MicroHorror

“Shit, shit, shit!” Eric yelled, rushing up the fire escape. Glancing down fearfully, he saw the horde of zombies following close below. His heart beat heavy as he continued upwards, trying to ignore the sound of their cries. When he finally made it to the open window on the thirteenth floor of the Woodward apartment building, he hurried inside, slamming the window shut. Pulling the drapes, he ran out of the bedroom, out of apartment 13A, and into the hall. He passed by apartment 13B, 13C, 13D, and stopped in front of 13E. Knocking harshly on the peeling wood, he waited impatiently as he turned to look down the empty hall, the sound of the zombies smashing at the window of 13A vibrated towards him. The seconds ticked by slowly as he stared at the peephole of 13E. Eyes going wide with frustration and terror, he pounded on the door more fiercely.

“Luke! Let me in! Hurry!” Eric watched with relief as the door started to creep open, but it stopped short as the chain prevented the room from further exposure. Luke peered a lone eye out at him, then past him, down the hallway.

“I’m sorry, Eric. I can’t let you in,” he told him calmly.

“What?” Eric breathed heavily, eyes flickering down the hall again, towards 13A where the sound was growing louder. “Why not?”

“You know the group’s rule about individual expeditions out into the city. You disobeyed, so now you must pay the price.”

“Jesus, Luke! I’m going to die out here!”

“You brought them here, so it’s not my problem.” Luke replied stonily.

Eric closed his eyes briefly as his heart hammered against his chest. “I’m sorry, okay? But you know how important that picture was to me. I had to get it. It’s all I have left of Janine.”

Luke’s cold gaze didn’t falter as he said, “Well, I hope it’s more important to you than your life.”

Narrowing his eyes at him, Eric muttered, “Bastard. How can you do this to me?”
Looking behind him quickly, Luke returned to stare at his best friend as he said, “I can’t let you in, we have to follow the rules… but, here.” Tossing a gun at Eric’s feet, Luke added, “It’s got a full round of bullets. Use them wisely.” Then he shut the door, leaving Eric all alone in the deserted hall. Picking the gun up from the floor, he heard the stampede of feet from behind him. Giving 13E one last look, he aimed at the doorknob and fired, kicking the splintered door open as he hurried down the hallway, disregarding the loud gunshots and Luke’s cries as the zombies tore him limb from limb.