The Rain: The End, Marietta Standlee [year 7 reading list TXT] 📗

"There's no time," Drew yells.

He's right; by the time we piled into the Humvee, the maniacs would be on top of us. Some might escape, but some of us would be killed. No way we'll risk losing one of our friends.

Frantically I look around while aiming at the steadily emerging maniacs. On the upside, while they come out and get shot down, their bodies create obstacles for their fellow, bloodthirsty friends, slowing the masses down.

"There!" I point towards the apartment building we secured yesterday; straight ahead of us is the fire escape leading up the wall.

"We need to make a run for it," I order. "On three."

"Three!" Colin yells, grinning at me.

And off we go. We run like the devil is behind us, which quite frankly is what it feels like. My arms pump, and I run like I've never run before. I'm in a much better physical shape since our amusement park trip, but I'm still the shortest and thus soon the last one. Colin slows and grabs my hand.

"Run faster, Viv!" He shouts at me.

We cross the street and are only about a hundred feet from the apartment complex. Drew, who is the tallest of us—at almost seven feet, has no problem jumping up and clambering onto the first section of the fire escape. Rather than letting the rest of it down, he lays flat on the ground and stretches his hands out to pull the first of us up, Richard.

Agile like a monkey, Richard uses the momentum Drew provides when he lifts his brother up to get one flight higher. Gun drawn; he immediately shoots at our pursuers.

I don't know how close they are, and I don't feel like finding out; I just keep running after Colin, who is still pulling my hand. I almost stumble, trying to keep up with him.

Caren is the next one up, she's not as agile as Richard, but she makes it up and copies Drew. Derek and Sean follow in quick succession, followed closely by Levi. As we're getting closer, Colin pulls me harder, he stops right in front of the fire escape, and before I know what is happening, he puts his hands around my waist and lifts me up for Drew to catch and pull.

While Drew pulls me up, Colin jumps and pulls himself onto the fire escape right behind me. For me, I land unceremoniously on my butt. The combined force of Colin pushing and Drew pulling me overcompensated, and I landed hard on the iron ground.

"Thanks," I grumble. "I could have made it."

Colin grins at me. "I know, was more fun that way, though."

Whatever, I think and look down; we made it just in time. There is a regular mob of maniacs below us.

"Now what?" I want to know.

"Like shooting fish in a barrel," Sean says darkly.

"Let's get all the way up first; I don't like hanging out on the fire escape." Derek urges us on.

It doesn't take long, and we make it to the top of the three-story building, taking a minute to catch our breath.

"We could break a window and get inside," Drew suggests.

"Or use the stairway," Caren says, pointing towards an access door located towards the other end of the roof.

"Or just shoot them all and get back down the fire escape." Richard offers.

Colin looks thoughtful, "Doesn't matter. Either option will work just fine."

"Can we shoot them from up here?" I ask doubtful, walking back towards the short wall that stands between me and a three-story fall.

The maniacs are still agitated; in zombie-like fashion, they try to claw at the fire escape, which is thankfully out of their reach, unless they develop a sense of teamwork. It was good thinking on Drew's part to leave it up. I have to give him kudos for that.

We're all spread out across the roof, trying to figure out the best course of action, when an ear-piercing shriek pierces the air, followed by a loud flapping sound, so unnatural and otherworldly it makes my blood freeze.

The instant I look up, my eyes fall on a gigantic bird-like creature, diving straight for us. My mouth drops open, and before I can issue a warning or raise my gun, large talons grab hold of Caren.

For a moment, she seems suspended in time before the creature flaps harder and starts to take off with its screaming, struggling prey. My paralysis falls off as instinct and training kick in. I raise my gun and aim for the enormous bird, I'm worried to hit Caren, but at this point, if I don't act, the beast will take off with her.

The bird screeches again as bullets hit it, but it has gained its momentum and takes off towards the blue sky, Caren still in its grip. Soon our bullets only hit air, and we look at each other dumbfounded and in shock. Helpless we stare at the retreating forms; tears build in my eyes over the loss of my friend and the most likely horrible death awaiting her.

"Vivian, get down!" Colin screams, just as an agonizing pain moves through my left shoulder.

Colin dives for me gets a hold of my feet the moment I feel myself being lifted off the ground. Another bird-like creature has arrived. The monster and I are still suspended, and it flaps its massive wings loudly as it tries to lift off, just like the other one did with Caren.

Caren. My mind goes numb; I don't want to end up like that. I don't want to be bird/dinosaur food.

There is no doubt in my mind that this is some kind of dinosaur bird. If Professor Dunn or the twins were here, they would tell us what kind, but they're in space by now somewhere. Unreachable. And honestly, it doesn't matter what type of dinosaur has me. The pain is unbearable as its long, sharp talons dig into my shoulder, ripping flesh while trying to pull me up. Meanwhile, Colin pulls at