Revealed: Parables From The Apocalypse - Dystopian Fiction by Norman Christof Page B

sudden impact with the ground, Alex was the first one to gain his composure.
     
    Looking in the back seat, Alex called out, "Chaz, Christa, are you guys alright?"
    Christa began thrashing about like a fish out of water, pulling frantically on her safety harness.  "I can't open it.  Damn it, how do I open this thing?  I don't want to drown.  Alex. Alex, I can't get this open!"
    "Christa, don't worry, we’re just in a water hazard.  It's not that deep.  We've already hit the bottom.  Don't undo that harness yet, it's holding you in place.  We're lying at a crazy angle here, and you're going to crash into the side wall when you let that harness go.  Just calm down.  You're fine for the moment."
    "What about him?   What's wrong with Chaz; he's not moving.  Why isn't he moving?"
     
    Christa was right: Chaz wasn't moving.  Alex, gave Chaz a nudge, but he didn't respond.  He grabbed his good arm, and gave him a good shake.  A low moan came from Chaz's lips. 
     
    "Hmmm, what do you want?  I'm fine, I'm fine."  Chaz's eyes opened, then rolled back, and his head slumped over again.
    Christa started to panic again. "The water is getting higher, Alex, I think we're sinking.  It's up over my seat now.  We're too heavy for the bottom of this water trap. Can we please get out of here?"
    "Chaz isn't responding.  Give me a second, I've got to figure out what to do with him.  We can't just leave him here."
    "I need to get out of here," Christa said, raising her voice.
    "Yes, OK, but we need to go out the right-side doors; the other door is underwater.  Hold on to something before you undo that harness."
    "And Chaz, how are we going to get him out?"
    "I'll have to climb over him to get through his door.  You wait for me to get out first.  I can't see anything moving in the dark, but that tank is close by, and there are bound to be plenty of zombie freaks around."
    "I think we hit the tank on our way down; maybe it's broken.  Maybe we killed them all."
    "That's a nice thought, but way too easy.  Just wait till I get out.  I'll check things out before you come out."
     
    Christa looked around for something to hold on to, while Alex climbed over a very groggy but still breathing Chaz.  He pushed the door open and tried to climb over Chaz, but it slammed shut with a loud thud because of the angle the copter was at.
    "Damn, if that noise doesn't draw attention, I don't know what will."
    Alex looked around, and found a narrow metal case, then jammed the door open with it.  He climbed over Chaz, and lowered himself into the water hazard.  The water was hip-high on him.  In the dark, it was hard to see, and a light drizzle began to fall.  Alex thought he saw some movement over by the tank, but he wasn't sure.  At the very least, the tank wasn't moving yet.  He could however still hear the low rumble of the tank's engine idling.  Alex moved back to the rear door.  The soggy ground beneath him tried sucking the boots off his feet.  He moved slowly and surely, holding on to the side of the copter.
     
    Alex pulled open Christa's door and grabbed a hold of her jacket.  "OK, kiddo, release that harness now, I've got a hold of you.  The water's a little deep and the ground is mucky, but you should be OK."
    Christa grabbed a hold of Alex's arm with one hand and released the harness with the other.  They both pulled towards each other as Christa swung her feet around to the open door.  Alex grabbed her under the arms with both hands, and lowered her into the water."
     
    "Ahhh, this is cold.  They don't have leeches or anything in here, do they?"
    "I'm not sure, but we need to keep moving.  I hear voices coming from around that tank.  Head over to the shore, but over here away from that tank.  I'm just going to grab Chaz."
     
    Alex slowly closed her door, and Christa started making her way to dry land.  Alex grabbed a hold of Chaz while he released his harness.  Chaz was just at the right height to be thrown