Chapter 8 - Lies and Deals

Screams, groans and gunshots filled my ears as I tried to follow The End.

“Just a bit more!” I shouted so Rina and Demi would be able to hear me.

My muscles ached as I fought my way through the zombies. They were relentless. I could feel my wounds open up again but I ignored it. We were almost there, one more push and we’d be able to escape.

As I ran and swung my bat I was suddenly pulled back, at the same time someone smashed a sledge hammer where I was. My eyes widened in surprise and I looked at The End who was unphased. She expected this but said nothing.

Demi quickly countered and shot the man in his head. It was the man who had riled the crowd up earlier. He must’ve thought that if he killed me this would stop. I felt bitter, they were willing to kill me to save themselves.

“Be careful!” Demi warned.

I thanked him but ignored his words. I will not die here; she would not allow it. So I fought, I kept fighting until we finally broke through them.

“Over there!” I exclaimed as I quickly glanced back, making sure both of them were behind me.

We hurriedly got in the car, zombies on our tail, but Demi was faster. He maneuvered the car and ploughed through them. It took a while before the zombies were no longer in sight, but Rina kept looking back.

“What’s wrong?” I asked her.

She was silent for a while, I thought she didn’t hear me and was about to repeat myself but then she spoke, “…we abandoned those people…”

I glanced at her in the rearview mirror, Rina had always been a just person. I’m sure she was conflicted right now. She had gotten away, but at what cost? We were both alike in that aspect, there was no way I could’ve done something like that before. Now, I felt nothing. Those people chose to ignore me, one of them even tried to kill me. Why should I feel any remorse for abandoning them?

“There’s no way we could’ve saved them,” Demi reasoned.

His grip on the steering wheel betrayed his calm words. It seems like this man has a strong sense of justice as well. Unlike Rina however, he’s reasonable and puts his personal feelings aside.

I had no words of comfort for her. The sight of that man trying to kill me still vivid in my mind.

We drove for a while until we came to a stop not too far from the D4 gates.

“Let’s stay at this house for the rest of the day. We need to know our next plan of action,” Demi said.

We exited the car and cautiously entered the house. A zombie was standing in the middle of the living room and Demi wasted no time in dispatching it. The remainder of the house was safe. It was in terrible condition but it’s better than nothing.

------

We had all taken a bath and eaten. My wounds got worse so I was limping again. I spoke first, asking Rina what happened after we got separated.

We both recounted our stories to each other. Though I did leave out anything that involved The End. Demi noticed this and shot me a questioning look.

“Also, Demi is actually a District Officer for D1. He left to investigate some stuff and we met while I was looking for you. I couldn’t believe what he told me at first but I was desperate and didn’t have a choice,” I was lying so easily that I scared myself. “He said the cause of the outbreak is in D1, and he wants to put a stop to it before it gets worse. I know I’m a bit of a coward but I want to help, what about you Rina?” I laughed awkwardly.

I could see she was skeptical, “You don’t seriously believe that right? He could be lying and what can some low-ranked officer do in D1?”

I put on a façade of hesitance as I glanced between the two, “I’m sorry Demi, but I can’t keep it from her. He’s actually the head of the President’s guard.”

She looked at him in surprise seemingly buying my lie.

“We need to talk,” Demi said as he pulled me aside, leaving a confused Rina in the living room.

When we were out of earshot he asked, “What the hell was that in there? You were trying so hard to find her and you lie when you do?”

“She wouldn’t believe me,” I retorted as I looked away guiltily.

“Explain,” he demanded as he crossed his arms.

I sighed in exhaustion, “Rina never believes me. Her and mother were some of the first people to learn of my dream. When it did happen, they called me a liar and ignored me. Mother even brought people to kill me.”

There was a long silence between us before he apologized. His apology surprised me and I couldn’t help but scoff bitterly. A stranger who I’ve known for less than three days believes me over my best friend and mother who’ve known me for years.

“Why?” I asked, “Why would you believe me? For all you know I could be lying to you too! Why is it that you believe me?!” Angry tears pricked my eyes as I tried hard to keep them from falling.

He looked taken aback by my outburst, “Your actions so far give me reason to believe you. I can’t say much about your first dream, but from the moment we left that house to look for your friend you were confident about everything. It’s like you knew what would happen. Do you know how surprised I was when someone with zero combat experience and injuries took the lead to break through that horde?”

My actions made him believe me? Does this mean that soon Rina will as well? Should I just come clean and beg her to give me a chance to prove that I’m not lying?

‘She won’t believe you,’ The End said as she stood beside Demi.

“My father, I want to bring him down,” his words surprised me, but he continued, determination in his voice, “I will go along with your lie for now, but in return you have to help me take my father down. I wouldn’t put it past him to do something like this. Deal?”

I processed his words, there were many questions that I wanted to ask but I couldn’t. We’ve left Rina alone for a while now.

“Deal,” I nodded.

As we arrived at the living room Rina suddenly apologized, “I’m sorry. Please don’t get too angry at May, I was just suspicious.”

Just like he said he would Demi played along, “It’s fine. There’s no helping it now that you know. I just hope you don’t tell anyone.”

“I won’t!” She replied quickly, “Actually, I have something to take care on in D1 as well so I’ll help you too.”

I raised an eyebrow at her, this is the first time I’ve heard of this.

She pretended not to see me, “We should take turns to keep watch tonight. After all, May is wanted and zombies are roaming about.”

“I’ll keep watch, you two can take the wheel in the morning,” Demi suggested.

We agreed and dispersed.

------

I was dreaming, the sights before me were unfamiliar but seemed too real to be just a dream. My gut told me that this was something that hadn’t occurred yet that I was witnessing. Bile rose in my throat but I couldn’t throw up. All I could do was watch.

The End showed up as if to distract me from the scenes playing out.

“You know who did this, so why don’t you just make this easier for everyone and help me put an end to this?” I asked her.

‘Because you’re just not ready. It’s my responsibility to protect you from all that brings you harm. All I can do is watch and guide you.’

“Why?” I asked desperately, “You just show up one day and expect me to believe everything you say, to do everything you say, why damnit?!”

‘Because I am you, and you are me. We are The End.’

“I am not you. I am not some unfeeling thing that just watches everything play out!” I said angrily.

I trusted her, I still do. But being in the dark about everything makes me anxious. If she had helped me when Demi pointed his gun at me, I wouldn’t have been forced to take that step. I wouldn’t have been able to kill a zombie.

‘You’re right. At least for now.’

I jolted awake, gasping for air.

“Are you okay?” Demi asked.

I took a second before replying dismissively, “I’m fine.”

He sighed, “Okay, let’s go then.”

I shook off The End’s last words. It wasn’t something that I would need to worry about anytime soon.