I Hope the Worst Isn't Over ✔️

Chapter Six

Janus awoke from a not-so-pleasant sleep to the sound of movement downstairs. His eyes shot open and darted around the room, the one with vision doing its best to catch up and adjust to the dim light around them. The sunbeams of dawn were just beginning to fill the room, enough to indicate that the next day had arrived, but not enough for Janus to see clearly. He cursed under his breath and elbowed away from the pressure against his back, finding Remus curled up to him in his sleep. Janus rolled aside and held his breath, not wanting any noise to interrupt his listening. He sat silent and attentive, waiting for the sounds that awoke him to begin again.

Step. Step. Step. Click. Step. Step.

They were cautious, purposeful actions, he noted. No Infected was capable of those, meaning they had something else on their hands. Something, arguably, much more dangerous-- and apparently capable of picking those damned locks!

Janus let out his breath and reached behind him without turning, grabbing hold of Remus's shoulder and shaking him awake. The man groaned, looking up at his friend in tired confusion.

"Wha..?" he mumbled groggily, sitting up to rub the sleep from his eyes.

"Sush, there's people downstairs. It sounds like multiple," Janus whispered sharply.

"People? Like people, people..?" Remus asked, cocking his head to the side.

Janus nodded and slowly crept to his feet, grabbing hold of his bag and rummaging for his revolver. It ran out of bullets ages ago, but so long as the invaders weren't aware, it would still have its intimidation factor. Remus followed him out of bed and quietly planted his feet on the ground, stepping forward slowly to avoid the floor creaking underneath him.

"They'll probably be up here soon…" Janus said, glancing back to his friend as he readied his gun.

"Do you think they're looking for us? Or just foraging?"

"I don't know, Reem." He returned his gaze to the door as footsteps grew nearer, resounding subtly against the carpeted halls. He knew they could most likely hide, at least temporarily, but it wouldn't do them much good. They'd likely be found anyway if they tried, and then they would already be cornered. Janus hated that idea.

He gripped his weapon tighter.

Janus moved closer to his friend as the steps reached the door, once more holding the air in his lungs to remain silent. His heart pounded against his ribs and he squinted to fight the darkness, the door before them finally creaking open, almost painstakingly slow.

A hand turned the knob and pushed the door open, and three figures stepped into the room. Two men and a woman, dressed in dark clothing that hid their forms and disguised their features. The strongest looking man stood in front, tall and muscular with a hostile expression rooted on his face. Their eyes locked, and Janus finally breathed.

"Get out," he ordered, aiming his revolver ahead.

Much to Janus's dismay, the strange man only snickered and drew a pistol from its holster. He spoke as if he were amused, voice firm and gruff. "Brave kid. Stupid, but brave. Just put your weapon down so I don't have to use this."

"No, get out, all of you. I could just as easily be the one to shoot, don't test me."

Believe it.

They have to believe it.

They didn't seem to.

"Sure you could. You could kill us all before we get to you?"

Janus looked between the three, catching the metallic glint of guns being held in all of their hands.

"What do you want from us?" Remus snapped, fists clenched at his sides.