He thought about how his plan to get Rameriz fired ended up ricocheting back to him. Head aching, he laid his forehead onto the driver's side roof of his car. The cool metal of the vehicle helped ease the pain.
After a few minutes, he swung open the door and plopped onto the driver's seat. He dwelled on everything that went wrong. A clouded vision appeared as moisture surrounded the edges of his eyes. He squinted hard, as his mind raced with frustrated regrets. The anger grew inside him. Under his breath, his thoughts were full of corrupted wants. His internal screaming wishes were demanding, dozens of thoughts at once of things barking in his mind.
He wanted control.
People would listen to him.
Respect him.
His mind just wishes dozens of angry things at once. He was wishing for it all.
His headache, his rage, and his internal scream finally escaped his lips. He lifted his right hand and swung hard to his left. Cracking the driver's side window.
He would get the respect and power he deserved. He swore on it. Ignoring the pain that shot up the nerves near his knuckles, he started the car. When he drove to his apartment complex. He parked haphazardly without a care. He rushed up the stairs into his apartment.
Slamming the door shut, He plopped onto the couch. His chestful of air felt trapped, having to focus to try to breathe normally again.
“Okay, okay okay okay okay”. He kept exhaling. He felt better. He went over to the fridge and grabbed a beer. He closed the door slam.
Brody flinched as he could hear the contents inside the fridge move and fall over.
He spoke, his voice gradually increasing in volume, “Tomorrow I will start anew. I will be anew. I will be a new man. I will be in charge. I will show them all, and those who laugh will fall. God, give me the power I require. I will lead, and I will make my success. I will create my destiny”
He punched the air before cracking open his beer.
"Tomorrow, I'll plan"
The next morning he woke up on the couch. His right arm dangling off, beer slowly spilling over. He got up and looked around. Beer cans spawned everywhere. He was gonna rule this down, he meant town.
Ugh, his head hurt.
It was difficult for him to think clearly.
The panging started in his right temple. He needed to conquer his hangover first.
The cars honking and loud rumbles of what sounded like construction outside weren't helping.
He searched for his phone and found it behind the back of the couch. He viewed the time.
June 1, 2018, 11:13am
He swiped the phone to read his numerous notifications. His was vision someone blurred, he tried to focus, trying to read a single letter off the screen. Once he made out some words, his eyes widened.
Brody dropped his phone sprang up to the door and stepped outside.
His mind and eyes were trying to comprehend what was happening outside.
The sky and ground were equally hectic. The parking lot had an over-turned car, and some cars were crushed and abandoned after an apparent collision.
Brody was relieved that none of those damages weren't his. People were running from their apartments with handfuls of backpacks, handbags, and luggage. A few undamaged cars have people packing them to the brim with stuff. Vehicles drove past in a rush. One of the apartment buildings across the street was on fire.
What the Hell is going on?
The main road had cars zooming recklessly by. He saw a tank and several area vehicles heading in one direction. The ground was visibly shaking. He quickly grabbed his entrance door frame for support. Looking up, he saw…
A giant robot?
Brody had to do a doubletake. His hangover was now long forgotten as he watched a giant robot shooting laser beams at something on the ground in the distance. Thankfully the robot appeared to be a few somewhat safe distance away.
It didn’t make it any less concerning.
The robot started turning quickly left and right, trying to swat something away. It took him a moment to realize, it wasn’t something, it was someone. It appeared to be a generic-looking superhero, cape and all, trying to punch the robot. Military planes and news helicopters flew across the sky around the robot.
Explosions and screams could be heard in the distance.
Brody's neighbor just walked out, carrying two bags in a rush, not bothering to close his door behind him on the way out.
Brody yelped “WAIT! Neighbor, don’t go!”
His neighbor suddenly froze in place.
“What the hell is going on?" Brody walked up in front of him.
The neighbor still halted in place, shifted his eyes around, and then focused on him, “The End, that's what's happen' my dude, the world is ending, I gotta go…”.
Brody stared at him, “What do you mean?”
“Look bud….why can't I move?" The neighbor shifted with discomfort.
Brody stared at him, waiting for his neighbor to continue speaking, "Well…look, I need to know what's going on. Tell me what's going on. Spill all the details."
The neighbor grimaced, "the news says it’s complete chaos everywhere. They try to look like everything is under control but they obviously have no idea what's going on"
"Okay okay…well, what do you think? Where are you going? Shouldn't we stay indoors?"
" Look, you're standing a little too close. Seriously, brush your teeth. It reeks, I'm sorry. I spoke with my parents and they heard that people who made some sort of request, or prayed or something yesterday had…for whatever reason became true today. I'm going to hide outside the city until this all blows over”
Brody looked at him speechless for a moment. He glanced around. Deep in thought.
His neighbor started to move, catching Brody's attention once again. and then looked around for a moment.
Brody smirked, “Hop on one leg”
His neighbor looked at him with concern as he started hopping on one leg. He looked rather uncomfortable doing it while carrying his two large carrying bags.
Brody let out a small chuckle, then patted his neighbor on his back. “Okay okay, stop hopping. We've been neighbors for quite a neighbor but I never found an opportunity to ask…what's your name?”
