Through The Rot: Keeping Up

This is the 6th part of my ongoing zombie story. If you missed any, you can find them all

here. Keep in mind that some chapters have warnings, while others, like this chapter, do not.

Word count - 4575

    Kaelor lost track of time after the first night. The small storage room they had shoved him into had no windows, just four walls that felt like they were closing in a little more each day, driving him slowly insane. The only light came from the dim battery-powered lantern Olivia left for him, its glow flickering as it slowly drained.

    Kaelor refused to let himself waste away. If he were going to be locked away like some dirty secret, he'd make good use of the time.

     On the first day, standing was a battle. His legs trembled beneath him, his muscles refusing to hold his weight for more than a few seconds before he collapsed back onto the thin blanket they’d given him. He hated it. Hated feeling weak and helpless. He wouldn’t stay that way.

    They checked on him frequently throughout the days, but at a distance. Liam was the only one who spoke to him directly, asking the same questions over and over. How he felt, if anything had changed, if he ed anything else. Olivia brought him food and water, sliding it through the cracked door before locking it again. She hadn't been afraid of him before, so Kaelor could only assume she had been told not to interact with him. Shay and Brax never came close, but he could hear them outside, whispering about how they should have just dealt with him already.

    By the second day, he forced himself to move, even when his limbs screamed in protest. He started small, pressing his palms against the cold floor and pushing up just enough to work his arms. He braced against the wall, using it for as he bent and straightened his knees, trying to wake up the strength in his legs. His muscles burned, but he welcomed the pain. It meant he was still alive.

    On the third day, he managed to stay on his feet longer. He walked slowly, pacing the length of the cramped room again and again, ignoring the dizziness that still clung to him. When that wasn’t enough, he worked through everything he could , squats, stretches, anything to get his body back under his control. It wasn’t much, but it was something, and anything was better than nothing.

     “It's been three days, Liam.” Olivia whispered just outside the closed door, her voice barely carrying over the silence of the dimly lit hallway.. “He hasn't changed. He's not aggressive. He's barely even spoken to anyone.” There was a long pause before she spoke again, her voice pleading now. “Can't we let him out?”

    Three days. Three days of pacing, of waiting, of wondering if he would suddenly turn into the thing they feared. Three days of mind-numbing boredom with nothing to alleviate his creeping fears.

     He hadn't changed. Nothing ever felt off or different. He not once craved brains or whatever those things ate. But that didn’t mean he was fine.

    Because Kaelor was starting to realize something terrifying. He wasn’t just afraid of being tied up. He was afraid of being trapped. And the longer they kept him locked away, the harder it was to breathe.

     “Maybe.” Liam replied, his tone uncertain as he paced the narrow hallway, the worn carpet muffling his constant footsteps. “We can’t stay put much longer. I know that.”

    Kaelor sat motionless against the cold wall, listening, waiting. His life was quite literally in their hands, and the uncertainty gnawed at him. His fingers drummed an uneven rhythm against his bent knees, a restless energy burning in his chest. The thin hospital gown did little to shield him from the chill seeping into his bones. Every muscle in his body ached from days of forced activity, his limbs still sluggish from whatever had happened to him before he woke in this nightmare.

    How much longer were they going to keep him locked away?

    “You're right.” Olivia agreed, her voice sounding happier than it had a moment before. “We need to find more supplies. We're running low on just about everything.” She paused again, letting her words sink in. “So, that means we can't leave him there.”

     “Not exactly.” Brax broke in with an air of authority. “He's too weak to be any good on a run. He'd get us all killed. He stays in there while we scavenge.”

    “And if we all die? Or, for some reason, we can't make it back here?” Liam questioned as he huffed in annoyance. “The kids as good as dead if we keep him locked in there, and no one comes back.”

    “Then he dies.” Brax shot back with a smirk in his tone.

     Olivia exhaled sharply. "You’re seriously okay with leaving him to starve if something happens to us?"

    Brax chuckled, a dark, unnerving sound. "It’s survival. He’s not our problem."

    Liam’s barely restraining anger bubbled beneath the surface, making his voice sound strained. "That’s cold, even for you."

    Kaelor clenched his fists, listening to their debate from behind the closed door. Three days of isolation had worn him down, but he wasn’t useless. He refused to be. His muscles might be weak, but his mind was fairly sharp. And if they were going out there, into whatever hell waited beyond these walls, he needed a way to prove he wasn’t just dead weight. Because if they left him behind, he wasn’t sure they’d come back at all.

    Kaelor knew he had one shot. If he begged, he’d look weak. If he got angry, Brax would just say it was the infection taking hold. He needed to prove he was worth keeping around.

