17) Welcome to Heaven... sort of.

The first thing that strikes me upon walking through the narrow corridor is the heat, the warmth. It feels so different to being outside. Out there chill winds pull at your face all the time, and dust swarms and surrounds everything. You can barely keep your eyes open for it, bits and debris making your eyes sting and vision difficult.
Another thing is the changing temperature, sometimes so baking hot with the sun scalding your skin, and others, especially at night, it's like being in a blizzard without snow, the wind and cold are just too much to bear.
The only place to escape from the changing climate tends to be inside, and so far from what I have found, the dark places tend to be dangerous, and anywhere else tends to either stink, rancid pools of water and various rotting items, to people who just want to engage with me: as food!

This place is so different. I can see the yellow glow of lights ahead, and feel the warmth coming from there. Still, I cannot help but wonder if I am being invited to dinner, where I am the main course.

The warmth feels nice, just right, and the place smells reasonably fresh, good air circulating. Seems like a decent place to hole up, but still, I would prefer to be up top, with windows so I can see out. I would love a place I can tend to, settled, a base to explore from, but I have a feeling I am going to need to find more weapons, better ones, more ammunition, and tools for all sorts, not to mention food, clean water, and as important as anything, some kind of medicine, in case I fall ill.

'Go right ahead, just keep it cool and we'll be fine with each other. Don't touch anything.' The gravelly voiced man insists, following behind me. I know it is foolish to walk ahead with a stranger following, but I was out of choices and I feel a deep weariness, something that only sleep and food can fend off.

As I walk into the open area, there are metal bunks, singles, with a few blankets dotted around. A couple of rough looking pillows too. Beside them are battered wooden units, acting as kind of cabinets. There are bags and things laying around the outside, the walls which appear made of metal, perhaps a bunker of sorts. There seems to actually be a large fridge here, I wonder maybe with food in it. I won't touch for fear of a bullet coming my way.
There are chairs, and over in a corner some kind of electrical heater, it glows brightly, the source of all this lovely warmth.

I stop walking and turn to look at the man. 'Do you really have electric here?' I ask.

The man also stops, moving to a corner and sitting in a worn leather looking chair. 'Yep, tapped into one of those conduits over there. Seems to be a pretty steady output too.'

'Pretty neat. I didn't think there would be any such things, no way to generate it. Are there places around that do this? Cities?'

'No idea, I just stay here, out of people's way, out of harms way, and that's good enough for me.'

'You're not curious to find out?' I ask.

'Oh sure, looking like I do, like burnt meat, people shoot first and ask questions later.'

I smile, and shrug. I can understand that, but of course you don't need to be odd looking to get that kind of response it seems. I think it, but don't say it, don't want to do anything to offend him.

The warmth is so enticing. I wonder if I might just drift away, and perhaps when I wake up this nightmare might all be over.

I sit a moment in one of the chairs, feel myself relaxing. I know it is a mistake, but I can't help it. So hungry and tired.

I see the man opposite me, smiling, he seems the same, ready to just let go. Neither of us speak again, just allow the wash of yellow colour to wrap around us.

*

The cold bites into me, I can hear a hard dripping noise. I open my eyes, and it is dark. There is a shadow of illumination before me, obvious by the fact that when I breath I see white vapour coming from my lips. I try to see but it is dark. The heater, it's not gone out, it's actually gone!

The fridge door is open. I stand and feel my way across to it, look inside as best I can. It is empty. Some of the bags are gone, I know that.

Wait... the door I came in from, it's open! Those things, if they remain out there, they can get to me. I look the opposite way, where before there was a large wooden cupboard against the wall, now it stands aside, and another door hangs open beyond. It is dark there, but I can see pins of light ahead.

A scratching sound attracts my attention, back from where I first entered. I can feel the hairs on the back of my neck pricking up, and a shiver travelling down my spine. I feel sick.

