Alex nearly leaped with joy as one of the keys finally fit into the lock. He flicked his head at Keaton, who gave a curt nod. They were met with a flight of stairs as they entered the next room.


    “Let’s not stay too long upstairs; I wanna regroup with Lyra as fast as possible. I’m certain she’ll try and loop back,” Alex said, taking two steps at a time.


    “Agreed. Hopefully, we won’t run into any more problems too.”


    It didn’t take long to reach the top, and the duo rushed down the hall until they stumbled across the first door on the left. A thick gold nameplate told them that this room was the lounge. Alex silently cursed himself, remembering a room blocked off by a gate that looked like it could’ve been a lounge. But, of course, that was too easy. He groaned in frustration and rolled his eyes as he wandered further down the hall. There were rectangular rows of windows that let in moonlight. Dust particles bounced inside the bluish hue and scattered quickly as the two walked by. He glanced out the passing windows, hoping to glimpse the night sky. But the angle of the building made that problematic. He squinted slightly and wondered how long the night would go on.


    Then, a heavy pat on his shoulder caused him to jump out of his thoughts. It was Keaton’s, and he’d let go as soon as he touched it. He then pointed forward down the hall.


    “Alex, look,” he whispered.


    With an arched brow and curiosity that could kill a cat, Alex followed Keaton’s finger with his eyes. Down at the end of the hall was a small child, holding both his hands up to his chest; he cautiously wandered into the hallway, glancing all around. He wore a small dark red shirt with long black sleeves, blue denim shorts, and little yellow rain boots. His face, full of concern, looked like he’d been crying for a while. The little boy’s short, curly brown hair was unkempt, and his matching eyes showed terror as he gazed back at Alex.


    Is that a child? Alex’s eyes widened, and for a split second, his shoulders loosened. The boy jumped with an eek before turning around and sprinting in the other direction. He pushed through the door at the end of the hall and ran out of sight.


    “Hey! Wait!” Alex shouted. He then took off in a hustle but halted instantly when the closest window shattered before him. A stalker had jumped through and into the corridor. It hissed and glared at the two, blocking their path.


    Why now!?


    In a swift motion, Keaton spun toward it on his left heel and finished off with a fatal kick to the creature’s stomach, knocking it off its feet. Alex barely had time to process as his legs shifted into high gear, running past the stalker’s spasming body. They’d made it halfway down the corridor when more windows shattered behind them. Of course, Alex had to look, slowing down his speed, only to find three more stalkers lunging after them. Their high-pitched shrieks stung his ears.


    “Forget ’em!” hollered Keaton.


    Alex turned around and kept at it. They pushed open the door and took an immediate left into another long hallway, great. Thankfully, the little boy was just in sight and about to take a right turn.


    “Please! It’s not safe! There’re monsters everywhere!” he called out, pleading with the boy to listen.


    But the kid was fast and likely couldn’t hear him. Alex surmised the kid thought they were monsters, too. He furrowed his brow and—


    THUD!


    —a door on the right burst open, swishing on its hinges and slamming against the wall. Alex clenched his teeth and scowled as a zombie shuffled into the hall, blocking them from reaching the kid.


    “Get outta my way!” Keaton shouted, seething with anger.


    But it wouldn’t listen. It just wanted to feast. Keaton took the first monster; now it was Alex’s turn. He whipped his Glock 48 toward the reaching zombie and fired.


    BANG! BANG!


    Alex saw two flashes of light before the zombie collapsed onto the floor. As they moved past, he saw the twin holes in its chest ooze dark blood. More shrieks cried out behind them. The stalkers were hot on their tails. Time to hustle!


    Suddenly, a youthful scream pierced his eardrums. Alex gasped, fearing the worst. He didn’t think or have time to as he nearly clipped his arm around the corner. Adrenaline flushed his veins as he whipped his gun directly ahead, spotting the poor boy. The kid struggled against an aggressive male zombie wearing a blood-stained business suit. His whimpering was even louder than the voracious growls of his attacker.


