Alice Wonderland:
'You know that feeling when something's watching you? Now imagine that feeling all the time. And then add in the fact that, out here in the wasteland, the chances of it being someone who doesn't want to sink their teeth into you and rip you apart, are virtually none. And people wonder why I'm cynical. . .'
The hairs on the back of her neck stood up, she daren't move a muscle. The house had fallen silent. "Why?"
Behind the door.
She turned slowly on her heels.
"What have I done, what have I done-"
There , standing in the corner, knife in hand, ready to strike, was a man, younger even, more a boy really.
She stared at him and he stared back but neither moved, It was a strange silence, but not one that made either unhappy, no matter how awkward it was.
"Hi," came the voice from the corner, knife still poised and aimed towards her.
"Hi." came the nervous response.
Alice could feel herself welling up again. Wait. No. These weren't tears. She realised that she was smiling and imediately she turned away to hide her face as a red tinge streaked across her face.
When she looked back the knife was away and the boy was smiling nervously too.
"It's been so long," He began, but stopped, as if he'd forgotten, "It's just that, well, I've, been searching. . ."
She nodded, they were both feeling the same thing. Comfort in each other's company, despite being complete strangers.
There was another short silence, until a loud creak above them made both jump. Their eyes instantly shot towards the ceiling. Something was up there, in the attic, trying to find them through the floorboards.
There was a strange tapping, scratching sound as it tried to break through.
It didn't take long before the ceiling was shaking and dust was falling from it like snow after the shaking of a tree.
As the ceiling began to creak louder and louder she felt herself being pulled out of the room.
"Run!" he shouted and threw her through the door way. She was on her feet and at the stairs as the roof caved in and the beast scrambled around the room looking for its kill.
The boy leapt towards the stairs and the two tumbled down, grasping each other for support, both emotional and physical.
As they reached the front door they realised that the house was still, all noise had stopped. There were no screaches or roars. Even the sound of footsteps was absent.
"Why is it so still?"
"Something's wrong," She blurted. "Its not chasing us. Why?"
"I don't know, but I'm pretty sure it can't be good for us."
She looked back at the staircase. All that she saw were their own footprintis in the dust.
Alice crept over to the window. She parted the blinds ever so slightly and looked out into the city.
Then she said out loud a phrase, which in her head was terrifying enough, and one which sucked all hope out of the pair as she spoke it aloud.
"They've trapped us."
Friday 14 January 2011
Monday 10 January 2011
Episode 14
David Benson:
'Without them I'm beggining to slip up. I'm making mistakes and I can't look out for Sam, or myself. I nearly got us killed. Maybe we do need someone else. Maybe we need someone to take care of us. Maybe I need someone to take care of me. It used to be fun, it was our little game. But now the fun's gone and I've realised, I don't want to play the game any more. . .'
As the elevator doors opened they stared out into the appartment lobby panting heavily, backs against the wall, waiting for something to happen, something that might prove to them that they were conscious or alive.
"C'mon," The voice broke the silence, but it was a nice change from the ringing in his ears after the screaming monsters, or the thumping in his chest from the thudding of footsteps. "We better move before more of them show up, or worse."
"What's worse than that?"
Samuel paused, considering the possibilities. "I dunno," he was already on his feet and he looked down at his brother as he shrugged and offered him a hand, "But I sure would hate to stick around meet it."
"Even at the worst of times, he's still making jokes."
They stepped out into the street, the sun made everything shine as if the walls of the buildings were made of gold.
"Remember what mum used to always say when we were younger?"
He stared at his brother for a short moment, "It's this time of day, when the world is at it's most magical. . ."
". . . When the fairies scurry back to their homes, hidden away for another day."
They shared a smile, "Then dad would say how, 'It's the light shining off their wings that makes the horizon shimmer like that. . .'" He had said it in a funny voice to hide the fact that, secretly, he wished he could hear them say it to him again.
Their chuckles died out into a soft silence, and David knew his brother was thinking of the same thing he was. It was a silence which he was only awoken from by a reassuring hand on his shoulder.
"I miss them too."
David attempted a half smile.
"At least we have each other." As he started forward he kept talking. "I don't know what I would have done without you.
"A fat lot of good I was back there."
"I would have reacted the sameway," Samuel paused, "Probably worse. You've gotten me out of more scrapes than I care to mention."
"Thanks. For saying that, and for saving my life back there."
"It wasn't me," sighed Samuel, glancing up at the appartment block. "You think he'll make it out?"
"No use waiting around for a corpse. Even one that did save our lives."
Samuel smiled. C'mon then bro', you're right, we don't need anyone else. It's just you and me." He was already some distance away, "That's the way it should be."
David looked back at the building and thought of their saviour. "I'm not so sure about that any more."
'Without them I'm beggining to slip up. I'm making mistakes and I can't look out for Sam, or myself. I nearly got us killed. Maybe we do need someone else. Maybe we need someone to take care of us. Maybe I need someone to take care of me. It used to be fun, it was our little game. But now the fun's gone and I've realised, I don't want to play the game any more. . .'
As the elevator doors opened they stared out into the appartment lobby panting heavily, backs against the wall, waiting for something to happen, something that might prove to them that they were conscious or alive.
"C'mon," The voice broke the silence, but it was a nice change from the ringing in his ears after the screaming monsters, or the thumping in his chest from the thudding of footsteps. "We better move before more of them show up, or worse."
"What's worse than that?"
Samuel paused, considering the possibilities. "I dunno," he was already on his feet and he looked down at his brother as he shrugged and offered him a hand, "But I sure would hate to stick around meet it."
"Even at the worst of times, he's still making jokes."
They stepped out into the street, the sun made everything shine as if the walls of the buildings were made of gold.
"Remember what mum used to always say when we were younger?"
He stared at his brother for a short moment, "It's this time of day, when the world is at it's most magical. . ."
". . . When the fairies scurry back to their homes, hidden away for another day."
They shared a smile, "Then dad would say how, 'It's the light shining off their wings that makes the horizon shimmer like that. . .'" He had said it in a funny voice to hide the fact that, secretly, he wished he could hear them say it to him again.
Their chuckles died out into a soft silence, and David knew his brother was thinking of the same thing he was. It was a silence which he was only awoken from by a reassuring hand on his shoulder.
"I miss them too."
David attempted a half smile.
"At least we have each other." As he started forward he kept talking. "I don't know what I would have done without you.
"A fat lot of good I was back there."
"I would have reacted the sameway," Samuel paused, "Probably worse. You've gotten me out of more scrapes than I care to mention."
"Thanks. For saying that, and for saving my life back there."
"It wasn't me," sighed Samuel, glancing up at the appartment block. "You think he'll make it out?"
"No use waiting around for a corpse. Even one that did save our lives."
Samuel smiled. C'mon then bro', you're right, we don't need anyone else. It's just you and me." He was already some distance away, "That's the way it should be."
David looked back at the building and thought of their saviour. "I'm not so sure about that any more."
Friday 7 January 2011
Episode 13
Jessica Warner:
'The Lord is my shepherd. As long as i follow him, I will follow the right path. He'll lead me to safety. He'll protect me. The Lord is my shepherd. He watches over
me. He'll keep me out of danger. . .'
She grimaced as she lowered the binoculars. Nothing to the east, nothing to the west, nothing south. North was the way she had come from.
"Father, watch over me."
She made her way down the hill, through the trees at the bottom and into the clearing she had seen from above. She could barely see where the trees came back into view.
She sighed, shook her head to clear it and set off again. She glanced up at the sky, it was streaked with golden flecks, as if they were the marks of a giant paintbrush, they almost didn't seem real. As if, even as the darkness overwhelmed the earth, God was still shining through for as long as he could. But it would not be long until night fall.
That was the time when her faith was truly tested. She heard the noises every night and it was all she could do to remain silent. Most nights she went without sleep for fear of what she may find when she opened her eyes. Although she was sure God would protect her, he could not keep away the fear.
She stopped dead in her tracks. The back of her neck burned with the feeling of a million beady, hungry eyes fixated on her. She stood still, as if moving would trigger an invisible alarm and they would be upon her within seconds.
"Father, give- give me the strength-" She began to sob, "Give me the strength to go on."
There was an almighty roar and her heart stopped as the burning became more intense, she found herself trying to wriggle free, while at the same time willing her feet to pull her forward.
"Father, give me the strength to go on!" Her cheeks were streaked with tears now and she was truely afraid. "Father give me the strength-"
Her prayer was cut short by another roar and then the sound of thudding on the ground as something charged towards her.
