Beyond My Choices/Issue 8

Issue 8 - Vibe Killer
'''     Bradley slowly opened his eyes. He lifted his arm up to help support him, but he quickly fell back down, as continued to struggle to make his way up. He finally finds the strength to lift his body up, and sit against the wall of the bus. He turns his head, and he isn’t against windows. In fact he’s actually against what would have been the roof of the bus. He feels the flow of small amounts of liquid push down his forehead. He lifts his finger up, and touches it, pulling it back down to realize it’s his own blood. '''

'''He doesn’t remember at all what happened. All he remembers was him going on the bus, and falling asleep an hour into the trip. He suddenly begins to come back into reality, as he sees a dead body in front of him. He once again tries to push up the roof, but he just can’t. A sharp pain shoots through his left elbow, but even with one arm he’s not sure if he’s able to lift himself up.'''

'''Bradley (Grueling): Anyone here?! '''

'''Bradley soon assumes no one is around, or he’s the only one alive. He rests his head back as he’s way too weak to make his way back up. He feels a sudden rage of a migraine attack his head, as he begins to feel the urge to vomit. It’s became clear to him that he indeed has a concussion. He slowly feels his brain powering off, as he’s thirsty for water. Slowly his eyes begin to fall, until eventually he’s once again past out.'''

He soons darts his eyes open quickly as he hears growls, and footsteps enter onto the bus.

--

'''20 minutes earlier before Bradley’s awakening… '''

'''Chanel eyes pierce open. She looks around the ugly setting as she’s not aware how bad the crash was. Her heart jumps as she remembers Jackson. She tweaks her head left, where Jackson sits, trying to regain posture.'''

'''Jackson: What the hell happen?! Jackson says in a moan.'''

Chanel: Can you move?

Jackson: Yea, I think so… 

'''Jackson moves his arms to lift him up, and successfully he stands. Chanel soon follows his lead. '''

Jackson: What…The…Fuck… 

'''The two look around as they hold on to each other. Blood splat upon the windows the stand over, while some people are filled with blood piled up against their face. Outside, they can see Tom and Lewis walk back in forth as they help a familiar face out. Lewis holds a half-awakened Kiara in his arm as he slowly rests her against a dark oak tree. They stare at Tom, who wraps his arm around Dante helping him walk strait until finally he can handle it on his own.'''

'''Lewis: Anyone else? He looks towards where Kyle sits down picking off the pedals of a yellow flower.'''

'''Tom: Well, I just helped Dante... About to take another look. '''

<p class="MsoNormal">'''Tom walks in the bus and he sees Chanel and Jackson slowly make their way from the bus. Tom rushes as grabs Chanel, and proceeds to lift her until finally she’s out. Soon after, Jackson is with them.'''

<p class="MsoNormal">--

<p class="MsoNormal">Tom: Where are Bradley and Jay?

<p class="MsoNormal">'''No one responds, as Tom makes his way back towards the bus. '''

<p class="MsoNormal">'''Tom: Well anyone coming? '''

<p class="MsoNormal">Dante: I’ll be right behind you…

<p class="MsoNormal">Chanel: Me too…

<p class="MsoNormal">'''Jackson: What?! No, you’re not in position to do something like this Chanel.'''

<p class="MsoNormal">'''Chanel: Yes I am! I want to help, so I’m going to help.'''

<p class="MsoNormal">Jackson wraps his arm around Chanel which she returns gracefully.

<p class="MsoNormal">Tom: Alright enough, there are people that are dying, which we need to make sure they’re okay…

<p class="MsoNormal">'''Chanel and Jackson break as Chanel makes her way along with Dante, and Tom. They soon stop in their tracks as they here a loud thump on the bus.'''