    “Get off him!” Alex unloaded three rounds into its upper chest, with the final hitting its face. The zombie collapsed to the floor, freeing the poor boy. Without warning, he quickly took a right turn and trotted away down another hallway.


    “Argh!” Keaton shouted. Alex whipped his head around and spotted his friend aiming at the stalkers. They crouched lower, preparing to strike.


    “Screw them!” Alex shouted. He then bolted down the hall, where the kid fled. About halfway through the hall was a poorly constructed wooden blockade with a large hole at the base.


    “Shit, I gotta bust it down!” Keaton yelled out. “Stand back!”


    Alex flicked his head back as the Stalkers shifted into the hall in hot pursuit. “Do it quickly!”


    Keaton gripped his handgun tightly as he sprinted, jumping up and kicking into the barricade and shattering it instantly. All that was left behind were scrapes blown to the side, as well as a small cloud of dust. Keaton then bolted forward, calling out, “He’s up ahead!” and running to the left.


    Alex hastened his backpedaling before completely turning around and bolting toward the new exit after his companion. The turn led to stairs; Alex nearly stumbled down but caught himself.


    “Please! Come back here!” he shouted, straining his voice as he reached the ground floor. However, the boy was crying too loudly. He had made it through a large door at the end of the hall, not looking back. Keaton was nearly there when something else decided to block their path; a metal grating from up above collapsed onto the ground, and another stalker jumped down out of the ventilation shaft.


    “Dammit! Fuck off!” Keaton snarled.


    A door on the left side behind them suddenly popped open, with a group of aggravated zombies coming out. They couldn’t catch a break in this hellhole. From random employees to what looked like past survivors, the new horde crowded upon themselves; they pushed and pulled, turning themselves into a jumbled mess. At least, though, their uncoordinated movement played into Alex and Keaton’s favor. Both of them ignored the zombies and focused on the stalker; they aimed their handguns, firing one shot each, without giving it a chance even to pounce. It staggered back as black blood sprayed onto the floor. Now’s their chance!


    They rushed by as it slowly regained its posture. But it was enough as the horde had collapsed on top of it, stomping it to death. Alex didn’t feel anything as its shrieks drowned out in a bubbling mess. It was a monster, after all, a horrible creature that only wanted to rip and tear through any living person.


    Alex gritted his teeth as he pushed open the door at the end of the hall; the low-lighted room was large, filled with cubicles that cut them off from the center. Please be okay, please! Alex thought as he took the outer path left. Another makeshift barricade stopped them, but to his relief, it was only a desk and a shelf. They could easily climb over, no problem. He wanted to call out for the kid but withdrew; who knew what was in there? And Alex didn’t want to attract any more unwanted attention.If you encounter this tale on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    “Fuck! The kid’s gone.” Keaton muttered, glancing over one of the cubicle walls.


    “We’ll find him… We have to,” Alex whispered.


    “Ah!” Keaton yelped.


    Alex shifted back and found his companion struggling against a giant zombie. The dead man was well over six feet tall, if not more. The zombie had a firm grasp on Keaton’s right wrist, holding his firearm to face the ground. But Keaton was impressively strong; even with one arm, he kept the aggressor at bay. Alex took careful aim up towards the zombie’s face. It was bitten, with its nose missing, sunken skin, and grayish-white eyes. A small flash brightened the room as he pulled the trigger, followed by a shattering bang. A bullet hole formed in the zombie’s noseless face; more blood splattered against the cubicle walls.


    Keaton took this opportunity to shove back the dead man onto the floor and regain his posture. “Fucker. Didn’t see him hiding there.”


    More zombies wandered slowly into the small area from the hall, eager for an easy meal. The two hustled over the desk and then the shelf. To Alex’s shock, the zombies didn’t try to nudge at the barricade; they stood still and stared at them. Even when Keaton flashed his light at their grueling faces, the zombies only made small grunts and moans.


    Strange. Alex narrowed his gaze. I thought it was just a fluke, but they seriously do have limited vision.


