Sorry for the wait. School is really starting to kick in now, on the bright side this is the longest chapter I have done. I hope to beat this length next time. The story is now going to start going into Ash chapters and Mia chapters. This first Ash chapter will be a flashback one, and don't worry it will be made clear what kind of chapter it is. I will try my best to make each chapter from each character seem like from their POV, without going into first person though. I might also do Mia flashback chapters, I have at least one of those planned.

Hope you guys like, thank you!

UPDATE 27/10/14 : So sorry everyone who is still reading this. I know it hasn't been updated in a long time but honestly there was a good reason. About a month ago I finished writing chapter 5 then my PC broke, yea great timing. Like literally just cut to black and it wouldn't turn on. So I have been trying to remember what I wrote for chapter 5(basically just remaking it) and I have been using my slow as hell, terrible laptop that will freeze up if you use it to much. Also I have been planning out the future chapters and have kind of draw where this section of the story is going. I have planned ahead like the next 5 chapters, so once I start posting chapters they should just keep coming for a bit :) If you stick around you should see chapter 5 before Halloween or on it. Latest the 1st of november.


Chapter 4 - Hell Hound


:ASH FLASHBACK

"I slept too long!" Ash screamed to the top of his lungs. Tears streaked down his face as he let all of his sorrow take control. Demonic cry's could be heard in the distance responding to his screams. He dropped to his knees and looked out at what he presumed was downtown London, or what was left of it at least. Ash was silent and listened, nothing. Ash couldn't hear anything, no birds, not even the noise of cars driving along the road. The silence hung in the air like a bad smell. Ash thought long and hard about what could of happened. Maybe everyone is dead, or worse maybe everyone has become a Deadite? Could he be the last human to walk on planet earth? One thing he was sure of is that it looked like humanity had fought a war and lost, big time.

Ash was on top of a hill with rubble and scrap littered by his feet; in the distance were burned out cars with greenery growing inside and around them. This place looked to be dead for a long time. Ash saw body's in the distance, only they weren't corpses, they were skeletons without flesh; the rotten body's lay on the road and stretched out into the distance.

Ash felt like he was a visitor on a extraterrestrial planet. Clouds of red dust filled the orange sky and a blood red moon sat overhead, only it wasn't nighttime or it could have been, Ash wasn't sure.

Buildings and skyscrapers that Ash didn't recognize or that hadn't been built in his time filled the London skyline. None of this mattered because most buildings had caved in or were slanted and looked like they could tumble at any moment. He realized that he had slept right to the end of humanity, but when the hell was that?

Ash's eye caught something he recognized on the dirt ground, a newspaper. Ash checked the headline "London's last stand." and the date read, "22nd August 2086" more tears grew in Ash's eyes. A great terror grew inside him, maybe it's my fault? If I had just remembered to take the right amount of drops maybe all of this could of been prevented?

He began to read on, "London is the seventh city left standing. World leaders are meeting with Deadite forces to try and come to terms. In other news ration supply's are running low..." Ash couldn't read anymore and let the paper fall from his metallic hand.

"I just got to get a grip of myself." He said out loud placing his hand on his forehead. I'll find survivors, there has got to be survivors. Ash only just noticed the giant beard that had formed on his chin, And maybe find a barbers. He smiled just a little bit at the thought of jumping out of that cave in his own time looking like a bum. He then pushed the thought out of his head as it only made him more depressed, he missed people. He couldn't remember how long it had been since he had seen or talked to a normal person.

Ash began to walk deeper into the heart of London. As he walked he grew uncomfortable and it felt like he was being watched from the shattered windows above. Every few seconds he would stop and listen hoping to catch the sound of anything. It was hard to believe that at one point these streets would have been packed with people rushing to work and chatting among themselves. Ash wondered what it must have felt like, to have everything normal ripped away and be replaced with hell on earth.

Ash must have been walking for a long time now, at least a few hours and he had found nothing. The color of the sky remained the same and it never got any darker than it already was. Nearly each building was at least half destroyed or had its windows smashed in. Maybe there were looters at the beginning of the apocalypse? There was definitely mass panic as vehicles had crashed into the side of shops, others had flipped over. Ash couldn't shake the heavy feeling of something out of the ordinary. Like any minute he could be pounced on.

Out the corner of his eyes he thought he saw something move in one of the shop windows, he turned and inspected the shop. Ash recognized it well and looked up to see a enormous sign, "S-Mart"The S was slightly hanging off the sign. Ash died a little inside when he saw the state of it. Having worked in one of these places himself it annoyed him when he realized the damage the poor thing had went through. Even though his job had been in a Michigan shop not a London one he couldn't help but grow angry. He felt like he had just lost a close friend. Everyone had always mocked him about how excited he got working in a place that only paid him enough to keep him alive.

"You fucking bastards. You're all going to pay!" Ash cried out.

Something scurried past the shop window disappearing down one of the aisle. The whole back of the shop was swallowed in darkness. Ash wouldn't dare enter, he was unarmed. He knew he shouldn't but he decided to provoke whatever was hiding.

