Page 16 of Cruel Devotion

This time, some of the fluid hit my cheek then dripped down onto my shoulder and arms. The blood was thick like old motor oil that had been exposed to a severe winter. The smell was strong and repugnant—a blend of metallic iron with the foul smell of decay.

Every splash brought with it that gut-churning aroma, making me want to gag.

More and more blood coated us. I accidentally got some in my mouth. It had a bitter rusted metal taste, with a hint of rotten meat.

I quickly spat it out, desperately trying to rid my mouth of the vile taste.

Yet, there was no time to pause or react, only to push forward.

Despite the repulsion, zombie blood always served as a saving grace.

The more we became drenched in it, the more we became invisible to the very creatures we were fighting against.

Once we began dripping with their blood, they would begin to think we were zombies too.

Surely, we smelled like them.

So we pushed on, hacking and slashing our way through the thick of the undead army, the stench of zombie blood filling our nostrils.

Until finally, we noticed a change in the horde’s behavior.

Many slowed before approaching us, their decaying eyes scanning us with less malice and more uncertainty.

I wiped some of the zombie blood off my face and glanced at Lei. “Do you think we smell enough like them yet?”

“I sure hope so. I can’t take any more of this gunk on me.”

“Let’s test it out.”

“Okay.”

We proceeded with caution, less as fierce fighters and more imitating the undead’s meandering movements.

We trudged forward and gently pushed our way through the crowd, which had become more docile and unthreatening.

I kept my voice low. “I’m telling you. Zombie Perfume.”

Lei smirked.

“I’m really going to get a business together. It would be a mega marketing campaign.”

“You would just need the idea of economy and money and even. . .tv to return to the world again.”

“That’s it.”

We navigated through the mass, our hands clung tightly to each other, the warmth and strength of our connection the only thing that kept us grounded amidst the sea of decay.

The weight in my chest began to lighten.

The odds, which had seemed insurmountable only moments ago, now appeared to be tipping in our favor.

Lei led us to a hidden passage behind a large, foreboding painting.

Shocked, I whispered, “How did you find this?”

“I know things.”

We hurried down a darkened corridor.

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