<p class="MsoNormal">--

<p class="MsoNormal">'''Bradley cocks his head back as he isn’t aware of what’s going on. He can’t really see much, considering the seat above him most likely fell off and hit him in the head. He couldn’t think strait as he felt another sudden urge of vomit. He finally closes his eyes, and for once his vision is clear, but only for a few seconds. Just long enough to get a look at the figure ahead; it’s Jay and he’s looking the same way as Bradley, as he struggles to keep his eyes open. '''

<p class="MsoNormal">'''Bradley quickly jumps as a bloody pale hand grabs ahold of his shoes. He yanks his foot, but it isn’t much. He begins to panic, until he realizes his stick which he trimmed from earlier. Using the rest of his energy he manages to reach for his book bag which lies besides him. Jay begins to come to his senses and realize what’s going on, as he lies himself up. He stumbles back down on his knee, as he clenches his jaw, erecting the veins that run along his skull. He reaches the main ally, which he soon sees. Another biter walks towards him.'''

<p class="MsoNormal">'''Bradley still struggles as he continues reaches for his book-bag. He feels the grip upon his leg get much tighter, until finally it loosens. Jay scraps the biter off of Bradley, and digs in his pocket for his knife. He grabs it, and crushes the biter’s skull, as blood pours like a cracked watermelon. Feeling now dizzy Jay collapses to the ground, as a terrible migraine terrorizes his head.'''

<p class="MsoNormal">'''Tom is the first to enter the bus, as he rushes to Bradley’s aid. He holds a knife which he uses to stab the biter skull. He reaches Bradley, but he doesn’t recognize Jay, but immediately he and Dante lift Bradley up from the ground, as the two men help him travel. Chanel allows the three men to pass'''

<p class="MsoNormal">Tom: Check if there anyone else!

<p class="MsoNormal">'''Chanel walks along the bus. Dead bodies lie, which almost makes her want to vomit. She covers her mouth, and nose as the smell is getting worse along with the intensity rising in her nervous system. She reaches the back, and there’s Jay. He’s uncondensed, most likely dehydrated she thought. She sits for a moment thinking, she looks at him and back at the ground for the next minuet. She soon turns around as she lets out a big sigh; she doesn’t want ANY thing to do with Jay. She walks away still staring at the ground, and back to Jackson. '''

<p class="MsoNormal">Bradley: J- J- I need to get J- J- Jay.

<p class="MsoNormal">Tom: You think you can help him out the rest of the way Te’?

<p class="MsoNormal">Dante: Yea, I got him.

<p class="MsoNormal">'''Tom slowly releases his grip off of Bradley’s back, as he passes Chanel who begins to feel much more guilt every step she takes. Tom continues, until finally he reaches the back where Jay sits. '''

<p class="MsoNormal">'''Tom: Come on bud. Tom lifts Jay, who has his eyes barely open. Step by step they walk slowly as they want to just get off of this damn bus.'''

<p class="MsoNormal">--

<p class="MsoNormal">'''Tom stands by the lone deserted road. He looks left to right, as there isn’t a sign of hope around him. He cocks his head back, as he stares at the group. One night here and hopefully everyone is fine. He hears footsteps creep up behind him.'''

<p class="MsoNormal">Lewis: How you hangin man?

<p class="MsoNormal">'''Tom: I don’t know… Where the hell did these damn buses go?! I thought they were supposed to be together!'''

<p class="MsoNormal">Lewis: You think they’ll be back?

<p class="MsoNormal">'''Tom: Hell no… Those buses drivers are way too damn lazy to actually drive back. Besides if they don’t I’m sure they’ll get a big headful mouthful from Adrian, or something.'''

<p class="MsoNormal">'''Lewis: Adrian? Don’t recognize the name.'''

<p class="MsoNormal">'''Tom: Oh, dude worked with me when I was a part of the secret service. Lewis nods his head as he perks his lips as he’s impressed.'''

<p class="MsoNormal">Lewis: How was like?

<p class="MsoNormal">Tom: Being secret service?

<p class="MsoNormal">Lewis: Yea.

<p class="MsoNormal">'''Tom: Hard work… Really strict as well! I mean it just felt like someone was controlling my life you know?'''

<p class="MsoNormal">Lewis: Yea, I actually was a bouncer for a club before all of this!

