I fought the Law...

[Part 4 of.....]

Only three miles to go. Fatigue was starting to set in. It took unfathomable energy to remain so tense, so vigilant. I was not used to carrying the gear. I was out of shape. If this was the new world, it would take some getting used to. My nerves exploded as I felt something near my right leg. The fear subsided into the gentle vibration of my cell phone. I glanced at the illuminated screen and squinted as the glow enveloped my face. It was almost 4 A.M. I would just be getting out of work on a normal night. On a normal night I would probably not be getting a text from BigWampa asking "Where the fuck" I was. Slowly I responded, mostly be feel, as I kept my head up and my eyes on the road. I shot back with "3m s on mcord, near gas n go" and then "hows prep comin? the girls ok?".

Either way I went home from here was going to pass through residential areas. Like it or not, things were going to get hairy. Moving slowly and quietly, I took cover behind the last of the treeline. Their was an island of light surrounding the gas station. I took a few minutes to survey the grounds. There were two cars parked at the gas terminals and one in front of the store. I am thinking two customers and the employee. Minimum of three. people, max of maybe ten if they were packed cars. Three shambling rot bags would be tough and ten would be suicide. I could hear rustling from behind me. I did not want to look back.

I turned quickly to see a police officer. My heart could not have soared any higher, which made its drop more devastating when he charged me. His eyes were sunken and stained with a liner of red. His teeth dripped with saliva and gore from a recent feeding. The wound on his neck was vicious with torn sinew hanging out. Arterial spray coated his entire right side. His badge was almost ironic with the amount of blood that rested thick on it. I tried to raise the spike end of my weapon to head level. He closed the distance much faster than the others I had encountered that day. I ended up running him through at about stomach level. The only thing keeping him off of me was the spike lodged in him. He pressed the attack and it finally burst through his back, giving him the freedom to reach me. I gave the weapon a jerk off to my right and turned to run, hoping to throw him off balance. This zombie's balance was superior. He pounced on top of me from behind. I winced as I knew his malignant bite was imminent.

*Thump*. *Clunk*. *Scratch*. His face rammed repeatedly into the shield I was wearing on my back. I was like a steak behind glass. His scratching at it, gave me time to reach for my axe. Like a turtle righting itself on the asphalt, it took a short twist to my left then right. I gathered a little momentum and made my move flipping onto my knees, knocking him off to the side. He recovered faster than I did and I had to stave him off with my left hand. His wretched claws reached for my throat as I held his. Finally I got my edged embedded into his temple. The force knocked him over, but did not go through his skull. When I brought my heel down on the axe, it did the trick.

I could see a police cruiser on the back side of the gas station. I was foolish and did not consider there could have been cars over there. These are the types of mistakes that would get me killed...or worse. I lucked out this time, it was a boon however. His weapon must have been drawn when he was slain, his holster was empty. I took a minute to honor his valor in duty before stripping him of his belt and accessories. I made my way towards the building, trying to get a look inside. There were 4 inside. A clerk and some customers stood over a second officer's body. Before I was seen, I took my pry bar and jammed it in the door handle to keep them trapped inside. I hoped that would buy me enough time to check the police car and get a head start.

I stumbled onto where the attack started. The passenger seat was soaked in crimson and a handgun lie on the road outside of the window. I popped the trunk and found a bag with some flares and ammo and assorted things I did not have time to rummage through. I tossed the belt, club, and mace in there and debated about the gun. I had a robust respect of firearms growing up. Almost a fear really. I was in school the day of Columbine, we were lectured hard. Here at 24 I was still reluctant. I settled on the fact that I at least knew it would not hurt any innocents if I took it. *Cling, Cling* I heard my pry bar hit the ground and bounce. Shit the door must be free.