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In the old lab


Our footsteps echo though out the vast the old school`s hallway, long and dark. The only sound we can hear is the sound of dripping water coming from the pipes that ran along the hallway`s ceiling. My companion, Cornelius McColl, a good friend and neighbour. We sometimes can have our differences in options, but despite this our friendship has never waned over the years.
I think to myself 'I hope this is not one of these times when we argue over a difference, we need to remain united if we want to survive.' then added while raising my grungy eyebrows 'At least I`m still alive, when millions have fallen.'
A must is to find a suitable hideout before sundown. After dark is the time when the 1/2 man, 1/2 breast creatures [we call these beasts- Wandals] roam the land in search for food. Their favorite, human flesh, and I don`t want to be on the menu.
The Wandles spine tingling howl, wolf like, fills night’s dark. Every time I hear these howls, the tiny hairs at the back of my neck stand up, I sometimes end up cowering in the foetal position with goose-bumps and sweat covering my body.
Since the release of mankind's doom it has been a war between us and those beasts, a survival of the fittest.

Pointing to the double doors at the hallways end, I say to Cornelius "Let`s take a look behind `em doors to see if it’s alright for resting there for the night?"

I open the heavy double doors; I scanned the room with my torch. It`s beam darting around like some busy fire fly.
The room was in a chaotic state. I noticed the walls, mouldy, chipped and faded. Paper and dust covered the floor, test tubes and beakers laid scattered everywhere. In the corner stood an old glass cabinet containing what appears to be various scientific instruments. Despite all this it looked ok for spending the night
,
"Looks alright to me, nice and out of the way." I said to Cornelius.

Cornelius replied in his usual pessimistic fashion, "But there`s one major problem with this place…there`s no escape if we are cornered."

"This appears to be an old science lab, there must be some chemicals around here I can use as weapons."

"Why don`t you just use that trusty side arm hanging off your hip?" replied Cornelius gesturing with his head at my holstered Glock 43.

"You know bullets are at a premium these days, so that means they have to be used sparingly."

I pondered how this room, at one time, would`ve been filled with eager-to-learn minds but was brought back to reality when I heard howling cutting through the twilight air. My attention was then drawn to the echoing footsteps coming down the buildings hallway.

CLOMP...CLOMP...CLOMP...
Nearer and nearer they came. I whispered to Cornelius "I think they might be headed our way. So stay down and keep very, very quiet."
I my heart pounded, my throat dried, I began to feel sick. Unconsciously my left hand curled, as my other reached for my Glock.

CLOMP...CLOMP...CLOMP...

Louder the footsteps echoed as they neared

CLOMP...CLOMP...CLOMP...

In the door`s the frosted glass window I could see a figure`s shadowy outline. My gun aimed towards the shadow. I held my breath as the door handle moved up and down. I'm not a religious man but I started to recite the Lord's Prayer.
The door handle moved again but this time it remained in the down position. The heavy door began to swing open. A shadowy figure stood in the darkened doorway. Even though the body seemed just s darken outline, the eyes large and shining bright. I froze with fear; a cold shiver went up my spine. I gulped hard while thinking ‘is this the moment I take my last breathe’
The figure before me then spoke,
"Thank god…Thank god. I thought I was the only human left here in this town. I`ve been hiding in the gym for the past two days thinking I was on my own, then I saw you two."


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Book: Reflection on the Important Things