“Zach”
“Okay, Zach, I need you to accompany me. You don’t want to head out there alone do you? Well, neither do I”.
“Okay”
Brody couldn’t help but break out into a wicked smile. His many requests for power yesterday have been heard. He will not let the mighty ones down who granted him this power down, whoever they are…
"Zach, help me out will you”
“Ok but-”
“I don’t want any excuses from you, come on, we got work to do”
This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.
They finished loading up Brody's vehicle. It was a bigger vehicle than Brodys, and more importantly, had a full tank of gas.
Heading out, Zach sat in the passenger seat, quietly viewing out his passenger window. The GPS estimated the drive to their destination was two hours when it generally should’ve been about a 30-minute drive down the highway. Most of the roads on the GPS were highlighted in red or yellow.
It was mostly highlighted in red, so the journey would take longer than usual. Brody had to slowly drive around police blockades, traffic pileups, and crowds. He didn't try to get around the military blockades, as he wanted to avoid the gunfire he heard in the distance.
A two hours later, They made it to the warehouse. There was no visible damage to the building. The parking lot only had a only few vehicles. It looked pretty normal except for the sounds of chaos in the distance echoing throughout the city.
Brody looked over at Zach, “Grab something to defend yourself and follow me”.
Zach's eyes went wide, but he said nothing.
----------------------------------------
They both walked up to the building with caution.
Zach held a baseball bat in both hands, Brody leading the way...his fists clenched.
Making their way inside, they surveyed the area. The lights were on but they didn't see anyone in the lobby or breakroom. It was complete silence. They walked through the breakroom area and spotted movement at a nearby office window. Brody and Zach spotted Rameriz was his office, typing away on his computer.
Brody waved over Zach. They walked up to his office.
Brody took a deep breath before he knocked, “Do you have a moment?”
Rameriz called out, "Enter"
As the door opened, Rameriz looked up, saw Brody, and immediately looked annoyed. Ramirez looked over at Zach and then glared back at Brody. “If you're here to pick up your final paycheck, you didn't need to bring a bodyguard. I wasn't planning any further violence but…”
Ramirez paused as he saw Brody smile.
Brody looked over at Zach. He pointed towards the desk.
Zach swung the bat, breaking the computer monitor.
Brody walked in, hands placed casually behind his back. “I’m not sure if you’ve heard, but the old ways of the world are gone. It’s time for you to prepare for an early retirement. I'm taking over position” He pointed towards Ramirez's chest.
Zach swung the bat and Ramirez easily caught it with both hands. Rameriz yanked the bat out of Zach's hands and stood up.
“I don’t think you thought this through Brody, but once things settle down out there- if they settle down, I'm calling the cops. If things don't settle down out there, I'm sure they'll declare martial law, and you better believe that you don't want to see me. I'm giving you one last chance to leave. You have a better chance of surviving the chaos out there, as you won't survive long in here."
Brody spoke, "I order you to shut up"
Rameriz continued, appearing unaffected, "You’ll still be a waste of space and nothing will change that"
Brody stepped back, and he started to shake, "I said…shut up. Stand back"
Rameriz stepped forward, "I knew you had an issue with me since day one. I know why, because my wife you used to be a thing. Get over it, she's happier now and will forever be my wife. She doesn't want you Brody. She never wants to see your sorry-ass face again"
Brody took another step back, "Shut…up" he whispered.
Rameriz took a step forward, "I purposely made sure you’d never go far in this company. There, it was intentional. I said it, are you happy now?” Ramirez gripped the bat tightly. The veins are visible in both of his arms.
Brody stood up straight. His fists clenched and his face bright red. his voice going from trembling to determination, “You're not the boss of me. Not anymore. Drop the bat, Rameriz”
Rameriz swung the bat at Zach's chest, causing the man to tumble.
Fear suddenly was visible on Zach’s face, which irritated Brody as Ramirez smirked, "You need better friends Brody, or should I say, you should invest in better-hired help. I know you don't have any friends"
Brody jumped at Rameriz’s, slamming into his chest. Rameriz’s stumbled back into the wall. Certificates fell off the wall.
Brody spoke loud and clear, "I'm the boss now. I said, Rameriz, drop the bat"
Rameriz froze.
The grip loosened, and the bat landed with a thud on the carpet.
Zach picked up the bat.
Brody stared directly into Ramieriz's eyes, "Get down onto your knees and don't say a word"
When Rameriz went down on his knees.
Brody spoke loud and clear, "Zach, take a swing at his head"
Rameriz looked Zach in the eyes, pleading with his eyes.
Zach swung the bat swiftly at Rameriz's head.
Rameriz fell back.
Brody waited.
Rameriz didn't move.
Rameriz just lay there, blood spilling from his head. Rameriz's eyes were slits, barely able to stay open.
Brody was about to tell Zach to swing again but withheld his request. He went over to loom over the fallen body. “This is how your legacy ends and mine begins. Zach, finish him” Brody stared down at Rameriz, sneering. His eyes lit up with glee.
Brody's anticipation grew, waiting for the bat to swing. The sounds of wet bones cracking.
Nothing happened.