"Father protect me!" She screamed out and closed her eyes, scrunching them up as if it would keep the evil out.
BANG.
The squeal that followed echoed through the clearing, and when it stopped it was still ringing through her ears.
The feeling of burning was gone now, but she could still feel something watching over her. A protector. A guardian angel.
She glanced around, finally able to move again, but the clearing was empty. She was the only soul there. She stared down at the demon at her feet. It was breathing, with much difficulty, she almost felt pity for it.
It was rasping and moaning, its chest was rising and falling quickly as blood ozzed out of its chest, dark like a stain on what little grass grew on the dry ground.
She couldn't help but feel pity. And contempt.
'The Lord is my shepherd. As long as i follow him, I will follow the right path. He'll lead me to safety. He'll protect me. The Lord is my shepherd. He watches over
me. He'll keep me out of danger. . .'
She grimaced as she lowered the binoculars. Nothing to the east, nothing to the west, nothing south. North was the way she had come from.
"Father, watch over me."
She made her way down the hill, through the trees at the bottom and into the clearing she had seen from above. She could barely see where the trees came back into view.
She sighed, shook her head to clear it and set off again. She glanced up at the sky, it was streaked with golden flecks, as if they were the marks of a giant paintbrush, they almost didn't seem real. As if, even as the darkness overwhelmed the earth, God was still shining through for as long as he could. But it would not be long until night fall.
That was the time when her faith was truly tested. She heard the noises every night and it was all she could do to remain silent. Most nights she went without sleep for fear of what she may find when she opened her eyes. Although she was sure God would protect her, he could not keep away the fear.
She stopped dead in her tracks. The back of her neck burned with the feeling of a million beady, hungry eyes fixated on her. She stood still, as if moving would trigger an invisible alarm and they would be upon her within seconds.
"Father, give- give me the strength-" She began to sob, "Give me the strength to go on."
There was an almighty roar and her heart stopped as the burning became more intense, she found herself trying to wriggle free, while at the same time willing her feet to pull her forward.
"Father, give me the strength to go on!" Her cheeks were streaked with tears now and she was truely afraid. "Father give me the strength-"
Her prayer was cut short by another roar and then the sound of thudding on the ground as something charged towards her.
"Father protect me!" She screamed out and closed her eyes, scrunching them up as if it would keep the evil out.
BANG.
The squeal that followed echoed through the clearing, and when it stopped it was still ringing through her ears.
The feeling of burning was gone now, but she could still feel something watching over her. A protector. A guardian angel.
She glanced around, finally able to move again, but the clearing was empty. She was the only soul there. She stared down at the demon at her feet. It was breathing, with much difficulty, she almost felt pity for it.
It was rasping and moaning, its chest was rising and falling quickly as blood ozzed out of its chest, dark like a stain on what little grass grew on the dry ground.
She couldn't help but feel pity. And contempt.
Monday 3 January 2011
Episode 12
Alexander Johnstone:
'One night i was woken by the sound of raspy breathing and a foul stench. It was all i could do to stop myself from gagging. It was unaware of me but i knew it all too well: it was one of the creatures. I dared not move for fear I alert it to my presence. It came close a few times throughout the night, but never quite found its way to me. For the entire night I sat there, barely breathing, staring into the pitch black, waiting for it to find me. Waiting for the end. . .'
The sun was bright as he stepped out of the ticket office. He walked through the station clutching his bag, glancing round for signs of danger, but there were none.
He was standing in the centre of the road which sat between two bus shelters and he gazed up at the buildings surrounding the station. He stood there in awe, buildings and cities had always had that effect on him; they'd made him feel small, but he loved that feeling.
As he stared round he pictured another life, a life where these buildings were full of people, a life where buses flowed through the station and out past where he stood. He could almost see it.
"Maybe one day." He thought.
He ventured into the city, looking for something useful. Finally he found somewhere.
The door was locked. He took a step back and kicked it. Nothing happened. He kicked again, this time harder and the door swung open. He stepped through the shower of dust which rained down from the door frame. There was a little sunlight trickling through the window and he could see a kitchen to the left, where he swiftly emptied the cupboards of food and took a few kitchen knives. There were stairs ahead of him.
They squeaked as he climbed them, not in an eerie way, but in a way that reminded him of home. It was the kind of squeak that made a house into a home.
When he reached the toop there were three doors. He stepped through one and immediatey wished he hadn't.
The walls were pink, with flowers winding all around them. There was a window on the wall opposite the door and below it sat a chest of drawers with teddies sitting on top. The light flooded through the thin blind, almost illuminating the display.
The bed was made and everything was in its own place.
It was just waiting for someone to come home.
He was overwhelmed. There was nothing here to take, there was only memories, but they were more valuable than anything he could have found. He felt he shouldn't be in the room, His presence was unnatural.
There were tears in his eyes as he pictured this little girl's life. He stepped over to the teddy bear collection and picked one up. He clutched it in his hands and stared into its button eyes. She couldn't have been more than eight, a life not even half lived, forced to suffer this tragedy. Maybe she was still alive. He wondered
which would be better. For her to die and leave a life not yet half lived, or to live on in the wasteland, to lose everything.
He began to cry. He cried for all the children who didn't deserve this. For all the children who had been so innocent, now a part of the most horriffic event in history.
He had fallen to his knees, crushed by the memories which lived on in this house. He sat the bear back with the rest and took a step back, wiping his eyes.
There was a creaking sound, followed by footsteps. Something was coming upstairs.
They were soft, as if they were trying to be quiet. As if it knew he was there.
He hid behind the door, waiting.
The footsteps came closer, stopping every few steps scouring the rooms.
The footsteps stopped at the door and the footsteps made their way inside. It stepped into the room, he could see it coming into view.
It was. . . a girl.
'One night i was woken by the sound of raspy breathing and a foul stench. It was all i could do to stop myself from gagging. It was unaware of me but i knew it all too well: it was one of the creatures. I dared not move for fear I alert it to my presence. It came close a few times throughout the night, but never quite found its way to me. For the entire night I sat there, barely breathing, staring into the pitch black, waiting for it to find me. Waiting for the end. . .'
The sun was bright as he stepped out of the ticket office. He walked through the station clutching his bag, glancing round for signs of danger, but there were none.
He was standing in the centre of the road which sat between two bus shelters and he gazed up at the buildings surrounding the station. He stood there in awe, buildings and cities had always had that effect on him; they'd made him feel small, but he loved that feeling.
As he stared round he pictured another life, a life where these buildings were full of people, a life where buses flowed through the station and out past where he stood. He could almost see it.
"Maybe one day." He thought.
He ventured into the city, looking for something useful. Finally he found somewhere.
The door was locked. He took a step back and kicked it. Nothing happened. He kicked again, this time harder and the door swung open. He stepped through the shower of dust which rained down from the door frame. There was a little sunlight trickling through the window and he could see a kitchen to the left, where he swiftly emptied the cupboards of food and took a few kitchen knives. There were stairs ahead of him.
They squeaked as he climbed them, not in an eerie way, but in a way that reminded him of home. It was the kind of squeak that made a house into a home.
When he reached the toop there were three doors. He stepped through one and immediatey wished he hadn't.
The walls were pink, with flowers winding all around them. There was a window on the wall opposite the door and below it sat a chest of drawers with teddies sitting on top. The light flooded through the thin blind, almost illuminating the display.
The bed was made and everything was in its own place.
It was just waiting for someone to come home.
He was overwhelmed. There was nothing here to take, there was only memories, but they were more valuable than anything he could have found. He felt he shouldn't be in the room, His presence was unnatural.
There were tears in his eyes as he pictured this little girl's life. He stepped over to the teddy bear collection and picked one up. He clutched it in his hands and stared into its button eyes. She couldn't have been more than eight, a life not even half lived, forced to suffer this tragedy. Maybe she was still alive. He wondered
which would be better. For her to die and leave a life not yet half lived, or to live on in the wasteland, to lose everything.
He began to cry. He cried for all the children who didn't deserve this. For all the children who had been so innocent, now a part of the most horriffic event in history.
He had fallen to his knees, crushed by the memories which lived on in this house. He sat the bear back with the rest and took a step back, wiping his eyes.
There was a creaking sound, followed by footsteps. Something was coming upstairs.
They were soft, as if they were trying to be quiet. As if it knew he was there.
He hid behind the door, waiting.
The footsteps came closer, stopping every few steps scouring the rooms.
The footsteps stopped at the door and the footsteps made their way inside. It stepped into the room, he could see it coming into view.
It was. . . a girl.