    Alex turned toward the left, where Keaton carefully walked down an open aisle. The room was practically empty. Only the scattered papers on the ground and the desk told Alex the employees must’ve left in a rush. However, the barricade suggested something else. There had to have been someone who put it up. He turned his attention back to the kid, who strangely wasn’t there. With the help of Keaton’s flashlight, there was no way he could’ve missed a hiding spot. Not only that, but the two were quiet enough that any crying or even whimpering should be easily heard; Alex’s heart started to race. There was a door at the far end of the right side. Alex swallowed, shaking his head. No way. He must be here.


    “Alex,” Keaton whispered. “The kid’s gone.”


    “No, that’s not…!” Alex strained. His aching throat could barely take in air. It was frustrating to think about. They were so close; the kid was right there and then… gone. Alex quickly rounded back and double-checked every cubicle in his path. But it was no use. “Where else could he have gone!?” he asked. The pulsing of blood thumped hard in his ears, making it difficult to think.


    Keaton grunted, pressing his hand against his wound. He, too, was out of breath and likely needed to rest. But he continued to talk, pushing through the pain. “Don’t know, but we’ll find him. Stop worrying.”


    It was hard not to, especially when Alex’s stomach was tied in knots. He wanted to throw up, realizing that it was his fault—if he’d been faster, maybe things would’ve been different. But even as he tried to focus on something else, fear took over his mind. The kid was alone, scared, and probably lost in this winding place. He needed help, another person to make him feel safe; Alex needed to find him fast. He then nearly collapsed onto a nearby chair, not noticing that his legs were aching. Light surges of pain strung up and down his thighs, and just sitting relieved his lower back.


    “We lost him. How?” Alex lowered his head in defeat.


    “Kid’s fast. But he’s also small, and he’s prolly tired.” Keaton assured.


    “It’s so dangerous here; what if he’s hurt? He could—!”


    “Alex,” Keaton said with a stern yet soft whisper. “We will find him. Hell, we still gotta regroup with Lyra.”


    “Lyra can take care of herself. But that kid’s like, what? Eight? Ten? If he gets caught again…!”


    “We’ll try all the rooms. At least we know he didn’t go back the other way.” Keaton pressed his hand on Alex’s shoulder. It was warm, and as he started to rub it, a slight burn of tension coursed throughout his back. Alex knew his shoulders tensed easily, but he’d forgotten amongst the chaos how sore he’d be later. Keaton then patted them lightly. “C’mon, let’s go find them and get the hell outta here.”


    Alex slowly raised his eyes up to meet Keaton’s. “Right.”


    He stood up, ready to go, and the two then walked to the only open door. They lurched into another hallway, this time with stairs directly ahead and a left bend adjacent. There was no point in going up for now; Alex would check that out later. Instead, he was more interested in investigating the adjoining corridor. He reached the halfway point; above him was a coiled shutter gate with a pulley chain to the right.


    BOOM!


    The two halted and whipped around to the sound. The door was shoved against the wall as a twitching stalker burst into the room. It let out a ghastly shriek that pierced Alex’s sore ears. The creature then snarled at them; its foaming muzzle looked deadly as it crept forward.


    “Shit! Not them again!” Alex shouted, flicking his gun toward the monster.


    The stalker shot daggers at them and thinned its lips, forming a wicked smile. It was preparing itself to lunge and strike. But Alex and Keaton were ahead of it; their guns snapped in the creature’s direction, waiting for it to move.


    Alex’s arms were calm, and his stance was secure for the recoil. The second you move, he thought. Even though he didn’t want to waste a bullet, there was no way this thing would let them go. No, it had to end in bloodshed. The creature moved.


    BANG! BANG! BANG!


    The gunshots pierced his eardrums; his canals felt as if they’d been seared with a scorching hot rod. It didn’t help that the shells pinged on the floor and sputtered about, further irritating them. But he ignored it as best he could and continued.


    BANG! BANG!


    Each round penetrated the stalker’s furry coat, spraying droplets of blood against the open doors. It stumbled back on each shot before making a dreadful cry and finally collapsing onto the floor. Keaton quickly rushed over, aimed at its head, and delivered another blow. With one last spasm, the creature finally ceased.