    Taking a slow breath, he pushed himself onto shaky legs and stumbled to the door. His muscles burned from being worked so much in a short period of time, but he ignored it. Pressing his palms flat against the cool wood, he spoke, his voice steady despite the exhaustion.

    "You think I’ll slow you down?" He called out, directing his words at Brax. "Fine. Then test me. Let me out, and I’ll prove I can keep up."

    Silence. Then, a scoff from Brax. "And what, fall on your face the second we step outside?"

    Kaelor clenched his jaw. "If I do, then just leave me behind. But if I don’t, if I show you I can hold my own, you let me out for good."

    He could hear the hesitation on the other side. A shuffle of movement. Then Olivia’s soft voice. "It’s only fair, Brax."

    Liam exhaled. "He’s got a point. We can’t keep him locked up forever."

    Kaelor held his breath as he heard the latch click. The door creaked open an inch, and Brax’s sharp gaze met his.

    "You better not waste our time, kid."

    Kaelor straightened, ignoring the way his legs wobbled. "I won’t."

    Brax’s eyes traveled down Kaelor’s body slowly, taking in every detail, as if he were checking for the slightest hint of the infection. Satisfied, Brax backed away from the door, allowing it to open further.

     Kaelor’s heart raced. He was free. Taking a few small steps from the cramped closet into the hall, he inhaled deeply.

     The air outside the small room felt different, cooler, fresher, though it still carried the scent of dust and old wood. It wasn’t true freedom, but it was enough. His legs trembled beneath him, but he forced himself to stand tall. He wouldn’t give Brax the satisfaction of seeing him falter.

    Liam stood nearby, his arms crossed as he watched Kaelor. He gave a small nod of acceptance. Olivia gave him a small, encouraging smile while Shay lingered in the background, her gaze wary but no longer openly hostile.

    "Alright." Brax said, his tone edged with skepticism. "You wanted to prove yourself? Let’s see what you’ve got."

    Kaelor swallowed hard and nodded as he squared his shoulders, ignoring the stiffness in his muscles. His body may still be weak, but his mind was sharper than it had been in days. He needed to prove he wasn't a waste of time, that he was worth something.

     Liam watched him closely. “Can you even walk properly?” His tone wasn’t cruel, but it wasn’t exactly warm either.

    Kaelor took a slow, deliberate step forward. His legs wobbled slightly, but he steadied himself. “I can walk.” He said firmly.

    Brax scoffed. “Great. You can walk. That doesn’t mean you can keep up.” He turned to Liam and Olivia. “We don’t have time to babysit him. If we’re going out, we need to be fast.”

    Kaelor clenched his jaw. “Then don’t babysit me.” He spat and took another step, then another. His balance improved with each movement, the stiffness in his limbs loosening slightly. “I’ll keep up.”

    Shay crossed her arms as she moved closer to the group. “And what happens if you collapse halfway through? What if you slow us down?”

    Kaelor met her eyes, his own filled with a seriousness no one could protest. “Then leave me behind.”

    A tense silence followed. Olivia’s brows furrowed in concern, but she said nothing.

    Brax let out a dry chuckle. “Big talk for someone who could barely stand a few days ago.”

    Kaelor took a deep breath, steadying himself. “Give me a chance to prove it. I made it all the way here from the hospital, didn't I?”

    “Barley.” Brax snorted. “And it took you forever. We don't have that kind of time.”

    Liam exchanged a glance with Olivia, then sighed. “Fine. You come. But if you fall behind, we’re not stopping.”

    Kaelor nodded. “I wouldn’t expect you to.”

    Brax rolled his eyes. “This is a mistake.” He thought for a moment then grinned. “Alright, if you think you're good to go, let's do it.”

     Kaelor didn’t like how he suddenly shifted from being against the idea to being eager to leave. But it's what he wanted, so Kaelor just nodded.

     The group moved cautiously down the three flights of stairs, each step deliberate and soundless. Their weapons were gripped tightly, knuckles white from the pressure. No one spoke. They all knew a single misplaced word, a careless breath too loud, could mean the difference between survival and death. The air was thick with tension as they descended. The only sounds the soft scuff of boots against concrete and the soft, but quick breathing from the five of them.

     Kaelor’s legs trembled with every step, but he could feel the strength slowly returning to them. His right hand skimmed the rough wall, using it for balance as the persistent dizziness toyed with him, threatening to pull him under. His bare feet moved soundlessly against the cold floor, his breath slow and even. He stayed close behind Olivia, using her steady presence as a guide, his pulse hammering in his ears.

