Free When The Light Goes Out by Jack Thompson

actually able to locate her, in the dark, due to her insistent screaming.
     
    "Shush!" I finally snapped, scooping her up one last time before actually taking off into a run. As much of a run as I could with the extra weight. Finding it hard to breath as the groans, and moans of the damned cannibals grew louder. I knew I needed to get into the school, damn quick. So, the moment I was sure I was within ear shot, I shouted. "Dustin!" I raised my voice even more when I wasn't positive he heard me. "Dustin! Open up! I've sort of got my arms full right now!"
     
    To my utter shock, the door actually opened. Just a little. A head barely stuck out. But next thing I knew the door flew open, and a man flew at me. A moment of uncontrollable fear warned me that it just might be a zombie out for my blood. But logic overruled that. Told me, "No." I wasn't willing to believe they knew how to open doors.
     
    Yet.
     
    "Give her to me." The order came from the man, as he took the child from me. Relieving me. "Cover us."
     
    So I nodded my head, doing as best I could to watch for moving shadows in the darkness. Praying that I would be able to see something coming at us, and shoot the pistol in time to save Dustin's neck. The little girls. I didn't want to be the reason behind their deaths.
     
    Even if I was a lousy shot.
     
    Considering I failed five point blank shots.. "Where's the boy?"
    "Malachi?" "Where is he?"
    "Went off to find Louie." "Who's Louie?"
    "I want Louie!" Came the bothersome wail from the small child. I didn't like thinking of it as bothersome, but the word popped up in my mind. I contributed it to my being tired.
     
    Come to think of it, I was tired. A yawn forced its way up my throat the moment I thought it. Listening to the way that Dustin was softly speaking to the child, the way that only a father would know how to, was making me a bit sleepy. Making me think of lullaby's and nightly stories. Comfy beds.
     
    I shook the thought out of my mind. It wasn't a time for distraction.
    The door was slammed closed behind me before I realized we'd walked through it.
     
    "How the hell did you get outside?!" It was the first time I actually heard Dustin sound angry, though he held it off until the child was passed off to Ian. His question made my heart stop for a moment figuratively of course as I stared.
     
    "I erm.. uhh.. We jumped?" "Jumped.."
    "Yeah..?"
     
    "You jumped.." "Only a little?" "How the hell"
    "Jesus, stop leaning on the door!"
     
    I hadn't noticed that the door was opening behind me. But it was, and Malachi was trying to get in. So I jumped out of the way, almost bumping into Dustin who also backed up a bit. The brunet closed the door behind himself, a grim look on his face.
     
    "Lou"
     
    "The only even slightly living thing I found was a little boy that I had to" "I get the picture."
    I looked at the ground.
     
    I looked over at the little girl.
     
    I left Malachi to explain the situation to Dustin.
     
    I didn't really want to deal with it at that moment.
     
    However, there weren't very many places that I could go. I could travel the building, but I wasn't quite that daring. I could leave the building. But I didn't believe in suicide. So I just walked to the least crowded part of the auditorium, and sat on the floor. Pulling my knees to my chest, resting my face on them.
     
    There was only so much someone could take in one day, I reasoned. Only so much before one passed out, completely. Before they threatened to throw people out windows. Before they went through on those threats. I personally felt I was way past those three stages, and only staying awake because I felt extremely sick to my stomach, and had to concentrate on keeping it down. Keeping what down? I had no food left. I'd already lost my lunch. Tossed my cookies. Threw up.
     
    Dammit.
     
    Dammit all to hell. "Excel?"
    "Yes, Dustin?" I responded quietly, calmly, from the safety of my knees. I hadn't heard him walk over. "Are you