Thread: The Grim-- A Zombie Apocalypse FanFic

Hey guys, this is my first try at a FanFic. Tell me what you think! There will be more chapters to come, and the action will follow. The first chapter sets the premise for the story. As you'll learn after reading the first few chapters, not all is as it seems. I've even crafted my own zombies for the story, each equipped with a... "gift" of sorts. Enjoy.

Chapter One, Heightened Suspicions

“I’m a researcher, Bill. Not a Spartan.”

Helen continued walking ahead, keeping her eyes on the ground. Her pupils scanned for anything out of place. The morning sun was still ascending in the sky, and the day was long from over. As she methodically paced, she came across multitudes of rubble--nothing she hadn’t seen a million times before.

“You should still be protected. It’s not like I’m asking much... just carry this holster on your waist, and I’ll back off,” the man, Bill, replied. His hair was greying with age, and dark circles sat under his eyes. The man stood tall, and in spite of the years, had been able to maintain a reasonable physique.

The two continued stepping in silence. Sweat began forming on Bill’s forehead. He knelt on the cement and sat his backpack on the ground. After sifting through the pack, he brought out an outdoor thermometer.

“Dam*. One-hundred and two.”

“We should head for the trees soon. I don’t want you getting another heat stroke,” Helen stated.

She glanced sideways, and noticed Bill grimace. He still thought he was invincible--he always had. Sometimes growing old wasn’t easy. But the man kept pulling ahead, and the Revival wouldn’t dare take him out of the picture; after all, he was a decorated war veteran. They needed more experience in their ranks.

During the Great Decline, most military officials met their end. They were targeted first--it seemed terrorists believed that without the top of the ladder, the bottom ranks would flee. Turns out they were right. When officers were targeted, fear grew in the hearts of many. The assassination of the Secretary of Defense only increased the tension. People soon learned to blend in, because sometimes going unnoticed meant survival. In the midst of the uprising, a worse epidemic struck--one that would spread disease like wildfire. The epidemic mutilated those it hit, and for people who found themselves immune, life would never be the same.

Suddenly, a far off shape caught Helen’s eye. She raised her hand to block the sun and squinted, trying to make out the dark form.

“I think we’ve got something,” she said, tensing up. The woman broke out into a sprint, headed for the odd shape down the highway. Long grass already covered most of the cement, and animals had taken over the once busy roads. Cracks crept across the surface, proving tricky for running. But Helen had been on one too many highways to think twice about the dangers.

Just when the shape was becoming clear, it vanished.

“Wha—”

A loud crack echoed through the air. Helen jumped to the ground, covering her head. She closed her eyes tightly and held her breath. Thoughts rushed through her head. What was that noise? She had never heard something that sudden and deafening before.

“You... okay?” came a soft, panting voice. Helen opened her eyelids to a worried, wrinkled face.

“Bill, what the hell was that?”

“What was what?” he asked, grabbing Helen by the arm. He lifted her into the air, wiping off dirt and bugs. Her hair was frizzled and her eyes wide with shock. She frantically spun around, searching for anything out of place.

“That loud noise! I think we better regroup with James, Evan, and Rebecca. Now.”

Bill had no clue what caused the sudden change in Helen. He hadn’t heard anything. She was running ahead, alone--breaking protocol for the hundredth time--when she fell to the ground. What was he supposed to think?

“Whatever you say,” Bill replied, reaching once more for the forest-green pack on his back. “Just calm down, okay?” Bill looked over Helen’s shoulder and noticed the dark shape was gone.

“James. Come in, James,” he spoke into his walkie-talkie.

“Yup?” came a reply.

“Meet back at the rally point. I think Helen just saw something out of the ordinary.”

“Sure thing,” James said. “Have y’all found supplies yet?”

“No. We didn’t even reach the turn in the highway this time,” Bill scoffed. “See ya in a few.”

Helen’s emerald eyes continued searching the highway. She turned towards the nearest tree line, desperate to discover what she had heard. This was the third time during the week that an object seemingly disappeared from sight. Either she was having hallucinations or something was amiss. She preferred the first, but couldn’t help thinking the latter was more probable.

This is just a quick update. I know it's not too lengthy, but I thought it appropriate to break this chapter into two sections. Let me know whatcha think.

Chapter Two, Memories, part one

James, Evan, and Rebecca turned eastward and began heading back to camp. They had traveled even slower than Bill and Helen, barely able to reach the outskirts of the city. They knew the dangers that lurked in the city; anyone who ignored the possibility of death was naive. Death had made its home in a place Life had been granted and blessed. Everything was twisted now.

