The Rotting Flesh Book 2: Deadman’s Wonderland

"Damn its about time we get a shut eye, don't you think Mario" Tom said sighing

"Sleep has not visited me in a while, its impossible to sleep under these circumstances" commented Mario who sat opposite to Tom

"Well, if we don't rest we won't have enough strength to fight another day" advised Toms

"Tell me Tom, why don't you seem unphased by all this? " asked Mario as he had noticed how casually Tom was handling everything

"I can't say I'm not phased, its just that when you have someone to count on there is no need to panic" he replied

"But you just met me here, how do you know I won't betray you" asked Mario

"I don't" he calmly replied as he gazed at the night sky "it's funny how the night sky can remain so beautiful even though down here horrific things are taking place" he commented

"Why would you trust a stranger?" Mario insisted

"Because we have the same goal"

"Which is?"

"To survive"

Mario smiled and hearing such words come from a total stranger made him feel more relaxed that for a moment he felt sleepy. As he dozed off watching the night sky with his new companion, peace prevailed, it felt like they were in the normal world again. His senses slowly dulled as he dozed off until the moment he was rudely awakened by someone yanking him away from the tree he leaned on. A bullet hit where his head was shattering the be bark.

What, they found us already Mario thought sweat forming on his forehead

He darted his eyes from one point to the other, Tom signaled for him where the shots had come from. Their situation was not favorable since they had no weapons, all had been lost when they were fleeing from the hunters who had swarmed them.

“Mary, you see those two trees there to our left” Tom whispered and Mario nodded

“There’s a river down there you make a run for it once I create a diversion” he said but Mario’s expression disagreed

“Mon ami” he tried to protest but Tom cut him off

“See you on the other side” he said and picked up a pair of rocks “if we move together we will be an easy target” he assured and Mario’s expression turned from doubtful to determined

He threw the rocks and they made shuffling in the opposite direction of where they intended to go.

“There!“ yelled one of the men pursuing them and they pointlessly shot in that direction

Using this chance Mario took off as instructed and Tom went in his own direction.

“Fuck there’s one, shit another”

They aimlessly shot everywhere anything moved.

“How many are these bastards?”

By the time they collected their thoughts neither Mario or Tom was in sight. Sweat flowing down his face like it was raining, Tom sprinted through the thick forest. He often glanced back to see if he had not been followed this deep.

That was close? He thought remembering how the tables had instantly turned on them I have to get back to Mario soon

He stopped and hid behind a tree to catch his breath. After a few minutes of resting he got up and carefully went to the river where they had agreed to meet. While he was still among the trees he spotted someone lying down by the river bank.

From where he was up to the river bank was a clearing that if spotted would make them vulnerable. He approached carefully so as to see who it was. It was difficult to visualize much since it was not even a full moon. The cold wind coming from the river brushed his cheeks as he cautiously approached the body lying there. The closer he got the clearer it became

Mario his eyes widened

“Shit” he swore and ran to where he lay and knelt next to him

“T Tom” Mario said in a faint voice

“What happened?” Tom asked looking around for enemies

“Run” he said

“What?”

“There you are !!” said a voice from behind the trees and seven men appeared from behind them all armed

Damnit!! his knees weakened when he realized the predicament they were in

“You thought, you could fool us did ya” he continued to speak

More and more people appeared from the forest until Tom and Mario were surrounded by over ten men. The more he looked at the situation the more he realized how hopeless things were. He had no gun, no trees to hide behind and worst of all he had a wounded man with him.

“You know, at first we was going to let you two go but a little someone accidentally called out your name…….Tom is it” said the man who seemed to be the leader among them

Tom slowly stood up and shielded Mario’s body from them.

“When I heard that name, I thought to myself where did I hear it from and ah” he snapped his fingers and widened his eyes “bingo, its that boy who took down Victor, El Diablo is it” he said

Tom frowned

I’m fucked, and I didn’t even kill him myself damnit

“Anyway if you have any last words, this is the best time to say them” he said and raised his right hand and the men surrounding him began loading and corking their guns.

“Are you sure you want to do that” Tom said with a straight face

I need a miracle right now

“I’ve never been so sure in my entire life” replied the man “ohw if its that stunt you pulled back at camp it won’t work here, after realizing who you were we made sure to check the surroundings, you two are sitting ducks” he said confidently

Fuck, what do I do he thought but could find no way out of this

A chill went down his spine and sweat began to form on his face and in his armpits.

This might be it, damnit this is not how I wanted to go.

All the guns were aimed at him. All they waited for was a signal to shoot. Tom’s pulse throbbed like someone with a headache. He could not believe the situation he was in, he had never imagined ending up in such a mess.

“This is for Victor, do greet him for me alright. let her rip”

Bullets rained