Tuesday 21 December 2010
Episode 11
Alice Wonderland:
'Every time I wake up its more like I'm just entering the nightmare. There's that short moment where everything's ok. Then it all comes back. It always comes back. . .'
The sun's heat was warm on her face, but the light was not quite so gracious. It irritated her eyes until finally she opened them to find herself out of the forest. In fact, she was out of the wilderness entirely. She hadn't been able to figure it out at first, but now that she had taken in her surroundings she realised that she was on a rooftop.
"Was it a nightmare?" She thought sitting up to get her bearings. "No. The nightmare begins when I wake up."
There was a sense of relief in her that her she was alive, the monstrous images which still remained imprinted in her mind. The snarling jaws, the hate filled, hungry, beady little eyes. She was not likely to forget them soon.
She could feel herself welling up.
"No!"
She got to her feet and gritted her teeth, pushing the previous night's memories from her head. It did not work.
"Wait." It suddenly occurred to her, "How did I get here?"
She remembered the sound which had seemed almost like music to her ears and yet, at the same time, filled with sickening mystery. The gunshots. She wondered where her saviour was, and why they had brought her here.
"Now I Just have to get . . ." She walked to the edge of the roof and glanced over the edge. "Down."
She shot back like a flash, afraid of falling. "That's a long way"
Again she made her way towards the edge, slower this time. As the horizon expanded out in front of her she found herself admiring the view. The sunrise was begining to turn the sky and the furthest points on the horizon a rich golden colour, spattered with the smallest little flecks of orange and red.
"It's so pretty."
She clenched her fist. "Not again. I have to escape these thoughts."
Shaking her head she spoke out loud. "Why!? Why can't I think happy thoughts."
The answer was fiery. It burned through her and hurt to hear.
"Because I don't want to fall apart."
She wiped her eyes. It felt like that was all she ever seemed to do these days: Cry.
But the tears stopped when her eyes picked up something on the ground close to her. She stared down trying to make it out, but she couldn't. It was silhouetted, blurred in the golden light. The shadows began to clear as the sun rose higher in the sky and the shape became more discernable.
She gasped.
It was a shape she recognised, but one she hadn't seen in what felt like forever. A shape she had missed.
'Every time I wake up its more like I'm just entering the nightmare. There's that short moment where everything's ok. Then it all comes back. It always comes back. . .'
The sun's heat was warm on her face, but the light was not quite so gracious. It irritated her eyes until finally she opened them to find herself out of the forest. In fact, she was out of the wilderness entirely. She hadn't been able to figure it out at first, but now that she had taken in her surroundings she realised that she was on a rooftop.
"Was it a nightmare?" She thought sitting up to get her bearings. "No. The nightmare begins when I wake up."
There was a sense of relief in her that her she was alive, the monstrous images which still remained imprinted in her mind. The snarling jaws, the hate filled, hungry, beady little eyes. She was not likely to forget them soon.
She could feel herself welling up.
"No!"
She got to her feet and gritted her teeth, pushing the previous night's memories from her head. It did not work.
"Wait." It suddenly occurred to her, "How did I get here?"
She remembered the sound which had seemed almost like music to her ears and yet, at the same time, filled with sickening mystery. The gunshots. She wondered where her saviour was, and why they had brought her here.
"Now I Just have to get . . ." She walked to the edge of the roof and glanced over the edge. "Down."
She shot back like a flash, afraid of falling. "That's a long way"
Again she made her way towards the edge, slower this time. As the horizon expanded out in front of her she found herself admiring the view. The sunrise was begining to turn the sky and the furthest points on the horizon a rich golden colour, spattered with the smallest little flecks of orange and red.
"It's so pretty."
She clenched her fist. "Not again. I have to escape these thoughts."
Shaking her head she spoke out loud. "Why!? Why can't I think happy thoughts."
The answer was fiery. It burned through her and hurt to hear.
"Because I don't want to fall apart."
She wiped her eyes. It felt like that was all she ever seemed to do these days: Cry.
But the tears stopped when her eyes picked up something on the ground close to her. She stared down trying to make it out, but she couldn't. It was silhouetted, blurred in the golden light. The shadows began to clear as the sun rose higher in the sky and the shape became more discernable.
She gasped.
It was a shape she recognised, but one she hadn't seen in what felt like forever. A shape she had missed.
Tuesday 14 December 2010
Episode 10
Samuel Benson:
'We get on fine without anyone else. They would just slow us down. David says we probably shouldn't trust other people, they get in the way. I agree. . .'
The noise startled him.
THUD - THUD - THUD - THUD.
"David?"
There was no reply.
THUD - THUD - THUD - THUD.
"What are you doing?"
Still nothing but the THUD - THUD - THUD - THUD.
He got to his feet and slowly shuffled towards the bathroom door.
THUD - THUD - THUD - THUD.
As he reached for the door handle he heard a soft whimpering.
'click, click.'
The door wouldn't open.
"David! Stand back!"
He took a step back, and threw himself at the door.
His brother was standing in the middle of the bathroom, frozen still, staring at the wall.
He turned to see the whole wall shaking, and a large crack right in the centre, growing larger and larger with every THUD.
All he could do was stare at the crack, flinching as he knew that any second now they would break through.
"David!" He grabbed his brother's sleeve and wrenched him through the door just as the wall collapsed.
There was no time to look back, but from the sound of it, the room was flooded with the creatures quickly, and more were on their way.
"It's a nest!"
They ran towards the front door of the appartment. I was locked!
David snapped to his senses as they threw themselves through the door.. It splintered and they fell through it, landing awkwardly on the floor.
Before he could register this however, Samuel was being dragged to his feet by his brother.
"Come on!"
They tore down the hall, the monsters snapping at their feet.
The elevators were ahead of them. "What now?"
"I don't know just RUN!"
Suddenly, one of the elevators seemed to be opening. "Look!" He shouted. There, standing in the doorway was a figure, Silhuetted against the flickering lights, which remained in the elevator, head bowed, arms at its side.
"Get down!" It called out as it raised something from beside it.
The order was clear and without thinking they fell to the floor as instructed. They heard the shots fly over them. The thundering of footsteps and the grunts and growls had been replaced by shrieks and wails, and the THWAP, THWAP as bullets collided with rotten, mutated flesh.
A shadow passed over them and they flinched before realising that a fight was ensuing behind them.
They sat up and stared in awe as the mysterious figure held back the nightmare.
"Go!"
They stumbled forward into the elavator. As the doors slid shut they caught their final glimpse of the mystery figure and wondered if they would ever see him, or her, again.
'We get on fine without anyone else. They would just slow us down. David says we probably shouldn't trust other people, they get in the way. I agree. . .'
The noise startled him.
THUD - THUD - THUD - THUD.
"David?"
There was no reply.
THUD - THUD - THUD - THUD.
"What are you doing?"
Still nothing but the THUD - THUD - THUD - THUD.
He got to his feet and slowly shuffled towards the bathroom door.
THUD - THUD - THUD - THUD.
As he reached for the door handle he heard a soft whimpering.
'click, click.'
The door wouldn't open.
"David! Stand back!"
He took a step back, and threw himself at the door.
His brother was standing in the middle of the bathroom, frozen still, staring at the wall.
He turned to see the whole wall shaking, and a large crack right in the centre, growing larger and larger with every THUD.
All he could do was stare at the crack, flinching as he knew that any second now they would break through.
"David!" He grabbed his brother's sleeve and wrenched him through the door just as the wall collapsed.
There was no time to look back, but from the sound of it, the room was flooded with the creatures quickly, and more were on their way.
"It's a nest!"
They ran towards the front door of the appartment. I was locked!
David snapped to his senses as they threw themselves through the door.. It splintered and they fell through it, landing awkwardly on the floor.
Before he could register this however, Samuel was being dragged to his feet by his brother.
"Come on!"
They tore down the hall, the monsters snapping at their feet.
The elevators were ahead of them. "What now?"
"I don't know just RUN!"
Suddenly, one of the elevators seemed to be opening. "Look!" He shouted. There, standing in the doorway was a figure, Silhuetted against the flickering lights, which remained in the elevator, head bowed, arms at its side.
"Get down!" It called out as it raised something from beside it.
The order was clear and without thinking they fell to the floor as instructed. They heard the shots fly over them. The thundering of footsteps and the grunts and growls had been replaced by shrieks and wails, and the THWAP, THWAP as bullets collided with rotten, mutated flesh.
A shadow passed over them and they flinched before realising that a fight was ensuing behind them.
They sat up and stared in awe as the mysterious figure held back the nightmare.
"Go!"
