Marketgoers screamed and scrambled out of their way, holding their noses. And just as sure, the next gust of wind brought their stench to my nose.
I pushed through the crowd toward Meera, who by now had noticed the abominations.
“What the hell are those?”
“Ghouls.” I grabbed her wrist and pulled her through the now-panicking crowd. “We need to move. Now.”
“Are they after me?” she asked between ragged breaths when we were forced to slow.
“I think so.”
We’d reached the edge of the square where the exit narrowed, and there was a wall of people all pushing and shoving. The ghouls were closer now, their rotting stench making me gag.
We had to find a different exit. While everyone else fought to clamber over the perfectly trimmed garden beds flanking the main way out, we skirted along the edge of one bed and made for another exit, a small group trailing after us once they realized the smarter route.
“Can’t you fight them?” Meera huffed.
Slaying the wretched creatures was most likely the best way to get them off us, but I wasn’t too keen on fighting ghouls. And even if I had to, I didn’t want to do it inside the market. Anything their ichor touched would be ruined.
“They will get everywhere if I try. If you think they stink now, wait until they literally spill their guts.”
Meera made a gagging sound. “Okay, what do we do?”
“They are slow since they’re already mostly decomposed. I’m sure the market coordinator already called the EA. We’ll just stay ahead of them.”
Once out of the market square, we continued moving, not so fast so the ghouls wouldn’t lose us. If these were sent after Meera, then they’d keep following her.
“What’s happening?”
“Trying to see if they are after you. If they are, they’ll follow.”
Sure enough, the three undead creatures continued to trail us, completely ignoring the hubbub of the market.
“Let’s loop around and get back to the car.” We’d taken another Redrock SUV today in case of an incident just like this.
At a quicker pace, we continued around the market square toward the parking lot. We found one more of the freaks milling around the vehicle, having been attracted to the faint traces of Meera there. It looked up as we got close and started shuffling toward us like a zombie.
Two more were closing in behind us; we’d lost the last one somewhere along the way.
There was a scream from the market again. Ah, final ghoul located.
I picked up the traffic cone they’d use to block vehicles from going the wrong way in the otherwise unmarked lot. It was one of those heavy-duty weighted ones. Perfect.
“Follow right behind me,” I ordered as I moved forward, drawing the ghoul by the SUV out into the lane.
Sensing that Meera was close, the horrid creature clambered faster, leaving slimy, rotting chunks of itself behind. Then it lunged and I moved when it did, swinging the traffic cone at it hard. It landed with a stomach-churning squelch. I released the cone at the point of impact, sending both it and the ghoul flying down the lane.
“Quick, hurry.”
Meera and I ran for the SUV. Opening the back passenger door, I urged her inside before winding into the front. She was already strapping in by the time my door closed. The other two ghouls were now in front of the vehicle, blocking my way.
I locked the doors, set the vehicle to only circulate the air into the cabin, and put the SUV in drive. I started to pull away, ignoring the fact that one of them was trying to hang onto the vehicle. That wouldn’t be an issue once we got some speed. And sure enough, it went flying by the first turn.
“You okay back there?” I asked, meeting her eyes in the rearview mirror.
“Yah. Just a bit shaken. And— Watch out!”
The final ghoul stepped out onto the street in front of us.
