When Humans Push The Limit

Nightmare

A man leaned against a barricaded wooden door, trying to hold it closed. Snarling beasts could be heard on the other side, throwing themselves at the door. "Go honey! Run!" The man yelled.

A young boy looked up at a snowy haired female. There were tears rolling down her cheeks, and tears blurred the boy's vision. "Mom... I don't want to leave, please!" He begged, gripping her shirt tight.

The woman shook her head. She uncurled his fingers from her shirt, moving his hand to her chest. She pressed his little hand to her heart. "I love you baby." She kissed his forehead gently.

The door flew open, shoving the man across the room. He rolled a few feet before looking up at the woman. "Maria!" He cried out in warning, monsters racing in through the narrow doorway.

The female pushed a gun into the child's hands, her own hands shaking. "Don't forget." She whispered, shoving him out the window of the four-story building.

"MOM!"

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I jerked awake, shooting up into a sitting position. Sweat ran down from my forehead despite the cold morning air blowing through a giant hole in the wall. I looked around, shivering. Shit, it's cold. I pulled my ratty old blanket tighter around me. I had found it abandoned a few days ago, and now I knew why no one wanted it: it wasn't very warm.

Getting onto my knees, I searched through my black backpack for a change of clothes that didn't look too dirty. Quickly, I pulled a worn tank top over my head, followed by a black hoodie. A thin jacket went over the hoodie, even though it was a size too large. Too big is better than nothing. I wrapped a white wool scarf around my neck. It had a couple dirt stains though, making it a little more brown than white.

I shoved the tattered blanket into the bag. It might not have been able to keep me super warm, but it was better than nothing. Slowly, I checked all my weapons. A black and red switch blade and small pocket knife called a fire fighter--equipped with a window breaker and seat belt cutter, along with a black blade--I pulled from my jacket pocket. Both were still sharp. I pulled out a machete hidden behind my backpack and a steel bat. The machete was still sharp too, and the bat... Well, it wasn't broken.

I sighed, looking at my Glock 27 gen 4 laying inside the backpack. I had spent the whole day yesterday searching for useful items, and had been hoping to find some bullets. Maybe even a new gun. I grabbed the gun, looking at it for a second. It had been my mom's. I grit my teeth, setting the empty gun back in the bag and grabbing an energy bar.

The machete and bat didn't fit in the bag, so I strapped the machete securely to the side of the backpack and carried the bat. It was heavy, but definitely effective. I zipped up the bag and slung it onto my back. There was a rickety stairway that smelled like ash just past the jagged hole in the wall. Slowly, I crept down the stairs, holding my bat at the ready. There weren't any noises, but I couldn't be too careful. Peeking around the corner, I glanced around the ground floor. Clear. I rushed to the doorway and stepped outside warily. Nothing yet.

I unwrapped the energy bar, the plastic telling me it was chocolate-covered raisin. Slowly, I took a small bite. I winced at the taste. It was stale, and raisins were gross. Not that I was going to complain. "Could be worse." I mumbled, taking another bite.

Walking by a still-standing glass building, I caught a glimpse of my reflection. My snow white hair was from my mom, but with a hint of black at the roots from my dad. With the chilly air blowing my hair around, it was a lot easier to see the dark strands. I got my hazel eyes from my dad, as well as his "resting bitch face." I always looked irritated. I was lean like my mom though. I sighed, running a hand through my hair. Carefully, I shook a bunch of dirt onto the ground. I was so dirty, but there wasn't time for a shower, or even a quick swim.

I looked away from my reflection. I was already 19. Five years since my parents... I could barely even remember their faces.

About 30 years since the Defect.

The crumbling buildings, the Outbreak, the near-extinction of humans, everything that was happening was because of the Defect. Those damn scientist in their spotless white labs, trying to create all the things read about in books. Their slogan was: "That fantasy book? It's now nonfiction!" Long story short, one of their so-called "perfect experiments" turned on the scientists and all the creatures broke out.

It hadn't been too hard to practically destroy all of civilization. No one could really fight back at first, and when people figured out how, the creatures started putting a lethal chemical into the air. The sickness that occurred was called the Outbreak, and it killed billions. Scientists eventually found a cure that stayed in your system forever, and the immunity got passed down to your descendants. Now, it was always cold. There hadn't been seasons in two decades. Just never-ending cold.

There were three different kinds of creatures. The weakest were Svag. They looked like house pets. They were small and slow, walking on all fours. Most were green, yellow, or orange, making them easy to spot. The worst were the bird-like ones; they attracted other creatures and always travelled in groups of three. Then there were Staerk, which were decently strong. Humanoid creatures with animal features, like fur, feathers, tails, and wings. They usually walked on two or three legs, and were pretty strong. They weren't too difficult to take down if you were with another person. These things were pink, blue, or gold.

Now, the strongest creatures... no one had ever been known to beat one of them. They were called Evige. It meant eternal, which was fitting. These fuckers were hard core, most of them about 6 feet tall. They looked like werebeasts--like werewolves, but it could be any animal combination, not just wolf. These things were fast and deadly, pitch black with red and purple vein-like lines down their bodies. Anyone that went against them was dead in seconds.

I look around warily, hearing growls behind me. Without waiting to see what was making the noise, I slipped into an alleyway. Thankfully, it was still pretty dark out, and it wasn't too hard to hide behind an overflowing dumpster. I slowed my breathing, trying to stay quiet and not inhale too much of the putrid aroma wafting off the trash. I waited, watching the opening of the alley as a few large figures shuffled by. Level twos, Staerks.

I frowned as I heard the sound of... breathing? From behind me?

(New story guys! Right now, I'll try to update twice a week at least! Hope y'all like it!)