They stumbled forward into the elavator. As the doors slid shut they caught their final glimpse of the mystery figure and wondered if they would ever see him, or her, again.
Monday 13 December 2010
Episode 9
Jessica Warner:
'What's out there? The stories I've heard are terrifying, but I wonder if those are just for the children. I want to know the truth. . . At least, part of me does. The other part of me tells me I'm safe here. Nothing can go wrong. I'm safe here. . .'
The heat was unbareable. That was the thought in her head. Somehow despite all the horror she had been dragged through that night, that was the only thought on her mind: The heat was unbearable, and yet she couldn't move.
As she stared up at the burning wreckage she heard a scream. A human scream. A young scream. The last scream. It snapped her back to reality.
Her home, the church, her friends, family, The Pastor. All of it gone, just like that, snatched from her by the cruel, ugly disfigured hand of the very creatures she had watched from afar. The creatures she had felt pity for. The same creatures had ruined her life. She now felt nothing for them but contempt, hatred of the
strongest possible kind. It made her weep and the tears flooded down her cheeks.
It suddenly dawned on her that she had nothing, except for the bible she was clutching in her arms. She had forgotten it was there until now and the metal plates on its surface had been so warm that she was sure they had burned her skin, but she had been too afraid to let go.
She remembered some of the stories she had been told when she was younger. The lone warriors of the wasteland, fighting their way across it to find a safer place.
Of course these were just stories. At least that's what she had always believed, but now that she thought about it, why couldn't there be someone out there. There must be other settlements, like theirs, other survivors. There must be warriors out there somewhere.
This thought gave her hope and she closed her eyes. "Father, I know I haven't always been as faithful as I could be, and i know I've questioned you more than is right. But please, please father. . . Watch over me." She kept her eyes closed for a while but said nothing, just letting the tears flow. Her whole body was filled with a warmth and she felt safe.
When she opened her eyes, her mind was set. She would turn and keep walking, she would rebuild somewhere else, she would gather other stragglers and she would preach. She would spread faith throughout the wasteland.
She looked towards the sky. "I understand my part in this test now Father. I won't fail."
She said another silent prayer for her fallen family and friends before turning her back on the wreckage and begining her journey.
'What's out there? The stories I've heard are terrifying, but I wonder if those are just for the children. I want to know the truth. . . At least, part of me does. The other part of me tells me I'm safe here. Nothing can go wrong. I'm safe here. . .'
The heat was unbareable. That was the thought in her head. Somehow despite all the horror she had been dragged through that night, that was the only thought on her mind: The heat was unbearable, and yet she couldn't move.
As she stared up at the burning wreckage she heard a scream. A human scream. A young scream. The last scream. It snapped her back to reality.
Her home, the church, her friends, family, The Pastor. All of it gone, just like that, snatched from her by the cruel, ugly disfigured hand of the very creatures she had watched from afar. The creatures she had felt pity for. The same creatures had ruined her life. She now felt nothing for them but contempt, hatred of the
strongest possible kind. It made her weep and the tears flooded down her cheeks.
It suddenly dawned on her that she had nothing, except for the bible she was clutching in her arms. She had forgotten it was there until now and the metal plates on its surface had been so warm that she was sure they had burned her skin, but she had been too afraid to let go.
She remembered some of the stories she had been told when she was younger. The lone warriors of the wasteland, fighting their way across it to find a safer place.
Of course these were just stories. At least that's what she had always believed, but now that she thought about it, why couldn't there be someone out there. There must be other settlements, like theirs, other survivors. There must be warriors out there somewhere.
This thought gave her hope and she closed her eyes. "Father, I know I haven't always been as faithful as I could be, and i know I've questioned you more than is right. But please, please father. . . Watch over me." She kept her eyes closed for a while but said nothing, just letting the tears flow. Her whole body was filled with a warmth and she felt safe.
When she opened her eyes, her mind was set. She would turn and keep walking, she would rebuild somewhere else, she would gather other stragglers and she would preach. She would spread faith throughout the wasteland.
She looked towards the sky. "I understand my part in this test now Father. I won't fail."
She said another silent prayer for her fallen family and friends before turning her back on the wreckage and begining her journey.
Saturday 11 December 2010
Episode 8
Alexander Johnstone:
'All this time and I've never met another human. Yet. That's important, that hope. I need to keep hoping there are more like me out there. Because without that hope
I'm just walking, aimless, and i might as well give up. . . No. I'll never give up. . .'
Before he could register what was happening had been thrown to the ground, then before he could get to his feet he was beaten down again. As he turned to face the threat one of the creatures landed on him, knocking the wind out of him. It swept at him with its arm again and again until he started bleeding profusely.
He was no match for it. Even if he was, his arms were pinned by his side. He had no choice but to stare up at the creature as it raised its arm for a final killer blow when suddenly an unknown force knocked it off of him. He sat up, ready to run when he caught a glimpse of something. Immediately he understood what had happened. The beast who had attacked first had been taken down by a larger one, a more predominant, more powerful one which was now barking and screaming loudly at it, asserting its power, trying to intimidate the first.
The two were fighting over him, over which one held the right to kill him. A third one weighed in, and eventually there was a large group of the monsters with a clear divide, each one trying to out do the other.
He saw his chance, he leapt to his feet but fumbled. There was a yelp from behind him followed by more indescribable, horrible sounds but he dared not look round and risk his life.
He charged across the bus station as fast as he could. Suddenly there was a roar behind him and the pack fell silent, only for a moment, before it erupted and the only sound louder than the roars and screeches, was the thunder of feet as the pack, united again by their insatiable hunger, gave chase. Their prey was in sight, and the only thing left to do was to catch it.
"This was a bad idea!"
One of them leapt out in front of him and gave a hiss and made a swipe for him but he sidestepped left, narrowly avoiding it and almost losing his balance in the process.
His legs were beginning to hurt and he was out of breath, but the sound behind him was more than enough to keep him from slowing down. They were getting closer, he could hear every heavy, raspy breath, every thud of feet, every squeal.
He could smell their rancid breath, as they snapped their jaws and foamed at the mouth. He could feel their hunger, their will, their need to catch him.
"I can't keep running forever. But i can't fight them all!"
BANG.
This sound echoed throughout the station louder than the all the others. A mechanical sound, one which silenced the creatures. A sound which stopped them dead in their tracks. A sound followed by the shriek of the creature it had hit.
BANG.
The abominations began to fret and panic as another dropped dead with a squeal like a wounded dog.
BANG.
He stopped and turned to look at his pursuers. They had lost their previous interest in him. Now they were looking for the source of this mysterious sound.
BANG.
The largest of the beasts stood tall, it was easily taller than Alexander, and gave an almighty roar. A challenge to the sound.
BANG.
The roar turned to a shriek as the bullet sank deep into its shoulder.
It lowered its body and roared again, a different roar, not a challenge, but a warning to the pack. It was calling them off.
Alex watched as they slinked away. When all was clear, he called out, "Hello? Who are you?"
There was no reply.
"Thank you."
'All this time and I've never met another human. Yet. That's important, that hope. I need to keep hoping there are more like me out there. Because without that hope
I'm just walking, aimless, and i might as well give up. . . No. I'll never give up. . .'
Before he could register what was happening had been thrown to the ground, then before he could get to his feet he was beaten down again. As he turned to face the threat one of the creatures landed on him, knocking the wind out of him. It swept at him with its arm again and again until he started bleeding profusely.
He was no match for it. Even if he was, his arms were pinned by his side. He had no choice but to stare up at the creature as it raised its arm for a final killer blow when suddenly an unknown force knocked it off of him. He sat up, ready to run when he caught a glimpse of something. Immediately he understood what had happened. The beast who had attacked first had been taken down by a larger one, a more predominant, more powerful one which was now barking and screaming loudly at it, asserting its power, trying to intimidate the first.
The two were fighting over him, over which one held the right to kill him. A third one weighed in, and eventually there was a large group of the monsters with a clear divide, each one trying to out do the other.
He saw his chance, he leapt to his feet but fumbled. There was a yelp from behind him followed by more indescribable, horrible sounds but he dared not look round and risk his life.
He charged across the bus station as fast as he could. Suddenly there was a roar behind him and the pack fell silent, only for a moment, before it erupted and the only sound louder than the roars and screeches, was the thunder of feet as the pack, united again by their insatiable hunger, gave chase. Their prey was in sight, and the only thing left to do was to catch it.
"This was a bad idea!"
One of them leapt out in front of him and gave a hiss and made a swipe for him but he sidestepped left, narrowly avoiding it and almost losing his balance in the process.
