Chapter 6 - Part 2 (531 hits)
Category: GeneralLabels: Chapter6
Rating: 2 on 15 reviews (Rate this item) (V)
Submitted by Nath (w_t_a_y_s_t_r_m) (View user info) at 2006-07-12 08:58:06 EDT
Part 1 - http://www.ubersite.com/m/90340
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In complete ignorance of the bodies falling all around me, ignoring the stink of death that was steadily growing in my wake, I focused purely on following the line of flies. The troop was steadily increasing its speed, causing me to turn from a gentle jog to a full sprint after them. All the time I could hear buzzing words up ahead as the group seemed to be discussing something amongst themselves.
After at least five minutes of sprinting I suddenly realised something: I wasn't feeling tired. I wasn't even feeling a strain in the tops of my legs where running normally cripples me after just a few short sprinting bursts. My breathing was at a regular rate, the same as if I was sat in an armchair, not the familiar panting and wheezing that most smokers suffer when they decide to try exercise for twenty minutes. I wasn't even sweating as much.
But none of this was as important to me at that point as discovering what was truly happening. And even if these flies didn't hold the answer, I was certain they at least knew the way to someone who did.
As the line weaved and manoeuvred its way around trees and the few small buildings, I noticed that they were heading towards the road just outside the garrison. Following the line down the final stretch towards the security gate, I ignored the crashing of the two large trees that had suffered the instant decay that had also got my colleagues and the emergency service personnel.
It felt strange to not feel sorry for the security guard, Mark, or Sparky as his nickname was, as I had known him for years. Upon seeing his face look confused by a perfect formation of flies being pursued by me, and knowing that the confusion was the last thing he felt should have hurt me deep. Even more so because I was the cause. But it didn't matter to me.
Out on the road the flies picked up speed beyond that which I could run. Refusing to give up, I carried on sprinting down the middle of the normally busy road, which was deserted right now. Trying my best to keep my focus on the last of the flies in the line, I stumbled along the road, struggling at times to keep my balance.
Approaching from behind came the sound of an engine. Afraid to lose sight of the flies I kept my head forward ignoring the roar from behind which was getting louder and louder.
There was a sudden whoosh of air blowing past me as the old, American chopper shot past at a hell of a speed. The rider threw his hand in the air, giving me the finger on his way past. It was the last thing he ever did, as his arm snapped in the rush of air, closely followed by him actually lifting of his bike and landing in a crumpled heap on the ground while the bike slid away and then came to a gentle rest. Far too gentle for the speed it was going, but that didn't matter to me.
I pushed myself to sprint harder, not caring about the crunch under my feet as I ran across the corpse of the biker to get to his discarded cycle. I know absolutely nothing about motorbikes, and have never claimed to or even tried to pretend. This one, however, felt very familiar to me.
Managing to lift of the steep bank with ease, I threw my leg over. A quick glance showed me that shotgun frame lead into red flame effects the whole way down, except for the black leather seat. All in all it was a fairly typical, 80's easy rider bike. But I didn't mind, because I somehow knew how to ride it.
Seconds later I was close behind the flies again, going much faster than any fly ever should.
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After riding for about forty-five minutes or more I was in completely unfamiliar territory. I had no idea where I was or how I had got there, having focused on the path of the flies the whole way. Along the way we had gone through fields, woods, a city and many small villages.
Some of the city and village roads had had people stood along them, all of whom were now lying where they had stood, most probably falling to pieces. There were trails of dead corn and grass from the fields and woods. There was just basically a trail of death behind me, so if I needed to find my way back home it wouldn't be too difficult.
Finally the flies all stopped outside a building that was sat in the middle of a plain. On the horizon there was a small plot of trees that were all huddled closely together and dotted around the view were small patches of dried up grass and hedges. Other than that there was nothing but dust blowing around in the gentle breeze.
As I turned to look back towards the building, I cut off the engine and swung my leg off the chopper, standing up straight expecting a dull ache in either my spine or legs. Surprisingly there was no crack of bones or aching muscles.
I turned my attention back to the building that was still about a hundred metres away. Looking to be at least four stories tall, and just as wide there were windows scattered about it, most of them missing, cracked or blacked out. The door in the front centre of the building was about the size of a church door, making me think that there must be some kind of lobby room just inside.
There was a small flight of concrete steps leading up to the door, where a very thin, very old man was sat peacefully.
Basically it was a very strange house to find out in the middle of nowhere.
While I watched, an animal walked around the edge of the building. At least what was left of the animal. From the distance it was difficult to tell if it was a dog or a goat or possible even a young cow. Besides the distance it was hard to tell the species due to lack of actual animal. This creature had clearly not eaten anything for weeks, and it was no surprise based on where it lived.
