“Living with Monsters” is a world where Monsters are loose in the world. Zombies, werewolves, vampires, and all sorts of others seek blood and death all about. There are humans that live in this nightmare. Survivors that are scattered all over, just trying to live their lives. In this world however, there is more to the darkness then just the monsters lurking about. Something is coming to this world, something ancient, dark, and horrible, but there might be hope. Hope in one man that has no idea what is coming, and that he might be the key to the hope of mankind.
Living with Monsters Ep. 1
“I’ve sat here before”, said a man named Ivan. He was sitting in what used to be a parking lot of a large market center. There was an abandoned car that had been sitting there for a few years, and he had decided to take a rest after walking all day. He looked towards the building that were some hundred yards away. A memory of a place very similar and long ago, but not too long flashed back to him. He put his hand on the steering wheel. Sliding his hand back and forth as if moving the wheels. “If only”, Ivan said. He grabbed his drink and took a swallow. He looked back once more, but this time something caught his eye. There was movement close to the buildings. He slowly moved and packed his gear back up. Quietly he opened the door and stepped out of the vehicle leaving the door open as to not let it slam shut. There were a few cars and trees between him and the moving object, so he crept forward slowly and carefully.
Ivan carried with him a sword. He found them a little more useful than a gun. They were quiet and didn’t require a reload, which always seemed to come at the worst of times. This wasn’t to say though he didn’t have a gun or three. He was a good shot, and practiced when he could, but the noise could easily attract unwanted guest. No, the sword was something he cared for more. Ever since he was a child he loved swords and what they stood for. A since of honor was among them. He actually carried two of them. One heavy long sword, and a Katina for swift fast movement. The long sword was the brawler, and could clear a way easily enough, but the Katina was best for precision strikes. This moment called for just that.
“Alright let’s have a look at your pretty face”, said Ivan. He peaked over the hood of the car he had moved up to. Twenty yards away the object was much clearer now. A zombie was meandering on the sidewalk. “Always a fairy tale come true around here”, Ivan said to himself. Sliding the Katina out and moving to the back of the car making ready to make a move towards the rear of the undead creature Ivan studied the area. As already mentioned Ivan liked the swords more because they were quiet, and quiet was always a good thing when it came to zombies. Loud noise attracted more and they seemed to always be with in ear shot somehow. Any time he shot one suddenly more would appear. Ones that even he hadn’t spotted. Ivan’s back ground in hand to hand combat had been serving him well in this time period though. Once a marine and then a master swords men Ivan was prepared for almost anything, but the day that zombies and other creatures started to appear then his training had to go to a whole other level.
Ivan slipped off his pack and then crept quickly and with stealth closer and then closer to his target. All the while he kept his head on a swivel make sure nothing else was meandering about the area. The thing about zombies is they are dead and slow, but they don’t make much noise unless the spot you. You could have twenty or more walking around an area with a little bit of cover and wouldn’t know it. Their death cry was something of nightmares. The first time that Ivan heard one was something that didn’t let him sleep for weeks. The scream could be heard often in the beginning of all of it. At first you didn’t know if the scream was for you or not, but it was a sign to hide or prepare to fight. That is when he figured out having an object that didn’t help in attracting more came in handy. Quick decisive blows ended things before they began.
It had been a while since Ivan had made a journey to a city, but he was in need of some supplies and wanted to check out some of his caches inventory. It had been eight years since the darkness of the death and mayhem engulfed the earth. It happened so fast that no one was able to counter, or find out how it happened. The reports that did get out there so things happening all around the globe. Freak storms popped up out of nowhere. Creature of myth and legend suddenly were no longer myths. Ivan had seen a few of them, monsters that only lived in books and imaginations. They were real enough, fight one werewolf and you’ll believe.
Zombies seemed to be a different story though. They had an origin from what little news Ivan had looked up. From some far very remote region of Russia is were the first zombie was spotted. Once one was spotted then it seemed as though many flooded the streets of town and then cities. Plans and boats carried the disease around the world. The U.S. wasn’t hit till months later. Air traffic had been stopped luckily, but that didn’t stop fools from trying to leave their contaminated home lands. Ivan remembered the first time that they arrived. The sight was unreal. A freak storm had been hammering the shores of New York, it was like a hurricane was just sitting on top of the city. Out of the darkness and without warning a massive cargo ship suddenly entered the channel. Its cargo though was not civilians, but a horde of undead. The shipped crashed into the docks and out poured the horde of undead. What video there was, showed the massacre that took place that day and what the future was going to be.
Ivan was now sneaking behind the zombie. It loitered slowly in one direction oblivious to what was about to happen. Ivan readied his sword and then in one quick sweeping motion, flawless in skill the head was removed. As it came off it spun slowly around and as it did so, Ivan noticed something different. Its eyes, something about its eyes caught his attention. “Were those things glowing”, he said to himself. The body laid in a heap on the ground and the head a bit away from it. Rolling the head over to face up, Ivan looked into its eyes and saw nothing, but an eye that was blacker than night. He bent over and looked a little more closely at it. “This is new”, he said. He looked around and then thought for a second on what he was looking at. He was most certain the zombies he had killed before had never had eyes like that. Ivan decided that he was going to take the head and study it a little more, but first he was going to accomplish what he wanted to accomplish there in the first place. He had a cache inside and planed on getting a few things from it, one of which was now going to be bag to carry the head in.
Ivan had spent months reinforcing the entry ways to the building he had kept his cache in. It was big store and had many entrances, but he was familiar with it. An outdoor shopping center provided many things for him. He use to work there. Before the world went to hell in a hand basket. He was at home there to some degree. It reminded him of the simpler times. When the world was going to end, he made a decision to trap the build in his plans. Creating barriers and blockades to keep people out. With the help of friends and colleagues, he was able to keep the place well supplied for a year, but then came the red horde. A massive zombie horde was on the move like a great wave of ants. Moving from one city to another. They tried their damnest to fight for the building, but eventually it fail. Most of his friends and colleagues fail. The ones that didn’t left the area to strike out on their own. Ivan decided to stay about the area. He knew it well and made his way out of the city, but stayed close enough to supply up when needed. Here he was able to rest and bunker down if needed. He hadn’t seen a human for almost two years. Other Living things started to appear, after year three. Unnatural and dark in spirit, they were the wild cards.
The building was large, but he had cleaned it up of all the fixtures and mobile walls that littered the floor. Taking what he could and bringing in what he needed he actually made a maze in the building to help aid if there was ever a breach. It allowed him to attack and retreat quickly. There were areas that only he knew and had access to that allowed for quick striking and then moving to another for more striking. Once the maze was built, he practiced and practiced. Time was not a friend here in this world, and you only had yourself to keep company. Ivan always set out to occupy his mind and body. Staying in shape was a not only survival, but mind occupying. Crafting bows and arrows stashing them all about the maze allowed for time to pass a little bit friendlier. Once his home was rebuilt he started to expand. Scouting gave him the ability to see the surrounding area and keep apprised of the coming and goings. This is when he found out that there were other living unnatural things wondering the world.
His first encounter was with a werewolf. Nothing like what was in the books or movies. These werewolf’s used their human bodies as lures to unsuspected victims. When the prey was close then it would transform into the beast, proceeding to rip it to shreds. There was nothing human about the creature. It was all monster and its disguise was flawless. Ivan’s encounter found himself finding what looked to be a wondering naked woman. Something though in the manner of its movements and the fact it wouldn’t answer his calls gave if pause to approach quickly. Marauders had made him cautious to people. In the first couple of years, as all the apocalypse based entertainment show cases, people end up doing bad things, and bad people seem to find each other. It was only natural for the strong to prey on the weak, only problem was that they weren’t the strongest. There were things out and about that were stronger. The marauding had slowed to almost nothing in the last year, and so did the spotting of humans.
Ivan used a tactic to call out that had proven very effective in getting the attention of someone without giving away his position. Using speaker to call out from different locations. Ivan would sneak around the target placing speakers he had created that he could interact with when he needed. He would sound as though in one spot, but then be in another. Upon using this tactic on the Werewolf he discovered that this, what seemed to be a person, was keeping close to his trail as he tried to sneak around. That was clue one, second was when he started to call out to her. She didn’t react as if she understood language. Not that she didn’t understand sound, like a deaf person, but language in general. Ivan had grown up with dogs all his life and the body language of this person was very similar. Again having a sword probably saved his life, as he had it drawn and at the ready, because the creature sniffed him out and as it transformed then lunged to attack he was able to dodge the attack all the way throwing a strike that severally wounded the creature. In that moment he then cut its head off. The creature didn’t transform back to a wolf, but stayed monstrous and nightmarish.
It was just past midday and Ivan entered his cache. He had created some reinforced sky lights that allowed for real light to enter in the building. Using mirrors and refracting the light about, it created enough of a glow to allow for someone to see quiet well. Three years of work had seemed to pay off, and with that he started to retro fit other building in a smaller scale the same way all throughout the city. Taking trail cameras and stashing them in traffic areas to keep an eye on things. Solar power was something he kept about as well to generate some electricity. A few areas that seemed prone to high intense presence of creepers, as Ivan called their kind, he created a camera that he could activate remotely and check in on to see what the activity was at the time. He only had a few, but working on more as the time moved on. If in a normal life Ivan would probably have a doctrines in engineering, masters in electronics, and be a master carpenter. Reading any and every book he could get his hands on. The office of the building was enclosed to keep out unwanted guest and hidden to keep fragrant from pilfering anything. The warehouse of the building was a different story. Locked up tight the only way to get in was a roof entrance that could only be accessed from the office that had a ladder that was constructed by Ivan.