His legs were beginning to hurt and he was out of breath, but the sound behind him was more than enough to keep him from slowing down. They were getting closer, he could hear every heavy, raspy breath, every thud of feet, every squeal.
He could smell their rancid breath, as they snapped their jaws and foamed at the mouth. He could feel their hunger, their will, their need to catch him.
"I can't keep running forever. But i can't fight them all!"
BANG.
This sound echoed throughout the station louder than the all the others. A mechanical sound, one which silenced the creatures. A sound which stopped them dead in their tracks. A sound followed by the shriek of the creature it had hit.
BANG.
The abominations began to fret and panic as another dropped dead with a squeal like a wounded dog.
BANG.
He stopped and turned to look at his pursuers. They had lost their previous interest in him. Now they were looking for the source of this mysterious sound.
BANG.
The largest of the beasts stood tall, it was easily taller than Alexander, and gave an almighty roar. A challenge to the sound.
BANG.
The roar turned to a shriek as the bullet sank deep into its shoulder.
It lowered its body and roared again, a different roar, not a challenge, but a warning to the pack. It was calling them off.
Alex watched as they slinked away. When all was clear, he called out, "Hello? Who are you?"
There was no reply.
"Thank you."
Friday 10 December 2010
Episode 7
David Benson:
"The drugs keep me sane. Keep me ticking like a clock, like a machine. They make it all easier. The drugs give me strength. I need them. . ."
Fast asleep. Samuel lay still, his chest rising and falling gently, back to the wall. His brother david stood watching him from across the room for a while before turning and stepping out onto the balcony. They were safe here, high off the ground in an abandoned apartment. Above the heads of the "Stiffs", above hell. As he looked down into the street below, there was no sign of movement. Nothing was there but darkness.
He glanced over his shoulder again as he heard a sound, Samuel was twisting, turning in his sleep. David watched, waiting until he was settled again. Finally Samuel settled down and his breathing became heavier.
David closed the door and turned back. He sat down, his back resting on the glass, and reached into his coat pocket.
When he unclenched his fist, he revealed a small collection of pills, and a little bag of white powder.
"I need to find more soon."
He stared at the collection of drugs before making his choice. He pocketed the bag and most of the pills and tossed afew into his mouth. He closed his eyes and sighed, waiting for the effects to take hold.
"That's better," he thought.
Next thing he knew he felt a jab in his side, followed by another. He opened his eyes, only to clamp them shut again due to the sunlight.
"David." Samuel kicked him softly again and he sat up.
"Damn, must've taken a sleeping pill," he thought to himself.
"David!?"
He looked up, realising Samuel was speaking to him. "What?"
"I said why were you sleeping out on the balcony?"
"Oh," He said. "I couldn't sleep."
"You seemed pretty heavily sedated to me." Samuel laughed, slapping him on the back. "I found some spam, it's horrible, but I'm starving. You want some?"
But his mind was on other things. "Nice going," he thought to himself, "sleeping pills? You almost got caught!" He realised it had been a long time since Samuel asked the question. "Y-yeah," he stammered, "I'll eat anything right now." He forced a smile.
As they sat there, eating and laughing he slowly forgot about what had almost happened and he slowly reverted to his natural self again.
"Anything worth taking?" He asked, glancing round the room.
Samuel shook his head, "Not in here anyway, I haven't checked the bathroom yet."
"The bathroom," he thought, "Perfect." He smirked and swallowed down some spam."I'll go check."
He locked the door behind him and made his way towards the row of cabinets on the wall. He searched them franticly, with every empty cupboard he grew more and more agitated and frantic.
"Why is there nothing. I need something."
He slammed the last cabinet shut.
There was a pause, then he heard it. A sharp growl, more like a bark than anything. Almost as if in response to the sound of the cupboard door. Almost as if something was stirring.
He turned to face the direction of the noise, his heart in his hands. "The shower."
He made his way towards it, arm outstretched towards the curtain, ready to pull it open.
He flexed his fingers and licked his lips, he could feel his heart beating, pounding in his skull.
There was another growl.
He swept back the curtain and-
Just a wall, the tub was empty. He sank to his knees, overwhelmed with relief. Until he heard another growl. Followed by a tap on the wall. And another slightly harder. And another. . .
Dust fell from the wall as something threw its entire weight at the wall again and again.
"Run!" he thought, but he was stuck in place. "You're never afraid of them! Never, why can't you move!?"
The walls and roof began to shake and crumble as whatever was behind the wall used more and more force. How was it possible that it could have so much strength? unless-
His eyes widened and his voice was but a whisper; "Theres more than one."
"The drugs keep me sane. Keep me ticking like a clock, like a machine. They make it all easier. The drugs give me strength. I need them. . ."
Fast asleep. Samuel lay still, his chest rising and falling gently, back to the wall. His brother david stood watching him from across the room for a while before turning and stepping out onto the balcony. They were safe here, high off the ground in an abandoned apartment. Above the heads of the "Stiffs", above hell. As he looked down into the street below, there was no sign of movement. Nothing was there but darkness.
He glanced over his shoulder again as he heard a sound, Samuel was twisting, turning in his sleep. David watched, waiting until he was settled again. Finally Samuel settled down and his breathing became heavier.
David closed the door and turned back. He sat down, his back resting on the glass, and reached into his coat pocket.
When he unclenched his fist, he revealed a small collection of pills, and a little bag of white powder.
"I need to find more soon."
He stared at the collection of drugs before making his choice. He pocketed the bag and most of the pills and tossed afew into his mouth. He closed his eyes and sighed, waiting for the effects to take hold.
"That's better," he thought.
Next thing he knew he felt a jab in his side, followed by another. He opened his eyes, only to clamp them shut again due to the sunlight.
"David." Samuel kicked him softly again and he sat up.
"Damn, must've taken a sleeping pill," he thought to himself.
"David!?"
He looked up, realising Samuel was speaking to him. "What?"
"I said why were you sleeping out on the balcony?"
"Oh," He said. "I couldn't sleep."
"You seemed pretty heavily sedated to me." Samuel laughed, slapping him on the back. "I found some spam, it's horrible, but I'm starving. You want some?"
But his mind was on other things. "Nice going," he thought to himself, "sleeping pills? You almost got caught!" He realised it had been a long time since Samuel asked the question. "Y-yeah," he stammered, "I'll eat anything right now." He forced a smile.
As they sat there, eating and laughing he slowly forgot about what had almost happened and he slowly reverted to his natural self again.
"Anything worth taking?" He asked, glancing round the room.
Samuel shook his head, "Not in here anyway, I haven't checked the bathroom yet."
"The bathroom," he thought, "Perfect." He smirked and swallowed down some spam."I'll go check."
He locked the door behind him and made his way towards the row of cabinets on the wall. He searched them franticly, with every empty cupboard he grew more and more agitated and frantic.
"Why is there nothing. I need something."
He slammed the last cabinet shut.
There was a pause, then he heard it. A sharp growl, more like a bark than anything. Almost as if in response to the sound of the cupboard door. Almost as if something was stirring.
He turned to face the direction of the noise, his heart in his hands. "The shower."
He made his way towards it, arm outstretched towards the curtain, ready to pull it open.
He flexed his fingers and licked his lips, he could feel his heart beating, pounding in his skull.
There was another growl.
He swept back the curtain and-
Just a wall, the tub was empty. He sank to his knees, overwhelmed with relief. Until he heard another growl. Followed by a tap on the wall. And another slightly harder. And another. . .
Dust fell from the wall as something threw its entire weight at the wall again and again.
"Run!" he thought, but he was stuck in place. "You're never afraid of them! Never, why can't you move!?"
The walls and roof began to shake and crumble as whatever was behind the wall used more and more force. How was it possible that it could have so much strength? unless-
His eyes widened and his voice was but a whisper; "Theres more than one."
Thursday 9 December 2010
Episode 6
Alice Wonderland:
"Be strong. Just be strong. It'll all be over soon. . ."
As she trudged through the snow she couldn't help but let her mind wander, despite her attempts to banish thoughts of the others from her head, she was forced to wipe the tears from her face more than once.
"Stop it. Those thoughts make you weak."
She stopped and turned to look back at the path she had just walked. Her footsteps stretched back for miles. With this in mind she looked to the sky. The light was fading, soon it would be dark.
"Good," she thought, "There'll be more at night."
As the night went on she kept walking, until she came to a forest. The shrieks and calls which eminated from within warned her not to go on. She stopped and stared into the darkness, took a deep breath, and stepped through the trees.