     Kaelor still wasn’t sure what those things outside were. No one had taken the time to explain, just murmurs about infections, about people being infected. But infected with what exactly? His chest tightened with unease. The fear of the unknown was almost worse than the fear of the creatures themselves. How was he supposed to defend himself against something he didn’t even understand? His fist clenched at his side as frustration built inside him.

    And to make things worse, they hadn’t even given him a weapon. Not a knife. Not a bat. Nothing. Did they expect him to fend off whatever was out there with his bare hands? Or maybe they still didn’t trust him enough to be armed. The thought sent a bitter taste to the back of his throat. He was trapped in a world he couldn’t , surrounded by dangers he couldn’t name, with people who still saw him as the enemy.

    His gaze flickered to the others, their hands gripping makeshift weapons, muscles tense as they crept through the stairwell. He exhaled slowly, trying to push back the gnawing fear. Whether they trusted him or not, whether they explained anything or not, one thing was clear, he could only depend on himself. His survival depended on his ability to figure out what was happening and to react quickly.

     Liam stopped on the bottom floor, his hand on the stairwell door. He glanced back and looked at each of his friends, then locked eyes with Kaelor. “There's no going back once I open this.” His voice was low, barely loud enough to carry up to Kaelor, who stood on the second step. When Kaelor nodded his understanding, Liam continued. “We move fast and silent. Stay together.”

     Liam waited another second as if questioning his own choices, his fingers tightening around the door handle. The silence pressed down on them, thick and suffocating. Kaelor could hear his own heartbeat pounding in his ears, the weight of whatever was coming, pushing heavily on his chest. He swallowed hard, nodding again to show he was ready, even though he wasn’t.

    With a slow, steady breath, Liam pushed the door open just enough to peek through the gap. A faint breeze carried the scent of damp earth and something else, something rotten. His jaw tensed, but he didn’t hesitate. With one last glance at the group, he slipped through the opening, moving low and silent as he held his machete at his side.

     Brax followed next, his grip firm on his crowbar as he slipped past the door. Shay clutched her pistol, her gaze sharp as her eyes darted around. Olivia was close behind her, her expression full of apprehension as she clutched her baseball bat tightly. Kaelor was the last to step through, his bare feet pressing onto the cold tile floor. His entire body screamed at him to stay back, to turn around, but as Liam had said, there was no turning back now.

    The lobby stretched out before them in eerie stillness, dust, and debris scattered across the dull floor. The large glass windows that lined the front were smeared with grime, streaked with old and dried blood. Shapes moved beyond them, slow, lumbering figures, their motions unnatural and jerky.

    Kaelor’s breath hitched. His stomach twisted as his mind scrambled to process what he was seeing. Those weren’t people. At least, not anymore.

    Liam gave a small signal with his hand, and they all moved forward, keeping close to the walls. The air felt too thick, pressing in around them. Each step Kaelor took felt heavier than the last.

     He still didn’t know what had happened to the world outside, but one thing was clear, whatever those things were, they weren’t human anymore. And if he wanted to survive, he couldn’t afford to be weak. He straightened his back as he forced his legs to move, his eyes tracking the strange figures just beyond.

     Liam moved with practiced ease, his body low and controlled as he rounded the corner. His sharp gaze swept the dimly lit hallway, checking for any movement before signaling the others forward. His steps were quick, nearly soundless against the dusty tile, and the tension in his shoulders told Kaelor he was bracing for the worst.

    Kaelor swallowed hard, pushing himself to keep up despite the burning protest in his legs. Every shadow felt like it was watching him. Every distant noise sent chills racing down his spine. He had no idea where they were going, but the others moved with certainty, as if the trail were clear and familiar.

    Liam reached a metal side door, its chipped paint and rusted hinges, making it clear it hadn’t been used in a while. Kaelor assumed it led outside, but what waited for them beyond it? He wasn’t sure he wanted to know.

    Liam pressed his ear against the door, listening. The silence stretched, thick and suffocating, as the group held their breath. Then, without a word, Liam gripped the handle and slowly, carefully, began to push it open.

     A soft creak escaped the door as Liam pushed against it, and everyone instinctively tensed. The cool night air slipped through the widening gap, carrying a faint stench of decay. Kaelor’s stomach twisted at the unfamiliar scent, and he clenched his fists to steady himself.

    Liam peered through the narrow opening as he inhaled softly. He scanned the alley beyond, taking in the rusted dumpsters, scattered debris, and the eerie stillness of the world outside. Satisfied, he pushed the door open just enough for them to slip through.