Ivan started up his power supply and got the camera running. As they started to warm up and come on line he made his way to the supply room in the office area where he kept some everyday things. One of which was a spare bag. He grabbed it and then headed on out to retrieve the head of the zombie that he had killed earlier. Outside the exit point Ivan had placed motion sensors that would buzz a device fixated on the wall if anything was moving. The entrance that he used was a tunnel that he carved out underneath the side wall. It was worth making it, as it was so well hiding that even he in the dark at the beginning had a hard time finding it. He once spent thirty minutes moving back and forth trying to find it. Making it to look as though it felt, sounded, and look like dirt took some time, but it had paid off greatly. It made it impossible for anyone to see him leave or enter. The entry way was small and only allowed for one person to pass through keeping a horde of people from barging in at once. If in need of moving something large the warehouse had a door, but was well bunkered down in times that it was not needed.
Ivan crawled out and proceeded to walk out of the bushes in a random spot chosen every time, as to not allow someone if being watched to track the door down. He walked to the front of the building looking about as usual to see if there was anything moving about. It was quite and the wind blew gently. The fall air was cool, but still warm to a high sun beaming down.
Ivan looked down the sidewalk once he turned the corner, but suddenly stopped in his tracks drawing his sword. The body of the zombie was no longer in sight. Motionless, but using his eyes he studied all around what he could see in front of him, then slowly he started to turn his head about looking and studying everything that was about. He was well versed in what was around his building and would spot anything if it was missed placed instantly. The cars that were in the parking lot were strategical placed to allow for him to move from cover to cover, but allowed for visibility to the unknown assailant. Slowly he made his way to the area the corpse had been laying at. The heap that once laid there was no longer there, leaving only the green ooze of blood in its wake. Looked about and then looked upward to where he had placed one of his cameras to keep an eye on the outside when he was in the building. He wondered, “Did I turn it on in time?” Quickly he retreated back to the side door. Entering the bushes from another location just in case he was being watched and then vanished into the tunnel and back into the building.
Quickly he ran back to the office and sat at the desk that had his computer and up and running. He pulled up the front camera and started to play the footage back to when he turned it on. There, he could see the body and head. He played the footage and watched it carefully. The footage started to breakup, as though some interference was coming in. Static and blurriness started to spot up. Without warning a black shrouded figure came into view from the right. It was fuzzy and Ivan could make nothing out. It stood above the body and then fail down upon it like a wave breaking up. It swirled about then formed back to its shrouded form. It moved away like it was floating. Out of camera view Ivan kept watching to see if anything else presented itself. Then suddenly, it was back but looking right at the camera. Glowing eyes, and Ivan stared at them. He remembered why he wanted to get the head in the first place and those eyes looked just like those. The figure then melted away. Only a minute later Ivan saw himself come to the location. The figure must have just vanished when he was just about to round the corner. Something was going on here. Something that Ivan was already suspicious of. Things seemed to be happening for a reason, and that is what had brought him back to the bunker. He had compiled a mass of information that he needed to go over. Things in his area that seemed to be a miss, but knew all too well that these things had to be happening in other locations as well. It was time to start seeing if there was a pattern to them all, but this latest incident seemed as though of a provoking nature. With his military background he felt as though this was a tactic of force. Something was up and he needed to find out what was happening. He felt as though something big was about to happen.
Living With Monsters Ep. 2
Ivan’s Camera were rolling, and he was glued to them trying to make out anything that might be going on elsewhere. He had been doing this for what was now a week since the black figure appeared. Complying a list of information and other could be sightings. Checking back old footage and pouring over intel that he have been writing out, something was definitely coming together, but he just couldn’t put his finger on it. Everything in the video of the recent account told him that, this thing, did this to keep him from examining the body, but why? What was so special about this body of this particular walking corpse? Ivan went over and over the footage, but he was drawing a blank. “The eyes”, he said muttering to himself. He watched the footage again and paused it just as the creature looked into the camera. He studied the eyes that glowed. That moment that he first saw them, he remembered that they reminded him of what he glimpsed as the head of the zombie spun around, but were they really the same. Then there was the fact the eyes themselves had turn black and void of any color. Most zombies he had seen definitely had something in the eye socket, might not have been an eye per say, but something was there.
Ivan stood and walked away from the office area to stretch his legs. The other thing that had been bothering him was the fact that there were no other zombies around. Zombies weren’t known societal gatherings, but usually where you found one, there were bound to be other lurking about. The food always kept them together, and if one called out they all rushed in. They all moved about the same pace, so one gaining so much ground and then being alone, seemed nearly impossible. Because of this though Ivan had made it a principle to walk the perimeter and see to it that everything was secure. That creature as well looked directly into the camera, as if it knew that he was there watching. Everything that Ivan had been looking at was pulling towards that fact that something, or someone was trying to get his attention.
Ivan headed up to the roof after seeing that everything was fine downstairs. It was night which surprised him. He had been in the office for so long that the day passed him by without knowing. He had a pair of binoculars and scanned the surrounding area. At first there was nothing out there, but then something caught his eye, but it wasn’t near him. It was to the left and away from the market center. A faint glow in the distance, like a camp fire. He quickly went to a storage building he had built on top of the building with anything that he might need up on the roof. Pulling out a high powered rifle with a high magnification, and a spotting scope Ivan when to the edge of the building and setup a tripod, then placing attaching the gun to it. The spotting scope to have a tripod and he readied that as well. Once done he covered himself and the gun and scope with a camo netting that would keep any unwanted light from being reflected. The moon was out three quarters full, and the sky was clear, so he made no risk in being spotted.
Looking through the spotting scope he focused in on the lite up area. It indeed was a small fire that was glowing, but there was no one to see. The area around it was void of any life or undead. Ivan peered around the area to see the kind of protection was offered in that area. He had scouted about that area long ago and knew the terrain, but needed to get confirmation that it was indeed the spot that he was thinking of. Finely he saw enough and knew that something was wrong with this picture. That fire was built in an area that offered nothing in the way as protection. This had to be a trap of some sort. Who else would build a fire in an open field? The creatures that would be attracted, would make for a bad night. Zombies wouldn’t really be that big of a deal, light didn’t really draw them in. Fire would actually force them back as it would burn them more easily, but there were a few out that would be drawn in for the curiosity of the dancing light. A werewolf might find it interesting, but be more cautious, and try and lure the victim away from the fire. A Bragin on the other hand would be one such creature to charge in. Lizard like, with blade like hands. Claws are one thing, but these boys had fingers that would cut through a tree not just leave a mark. Then there were Gravins, ghostly figures that plagued on the living for a time. The haunted certain areas, and stole the life force from living creatures. One such Gravin attempted to make a home in the city at one point, but Ivan saw to it that its stay was temporary. Something like that would see the light and immediately come to rid it from its territory.
Unless something had just moved in though, nothing of that matter was going to happen. Ivan had made it a mission to clean out the area and surrounding areas as well. He had become quite good at it. He wanted to make it to where he could walk around more easily without the extreme fear that something was out there around every corner. So far he had made it as so, but things lately seemed to be changing. That was why he was out gathering supplies a week ago. Something was changing and he needed to have everything stocked up in case something big happened. Then the incident happened with the zombie outside, which even further reinforced his feelings. Now this was going on. Movement to this area was on the raise, but why, why was this happening. He had noticed a spike in movement from watching his camera feeds and trail camera pictures getting snaps on a higher bases. Ivan decided that tonight was not going to be a night of rest, though his body was telling him otherwise. He was going to keep an eye on that fire and see what made it. Something was out there and it was either going to come back, or it was on the move heading this way. He hoped to get a glimpse early enough to hopefully thwart them, but it was going to be hard. With no sleep and working so hard the last week, he was weak and a conflict right now would have him in a disadvantage.
Taking a deep breath and stretching his neck, he was starting to get stiff sitting still so long. Sleep was starting to gather in him and the night had been passing by quietly. The fire had started to die and lose its light. Looking through the scope he saw nothing, and decided to get up and stretch a little more and try to wake himself up. Moving away from the edge and getting to a place he couldn’t be seen moving around, he walked about standing and taking in deep breaths. He looked back towards the fire and saw that it was almost gone. Sighing a bit of relief that nothing happened, he moved back to the scope to take one more look.
The fire was just about to be embers, when suddenly something moved. Ivan jumped slightly as he had to adjust to see what was there. He blinked and stretched his eyes and what sleep was there he was quickly throwing it off. A figure human like was moving about the fire that was now pretty much out. Something was thrown onto the fire sending embers out into the night sky. Then it was poked at and prodded sending more embers. Then the fire started to flame up once more. As it did the light revealed not something, but someone. A girl was standing around the fire and working on it. He zoomed out slightly and looked around the area to see if there was anyone else lurking in the shadows. Nothing seemed to be moving. Was this person stupid, or wanting to die, and where the hell had they been this whole time.
Ivan was getting frustrated as he starred through the scope. Nothing but this woman was down there. Something in the wind seemed to change suddenly and a familiar smell crept into his nose. The smell of death and decay. The fire hadn’t attracted anyone, but whatever that woman had been doing surly did. She must have been wondering about the area. Ivan began to wonder how the hell she was even still alive moving around like she was and creating all this havoc. The night seemed quiet and still, but Ivan knew from that smell in the air a horde of zombie had gathered. They were making their way to that location.
