Dawn had barely registered when my eyes peeled open and I felt wide awake. I shifted out of bed and grabbed my glock. I moved as silently as I could to the window and eased the curtain back.

There were more of those crazies on the street but something felt different about them. They were checking cars that could be easily opened. Those that couldn't, they moved on. This wasn't like yesterday when they felt more like blind dumbasses.

A few walked into an apartment that had the door facing the street. Not like my apartment which was considered an Indoor suite. I half expected these guys to clear the first level and move on but they proceeded up the stairs and that when I realized something.

They had evolved.

I eased the curtain close and went to my closet. I had climbing and hiking gear inside. I bought a lot of shit for a company trip that we didn't end up needing. The whole camping trip was basically a retreat with walks to some tourist spots. Not actually camping out in the wilderness, staring up at the stars, and enjoying the company of each other.

So I had some things that could be used as a weapon. For instance a machete that was made out of steel used to forge swords in the Japanese Era. Same forging procedure that is. At the time, I thought it would make me look badass but I ended up just stashing it in a room. It became a joke for a while but with my build. It stayed a harmless joke.

It took me a bit of shuffling to find it. The blade was still sharp and looked decent. I grabbed a pair of Grey joggers and slipped it on. I fished out a muscle shirt and decent jacket to go over it. Just to provide a bit of protection from their hands.

When I opened my door, I found the other girls wide awake and staring at the TV. There was some courageous guy filming the crazies going house to house. If they couldn't get in through the front door, they broke the windows and climbed in.

Which made me realize I needed to kill them in the hallway before they found my door. If I was by myself, I would just wait for them to pass. Sadly, the girls would probably do something stupid like scream or knock something over. We wouldn't be able to escape off the third floor before they got back up and it was harder to load rounds into a clip under pressure than it was to fire a gun.

"Do you think they will be able to get in here?" Lisa ask me as she stood up like she was going to jump into my arms.

"Probably but I'm about to go see about cutting them down. You guys stay here." I replied.

So I stalked to the door and took a deep breath. I open the door and check the hall, empty. I quickly exited and tried each door near me. Better to take out the easy ones who were alone then the smart ones in a group.

The door across from me was locked. I moved to the right and checked the next one. It opened and I eased it all the way open. The living room was messy. I didn't even need to go far to see that there was a fight here. I brandished the machete in front of me as I eased into the apartment. This was a two bedroom like mine. The first bedroom would be to my left and the door was wide open. It was sort of dark due to the blackout curtains.

I should have brought a flashlight. I had one that could be used as a weapon that I bought online after taking a self defense class. It was solid steel and durable.

My eyes caught movement to my right which is where the second bedroom and kitchen are. I turned slowly and saw a crazy walking out of the bedroom like he just found easy prey.

Our eyes connected and we watched each other like how a wild animal would. I didn't blink, didn't breathe too hard. I just stood there watching him watching me.

The crazy suddenly dashed forward. Its arm cock back as if it would lay me out with a haymaker. I sidestep, swung my machete towards its neck, and felt the satisfying thud. My arm felt the impact but I didn't let the bloody sight stop me. Yanking the machete out, I look for another easy strike.

My instructor's words are blasting in my mind. 'Don't make the first mistake and you won't lose. Patience is the key to victory.'

The crazy turned to me and actually snarled. It didn't run forward but it did move towards me like a boxer about to lay down a wallop. It got within striking distance and swung its fist at me.

I brought my arm up, blocking the jab,and kicked it in the knee. The fucker tanks the kick and jumps forward. I dropped onto my back, bringing my knees and feet forward, launching it over my head.

It actually let out a growl as it's back bounced off the floor. I completed the movement by coming to my feet, spinning as I did a wild arc swing. My machete swept down towards its neck, jarring my arm to the point I almost let go of the handle. Blood shot out like a kid slapping the face of water. Even with my reflexively flinching away, the spray still splashes on my face.

My boot slammed right into its chin as I yanked back on the machete. Stumbling back saves me from being drenched by that black goop. But it didn't stop me from lifting my arm for the kill blow. Yet, the bastard's head was barely hanging on. Shit looked gruesome and made my stomach churn.

My body felt like lead was tied to me and I was second away from slumping to the ground in an effort to vent my emotions. Yet, there were solid footsteps behind me. My heart, which was slowly calming down, ramps back up into overdrive. I spun around, blade raised, only to find Lisa and Gloria looking like determined reality tv warriors.

I didn't even have the energy to curse them and their stupidity. I could guess why they followed me in their work clothes that provided no protection. With my very expensive butcher knives in hand.

I took several deep breaths but my eyes widened as Crazy reached out and grabbed Gloria by her stylish hair. I watched as her eyes widened, her head snapped back, her arms did a ferris wheel, and she was pulled right off her feet.

The crazies were smart and I knew that. The girls didn't know that or they wouldn't have followed me without keeping a lookout.

So when the crazy smashed Gloria's head into the wall, I expected something like that. When Lisa turned around at the sudden thud and Gloria screams, I knew she would run. When she dropped the knife in her hand and took several steps back, I expected that. It's human nature and if I wasn't a gamer. I probably wouldn't be as brave as I was. Gaming prepared me for this. Prepared me to think on my feet.

It was no surprise that I jumped forward, my machete coming in with a side swing. The Crazy bashed Gloria's head one last time. Its bloodshot eyes staring at me provokingly. It still somehow managed to tilt its body back. To the point that my blade only sliced through the edge of its neck and buried itself into the wall.