    Olivia went first, then Shay. They stuck close together as if shielding each other. Brax hesitated as he glanced back at Kaelor, his eyes screaming distrust. His lip curled up in a silent growl before he slipped out the door.

     Kaelor lingered in the doorway, staring into the dark, unfamiliar world. His bare foot hovered over the threshold as uncertainty gripped him. This was it. No more locked doors. No more walls to protect him. Whatever was out there, he would have to face it head-on.

    “Move.” Brax’s harsh whisper snapped Kaelor from his thoughts.

    With a deep breath, Kaelor stepped forward, the cold pavement biting into his skin. He was more than a little shocked that Brax had waited for him. The door clicked shut behind them, sealing them off from whatever safety the building had provided.

    They quickly ran down the alley, keeping to the shadows, but just as they reached the corner, a low, gravelly groan broke the silence. It was distant yet close. Too close.

     Liam froze and held his hand up, signaling for them to stop as well. He inched closer to the corner and peered around it. His head slowly swiveled as he surveyed the street, looking for the thing that made the sound.

     Kaelor’s heart was out of control, pounding with a ferocity that could break ribs. His breath came quicker as he glanced behind them. He felt exposed and vulnerable. He pressed against the wall as his head snapped back and forth, watching both entrances.

     Liam signaled for them to move just before he walked around the corner out of sight. Kaelor watched the others follow him, but his feet refused to obey. He cursed himself for his cowardness and forced one foot in front of the other.

     Rounding the corner, Kaelor saw the others were true to their word. They hadn't waited for him. The four figures were running down the street at full speed and quickly rounded another corner without looking back. Panic enveloped Kaelor as he bolted down the street, his legs trembling so hard he stumbled a few times.

     Kaelor barely caught himself as his feet scraped against the rough pavement. His breath came in quick, uneven gasps, the cold air burning his lungs. The distant groans of the unseen creature came again and sent icy needles down his spine, spurring him forward despite the weakness in his limbs.

    His heart slammed against his ribs painfully as his muscles slowly grew weaker. Shadows stretched long beneath the moonlight, distorting the world into something even more nightmarish. His bare feet slapped against the cracked asphalt as he tried desperately to reach the others.

    A sharp rustling then a shifting of weight echoed from behind him. His pulse skyrocketed. He didn’t dare look back. He didn’t need to. Whatever it was, it was close. He couldn't assume it didn't see him like last time. That was probably a one-time deal. Something to do with the odors from the hospital, the medicine coursing through his veins at the time. Something explainable. Something he no longer had.

     Kaelor surged forward, pushing his body harder than he thought possible. His vision blurred, and his balance wavered, but he refused to stop. The second corner loomed ahead, the last place he had seen them disappear.

    He turned sharply, nearly crashing into Olivia, who grabbed his arm to steady him. “Keep up.” She hissed, eyes flashing with something between irritation and concern.

    Kaelor nodded frantically, struggling to catch his breath as Liam motioned for them to move. He was overwhelmed with appreciation that they had actually waited for him, despite saying they wouldn't. He definitely didn't want to be alone out here. Not again.

     The group’s pace subtly adjusted, their strides just a fraction slower, most likely in silent acknowledgment of Kaelor’s struggling steps. His legs felt like dead weight, every movement a battle against exhaustion, but he forced himself to keep moving. What choice did he have?

     Each building they ed was a haunting reminder of the world he'd forgotten, fractured memories teasing the edges of his own confusion. Soft, mournful moans drifted through shattered windows and cracked doors, echoing down the empty street like lost souls calling out for salvation. The sound lodged itself deep in Kaelor’s chest, constricting his breath.

    They didn’t sound like monsters. They sounded human. Trapped. Forgotten. His gaze flicked toward a half-open doorway, where a shadow swayed in the dim light. His gut twisted. What if someone was still alive in there, buried beneath the sickness? What if they were scared and waiting for help that would never come?

    His feet slowed involuntarily, hesitation gripping him. His mind raced, dancing from one option to another. He had to do something. He needed to know if they could be saved. Before he could act on his thoughts, a firm hand gripped his wrist.

    “Don’t.” Olivia whispered, her eyes dark with warning. “They’re not what you think. They're not human. Not anymore.”

    Kaelor swallowed hard as he looked at her, then glanced back at the shadow inside. He nodded slowly, but the doubt remained, gnawing at the edges of his mind as he allowed Olivia to pull him forward.

     Not knowing what those things were, or how they became that way, left Kaelor’s mind tangled in a web of questions. Illnesses had cures, didn’t they? Even the worst diseases had treatments, solutions. So why did everyone act like these people were beyond saving?