<p class="MsoNormal">'''Tom: Yea, at least you got more freedom man! '''

<p class="MsoNormal">Lewis: And at least you got the big bucks!

<p class="MsoNormal">'''Tom: Hey, I mean I missed not being able stay out late, and maybe kick a few beers with some of the friends! I mean, if you screwed up once, then you made the whole government look bad!'''

<p class="MsoNormal">Lewis: Yea, kind of like those two man who slept with prostitutes or some shit?

<p class="MsoNormal">'''Tom: Yea, just like that! So tell me, how was it like being a bouncer?'''

<p class="MsoNormal">Lewis: You know, I never really was quite the fan of it, but I had to do it to get by.

<p class="MsoNormal">'''Tom: Come on, I know damn well someone like you didn’t just make a living off of being a bouncer! MMA fighter? Boxer, come on?'''

<p class="MsoNormal">'''Lewis: Trust me man, I’ve had lots of jobs! I mean this bouncer gig didn’t even last a month… '''

<p class="MsoNormal">Tom: How you live then?

<p class="MsoNormal">Lewis: Some side hustle was always the trick!

<p class="MsoNormal">Tom: Ah, and what were those?

<p class="MsoNormal">Lewis: You really want to know?

<p class="MsoNormal">'''Tom: Of course I really I want to know! I love to know who I’m living, working, and spending most of my days with!'''

<p class="MsoNormal">'''Lewis: Aright, I don’t want you just going around and telling people! They might look at me different!'''

<p class="MsoNormal">Tom: So why are you telling me then?

<p class="MsoNormal">Lewis: Because, your civilized Tom, and you’re by far possibly the most mature person here!

<p class="MsoNormal">Tom: I suppose so; go ahead, I won’t tell anybody man.

<p class="MsoNormal">Lewis: Well before all of this shit went down, I was part of this gang!

<p class="MsoNormal">Tom: Like, selling cocaine, weed, marijuana, or crystal meth?

<p class="MsoNormal">'''Lewis: Well, I was never the dealer, but I was also pretty much like a bodyguard! If some shit went down, then it was my job to fuck somebody up!'''

<p class="MsoNormal">Tom: With like guns and stuff?

<p class="MsoNormal">'''Lewis: Nope, just a One-hundred percent of man power! Lewis lifts his arms up which he then flexes.'''

<p class="MsoNormal">Tom: Damn, you look like you could crush a watermelon between those boys; besides how you even get them?

<p class="MsoNormal">Lewis: Gang life brotha, gang life!

<p class="MsoNormal">Tom chuckles as he begins walking back towards the camp.

<p class="MsoNormal">Tom: Alight pal.

<p class="MsoNormal">--

<p class="MsoNormal">'''Tom takes one last look in the bus, as he knows they need to get moving soon. If those two poor bastards could come back to life within less than five hours, then no telling when these fuckers would wake up.'''

<p class="MsoNormal">Dante: Tom, you got a moment?

<p class="MsoNormal">Tom: I always got a moment!

<p class="MsoNormal">'''Dante walks next him and crosses his hairy arms. He wears black jeans which sag a little low below his waste, but his white V-neck, which is covered by his brown leather jacket, covers his crotch area.'''

<p class="MsoNormal">Dante: You know eventually we’re going to have to go?

<p class="MsoNormal">Tom: Yea, matter of fact; I was just thinking about that!

<p class="MsoNormal">'''Dante: Oh- good! I guess this be easier to explain.'''

<p class="MsoNormal">Tom: What do you mean?

<p class="MsoNormal">'''Dante: Just forget about it! What I was going to say, we got to find some shelter man… Bradley, Jay, and Kiera are finally coming back to Earth, which mean we can start heading out!'''

<p class="MsoNormal">Tom: Alright, tell everyone to get their stuff packed together.

<p class="MsoNormal">Dante: Like right now?

<p class="MsoNormal">Tom: Yeah, it’s better to leave early morning before it gets dark.

<p class="MsoNormal">Dante: Oh- alright.

