//------------------------------// // Day 1; Part 2: Dying to Get Out // Story: School House of the Dead // by Theta //------------------------------// "Oh dear... I just don't know what's happening! The patients keep dying...but once they die, they resurrect! This is just like that Gorge Roseo movie I once saw...", Cheerilee, dressed in a long skirt and white button up, was rushing around the small infirmary, gathering up as much medicine as she could. "The thoughts are nice and all, but we have to get you out of here Miss Cheerileeeeeee-", the young stallion was interrupted by a pair of teeth, grinding into his shoulder. "Get out of here!!! It's too late for me!" Within seconds of screaming, the remaining zombies collapsed from an unknown presence. "Flitter, secure Miss Cheerilee!", Cloud Chaser screamed to her sister, in her usual flat, coarse voice. She silently approached the young man, and knelt down beside him, "You've done good, protecting Cheerilee for this long. What is your name?" "R-Rumble..." "Well, Rumble, I'm Cloud Chaser, president of the school's kendo club. Let me ask you, do you wish for your friends and family to see you like this?" "N-no..." "If that's your answer...I will end your life right now. I want you to know, I've never killed anyone befo-" Flitter finally spoke up, "You can't be serious! He's still alive!" "Look, it's not your choice, nor mine! And besides you know as well as the rest of us that once you've been bit, there's no turning back..." "P-please...just end it. I..I can't face my brother knowing I'll kill him..", Rumble paused to cough up blood, which now pooled at his side. "As you wish." With a quick uppercut, Cloud Chaser ended Rumble's pain. "Cheerilee, you alright?" "Umm...", the school teacher visibly cowered, nervously twiddling her fingers, "I-I think so...th-thank you. Both of you, for saving me. Say, didn't you two take us to Equestrian nationals last year for kendo slash martial arts?" "Ye-", a shrill scream echoed from down the hall, coming directly from the teachers lounge. On top of the school "Come on! This way, we can blockade ourselves up there!", Thunderlane exclaimed, pointing toward a set of stairs. Vinyl and I just nodded in agreement, increasing our speed to match his. I beat both of them to the destination, and waited for both of them to get up before I went any farther. "Why won't you die! Just di-ahh!", I looked back to see Vinyl slammed against the wall, about to be attacked by one of them. God damnit, Amp save her! This is your chance! Take it! I froze in place, my flight or fight response had failed me. Instead, Thunderlane rushed down the stairs, grabbed my bat, and wiped the zombie's head clean off. "See that, Vinyl? You have to hit the head, that's the only way they'll drop! Now get up, and let's go!", He raised Vinyl to her feet, and started to rush her up the stairs. "Amp, I need you to find some stuff to block the entrance. Think you can do that?" "Yeah, yeah, I think I can handle it.", I replied in a malice tone. I rushed into the closet, and started throwing out extra tables, eventually pulling out four folding ones. I sprinted out of the closet, and started constructing makeshift barriers, making sure to duct tape the tables to the railings, and putting down fold chairs to reinforce the bottom tables. "That should hold them until help arrives. Scratch, how's Thunderlane holding up?," no response, "Hey, you hear me?" I turned to see Vinyl with tears in her eyes, hovering over a passed out Thunderlane. "I don't understand... you only got bit a little...but why does it look so bad if you only got hurt a little?!?" "Amp..." Thunderlane snapped awake, and turned to cough up blood, "Amp, help me over the edge... I-I want to stay alive till the end...Please, I don't want to be one of them!" "No! No, we it's not like the movies...right? You won't turn into one of them!", Vinyl was visibly crying, tears forming rivers on her cheeks. Suddenly, Thunderlane went limp, "No! No, I can't lose you! Damnit, why did you have to be bit! Why not me?" "Vinyl...get away from him.." I spoke up, in an emotionless command. "No! He won't turn into one of them!...", On queue, Thunderlane rose to a limp, hunched over stance. "See? He's not one of them! Tell him, Thunderlane!" Shit... he truly turned. I can't believe I have to do this... "Get away from him, Vinyl... I know you can't believe it... I can't believe it... But it's happening..." "No...What're you doing... Don't do it...", Vinyl's cheeks were stained with tears, each one trickling down her face. "It's happening!!!", Thunderlane let out a ear shattering yell, and within a second I was on my way to kill my best friend. In one fluid motion, I jumped and brought down my bat, right onto his head; splattering his brain all over the floor. "Why...", Vinyl choked back more tears, "Why..." "He would've bitten you if I hadn't killed him." "I didn't ask to be saved! Besides, how would you know that? I would've been willing to be bitten too...better to be dead than live through this!..." "He wouldn't have wanted that.." "Oh, I know... you must've hated Thunderlane... You must've hated him because he was dating me!" She's right... I guess I have no other choice. I rose to my feet, and walked towards the barricades. "What're you doing?" "It's obvious you don't want me around. I'm going down there to take as many of them out as I can.", I slowly started ripping down the barrier. "Wait...Amp.", Vinyl softly whispered, "No, please! Don't leave me! I didn't mean what I said!", she rushed to my side, and grabbed onto my arm, "Don't leave me here, please!", she started bawling, the tears coming out faster and faster. I stepped down from the chair I was standing on, and embraced her with everything I have. On the day everything ended, I killed my best friend. Then I held the mare that I loved for the first time.