Ivan was torn to leave and aid her, or stay and let the unfortunate idiotic person die. From the smell in the air that was growing, he knew he had around thirty minutes or so to get over there and do something. Standing up and throwing the camo netting off of him angrily he walked away from the edge and packed his rifle and spotting scope up. Slamming the door to the shed he then leaned against cursing his luck. Taking a deep breath he ran to the hatch to the lower level and jumped down it. Running quickly he grabbed his pack that was ready to make an assault in a moment’s notice. Heading over to the exit the never looked back and never hesitated. Once his mind was made up he lived with it. If this was the time for his death, then there was only one option, to accept it.
Running from the building he moved about the parking lot taken a specific route that would give him the least amount of resistance. After the parking lot he moved past a few more smaller building and towards what use to be a raising road that turned into two over passes. Ivan was still not going to give himself away as he made his way over there. Keeping himself to the shadows and traveling the length of the overpass’ shadow he moved quickly and quietly towards the other side of the large concert covered ground of a once heavily traveled freeway. The other side was where the fire was at. There were some abandoned building over there. Not much left of them, but there were still some remnants left. Crossing the freeway was going to be the hardest part. The road provided no cover and was vast in size. Luckily since human kind went to the way side however, the ditches were not well maintained.
Ivan crept to the edge of the tall grass and looked about and up and down the road. No sound and no movement. He stayed bent over and moved on towards the divider that was there in the center. Once there he rolled over it quickly and moved on towards the other side. Sliding through the grass he once again made himself vanish. The Fire was only a few hundred yards away at this time.
The crackle of the flame could be heard as he made it to the perimeter of the area that the woman had set the fire. He moved closure making sure that he looked about carefully staying hidden as much as he could. The corner of one of the buildings that still stood created a dancing shadow on the ground. Ivan moved slowly and quietly to that position. Looking around the corner once he arrived. He saw the fire, but the woman was nowhere to be seen. He squatted and pulled out a small extending pole with a mirror on the end. He held it low and just around the corner to see keep a look on the fire. Better to see a little than to be seen. Watching, finally someone appeared as they through another log on the fire.
Suddenly in the distance to the left, he heard crack and shuffling of grass. The woman was not alerted to this. He looked back at the area that the sound originated and studied the darkness. A shadow lumbered slowly forward. It couldn’t see him as the light would make the area around him darker, and the grass was surrounding him. The lumbering figure moved on towards the left side of the building making it’s way towards the fire. Ivan glanced at the mirror and saw that she still didn’t know what was coming towards her. “Shit”, he said through clinched teeth.
Slowly Ivan got up and moved in the direction the zombie had been moving. Making his way to behind it, he moved in slowly. The girl was now visible in front of the zombie. The thought on Ivan’s mind was, come and move girl, but he couldn’t say anything as he knew it would cause the zombie to alert the others heading this way. His hands moved to the ready and he slide out his Katina. The fire light gleamed off the shinning blade. For a moment he thought he could see a twitch in the girl as if the gleaming light caught her attention, but she held it in. just when the zombie raised its arms to grab out at her, he struck sticking his sword through the brain stem causing instant death, or in its case motionless decay. He pulled the sword out and looked up to see the woman standing pointing a pistol directly at him. “About time, I’ve been waiting all day”, she said.
Living With Monster Ep. 3 By Joshua Gorrell
Ivan stood with sword pointing at the woman and the woman pointing a gun at him. “All day I’ve been here, waiting, risking a lot to get your attention”, she said, “I mean come on, you know of all people, who much this fire would raise the dead so to speak.” Ivan still didn’t answer staying at attention focusing on her for any unwanted movement. “They said that you might be a jumpy”, she said, “Look, I’m not here to kill you or hurt or anything. I only have this drawn for him”, pointing to the zombie. Still Ivan stood not moving. “Fine I’ll put it down”, said raising her left arm up and then squatting to put the gun on the ground. Just then Ivan leaped forward. She was startled and start to raise her gun arm up, but Ivan grabbed it with his left hand then thrusted his sword forward. The blade screamed right by her left cheek bone grazing it as a shot went off. She could see her reflection in the blade as it didn’t move. With heavy breathing she looked down the blade towards Ivan with an angry face. She went to move her hand that he held onto, but he didn’t release. She pulled harder but his grip was too strong for her to get released. Just then something came running down the blade and she looked up towards the end of the blade. A zombie’s face was frozen with rioting flesh and dead eyes right behind her.
The woman jumped back spinning around as her arm was in an awkward position, and falling to the ground. Ivan let her hand go with the gun and the grabbed his sword with two hands. He pushed back as the body of the creature was heavy and starting to slide down the blade. He raised it up and then kicked it off the blade. He then turned and then pulled a cloth from his pack. Wiping the blade, he then sheathed his sword.
Walking to over where she was on the ground. She quickly pointed her gun at him, but he didn’t stop moving towards her. He squatted next to her and said, “You can stay here and die, or get up gather you things and come with me now.” He looked around, then closed his eyes. “What are you doing”, she asked? He hushed her then opened his eyes standing, “They are getting close and fast.” He looked down at her and reached his hand out to her. She grabbed it and he helped raised her up. “I was listening to them. You little shot”, said Ivan pointing at her gun that she was still holding, “Has attracted some company that I don’t want to talk with.” She looked around and started to hear something moaning and groaning. She looked at her gun and then shook her head, then holstered it.
“Well you know you caused it”, she said running over to ta spot and grabbing a bag. “If you say so, hurry”, he said. “What do you mean if I say so”, she asked? “You really want to argue about this now”, he asked? She stood looking at him starring directly at him face to face. “I could tell you were all to trigger happy and if I had said anything, all you would have done was turn and shoot putting us in this situation we are currently in. So, all in all it did nothing”, said Ivan. “I’m think I’m perfectly capable of taking care of myself”, she said. “Hah”, said Ivan. “What was that”, she asked?
Ivan did not continue the conversation. He turned and started to walk off into the dark. She wanted to yell something, but heard something that was starting to get closer to the area. She ran off trying to catch to him, but found that he had suddenly vanished. She looked around then was suddenly pulled down with a hand over her mouth. She wanted to pull the hand away but then heard something that turned her white. A growl and thump, thump was heard. Something big was moving through the grass in front and to the left of them. Ivan looked at her and put a single finger over his mouth to be quiet. She nodded in agreement and both of them stayed laying down not moving.
The creature was thudding along. Its chest was large and muscular, with its arms so long that it had no problem using its fist to walk along the ground as well. IT dropped them in two causing a thump, thump. The forearms on the creature looked as though they had something frowning on them. Spikes jutted out and then there was some sort of hard looking shell. Its back legs looked human but bulked up unnaturally. There was no neck to the creature which Ivan noticed. He looked around on the ground and then saw something a little bit away from he wanted. He slowly and as quiet as possible started to move in the direction of the object. The girl was watching him and started to wonder what he was doing. Ivan grabbed for a rock that was wedged in the ground slightly. He scrapped at the ground and then pulled on it some more. It released and then he looked over at the girl. Making a motion to watch him and to get ready to move low and quick.
Ivan leaned onto his left side, looking to the left he could see the broad side of the old buildings up to the left and opposite of them both. He bent in slightly then heaved the rock towards the wall. It clanged loudly off the wall. The creature had to turns its body to where the sound came from and then ran towards it screaming a roar that shook your body. Ivan waved to come on and both he and she jumped up running. Both ran up to the old road. Ivan looked back and forth then sprang forward heading for the divider. Not stopping he cleared it in one quick motion. He stopped on the other side and looked for the girl to be coming. She climbed up on the divider and then jumped off. She was keeping up rather good as Ivan was making his way through the night in the area rather well. He had to stop them every once in a while as a zombie was making his way towards the area that the bigger creature was at. It could still be heard moving around. Even at times it could be heard trashing what was left of the buildings there. Apparently its sight was terrible in the night light.
Finally Jim saw the parking lot that was in front of his home. One building was directly in front of the parking lot. Ivan stopped there to allow both him and her to catch her breath. He took out a small scope and looked around the corner. The moon was out and so he was able to get a good view of the area in front of the building. The view was not something Ivan was happy to see. It was taking a while, but zombies were indeed coming to the area that the loud noise was made. A horde was starting to form and the front line was just starting to make its way to the market center.
He stopped looking around the corner and then leaned against the wall thinking. “What is it, what are we doing”, said asked? “Well, we are here and my home is on the other side of this open parking lot. Between here and there, is about to be a wave of undead. Getting to the safety of the fortress is going to be a little hard”, said Ivan. “Well what are we going to do”, said the girl? “WE”, he questioned, “We are going to do something I don’t want to, but look there is a van out in the middle of the parking lot I have parked there for a reason. We get to it and then shut the doors for the night.” “What are you insane? We can’t survive the night like that. One of those things will get us or whatever. We don’t have anything to protect us”, she said. Looking around the corner more as she proclaimed her stance he reached back, grabbed her hand, “I don’t have time to argue, and you’re just going to have to trust me.” She was about to protest, but he was pulling her along suddenly and not stopping as they ran towards the van. As she rounded the corner she saw a wall of walking dead creatures lumbering towards them. Ivan didn’t stop and was making a B-line towards a large black van. The night was hiding their movement for the time being, but then there was something different happening.
