted house with hospital theme, a dilapidated building riddled with bullet hole and a giant crater gaped on the sides that makes one wonder if someone hit the building with wrecking ball. Not only that, the once white wall had been repainted into bloody red color, with body strewn everywhere, and the smell of rust is thick in the air, it looked less like a place to heal and more like a slaughter house.
"They should have called this morgue instead of hospital." Gina murmured as she watch this so called hospital.
They are wondering what happen around here yet no one dare enough to explore, all of them got cold feet, afraid of what wait them inside.
"Apothecary then?" Stella suggested, her voice barely whisper as she pulled her backpack closer.
"Yeah" The four of them agree unanimously.
Any lingering sense of adventure vanished instantly, doused like a campfire under cold water.
They had absolutely zero interest in finding out what lay inside nor what's waiting for them inside that hospital.
"If I'm not mistaken there should be an apothecary just ten minutes driving from here," Stella added.
"Ten Minutes?! And we are walking?"
*Boom!
A loud explosive echoed from deep within the building, the hospital shook violently, dust and shattered glass raining down from the upper floor, as the thing inside trying to get out.
Sensing immediate danger, the group scrambling their feet running as fast as possible distancing them from the hospital.
*Boom!
Another blast shook the ground. A follow up explosion that seems to tear the building apart. Despite the distance the girls can feel the vibration under their feet at this point none of them dare to look backward to see the creature hiding within the hospital.
*WAAAGH!
The wall collapses and the creature burst into the daylight. It let out a deafening roar as the sun began to scorch its flesh. A blistering form on the skin and thick dark smoke poured out of its body, making the air filled with the stench of burning meat. Yet, despite all the agonizing pain, the creature refused to back down. It's was far too stimulated by the scent of fresh prey, excited enough to override the agony of the burns.
Despite all that frenzy, The creature was greeted by a silent world. The prey had vanish as if it was some kind of mirage, an empty world devoid of wandering zombie nor the sound whistle wind. Realizing the meal has slipped away, the creature can only let howl of frustration knowing that its prey has escape, it began throwing tantrum unleashing it's fury to the environment.
Finally, no longer able to ignore the burn, the creature began to back away, it let out a few more furious roar, before retreating back into the dark hospital.
Another day and more hiding, this day Rin felt like she has spent half of her life holding her breath, if this keep going on she might be become a professional freediving capable of holding breath for a minutes.
'This is insane' Rin can only grumble as she trying to catch breath.
They had run deep into the alley, praying the creature won't track them, luckily, the creature didn't go far from the hospital. Yet, she couldn't help but wonder what kind of nightmare hiding inside that hospital.
*click
A door suddenly swung open. The group tensed, readying their weapons, only for a young boy to charge out brandishing his frying pan.
He wildly swung his frying pan around and creating commotion while screaming "Death to all flesh eater!".
"Chloe!!" Rin barked.
The two moved swiftly to subdue him. Chloe caught his arm, blocking the swing, while Rin delivered a swift kick straight to his nuts.
"Oof, That's gotta be hurt," Gina commented, leaning down to poke the groaning "You shouldn't scream so loud during zombie apocalypse, you know".
"Brother!!!"
A girl run passing Rin and Chloe before shoving Gina away. "You monsters!"
Though the girl was trembling , she stood bravely over her fallen brother, standing in front of the group while pointing a kitchen knife, threatening them, daring them to move forward.
"Two kid?" Gina observe the kids, making the girl uncomfortable.
The knife trying to slash Gina face, she took a step back easily dodge the kid knife, before letting out a teasing grin.
Smack.
Stella deliver a hand chop to Gina's head, stopping her from scaring the kids even further. "Stop scaring the kids, watch this big sis calm them," She turned to the little girl, offering a warm smile, bringing out her big sister energy "Are you alright, big sis already defeat that weirdo for you"
"Who are you calling weirdo, I haven't even done anything" Gina protest.
"I... I'm warning you back off, or I will stab you!" The little girl gives her best threat as she brandish her knife."
"It's okay... We come in peace"
"Stella tried her best to look harmless, but her smile only mad her look more suspicious making the girl doubt her more as she felt something hidden under that facade," Rin acts like a narrator before Stella shut her mouth.
"Shut up, Rin, you are making it worse."
"What kind of person saying we come in peace, are you an alien" Chloe chimed in, rolling her eyes before teasing her "And wipe your droll".
"Ehhh, did I?" Flustere, Stella quickly wiped her mouth from the nonexistence droll, only to realized it's completly dry.
"Chloe!!!!" She fumed
"Ehem. Anyways,"Rin interrupted, stepping forward, "We didn't mean any harm, we just escape from unknown monster and hid in this alley, as for your brother, that was a self defense"
Rin explains their reason, trying to lower the tension, yet the girl didn't bite any words from her and the boy still shaking in pain.
Rin cleared her throat and offered a diplomatic smile. "We are very sorry. My name is Rin the wisest one in this group, this is Chloe the barbarian, this thug wannabe is Gina and the weirdest one is Stella. Just watch out for her"
A collective uproar immediately followed, as none of them appreciated the nicknames Rin gives.
"D...Don't bully my sister" The boy muttered, as he slowly regaining strength to stood up, his legs was shaking while tears and snot filled his face.
"It's okay we will hold Stella back" Rin gives a bright smile, watching the boy vigor
"Why me?!" Stella wailed.