She thought the screams on the outside were loud, but they were nothing compared to the noise that surrounded her now. Every scream pierced her heart, every twig that snapped was another one, stalking her, waiting for her to hesitate. Her skin burned from the feeling of a million beady eyes watching her from the darkness. Unseen, plotting her downfall. Planning each bite. Sinking their teeth into her skin. Ripping her apart in their heads.
There was a deafening roar ahead of her, followed by screaches and screams, getting closer and closer.
"This is it, be strong." She closed her eyes and repeated it in her head over and over. A tear flowed down her cheek and dripped onto the snow. She called out into the darkness.
"I'm ready to die!" Her scream met those coming from the trees.
There was an almighty crash as an army of the beasts burst from the trees, colliding with her knocking her to the ground.
"This is it." The fear was stronger than anything she'd ever felt.
She closed her eyes.
BANG!
The shot rang through the entire forest.
BANG! BANG! BANG!
Darkness.
"Be strong. Just be strong. It'll all be over soon. . ."
As she trudged through the snow she couldn't help but let her mind wander, despite her attempts to banish thoughts of the others from her head, she was forced to wipe the tears from her face more than once.
"Stop it. Those thoughts make you weak."
She stopped and turned to look back at the path she had just walked. Her footsteps stretched back for miles. With this in mind she looked to the sky. The light was fading, soon it would be dark.
"Good," she thought, "There'll be more at night."
As the night went on she kept walking, until she came to a forest. The shrieks and calls which eminated from within warned her not to go on. She stopped and stared into the darkness, took a deep breath, and stepped through the trees.
She thought the screams on the outside were loud, but they were nothing compared to the noise that surrounded her now. Every scream pierced her heart, every twig that snapped was another one, stalking her, waiting for her to hesitate. Her skin burned from the feeling of a million beady eyes watching her from the darkness. Unseen, plotting her downfall. Planning each bite. Sinking their teeth into her skin. Ripping her apart in their heads.
There was a deafening roar ahead of her, followed by screaches and screams, getting closer and closer.
"This is it, be strong." She closed her eyes and repeated it in her head over and over. A tear flowed down her cheek and dripped onto the snow. She called out into the darkness.
"I'm ready to die!" Her scream met those coming from the trees.
There was an almighty crash as an army of the beasts burst from the trees, colliding with her knocking her to the ground.
"This is it." The fear was stronger than anything she'd ever felt.
She closed her eyes.
BANG!
The shot rang through the entire forest.
BANG! BANG! BANG!
Darkness.
Wednesday 8 December 2010
Episode 5
Jessica Warner:
'I remember the first time i saw one. I'll never forget it. It chilled me to my very core. How, i thought, how can something so hideous be allowed to exist. How can something so inhuman, so forsaken, so evil, be a part of this world. Then it dawned on me. God is testing us. . .'
"Lead us not into temptation, But deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory. for ever and ever. Amen."
"Deliver us from evil." The words rang through her head again and again, as they did after every time she heard the prayer. "Deliver us from evil." There was a sick irony within them. "Deliver us from evil." For it seemed to her that they had not been delivered from evil, rather, dropped slap bang in the middle of it.
Of course the pastor had told her that the monsters were a test from god and that only by placing their trust and their love in him, would they be protected and guaranteed their place in heaven.
"But when will it end?" She had asked, "If this is a test then when will he see us as worthy?"
She had never had a real answer no matter how many times she had asked. The pastor had simply sighed and replied, "Soon my child."
The answer had been the same from everyone she'd asked, but it didn't add up. She had been told countless times to "think of Noah, God tested him too. It's the same for us. We should be glad that he chose us!"
How she would have given anything to swap places with Noah.
Still, she had never had much experience with the creatures, demons as The Pastor called them, she had only
seen them from a distance; From the roof of the church, and for that she was thankful.
This was where she sat now and she could see far out across the land. This was her place, no one else had ever made it up here. She stared out at the world outside the settlement, as she often did, and wondered if there were others out there, who were not safe in the sanctuary, and she wondered, if they really were out there, why God had not chosen to protect them too.
Something on the horizon caught her eye and she peered through her father's binoculars, they were the only possession of his she owned. The sight she saw was one she had seen many times before, but it never failed to frighten her.
The torn flesh and gaping wounds. The teeth permanantly bared in a viscious snarling expression, a sick smile, as if it was laughing at whatever it preyed on. The seemingly never ending desire to kill. Though it scared her, she also felt pity for the poor soul, once human, now doomed to reside in hell. What could be so terrible that this person should be doomed to walk the earth in such a manner as this?
'I remember the first time i saw one. I'll never forget it. It chilled me to my very core. How, i thought, how can something so hideous be allowed to exist. How can something so inhuman, so forsaken, so evil, be a part of this world. Then it dawned on me. God is testing us. . .'
"Lead us not into temptation, But deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory. for ever and ever. Amen."
"Deliver us from evil." The words rang through her head again and again, as they did after every time she heard the prayer. "Deliver us from evil." There was a sick irony within them. "Deliver us from evil." For it seemed to her that they had not been delivered from evil, rather, dropped slap bang in the middle of it.
Of course the pastor had told her that the monsters were a test from god and that only by placing their trust and their love in him, would they be protected and guaranteed their place in heaven.
"But when will it end?" She had asked, "If this is a test then when will he see us as worthy?"
She had never had a real answer no matter how many times she had asked. The pastor had simply sighed and replied, "Soon my child."
The answer had been the same from everyone she'd asked, but it didn't add up. She had been told countless times to "think of Noah, God tested him too. It's the same for us. We should be glad that he chose us!"
How she would have given anything to swap places with Noah.
Still, she had never had much experience with the creatures, demons as The Pastor called them, she had only
seen them from a distance; From the roof of the church, and for that she was thankful.
This was where she sat now and she could see far out across the land. This was her place, no one else had ever made it up here. She stared out at the world outside the settlement, as she often did, and wondered if there were others out there, who were not safe in the sanctuary, and she wondered, if they really were out there, why God had not chosen to protect them too.
Something on the horizon caught her eye and she peered through her father's binoculars, they were the only possession of his she owned. The sight she saw was one she had seen many times before, but it never failed to frighten her.
The torn flesh and gaping wounds. The teeth permanantly bared in a viscious snarling expression, a sick smile, as if it was laughing at whatever it preyed on. The seemingly never ending desire to kill. Though it scared her, she also felt pity for the poor soul, once human, now doomed to reside in hell. What could be so terrible that this person should be doomed to walk the earth in such a manner as this?
Tuesday 7 December 2010
Episode 4
Alexander Johnstone:
'I stopped counting the days a long time ago, there didn't seem much point. Numbers only have a purpose when there's a final number, a total, an end. Just now I don't see there being one. . .'
For miles he walked, following the train tracks until finally, it branched into two parallel tracks indicating that he was approaching a station, which meant one thing. He was approaching a town. Finally he saw the station up ahead and he stopped just short and crouched low, scouting for danger. He had learned from past experience, towns were among the most dangerous sites. There were two platforms, one on either side of him. A ticket office stood on one platform and a small shelter on the other. The glass panels of the shelter had long since been smashed and he could see that it was empty, but he could not see inside the ticket office. He would have to check it out before he could continue.
He crouched there, still, letting the snow soak into his trousers. He didn't care, it was better than what he was about to do. The fear had him in it's hold but he knew he could escape it. The will to survive was strong in him.
He would have to tread very carefully here, the snow would not be his ally, any sound would give him away and he had no idea how many there were throughout the town. One alerting cry and he was done for.
Keeping low to the ground, he slowly made his way towards the side of the platform until he was in line with the glass door of the ticket office, where he took cover below the level of the platform.
"One. . ." He whispered, "two. . . three." On three he peered over the top of the platform and through the door of the building. There were two in there, devouring something. Chewing and growling so quietly that had he not been sitting still holding his breath he never would have heard them.
How he longed to keep following that track. How he wished he could leave. He was so tired and scared that he wished he could have some kind of escape. But escape was out of reach and he was low on supplies, he had no choice but to move into the town.
Again he peered over the edge, the creatures were completely ignorant to his presence. He was hunched there for what seemed like hours, just waiting for his opportunity.
There it was. Swiftly he pulled himself up onto the platform and made a dive for the ticket office. With his back to the wall he took a deep breath and began to slide down it. Slowly he leaned his head round and looked into the ticket office.
"Oh no," His breath caught in his throat and his heartbeat stopped. They were gone.
He leaned against the wall again and closed his eyes.
He looked to his right, away from the ticket office. Behind it, connected to the train station was a bus station.
But there was no sign of the creatures.
