Unwavering fear

The cars hadn’t moved in over an hour, people were honking and screaming profanities, some tried to leave but we were all far too close together to go anywhere. People had begun getting out of their cars and walking around even. Everyone was sick and tired of being here and I was no exception. 

Finally, the radio addressed the situation, but what I heard was no reassurance. 

“There seem to be people rioting in the streets, traffic is jammed till police handle the situation and arrest those involved. People are highly dangerous and will attack anyone in sight, staying indoors is recommended.”

Fuck, That's bad. I’m now stuck in traffic, in my car, and people outside are throwing a riot. What the hell could it be this time?!

I sigh frustrated, this is gonna take so long I’d rather just walk. I'll go the opposite way from the riot and stay at a hotel until I can go home. That'll probably be settled by tomorrow hopefully.

I turn off my car completely and look around before getting out of my car. Some people were walking around, but they seemed just annoyed at the tráfic. Taking my purse along with my work computer as I started walking. People were going into stores, stepping out of their cars, and overall trying to pass the time. The streets were absolutely filled with traffic. 

It all seemed normal till I saw a group of people suddenly run down the street frantically… were they a part of the riot? I looked opposite to where they ran and saw another group of people approaching, those that stood around like I did the same. Just watched them for a moment before they attacked the first man in their path.

Then the panic started, I turned and spirited away, but the screams of the people behind me seemed to just grow louder. I heard things falling over, car alarms suddenly going off. Chaos ensued so quickly around me that I just ran without looking where I was going. Turning to go upstairs as I tripped on my own feet, the work computer falling down the stairs. 

I turned to see it as it fell in front of the feet of a man who now dashed towards me, in a panic I crawled up the last stairs, stumbling as I got to my feet and began to run again. Screw that computer, if I don’t get out of here they might just kill me!

People in front looked confused until they looked behind me. But when I suddenly turned a corner I was tackled down. Squirming in place trying to get up and the person on top of me pressed me against the floor, “Damn you, criminals.” He said. 

“No, you have it wrong! I’m being chased please!” I try to explain as the weight on top of me was suddenly pushed off. I heard the man scream as I forced myself up. When I turned to look at the man I saw him being mauled by a man. Mis screams echoed while he tried to fight off the person on top of him. 

Surprised was one thing, but I was utterly terrified as I froze in place, “Help me!” He screamed. 

Move! I told myself, but I was just still in place. Feeling the jab of someone hit my shoulder as they ran past finally woke me up. I turned and ran again, what the hell is wrong with these people?!

Seeing people run in stores and alleys I considered doing the same. But those people could break in eventually, and I couldn’t run forever. When I saw the chance to rush into a store I did. A small supermarket turned out, running through the aisles, and heading to the back as people were confused at me. That was before those people started coming in, then I only heard screams. I ran from one corner of the place to the back door I spotted. As soon as I went through it I pushed to shut the door but couldn’t lock it. 

Looking at the walkway and seeing a few closed doors, in the far corner a single opened one I rushed for. Managing to make it in before shutting it behind me. Turning around I saw a group of people consisting of two women and a man. 

They looked at me confused before one of the ladies spoke up, “You're not allowed back here miss. We must ask you to-“

The banging at the door cut her off. People were banging and trying to come in, some screamed for help, while others tackled those and attacked. The small window in the door let us see it all go down. 

The group didn’t say anything as the man rushed to the door seeing the situation as he tried to open the door. 

“Don’t!” I yelled, “They’re all over the streets. We can only call the police and hope they can do something! Didn’t you hear things on the radio? These are the people rioting! They're crazy!” I yelled so panicked about everything.

The man looked at me and raised a brow, “people out there need help! They can’t just wait for the police.” He said, opening the door anyways as he tried to go help. But as soon as he was out I shut the door again. The two other women left in the room seemed panicked. One was on her phone calling what seemed to be the police while the other stood around shaking. 

She seemed as panicked as me, more so when her eyes widened as she looked at the door, turning to see what she did. I saw a bloodstain now covering the door window. Crimson red-stained it before someone began hitting at the door. 

I cried as I backed into a corner, the women in the room seemed to finally realize the situation. And the room had nothing more than a handful of lockers. Reminded of my school days I took a deep breath and tried opening the lockers. Finding two closed before one had its keys still attached. 

I opened it, seeing clothes and a bag. I immediately threw the things out and looked through the bag for anything I could use as a defense. But it was just a couple of shoes. 

I looked at the women one last time before I pulled out the keys from the locker, car keys attached to them. I clutched them in my hands before grabbing the door of the locker and locking myself in. The women took a while to react, trying to bang at the door and get me out. But I heard the glass on the door break. 

They panicked, stopped banging, and tried opening other lockers. But the people had already come inside. I heard the women scream, beg and finally go silent. All while I kept as quiet as I could, holding my hand over my mouth in the cramped space. 

I don’t know how long it took before the people finally left. But by the time they did, and I slowly and quietly opened the locker I knew… these aren’t people. These aren’t people just throwing a riot… their zombies.