[ WP ] It 's becoming embarassingly apparent to everyone that you 've never actually killed a zombie before .

The branches cracked under foot and the leaves bristled as they made their way to the clearing. It was an elevated area which game them a good look at what was in front of them. The streets intersected nearby and on either side were small strips of stores. These used to be busy streets filled with people shopping or running errands. Now they sat empty except for the trash and abandoned vehicles that littered them. 
 
 The goal today was get more supplies. Mainly canned goods and water if possible. 
 
 Michael blinked and shook his head `` Focus'' he thought. `` They do n't know you're a novice''. He had been volunteered by Quentin, a friend of his, after Michael had bragged about his skill for killing the undead. 
 
 `` Oh yea, I've taken out at least 50. Maybe even 100. When we were out scavenging before we found the fort, I had to take them out left and right.'' 
 
 He regretted this now, but at the time he needed to fit in. It seemed like everyone had their stories of dispatching the undead. 
 
 There were 10 in the group, and the leader Sam signaled that it was time for them to move toward the stores. It looked quiet, but they all knew that could change quickly. 
 
 Michael took his ax and readied himself as they moved towards the first cluster of shops. A whole in the window signaled there may not be much there, but they had to check to be sure. Sam cleared out the broken glass and moved through and into the store. 
 
 Suddenly they heard the low mumble of the undead. Michael looked to the right and saw one coming right at him. He looked left and saw Sam give him the nod. 
 His heart raced, this was his chance, it was going to happen. He drew back the ax and came back full speed with a powerful blow... right to the arm. The arm fell to the ground but the undead thing still continued to move forward. Again Michael drew back and plunged forward with another might swing... to the chest. The undead thing continued towards the rest of the group. Michael looked at Sam who gave him a quizzical look. 
 
 Frustrated, Same yielded his sledgehammer and unleashed a mighty smash to the top of its head. 
 
 Splat!! The blood flecks hit Michael's face as the beast fell flat to the floor. 
 
 `` What was that?'' Sam asked Michael. `` Quentin said you'd done this before''. 
 `` I have'' Michael stammered. `` I have n't used this ax before, still getting used to it''. 
 `` Just stay towards the back'' Sam snapped. 
 
 Michael let the rest of the group pass as he looked to the floor. Quentin walked by with his head shaking. 
 
 `` He was probably going to tell everyone'' Michael thought. He would never hear the end of it if he did n't make up for it. 
 
 They moved through the rest of the store aisle by aisle. Not much was left, but the things that could be salvaged were put into a sack carried by one of the members of the group. They moved quickly across the street to one of the other stores. In this one they found some kind of inventory room that seemed promising. The door was jammed. The rest of the group stood back as Sam took his sledge hammer to the handle. With a loud crash, the door swung open. Undead creatures spilled out in a seemingly never-ending stream. 
 
 The group sprung to action, hacking and striking, taking out any creature that came into a three foot radius of them. Michael stood in awe, these people really knew what they were doing. Mid-thought, Michael realized one of the undead had made it past the others and was headed right for him. 
 
 `` This time it's happening''. He cranked back and unleashed a fearsome swing right at the head of the thing. The thing limped to the side and Michael's swing missed by half a foot. The force of the swing had sent him spinning around and now tumbling to the floor, the ax flying out of his hands. The thing lurched towards him as he tried to pick up his ax. He glanced up and saw two of them coming for him now. He looked back at his ax, it was three feet away. 
 
 `` Fuck this'' he told himself. Michael got up and raced towards the door of the store. He ran out into the empty street and did n't stop. 
 
 `` Everyone is going to laugh at me now, maybe I just wo n't go back.'' The cool fall air enveloped his skin as he ran towards the woods, not sure of where he would end up. 