As he turned back here was a horrifying moment where all speck of hope left his being in a flood as he came face to face with death. Staring him in the eye was one of the creatures. Less than an inch separated his nose from the gruesome scar which was once its. If it had snapped at him he would be helpless. Neither he nor it moved for what felt like forever, but all of a sudden the beast slowly opened its jaws and gave a loud, throaty roar.
Followed by another from somewhere in the bus station, and another from down the train line. Followed by another, and another and another, until he was drowning in an endless sea of noise.
'I stopped counting the days a long time ago, there didn't seem much point. Numbers only have a purpose when there's a final number, a total, an end. Just now I don't see there being one. . .'
For miles he walked, following the train tracks until finally, it branched into two parallel tracks indicating that he was approaching a station, which meant one thing. He was approaching a town. Finally he saw the station up ahead and he stopped just short and crouched low, scouting for danger. He had learned from past experience, towns were among the most dangerous sites. There were two platforms, one on either side of him. A ticket office stood on one platform and a small shelter on the other. The glass panels of the shelter had long since been smashed and he could see that it was empty, but he could not see inside the ticket office. He would have to check it out before he could continue.
He crouched there, still, letting the snow soak into his trousers. He didn't care, it was better than what he was about to do. The fear had him in it's hold but he knew he could escape it. The will to survive was strong in him.
He would have to tread very carefully here, the snow would not be his ally, any sound would give him away and he had no idea how many there were throughout the town. One alerting cry and he was done for.
Keeping low to the ground, he slowly made his way towards the side of the platform until he was in line with the glass door of the ticket office, where he took cover below the level of the platform.
"One. . ." He whispered, "two. . . three." On three he peered over the top of the platform and through the door of the building. There were two in there, devouring something. Chewing and growling so quietly that had he not been sitting still holding his breath he never would have heard them.
How he longed to keep following that track. How he wished he could leave. He was so tired and scared that he wished he could have some kind of escape. But escape was out of reach and he was low on supplies, he had no choice but to move into the town.
Again he peered over the edge, the creatures were completely ignorant to his presence. He was hunched there for what seemed like hours, just waiting for his opportunity.
There it was. Swiftly he pulled himself up onto the platform and made a dive for the ticket office. With his back to the wall he took a deep breath and began to slide down it. Slowly he leaned his head round and looked into the ticket office.
"Oh no," His breath caught in his throat and his heartbeat stopped. They were gone.
He leaned against the wall again and closed his eyes.
He looked to his right, away from the ticket office. Behind it, connected to the train station was a bus station.
But there was no sign of the creatures.
As he turned back here was a horrifying moment where all speck of hope left his being in a flood as he came face to face with death. Staring him in the eye was one of the creatures. Less than an inch separated his nose from the gruesome scar which was once its. If it had snapped at him he would be helpless. Neither he nor it moved for what felt like forever, but all of a sudden the beast slowly opened its jaws and gave a loud, throaty roar.
Followed by another from somewhere in the bus station, and another from down the train line. Followed by another, and another and another, until he was drowning in an endless sea of noise.
Saturday 4 December 2010
Episode 3
Samuel Benson:
'For so long it's been just me and my brother. If i didn't have him i'd have been dead a long time ago. He's my pillar, my strength. I wonder how he does it sometimes, I'd like to think it's because he has me. I doubt it. For so long it's been just me and my brother. We're a team. That's how it should be. . .'
There was nothing on the horizon. Nothing at all but a vast white sea of snow which seemed to fade into the sky and become one with it.
"Y'know sometimes i think that makes it worse. When we can't see them, because believe me, they're out there." He turned to his brother. "I'm telling you sammy," He smirked, "There's adventure this way."
He bounded down the hill before Samuel could shout after him.
"That's what I'm afraid of," he mumbled.
It was hard to run across the snow and he fell a few times but eventually he caught up with his brother, who was crouching behind a tree.
"Get down," he whispered. "Look."
Samuel followed the line of his brother's finger. He almost missed it at first, had it not been for the unnatural colours contained in its skin he would have. Through the trees, standing disfigured, hideous, and completely unaware of them:
"Another stiff."
He thought at first that it may have been frozen still, until he saw its breath in the air and he was suddenly overcome with a sense of fear. Why was it so still? It seemed as if it was playing a game with them, as if it knew they were there, as if it knew their intentions, and it was waiting for them to make a mistake.
Waiting for its moment to attack.
"David, don't-" But his brother was already gone, to him it was all just one big adventure, a video game with the best graphics ever. He had no choice but to follow.
He gave chase, but tripped, and fell into the snow. The creature snapped its head round and it's eyes met his. Before Samuel could even think the beast was charging towards him, snarling and snapping its jaws. Closer and closer, he tried to wriggle free but his leg was caught on something. Closer and closer, any second now it would reach him and -
"David!" He closed his eyes and braced himself, preparing for the first bite, when suddenly he heard a grunt, followed by a THWACK, and then a squeal.
Slowly he opened his eyes. He saw a dark shape looming over him: His brother! His brother, with a large stick in his hand. David quickly made his way over to the monster which was almost on its feet.
"Get the fuck back down!" He screamed, true anger in his voice, his hatred coming through to the surface as he swung the stick. Samuel flinched as stick met skull with a truly sickening sound.
David stood there. Breathing heavily. For a moment it looked like he would never move, when he turned and helped his brother to his feet.
"You didn't think I'd let him eat you did you?" He beamed down at him. Samuel couldn't help but worry about his brother's reckless nature, but at the same time, it was the same reckless nature which had saved his life.
"We don't need anyone else." Laughed David, "We look out for each other. That's how it should be."
'For so long it's been just me and my brother. If i didn't have him i'd have been dead a long time ago. He's my pillar, my strength. I wonder how he does it sometimes, I'd like to think it's because he has me. I doubt it. For so long it's been just me and my brother. We're a team. That's how it should be. . .'
There was nothing on the horizon. Nothing at all but a vast white sea of snow which seemed to fade into the sky and become one with it.
"Y'know sometimes i think that makes it worse. When we can't see them, because believe me, they're out there." He turned to his brother. "I'm telling you sammy," He smirked, "There's adventure this way."
He bounded down the hill before Samuel could shout after him.
"That's what I'm afraid of," he mumbled.
It was hard to run across the snow and he fell a few times but eventually he caught up with his brother, who was crouching behind a tree.
"Get down," he whispered. "Look."
Samuel followed the line of his brother's finger. He almost missed it at first, had it not been for the unnatural colours contained in its skin he would have. Through the trees, standing disfigured, hideous, and completely unaware of them:
"Another stiff."
He thought at first that it may have been frozen still, until he saw its breath in the air and he was suddenly overcome with a sense of fear. Why was it so still? It seemed as if it was playing a game with them, as if it knew they were there, as if it knew their intentions, and it was waiting for them to make a mistake.
Waiting for its moment to attack.
"David, don't-" But his brother was already gone, to him it was all just one big adventure, a video game with the best graphics ever. He had no choice but to follow.
He gave chase, but tripped, and fell into the snow. The creature snapped its head round and it's eyes met his. Before Samuel could even think the beast was charging towards him, snarling and snapping its jaws. Closer and closer, he tried to wriggle free but his leg was caught on something. Closer and closer, any second now it would reach him and -
"David!" He closed his eyes and braced himself, preparing for the first bite, when suddenly he heard a grunt, followed by a THWACK, and then a squeal.
Slowly he opened his eyes. He saw a dark shape looming over him: His brother! His brother, with a large stick in his hand. David quickly made his way over to the monster which was almost on its feet.
"Get the fuck back down!" He screamed, true anger in his voice, his hatred coming through to the surface as he swung the stick. Samuel flinched as stick met skull with a truly sickening sound.
David stood there. Breathing heavily. For a moment it looked like he would never move, when he turned and helped his brother to his feet.
"You didn't think I'd let him eat you did you?" He beamed down at him. Samuel couldn't help but worry about his brother's reckless nature, but at the same time, it was the same reckless nature which had saved his life.
"We don't need anyone else." Laughed David, "We look out for each other. That's how it should be."
Friday 3 December 2010
Episode 2
Alice Wonderland:
'My name's Alice Wendeline, but most people call me Wonderland. I don't need help. I don't want help. I can fend for myself. I have to be strong. . .'
There was a THUD as the shovel hit the ground.
"Finally," She thought, "I thought it was snow all the way down."
She pressed the shovel into the ground and groaned as she heaved the dirt. It stained the soil with specks of brown and black and she couldn't help but think it was prettier before.
"No. Stop thinking like that. You're stronger than that." She shovelled harder as she fought back the tears.
