The Morning After

Racing down the hall once again this time sober more than ever struggling to button his shirt as he ran down slamming the elevators button as he dashed inside seeing another family there giving him odd stares as he brushed his hair back giving a soft smile calmly buttoning the rest of his shirt as he began to press the button for the lobby door.

"Sorry. Late for morning breakfast. Love your shoes by the way. Really brings out your eyes."

Inside was a mother, father, a baby in a stroller and a young girl to be just about his age. Clearly he was speaking to her and the dad seemed to get a little defensive about it however just before the father could speak, the doors had opened and Alex was once more on the run. Dashing through the lobby as he jumped over a small couch going through the spinning doors as he stood outside adjusting himself and wiping off the sweat from his head, he walked over to the side of the building seeing his friends all gathered around, eating with each other as he calmly showed up everyone else cheered. The one lost has now been found.

"Damn G what happened to you last night. One moment you're there next you disappear."

One of the males spoke up holding a bottle in hand. Wasn't it to early to drink? No matter Alex doesn't drink in general. Being only nineteen he still follows the American laws.

"Well Joey. It all started when I blacked out. After I woke up at Kim's door and from there I am here so honestly I don't know what happened last night nor could I even attempt to remember."

Everyone gave off a laugh as Alex sat down next to a black haired female, with eyes such as chocolate. She was tiny and sweet. Which is why the group named her.

"Morning Candy. How'd you sleep?"

Alex would ask as she looked up clearly didn't get good enough rest.

"Sleep? Joey and Anna couldn't wait to get to their own room and did it right there where I slept. I slept in the bathroom and it still couldn't drown out the sounds she and he would make. I can't take them two anymore. Let me sleep in your room tonight please?"

It was funny hearing her speak of them having sex. She wasn't the oldest but was older than Alex. But in his eyes she is a child. Innocent and small.

"Woof, that sounds rough. Yeah you can spend the night for as long as you'd like. But I love playing video games so... well I don't even rage like the others so yeah man kick it with me."

Yes he would often still spend his vacation get away playing video games the moment he got into his hotel room. Never was he not playing video games. Though he did have other hobbies such as writing and photography. But his photos were never of people or major scenery. It was often of small things, little things not everyone bothered to take a photo of. He enjoyed it and every artist has their own works.

"I got about five pounds left of weed. Which strand fuck I ain't even know. Rocky you down? Who else is down?"

Kevin. Fuck Kevin. Well at least Alex wouldn't hesitate to kick his ass. Yet the only reason he came was because a few folks here are friends with him. By the everyone but Alex is friends with him. For the Rocky character. That's Alex's cousin. Rocky, also known as Odin. Why? Well he gave himself that nickname yet no one calls him that. But overall he's a great guy to hang out with and kick it with. You ever need a good smoke he's your guy.

"I feel rather than smoking your lungs out why not come with us on this amazing hiking trail we found just yesterday. Come on you guys want to spend the last month of the Vaycay drinking smoking and partying?"

Anna, she's like to think she is the leader of the group or the mom of the group but no. She's just the one who gets her world rocky by Joey. Joey being a friend of Alex's. Out of everyone here the things all have in common beside musics and individual interests are some how one way or another all are friends with Alex. Even himself he doesn't know a majority of all the names around him but he makes do.

"Did you get the warning? Something about a shooting I don't know really but stuff was going crazy up north in the island. Yeah at some hospital dead bodies all over."

A women had been walking by dressed as if she was going into some business meeting as Alex barely over heard the conversation as helicopters began to fly over the city. What seemed to be hundreds flying around. They weren't sure what exactly was going on but this was a sight to taken in. As they zoomed on by Alex along with a few others stood from their seat. Mostly trying to make sure everyone else stays calm but Alex was more curious grabbing a waffle as he began to take a bite from it. Soon just rope began to descend what seemed to be a mixture of U.S army men and possibly Russian Military began to climb, or maybe best said slide down the rope.

Soon a few other helicopters began to land off by the shore as Alex had just finished his waffle over the loud speakers that came from the flying vehicle. Came a voice.

"Everyone, please return home or current area where you are staying. Do not leave your place if she alter unless instructed to. You are now under martial law and curfew has now begun no one is allowed to leave their shelter until instructed to. We advice returning home immediately."

For a moment no one has done anything. Either the group was afraid or they simply couldn't believe such a thing was happening.

"Guys! What the fuck are you waiting for let's go!"

Alex yelled out grabbing a plate of food leading everyone back to the hotel. It was calm no one was rushing or panicking not yet at least. Yet as everyone began their march back to the hotel screaming from within the city began to echo through, right after the sounds of tired screeching with the sound of a loud crash.

Soon the soldiers who were at the beach have gone to investigate. Still slightly early in the morning there wasn't a lot of traffic out in the road. Maybe someone with a hangover who knows. But no matter the entire group was starting to be escorted into the hotel along with those who were not staying there.

