Chapter 8

He was aware that he would need to ensure that the vast majority followed him in order for that to occur.He increased his stomping and shouting, jumping up and waving his hands as high as he could to get their full attention.He continued his display while beginning to take a step backwards as the creatures got very close.He was aware that his efforts would be pointless if he lost too many going down this hallway.However, he was also aware that he would die if he tripped and fell while walking backwards.

He made an effort to ignore that aspect.

Strangely dim was the hallway.The late-night feJakeng was brought on by the cloudy sky, and the hallway was dimly lit due to the lack of ambient light.Normally, a few small lights along the hallway walls dealt with this problem; however, when the power went out, those lights went out, leaving a portion of the path almost completely dark.Jake thought to himself that it was almost the perfect atmosphere for a horror movie.All that was required was for one of the wall lights to occasionally flash.

He had to sped up every now and then because the journey was so painfully slow.He retraced his steps several times rather than just one.He once turned and ran several steps after a creature almost grabbed him, then returned to the task of keeping everyone's attention on him.Jake felt as though there was no progress at all despite this.He began to believe that he would spend the rest of his life confined to that long, pitch-black corridor, constantly attempting to keep out of the reach of hundreds of hungry creatures.

He was suddenly back in the open.He was on the other side now.Realizing that he needed to be close to the next set of stairs, he quickly turned his head.He realized right away that the metal train track was right there, so close that if he had taken even one more step, he would have slammed into it hard and probably fallen to the ground.

As he considered his next move, he ducking came around the edge of it and hurriedly walked away, attempting to once more put some distance between himself and his ferocious followers.He had completely forgotten what was in this section of the complex because he hadn't been there often.He was surprised by what he saw, which also made him smile.

The path split off to his left and right in front of him.It ended on both sides at a different hallway that went through another of the apartment buildings; however, a clearing stretched in front of him.He could see the empty streets beyond from the apartment's exterior gate, which was on the opposite side of this clearing.However, prior to that, the second pool was situated in the center of the clearing.

He had completely forgotten that there was even a second pool in the complex.He probably wouldn't have known it was in this section of the complex if he had remembered.However, this was the ideal opportunity and the very saving grace he required at that precise time.A similar metal gate surrounded the pool on all four sides, as did the first pool.It didn't really matter that this one had only one entrance and was not connected to any buildings.He planned to perform the same trick two times in one day.He was confident that he could get them all to attack the gate and then free them, given how well it had worked the first time.

He headed in that direction because the left path led to the pool area's entrance.He just hurried off, confident that enough of them would follow, and he didn't bother trying to wave or shout to draw attention as he went.When he got to the gate and tried to open it, he quickly lost his smile.

The gate's lever for opening was secured by a thick, bulky padlock.He would never be able to open this door.He looked around for a different option, but his heart dropped when he realized that he had to keep running or climb the gate.He noticed that enough of the creatures had followed him back the way he had come, so this was still his best option.Jake thought, "Just my luck," with a look of disgust on his face.He climbed onto the first rung with a deep sigh.

He tried to pull after reaching up and grabbing the top rung.He cursed himself inwardly for the amount of soda, fast food, and video games he had consumed in the past few years as he felt exhaustion enter his limbs almost immediately.This might not have been so difficult if he had taken a physical education class instead of computer science.The strain was almost unbearable and left his face bloodshot red.There was nothing but the one rung at the bottom of the fence and the second rung at the top as his feet kicked around looking for a foothold to push him up.Despite this, he could feel himself slowly ascending, his arms trembling but not giving out.He managed to get himself into a position where he could lift his right knee up and onto the upper rung with a lot of effort.He pulled himself up the rest of the way with a look of great determination because this gave him a little more leverage.He knew he had succeeded when he was able to place his other foot on the top rung.

He jumped to the ground on the other side of the fence and let out a jubilant yell.He slammed hard and rolled until he stopped on his back.His eyes were unable to focus and his chest was heaving.He couldn't make sense of anything because everything around him seemed to be doing a tango, going up and down, in this and that direction.The dirt was soft and possibly even slightly damp.That patch of grass made Jake feel like he could stay there forever.

The young man awoke from his stupor when something gently patted his shoulder.He remembered where he was and what he was doing as he suddenly got up.He saw that one of the creatures had fallen behind him, but its arm had nearly grabbed him as it tried to grab him between the gate posts.Already, a number of its neighbors were frantically pressing against the gate in an effort to feed on him and reach him.They just couldn't.He was completely protected by metal bars.Being pleased with himself, he smiled.

The air was split by a terrible screech and a loud crash.

The sound terrified Jake, so he covered his ears.He couldn't tell where it had come from, but it didn't appear to be coming from the creatures.However, it did have the unfortunate side effect of drawing attention to some of the things, which caused them to begin turning back toward the parking lot.He looked around for an answer because he was aware that he had to act.Only one was there.

Jake climbed onto a table and exhaled once more in annoyance.He continued to jump and dive as he turned to face the monsters, waving his arms as high as he could and shouting.Hey, stupid dead people!He phoned.I see you, don't you?I'm here.Eat me!Hold on!

Although it may not have been the best option, the creatures did appear to turn around.The fact that most of them turned was at least sufficient.The table was hoisted off the ground by Jake before he started carrying it to the other side of the pool area.He stopped every few feet, put the table down, and took a quick breather.He had not exercised this much in a long time.He quickly recalled why he had not taken one of those physical education classes.This tired FeJakeng was terrible.A lot.

Jake lifted the table and carried it the last few feet to the fence with a huge, determined grunt.It had been difficult to carry, but not nearly as difficult as climbing the fence.He had a boost now.He took a look around to see who his enemies were.The majority of them were still at the gate.Although they did not appear to be following him, a few had begun to circle the fence's side.In point of fact, he reasoned that the few who were a little bit closer probably had no idea what they were doing and wouldn't notice him being on their side of the fence because others seemed to be stumbling aimlessly.

He climbed the table and then the fence's highest rung, leaving FeJakeng alone.He jumped after taking one final look around to ensure that none of the creatures were particularly close.

Well, I won't care.

Lucas observed what was going on from the position he held in the car that was now the lead vehicle.His covered eyes from his aviator sunglasses made it hard for him to see.He reached up and took off his red and white trucker cap before combing his brown, wavy hair.

"In fact, the sonuvabitch is pulling it off."

“Francis had moved up from the back seat and was now clasping the passenger seat's back, her surprise just as obvious on her face.They are, in fact, after him," she remarked.

Almost all of the creatures from the parking lot were, as it turned out, quickly disappearing down the hallway that Jake had just entered.They were able to deal with a few stragglers who remained behind.

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