17 Survive

Jackie's arms wrap around my chest from behind, and she pulls herself tight against me, "I'm really sorry…"

Her apology no longer matters.

I tuck the pistol into my waistband and retrieve my knife once more. It wasn't the best weapon, but it will have to work.

The gargantuan beast is closing the distance with every step and is clearly drawn to the convenience store. It is only a matter of time before I have to face the foe, and sorry wouldn't change that. There is no way we can carry the provisions we gathered with us and live, I realize as I look at the full cart.

My voice becomes cold as I consider the possibilities, "That doesn't matter now. You just need to run away while I distract it. I'll be fine."

I feel her head nod on my back as the enemy emerges into my full view. I'm beginning to become numb to the grotesque appearances of these monsters. However, I'm still surprised by the hulking mass of muscles before me. It bulged as if it were going to split the skin, barely resembling a human at this point.

The creature lacks eyes, instead, the entire face is just a flap of skin with faint indentations where the features would exist, as if it was wearing the skin suit as a mask.

I give up on being able to down my enemy like the others. I would need a step-ladder to reach its head, and destabilizing such a large being seems impossible. There was only one solution.

I snap my fingers and lower the volume of every action, unsure how it would help me, and rush to the back of the store as I realize our cover was blown. It may not be able to see, but somehow it had detected our whereabouts and was walking a straight line toward us.

'Thankfully, it is slow." I yell to Jackie as my voice is reduced to a whisper. If it were a speed-based enemy, we'd already be dead.

I snap back to the situation at hand as the destroyed car that had tumbled through the street is once again on the move. With a swift kick, the creature directs it toward the front of the store, where it comes crashing through the tall windows, creating an entrance and crushing our cart.

"Go!" I push Jackie to the side and hope she doesn't freeze in fear before I rush to the enemy.

It will be easier to face it outside, where I can maneuver, instead of trying to avoid its blows in a narrow store aisle.

Silently, I dive through the former window into the street and attempt to attract the monster's attention, which works. The acrid smell of smoke fills my lungs upon my return outside. Almost predictably, my foe turns toward me and snarls before it raises both fists and strikes the ground.

The ground trembles as I face off against this pissed-off variant. Gripping my knife tightly, I only attempt to maintain my footing and a safe distance as I begin to circle my foe.

'If that thing hits me, I'm done,' I gulp as I see the cracked pavement emanating from its impact site.

Relief washes through me as I see Jackie's vibrant red hair retreating behind the beast. She is able to return to the alley, where she will be safe from the destruction.

'She's safe. It's time.' I consider retreating for a moment, but it is hopeless. I still don't know how it detected us, and there's no way a couple of vending machines would hold this thing back.

I have to kill it.

I readjust my grip on my knife and shoot out toward the creature in a mad dash. I'm not confident in my ability to topple my opponent with sheer strength, but I have to try.

Unfortunately, it isn't going to make it easy, as it throws a fist at me.

I narrowly dodge the attack of my enemy and land a flying kick on their knee. For a moment, a glimmer of hope fills my eyes. The first attack is a success!

I prepare my follow-up movements in my mind as all of my momentum is directed at the feeble joint of this beast, 'Once it is down, I have to finish it quickly.'

My body continues driving into the kick, expecting the knee to buckle at any moment, before my confidence is shattered. It wouldn't budge!

My eyes widen as both arms close in on me.

I swiftly use the monster's leg as a springboard and leap to the side, rolling to create additional distance. While rolling, the pistol slips from my waistband and falls onto the street.

'I got ahead of myself…' I stare at the pistol in front of me, accepting the truth.

No matter how much I want to save the ammunition, now isn't the time. I toss my knife into my weak hand and reach for the firearm. I jump to my feet the moment my roll is over and take a one-handed shooting stance toward my target. The weight of the gun feels impossible to overcome.

I can't afford to miss.

Inhaling deeply, I calm my nerves, and my hand's shaking subsides, 'I know how to shoot. I've hit more difficult targets. I can do this.'

The sound of destruction rings out as my hand jumps from the recoil of the powerful handgun. The faint scent of gunpowder is added to the smoky air as the bullet leaves the barrel. I focus on the towering giant and pray that my aim is true.

The same putrid blood blooms from the creature's head as my bullet finds its mark.

"Thank god," I lower the pistol as my heart begins to relax, waiting only for my opponent to drop to the ground.

Blood streamed from the wound on its face but didn't slow its stride.

The realization comes too late, as a flailing arm grazes me and throws me across the street toward the alley.

'Shit, I need something bigger.' I groan in pain as I pull myself from the ground.

Blood streams down my face and arms as I evaluate my condition. I can still move, but the road rash is going to slow me down. The cuts on my arms aren't deep, and, other than my pounding headache and some blood on my face, my injuries don't feel severe.

'Jackie should have reached the apartments by now…' Considering the men inside, it wasn't the best option, but it was all we had.

Deciding that I can't face the beast alone, I retreat into the alley as it marches toward me. My soft footsteps are overtaken by the sound of destruction that barrels behind me as the creature's every step echoes down the narrow passage.

It doesn't take long before I reach the end of the alley, and help is right around the corner. As long as we work together, we will be capable of overcoming this obstacle. 'After that, I'll figure out a way to get Jackie out…'

Nothing would matter if I died again.

I'm about to turn the corner when I overhear a familiar voice that stops me in my tracks and ignore the death that follows me.

"Let me go!" Jackie's sobbing voice strikes my soul.

"Stop fighting! The others can't save you. You can be my little slut now!" A burst of maniacal laughter accompanied the gruff voice.

'Fucking Garret!'