Eventually she planted the shovel in the ground and wrapped her coat around her as she sniffed. Turning around, she forced herself to acknowledge what she'd been pushing from her mind for so long.
He looked just like he was sleeping. She had made sure of that, she had cleaned and bandaged the wounds, closed his eyes, made him look peaceful. She was the only one left now. Her greatest fear had become a reality.
"Don't cry, just don't cry."
She wiped her face and breathed deep before kneeling beside him. It was too much and the tears streamed down her face as she pulled him towards her.
She would have stayed there forever, Even if the cold killed her, at least then she'd be with them again. She couldn't bring herself to leave him, it meant being alone and that was something she was afraid of, though she wouldn't let herself admit it. To her it was worse than any number of monsters, worse than death.
"You broke the promise," Her voice broke the silence. "You broke my heart."
she pressed her forehead to his and the tears flowed freely now, It was too hard to hold them back.
Then came the growl.
It was low at first, inaudible over her sobs, but as it escalated, it awoke her from her fantasy. She could feel its presence behind her, watching her. She raised her head, and the tears slowed, but that was as far as she moved.
"Come on then," she whispered, the fear was gone, "Come get me!"
It Shrieked, as if in reply to her order and rushed towards her. But she refused to move. She had given up all hope. Soon she would be with them again.
Another shriek, louder this time.
She began to scream too and at that instant she lunged aside, grabbed the shovel and in one swift but heavy blow, seperated the creatures head from its body.
"Strong enough to kill. Still not strong enough to die."
'My name's Alice Wendeline, but most people call me Wonderland. I don't need help. I don't want help. I can fend for myself. I have to be strong. . .'
There was a THUD as the shovel hit the ground.
"Finally," She thought, "I thought it was snow all the way down."
She pressed the shovel into the ground and groaned as she heaved the dirt. It stained the soil with specks of brown and black and she couldn't help but think it was prettier before.
"No. Stop thinking like that. You're stronger than that." She shovelled harder as she fought back the tears.
Eventually she planted the shovel in the ground and wrapped her coat around her as she sniffed. Turning around, she forced herself to acknowledge what she'd been pushing from her mind for so long.
He looked just like he was sleeping. She had made sure of that, she had cleaned and bandaged the wounds, closed his eyes, made him look peaceful. She was the only one left now. Her greatest fear had become a reality.
"Don't cry, just don't cry."
She wiped her face and breathed deep before kneeling beside him. It was too much and the tears streamed down her face as she pulled him towards her.
She would have stayed there forever, Even if the cold killed her, at least then she'd be with them again. She couldn't bring herself to leave him, it meant being alone and that was something she was afraid of, though she wouldn't let herself admit it. To her it was worse than any number of monsters, worse than death.
"You broke the promise," Her voice broke the silence. "You broke my heart."
she pressed her forehead to his and the tears flowed freely now, It was too hard to hold them back.
Then came the growl.
It was low at first, inaudible over her sobs, but as it escalated, it awoke her from her fantasy. She could feel its presence behind her, watching her. She raised her head, and the tears slowed, but that was as far as she moved.
"Come on then," she whispered, the fear was gone, "Come get me!"
It Shrieked, as if in reply to her order and rushed towards her. But she refused to move. She had given up all hope. Soon she would be with them again.
Another shriek, louder this time.
She began to scream too and at that instant she lunged aside, grabbed the shovel and in one swift but heavy blow, seperated the creatures head from its body.
"Strong enough to kill. Still not strong enough to die."
Thursday 2 December 2010
Episode 1
Alexander Johnstone:
'The first night was the hardest. At least, thats what i allow myself to believe; If i thought about it i'd probably realise that they never really get easier.
The screams in the night still scare me, but that fear is what drives me forward, the need to remain human. . .'
The snow was deep, covering the train tracks almost completely, behind him only footprints, ahead, unknown danger. The only sound was the echo of his own footsteps as he trudged forward. Suddenly there was a crash in the trees to the left followed by horrid screams and wails as the birds took to the sky. Something was coming.
He dived to the ground, staring towards the comotion, never blinking for fear of what may emerge from the trees. Even before he could see it he knew it was watching him. It's fiery stare upon him, he was at a massive disadvantage in the clearing but it was too late to move.
Any minute now it would be upon him, he just had to wait.
Suddenly the air was pierced by a deafening shriek which carried on as the creature shot out of the trees into the clearing straight towards him. Hunching closer to the ground he readied himself, tightening his grip on the handle of his knife. It was almost upon him when it lept into the air. He lunged forward with the knife, and missed. With his weight behind the knife, he lost his balance and fell to the ground, narrowly avoiding the creature, but before he could get to his feet it was upon him again, pinning him to the ground. He dropped his knife.
It lowered it's head towards him, jaws agape ready to tear his throat appart. The stench of its breath on his face made him want to gag. It's eyes pierced his skin and burned his insides. He flailed his arms wildly. As fist connected with rotten flesh, the creature fell off of him with a squeal. He rolled aside to find his knife but it was lost in the snow. Scanning in ahead of him he heard a sudden roar which sent a shiver down his spine. He turned to find his foe already on its feet. As he leapt to his it gave another brief, intimidating roar and pounced again, but this time he was ready for it. He hit the deck as the beast sailed through the air above him and had leapt to his feet before the hunter hit the ground. He charged forward as it scrambled, confused, and with a swift kick to the head, rendered it unconscious.
He rumaged around in the snow for his knife and cut the creatures throat.
He Began again down the train tracks as the blood stained the crisp white snow, he had to keep moving, the others would be drawn by the scent of the blood.
'The first night was the hardest. At least, thats what i allow myself to believe; If i thought about it i'd probably realise that they never really get easier.
The screams in the night still scare me, but that fear is what drives me forward, the need to remain human. . .'
The snow was deep, covering the train tracks almost completely, behind him only footprints, ahead, unknown danger. The only sound was the echo of his own footsteps as he trudged forward. Suddenly there was a crash in the trees to the left followed by horrid screams and wails as the birds took to the sky. Something was coming.
He dived to the ground, staring towards the comotion, never blinking for fear of what may emerge from the trees. Even before he could see it he knew it was watching him. It's fiery stare upon him, he was at a massive disadvantage in the clearing but it was too late to move.
Any minute now it would be upon him, he just had to wait.
Suddenly the air was pierced by a deafening shriek which carried on as the creature shot out of the trees into the clearing straight towards him. Hunching closer to the ground he readied himself, tightening his grip on the handle of his knife. It was almost upon him when it lept into the air. He lunged forward with the knife, and missed. With his weight behind the knife, he lost his balance and fell to the ground, narrowly avoiding the creature, but before he could get to his feet it was upon him again, pinning him to the ground. He dropped his knife.
It lowered it's head towards him, jaws agape ready to tear his throat appart. The stench of its breath on his face made him want to gag. It's eyes pierced his skin and burned his insides. He flailed his arms wildly. As fist connected with rotten flesh, the creature fell off of him with a squeal. He rolled aside to find his knife but it was lost in the snow. Scanning in ahead of him he heard a sudden roar which sent a shiver down his spine. He turned to find his foe already on its feet. As he leapt to his it gave another brief, intimidating roar and pounced again, but this time he was ready for it. He hit the deck as the beast sailed through the air above him and had leapt to his feet before the hunter hit the ground. He charged forward as it scrambled, confused, and with a swift kick to the head, rendered it unconscious.
He rumaged around in the snow for his knife and cut the creatures throat.
He Began again down the train tracks as the blood stained the crisp white snow, he had to keep moving, the others would be drawn by the scent of the blood.
Tuesday 30 November 2010
blurb
'My name is Alexander Johnstone and i cannot count how many i have killed. I have killed mothers, fathers, sons and daughters . . . But i had no other choice.
These streets were once loud, almost deafening from the sounds of the people who inhabited it. Now the only sound is the echo of my footsteps.'
When the world is overrun by the zombified victims of a nuclear blast, the survivors are left to fight their way through the apocalyptic wasteland. A mismatched group must overcome their differences, fears and insecurities in an all out battle to survive in the terrifying hell that is Wasteland 5.
Coming December 3rd
These streets were once loud, almost deafening from the sounds of the people who inhabited it. Now the only sound is the echo of my footsteps.'
When the world is overrun by the zombified victims of a nuclear blast, the survivors are left to fight their way through the apocalyptic wasteland. A mismatched group must overcome their differences, fears and insecurities in an all out battle to survive in the terrifying hell that is Wasteland 5.
Coming December 3rd
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)