In the Clouds

        Bruiser placed his hand on Stephanie's shoulder and a finger to his lips. "Five floors," he whispered. She nodded. The noises as they moved up through the tower were deafening. Banging on the walls and doors, sounds of furniture breaking, and unearthly moans echoed though the stairwell. Bruiser could hear Stephanie's ragged uneven breathing as they reached the fifth floor. Looking back at her, she nodded, and he opened the door. 

A zombified police dog greeted them. Bruiser saw the animals as a bigger threat. Their teeth and claws were meant to pierce and puncture. He motioned for Stephanie to use her spear and keep distance between them. It worked. As the dog lunged towards Bruiser, the spear thrust into the side of the dog stopping it in its tracks. It lie at their feet. Dead for the second time. There was banging in the rooms adjacent to them.  They hoped the doors held as they continued down the hall.

Ahead of them, shambling out of the darkness, was a Police Officer and a regular citizen. Was this the man the police were after in life? They'd have time to think about that later. Bruiser hoped the same plan the worked on the dog would work on these two. He looked towards the cop and hoped he wasn't wearing any kind of protection. He wasn't sure their rudimentary weapons could handle something like that. His thoughts were unfounded as they dispatched the two, and than three additional in the span of a few minutes. Aside from the rooms, the floor was clear.

"Damn", hissed Bruiser. Beyond the elevator banks was a large sitting room with frosted windows. No stairs to the roof. This can't be. he thought. There has to be a way up for maintenance. Looking towards Stephanie, he said, "We have to clear these top level rooms. There might be a stairwell leading up." Stephanie nodded and wiped the gore from her spear on a nearby plastic plant. 

The rooms, aside from the undead, were empty. Dejected, the two headed back to the left stairwell when Stephanie grabbed Bruiser by the arm. There behind a disused vending machine was a door with stairs leading to the roof. After ascending, they both scanned their surroundings. Neither liked what they saw. Medford was a tiny town surrounded by thick forests. They both agreed previously that they should probably head north, But looking in that direction, wherever the roads lead were masked by the forest canopy. "I think North is still our best bet", said Stephanie. Your friend may still be there to offer support." Bruiser nodded as they returned to their supply filled cart.