    Alex lowered his handgun; his arm muscles tightened on reflex as a slight burning sensation strung against his nerves. Firing three bullets in a row was taxing on his thin arms. He glanced down at his weapon; the slide had cocked all the way back, and his gun was empty.


    “What the?” Alex gave a look of confusion. His gun shouldn’t be empty; he should’ve had more to spare.


    Unless this one was a dud, he groaned and then pressed the small button with his thumb, releasing the magazine. It fell to the floor, tapping against the tile. He then quickly inserted his spare, pushing deeper into the well until a light click could be heard. Hopefully this one’s actually a full clip.


    “Ha-ha, oh yeah, that felt good!” Keaton whistled loudly as he lowered his gun. The moonlight shone down on him through the large window on his left; it illuminated his muscular back and legs and caused Alex to blush. But He didn’t look away. Instead, he enjoyed the view.


    A dark shadow fell across the room, obscuring the light. Alex tilted his head, confused about where the moon went. He blinked, and the shadow seemingly grew larger. Keaton turned toward the window—


    —it shattered abruptly, sending shards everywhere. Keaton covered his face, stumbling backward until he fell onto the floor. Alex gasped when a second stalker jumped through, blocking the view and locking eyes with him. This one shrieked ferociously, instantly sprinting. Alex had only a few seconds to react, and he hadn’t cocked his gun! He reeled back, beads of sweat rolled down his neck. If he didn’t act fast, the stalker would surely kill him. Instincts took over, and Alex dove out of the way, rolling onto the floor as the monster hooked its right claw up. A sharp metal screech penetrated his eardrum as the rolls from the shutter gave way. It slammed to the ground, separating him and Keaton.


    The monster had slashed through the chain, but at least it was trapped on this side. Alex heaved deep breaths as he rose to his feet. The gaping scratches on the tile floor looked fatal. Alex finally cocked his weapon, then aimed.


    But the stalker was quicker; it spun around, crouching on its hind legs. Its golden, narrow eyes locked in on Alex. Then, before he could pull the trigger, the furry rat pounced with incredible speed; its arms extended, preventing Alex from dodging again. He hit the ground hard, grunting in pain as the beast’s entire body weight sat on top of him. Its left arm had pinned down his right. And even as Alex struggled, the furry creature was too heavy to uplift. It snarled at him, showing dark teeth and leaking gray foam. The stalker then lifted its right arm and flexed its long claws.


    Nasty freak. Get off! Alex thought behind clenched teeth. With his free arm, he pulled out his knife, gripped its base tightly, and then jammed it right into the rat’s skull. It must’ve been adrenaline coursing through his veins as Alex then shifted his leg underneath the screaming creature’s gut. With all his might, he kicked the stalker off of him.


    Droplets of black liquid sprayed against the tiled floor as the beast fell on its back. It spasmed for a few seconds, whiplashing its arms and crying before it stopped altogether.


    Is it really dead? Alex stared at it with wide eyes. I thought it was odd the other one was able to move even though we hit its brain. Guess these things are just…


    BOOM, BOOM, BOOM.


    Alex flinched out of thought, his attention now focused behind him. He’d almost forgotten about the gate. Alex stretched his legs as he stood and made his way over. From this side, the chain that allowed it to move had been completely shattered; its severed half rested on the floor. Alex groaned. There was no way he could lift that thing, even though Keaton was on the other side.


    “Alex? You aight!?” Keaton’s muffled voice shouted out.


    “I’m fine! How boutchu!?”


    BOOM!


    Alex gasped. A gunshot came from behind the shutter.


    “Alex, they’re coming in from the windows! I can’t stay any longer!”


    “Go find Lyra! We can meet up later!”


    Alex heard nothing other than the muffled snarls of the infected. All he could do was hope Keaton heard him. He shook his head, turning back and moving on. If Keaton and Lyra regrouped, then Alex wouldn’t have to worry. He could instead focus on finding that kid. He’ll stick to the first floor before going back up. It was more than likely that the boy hid instead of kept going. He had to be tired by now.


    I just hope nothing finds you first, Alex thought. With his gun ready, he set off to find the kid.