The Rotting Flesh Book 2: Deadman’s Wonderland

The sound of gunfire, swords and explosions filled the air around the woods in Wonderland. Today was the final day before the hunt began. People were preparing and testing out their weapons of choice.

“We sent your requests above and ordered your weapons of choice, come and pick them up” said a man who seemed in charge of weapon handling

Behind him stood two more armed guys there incase anything went wrong.

Not everyone in Ceaser’s crew was an original. Some were just ordinary people who he had recruited and made work for him. According to what Xin had told Tom the crew only consisted of 17 living originals Ceaser included so the rest were humans.

“Its funny how you participate in the slaughter of your own kind” commented Donovan as he scrutinized all the weapons that lay on the long table in front of him

“Take your weapons and leave” replied the man

Donovan picked up three things, an army knife, a shotgun and metal knuckles.

“You know once I’m done killing these zombie scumbags i’m coming for you gutless sale outs” he threatened the man and left

“That guy tried to pick fights with everyone” commented Tanya as she stood in front of the table with guns

“See what you like?” asked Tom noticing how she had been staring at the same gun for a while

“I have never used one before though” she said looking at the long dark red sniper rifle in front of her

“Tell me something scumbag, do you feel good about yourself…uh?” Theresa asked the man handing the weapons to them

“Look kid, I don’t even want to be here okay. Get your gun and go” he ignored her question

She picked up two semi automatics and aimed them at him, immediately the two armed men drew out their riffles. Tom and Tanya saw this and had no choice but to pick up their own guns. Tanya aimed at one of the guards while Tom aimed at the other.

“Stand down we won’t hesitate to shoot” instructed the men

“Neither will we” said Tom

Theresa’s actions drew the attention of everyone at the scene. The atmosphere around the weapons area became tense. It was a stale mate.

“Theresa put the guns down” said Tom seeing how bad things would turn out for them if she pulled the trigger but she ignored him

“Look kid, We no longer live in the normal world. Look around you, its kill or be killed in this world. So if me trying to keep myself alive is a sin then you can all fuck off. Now unless you want to see your friends die along with you, you better lower your guns” threatened the man

She didn’t flinch and her eyes remained glued to him. Nikita came and slowly lowered her guns

“Nfu nfu nfu please young lady don’t create a scene, don’t mind her she’s just a child” she said hugging Theresa and walking away with her

The armed men holstered their weapons and went back in place and so did Tom and Tanya. They looked at each other and Tanya followed after Theresa.

“Don’t touch me!” she shrugged her off and glared back at the man “if this is the price for survival, I’d rather die”

The man broke a sweat and for a moment he zoned out, then pulled himself together.

Its too late for that now Lucce he thought went back

“Such a stubborn one aren’t you” said Nikita

“Who gave you the right to lower my guns” asked Theresa

“I didn’t need a priest to show me you regretted your decision and were too afraid to lower your guns” she cleared her throat “I believe its time you grow up girly, with an attitude like yours, you might end up being a burden to your friends there and get them killed” she added and started walking away

“You don’t know me” yelled Theresa

“You can’t fool me, I’m a mother too”

“Wha!”

“Hey whats the problem?” said Tanya cutting her off

“Nothing, i told you already” harshly replied Theresa

“Look you can talk to me” Tanya said reaching for Theresa’s shoulder but her hand was slapped off

Theresa glared at her “don’t touch me, whether we talk or not it makes no difference, we are going to die anyway” she snapped and walked off

Tanya was left standing alone with a worried look on her face. Tom walked up to her and sighed. Sensing what he might be thinking, she tried to lighten his burden

“She’s just afraid, non of this is your fault”

Breathing heavily Theresa walked with a dark look on her face. She went deep into the woods where no one was present and when she was sure no one was around she slumped down back against a tree.

Damnit damnit, How did it get to this, I caused all of this tears flowed down her cheeks

She violently kicked and punched the ground as she cried.

“I I Im so sorry Tom…….” she cried

“You know, he is very worried about you” Nikita’s voice came from above her

She jumped up and quickly wiped her tears then looked up. On a branch way up sat the Chinese looking down at her.

“What are you doing here?” asked Theresa feeling very embarrassed

“My daughter was just about your age” she said and jumped down landing with a thud on one knee “so tell me whats the matter”

Theresa remained silent fighting back the urge to start crying again. Even though she dislikes Nikita her heart was heavy, she needed someone to talk to. Her eyes reddened and began to water.

Nikita approached the child and hugged her. So much tears flowed from Theresa’s eyes it was almost as though they would not end. After a few minutes she finally pulled herself together and explained to Nikita what she was feeling.

“Okay so you believe its your fault that you three ended up here” said Nikita joining the pieces

“Yes, only if I had accepted Jane maybe things would be different”

“Did Tom ever say it was your fault?” she asked

“I don’t know, no but I’m sure he just doesn’t want to admit it”

“What is Tom to you?” Nikita asked and Theresa paused for a while unable to respond “look I know he is not your brother, so what is he

“Hes hes well he’s my friend” she said what came to her mind

Ohww how sweet Nikita smiled

“Okay and Tanya do how do you feel about her?”

“Nothing I just feel she’s getting to comfortable with Tom……not that i care or anything” said Theresa darting her eyes from one point to another

Ohwww I see whats going on here, wow Nikita smiled, it reminded her of her of the old days

“However all said and done I don’t see where its your fault things turned out this way. Having Jane killed was not what you had hoped for.“ she looked up “but i do know i can’t convince you that you aren’t wrong when you concluded on your own already so I will rather give you a suggestion”

“Yes what?” said Theresa looking at her

“Prove to Tom that you can protect yourself so he doesn’t have to worry about you” she explained

“How?”

“By showing him you are strong” she smiled “i’m sure you will win back your prince charming” she added teasing her

“Noo thats not what i meant” Theresa’s cheek reddened “I don’t like him like that”

Nikita laughed

“But first make sure he stops worrying” she advised

“What must I do?”

“Tell him you were a little cranky cause you were on your periods alright” she said

“Okay thank you so much, I feel much better” said Theresa standing up “one more thing we never talked about this” she added and Nikita nodded in agreement

Theresa left and after she was out of sight Nikita called out “you can come out now, what happened to privacy”

Tanya walked from behind the trees a short distance from Nikita.

“Thank you” she said

“Anytime” replied Nikita

A few hours left until the hunt......