I won't go back, I have no chance there. I look through the other door, and it opens out into an expansive chamber. there appear to be stairs at the other end, metal ones, leading down somewhere. Between here and there is a body of water, looking so dark, but at peace. I wonder how cold it might be.

A banging noise behind me, a deep sullen drawl, heavy breathing. They have returned, found the door open. I cannot think why this man would rescue me and then leave me, but he has. Again I am alone, except for these wretched things.

I can hear them approaching, I have to go. I grab for my bag, but it is gone. Perhaps that is what he did, took what I had and left. But why leave the door open?

I run, and can feel those things behind me. Any moment, a ruined hand will reach out, its decaying hands will grab at me, tear into my skin. I can feel tears falling down my cheeks, what a hateful world this is.

I leap into the pool of water, thankfully only ankle deep. As I splash and begin to wade heavily through it, I hear another splash behind me, don't look back then another, and more, and a raging torrent of voices calling for me. So angry, so desiring of me in a savage way.

I churn through the water, see the stairs at the end, but they are gone, it is only an entry and a long drop down into darkness beyond. I am truly stuck between certain profound pain into death, or a leap into the unknown.

I cannot stop myself. Something swipes at me, a scratch of sharpness against my skin at the back of my neck. I feel pain reeling out, like needles piercing my skin. That way is unfathomable, a nightmare way to die. Without any hesitation I make one final run, then leap with all my might out into the darkness. I feel myself falling, but I am alone.

Into the dark pit I fall, air wooshing around me, knowing that at any moment I will hit hard and then the darkness will be all that I know...

16) Between the devil and the deep blue sea.

The gunfire echoes around the subway walls, reverberating harshly. It pings around like a bullet spattering against metal.

For moments I expect the kickback, to fall away as it eats into me, tearing my skin and sending blood down across the way. There is none. I feel nothing.

Am I dead? Is this why I cannot feel anything? For seconds my mind screams at me, and my eyes are blurred, trying to make sense of this new reality.

I hear a thud behind me, and something scatters away down the tunnel. My skin is icy cold, and my eyes wide, as if I could stare into space if I looked hard enough.

'You're either very cool, or very stupid, stranger.' The gravelly voice calls out. This brings me back to my senses, my vision clears and the words entering my mind begin to make sense.

I can see the man before me now, still holding the gun, pointed at my way. He hasn't shot me, I feel no wound, and I look around myself, ensuring my feet remain planted firmly in the same spot. It is still quite dark, though where he has opened his door, lights spills out like water down a runoff. There is something slumped behind me, wearing the same torn clothing as the creatures before, a skeletal like figure, prone, like a baby, sleeping; only this isn't sleeping, it's dead.

I turn back and look at the man. He has a wry smile on what is left of his decaying face.

'Why.. why did you shoot that, I mean...' I know what I want to say, but fear to do so in case he lets loose another shot, only this time at me.

'You mean why did I shoot that, when it looks just like me?' The gravelly voice asks, sarcasm evident. I don't answer, still wary of any man holding a gun at me. He know it's what I'm thinking.

'OK, so we look a bit alike, but at least I still have my mind. For now.' The gravelly voiced man says. He lowers his gun, and returns it to a waist holster. I allow myself to breath again.

'Who are you? What is going on here?' I ask.

'Wow, where have you been? Locked up in a cave for a long time?' He asks, laughing. His sarcasm remains, as much as his curiosity.

'Something like that.' I answer. I become aware that I am stood in this subway, surrounded by danger, before some half man half creature, and he is the one asking the questions. Ironic given I have so few answers.

A high pitched cry rings out back down in where I travelled from. I feel a shiver course down my spine.

We look at each other, and I wonder if he will simply return to his place and close the door on me. I look in his eyes, and I can tell it's what he is thinking, wondering whether to trust me or not. I can't blame him.

'I came out of some kind of vault a few days ago, I have little memory of who I am or where I am from, and this whole place seems like something straight out of a nightmare to me!' I said. I hadn't intended to plead, but the truth is I am weary, and hungry, and I know if this man doesn't let me in, I will likely die very shortly.