"Come out you cock sucking son of a bitch!"

"I'll suck on your soul!" A demonic beast roared back. It sprinted through one of the front windows that was still intact, glass cut into the overweight demons skin as it exploded onto the pavement in front of Ash. It easily towered above Ash and looked down on him with emotionless eyes.

"Oh come on!" Ash was more fed up then scared. These Deadites had taken everything from him, he had nothing to lose.

The Deadite approached him, but Ash didn't back away. As hard as he could he punched the Deadite in the stomach with his metallic hand hoping that would achieve something. The only reaction Ash got was a small grunt and then a punch in the face which sent him flying backwards into some bins.

The creature chuckled at Ash's misfortune, and started to slowly walk towards him. The creatures legs were thick like tree trunks.

Ash sat up and quickly tried to think of something that might save him, "Were you this fat when you were human?" Ash remarked.

"You don't know when you are beat do you?" The creature lifted it's fist above Ash's head, getting ready to squash it like a bug.

Ash closed his eyes awaiting the inevitable, "Go ahead. Make my day!" The longest seconds of Ash's life past and then a gunshot. He felt a warm familiar liquid drench his face and hair.

He opened his eyes and looked up to see that the arm of the demon had been completely blown off and a angry expression grew on his face. The Deadite turned his head in the direction of the shot. In front of the S-mart stood a woman wearing a worn jacket and blue jeans. She had dark hair, brown eyes and looked to be in her late 30's. Ash recognized the weapon as it was a very similar make to his shotgun he had back in medieval times and at the cabin.

The Deadite seemed shocked and turned his attention to the woman, "You cunt, I will destroy you!" The woman wasn't affected by the Deadite's insults.

"Come on then you fat bitch!" The woman taunted with a British accent, she had her shotgun aimed at the ready with a determined expression. Ash had the feeling this woman knew what she was doing.

The beast began to advance towards her slowly as if her death could wait, "That was the arm I kill with you whore."

The woman aimed the shotgun at the Deadites head, "This is for the last of us" and with that she fired. The top half of the demons head was blown straight off and blood erupted from the temple, covering Ash in one last coat. The Deadites body fell to the ground.

"Thanks.." Ash said half serious half sarcastic because of the mess he was now in.

"No problem, I deal with this shit all the time." She said. She walked over to Ash and stared at him on the ground. She was amused at the state he was in, torn clothes, long beard all while covered in sticky blood. She extended her arm to help him off the ground, Ash accepted and was pulled up.

Ash stood up fairly quickly and studied the woman. She obviously was experienced in killing Deadite scum, she must have adapted to living in a world like this. Even Ash who had fought so many of these creatures, was unnerved at the fact a human being could still be living deep inside the body of the possessed. He tried hard not to think about that as it made the killing easier. Maybe she is with a group?

"Name's Ash, princess." Ash said still trying to be cool, even though in this world that probably won't get you anywhere.

The woman slapped him, "I'm Courtney and don't be calling me princess after I just saved your ass."

Ash held his cheek, "Jesus! Sorry guess I misjudged you kid."

Courtney lifted her hand to slap again, "Did you just call me k-"

"Sorry sorry please, just don't hit me again!" Ash lifted his arms to cover himself.

"Fine, old man" Courtney smiled slyly, Ash grumbled in response.

Ash had enough of this messing around. He had to find a way to get to his own time again. This time hopefully for good. He was sick and tired of always being the victim. The Devils little puppet.

Ash looked almost pleading at Courtney, "Please say you are not out here on your own, you must have a group right?" Ash was sure that she must have a group. Even he couldn't survive out here on his own; a Deadite would probably kill him while he slept.

"Of course I'm with a group!" Courtney said, in a way that made Ash feel like he was the biggest idiot for asking.

Ash rolled his eyes, "Well are you going to lead the way, or are we going to wait for more of those parasites to try something?"

Courtney laughed at his frustration, "Sure and I'll do you one better, we will cut that horrific beard for you."

Ash thought he misheard her, "Do you have designated barbers in your little survival group?"

"Just shut up and follow." And with that she started walking towards the S-mart store. Ash grabbed her shoulder to make her stop.

"What the fuck is wrong with you, the Deadite came from there?" Ash said pulling her closer.

Courtney pushed him back, "Yea, our group is hiding out in the back of the store. If it wasn't for you we would probably be dead by now."

"Oh..." Ash looked on into the dark store past the counters, and stared curiously at the dirty selves. There were no products for sale, all of the shelves had been picked clean.

"Fucking vultures..." Ash muttered not realizing he had thought out loud. Courtney looked at him as if he had completely lost his mind. She noticed that he seemed to be in some sort of trance. He stared at the inside of the store angrily his face was red. Was he about to cry?

"Ummm...Ash?" Courtney broke his trance. Ash blinked to get rid of the tears that infested his eyes. He sniffed and looked down to his feet, not wanting Courtney to see into his eyes he turned away from her.

"I'm going to need a moment..." Ash finally said sounding emotional.