Zach screamed. Brody looked over, expecting the scream to be a battle cry, instead, it was one made in defiance.
Brody turned, "Zach, what are you doing? I gave you an order?"
Zach's face turned bright red, "I will not murder a man, I will not murder a man". He spoke with words painfully, as if straining to speak them.
Brody stared at him, "You good for nothing-", Brody turned to look at Rameriz, "I'll have to kill you myself-"
Zach screamed again.
Brody groaned, "Zach, you don't need to kill him now. I'll do it myself in a moment, now shut the fuck up"
Zach's scream only intensified. Brody sighed and turned around.
Brody's jaw dropped, as he saw Zach being taken down by two guards
The guards tackled Zach to the ground. Blood sprayed.
Zach walked around the desk to see guards on top of Zach, tearing and gnawing into his poor neighbor's body.
To Brody's dismay, it was two zombies. One was eagerly biting into Zach's arm while the other dug into Zach's back.
Brody felt a hand grab his shoulder. He was spun around by Rameriz, who then punched him right in the nose. Brody stumbled back into some filing cabinets.
Brody was disoriented for a few moments. He saw to his left, the two preoccupied zombies, still feasting on his fallen neighbor. The bat was on the ground next to the zombies. Brody looked to his right, just in time to see Rameriez picked up Brody by the collar. Rameriz punched him square in the eye. Rameriez was about to swing again until he noticed more zombies entering through his office doorway. He glanced at Brody and then at the zombies. He shoved Brody towards the zombies before he shoved the filing cabinet onto the ground. Brody fell to the ground. He rolled over and grabbed the bat. Rameriz was trying and eventually succeeded in breaking open a window with a stapler. A zombie appeared soon after the window was shattered, its hand grabbing onto the broken window glass. Blood poured out of the zombie's hand as the shard of glass cut into it. The zombie's free hand reached in to grab at Rameriz. Rameriz shrieked, he turned and booked it to his private office bathroom. Slamming the door closed behind him. Brody, feeling confident that the zombies hadn't noticed him yet, had slowly stood up. The zombies quickly noticed him and were slowly easing their way over to him. He looked around.
Time was running out.
He ran to one window not smashed. He swung the bat, cracking the window. He swung again. A zombie close behind him, he swung the bat. crushing in the zombie's head. He swung with all his might at the window one more time, finally smashing through it. He swung the bat around the frame quickly to clear the glass. He fell forward out the window. A group of zombies tried to swarm through the window at once. All failing to get out the window at the same time.
Brody felt his arms and legs were cut from the glass, he rushed to Zach's car.
Running through the parking lot, he saw random zombies here and there, roaming until they saw him. He felt they were at a safe distance for him to open the vehicle in time.
He got in and locked the doors.
“Plan, think of a plan”
His emotions were in a stir. He felt lightheaded.
He felt panic. His heart was pounding harder.
It was difficult to think.
He checked his interior surroundings. The doors were still locked, and the vehicle had enough fuel to get out of Toronto. The back of the car was full of food and supplies that he expected could last over a month-
A thumping sound came from the rearview window.
A slack-jawed zombie was slapping its bloody palms against the glass.
He had a wallet full of cash, thanks to Zach (who knows how long cash will be useful).
He felt a pang of guilt for Zach but he pushed those thoughts to the back of his mind. He needed to stay focused.
Brody checked his exterior surroundings. The city was falling apart. The sky had several trails of smoke.
Brody felt dread as It started to lightly snow. He now noticed the cold.
He had no close family, his only option was to leave the city soon before he was trapped in a frozen city of death, with zombies looming as vultures and who knows what else. He only had one person he considered a friend, she may not feel the same way because of yesterday.
He would still ask for her to accompany him to leave the city,
I could just force her to accompany me.
He shook away that dark thought. He respected her. He shouldn't have such thoughts.
He smacked the steering wheel with the palms of his hands. He punched the dash.
Brody screamed and he screamed some more.
The frustration and uncertainty steadily grew inside of him, causing him to tense up inside. He could make people listen to him, but would he go as far as to use that to power force Dani to leave town with him?
He didn't want to travel alone.
He decided to leave the choice to her.
…but what if she said no?
Shut up, shut up, shut up.
He’s a new person now.
A very powerful person, but what type of person will you be?
A tapping on his driver's side window made him jolt. He slowly turned to see a zombie pressed up against his side window. It smacked its forehead against the window.
Smack.
Smack.
Smack.
The zombie kept slamming its head into the window. He wasn’t paying enough attention.
More zombies were pressed up against all the windows. Some started to crawl onto the hood of the car. The pre-existing crack on the driver's side window started to grow.
His fear heightened with the realization that the window could shatter at any moment.
You need to go now.
Yes. Yes. Okay. Quiet. I'm going.
I'm stressing out.
I can survive this.
Brody shook away the many thoughts yelling at him.
The sounds of palms and heads hitting against the glass increased. He heard walking on the roof. His vehicle was surrounded by dozens of the undead.
Brody accelerated in reverse. The vehicle rocked as it ran over the meat speedbumps.
He sped his way out of the parking lot, directly back into the depths of the city he once called home.