<p class="MsoNormal">'''Dante proceeds back, and is followed by Tom. '''

<p class="MsoNormal">Dante: Alright, pack your bricks up, were go to Vegas!

<p class="MsoNormal">Kyle: I wish… Kyle picks up his bag, and walks with an attitude past Dante.

<p class="MsoNormal">'''Dante: Wish for Vegas? What are you going to do, gamble? Maybe buy some hookers? Dante quickly grabs his bag, and runs towards Kyle until finally catching up with him.'''

<p class="MsoNormal">Kyle: Travel the world.

<p class="MsoNormal">'''Dante: Trust me, Vegas isn’t the world man! And when I say it isn’t, I mean it just crazy memory’s you have to tell at party’s to all of your friends when things are awkward or just too damn quiet.'''

<p class="MsoNormal">Kyle: Something tells me you’ve been to Vegas before.

<p class="MsoNormal">Dante: Maybe I have, maybe I haven’t.

<p class="MsoNormal">Kyle: So yes?

<p class="MsoNormal">Dante: That’s a maybe, besides even if I did it’s not like I have any stories to tell!

<p class="MsoNormal">Kyle: Then how did you come up with such a good example of Vegas?

<p class="MsoNormal">'''Dante: Alright whatever, you caught me! Anyhow what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas!'''

<p class="MsoNormal">'''Kyle: Just like the one time when you caught a STD? '''

<p class="MsoNormal">'''Dante can’t help but burst out laughing at Kyle’s joke. His laugh catches the attention of the rest of the group which follow both of their leads behind them. He soon stops, as he looks behind himself trying to make sure no one isn’t thinking he’s going crazy.'''

<p class="MsoNormal">Dante: You got to pull fictional jokes now?

<p class="MsoNormal">'''Kyle: Meh, just the first thing that came to my head, so I just said it. Kyle smiles, as it felt cool for once someone actually laughing at his joke.'''

<p class="MsoNormal">Dante: Damn, you know you’re pretty damn cool man.

<p class="MsoNormal">'''Kyle: I am? [Dante nods his head] Oh, well thanks… Usually people think I’m like weird or something!'''

<p class="MsoNormal">'''Dante: For real; weird? Weren’t you one of the team captains?'''

<p class="MsoNormal">Kyle: Yea, but I mean that doesn’t really mean much when you have no team chemistry.

<p class="MsoNormal">Dante: Well you know what?

<p class="MsoNormal">Kyle: What?

<p class="MsoNormal">'''Dante: Fuck those people man! There just jealous because they didn’t get team captain! Since there wasn’t even team chemistry that makes it even better, because you just strive for greatness you feel me?'''

<p class="MsoNormal">Kyle: Thanks, that actually means a lot man!

<p class="MsoNormal">'''Dante: No problem man, I dig your style! The two figures chuckle, and continue down the long damp road.'''

<p class="MsoNormal">--

<p class="MsoNormal">'''Bradley walks as his whole body feels sore. They’ve been walking all day, and neither of the buses hasn’t come back for any of them. He begins to feel his back tense tighter with each other, as thirty minutes break aren’t enough. '''

<p class="MsoNormal">'''He continues to stare at the ground as he quickly soon feels depression finally getting to him. All of those innocent people gone just like that. He soon thinks to himself about who came and it finally dawns on him. Lenny and Audi are dead. More people died, but he actually knew those people, and spoke with them. He never felt affected by this, but it was an eye opening moment for him and the group. After all he almost lost his life.'''

<p class="MsoNormal">'''He looks away from the ground to play catch up with the rest of the group. Jay looks like he’s bummed out, no telling how much weight he has on his shoulders Bradley imagines. Chanel, Jackson, and Tom all have been quiet. At least Kyle and Dante were enjoying their time. The two been singing songs; A little two happy maybe? I guess it didn’t matter, Bradley wasn’t always the one to enjoy killing the vibe; then again was there a vibe?'''