"You shitting me?" Courtney was confused as to why he was so upset. He acted like he just lost a loved one.

Ash didn't respond to Courtney's question and instead just stood there , his back to her. Courtney sighed and placed the shotgun back in the holster that was attached to her backpack. She looked up and down the road to make sure that no Deadites would attack him while he had his moment. She smiled at the thought that people would be looking left and right at a road not long ago, though not for the same reasons. She opened her mouth to speak, but then closed it. He seemed to be in some kind of state, she needed to say the right thing.

"Listen, you take some time to get yourself sorted out. Just come in when you are ready and knock exactly four times on the back door. It has to be exactly four times or else they won't open it. Just look for the red doorknob" Courtney hoped he would say something. But all she got in response was a nod. She couldn't say anything else and shook her head, turned and entered the store.

Ash knew he was losing it, nearly crying, no was crying over a store. But he had worked somewhere so similar and it all just felt like home to him. Ash shook his head. Come on pull yourself together, stop being a wimp. He was sure of one thing, they were going to pay. All of them. Ash turned, his head still down at his feet. He stopped before entering and looked up at the damaged sign one last time, "No more." He hurried into the shop.

The inside smelled like death, as corpses littered the aisle. Plants had grown on the inside and whatever was left began to rot. It took him a while to find the back door as there was no light. Ash didn't really blame them, can't risk giving away their location to a horde from hell. Flies buzzed in the air, obviously attracted to the body's, or the stench of something similar to excrement. It didn't matter the source of the smell. Whatever it was, it made Ash's stomach churn. Eventually Ash made out a red shape in the dark and knocked very faintly on the door four times. Ash half hoped they didn't hear. He didn't know these people, Maybe they were bad news?

The door opened with a creek to reveal a small boy who couldn't have been older than ten. Ash was surprised and questioned why they had a kid on door duty. Then he realized the 9mm that stuck out of the young boy's shorts.

The boy looked past Ash possibly making sure he wasn't followed. He then looked up at him with eyes that reminded Ash of himself, they were brown like his. His hair was also very dirty, not unlike Ash's.

"You Ash?" The boy questioned in a whisper.

Ash thought the kid was trying to make himself sound older then he actually was.

"No, it's Santa Clause. Look is Courtney here or what?"

The young boy seemed puzzled by his sarcastic remark. But he nodded and opened the door all the way to reveal a brightly lit room. He urged with his hand for Ash to follow quickly, "Hurry!"

Ash entered the room and heard the boy close the door behind him locking it as well. The room wasn't that big and was only lit by one light bulb on the ceiling. In one corner of the room there were crates filled with canned food, which might of been the groups main supply. At the back of the room was a door that Ash presumed led to some back alley behind the shop. Ash was confused and looked back at the little boy who stood arms crossed against the door he came in. His eyes were straight forward, like a solider waiting for orders. Ash shrugged and walked towards the door at the end of the room.

"Stop!"

Ash turned to see that the little boy had lifted his pistol and had it aimed at him. Though he did seem to be shaking a little bit, perhaps he had never fired a gun at a person before.

"Look I know you aren't going to shoot me, just tell me what's going on." Ash questioned, unsure if this boy would actually have the guts to fire.

"Courtney said to for you to wait here. So you wait here!" The boy still had the 9 mm aimed, his finger on the trigger.

Ash began to grow curious, "What you all got behind that door that's so special?"

Ash got no response, the boy just stared right at him wide eyed. Though he seemed to have been giving orders, Ash was sure he wasn't capable of going through with them. He decided to take the risk and turned to walk towards the door. He placed his hand on it.

"Hey!"

Ash ignored the boy and opened the door, and was greeted by the smell of the apocalyptic wasteland. He looked up and couldn't believe what he saw. His mouth dropped and a sense of hopelessness filled his body as he looked upon the terrible sight.

"Jesus Christ..."

Groups of tents filled the parking lot that was surrounded by a huge concrete wall. There were many soldiers all of which were carrying assault rifle's and wore riot suits, but that isn't what shocked Ash. What shocked him was the piles and piles of dead body's. All of them seemed to be organised and corpses were being carried out of tents and thrown on the piles. It seemed there was a pile for each large tent. He figured they couldn't risk burning them because that would attract Deadites. Then the smell hit him. The smell of hundreds of dead body's decaying. Ash felt faint and he dropped to his knees and fell down the steps his head landed on a human skull.

Ash woke up in one of the tents, he instantly knew because of the smell still being present. He looked up to see Courtney entering the tent with a cup in her hand she smiled only slightly at seeing him awake. Ash felt a little more safe when he saw her, the soldiers outside were too intimidating.

Courtney approached him and knelt down. She offered the cup, "It's the closest to coffee your going to get around here."

Ash looked at the liquid inside the cup, it looked just like water but with particles of dirt. He was about to refuse but then he realized he couldn't remember the last time he had a drink. He reluctantly took the cup from her.

Courtney's smile was the only thing Ash liked about this place, even if it was a fake one.

"Welcome to zone three."