WiP - Another 366 Days of Flash Fiction: Seeking Company

 Flash is not only where I go to hone my skills, but to explore genres I don't usually write in. The amount of zombie fiction in my flash surprises me, given zombie movies now give me nightmares...

Seeking Company

Iron clanged against the wall, and Cassidy flinched, hunkering close to the floor. The stench of death rose around her, and she pressed her lips together, pinching her nose in an effort not to taste it. She wanted to ask Derek if the undead knew they were there, but didn’t dare say a word. If she spoke, the undead would know exactly where they were.

Another clang followed, then a thump as though something fleshy had slammed into the wall. Derek tapped her shoulder, signaling they should leave.

On the other side of the wall, something grunted, then screeched.

Laughter echoed in reply, and another metallic clang followed, this one reminiscent of a frypan meeting muscle and bone.

Derek rose to a crouch, and skulked toward the door. Another metallic clang echoed into their hiding place, then a third, coming too quickly to have originated from the same source. More followed, and Cassidy almost froze.

There was one hell of a fight being carried out on the other side of the wall, and she didn’t want any of the combatants to notice them. Moving was usually a mistake.

Derek had no such qualms. He kept moving, forcing her to choose between being left behind or remaining concealed. She scampered after him, catching up just as he reached the exit.

“Going somewhere?”

The question came from behind them, and Derek fumbled at the door, shoving it open, then hastily pulling it closed in the face of slashing claws and snapping jaws.

The questioner, spun the blade he was holding, ending the movement in a meaty crunch.

“The best way out is up,” he added, then gestured toward the exit, “But feel free to do it your way.”

Derek gaped at him, but Cassidy didn’t wait for a second invitation.

“He hasn’t tried to end us,” she stated, heading toward the stranger.

Derek moved to follow.

“Point,” he said, “But how do we know he won’t?”

“Because I watched you sleep,” the stranger surprised them by saying. “Had to make sure you weren’t infected in that fight you had, yesterday.”

“And?” Cassidy wanted to know.

“So far you’re both clear, and I could do with the company,” the stranger admitted, stooping to maneuver through a narrow gap mostly blocked by rubble and debris. “I’m tired of facing the world alone.”