The stranger sighs deeply. He stands back and shrugs his shoulders. He waves me in. As I walk towards the door I can hear something running, coming this way, many of them.

'OK, in you go, and first sign of trouble from you, you're dead.'

Between the devil and the deep blue sea. I move into the light inside quickly, ignoring the scraping sounds as they chase down the hall towards us. A small act of kindness, but to me in this world it is the first I have known, and I shall not forget it in a hurry.

The stranger pulls on the door, swinging it quickly closed and it slams with a loud bang. I can hear thudding on the other side, and after a few seconds the noise becomes incessant, terrible. I can only imagine what they are like, what they intend to do.

I walk in, and am amazed and surprised at what I find...

15) Escape, but to where?!

I struggle, shaking my body, arms and legs pulling and twisting. At first, I think I must be careful, but the more I move, the more I realize I am bound so tightly by leather ropes, that without some kind of force I will never break free.
Time ticks away, and in this empty darkness, I can sense the movement around me. As if the earth beneath my feet crawls with life, even the tiny lights and flickers of flame, they grab and gnaw at the air, seeking out visibility and existence.

I know if I wait too long, others might come along, a wandering group of bandits, someone or thing seeking food, which might be turn out to be me. I wonder too if I might never escape, and then what, a rotting corpse, stuck here for eternity?

This will not be my damnation.

I end my desire to be hidden in the shadows, the escape lithely and without force. I rampage in my struggles, fighting with all my might to move. The ropes don't loosen, but I feel the metal, chain link fence wavering. I kick and lurch out, suddenly feeling gravity moving beneath me. It isn't subtle, as I fall heavily forwards, the fence post snapping, clattering to the ground.

It hurts, but then life does.

I push myself, and can feel the fence giving way, pieces falling off, a post has shattered, causing the metal links to break, they're so brittle.

At last I free myself, and the ropes unravel against my skin. It feels sore, but I am glad, because it means I am alive: for now.

Shadows moves near me, scurrying across the floor. Too dark to see it, but I know I need defence, and to leave, quickly. I grab a metal post, a foot long, sturdy enough to hit anything that gets in my way. I look ahead and see a tunnel leading off, it is shrouded in mist, but there are lights greater than these, and perhaps a sign of life, perhaps hope.

As I run I spot my bag, I feel elated, so relieved. I look inside and see my things are still there, all that I need. The food in tins I had is gone, but for some reason they never took the water. I suspect where they were in life they no longer needed it. They were heading for death anyway.

As I walk I tread softly, the ground is a field of rubble, broken and fallen ceiling, old benches. To one side on a track is a crashed train, a subway car, looks in unusually good condition.

I wonder how many came down here when whatever destruction took hold above, and actually survived. Imagine the crazy luck, to have been looking for a subway train to wherever and destruction reigned down and those few escaped the torment. I wonder how long my luck will hold out, and how far I can go. I need some kind of base, something to build upon, because without that, if I find an unwanted terminal to the world, I need something to come back to.
the only way I can ensure that is to find a permanent source of clean water!

As I walk I look at the tunnels. The walls are shiny and grey, the tracks surprisingly intact. The mist gives way to a yawning chasm, a tunnel so bleak and dark I doubt I would be able to see a thing ahead. I track back and take one of the torches the thugs were using. It seems to have cloth wrapped around it, and be soaked in some kind of oil. It stinks awful, but no matter because it burns well and gives of plenty of heat as well as light.

It must be getting dark outside, and I feel sure tiredness will be eating away at me. Thinking of eating, I wish I had something to eat now. It's been too long since I had something decent.

A door lies up far ahead, to the left side. It's a good job, because piles of rubble block progress beyond, unless I want to crawl through piles of it, and pray too that the roof doesn't collapse on me. A hateful end.