A couple of small lights could be seen in the distance then a couple of more than another and another. The eyes of the zombies started to glow, and then those that did light up started to run. She started to run as hard as she could and Ivan let her hand go as she was keeping up. The horde that was moving toward them was starting to scream a roar that was unlike anything heard before. Ivan never hesitated and never stopped. Just as he was within twenty feet he reached into a pocket and pulled out a key. Reaching the door he stuck the key in and turned it. “Help me”, he yelled to the girl. She was confused, but when she grabbed the door and started to pull she found that the door was incredibly heavy. Once opened they both jumped in and then turned to shut it. The horde was just about to be on them as the door closed. Ivan slammed a bar across the door and then hit another switch that dropped two more large bars vertically down as well.
Both were breathing heavily as the horde surround the vehicle and started to claw and scratch at it. The moans and groans were unnerving, but they weren’t as loud as the girl though they should be. I was moving about the car, but it was as if there was nothing in the cab. He lite a lantern and then all was revealed. The cab was completely vacant accept for things organized and stowed away in the air. Shelves were attached on the side, but high enough to be out of the way. Two broads were latched to each wall. The clawing and moaning were still going on as Ivan moved about the cab here and there grabbing things. The girl looked around, she was concerned the light was going to keep the zombies attention on the vehicle, but then found that she could see out of it. Everywhere she looked there was nothing? No windows or anything else to see out.
Ivan walked to on part and pushed a small round piece of metal up. Peering through he could see that they were surrounded by about eighty zombies, but could see another car parked in another area. Grabbing a box from a bag he brought down from the top shelf, he opened it and then held it in one hand. The box had five buttons in it each number one through five. He pressed one and then looked out the peep whole. There was suddenly a loud noise and lights going off from another car. The zombies turned and screamed as they all except a few started to move towards the car. Ivan noticed that the few that had glowing eyes did not move, nor did they walk like the undead. They stood normal and as if at attention. He looked back down and pressed number two. Another car went off a little bit further away. Again the zombies screamed and kept on moving. Ivan looked at the few that had stayed. Some started to shake and then the glowing eyes faded away and then those went and started to walk away. One however stayed looking at the van. Its head turned and looked towards the horde. Ivan pressed three and a car went off even further way. The zombies head turned back and looked towards the whole in the van. Ivan saw this and starred at the eyes that glowed. They seemed brighter than the others, but then faded and as before the zombie turned and walked away. He looked back up towards the horde and then pressed four. A car in the next parking lot behind another building went off. Ivan breathed a sigh of relief and then looked out again. The zombies were almost all around the building. He press number five, and in the far off distance another car went off, but was barely heard.
His head dropped and he set the box with the button down. He looked over at the girl and motioned for her to look out. She stood and went to the peep hole and looked out. There was no zombie to be seen. She turned to Ivan who was taking his pack off and then sitting down. “Can we not leave”, she whispered? Ivan shook his head no, “that might have been the horde, but there are always stragglers, and I’m to talking the runt that runs up. This body of zombies is wide spread. I assure you there are more out there, probably even another horde or two. The alarms I have set up has pulled them away from us for about a mile, but more are moving and most likely through this area. Last thing we want to do is get out there, get spotted and have to do it all over again. It takes about a day to get everything to move through.” “Done this before”, she asked? Ivan smiled, “You have nothing to worry about. This isn’t an ordinary van. I built it so that nothing can get in and tear it apart. It’s also sound damping. So you can talk normal, just don’t go about shooting your gun off, okay.” She smiled, “Yeah, I’m sorry for that. This is my fault.” That is true”, Ivan said. She gave him a stare at his bluntness. “So who’s fault is this”, asked Ivan? “My name is Victoria”, she answered sticking her hand out to him. Ivan surprised at the gesture and grabbed hers, “Nice to meet you Vee.”
“Living with Monsters” Ep. 4 By Joshua Gorrell
Both Ivan and Vee sat in the van quiet. Ivan had pulled down a hanging bed and laid down. Vee sat nervous, but comfortable in another bed that was hanging on the opposite side. She looked over at Ivan, surprised that he could sleep in this van. Looking around she studied what was around in this small space. The shelves on top had supplies and some food. Weapons were in the front area of the van, with what looked like plenty of ammo. There was a small lantern burning now to light the van up. She had a small cup of water and was slowly sipping at it. The inside of the van was not made like the inside of any car. It was vacant of any seats, or even dashes and handles for doors. The only way in was the rear opening doors? The outside looked as though it was a van, but the inside very different. It maximized the space and allowed for plenty of room to move. This felt more like a bunker than any car Vee had ever been in.
“You know your awakness is keeping me awake”, said Ivan. Vee said, “Sorry, I feel like there right outside trying to get in.” “For someone that was so stoic out there, here you’re showing me someone else”, said Ivan. “Yeah, well out there, that had a plan, something I could follow. Now I’m lost and don’t know what to do”, she said. “Well for one thing, get some rest and be ready to move out late tomorrow”, said Ivan. “And what else”, she asked? “Not now, now sleep”, said Ivan. “Look I’m not going to sleep, so what else”, she said. “Fine”, said Ivan letting out a breath of irritation and rolling over to talk. “So what plan, why were you out there”, asked Ivan? “I was expecting this, but as we were leaving”, said Vee. “Why do I feel like I should know what’s happening? Your talking as if I’m a part of the plan that you seemed to have concocted with someone”, said Ivan. She smiled unhappily. “Hah”, said Ivan. “What”, she asked? “Whatever this plan was, you thought I was a part of it. You came out here blind”, said Ivan. She smiled with tears in her eyes, “It appears so. I don’t know why I came out here. I don’t know why I thought I could do this.” “Well, I’m sorry, and I know that is something big for you, but for me not so”, he said. “Thanks”, she said. “Look I don’t know you, or where you’re from, but apparently someone does know my location, and from the tale you are telling me I really don’t want someone of his caliber knowing about me.”
Vee sat straight up eyes wide. “So I now going to tell you something. Someone shows up looking for me, that means something. You’re not a friend, as I don’t have any. So I should consider you an enemy”, he said leaning over to her. She tensed up fearing what was about to happen. Ivan reached out and then under her bed. He pulled out canned fruit, and then sat back using his knife to pop it open. “You shouldn’t be so nervous around me. I’m the one that saved you, and brought you here. If I wanted you dead, all I had to do was sit back and watch. You were calling in death.” She sat silent not wanting to talk. “You seem smart enough, well not out here”, said Ivan waving his hand about. “I’m not field experienced as they would say. I know my way around our facility, and do well there, but out here, I’m nothing”, she said. “That’s no joke. You know guns, but survival out here is better left with no guns, except in desperation, or if a plans calls for them. A blade is quiet and doesn’t need to be reloaded. Sharpening yes, but for them out there, even a dull blade cuts”, he said. She didn’t say anything. “So it’s your turn. Who are you, and who supposedly sent you”, asked Ivan as he grabbed another can and popped it open, then handing it to Vee. She grabbed it, “Thanks, I’m Victoria Gladwell, and I’m from a region far north. Our company leader is Bradley Clifton. He is ex-military and has few people from that back ground with him. I’m a scientist in biology. We had a community formed after all hell broke loose. We were just surviving when Bradley showed up. We got stronger and started to thrive actually. Soon we created a fortress and so on, but soon things got bad as we got larger from more people finding us and joining”, she said. “Yeah, that’s how it was in the beginning. Supplies were there to be found in old stores and such, but soon that all ran out and as it did, things started to happen, a second apocalypse as to speak. Let me guess a horde showed up and no one could leave for supplies and such. You weren’t prepared for being cut off from the outside world. People had gotten to use to having things handed to them, and with generations not trained to live on their own. Survival was not there. So then you had mass moving’s, and so mass death once more. The zombies are slow and easy to get away from, so to speak. High enough wall and you’re good but if a horde hits you. Those wall becomes a prison for you, and eventually supplies run out and people die”, said Ivan.
“Speaking from experience”, Vee asked? “Speaking about a lot of things, you have more to talk about”, he said. “Well anyways, our fortress started to become a prison. More and more zombies started to show up. Bradley didn’t want to abandon the fortress, but we were running out of supplies. Finally it was coming to a breaking point. He had no choice he finally sent people out to scout the surrounding area. We lost a few lives in the attempt to get out. I begged Bradley to leave the fort and we just abandon it but, he refused whole heartedly. Even his men wouldn’t listen”, Vee said.
“So we waited on the scouts to come back, some did, and some didn’t. There was a couple that came back and said that they found something. One told of a place that had more people gathered and that their supplies were in good shape, but they weren’t large enough to support our group. The other told of a location that was not heavy in traffic, many zombies and other monsters. The city was actually pretty quiet and abandoned”, she said. “Well I wonder where that might be”, Ivan said,
“Question, as a biologist, what do you do to help? I mean why are you so important to Bradley, because it wasn’t your fighting survival skills?” “I studied the zombies, and was trying to break down what was causing them to be here. He wanted me to figure out how they worked and if there was a way to control them. From what I could tell they seemed linked in some way or another. I don’t know how they were linked, but I know they were. Bradley found that to be my most important job, but I had hit a dead end and couldn’t find anything else. I gave up mainly because things were getting to bad to do anything else”, she said, “One day though we got supplies. Bradley said it was from the village not too far from here, but from what the scout had said it looked as though it was everything they had.” It didn’t take long and we started to be right back where we were. Then things got worse. People started to disappear. At first we all thought they were just leaving, until I saw what was going on. Bradley and his men were taking people and using them as bait for the horde of zombies to open up a hole and escape for more supplies. He was killing people off, then he would say that they left. I knew better. I wanted to say something but knew that it would be my death if I did. I needed help, we needed help. So, it was me that decided to get out and get help. Some people helped me and sacrificed themselves to get me out. That’s why if I go back alone, I’m going to die anyways, that’s going to happen after all”, said Vee.
