For an explanation of what this is and the background, please see AFTER THE FLESH - PITH - 001.
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(Previously, from AFTER THE FLESH - PITH - 004)
“Shit!” you blurt, as you jump back into the car. Sharon is already driving. The bar group is standing there in shock. The Runner… no, the SPRINTER is coming straight for you, ignoring everyone else. As you pull away, you see a drunk couple stumble out the bar and start walking across the street, right in front of the Sprinter. The awning group is in too much shock to stop them. You’re a safe distance away and the gap is growing further.
(and now...)
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After the Flesh - Pith - 005
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You stare backwards at the Sprinter as you continue to accelerate. The drunk couple steps right in front of it as it gets near, and you wince at the thought of the massacre you are about to witness. But it barrels right through them, knocking them to the street, as it continues to run after you. You can see one of the drunks yelling after it, too inebriated to register what just happened, or how lucky they were.
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At first, you feel relief that you are getting away from the Sprinter before it gets too close and without other victims, but something is nagging at you. You sit for a moment and then say out loud, “Why did it stop running?”
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Sharon looks at you, too amped up on adrenaline and the need to flee to really comprehend what you are saying. “What?” she asks, exasperated, “It’s still running.”
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“Why did it stop running earlier?”
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Confused, she replies, “Because it wanted to eat the cop’s brain?”
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“Maybe,” you contemplate, “but it didn’t need to stop running until it got her. And it didn’t even try for the other Officer that was shooting it, or the drunks crossing the street. It is only after us. So, why stop running?”
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Roger, sullenly states from the back seat, “Maybe it just wants to kill you for kneeing me in the balls.”
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“Shut up Roger,” you say absently as you continue to think out loud. “It ran after us. It had us in sight, but far away. And it stopped running. Why? It could have slaughtered all those people at the bar and the drunks and the other cop, but it didn’t. Why?” You’re surprised at how calm and logical you are now thinking, considering the situation. I’m probably in shock right now, you think to yourself.
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Sharon, now considering what you are saying and trying to think logically, “hmm. Do you think it ran out of… running energy? Do zombies even do that?”
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“I don’t know,” you reply. “I didn’t think zombies spoke or ran, either.”
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Sharon is silent for a moment and then starts to decelerate. She is staring at the back mirror as she finally comes to a stop. You’re about to ask her what she’s doing when you realize she’s testing your theory.
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“It’s probably after us because Eve wants me back,” Roger states flatly from the back seat, finally sitting up. “She is alive, and she loves me, and she wants me back so we can be a family again. You better pray my balls still work.”
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You both ignore him, as you look back at the approaching Sprinter, now several blocks behind. When it starts to get closer, Sharon drives ahead fast and gets further away. After a few of these moments, the Sprinter just stops running again and starts to walk, still aiming for your car. Sharon pulls the car to the side and stops in front of a small hardware store. You can hear a police siren in the distance, and you can see people walking along the sidewalk, slowing down to watch the Sprinter in the middle of the road.
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“Ok,” Sharon says, “What now? We know it has a running limit. It’s only walking, but it’s bulletproof.”
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“No…” you say thoughtfully, “the bullets went through it, like it would any body. It just didn’t stop it.” You pause and think for a bit. “The head. Everyone knows you need to shoot a zombie in the head.”
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Roger blurts out sarcastically, “I didn’t know that.”
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“Everyone, BUT ROGER, knows you need to shoot a zombie in the head,” you retort, “but the cop didn’t do that. We could call it in and say there is a cop-killer wearing a bulletproof vest.” As you watch, the Sprinter suddenly stops walking towards you and stands still. It turns sharply to the side and starts walking towards gawking pedestrians on the sidewalk.
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This leads your thoughts ahead quickly. “But… it didn’t start running again until it ate that policewoman’s brain!”
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You all realize what is about to happen at the same time. The Sprinter is about to eat someone’s brain and then probably start chasing you again. You are far enough away that you could turn a corner and maybe lose the pursuit. You also may be close enough to get to the pedestrians in time.
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What is the next step?
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Thank you to everyone who is involved in this. I hope you continue to enjoy this, with the new twists and all. The next entry will be gory.
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Check out part 5 - AFTER THE FLESH - PITH - 005