The door looks made of metal, very solid, impenetrable. I curse, blocked, locked and no way to go. I smack the door with my open hand, then kick it. I know it is foolish, but I am so tired and hungry.

To my utter shock the door swings open quickly, clanging against the wall beside. There is a man stood in its entrance, holding a pistol towards me, ready to fire. He looks at me without blinking, no doubt because his eyelids appear burned off. He is like one of those gross creatures, so thin and yet their entire skin burned to the flesh. What is most odd is how he is dressed, in a trilby hat, smart shoes, and a very nice, albeit worn suit. He even has a shirt, with a loose fitting tie.

'What can I do for you stranger, other than kill you?' The man asks me abruptly. His voice is gravelly and deep, awash with sarcasm.

Before I get a chance to answer, his gun clicks, and fires...

14) A Gun at My Face

I didn't see this coming. I didn't expect to be shackled to a metal gate, wrists and ankles fastened, while a bunch of crazies run around me in circles waving guns at my face and shouting obscenities.

The way they dress, very much like the others who tried to attack me. Leather gear, and bits of armour here and there. I hope it is leather, not some other kind of skin... There are two females I think, and three males. Even if somehow I manage to escape, I couldn't hope to deal with so many, and besides, my stash is too far away from me.

My mind is a maze of riddles, and I cannot find the way out. Should I try talking to them? Should I just succumb and accept my fate, as dinner?

One of the females comes close to me, her face almost touching mine. She is pretty, except the pink spray on her hair looks odd. Her breath is foul though, some kind of stench which reminds me of before, the others, that same rotting flesh kind of smell, but it's in her mouth. Hateful.

'Who are you? What are you doing?' I shout out. My voice echoes around the chamber, it sounds like I am in a great cathedral, but even though this could be an analogy for one, now it would just be a tomb.

The others stop dead in what they are doing. Perhaps they don't believe that I can talk. The biggest of them, a hulking brute in all sorts of odd clothing, bits of cloth, leather, metal, his hair wild streaks of colour and very long, he walks slowly over to me. In his hand is a shiny metallic object, and as he moves closer I can see it's a cleaver. It is covered in dried blood.

'Wut, di ya say.' The man asks me. He almost drools as he does so. I can barely make out what he is asking, he sounds child like. I guess education died a long time ago.

'Why am I tied up like this?' I shout loudly. Their eyes widen. They don't seem to appreciate my words.

'Sssshhhh.' One of the females says, holding her finger to her lips.

'Why? Let me down!' I scream. Why not? It's not as if I hurt their feelings they might free me.

'Cos, dey will ear yaz.' The other female says.

'Who is dey?' I mimic sarcastically.

They look concerned now. I hear more noises from the tunnels, scrambling noises. This group of savages appears disturbed, excitable.

Suddenly something strange jumps out from near the stairs, it scurries, human like but still on all fours. In the torchlight it is hard to make out just what is going on, but I think it is the same burned out skeletal like creature like before. It leaps almost twenty feet, amazing!

It lands on the back of the biggest man, and he grabs at it, as he does the cremated flesh on its back slides off and the creature cries out. the man slams the thing hard to the floor and I can hear the cracking of bones and a squelching noise. It lies still, broken, dead.

The group stop, looking at each other, breathing heavily. I wonder how long before their attention turns back to me.

Then it begins, the insanity, dozens of those skeletal things leap out from the shadows, clawing and biting at the group. I wonder, any moment, will I be a victim, but then since I woke when haven't I been a victim?

They fight back, knives and blades slashing around. The creatures are weak, but fast. If a blade hits, they slice open easily, but don't go down, going back again and again, slashing and biting. There are too many of them, the group overwhelmed.

Silence falls, and the group is dead.

Now, one of the creatures, its skin a green tint to it, almost as if it is glowing, it sidles up to me. It eyes me closely, like a specimen in a jar. Its head turns and moves, looking at me closely, the others in its pack, watching, studying.