"Get the civilians inside! Hurry up! Go go go!"

Just the moment they had gone inside only three army men came in with the group demanding the lobby man to lock the doors and back away from the windows. No questions were asked everyone was just there in shock on how serious this was when nothing seemed to be going on. Until more screaming and a loud bang. It silenced all the commotion that was happening within the lobby. Then a man came running with blood on his hands slamming into the window but not breaking through. Screaming out for help as he seemed to slide down dropping dead. An old lady let out a scream as the man assuming to be her husband tried to keep her silent. Then another loud bang, and another. Yup, no doubt about it. Those indeed where gun shots most likely from the other army men who were the ones to go investigate.

"A-Alex? What's happening?"

Candy tugged at his shirt looking up at him as the three army men were gathered around a small table with a map and were talking to each other along with a radio on the map, a forth voice came from it but was hard to understand.

"I don't know but I'm going to find out."

What was running through his mind? Every step he took closer to the three seemed to move slower and slower as the sounds of gunshots continued to echo through the city not helping with the tension at all. But before he reached the group an explosion was heard soon there it was. The dead man lying on the floor just outside started to stand up to his feet. With pale eyes and foam coming from his mouth, blood still flowing out his mouth as he took a long look inside the lobby. He began to bang on the glass. Letting out loud screeching the three army men didn't seem to phased but their weapons were aimed.

"Everyone go back to your rooms immediately. Any questions you may have will have to wait."

As Alex turned around most of the crew was already gone the only ones still there was Candy, Kim and a bunch of random strangers who were guests in the hotel.

Still gunshots could be heard all over soon the lobby's television turned on as Alex, Kim and Candy gathered around the small crowd they did their best to ignore the gunshots and banging of the man at the front lobby.

"This can't be happening this is insane! This can't be happening!"

A man who was dressed in a suit and tie seemed to have been going through a panic attack as a few gathered around the man there on the TV was a news reporter and the camera man in a second story cafe while many of those crazy people kept trying to barge in through the bottom floor. There you could see civilians doing there best to hold them back with a man laying on the floor with a huge bite mark on his upper arm.

"We don't know why the military is here a joint task force of some sort between American and Russian military is all we know so far. we don't know what is going on as to why people are viciously attacking one another. Excuse me? Sir? You came from the outside and said someone had attacked you?"

The lady had moved over to the man sitting down clenching his arm where the wound had been.

"I was just doing my job getting the trash and all with my buddy when this bitch out of no where comes stumbling through the alley and right away she rushes to me grabbing my arm and fucking took a chunk out my arm. If it wasn't for my pal Ricky coming around grabbing her off me I don't know what else she would've done. Then from there we seen the helicopters and gun shots that's when we just went running and came here."

Nothing more was going on as the people still were struggling to get the door fully closed off so no one else could come in the camera man went back up to the second floor showing those who were still watching the commotion that was going outside. People running around the streets as army men began setting up in the streets shooting those who seemed more vigilant to attack those who ran away. Of course not every bullet was hitting the ones who meant harm. Innocent folks began to die do to the military firing them there it was a man eating another man there out in the middle of the road. Then another one, and another. Men, women everyone eating everyone. That's when screaming was heard over the TV as the camera man turned around seeing the man early with the bite mark to his arm with his teeth deep into the neck of the news lady as her body dropped to the floor the man turned around lunging over to the camera man as the camera was knocked to the ground soon a loud crash was heard more and more screaming was heard until it was abruptly cut off. Soon the emergency broadcasting system was on display.

"Hey I told you folks to go back to your room! Now start moving or you will be detained."

The man in charge. With a rifle in hand had came to the group watching the TV as Alex and a few strangers in front of him walked over to the elevator. Pressing the button as Alex pulled Candy and Kim over time his side making sure they wouldn't get separated.

"Excuse me sir. We have right and detaining is without a proper cause goes against my rights."

A white male with a family besides him began to open his mouth as Alex rolled his eyes looking at the soldier wondering if he was going to say anything but Alex opened his mouth first.

"Bitch shut the fuck up. You really want to cry about your rights when homies has a gun and you just seen people killing each other but no hey fuck him. Family man wants to cry for his rights rather than make sure his family is safe and isn't left alone while their dad gets detained because he was bitching for his rights. So how about you shut the fuck up and just go back to your fucking room."

The man stood silent as Alex had looked back to the elevator waiting for it to open as Alex was tapped on his shoulder by the army man. Asking to come with him. As he was pulled from the line he walked over to the table with the map and radio as he began to talk.

"Look kid thanks for speaking up but you really didn't need to do that. We have tasers for a reason. Best thing."

Just before he could fully finish his sentence screaming could be heard coming from the direction of the elevators. A group of the ones seen on TV were standing there with blood spilt all over some still hunched over eating those previous who had entered the elevator. There the body who was currently being devoured was part of Alex's group. But others were not there as they began to come out of the elevator, one, two, three, four in total had come out. People began to run away from the elevator as the dead chased a few managing to grab a few beginning to take a bite out of those in the lobby.