Slowly the creature moved around towards the front, where he and the man sat on the steps looked at each other. With as much speed as it could muster the animal turned and moved away, clearly scared of the man.
"So what am I suppose to do here?" I asked, looking down at the flies who had once again taken up their position in rows, this time on the dusty ground.
"Go inside." The flies buzzed back at me in harmony.
"What's in there?" I didn't feel anxious, or even scared. Just an incredible curiosity.
"What you came here for." They all buzzed again. "No go in."
I began walking forwards, approaching the house. The man on the steps watched me the whole way. As I got closer his eyes narrowed a bit, more in concentration than a threat.
Doing my best to ignore him I carried on walking and got to the bottom of the steps, less than three feet away.
"You're not dead." I was shocked. Besides me, this man was the only other person that had survived whatever it was I was carrying. "Are the flies just gathering survivors?"
"A better guess than most." The man said in a dry, croaky voice which made me remember an old globe I had once owned. I never once found out what Japan was shaped like because whenever you tried to turn it, the joins groaned and creaked in a way that made you wish you didn't have ears.
"Thank you." I didn't mean. I felt no gratitude. "So what am I doing here?"
"You go in." The man croaked again. "Gum?" He held up a tired hand, in which was a pack of gum that looked to be older than me.
"I'm okay thanks." I answered, suddenly feeling very full and very sick.
Desperate to never hear his voice again I didn't ask anymore questions and carried on up the stairs. I pushed the large door, which swung open.
---
As I stepped in the first thing I heard was Johnny Cash singing about a whirlwind in thorn trees or something like that. It was a shock. Or at least it would have been if I was still able to feel surprised.
The inside room was completely blacked out, the only light source disappearing as the door swung closed silently behind me. Just as Cash started saying something about kicking pricks the music stopped and was replaced with a long silence that seemed to echo.
"At last." A voice came from somewhere in the darkness. "I didn't think we'd ever get you here."
"What's going on?" I called out, getting more and more desperate for answers. "What am I carrying that's killing everyone? Why aren't I dying from it?"
"So many questions at once," I voice responded. "And none of them valid. There are things you need to learn, but none of those things."
"What are you on about?" I still didn't know who I was talking to, but I was beginning to dislike them.
"It's not what you 'carry'." The voice suddenly went very deep as a bright light came on at the opposite side of the room. "It's what you are."
User Reviews
Submitted by Professional_Peon (user info) at 2006-07-18 15:44:12 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
I <3 Nath
Submitted by w_t_a_y_s_t_r_m (user info) at 2006-07-13 03:39:33 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Submitted by JonnyX (user info) at 2006-07-12 15:56:13 (#)
Ranking: 2
Leonard Part 6?
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The shitty Bill Cosby film? Hell no
Submitted by JonnyX (user info) at 2006-07-12 15:56:13 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Leonard Part 6?
Submitted by MyTeeOne (user info) at 2006-07-12 15:47:02 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
It's nice to see that Uber still has writers. I liked this piece.
Submitted by Crystle (user info) at 2006-07-12 12:14:30 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
you're onto something here Nath...Keep it up.
Submitted by Berty (user info) at 2006-07-12 12:11:12 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Very good.
Submitted by sinna (user info) at 2006-07-12 11:02:38 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
I'm loving this series.
"Johnny Cash singing about a whirlwind in thorn trees"
When the man comes around. Excellent song.
I thought it could have done without the "basically"s when describing the trail of death and weirdness of the house. It seemed to make them a little more petty. But that's just me splitting hairs.
Submitted by Beano312003 (user info) at 2006-07-12 10:53:22 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Ah ha, now it is starting to go somewhere and I'm looking forward to the next stage. Didn't really enjoy the first part. The fact that it was written by you means it'll come good though. And it has.
Submitted by Nellypaal (user info) at 2006-07-12 10:14:43 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Balls. I'm going to have to start coming back to Uber now ya bastard.
Submitted by Davros (user info) at 2006-07-12 09:56:37 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
More motherbastard.
-Dave
Submitted by phuzzygish (user info) at 2006-07-12 09:37:12 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Bring it.
Submitted by TigerLilly (user info) at 2006-07-12 09:36:36 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
No Comment
Submitted by Susie_Derkins (user info) at 2006-07-12 09:26:34 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Intriguing.
Submitted by sicosemen (user info) at 2006-07-12 09:16:07 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Once again I really enjoyed this, although some of the times I feel it is almost too proper with your use of "sat" and "stood." All in all, I'm enjoying this story tremendously. Can't wait for part 3.
Submitted by hour_man (user info) at 2006-07-12 09:11:48 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
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