I can feel the imagined pain that is coming, as it surges through me relentlessly; but it doesn't come. I close my eyes tightly, wishing it were over quickly, but all I hear is the soft patter of feet, the sound growing quieter.

Finally I open my eyes. I am alone, except for the savage dead, laying around me. They will surely never dance again.

Now, my moment, to be free, once again on my way, to where I have no idea. First though, how on Earth am I going to disentangle myself from this fence?

13) Into Darkness

As I moved the metal gate aside, it made such a huge screeching noise, I wondered if I might not wake the gods! As if...

Still, whatever bugs and creatures live down there, it seems a foolish thing to even consider entering, an old subway system. Images of riding sleek silver trains runs through my mind. I cannot quite focus on the person I am with, but it is someone important to me. Strange, it is as if their face is hidden behind a white lace veil, that if I move it I will suffer considerable pain. the image dissipates, and all that is left is a sense of emptiness.

In here it is at least free from the cold air and dampness outside. It seems pervasive, that it leaks into my skin and leave me feeling awash with bitterness, that the air around me has emotion, and it becomes me.

The air is stale, the further I walk in, but enough, and there is no gas in here. I hear skittering sounds nearby, but it is so dark I cannot see what or where from. There are small side lights here and there along the walls. The place is like a long tunnel, with worn posters on the walls. The floor seemed once to have been tiled, but no more, it is just a mess of debris and rubble. I wonder for the safety of the ceiling, but if I tread softly, I am sure I will be safe, for now from roof fall. I hope!

As I walk there are several doors either side. I peer in and see what looked like bathrooms, stall doors hanging off and broken porcelain. I don't think I'll make use of these facilities today; I am more likely to receive something that to give something from a place such as this! Ahead is a waist height barrier, I guess a place to stop people to collect tickets, but of course there is no one to collect tickets now, and no one selling them. I wonder if I will ever see a sane person again.

Is this the true apocalypse? That from the savagery of man comes the insanity of realization, of what we have done to ourselves.

I just skip over them, feeling brave, and slip on something under foot. I crash to the ground heavily, feeling the pain of my weight pressing down on me. I lie there a moment, berating myself for such stupidity. I have no medicines, no means to bandage of help myself. If I break a leg or an arm, I am lost, because if the creatures that walk this Earth don't get me, an infection surely will. Certainly this is a harsh world I have woken to.

As I wait, I allow myself a few seconds to look around. The place no doubt was once a hive of activity, bustling people to and fro. now look, all forgotten and dying. Why should I see this?

Finally I pick myself up, and look ahead. There is a huge archway ahead, and what appears a huge expanse beyond. I walk, and I am amazed at what I see. There is a large area to walk into, and steps down in every direction. Below I can see the remnants of a train, stuck in eternity in this underground graveyard. I must ensure it does not become mine.

Noise. Something pricks my ears and I crouch behind the wall. Voices. There are several now, sounding much like those before.

A cackling laughter, their voice sounding decrepit and dry, like this place. Maybe if I stay down here too long I will become like them, dry and insane.

I peer over, and can see a burning torch, then another, they are placeholders, lights to show the way through. I was right, there are more, like the ones shooting at me before, but one, he has a rifle, an automatic gun. I cannot hope to deal with so many, at least four, no five of them, all heavily armed.

Should I go on? I cannot, it just seems an endless ocean of empty space. I might as well walk out into a desert.

I shall crawl my way past, hide in the shadows, pray they do not see me.

Down the stairs I go, on the opposite side, towards a beckoning tunnel.

As I slowly edge my way to the bottom of the stairs, I look up, into the gloom ahead. Two eyes stare at me, and I wonder what kind of creature this is. The eyes approach me, and a smile breaks out, worn, dirty yellow teeth, that lascivious look, and beneath her wretched gaze, a gun pointing straight at me.

I am lost, as she calls out, laughing bitterly. I can smell that oddness again, the air filled with burning flesh, and I wonder if soon mine will become part of it.