“So it’s not me you’re looking for, but this place”, said Ivan. “Yes, I was hoping for a group of people to help us. No one knows you are here or anything”, she said. “Why not go to the other village and get help there. They had supplies and would probably be able to help ease the zombie hordes there”, asked Ivan? “Hah, Bradley went to them. He killed them all, took the supplies and didn’t think twice about it. It was the first place I went to and found out what happened there. He didn’t tell anyone this, but I found out. I was afraid he was going to kill me if I came back”, she said tears in her eyes. “Well I can tell you a few things. First Bradley has lost his mind”, he said and she laughed ironically, “Second he knows you left, I’m sure of it, and doesn’t care. I bet he’s going to start killing off the people there if he hasn’t already. You said that some people already started to disappear, then he can do it again and probably without even hiding it. He’ll reduce the numbers to a more manageable number, but that won’t stop things. He’ll keep on killing. He’s going to use them, he’ll sacrifice every one of them to get that horde out of there and start a new.”
“Those people, my friends. We can’t let them die”, said Vee. “We”, asked Ivan, “And exactly why should I get involved in this fruit cake of a disaster?” “You would stand by and let this happen”, asked Vee? “No, more than likely stand a little, sit a little, and lay down a little”, said Ivan, “I mean come on. I don’t know you or your people. I’m living quiet well here and I’m fine with that.” Vee looked at him angrily. She wanted to say something but didn’t know what to say. “Look you all decided to follow this man, and now he’s leading you all to hell. I would say get out, but hell is outside your gates, from what you’re telling me.” ”We are all damned as it is, look at this world”, said Vee.
“I have to ask since we are here. What is so goddamned important about this place anyways? Why does Bradley not want to leave it, and is willing to kill for it”, Ivan asked? “What do you mean”, she asked? “He’s gone mad, that’s for sure, but there is also an underlining reason there”, said Ivan. “I don’t Know”, said Vee. “Oh come on, this man is killing people, and the resources are completely gone. What the hell is keeping him there, madness”, he said? “Madness yes, and the fact that he has control there”, said Vee. “No, there’s got to be another reason”, said Ivan. “What are you thinking”, asked Vee? “Nothing”, he said with a pondering look on him. Vee wanted to persist but didn’t. “Get some sleep we still have hours before we can leave. Luckily we don’t have far to go”, said Ivan. “How far”, asked Vee? “See that building over there”, Ivan said motioning behind him. Vee stood and looked through the peep hole. The market center that housed Ivan’s home was on the far side of the parking lot. “That, there is your home”, she asked? “Indeed, that is our destination. Once inside we will be fine. You can get some sleep and rest. I’ll let you restock and then you can get on your way. I’ll give you some directions to help you get back to your home, as for getting in you’re on your own”, said Ivan. She wanted to protest, but Ivan had turned off the lamp and rolled over. She did the same, but with a new question, why was Bradley so hell bent on staying in that location?
Living with Monsters Ep. 5 By Joshua Gorrell
The sun was raising and the horde was no longer in sight of the van. The night had finally passed and Vee had not slept any the whole night. She had stayed curled up cold from the night air. Ivan was asleep and hadn’t moved since he did. Vee was jealous of him and how everything for him was just so easy, but she was more upset that she was here and not at her home with her friends. The concern over them was hard on her mind and she cried throughout the night. Ivan was not fully asleep and could hear here every now and then. Shaking his head he did his best to not pay attention to it, but it hurt him that she felt that way. He remembered in the beginning that he too had friends and a since of community that he loved. It was one thing that allowed for someone to live in some happiness in this screwed up world. He also remembered the feeling of despair and hopelessness that came along with it when one abandoned you or died. Ivan decided after the last of them left that he would not put himself in that situation again. Living in this world alone so that he could not have to rely on someone else to be there, made it easier. He was happy with that, and so far everything was going great for him.
Light started to peer in from a top window in the van. Ivan rolled over and sat up He looked over at Vee and said, “You should have tried to sleep. You’re going to be exhausted later, and from what you told me, being rested will be a nice thing.” “Yeah, well I won’t be able to sleep well for a while”, said Vee. “Yeah that comes with the territory. Believe me I know”, said Ivan. “It would seem that some of the things that you have gone through is similar to what I’m going through”, said Vee. “Trust me it’s nothing like what I’ve been through”, said Ivan standing.
Ivan walked over to the door and looked out and about through each peep hole. “What happened”, asked Vee? “Stop”, said Ivan pulling down a ladder to a top hatch. “Sorry, just thought it might have helped me coupe”, said Vee. “Well it won’t and trust me”, said Ivan.
Ivan opened the hatch and then cracked it open and looked about. Seeing nothing he opened it up all the way and stepped on up gazing about the area. The sun was just above the horizon as Ivan leaned against the rim and then stretched as he watched the sun rise. “That is a sight”, said Ivan, “Would you like to see?” Vee didn’t answer, so Ivan crawled back down. “You should cheer up just a little bit more, they have moved on, and that means we can move on as well”, said Ivan. Vee didn’t say anything still. Going ahead and closing the hatch up, Ivan took out a pad and pen, he wrote down some things and then tore the paper off and put it in his pocket. Gathering his pack and putting things back up, with Vee helping if she could. “Alright let’s get on. There might not be anything out there right now, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t anything out there”, said Ivan. Taking the large cross bar and turning it to unlock the back doors, they pushed them open. Closing them, Ivan turned seeing that Vee was about to start walking. “You absolutely know nothing do you”, asked Ivan? “What are you talking about”, asked Vee? “I said just because you can’t see anything doesn’t mean that there is nothing there”, said Ivan. He grabbed her and pulled her towards van. He then pointed towards the far wall to the left. There lurking about under an awning was a creature wrapped in wings. Vee started to shake, “What on earth is that”, said asked? “Yeah it’s a bat like creature, but it will not just suck your blood, it will more like tear you apart. It senses heat and will spot you quiet easily”, said Ivan. “What do we do”, asked Vee? “Shouldn’t be that much of a problem. During the day they hide. They are something like most bats, they don’t like the sun, but just because they don’t like the sun doesn’t mean they can’t get crazy. I mean crazy too, they are uncoordinated and savage”, said Ivan. Vee didn’t know what to say or do. “Look we need to take care of this thing before we get in. Leaving it there might call in more. There’s never as many as there are in a bat cave, but ones dangerous enough, two to three are bad for certain”, said Ivan, “Soon they’ll start roosting.”
Ivan pulled Vee to the opposite side of the van. “Look I want you to stay here, I’m going to go and kill it. It’s been flying all day so now is the best time to get it. Being tired it will be easier to get”, said Ivan. “Why do you have to get it at all”, asked Vee, “Why can’t we just leave it alone and let it move on?” “I told you that they roost for a long time, and I can’t have that creature hanging about, besides one less monster in this world right”, said Ivan? Vee was about to answer when they both heard a screaming roar. Ivan jumped to the edge of the van and looked around. The bat creature was on the ground now and walking out towards the parking lot. Ivan squatted back down on the ground behind the van confused.
“What’s happening, what’s it doing”, asked Vee in a frantic? Ivan was confused and concerned. “This can’t be a coincidence”, said Ivan. “What are you talking about”, asked Vee? “Later”, said Ivan. He stood and drew his sword. Vee started to grab at him but he went around the van. “Ivan, what are you doing”, said Vee, but he didn’t answer. His eyes looked back but his body kept focus on what was happening in front of him. Moving forward he headed towards another car parked in-between him and the Vamgon as he called them.
Making it to the other car, he squatted behind it and moved to the rear of the car. Leaning on the ground looking under it he saw that the creature had made it to the parking lot but was just standing there sniffing the air. Then Ivan suddenly saw it. He saw what he feared what was there. The Vamgon’s eyes were glowing orange just as the zombie was the other day. He took a deep breath and then stood and readied his sword. Walking forward the Vamgon just stood there and looking at him. Ivan moved quickly to one side and the head of the Vamgon moved with him, but it didn’t move towards him. It was not acting as if it was a creature in and of itself.
“Alright what’s the deal”, yelled Ivan at the Vamgon? The creature just stood still. Ivan continued to move forward and yelled at it some more. Vee was looking on from behind the van wondering what was going on. The creature was just standing there, and she got to see exactly what this thing was. It stood around eight feet tall and it walked on his wings and back legs. It had a short tail and it nose was large like a bat. Its fangs stuck out both on the top and bottom.
Ivan was still walking forward and was now in a place that had nothing between him and the Vamgon. “I’ll ask again, what is going on”, asked Ivan, “Your little stunt the other day was pretty neat, trying it again?” “Always the forward thinker aren’t you Ivan”, said the Vamgon. Ivan didn’t know what to say. “Don’t worry this one isn’t staying here it was just here to leave a message for you”, said the Breagone. “Yeah, okay, so what’s the message”, asked Ivan? “Go the fort that your new friend is from. I need you there to do something. When you get there I’ll contact you again”, said the Vamgon. “And why the hell should I do anything to that whatever you say”, said Ivan. “Oh, you will or I’ll bring down a storm of enemies to you. You’ll die and that’s for certain and I’m just starting to have fun here with you, so don’t ruin it for me”, said the Vamgon. “So, kill me, I’m just one person in this screwed up world”, said Ivan. “Oh, Ivan, I know you, I know you want to know. There’s something there that is just itching at you to know”, said the Vamgon. “So tell me now, let’s end this here and then we can see if I can die”, said Ivan. “All in good time, my dear boy. Now go and get her. Don’t be late or more people will die before you even get started”, said the Vamgon.
