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."