    Yes, they were dangerous. Hostile. But what if that aggression wasn’t mindless? What if it was fear? Confusion? Pain? Has anyone ever tried to understand them instead of just destroying them. Maybe if someone just… reached out instead of pulling a trigger…

    A rough shake snapped him back.

    “Kaelor.” Liam’s voice was sharp and edged with frustration. His fingers dug into Kaelor’s shoulder, grounding him in the present. “You still with us?”

    Kaelor blinked, the hazy spiral of his thoughts evaporating as he met Liam’s searching gaze. There was a flicker of concern behind the hardened expression, but mostly, Liam was looking for something, proof that Kaelor was still aware, still in control.

    “I’m here.” Kaelor murmured, though he wasn’t entirely sure that was true.

    “Jesus, man. You can’t blank out like that. Not out here.” Liam’s voice was low and firm, his fingers digging into Kaelor’s shoulder a little harder. His sharp gaze locked onto Kaelor’s, searching for any sign of awareness. “Keeping up isn’t all there is to this. You need to be aware. Every second.”

    Behind him, Brax scoffed, his presence as heavy as his words. “I told you we should’ve left him.” He stepped closer, his voice laced with irritation. “He’s not playing with a full deck. And out here, that gets people killed.”

    “Shut up, Brax.” Olivia snapped back as she also searched Kaelor’s eyes. “Kaelor, I know this is a lot to take in, but you can't disassociate like that. You can't run on autopilot out here.”

     Kaelor’s jaw clenched, his pulse pounding in his ears. He wanted to snap back, to defend himself, but the truth was, he didn’t know what to say. He was even more confused than before. She said he was running on autopilot? He hadn't realized he'd gotten lost in his head. He saw the group running. He turned when they did, slowed when they did, he reacted appropriately to their movements. But he couldn't tell you a single thing they ed. Maybe he really had been moving only on instinct.

     Liam exhaled sharply and shook his head, throwing Brax a glare before refocusing on Kaelor. “Just stay with us. No more zoning out, alright?”

    Kaelor nodded as he swallowed hard. He'd have to be more careful, make sure he didn't get lost in his thoughts again. He'd have time to think about things once the mission was over. Hopefully.

     The group pressed forward once again, weaving through the dark streets with urgency. Hours seemed to stretch and blur together, the oppressive silence broken only by their footsteps and the distant, eerie moans drifting from unseen horrors. Kaelor struggled to keep up, his legs aching, his mind clouded with exhaustion. He had no idea where they were, no sense of direction to guide him back to their so-called sanctuary. Would he even recognize the building if he saw it? He had been unconscious when they first brought him there, helpless, unaware, dragged into a nightmare without explanation.

    Liam suddenly raised a fist, the universal signal to stop. Everyone froze. Kaelor exhaled sharply, pressing a trembling hand against the weathered wall of a decrepit house, praying it was abandoned. His chest heaved as he fought to steady his breath. Across from him, Olivia did the same, her eyes flicking toward Liam for answers.

    Liam inched forward, peering around the corner with the caution of a man who had seen too much death. His expression darkened. Without a word, he turned back, shaking his head. His hand moved swiftly, a sharp retreat signal.

    Kaelor’s stomach twisted. Whatever was ahead was bad. Bad enough that even Liam, their fearless leader, wasn’t willing to risk it.

    Kaelor barely felt Olivia’s touch along his arm, but the warmth of it lingered, a small comfort in the overwhelming uncertainty. He exhaled slowly, nodding at her unspoken reassurance as she moved past him.

    Shay, on the other hand, didn’t even spare him a glance. She walked by with a rigid posture, her grip tight on her weapon, her focus locked ahead. Kaelor sighed, his shoulders sinking slightly. He still couldn't tell whether she was waiting for an excuse to put a bullet in him or if she had finally let go of that idea.

    Brax stopped in front of Kaelor, his eyes dark and menacing. He leaned in, his hand pressed against the wall next to Kaelor’s head, his lips close to Kaelor’s ear as he whispered. “Can you feel them?

    Kaelor frowned as he tried to make sense of the question. “Feel who?”

    “Your brothers.” Brax hissed. “Can you feel them?”

    “Brax.” Liam pushed Brax away from Kaelor with a snarl. “Lay off him. We can't turn on each other. The enemy is over there.” He pointed the way they had just abandoned.

     Brax chuckled as he turned on his heels and followed the girls.

    Liam shook his head and patted Kaelor’s shoulder. “Don't let him get to you. He's scared, and he's taking it out on you.”

     Kaelor watched Liam round the corner before he pushed himself away from the wall. He knew none of them trusted him, but he'd prove they were wrong.