Chapter 81: Battle At The District Part III

Chapter 81: Chapter 81: Battle At The District Part III

Killian moved slightly ahead of Penelope, not enough to leave her behind, but enough to intercept anything approaching from the front. Penelope stayed close to his right, her eyes constantly moving between the security guard and the infected scattered across the street.

Ten meters had not looked far from the jewelry store entrance.

Now it felt like an entire city stood between them and those keys.

The security guard had managed to push himself completely upright. His head turned toward the sound of their approaching footsteps, and the keys hanging from his belt jingled softly as he began moving toward them.

Penelope tightened her grip on her machete.

"At least he’s bringing them to us."

Killian glanced at her.

"That’s one way to look at it."

A growl came from their left.

"Two," Penelope warned.

"I see them."

Killian changed direction immediately.

Instead of continuing directly toward the security guard, he angled toward an abandoned SUV. Penelope followed without questioning him as two infected emerged from between the vehicles ahead.

The first zombie lunged toward Killian.

He stepped outside its reach and used the flat side of his machete to redirect its outstretched arm, allowing the creature’s own momentum to carry it forward. Penelope understood what he was doing before he said anything.

She moved.

The zombie stumbled past Killian and directly into her path.

One controlled strike brought it down.

The second infected was already approaching.

Killian didn’t engage it.

He grabbed Penelope’s arm.

"Keep moving."

They ran around the opposite side of the SUV, forcing the zombie to change direction instead of wasting precious seconds fighting it.

Penelope glanced back.

"Are we just leaving that one?"

"We don’t need it dead."

Killian looked ahead.

"We need the keys."

Penelope smiled despite herself.

She was beginning to understand the difference.

Training had taught her how to fight.

Survival was teaching her when not to.

Behind them, Erik watched Killian and Penelope disappear between the abandoned vehicles.

"Closer to the door," he ordered.

Kai and Ben immediately moved.

The three positioned themselves directly in front of the jewelry store entrance, keeping their backs close enough to the glass that nothing could approach them from behind.

Their problem was no longer reaching the store.

Their problem was holding it.

The first infected approached from the sidewalk.

Kai stepped forward.

"I’ve got this one."

"Don’t chase it," Erik warned.

Kai stopped himself immediately.

The zombie came to him instead.

He waited until it entered his range before striking, then retreated to his original position the moment the threat was gone.

Ben noticed.

Nobody was advancing anymore.

They were conserving space.

Conserving energy.

Waiting.

Another zombie approached.

Then two more.

Ben swallowed.

"They’re coming faster."

"I know," Erik answered.

The damaged security shutters farther down the street continued rattling violently. More infected had managed to crawl free, and the noise of the metal scraping against concrete was attracting others from the surrounding area.

Their time was disappearing.

"How long do we hold this?" Ben asked.

Erik looked toward the abandoned vehicles.

"As long as they need."

That answer did absolutely nothing to reassure him.

Kai glanced at Ben.

"Look at the bright side."

Ben stared at him incredulously.

"There is a bright side?"

"We haven’t died."

Ben continued staring.

Kai shrugged.

"I didn’t say it was a very bright side."

Despite himself, Ben almost laughed.

"Focus," Erik said.

The humor disappeared immediately.

Three zombies were approaching from the left.

Another two wandered toward them from the right.

Erik adjusted his stance.

"Don’t let them separate us."

Kai moved closer to Ben.

"I’ve got left."

"I’ll take right," Ben answered.

Erik glanced at him.

Ben realized what he had just said.

His own surprise lasted only a moment.

Then Erik nodded.

"Good."

There was no time to feel proud.

The zombies reached them.

Meanwhile, Penelope and Killian had reached the overturned luxury vehicle.

The security guard stood on the opposite side.

Up close, Penelope could clearly see the keys hanging from a retractable chain attached to his belt.

Of course they were attached.

She stared at them.

"Naturally."

Killian followed her gaze.

"We’ll remove the entire belt."

Penelope looked at him.

"The entire belt?"

"It’s faster."

She couldn’t argue with that.

The security guard turned toward them.

A deep growl escaped him as he began moving around the front of the overturned vehicle.

Killian raised his machete.

"I’ll handle him."

Penelope immediately looked around them.

"I’ll watch your back."

Neither needed further instruction.

Killian advanced.

The security guard lunged as soon as he came within reach.

Killian moved sideways.

The zombie changed direction faster than expected and reached again, forcing Killian to retreat a step rather than risk contact.

Penelope’s attention snapped toward him.

"Killian."

"I’m fine."

The guard came again.

This time, Killian waited.

One step.

Another.

Then he moved.

The zombie’s hands closed around empty air as Killian pivoted outside its reach. He brought the machete down in one precise movement, and the security guard collapsed beside the overturned vehicle.

Penelope immediately moved toward him.

"I’ll get the belt."

Killian didn’t answer.

He was looking behind her.

His expression changed.

"Penny."

Something in his voice made her stop.

She turned.

Five zombies had entered the narrow space between them and the jewelry store.

Another emerged from behind a vehicle.

Then another.

Their return route was disappearing.

Penelope looked toward the store.

She could barely see Erik, Kai, and Ben through the gaps between the abandoned cars.

They had problems of their own.

"Get the keys," Killian said.

Penelope crouched beside the security guard.

Her gloved fingers found the belt buckle.

It didn’t move.

She pulled harder.

Nothing.

"You have got to be kidding me."

"What?"

"The belt is stuck."

Killian looked down.

Part of the leather belt had become trapped beneath the security guard’s body.

"Move him."

Penelope stared at the zombie.

Then at Killian.

Then back at the zombie.

"You move him."

Killian looked at her.

"Seriously?"

"He’s disgusting."

"Penny."

"I know, I know."

She grabbed the back of the security guard’s uniform with both hands, carefully avoiding any exposed skin, and pulled.

The body barely moved.

Penelope grunted.

"Why was the security guard built like a refrigerator?"

Killian almost smiled.

Almost.

Then another growl sounded behind them.

"Faster."

"Your encouragement is extremely helpful."

Penelope planted one boot against the pavement and pulled again.

The body shifted.

The belt came free.

"Got it!"

She didn’t bother removing the keys.

She unfastened the entire belt, wrapped it once around her gloved hand and stood.

Killian was already facing the street.

The path they had used to reach the guard was gone.

Seven infected now stood between them and the jewelry store.

More were approaching from behind.

Penelope’s smile disappeared.

"That’s unfortunate."

Killian looked toward the jewelry store.

Then toward the surrounding vehicles.

His eyes moved quickly, calculating.

Penelope knew that expression.

He was looking for another route.

"Don’t even say it," she warned.

Killian glanced at her.

"Say what?"

"That we’re going around."

"We’re going around."

Penelope closed her eyes briefly.

"Of course we are."

Killian pointed toward a narrow alley between the jewelry store and the neighboring boutique.

"If we reach that alley, we can approach the store from the side."

"And if it’s blocked?"

"Then we’ll find another way."

Penelope stared at him.

"You know, your plans have an alarming number of additional plans."

"That’s why we’re still alive."

She couldn’t argue with that either.

"Fine."

Killian tightened his grip around his machete.

"Stay close."

Penelope wrapped the security guard’s belt securely around her wrist.

"You stay close."

They moved.