Read I JUST Want to Live :: CH-7 Almost

12/8/2019
Sunday 7:24 AM
Location: Main Road (Molino)

It was five minutes before seven-thirty, it took me around an hour and a half before reaching the first checkpoint. It was mentally exhausting rather than a physical one since I only need to jump from one spot to another, it wasn't really strenuous, I could say that it was a form of light exercise. Also, the dogs at Spring St. are still barking furiously non-stop, even though it was a pain to listen during the night, I honestly think that it was a good thing for me since they pulled most of the zombies out of my street.

"Last time I remembered it took me five minutes to reach the guard-house"

As I thought about the past, I was brought back to reality because of my grumbling stomach. The last time I put something in my mouth was nine hours ago ever since that cockroach incident, I even considered eating the noodles on the floor, but a stomach ache is the last thing wanted before heading out to the convenience store.

"I guess I'll add insecticides in my shopping list"

After examining the road through the window, I proceed to rummage every locker present in the guard-house. Well, a guard-house is suppose to have guards and guards is suppose to have guns, so l should be able to find something, right?

"None, nothing, not even a single bullet is present."

I guess no guard would be dumb enough to leave their weapons during this crisis. But,I found a flashlight though, it was a 7-inch military grade flashlight that uses a USB-charger. I remembered my father had one these flashlights, but not the exact model since my father's flashlight uses disposable batteries.

"Better than nothing, time to go."

I spent a lot of time checking the road's situation in the guard-house, and made sure I memorize every location that I can pass through depending on the situation. The road was a total mess different vehicles piled up, dead bodies in every corner, and zombies scattered everywhere. So I come up with two plans.

A. Since the left side of the road which is the shortest route had become impassable due to a sixteen-wheeler truck tilting over, I need to run towards the warehouse with distance ranging around 40-50m across the street, then make my way through the backdoor going straight to the store, but..

B. If the warehouse was locked by the owners, or by any chance other survivors, then I need to circle around the warehouse using the main road into the alley behind the warehouse, then to the store.

"Alright, it's now or never."

I turn off the safety lever of my pistol then check for any problems in my body that will hinder me from running. Seeing that there isn't any, I run towards the road holding the machete.

"Two at the left, one at the right, and three in front of me."

I zoomed towards the isolated zombie, as soon as I was only a meter away from it, I stop and made a large overhead strike with my machete, it connected right on top of its head, resulting to blood and brain matter to spill from its cut as I forcefully pulled the blade.

Not even giving it a second look, I proceed to run in a straight line towards the warehouse, this time there were multiple zombies at every direction.

"Three at the left, four at the right, and six in front of me.. I guess I have no choice"

I made a beeline towards the left, and after I was close enough from one of the zombies I did the same thing but left my machete inside the zombie's head, then I swiftly pull my gun and aim my sight towards its undisputed weakness. Thinking there is no way I'd miss a five-meter shot, without hesitation I pull the trigger.

POW! POW!

Two loud cracks filled the surrounding area and as soon as the zombies drop in a simultaneous manner, I returned my gun to its holster then quickly yanked my machete from the other zombie.

"I'm starting to get used to this.."

Sensing that I'm slowly getting surrounded, I began to dash like a marathon runner towards the steel door, seeing that dead bodies and an old van are the only obstructions left in my way, I started increasing my speed, when suddenly..

"GRAAAAGHH!!"

"FUCKING SHI--"

A zombie disguise as a dead body grabbed my left foot, seeing that there is no way to break my fall, I let go of my machete and plunge myself towards the nearest corpse, using it as a cushion I was able to avoid slamming face-first on the pavement.

With my momentum from running too quickly, I scrambled to my feet and proceed to get my machete near the half-bodied zombie slowly crawling towards me. Then out of anger, I began to lift my steel-coated soles, aiming to stomp its head.

"Fuck.. YOU!"

SCRUNCH!

As I remove my feet from the severely crushed head, I began to limp my way towards the steel door, praying that it wasn't locked, I quickly grab the door knob and make several turns on it, but alas, luck wasn't on my side today since it wouldn't budge a single centimeter, it was completely locked shut.

"Plan B is screwed I can't limp my way on the middle of the street.."

The moment I stopped to open the door, I noticed a sharp pain in my left foot. The same foot that the zombie grabbed and used to crack its head wide open. I guess I really am an overly emotional potato.

Jokes aside, In a few seconds if I don't find a way inside the warehouse I may reconsider putting the gun in my mouth then blow my head to kingdom come. Thus, I madly slam my fist on the door while calling out to anyone inside, I was hoping for any kind of response, but to no avail the door still remained shut.

"Looks like I'll be climbing the stairway to Heaven or the ladder down to Hell... Wait.. Ladder? Ladder... THAT'S IT!"

I remembered that every warehouse has an emergency ladder in case a fire breaks out. Having my hope restored, I went around looking for the ladder and there it is, I found it attach on the right side of the warehouse. But, there is only one problem, it was a foldable ladder which you need to release on top of the building.