“Let’s go,” James said, taking lead. He slung his hunting rifle over his shoulder. Rebecca tensed up, hoping he wouldn’t have to use it any time soon.

In her mind, she was the only loose end to the group. James had been hunting all his life. She never doubted his aim. Evan was a bookworm, able to recite nearly any passage at will. Bill’s veteran status was known by many, and Helen’s impressive resumé included graduating with honors at one of the top universities in the country. Their tight group had been formed by the leaders of the Revival. Rebecca, though, was at a loss as to why she was placed in the midst of such a strong presence.

“I’m a mother... was.. a mother,” she had said in her interview. “And I was a housewife.” She had tried in vain to stop the tears.

For survivors, the Revival was the only escape from hell on earth. It was an organization that attracted humans from all reaches of the South East. At first, Rebecca had deemed it mere myth. When she met up with one of its officials, she had no option but to join. So she presented her case and they accepted. There were ups to joining the organization. First and foremost, you had people covering your back that you could trust.

James and Evan were now fifteen feet in front of Rebecca, who had paused to reminisce on the past. Snapping out of it, she jogged ahead to catch up with the group. Her brown hair blew slightly in the rotten breeze, and she covered her nose in an attempt to block the putrid smell. Evan gagged, cursing, and James laughed.

“You get used to the smell,” James said, patting Evan on the back.

“Not me. I’ll never get used to it.”

They were almost out of the woods when a new scent gave birth. They had smelled burning flesh before and they had come to terms with the ever-present rotting bodies, but this was different. It had vitality to it; a sharpness that pierced and dug deep.

Evan immediately collapsed, his body limp and lifeless. Rebecca gave out a scream as James, too, fell to the ground.

“NO!” she shrieked, grabbing at James. She hit him over the head with her palm. He was out cold. Evan was in the same condition. To Rebecca’s horror, blood was trickling out of their ears, pooling on the ground.

She backed up against the nearest tree and began to break down. Tears streamed down her face and her cheeks began to redden.

Acting quick, she reached for James’ walkie-talkie.

“H-hello? Any-nybody there?”

“We hear you clear as day,” came the reply. “Is this you, Rebecca?”

“Help... help us..” she whispered as a dark form unveiled itself from the shaded woods. Just yards away was the end of the forest. If only they had reached the highway they could be seen. In such thick brush there was nearly no chance.

“What?” came the startled response. “What’s wrong?” Helen shouted, and her voice overlapped Bill’s reply.

The creature was nearly upon Rebecca when she blacked out. Yet in her absent state of mind, she dreamed of days long gone, days when she was happy. Days when she was loved. Days when she could smile.

To be continued with Rebecca's flashback...

As promised, here's part two. Any feedback? Is anyone reading this? I'll just keep posting anyways, haha.

Chapter Two, Memories, part two

...the sun shined brightly November 3rd.

Rebecca slapped a piece of bologna on Jeremy’s sandwich. She lightly placed it in a ziplock bag and called out. Her son, age ten, ran down the stairs and snatched up his newly filled lunch box.

“Thanks,” he said under his breath. A car horn honked outside, signaling Jeremy to hurry. He ran outside and in a flash was gone. It would be the last time he and his mother were together.

“Amy came by again to give him a lift,” Rebecca said as her husband walked toward the kitchen. “He doesn’t want to take the bus again.”

“Who knows, maybe it’s just a phase.”

“You don’t think he’s having trouble with kids, do you?” Rebecca asked, worried.

“Never.”

The two sat down in the living room and turned on the television. After going through the regular channels--game show network, animal planet, and the discovery channel, just to name a few--she hit upon the news. A light haired woman with dark lipstick addressed the viewers with a chill demeanor.

“...them. Scientists are struggling to find answers. The outbreak first hit Texas and has made its way to Florida in record speed... five hours, actually,” she stated, obviously startled. “People are being told to stay indoors, and all schools are being contacted immediately.”

“What?” Rebecca shouted, standing. “We have to get Jeremy. I’m calling Amy, go grab the car keys.”

Her husband did as told and within seconds, they were in their grey minivan. She had heard rumors of a new strain of the flu going around but had taken no precautions against it. The newswoman sounded fearful that it would spread, and the last thing Rebecca wanted was a sick child under her roof. Sadly, if Rebecca would have sat on the couch for one more minute, she would have learned the truth. Mere virus would be heaven compared to what was actually happening.

The van sped around the nearest corner as Rebecca grunted. Amy wasn’t picking up on the other line. At best, Rebecca could try to spot her small car on the road. Chances are they had already reached the school, but if anything, Amy may be seen driving back home.