The Vamgon opened its wings and let out a scream. “Who the hell are you”, yelled Ivan? “Oh, Ivan, this is going to be so fun”, said the Vamgon then it flew off into the sky. Ivan put his sword away and just stood there looking up at the Vamgon as it flew out of sight. Vee came running over to Ivan and stood next to him looking up in the air, “What was all that, and who was talking to you. That voice was skin crawling”, said Vee. “I have no idea what’s going on”, said Ivan, “But It looks as though we are going to go check out your home.” “We”, said Vee curious. “Indeed, this was adamant that I go with you, apparently there is something there. Could explain why ole Bradley is so hell bound on staying there. Maybe they found something in that this place has, something worth killing over or being made to kill over”, said Ivan. “What do you mean made to kill over”, asked Vee? “I really don’t know”, said Ivan. He turned and walked towards the side of the building that had his entrance. “What are we doing now”, asked Vee? “We are going inside my home”, said Ivan. “We can’t just enter in from the front”, asked Vee? Ivan smiled and just kept on walking towards the side.
Entering through the hedge that was there, then going to the ground door. Vee followed and was curious as to what was going on. “One entrance into this place. Make it harder for the monsters, and unwanted guest. It’s secure and safe. You will have nothing to fear here”, said Ivan. “Hard to believe when you’re talking to monsters”, said Vee. “Yeah that’s something new, but there’s nothing going on”, said Ivan. “How do you know”, asked Vee? “I have my ways, I’ve been by myself for a while and I need ways to keep things around here in check”, said Ivan.
Opening the door, both Ivan and Vee climbed in. Ivan shut the door behind him and then joined Vee as she had already crawled up to the top and was standing inside the building. “What is this place”, she asked? “My home”, said Ivan walking past her and to his office area. She looked around as they moved forward and then moved on keeping up with Ivan. When she entered the office she stopped and was astonished by what she saw. The monitors that were watching the outside and then the motion sensors that were pinging all over the building. She believed Ivan when he said that there was nothing on the inside. “This is well, impressive”, said Vee. “Thanks, it’s taken me a lot of years, but in this time you have to keep your mind occupied”, said Ivan, “Let me show you where my supplies are, and where you will be bunking down in”, said Ivan turning from his monitors and then taking the paper out of his pocket from the van. “Follow me”, said Ivan.
Ivan took Vee out and through the building. She looked all around and again was more impressed by all that this man had completed here alone. She was curious as to the out lay of all the walls and features throughout the building inside. Ivan explained that it was there to help in the event of monsters getting in. It allowed him to defend much easier.
Once in the supply room, Ivan started to pull things that he had wrote down on the paper. Placing them in a cart that he had at the front of the supply room he then pushed it around pulling even more products out here and there. Things such as amour that he had wrapped in a wool blanket and a big sword. “What is all that for”, she asked as she helped him? “Something I have been working on, I haven’t perfected it yet, but it is close to it. I feel it might come in handy on this trip”, said Ivan. “I want to thank you for this”, said Vee as she and Ivan loaded all the supplies into a UTV that he had stored in the back of the supply warehouse. “Don’t thank me yet, we haven’t had anything happen yet”, said Ivan. “No, thank you for ving me. I never did thank you for that”, said Vee. Ivan smiled, “Well your welcome. We have a lot of work to do and we will need to get some rest. This time you will need to sleep”, said Ivan. Vee smiled and said, “I’ll try harder this time.” Both continued to get ready, then tomorrow they would leave. Ivan was more curious that this thing was talking to him now, and that made him want to find out what it was and why was it talking to him.
Living with Monsters Ep. 6 By Joshua Gorrell
“Oh Ivan, this is going to be so fun”, those words played in Ivan’s head over and over again from the Vamgon. Who was this strange creature that was seemingly talking through the monsters of the world? His attention was on this as he was running over the videos of the cameras. He looked over his left shoulder and there was Vee laying down asleep finally. Ivan was wondering what he was doing, and why he was going to do this thing for a stranger. He looked back at his video feed and started to play through them again. They were already packed and ready to go. The UTV was loaded down and filled up ready for the journey ahead.
As Ivan was looking over the video feed he was also plotting a course to the fort that Vee was from. From what she thought the location was on the map that Ivan had, he was able to plot out a clear enough course and put in for resting areas. He was almost done with that, but the nagging question of the voice was there and he wanted answers. He wanted to look over the videos and see if there was anything there that would clarify anything. Vee stirred some and he looked at her again. The question about this woman was something else that was rolling around in his head, who was she really?
Ivan watched the videos but there was nothing there that caught his eyes. The Vamgon was there talking, but he saw nothing as it finished then flew away. He let out a deep breath of frustration, and shook his head. There was something big at play here and he wanted to be prepared, but for what, that was the question he couldn’t find. Looking back at Vee once more, he knew it was time to push it back and get this part done first. He shut down the video review and walked away from it. He went to another room and laid down on his bed. Looking up at the ceiling he pondered on the question as the voice rang through his head over, and over, and over.
The sun’s ray’s pierced the night sky as it graced the new day with its presences. Ivan slept longer than usual knowing that they were going to need the sleep. Usually he was up at frist light to get busy and stay busy. Vee was not moving, as she was asleep and hadn’t had this kind of time to sleep in piece in a long time. At around ten in the morning Ivan finally arose. He rolled out and started to make a breakfast. After making his coffee and waiting on the oven to heat up he walked over once more to the monitors to watch the video once more. Standing and watching them play, the smell of the coffee woke Vee. She sat up seeing that Ivan was standing watching the feed.
“How did you sleep”, asked Ivan? “I haven’t had that good of sleep in years”, she answered. “Good, because you’re going to need the rest for the next few days. I guarantee you want get that kind of sleep for a long time again”, said Ivan. “Thanks, again”, she said standing and stretching. “No thanks, needed”, he answered. “Um, restroom”, she asked? Ivan motioned to the right and out the door. She left and as she did Ivan watched her walk out. Something about this woman was puzzling to him, but he couldn’t put his finger on it. Most of the time he knew things and could figure them out, but now he was stuck with two things he had no control over. What was her motive, with him, and was there really a threat at her home. He was interested in her if only because someone knew of his location and he had to know who, and their intention. If this so called place did exist, and this mad man ran it, he needed to evaluate it and determine if it was a threat. Besides after what she said happened to the other village, what would stop him from coming after him? He took a sip of his coffee and reassured himself as to what he needed to do. The girl was just a tool to help him, nothing more.
The video was the same to Ivan as it was last night. He shook his head and left it as the oven was hot enough now. He left it running and started to make some eggs and pancakes. Vee came back in and was shocked to see the food that he was making. “It’s been a while hasn’t it for you”, asked Ivan? She shook her head in agreement. Ivan made a plate for her and packed it on, knowing she was going to devour it, and she did. “Not only a good meal, but eggs, and pancakes. Two things I thought I would never eat again”, she said. “Well, sorry to disappoint, but I’m limited on quantity, and the next course will not be a steak. I’m currently working on…”, he said stopping. Vee sat in a chair hat was next to the screen that Ivan had been watching. “What are you currently working on”, she asked? Ivan slightly looked her way irritated to be telling someone of his business, but mostly irritated that he said something. “I’m working on getting some animals found and rounded up and put to stables. It’s hard mainly because some need so much feed and of course you can’t just go around walking and such. So the logistics of it all is pulling at me pretty hard. I haven’t cracked it yet, but it would be nice to get a full assortment of food available to have. I have a garden on the roof, in fact on the roofs next to us. Makes it easy to work them from here”, said Ivan. “What if the roof collapse, or the building get over run or something”, she said. “I reinforce everything. Yes I have to maintenance them, check them, but it’s what keeps me going everyday out here alone. I keep busy and well I live. I farm and such, and on a roof just helps with the fact that I just can’t go walking around”, he said. “Wow, you’ve had some time to get something together”, she said. “Time is all we have now that we are here”, said Ivan drinking the rest of his coffee.
“You ready”, he said. Vee was watching the video of the Vamgon encounter, “Seems that thing was a little different than the other creatures about here.” “Well that the second one to well interact with me”, said Ivan gathering a few things and turning off the feed and shutting down some power stations. “What do you mean interact with you”, she asked excited and suddenly on his side waiting for an answer. He stopped what he was doing and slowly pushed her to the side. “Come on, you have to tell me what has happened”, she said. “And why is that”, he said. “I told you that I was looking for a connection between all of them, and here you are saying you had two encounters with monsters that seemed to be somehow ascendant”, she said. “I wouldn’t call them ascendant. They didn’t do a whole lot but just stand there”, he was saying but then she said, “Yes, but that Vamgon talked, and said your name.” “Look as much as you know, is as much as I know. Two monsters interacted with me in weird ways, but ascendant, no, they were more like controlled. They seemed to be possessed, is maybe the right phrase”, said Ivan moving on trying to get all his things turned off and then walk out of the office area. Vee was right on him, “This could explain a lot.” “And what exactly does that explain”, he said. “I’ll have to show you wants we are there. My research that is, it’s what I have been doing at the fort for Bradley. We found some interesting things in some zombies and other creatures. Things that were happening to them”, said Vee. “Okay, show me when we get there, but if we don’t leave now, we aren’t going to be leaving till next morning, and don’t know about you, I really like my home and hate leaving it. So, let’s go now so I can get you there and then get back, okay”, he said. She smiled and agreed, Ivan was a little concerned that she was so excited about this.