"Kim! Candy! Get over here!"

Alex called out for his friends as the army men held their rifles taking aim but being cautious as the attackers were mixing in with those where ran away.

"LT I cant get a clear shot! I don't have a shot!"

The situation was getting out of hand as more of the dead began to step outside of the elevator one managed to grab Candy by her leg as Kim turned around kicking the crazy man who grabbed her by her leg. As both managed to get behind the army men gun shots started to go off as the man who seemed to be in charged started to kill the ones stepping out the elevator.

"Go loud we can't afford to have more of them coming let alone let anyone die on our watch."

Soon all three had beginning firing their rifles in a controlled manner. Soon the only ones who stood were the remaining civilians.

Alex and the two were there taking cover behind the receptionist counter as a tap came over the counter.

"Alright you three let's go. We are taking the stairs so best get to your floor ASAP. Private. You go with them make sure they make it to where they need to go safely."

A rifleman crouched down aiming through the window to the man still banging on the window he soon stood up. Walking over to the group as the four of them all walked over to the stairs commotions behind there was coming from the remaining few who were panicking there in the lobby as the two army men were doing their best to deescalate the situation before they knew it the door had closed and were now being escorted up the stairs with him taking point.

"Alright so soldier boy. What's your name? I'm Alex, short one Candy, Tall one Kim."

If he was going to be escorted best thing to know who you are following is their name.

"Private. You can just call me that. But if you insist on knowing me name. Dominic. Dom for short."

With that the group began to make their way to the first flight of stairs to the second then to the third they had a long way to go. And through this entire process Dom was still in communications with the other two. Over the radio they said they started moving everyone to their own rooms everyone was spread out some were at the bottom floor others were much higher. Yet this group of four was barely at the ninth floor.

"Kim is the tenth floor and I'm on the thirteenth but I think it's best if all just go to the tenth avoid any more walking on these stupid ass stairs."

Dom has agreed him being the one carrying much of military gear while Candy was in the back clearly tired. But once they rounded the steps leading to the tenth floor, they noticed a bloody door handle.

From there Dom took point once more as Alex made sure Candy and Kim stop behind him at the steps closest to the wall.

"Alex. I'm going to go inside. If I'm not back in five minutes go back down to the others and tell them what's happening."

Just as Dom was reaching the door handle to pull the door open towards his direction a man came out scratching and pushing Dom held his rifle over his chest doing his best to push the man back but the strength from the man with foam coming from his mouth mixed with blood was surprisingly strong for being in such a state of condition.

As the three stood there alex ran over closing the door making sure no more would come if there was anymore hiding in the halls. He rushed over grabbing the man by his shirt as Alex pulled the hardest he could as the man turned around trying to grab at Alex, Alex had then pushed the man off himself as the man reached once more only to scratch Alex across his cheek the man fell down the stairs smacking his head on the concrete wall. As it began to fall over there was a small pool of blood there on the wall and as the body hit the floor blood began to flow from its head.

"Thanks man. That was a close one."

Dom did his best to regain his strength as the four looked down at the dead body.

"Okay so. I'm just going to say it and avoid this stupid guessing what it is. It's a zombie these are zombies people eating people and shit like that. Zombies."

Dom let out a small laugh as he picked himself up opening up the small medical pouch he had on him.

"If it really is zombies I'll get you a cold one when we make it out. First let's get to your room and close up that cut of yours."

With that Dom has once again opened the door inside was just dead bodies, blood stained walls. Some doors broken down while other shut. No sign of any life as fingers littered the floor. At the end of the hall the light would flicker. Soon they stood there in front of the door as Kim ran over opening it for the group. Once all four stood inside they could let out a sigh finally a place where they were safe. However Alex didn't let up. He went to the door locking it as he began to push over a table, luggage bags and a few chairs blocking the door.

"Okay now I feel safe. So Dom. What's the plan?"

Alex still with a bleeding cheek, the wound seemed to be pretty deep blood flowing starting to drip to the floor as they walked over to the TV turning it on to see an aerial view of the city as well as other cities across the country. Stating this was not worldwide.

The energy has shifted in the room, as Dom was found next to Alex with a map placed over. A hand held radio sat on the counter nothing but static. As Kim sat in front of the TV keeping her eyes on the news with a notebook in hand she did her best to take notes.

As Candy walked across the room with a slight stumble to her walk she sat there at the bed looking down at her hands as there was blood on them. She had touched the handle to the door in the stairs. Soon tears feel into her palms as her own crying echoed in the room.

The others had a gloomy feeling, unsure how they should even approach this situation. God only knows where their friends are or what is truly happening. As Candy continued to cry Dom had stepped over to the window looking down as far as his eyes could see was nothing but fire, dead bodies and the dead who roamed the streets now.

This city now belonged to the dead.