<p class="MsoNormal">'''He soon hears a gasp come from Chanel’s mouth. The gasp causes Bradley to turn his head towards her, which he soon sees what she’s gasping about. She points towards a red building, as the groups are in awe. They immediately pick of their pace, as they’re ready to just sleep. Especially Kiara who looks like she’s about to drop dead; eyes grey, skin pale no telling what’s next for her.'''

<p class="MsoNormal">Kiara: I don- don’t feel so good.

<p class="MsoNormal">Lewis: On a scale from one to ten how do you feel?

<p class="MsoNormal">Kiara: Almost a fucking one… She’s says very softly, but there’s a rough tone to it.

<p class="MsoNormal">Lewis: You need me to carry you?

<p class="MsoNormal">'''Kiara: Uh… No, I’m not a baby, I’m a lady and I can handle myself. Lewis shrugs as he continues to talk along her.'''

<p class="MsoNormal">Kiara soon collapse, but before her knees can hit the concrete she’s caught by Lewis who lifts up with each, and rests her against his arms.

<p class="MsoNormal">'''Tom: Wow, you must really haven’t been feeling so good. Kiara stares at him, she closes dry eyes.'''

<p class="MsoNormal">The group continues down the long anticipated road until finally they stand in front of a red building which reads “The Crab”.

<p class="MsoNormal">Tom: What type of place you think this is?

<p class="MsoNormal">Dante: Oh, defiantly a bar!

<p class="MsoNormal">--

<p class="MsoNormal">'''Jay sits down in a red booth as he looks outside towards the moon which lights the skies and the woods around him. He tries to see if he can find any falling stars but he just can’t quite find one. It seems like ever since the apocalypse has started, all of the stars begin to ho with humanity as well.'''

<p class="MsoNormal">'''He looks around the bar; it’s not that bad he thinks to himself. About six booths are spread throughout the bar. In the middle is the where the wooden bar and the stools set. Surprisingly there’s still some hard liquor left, and some honey sits in the cabinet with a few other no goods foods. Then he looks at the corner where Chanel and Jackson sleep. He looks around to make sure no one else is awake; no one shouldn’t anyways since he’s the one on watch.'''

<p class="MsoNormal">'''He stands up slowly, and begins to walk towards her, until finally he’s in front of her. He sighs in relief as he realizes she’s still awake, as she admires her nails.'''

<p class="MsoNormal">Jay: Hey, do you have any time?

<p class="MsoNormal">Chanel: I don’t know.

<p class="MsoNormal">Jay: What do you mean I don’t know?

<p class="MsoNormal">Chanel: What do you want?

<p class="MsoNormal">Jay: Look, I just need to talk to you in private… It’s important.

<p class="MsoNormal">'''Chanel stands, as she pushes her soft hand out to allow Jay to lead the way. Jay continues until final he reaches his booth, he takes a seat, and she takes the seat in front of him.'''

<p class="MsoNormal">Chanel: Alright, what is it boy?

<p class="MsoNormal">Jay: Look, where is this going to go?

<p class="MsoNormal">'''Chanel: What? What do you mean?'''

<p class="MsoNormal">Jay: Me and you, where do we stand?

<p class="MsoNormal">Chanel doesn’t respond as she’s shocked despite that she was already prepared for it; instead of answering she looks at the ground.

<p class="MsoNormal">'''Jay: Chanel look at me, answer me where do we stand? Chanel stares back in his eyes, as he stares intensely into her eyes, letting her know he means business.'''

<p class="MsoNormal">Chanel: Look, I just see you as a friend Jay… What happened last night won’t happen again and we were just drunk… 

<p class="MsoNormal">'''Jay: Okay. Jay says as he looks back at the sky. A small hardly recognizable frown forms on his face.'''

<p class="MsoNormal">'''Chanel: That’s it? Jay turns back towards Chanel.'''

<p class="MsoNormal">'''Jay: Yea, that’s it. '''

<p class="MsoNormal">'''Chanel slowly walks towards Jackson and her booth, as Jay looks back at the sky. He spots nothing, until finally he sees a star shoot across his eyes. He stares in awe, as he hasn’t seen one and so long. He immediately closes his eyes and begins to make a wish.'''