Day 3 10:03 AM

I sat down beside the dumpster behind a 3-story building at the edges of the town border. Taking deep breaths and getting my bearings, I shook my head and tried to clear the buzzing in my ear. I was still a bit dazed by that girl's scream. Man! It was loud. I tried to keep a good balance in my body but I think I ruptured my eardrum resulting in Abigail and Bennie assisting me. How can the dead take a breath though? Fuck.

We broke visual contact near a broken checkpoint. Too bad it's overrun now though. But thanks to those wrecked barricades, we passed over a walled parking lot and over a wall of another building. I saw Bennie nearly killed Abigail a few moments ago. Man, he really needs somebody to watch his back. I'm glad Abigail didn't take it personally.

Bennie faced us and pointed near the wall. He raised a finger to his lips and signaled us to be quiet. The unclean probably smashed in the wall trying to follow our last position. Man, we are fucked if they have even the slightest of intelligence. But I won't say it out loud. I got a feeling these freaks are going to be a pain in the ass in the near future. I don't want to be a bearer of bad news but Murphy always likes to say, "Everything that can go wrong, will go wrong." it's not if the situation gets bad but when will it get worse. It's the assurance of the said fact that I'm a bit scared. But I'm not just gonna stand and suck my thumb and wait for it to be better. I want to survive damn it!

Bennie tapped my shoulder and pointed at the building. I still hear some ringing in my ear. Fuck, I can't be effective at watching our backs right now. We followed Bennie towards the fire escape leading towards the 2nd floor of the building. I hope whoever called the radio is fine right now I just had to hope. I turned it off for now making sure it won't fuck us up even more.

As we were climbing the fire escape, the first floor seemed to be a café. It seems to be wrecked and bloodied. Probably because of the unclean. I can't imagine what chaos conspired there when this pandemic hit. It's a bit dim to see if they are unclean inside. A gap in the 2nd-floor window showed a flower shop. A lot of flower pots and plants are thrown around but the sunlight gives us a clear sight that the flower shop is clear as well. Upon stumbling towards the back side of the 3rd floor, we saw the signs of the unclean. Blood trails and what is clearly a body covered in a window sheet in the far corner of the back side balcony.

I looked behind us and breathed out a sigh of relief. Below me, overlooking the vine-filled wall, a parade of unclean is following the outer wall in opposite directions. At least or almost a hundred of them. They just bumped the wall and fell. They stood up and tried to climb it. The others on the back just bumped into whoever's in front resulting in them changing directions towards both ends. But they clearly wanted to go over it. Hopefully, they will lose their sense of direction once they are a bit far away.

Bennie tapped me, I looked over at him and saw him pointing at the back door. I went over to the other side of the door making sure we covered both ends. When I remembered the covered body. I turned away from Bennie and crouched walked towards the covered sheet with my knife on the ready. I won't repeat the same mistake of not checking my back again. I nearly got my neck chewed off because of that.

I crept up to the corpse and stepped on its chest. Making sure that it can't bite me. Focusing on immobilizing it just in case. No movement. Fuck, I'm scared shitless right now. What if It's just playing dead and waiting for me to remove the sheet to bite me? Fuck this paranoia will get me killed one day. I was about to reach out with my hand but changed my mind at the last second. I used my knife instead.

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I covered my mouth after what I saw. An old lady probably 70 to 80 years old had her skull busted up. Probably with a blunt object. I'm guessing a brick? The reality really is way worse than those movies we see every day. Fuck, they don't count for the smell, the state of the one who's facing them. Fuck! I just want to get away from these things.

I went back to where Bennie was, He looked at me for a few seconds and stuck his ear to the door. He probably understood that I was just checking the body to make sure it was dead. He pinched his ear and pointed at the door. It means he heard something inside. We don't know if it's the unclean or just a survivor but I kind of expecting looters or some sort. With this pandemic, I'm sure a lot of people will take advantage of the situation. If we are facing bandits then I need to resolve myself to kill another human being to keep our group of three safe.

He opened it slowly in order to not attract any other attention besides the one or more people inside. He pointed the gun toward the short hallway. I looked at the left, a small cubicle for a bathroom. To the other corner was a simple corner made for a snack area. I was tempted to eat the freebies on top of the table but we need to clear this room first.

I went inside. I peeked in the bathroom first. It only has a small sink, a mirror, a small shelf and toilets that can accommodate 2 people. The owner probably intended it to be used alternately between genders. I looked below the cubicle instead of opening the door. No feet. Good. I opened the cubicles and it was empty. Clear. I went back to the hallway and followed it further inside. Gripping my knife, I held the corner. I can hear a bit now but still, there is some ringing. I signaled to Bennie to come and he started to come in. Abigail closed the door and locked it. Good girl. Making sure we don't get surprises behind is good. Yes, we blocked our exit but if Bennie told Abigail to close and lock the door, it's maybe for a good reason.

Bennie arrived at the corner and nodded at me. He means for us the clear both sides at the same time. I signaled with my fingers "3.. 2... 1... " Go! We both turned to our respective corners. On my side were a few shelves of books arranged neatly in shelves and cabinets. Magazines, books about history, novels, and more. Seeing that it was clear, I was about to turn around when I heard a voice.

"If you're here to rob me. I'm afraid it's pointless son."

I turned around towards the voice. There, I saw a 70-year-old man sitting on a chair overlooking the window and reading a book with his glasses on.

I hurried behind Bennie slowly tapping his back. I felt a soft tap on my shoulder as well. Abigail was behind me then. I looked at her, she was still paying attention to the entrance.

"We don't want any trouble, sir," Bennie whispered calmly. "I know." the old man replied while turning the page with a bloody bandaged hand. "If you did, you would have shot me. That would attract those sick outside but offered me a quick death," he added while reading like nothing is ever wrong outside. "But I guess this too is fate."

"As much as I would like to chat. Can I offer you young ones some food and beverages? You can use my facilities if you want, how small a comfort they can be. In return would you help this old man with a request." he said as he stood up.

Bennie lowered the gun. The old man smiled and offered his other uninjured hand. "I'm Malachi. May I know who you three might be?" Malachi asked.