Chapter 14 Chapter Fourteen - Trapped Within The House (1/2)

The thick ivy vines had covered the windows and the doors leading in and out of the large building, which had plunged them into near darkness, but the vines had not yet attempted to enter the property.This was of little comfort to Dexter and his squad as they could not be sure that they had cleared out all of the zombies yet.For sure, the four they had found wandering the ground floor had been dealt with, though it was a close call with that last one, but that did not mean there were not more trapped in rooms elsewhere.The bodies had been left where they had fallen as well.

Ren Zexian had been first to notice that the vines were entrapping them and swiftly managed to escape their grasp and flee, much to Tyler's disdain.He'd never wanted to bring the strange Asian man with them in the first place!He kept his thoughts to himself, however, knowing that Dexter had taken a liking to the man, due to his strength and powers.

”What do we do now,” Patrick asked, with a whisper.They had become trapped in a large reception room with plush seating and cashmere rugs, so were sitting around comfortably, but unable to truly enjoy.They had noticed a flat screen television mounted upon a wall and stereo system as well, but without electricity, these were just rubbing salt in their wounds.

”Sit tight,” Dexter replied.”I suspect Ren Zexian has some sort of plan.He said something about the plants protecting the owner so…”

”Do you think they thought we would hurt that kid?” Patrick asked, after thinking about it for a moment.Ren Zexian had said he thought the boy to be around nineteen, but he could not be sure.

”You know you are talking about plants here right?” Tyler said, scornfully.”Plants aren't exactly sentient.”

”You are claiming that after everything that we've witnessed so far?” Dexter laughed at him.”Dead men walking? Zombie cattle?Me producing lightning at my fingertips and you doing the same with water?”

Tyler backed down, quietly, but refused to admit that he was wrong.

”We could try cutting the vines down, somehow?” Winston suggested and Tyler nodded in agreement with him, not that anyone could see him in this lacklustre light.

”Nah, Ren said earlier not to touch the plants,” Patrick disagreed.

”He probably said that so we didn't set them off,” Tyler said.”But, we're past that, don't you think.”

”Quieten down,” Dexter said with a heavy sigh.”Just give Ren a chance to get back to us.Five minutes, Tyler, just five minutes, alright?”Tyler's eyes narrowed but he agreed out loud.

Five minutes can seem like an eternity when waiting, unable to see properly and listening only to the breaths of others, but the moment Tyler felt as if he had been waiting enough, the vines began to part and light poured in through the glass once more.All of the men winced due to the brightness and offered deep sighs of relief.

The door to the living room opened and Ren Zexian calmly walked through it, his hands behind his back as if he had simply returned from a stroll.He was not alone.A skinny youth with chestnut hair falling about his pale face entered in the wake of the man's shadow and didn't seem willing to appear out from it.”This is Nathan, the descendant of the property's owner.Nathan spoke to the vines, they should remain still, for now.”