Today we pottered around for a couple of hours. At about noon we decided that we may as well make our move today. The Rani numbers weren't going to get any lower at any rate.
We suited up and armed ourselves. Sam went full auto rifle and a pistol backup with nothing else but an empty bag. I chose my shotgun, pistol, and my hidden frag grenade. I emptied my bags and laid everything out so that I could put it back easily. Though Sam thought it funny to move things and stumble through them as I arranged them. She knows how to wind me up then calm me down with just a look of complete sincerity.
An hour later, I guess, we took a rope down the back where the Rani number was less and we cut around them so they didn't know we were missing. Regardless of which way we returned we were safe: a passcard to open the front and a rope we had been practicing to climb for days since we got there. It is something I missed out to add an air of surprise. So ta-da!
Slowly we made it round. Maybe half an hour or so. We entered the canteen through the front entrance path and started to load up. When we finished we realised how little there was and I suggested to move to where the bad guys were based as they likely kept a small amount of food there for when they were too lazy to move all that distance. To my surprise she agreed. So we moved on. First to the TV room to pick up the last clip and pistol Sam had hidden there, just in case, then onwards.
Moving onwards we chatted idly, like we always do. Then Sam stopped so I averted my eyes from her and followed her sight.
"Oh shit". So succinct and eloquent, really, when faced with the forgotten remains of those who chased me through the building. Apparently trapped by their inability to understand windows properly and all other doors being locked automatically. It also was apparent that using silenced weapons was a good idea recently to remove their brothers from our surrounds. In that moment one turned and bared it's teeth, snarling. In some kind of orchestrated movement the rest turned raising the snarl to a rumbling hiss. By now we were backing off, both clutching our weapons.
Sam shouted for me to take the point so she could clear any rushing us. I ran facing away from them relying on her to keep them off of us. Her gun fired in a quiet repeating prff-prff-prfff. Still silenced I sort of wished that it was louder to shake their noise from my thoughts. When I opened a door I would shout and she would move up to it so it would be clear for her. In almost a flash of a moment we were out, though it may have been clearer to her than me...
We started running to our dish, the second one up. I still held point firing at any Rani that decided to flank us down. Soon Sam called she was out. A quick count made me realise how much she was firing. She had taken 10clips. To be sure, to be sure, to be sure etc. Obviously needed more. So I took the back spot as I held the better weapon. Sam took point with her pistols. I realised that we had passed through the group that had been hounding us at the dish. So it was clear that way but somehow they were catching up. We were running as fast as we had ever which used to get rid of them but now... Had they adapted?
We ran across the yard as fast as we could with the stench of death upon us. My breathing shallowed in the reintroduction of those smells: Rani rot and fear induced sweat. I have not felt those since climbing to the roof of the garage whatever day it was. Sam was a dozen steps ahead at most and as she reached the doorway she dropped the passcard and cursed. I forced air into my lungs so hard it burned. From my belt I took the grenade I hoped to keep for my last day.
I pulled the pin and began to throw just as one ran into me. It slipped and flew half the distance I wanted. I remember thinking "What the fuck is the kill box of one of these" when I picked it up all those days ago. I felt like I was about to experience it.
Next the Rani's face exploded into a red mist as I subconsciously had pulled the shotgun back round and I clambered away but the explosion went off and a searing pain shot across my lower back. My hearing was muffled and my eyes blurred slightly but I ran none the less.
Inside Sam made it to the secure door, and opened that. She ran further in to get ammo I suppose forgetting the door also locks there by shutting under it's own weight at an angle. As I made my rush I realised that they were once again upon me. The time it would take me to stop the door shutting and open it enough to get through wouldn't leave me enough to get it shut the other side. And beyond lay no where else to run. I slammed into the door, shutting it. My heart skipped knowing this was it. I turned to the supply room to the left, with a normal door and slammed it shut. Once there was an industrial floor cleaner here but now it was empty but small. No window.
So now I lay braced against the wall, holding the door shut with ever weakening legs. I counted my slugs. 24. In the gun as well made 32. Not the final fight I wanted but it was inevitable. Me or both of us? No competition. Somewhere inside me I know Sam was the better of us. At the very least she is more athletic and a better shot. She'll make it. She'll be pissed for a long time, maybe even bitter but I hope with the next post that comes she'll understand. Damn luck. I have the horrible feeling of wishing this happened earlier; so I didn't start to understand this world, so it didn't feel right for me.
Worst of all she text me. Begging me to be safe. My hands are bloody from those damn fragments in my back and apparently my right leg and shoulder so I can't respond or even read the whole of her message. Just "please dont die I ca..."
Sorry Sam but even if I wanted to, I won't make the night. Things feel strangely numb; my hands are shaking but I can't tell but for seeing. I guess in a strange way I am feeling like you did when you and that fence got intimate. I hope that makes you smile.
No more complaining or comments here. They are to be left in the only file unposted here and only notepad doc on this laptop's desktop screen.
So in finality, fully and unremitting to all of you:
I hope you make another day.
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