Friday, October 31, 2014

Shots in the Dark: Turn 2

Connor couldn’t see much past the small circle of light around him, but heard CJ’s voice echoing from the upper landing of the stairway. While waiting for his brother to make his way down the dark stairs, a stranger made the landing first. He blinked at Connor in the yellow flickering light and said “Hey. Did you hear anything about the riots? Are the police here yet?”

 

Before the zippo-wielding man could comment, the sound of police sirens cut through the night. They rose in volume, then began to recede. Strobing red and blue lights past the windows of the convention rear of the building as a squad car shot down the street, moving at high speed.

 

Matthew joined his friend in the lobby, and said “Riots? What’s that about?” The unnamed man continued in a rush. “I was watching TV before the power went out, and the local station was saying something about attacks and fights breaking out at the hospital. They had some guy at the scene, but were having trouble raising him.” He shrugged at Connor and Matt, then said “Either way, I’m not staying at this lame con. I’m outta here!”

 

With that he walked blindly towards the back door. From the side windows, the four of them (now joined by CJ) saw the faint yet steady glow of flashing lights…they appeared to be coming from an ambulance down the street, parked next to something in the darkness. The stranger opened the back door and stumbled off into the night, going west toward the parking lot.

 

 

***Ok, next moves?

 

Zombie Chow

 

14 comments:

Zombie Chow said...

Sorry, forgot to add:

As the back doors remain open with the exiting of the unknown guest of the hotel, the three amigos (Connor, CJ, Matt) hear the faint sound of gunfire down the block to the west. Only 2 shots, then silence.

NOW, your turn!

ZC

lrqan said...

Looking forward to the follow up. Well done.

DocBennie said...

OK, I need some character background information:
are any of us locals, or do we at least have a general sense of the area (i.e. walking around to get food during the convention)?

Zombie Chow said...

Thanks lrqan, we'll see how long it goes!

ZC

Zombie Chow said...

Doc B,

You know as much of the neighborhood as you can see on the photo of the board I posted. I know the con building is on the south edge of the board, but assume there's nothing that direction (S, SE, SW) that would be of any assistance. You need to go north (NW or NE) to get either to an airport or to a part of town where there is still electricity.

ZC

Chancetarget said...

Being the semi-intelligent person I am I will remember that my iPhone has a flashlight app and turn it on.

"Connor, what the hell is going on?!? Is this part of the con? Cause it feels pretty frickin real and freaky to me? Especially with the gun shots! Maybe we should check in try the phones and see what's up. Might want to talk to EMS at the ambulance. They may know too!"

Speaking of phones, does my iPhone get any signal out here? To call and/or check news?

Zombie Chow said...

No, all you are getting on the phone is a strange warbly tone. No Internet connection either.

Matt agrees with CJ about the EMS. "After all, who'd know better about what kinda emergency is going on than them, right?" He blinks, then continues ruefully "Well, except maybe a police officer but I'm not too keen on bugging one of them right now eh?"


ZC

DocBennie said...

"hold up a minute, guys...I need to grab something from our room..."

"Perhaps we should stick together? or, we could buck conventional wisdom...and I could go alone to the room, Matty can go check out the basement...and CJ, I'm sure I saw a graveyard behind the convention center..."

"All joking aside, if we are going to bug out of here, I've got a few things in the room that might be useful...a box of powerbars, a light weight backpack, a small flashlight...and, will wonders never cease?...a tanto knife...I know you always thought I was a bit paranoid, CJ, but right about now, I'm going with that mind set..."

And Connor slowly moved back up the stairs towards their hotel room...

Zombie Chow said...

Matt looks indecisive for a moment, then shrugs. "C'mon CJ...He's right. Besides, you've got the only flashlight right now."

With that Matt follows Connor and his lit zippo up the stairway.

ZC

Chancetarget said...

"Hey, wait for me, guys" CJ follows the up the stairs. "I wonder if we have anything else of any value up here. I think I have a pocket knife…"

Zombie Chow said...


Thanks to the phone ap illuminating the walkway, the three make it to Connor’s room in short order. While there, Connor retrieves 3 power bars, his tanto knife, and a small LED flashlight. CJ gathers up his clasp knife. Matt grabs his Ipod. And a 2 liter bottle of Gatorade.

As the three return downstairs Matt comments. “Hey CJ, didn’t you say something about someone going to turn on a generator? If so, why aren’t there any lights on?”

ZC

Zombie Chow said...

Also, you don't encounter any other folks in the upper hallway or in the rear lobby area near the back door.

***C'mon, go outside already! :D

ZC

Unknown said...

"OK...hold on while I check out the bar one last time..."

Using the steady source of light from his flashlight, Connor quickly finds what he is searching for... An unopened plastic bottle of sambuca...

"Before either of you smart asses make any comments about my drinking problem... Consider this... Sambuca has a high alcohol content, and is sticky like syrup...sort of like napalm in a bottle... Except that it tastes better!"

"Alright... Out the back, or the front towards the EMS vehicle?"

Connor asks... While taking one final glance around the bar...

"damn, I'd kill for a baseball bat... Or even a damned solid wood table leg...friggin' cheap arse plastic furniture!"

Zombie Chow said...

Matt fumbles with his wallet and pays for the booze Connor just 'liberated'. "Dude, we can't just rob people you know!" He lays down the bills, then thinks out loud. "Funny thing is, where did that bartender go? Surely he should be back by now?"


He picks up his Gatorade and walks towards the back door. "...and since I'm the only one without a light source, gimme that zippo already!"

ZC