"It's about 15 feet off the ground.. even if my leg was not fucked I won't make it"

As I pondered on what to do, more and more zombies are starting to surround me. Seeing that I was the only happy meal available, I guess it makes sense.

"More like a sad meal if you ask me.."

Grumbling the not so helpful joke, I went to look for a box or anything that I can use as a leverage to reach the ladder, then I remembered seeing something that might save me from this mess, it was a 50-50 chance that I'm willing to risk since I have no choice.

"Please be there.."

I went back in front of the warehouse, after that I sprint towards the old van ignoring the throbbing sensation of my foot. As I was sprinting I saw from afar that there were around eight zombies surrounding the heavily tinted van, I ignored the other zombies and straightforwardly went towards the driver's seat.

POW! POW! POW!

I fired three bullets after making sure that I was close enough to not miss a single headshot, then after the zombies are out of the way I jump inside the open door and lock myself in.

"Please be here, please be here, please be here, please be here.."

After throwing my things at the back seat of the car I frantically check the ignition hole but the key was't there, So I rummage through all of the compartments inside the car and it was still nowhere to be found.

Still desperately looking for the key, the zombies started hitting on every window of the car, a few seconds later I heard a loud crash at the back of my seat, thinking that I lost the bet I proceed to grab my stuff, but the very moment I was about to grab my things, light shone through the back window.

It was like a sign from Heaven, as I followed the direction of the light, it was shinning towards a container that was attach on the air-conditioner, without wasting any time I lunge forward to grab the suspicious container .

[FRESH APPLE SCENT CAR-FRESHENER]

"WHO THE FUCK HIDES THEIR KEYS IN HERE!?"

As I uncap the container I was surprise........ Since there was nothing inside.

"I'VE HAVE ENOUGH OF THIS!"

I was so angry that I slammed the container back at the A/C so hard that my hand went numb from the pain. Cursing every unfortunate things that happened, I began examining my hand when I notice that one part of the A/C was deeply caved in, as I curiously grab the outer covering, I began twisting in attempt to remove something. Then to my surprise again, there was a hidden compartment with a few thousand bills, a suspicious white powder, and of course...... the car keys.

"I SWEAR TO FUCKI-- nevermind..."

Reminding myself that it wasn't the right time. I quickly insert the car key in the ignition, then hope that the car would start.

"Come on, you gave me enough trouble.."

As I turn the key, the engine started normally. Thinking that it was a bit anti-climatic, I quickly shift the gear on reverse then I began to bulldoze my way towards the ladder. It was not an enjoyable experience like I thought it would be. Every zombie I hit proceeds to go under the wheel, making the van a bit jumpy. It was like when somebody hits your bump-car out nowhere and your body forcefully goes to the opposite direction.

Realizing that I was almost at the ladder, I began positioning the van right beneath it, slamming its rear on the side of the wall, then I swiftly grab all of my stuff and hurriedly push the door out of my way.

"Holy shit, now this is what you call a zombie horde."

As I got a clear view on my surroundings I saw hundreds of them slowly approaching the noisy vehicle. Realizing that I don't have the liberty to appreciate this spine-chilling spectacle that I only saw in video-games, I thrown away my machete after bidding farewell to it, then I make way on top of the van using the car wheel.

"Shit, it's still too far.."

The van was about six feet tall and combining my height with it, there is still like a four feet difference from me and the ladder. So I position myself on the hood of the van, giving myself space to dash and jump for it.

"Shit.."

After two attempts I realized that I can't exert enough force in my foot, since it was really painful to the point of me passing out every time I jump.

"They're almost here.."

Thinking that this is going to be my last attempt, I quickly remove my safety shoes which is around 2 kilograms each.

"You guys can I have it."

I toss my shoes at the nearest zombie making it stumble a little before proceeding to walk towards me again. Ignoring its persistence, I also began to remove my socks in order to not slip while running. I then notice how red my foot was, hoping that it won't hinder my final attempt I began walking towards the hood of the car.

"I've never done this before so here goes nothing.."

The moment I reach the hood, I proceed to dash towards the wall, then as soon as I was about a meter away from it, I jump from the car then with my right foot I kick myself up using the wall as an additional leverage.

"COME ON REACH!!!"

As I shouted those words full of hope, I was able to barely grab the last step of the ladder with my right hand. Dangling like a Piñata used at children's birthday parties, I proceed to climb my way up the ladder. After reaching the rooftop, I finally got the chance to look below.

"Guess I climbed my way out of Hell.."

I wasn't joking though, it really was like hell and I never wanted to do it again, unless I needed to.

Satisfied, I turn my gaze away from it and I began to make way through the open door, hoping that there won't be anymore surprises inside the building.

I was wrong...

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

FOOD and BEVERAGES

1 - 4L of purified water (carrying)

MEDICAL SUPPLIES

2 rolls of bandages

5 4x4 inch bandages

1 medical scissors

1 500ml bottle of disinfectant

1 bottle of 325mg aspirins

WEAPONS

A 9mm Semi-Automatic Pistol w/ holster (carrying)