Ryland screamed out as he held onto the cart. His translucent body flapping in the wind like a crazy flag. He refused to become a skipping stone once more. Tapping into his newfound strength, he materialized his fingers a bit more to anchor into the wood. Thankfully; being a ghost, nobody could see his legs flailing behind him.
Steve smashed into the back of the wood with a hard THUNK. His skin peeled back and his teeth partially revealed as the g-forces pressed into him.
“Aruaghg” he began coughing and gagging as a bug smashed into his open throat.
Tears streamed down his face and he felt his stomach twist from within. He didn’t even think a horse and buggy could move this fast. Even now, he could hair the wheels straining and the cart cracking from the pressure.
“WOOOOOO” The drive was standing, reins in hand.
The man was crazy. His skills had protected him from the wind and formed a barrier around his cargo. Even as various projectiles rained down, they only bounced from the shield. Suddenly Steve was launched into the air as the wheels smashed into something. His body rolled over the back and towards the trunk. Not wanting to fall off, he hooked a finger onto the ridge and held tight. Clutching the wood, his nails dug into the soft material with such force they bled. If he fell, he’d be killed on the spot. With adrenaline-pumped muscles, he pulled himself back to the seat and ducked down. Only the crazed voice above piercing the wind.
“HAH got another! Don’t mess with Roadie boys or you’ll end up ROADKILL”
That told Steve all he needed to know. Moments later, the cart smashed into another bandit launching Steve into the undercarriage. His head smacking against the wood caused a splitting headache, but at least he wasn’t knocked out. Poking his head out slightly, another bug smashed right into his cheek. Bits of sticky meat wrapped around his face as the whipping winds spread the insect’s guts. IT wasn’t worth helping the driver. He clearly had it handled.
“Oh no…” was all that Roadie said before the cart veered to the side.
Unfortunately, they were going far too quickly to stop. A makeshift barricade had blocked the road and a few bandits stood there…menacingly. But even they didn’t realize how fast the wagon was. Before they could dive out of the way, the wooden contraption smashed into the group with a sickening crunch.
This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it
The card exploded outwards from the impact, wood splintering in all directions while the cargo was thrown about. Roadie was quickly ejected from his seat and smashed into the makeshift wall with a thud. Meanwhile; Steve was sent rolling across the field before skidding to a stop. His body cut, his close torn, and he swore a rib was fractured. His eyes scanned the field as he looked for Ryland and the zombie. Yet, he couldn’t see the ethereal man anywhere. Hearing cries from behind. He realized the bandits had quickly arrived as backup.
“7 men, SEVEN good men were killed!” Their leader called.
He was the most stereotyped bandit Steve had ever laid eyes on. Big, bulky, face-covered, and armed with various knives and daggers. He didn’t even check on the bodies around, instead moving straight towards the cargo. Around him a few others began cracking open boxes and searching for goods.
“Ey, quit your whining. I thought I taught you to dodge roll. DODGE THE FUCKING CART NEXT TIME” He kicked a partially broken man in the chest.
Honestly, Steve kind of agreed. It was stupid of them to just stand there like nothing was going to happen. While the leader tallied the goods, Steve did his best to count who remained. There was the leader, 4 lackeys, and the one wounded. It was a mid-sized raiding party and the driver did pretty well taking out over half of them. Formulating a plan, he noticed one walking his way. A clanking of chain and metal rang in his ear as the man knelt down.
Steve held his breath and played dead…or at least unconscious. Slowly the man rifled through his pockets, he quickly found the coin purse and dagger. As he continued searching, he heard.
“What the hell is this?”
He found the meat pocket. Some fingers and other pieces of zombie chow all stuffed into a small enchanted bag.
“Holy, Boss, you might want to check this out!” He called out.
“Hang on, I’ll be there in a second. Finishing looting first.”
Clearly not happy with the response, he kicked Steve onto his back and searched the front. He was struggling at this point not to breathe. His body fighting his brain as his lungs yearned for air.
“Come on, just leave already!” He wished
As he felt his struggles falter, a resounding crack echoed followed by a high-pitched scream. Steve took a breath as the bandit turned towards the noise.
“What is that…” he muttered before taking off to help.
“YEAH GET HIS ASS” Ryland screamed.
Ryland had made his move and it was time for Steve to join the fun.