The fucker dropped her like a toy it didn't want to play with anymore. It threw a wide punch that swept up dust. With no choice, I stopped pulling on the handle, dropped down to my knees, and swept up the knife Lisa dropped. Its punch slammed right into my forearm and I couldn't help but rock with the power.

It must not like how savy I was because its leg came flying from under it. I shot to my feet, catching the boot in my gut as I flung my weight into it.

I felt really bad for spitting on him as we both fell. Shit, I felt bad for anybody who got a little stomach acid spit in their face. That didn't stop me from slamming my knife down on his face. It sure as hell didn't stop me from accidently wiggling it in his cheek when the fall pushed his boot deeper in my guts. I still had the presence of mind, to keep stabbing the fucker. To work my knife into its eye as it wailed on me. I only stopped when the fucker fist stopped beating on me like I was its cheating wife.

The feeling of overcoming two had me on an all new high. So much so that I threw my head back and was about to howl!

Shit always gets worse before it gets better. There was loud as fuck, foot stumps coming down the hall.

"Gotta be kidding me? Can't believe I didn't bring my fucking shotgun!" I cursed.

I scrambled to my feet, yanked the damn machete out of the wall, and peaked out the door. Two skinny mother fuckers came trucking down the hall. I made the smart decision to block the hallway from the living room. This gave me enough room to swing but only access to one of them at a time.

I shook the soreness out of my arms. I felt that pre-fight nervousness. Thinking all those thoughts people have after they realized they fucked up.

The first one sprinted straight at me. Maybe it thought Gloria's body wasn't an obstacle? No! It jumped over her and I jumped sideways and kicked that bitch right into the wall. It literally dented the wall with the force. The moment my feet touched down, I went into a swing with the sole hearted intent to decapitate a bitch!

It somehow raised its fucking arms! And the second one jabbed the shit out of me. I felt like everyone of Mike Tyson's opponent. Without a solid choice, I swung the machete like a barbarian. One of them roared and rushed forward. I couldn't even dodge as I was in mid swing.

The impact from being knocked on my ass hurt worse than the gut check. Make matters worse, my head was seconds away from the corner of a table. I couldn't even say I was blessed. The fuckers were wailing on me and to make shit sting that much more.

Lisa was knees up in a corner, head covered, and screaming. Like bitch! I'm the one taking the countryside beating! What the fuck you yelling for?

Feeling more than frustrated, I latched onto one leg and pulled his ass down. We rolled a bit as we fought for dominance. His comrade stomped the shit out of both of us but I had a feeling I was the only one feeling it. However, the stomps stopped and I managed to get on top. I raised my arm back. When i spotted the fucker looking past me.

I threw myself aside and stared in utter fascination as the crazy slammed my machete into its buddy head. It had this bewildering look on its face as the blade split the skull.

I snatched up the table beside me. Dumping the lamp and other useless shit on the ground. Like a woman that found her man in the bed with another bitch, I beat the shit out of it. It wasn't a couple swings and stopped to see if it was dead. Every other swing, I was slinging curses, talking about its momma, questioning its dick size and origin. I didn't stop til my chest was burning from the exertion, my arms felt like the first time in the gym.

My hand fumbled with the arm of the couch as I tried to back my ass and plant it. I stared at the room and I honestly, not going to lie. Felt like the man of the goddamn hour! I mean, this was like preparing yourself for an intense raid on a hard ass dungeon boss that had glitches abilities. This was that moment where your mouse lifted up a couple times as you came close to throwing it due to the misclick. Then somehow as all shit ain't adding up right? You perform a beautiful side step button mash and the boss's last five percent health vanishes. Loot spilled out of the corpses and you froze. I did..

"Is it dead?" Lisa's voice was like that bucket of cold water. It was like you finally getting to hold hands with a high school crush but she transferred schools the next day. It was like you running home after your girl sent you a picture but she's sitting on the couch full set of clothes and pop out, 'I'm pregnant' with a lip smack.

My head slowly swiveled to her and I raised my hand up in the air. "Bitch! What do you think?"

It was one of those moments.

Lisa was a lot of things. I could probably make a list in a moment's notice. It would be like when you first dated a girl and she goes, what's some things you like about me? Instead of your mind going blank while trying to come up with something that isn't all about the physical. I was like one of those brutally honest guys.

Your breast must have sucked up all your brains? Just because your mouth is wide enough to suck a melon through. Doesn't mean you need to run that trap like a 7-Eleven. Didn't yo momma ever tell you that God doesn't like ugly? Why was he sucking on your nose? My dog humps pretty ladies legs, I don't know why he pissed on you.

I mean, I really could go on and that was just me being all metaphysical. I can get right down to the heart and before someone judges me. Her bestie is fine. Case closed.

Anyway, I digress. Lisa went over to check on Gloria. Shook her, slapped her face, even did some chest compression that caused Gloria to have the holy ghost.

I got my ass up all tired like. Took those unwanted steps over to Gloria. Her eyes seemed stable enough for her to throw daggers from her eyes. I helped her up and we eased our way back to my apartment. Ignoring those nosy folks who peek out to see what's happening.

Like the loyal man, I could be. I helped Gloria to a chair and went to go locked and closed the door because Lisa didn't.

Imagine if I never answer my phone. See, this is why your mother always says. 'Boy, listen here. Thinking with that pecker ain't going to get you nowhere good. Better off using your brains once in a while. Let it air out some.'

Lessons learned.

Somehow, I made it into my room, into the bathroom, out of my clothes, and into the shower. It took a little longer than I liked for me to wash the blood from my skin and get the metallic taste of blood out my mouth. I hope I don't turn into a crazy but then if I did, I probably wouldn't die right away. The three girls were about as useless as spring break during an earthquake