12) Crazy Eyes

This thing, its eyes seem to emanate madness, that it is simply a product of instinct. I can almost share its insanity, laying here on this dirty floor, as hungry and thirsty as I am, rolling around with this extra from a bad nightmare.

It doesn't bite me, just grabbing at me, swiping at me, thankfully missing mostly, but I know if it lands one serious blow then it's lights out, and then what. As I struggle I notice it wears some torn trousers, as if to cover its modesty, and the moment I see this I am confused, laughing at the absurdity of it, and at the same time suffering from shock that every moment of my being awake brings with it a new attack.

Again the creature digs its hands into me, no, not hands, almost claws, worn away by incessant scratching at something. As it pushes me, I struggle with all my might to push it away, but it is too strong, and I am weary.

Now, it pushes hard again and I can feel myself slide along, the gun, in reach of me, I grab it, my arm drops loose and I pull the trigger, one shot, again, another, and the thing snaps away, rolling across the floor like a beached shark.

I struggle to my feet, wary that it will spring to its feet again, but no, it just writhes around, not as strong as I thought. I hate myself for it, but I must do it, one more shot, that echoes around the huge factory, banging against the walls as a terrible reminder, of the bullet I put into its head.

It stops. the struggle is over. One of has survived, and thankfully once again it is me.

I look closer at it, still afraid at what it might do, that it might grab me, but my curiosity overrules my common sense. It skin is dark, like a decayed brown, as if it has suffered persistent burns. Its eyes remain open, as if its lids have burned off. Its hair is wiry, almost none existent. I cannot help but fell such pity for it, but that is just how I am. I wonder how long such sentiment will last.

No matter, for now it is over, and the only sound I can hear are from my own stomach. Rumbling away, complaining that it needs something. I wonder if I could cook the thing I just... killed, but no, I would rather die than be so savage as that.

I move on, looking around. There is a room, almost a room within a room ahead, up some small metal steps. As I walk in, I see a desk, some tiny lights still working, even after what seems like years, decades even. There are filing cabinets and some shelves. As I search I see a picture frame, very worn, but I can see a picture of three people, one a woman, smiling so happy, a young girl with her, and a man. My mind explodes with what I see, the man, those stupid trousers the thing was wearing, they are the same. Surely, that thing is not a result of him?

I feel sick with the thought of it.

I open drawers to take my mind off of it. Success! A packet of something dried, apples it seems, just need... More success! Three small bottles, on the side written in what appears quite fresh marker, purified water.

I don't hesitate, I break off the top and drink it down. It tastes foul, like old and dusty, but still, I need it. I have to have some, and it feels good, perhaps washing away my sins.

I won't stay in this place. I have enough to keep me going for now, so I will go, I am sure I will find more soon.

It is dark again outside, but surely daylight hasn't passed so soon? Then I hear a loud rumble, not my stomach this time, huge, with flickers of light in the distance. I run, to some steps, a sign says:

Subway

I shall have to shelter in there. Rain begins falling, and I wonder if perhaps I could wait a moment, drink some of it in, but then.. it burns! My skin burns, acid rain, spattering on everything around. It stings my eyes. I cannot see. I try to find my way down the stairs, find a mesh gate, push it open. I still cannot see, but I can feel the warmth of it inside, so I go, into the subway sytem.

I cannot even imagine what I might find down there.

11) In search of life, or perhaps just water.

You would think I have been walking for weeks, but in fact it is only two days, and yet I ache. I know I am hungry, and increasingly thirsty. I came across a murky pond, brownish in colour, it looked stained, as if oil was running into it. I feel almost desperate enough to drink from it, but not quite there yet. I know if I do, I shall either suffer or die.

I can't help but think the plains before me are often so wild and beautiful, a vivid expanse so large my mind can hardly comprehend it. Nor can I quite manage to envisage the scope of destruction wrought upon this place, back before I gained, or regained my consciousness. I wonder of how spectacular it must have been, with hover cars, and buildings surging up towards the heavens, perhaps all gleaming glass and flash metal. What of the colours back then? How amazing must it all have looked, and if it did, then why destroy it so?