“I’ll have to start right away when we get there looking over my data. I mean to have one of these creatures interact with someone more than once. This is a break through no doubt”, she was saying to herself. Ivan was just a little more concerned, but not about her, but about the fact that this voice, and orange eyes thing was something happening not just here with him.
“Alright, look at this”, said Ivan as he laid out the map that had their traveling route mapped out. “We are here”, he said pointing at their location, “we going mostly across open and covered country”, sliding his finger along the path, “This is a good thing and bad. Good, because we will not be seeing much as zombies and other monsters out there, but bad, because there are monsters out there that live in woods and well, we are most likely to encounter them, just no telling when. Also bad, because there are not going to be many stopping points in which to get gas and restock. Luckily, I have scouted out pretty far, unfortunately I haven’t scouted out that far”, he said pointing to her fort. “I have no info on the area that surrounds the fort for about twenty miles. That means, we could be running into anything before we get there, and the wall of your fort, it could be covered in zombies.” “How are we going to get in there, we need to be able to get in there”, Vee asked? “Let’s just see what we have when we get there. Pray there is nothing and we can just get right in, but there lies another problem once there”, he said. “Bradley and what will he do”, she said. “Let’s go, will have plenty of time to discuss that on the trip. Its six days there. That’s a lot of time without walls to protect us”, he said.
Ivan had a UTV that was rigged out custom by him. He only used it in times that he had to travel greater distances than he was comfortable to go on by foot. Not too often he had to take it into the city. The front was covered by a bullet proof windshield, and the door reinforced with a metal with cut outs. It was a four seater, which allowed for more storage and passenger carrying capability. He carried four containers of gas and four water as well in the bed of it, and in the passenger section the packs of food clothes and camping, and the luggage that Ivan had loaded that was large and heavy. The UTV was souped up to take a lot of weight and yet still be agile and fast. He had two auto rifles affixed to the roof, along with two shotguns as well. The center counsel was converted into a ammo storage station, and then the dash with storage boxes to hold paper work and other useful tools. Ivan’s swords were also available to him in a quick grab in the center under the guns, but in the air out of the way.
Vee loaded up and then strapped in. Ivan walked over to the large bay door and then opened a lap top. Turning it on he looked at camera views that shown the outside. He said to himself, “All clear, here we go.” He closed the lap top and pushed a button on the wall. The bay door started to open to the now noon light and cool air flowing in. He stood there, putting on some shades and then heading back to the UTV he pulled it out. Stopping he walked back to the door and on the wall typed in a combination that caused the bay door to start to close. He went and sat in the UTV, and waited.
“What are we doing”, asked Vee. Ivan just sat there waiting. The bay door finally reached the bottom and Ivan turned to Vee. “If this all turns out to be a trap, or your bullshitting me, I promise you one thing”, said Ivan pushing his glasses up showing his eyes, “Your life won’t come to an end, oh it will die, but you’ll be alive to see the rest of your days rotting away.” Vee was wide eyed and scarred. “Do I have your attention now”, said Ivan. “I want your help and nothing more. I need your help, but I can’t guarantee your safety beyond this point”, she said. “Well then, as long as we have an understanding. Let us head on to hell then”, said Ivan. Vee sat in her seat quiet and clutching on to her seat belt. She realized that this man had her life in his hand and that he could do with it as he willed. She realized that they were about to head back to her home, a place that death had been living. Death was in the future, and she feared it was going to be coming for her.
Living with Monsters Ep. 7 By Joshua Gorrell
The road was beaten and being taken back by nature. There weren’t too many left to ride along, only the larger ones. Back roads were pretty much completely overgrown and mostly unseen any more. Taking it off road was the only way to move these days. In the cities even there, nature was starting to take everything over. UTV was one of the better ways to travel as it was capable of maneuvering across the uncertain terrain. Now that they were out of the city, the off road was the only way they were going to be traveling. Ivan new the territory pretty well and knew what was in store for them. Though once they had gotten out of the range he had already scouted then he would have to be a little more cautious as it was going to be going into the unknown.
Vee sat quietly as they were riding wanting to say something, but after what Ivan had stated just before they left, she was afraid to. “Sorry to have scared you earlier”, said Ivan knowing that he got to her. “Its fine”, said Vee. “I have our first place to arrive just before sun down. The area that we are arriving isn’t going to be pretty. Just know that going in. We will have to get set up quickly”, he said. “Why”, she asked? “Let’s just say that we will have some company if we don’t get out of the darkness”, he said. “What do you mean”, asked Vee? “Guessing your company never ventured out to many times did you? Makes since, but you definitely got lucky that’s for sure”, he said. Vee was starting to get frustrated with his bouncing around. Ivan smiled, “Sorry, not use to having passengers and having to explain everything to someone, but there are monsters there that not even a Vamgon would want to mess with. We will not have ot worry about zombies or other creatures there. These creatures are by far the worst in this world”, he said. “You going to tell me about them or not”, said Vee. “Don’t know much, but I’ve tried to watch them. Hard to get close enough to learn anything though. I do know that the darkness is what they live in. During the day they are fine and will not bother you”, he said. “Okay, are you going to at least give them a name”, she asked? “No, as you will have to see them for yourself”, said Ivan, “Trust me when I say, or not say much more about them”, said Ivan. “Why are we traveling this way then”, she asked? “I have my reason. Something is in there that I need, and it’s only available at night”, said Ivan. “What”, Vee was angry, “We need to get to my home and this is what we are doing first, risking our lives, for an errand.” “I’m risking my life, not yours. Remember that, I look to keep myself alive”, said Ivan. “And what I’m just a tool to you”, asked Vee? “No”, said Ivan. “Then I’m nothing, am I”, she asked? “You’re someone, that’s for sure, and I’ll keep you alive, but you’re on my schedule, my terms. You are just riding along as I get you back to your home”, he said.
Again Vee was upset, that was twice that Ivan had basically attacked her with words, and there was nothing to provoke it. “What’s going on with you, I have done nothing to you. I needed help and you came out. I didn’t know how else to call you out. I didn’t even know where you lived in the city, but you came and apparently saved me without me knowing I needed to be saved. I’ve been wondering the wild and avoiding all the monsters that are out here and everything to find this, a person who helps, but then attacks me. I might as well just jump out of here and find my own way back”, said Vee. “Good”, said Ivan. Tears were in her eyes as she was about to explode with anger. “I wanted to see if there was still fight in you. You have been nothing but downing since I found you. If we are to take on your home and the maniac that runs it, I need you to have spirit and be ready to fight. So far I haven’t seen that from you”, said Ivan. Vee sat there quiet then asked a question, “So?” “So, look I’m not a monster myself. I do care for what happens to you, but I still don’t know you or if I can truly trust you, but I’m not that gone from the world where you don’t give everybody the benefit of the doubt. If that were the case then the world is truly gone for certain”, said Ivan. Vee smiled slightly then sat still looking forward.
The trees and tall grass went by blurred in Vee’s eyes. The sun was starting to get to the point that light started to change to more orange and the dusk was starting to wake. Every once in a while they had to stop and cut old fence lines out of their way. They saw old houses and barns falling down. It was peaceful, for a moment and it was fun to be taking a drive and not seeing anything that was a monster. Moments in the world were something Ivan looked for and one of the deep reasons he worked hard on clearing out the city as much as possible. He wanted the moment to be able to just move about outside without watching your step. He looked over at Vee and saw her enjoying the ride not the actions that they were having to take.
“It’s not far now”, he said, “When we stop we are going to have to move fast, we won’t have much time to set up and be prepared.” “Again we are really going to be going to this horrible death place apparently”, said Vee. “I have never lied to you. I do need something there, something that is only available at night, or just as night falls”, said Ivan. “What exactly is there Ivan”, asked Vee? “Something that will help in any venture that is to come to us. I would say it is magical in nature”, said Ivan. “Magic”, Vee said stunned? “Yeah, we live in a time vampires and werewolves run all over the place, and the mention of magic is alarming”, said Ivan. Vee didn’t say anything but avoided eye contact. “And you wonder why I didn’t want to tell you back there”, said Ivan. “I guess…”, Vee was saying till Ivan interrupted, “You guess what?” “I guess, it isn’t completely outrageous. Look at what has happened the last few days. Something seems to be controlling monsters”, said Vee. “You believe that is what is happening”, asked Ivan? “Don’t know, but from what research I have been doing, it could explain what is happening. My findings hit a large brick wall, and I could never explain what was happening. At first I thought it was just the creatures evolving, or something, but zombies can’t evolve. Their dead reanimated corpses. Something is bringing them to life, but what”, said Vee. “Good question on that. All those movies always shoe them being infected and such, but what happens when there is no meat or anything. What is controlling them then? I haven’t seen them that decayed before so can’t say that they still are moving. Which come to think of it, I have never seen a bone zombie only, guess they do just rot away”, said Ivan. “Actually, I have seen one”, said Vee. “What do you mean”, asked Ivan? “I actually worked on one before. I told you that there were different creatures showing up outside the doors of the fort. Some with glowing eyes and such. One night we caught one. It was just at the start of seeing them pop up. We caught it and we examined it”, said Vee. “And what did you find”, asked Ivan? “Not much, but yeah, I was extremely surprised to see basically a skeleton walking about. It was clean of ligaments and everything. For the life of me I could not see what was making it walk around. Those eyes were glowing and I could find what was causing them to glow either”, said Vee. “Did it talk, did it say anything”, said Ivan. “No, that’s one reason that I was so shocked to hear that Vamgon talk like it did. The eyes were something that shook me as well. They were the same, the exact same”, said Vee looking at Ivan, as he looked at her.