With the school seconds away, Rebecca sat up in her seat. She couldn’t see Amy’s car, but noted that all the doors to the school were closed.

“Wait here,” she told her husband as they reached the school parking lot. “I’m going to jump out and ask the office to call him to the front.”

She jumped out of the car and sped towards the glass double doors. When they wouldn’t open, Rebecca cuffed her hands around her eyes and peered inside. A few teachers were huddled feet from where she was standing, so she knocked and calmly waited. When they didn’t open the door, she knocked again.

“Sorry, we can’t open the door. Lockdown,” came the reply.

“Excuse me?”

“Lockdown.”

“You won’t let me in?”

“Sorry, Becca, Susan told us to keep them shut under the current... circumstances,” came a familiar voice. Rebecca saw it to be Jeremy’s homeroom teacher.

“What? The flu?” Rebecca asked, slightly confused. She thought it was a joke that they wouldn’t let her inside. What was she, a ball of festering disease? There was no reason whatsoever to keep her from her child. The thought of suing the school appeared and disappeared just as quickly.

“Flu? Who said anything about the flu? Haven’t you seen the news? There’s a type of infection going around, messing with peoples’ minds. Supposedly the infection renders the victim brain-dead within seconds. I’d just go home and we’ll call, Becca. Jeremy’s in my room right now. The class is watching a movie, they’ll be fine.”

Two hours later the elementary school would become the epicenter of the local infection. Witnesses recount that a drunk-looking man broke a window and fell inside, cutting himself on the shards of glass. What occurred after then can only be inferred.

Chapter Three, Return

Helen grabbed the spare semi-automatic 9 mm from her tent and met back with Bill by the fire pit. She shoved in the magazine and cocked it, grimacing.

“Ready?” came Bill’s voice.

The two set off for the city, walking along the highway. They could only guess how far the group had gone before...

Helen scanned the trees while Bill talked.

“Why the hell would Rebecca have the walkie-talkie? Something happened to James, Helen. I’m sure of it.”

“Keep optimistic,” Helen replied, wiping a layer of sweat from her forehead. Even with her dirty blonde hair tied back into a messy ponytail, she still had trouble seeing straight. Adrenaline pumped through her like flames on a tank of gasoline. Thoughts spun through her head: different plausible circumstances, each as terrifying as the next. What if they had found themselves in the middle of a Common Husk horde? Or met a Witch on accident? Tales told of Witches residing in the peaceful woods, but meeting one was a rare occurrence. All told, only three Revival survivors had encountered one to date.

“There!” came a shout. Helen spun around, facing the edge of the highway. Just through the trees a light orange shirt could be seen. Evan.

Bill reached the site first. He shoved away at the excess brush to reach the three, scratching his arms on thorns. Without hesitation, as trained, he checked everyone’s pulse. Evan: strong. Rebecca: strong. James: strong. He then proceeded to check all the basic vitals before reaching a startling verdict.

“Rebecca seemed to have gone cold on her own accord. The other two, though, experienced something entirely different. It was as though Rebecca was immune to it.”

Similar to our incident back there, with the dark form that disappeared.. and then the explosion... and then your confusion, Helen thought.

“An immense amount of blood was lost on part of Evan and James. And I’m sure they’ll be out for a while yet. But they’re fine. They all are,” Bill finished. “How we’ll get them back to camp, though, is another predicament.”

---

Ten feet behind Helen, a creature watched. He licked his raw lips, smiling. The small act brought blood pouring out of his mouth. He didn’t care, though. Heck, the blood wasn’t even his.

Moan.

He took a step forward, eyes widening in pleasure. Pure excitement wracked his frame and he shook. The creature was smart enough to know more would come. He only needed to be patient. Patience, he had been told, would reward.

Moan.

The beast raised an arm. It was slashed in various places; simply scars from previous endeavors. His eyes rolled back in his head as he channeled his thoughts towards the woman. The mere existence of the man had left his mind. The woman was what he wanted.

Light moan.

The woman dropped to the ground before his eyes. He smiled. The man now stood over, but the woman was already hurt. Red flowed from her ears like the other two. The creature didn’t know what triggered the sudden change of heart; before he liked the woman. But this one was different. A faint memory, a glimpse of his other side perhaps.

Eager squeal.

He was pleased with himself. Now he just needed to do the same to the man. Maybe he would wimp out like the girl before, who in fear collapsed without any effort.

---

Bill saw it. One shot through the brain ended the life, if it can even be called that. The Screecher would hurt no more.

“Sh*t. They’re back,” he mused.