The Shattered World Part 5 - A Leader Returned

Nothing like this had happened to Tommy for ages. It had started with the 'death' of David, his best friend. He had left him for dead, blocked his escape just so he could survive. For years his conscience had fought with his mind, but it had resented when no hope of revelation was forthcoming.

Then the voice started again, and he realised that, this time, it was something else trying to break through, another person. The Robed Figure, or 'Yarofev' as he had named himself. Tommy had sacrificed Rebecca to protect himself, but he knew she wasn't going to die. But why was 'Yarofev' so intrested in her? If he wanted anyone, surely it would have been Christian? HE was the one with the knowledge of the Wasteland.

A gush of cold air, they were back. Rebecca was extremely pale, and was supported by John and Sarah. They took her through to another room.

"Hey, Christian, what happened?"
"Nothing much. Reb's got startled by the Robed Figure and a Zombie. We managed to collect some stuff before we had to run, though. The supplies we're taking are not enough, we'll have to move soon.
"Err, yes, about that."

Tommy was nervous. For Yarofev's plan to work, he would need to convince Christian to move. He pulled out a scrape of paper, on which he had drawn a map from the descriptions of Yarofev.

"You see, I found this map and it looks like a relatively safe area. These parts here, they look like the broken tower. If we start there, we might find a new SafeHouse. As you said, we need to move."

Christian was suspicious, but turned over the possibility of an easier base. Trying to find a spot without help and a paralyzed team member would be difficult, especially when the days end hours before they're supposed to.

"Fine, we'll take it. We need a few days to get ready then we'll move out to the Tower. Rebecca can't move yet, not the way she is."

**********************

After a few days of preparing, Christian and the team followed Tommy's map. Within hours they had reached a strange old building, one completely devoid of life, fresh or rotting. Glowing eyes followed their every movement.

"You sure this place is safe; it's very open."

"That's why you should follow me."

Everyone turned instantly to see Yarofev. Before any guns were raised, they were ripped from the grip of the survivors by strange black tenticles that seemed to have appeared from Yarofev's arm.

"And now you have no weapons. Do you really think you could survive out there without a firearm? If you want to live, I suggest you follow me and don't do anything...stupid... Also, my name is not 'The Robed Figure', it's Yarofev."

And so they followed him, Christians' eyes burning with anger and aimed directly at Tommy, who did not meet his gaze. Using his unnatural power, Yarofev wrenched open a hidden door in the side of the building. A howl penetrated the silence. The Zombies had come.

"Quickly, everybody inside!"

Everyone except Tommy and Christian were inside. Suddenly, Christian kicked the back of Tommys' knee and knocked him down. Before he could get back up, a drop kick was aimed into his back. It hit and he was stuck. Another kick to the head and he was unconscious.

"Seeing as we're going to die anyway, I thought you might want to get it over with quickly."

Christian spat at Tommys' motionless body and walked through the door. Yarofev closed it behind him.

****************

It seemed like days, but it was merely minutes. Rebecca, Christian, Sarah, Emily and John were led through a maze of tunnels until they finally reached a small to medium sized room. The survivors looked around hungrily, absorbing every detail of what would become their future home. There wasn't much on the walls; meters that didn't work anymore, jars of various fluids and chemicals, even a broken recorder with a few tapes on top. But the thing that claimed the most attention was a glass vat that went from the ceiling to the floor. Something had obviously cracked it open; there was nothing inside but a strange smell and a giant hole took up one side.

"Welcome," Yarofev said "...to Black Row."