Ivan looked forward and saw a smoke stack through the trees and in the distance. “We’ll get back to this, but for now we are here. We need to get this done. Are you ready”, asked Ivan? “For exactly what, I wouldn’t have a clue, but sure I’m ready”, said Vee. “Good”, said Ivan as they came to a clearing and there before them was an old factory of some sort. Ivan pulled over and stayed next to the tree line and circled a bit around the factory. The fence was mostly down all around it. Something Vee started to see were bodies of zombies and mutilated corpses of creatures and animals of the like. Her face went to scared quickly and Ivan saw it.
“Yeah I told you these things are bad. So when we stop do exactly what I say and we need to get our camp set”, said Ivan. “I don’t understand how getting our camp set should be helping us here. These things seem to be able to tear everything apart”, said Vee. “Yeah, but remember what I said, these things don’t like the light and only come out then”, said Ivan. “Alright, but what does that mean for us”, asked Vee? “Have some things in here that will help us survive the night just fine, but it takes time to get it ready”, said Ivan, “Before you keep on asking me questions, let me say, yes I had to be here at this time, and no, we could not get here earlier and set up.” Vee looked at him waiting, “Okay, ask”, said Ivan. “What does it matter that we are here at this time”, asked Vee? “Full moon tonight, and we will have an advantage. Any other night and we would be at a great disadvantage”, said Ivan. “What do you mean advantage”, asked Vee?
Ivan pointed to the parking area around the factory and there walking, rather lurking about the grounds were ghouls. Floating green carcasses moving about aimlessly and mindlessly. Vee’s interest peaked as she leaned forward looking at them. She had never seen something like them before and wondered what was going on. Ivan kept on driving and finally he had reached a place that was what Vee figured on the opposite of factory.
Ivan pulled over and then stopped turning off the UTV. They were just right outside the fence line. Getting out, he started to spout out orders to Vee to get things out of the back of the UTV and as she did he started to dig four holes in a ten by ten around them with one more hole in the center. One of the things that Vee took out were four poles that were wrapped in a tarp. Ivan helped and they unwrapped them. Ivan took them and put one together showing Vee how to do it as well. Ivan took the one put together and placed it in a hole he had dug. Vee had another one built and Ivan took that one placing it as well. After all four were built and placed, there was one more that needed to be made. It was just about a foot taller of the rest, with four arms that were flexible and about a foot long sticking out in four directions and then stuck in the center hole. Taking the tarp and then throwing it over the poles and aligning the corners to the poles they then tied them down tight to keep it taught.
Ivan then took out another bag and in it were a lot of trinkets and silver type items. “What is all that”, asked Vee? “Well this is going to keep us safe for the night out here”, said Ivan as he pointed everywhere but towards the factory. “What about over there”, asked Vee? “Well this fence line is the stopping point of them”, said Ivan, “They can’t set foot over here at all. So we are in good shape.” “So, why are we here and camped right here”, said Vee point down at the ground heavily. “So yeah, time to tell you what is about to happen. So the ghouls you see right now, you wouldn’t be able to see them any other day. The moon is showing them off, and right now they are harmless, just floating aimlessly about”, said Ivan. “What are they”, asked Vee? “I don’t quite know. We have watched this place a lot before”, said Ivan. “We”, questioned Vee? “When I use to run with a few others. We collected things, here and there, trying to figure out the best ways to combat the monsters that now live among us”, said Ivan walking over to the UTV to get something. Pulling out his swords and then a large spot light. He plugged it into the UTV and then brought it over to Vee. “Anyways we watched this lace for a while. We even explored it. We noticed certain things that were a miss. Things moved suddenly without anyone there”, said Ivan kneeling before the fence. He started to cut through it to open it up. “Ghost, or well ghouls”, said Vee. “Yes, well one day when we were exploring finding out these ghost were everywhere. We didn’t take any notice that the night was upon us. We were in the factory on the lower levels, and that is when we found it”, said Ivan. Vee kneeled next to him listening. “Well, that’s when it started to happen. We found ourselves starting to get attacked. We rushed everywhere, and at first it wasn’t that bad. Pushing and slapping and such, is the best I could describe it since we couldn’t see them. We got pushed out so to speak, but just before we left we saw something that made us want to come back. A green light started to glow out right. It sent sparks flying and electrical arks through the air, and that is when we saw them. The arks were striking the ghouls, and we saw them, but they changed right before us. We didn’t know what they looked like before but after getting struck by that ark, they were creatures of darkness and evil. We started to run to get away, as the ghouls started to run after us. They kicked up dust and knocked over things sending them through the air. They became violent and destructive. Chaos ensued and we were scattered. I found myself running towards the light that started to glow. There is what I found that has brought me back here. A meteor is laying in the belly of that factory. It’s something that we were not able to get”, said Ivan finishing cutting and ready to go. “You want a part of that meteor”, asked Vee, “Are you crazy?” “Meteor no, and yes. I don’t need the rock that is apparently powering and glowing, but there is a shell that is around the meteor that is there. The arks are transforming the very air creating this metal that is there. Some of it falls to the ground, and I grabbed some. It had power and it allowed me to see the ghouls. I was able to fight them off and get out of the factory. Not all of us made it. Other were torn apart. They swarmed me as I was leaving. I was wounded a few times. Their claws raging with dark energy that put pain in even the slightest scratch. My arm was badly hurt and I dropped the metal. It’s still in there”, said Ivan. “We are going after a piece of metal, you are nuts”, said Vee standing and walking away. “The metal is special that’s for sure, but the property of the metal is really what I’m after. I struck that metal one time on cold hard steel and there was literally not a signal mark on it. It actually bent the steel and cracked it. It was six feet long and five inches thick, yet weighted next to nothing. It had power in it and I could see the creatures when I held it. Power of this thing is the last of the elements I need for something I have been building for quite some time”, said Ivan. “You’re still crazy. Exactly how do you know that the moon exposes them”, asked Vee? “We were out here again, and again. One of us in our group was suddenly obsessed with the meteor. I was there for the metal, but it was later found out that somehow he touched the meteor and well it apparently change him we found out. It was at night that we found out that it had him. Changed him and corrupted him, twisting him to madness then changing him to one of those”, said Ivan pointing to the factory as the moon started to raise and reveal monsters of the night.
“Arks started to shoot out and crack about the area, striking the ghouls and transforming them from what looked like ghost people to ghoul beast. My friend suddenly started to change and walk into the area that was starting to get struck. He was then struck and there before the both of us transformed into one of them”, said Ivan, “What we know is that the meteor is a creator of these things. It landed here at the beginning as did a lot of other crazy things did is what we think. This meteor is a creature itself. When it landed it must have captured and turned all these people into the ghouls that are now here. Anything that touches it, is transformed”, said Ivan. “Why do you think it is alive”, asked Vee coming back to Ivan? “These things protect it. The metal that I dropped was right there”, said Ivan as he pointed right across not twenty feet away from where they were. Vee looked and saw that it was gone. “Is this that important? I mean how are you going to fight these things? You said the metal could hurt them, but you don’t have any”, said Vee. “That’s where this can come in handy”, said Ivan tapping on the spot light. “I’ve been here many times and one time the moon was bright and there they were. I could see them running around, and I watched as they wouldn’t leave the factory, or cross this area. The meteor must have some sort of reach and is limited to here. I came back quickly to get the metal and saw that it was gone. I knew the ghouls must have taken it back to the meteor or something of the sort. I still haven’t figured out the reasoning or what this thing wants, feeds on, lives for. It’s here and this metal is here as well”, said Ivan. “I think I might know”, said Vee. Ivan lifted an eye towards here. “From what you told me it seems the metal is created by the meteor and it is creating a shelter of protection. These creatures are an extension of itself. They protect it collect for it, and more. The sun must hold it back like a vampire or werewolf. It must be, nocturnal like a bat, but in the day it is dormant, asleep, and these ghouls are well asleep as well”, said Vee. “Then that makes good sense. Anyway, this spot light works just like a sun spot so to speak, ultraviolent. This is where I need partner. I didn’t have any to come back with me to try again, and since you came. I had a chance, couldn’t let the opportunity slip by”, said Ivan. “So, I’m your back up and path clearer. I use the spot light to shoot them and knock them out I guess”, said Vee. “Indeed, but from trying and gauging what happens, they are not destroyed. It takes a bit and they reconstitute somewhere in the area. So, that means careful how many you whack, or I might be running through to many of them at once. They will know where ever I am on the premises. This entire area is synced to them”, said Ivan. “Well this ought to be fun”, said Vee. “Get ready, it’s about to begin”, said Ivan. The moon was high and the night everywhere. The ghouls glowed green and were all about still sluggish, but then a light started to glow from within the factory and then arks shot out. The ghouls were struck and then they started to transform. “It’s now or never, wish me luck”, said Ivan as he started to get up and move through the fence. Vee grabbed him and said, “Be careful.” Ivan was curious at the comment. Vee said, “Kind of need you to get back and in all live right now.” Ivan smiled and started to move on. “But I do care”, Vee yelled out. He looked back and smiled then turned heading towards the factory.