Every step I take I wonder if I will come across another savage, something so odd to the imagination I cannot begin to describe it, another creature so strange that even my nightmares shy away from it. I can feel the sensation creeping down my spine. My senses are becoming sharper, more alert as I wander, and I feel sure no one will quite bother me so again, provided I don't die of hunger first.

From what I can recollect of my bearings, taken from the position of the Sun, to the East are a huge range of mountains, reaching so high they almost touch the clouds. I imagine it will be colder there, and I am not equipped yet for such a trek. To the West appears more of the same desert, an endless barrage of soil and dust, and I wonder if any water at all. Back to the South, behind me, again a mountain range, not quite so high, but still, I am not yet in the mood to go back. So North it is, where normally, as far as I can recall from what limited memory I have, North usually means colder, but that is something strange about what I have found so far, that there is no cold. Maybe I haven't walked far enough yet, but still, I wonder.

Finally, some sense of hope. Another large building. It is such an anachronism to what I lies around it, a waste of destruction, where other buildings appear in total ruins, this stands, like a solid, square building block, so dark and foreboding, as if the building itself is alive, watching and waiting for me to enter. I dread to imagine what might lay inside, but I need something to sustain me, food, water, I cannot avoid it.
Across the walls of the building as I approach, I see bricked up windows, they look like eyes, staring at me, unable to blink, as if their soulless visage is supposed to haunt me into staying away. It clearly doesn't understand my need.
As I walk around a large metal container, the sight before me shocks me as much as anything. It appears to be a long dead corpse, probably of a man, wearing aged blue coveralls. The figure is slumped over, almost crouching, with one hand covering what is left of its head. Could this person have witnessed the end of days? Was it truly so hideous that they couldn't bear to watch.

I am almost brought to tears, as I see what remains of a child's teddy bear, lying inches away from the prone man. His other hand appears to reach out to it, as if it had fallen away from him and he desperately wanted to clutch it, to feel something from it, a memory perhaps, before the darkness came.

I walk on a little, to find great metal doors, and in one corner another smaller door. This must have been a busy factory at one time, some smashed trucks literally lie scattered around the yard, broken fencing surrounding them, and a mass of empty bottles across the ground, as if placed there for their visual appeal, and nothing more.

As I approached the doorway, and my hand reached out in search of a new welcome, a huge screech pitched into the air, and for seconds after echoed across the place as if something had died terribly, painfully. Just as I thought it gone, it came again, followed by the sound of shuffling. There is movement inside, and I don't know whether to call out.

Should I run? My senses are screaming, leave this place, get away, go from the shadows and back into the sunlight. My empty stomach and cracked dry lips beg to differ. I am cursed whichever I choose.

I open the door, ignoring the demands of my mind, common sense left behind, just need driving me now. Inside the place is dark, but there are shards of light here and there, enough to see. There are stairs across the walls, metal ones, and some small blocks of buildings inside. It looks busy, even though for now nothing moves.

I step inside, and I can hear my feet scrape against the gravelly dust. The air is thick, as if you could literally drink it down, but fine particles of dust wash around me, no doubt contaminated, but I have other more important needs.

A screech beside me, a deep growl, and my skin crawls. I look quickly, lifting the pistol I have hidden in my pocket, before I manage to point it, even consider aiming, the thing is upon me and I fall to the ground. I am too weak to fight back, so hungry. It leaps on me as I lay on my back, and as I look up, I see its face atop, so close to me I can smell its grotesque breath, semi dead like the creature itself. Sun scatters across what is left of its skin, burned away by time or perhaps fire. It is like fighting against a rotting corpse, its eyes bulging out, dark and green, but so dead. It opens its mouth, slavering, drooling on me, I wonder if it means to eat me!

I struggle but it is too strong. I cry out, but no one hears me.

Is this the end?

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