The Resort

Erik rounded the corner and ran down the darkened hallway. The howls of pursuit reverberated around him, distorted and ragged. His legs burned and his breath came as jagged gulps, but he didn't dare let up. Erik's shirt clung to him, though he couldn't tell if it was sweat or blood causing it to stick to his skin. He quietly prayed it was sweat, though a part of his mind was certain it was Lisa's blood. They had been hiding out in a maintenance closet since things had gone crazy, only venturing out to scavenge for food and water or to dump the bucket they'd been using for waste out. Lisa had convinced him that things probably had quieted down enough that they could risk a run to the marina, maybe find a boat and get the hell off the island. She was the first out the door when they decided to go.

The maniacs were waiting. The gaff hook swung out of a darkened doorway as soon as Lisa had started down the hall, catching her in the throat and sending a great gout of blood splashing across the wall. Erik had panicked, feeling the hot blood and hearing the sudden cacophony of voices as the attackers surged out of their hiding spots, fear overriding conscious thought. Erik ran without looking back.
He and Lisa had been on their honeymoon. Panting, Erik leaned back against the darkened soda machine. His pursuit had gone quiet, though now Erik had no idea where he was. The resort was huge, with multiple multistory buildings connected by sky bridges making up the core of the resort and a dozen smaller out buildings orbiting like a constellation of restaurants, spas, and gift shops. Erik wasn't sure which tower he was in. He had been midway up tower B when Lisa and he had set out, but in his panicked haste he had just run without any notice of where he was going. What felt like a lexan sheet was screwed to the wall next to the soda machine and Erik was sure it was a map, but he had no light source with him. Lisa had been carrying their lone flashlight. Lisa, who had wanted to save their honeymoon money and put it towards their first home instead. Lisa, who they had torn apart before she had even stopped screaming, the horrible tearing sounds chasing after Erik as he ran.
Wracked by sobs, Erik crumbled to the floor. A howl tore down the hallway, silencing Erik's sobs and sending him scrambling into the darkness again. Some light from the atrium made it this deep down the halls, casting everything in dark shades of grey. Erik ran with everything he had, hoping to reach a sky bridge and cut across to tower A, which opened to the marina at the lobby level. Rounding another corner, Erik saw the distinct sign for the sky bridge directing him ahead. He never saw the barbed wire noose that slipped over his head, but he did hear the uproarious cheers as the atm machine tied to the other end of the wire was pushed off the edge into the atrium. He didn't even have time to scream before the wire bit deep, slicing into his throat as it dragged him rapidly towards the edge. He barely registered the faces that shot past, people who he might have previously shared dinner with or caught one of the star-studded shows with. Now they were twisted in horrible glee, bloodied and torn through their own barbarism and madness. Blacking out, Erik felt himself go suddenly weightless as he shot out from the walkway and followed the atm to the atrium floor. He was unconscious when his body hit the jumbled piles of shattered machinery and ruined bodies that already littered the floor. The roar of triumph from the assembled maniacs echoes through the war-torn resort, summoning others to join and others, fewer by far, to find better hiding spots.

Friday, A week before...

Alex couldn't wait. He and Sam had been talking about taking a vacation for years, but both had kept finding reasons to put it off. Either work or writing would always provide a handy excuse to put it off till now. Now, Sam had been put on sabbatical at work while they renegotiate their contract with their publisher and Alex's latest assignment had been a puff piece about the mayor and he'd already submitted it to his editor. They had a week off together and alex had pushed hard for them to do something with it. They both needed the break. Sam had mentioned being curious about the new all-inclusive that had been popping up in his feed lately and alex had impulsively bought their plane tickets and booked them a room for the week. Sam had been shocked, but quickly blossomed into overjoyed excitment. They were really doing this! Now, Alex and Sam were sitting on their flight, cruising to their connecting flight that would take them to the island. Alex felt the small bulge in his coat pocket and smiled for the easily the hundredth time. This was going to be the perfect vacation. Saturday
"Come on, if we miss breakfast I swear I will throw your ass in the pool!" Sam yells as he pounces. Alex is still groggily pushing himself up in bed as sam straddles him.
"You know you can order breakfast anytime, right? And it's free? Thus the whole concept of all-inclusive?" Alex runs his hands over his face to wipe the sleep away and sits up, thrusting his face right up to Sam's for a kiss.
"No sir, you don't get to distract me by being sexy when you wake up. Orientation is at 9:30 and I don't want to miss it or the breakfast they're serving. Now get up!" Sam is up and in the bathroom before Alex can finish grumbling. The crowd at orientation is almost comical in their stereotypes. Alex quickly notes their co-attendees by their tropes - Texas businessman and big haired wife, jimmy buffet wannabe and his overly tanned wife, angsty euro dude and his small army of hanger ons, the adorable newlyweds just oozing hearts and rainbows…and, to be fair, he and alex, the gay professional power couple. Shaking his head at his own cynicism, Alex had to grin. Maybe he needed this vacation more than he realized. He was still grinning when sam elbowed him in the side to get him paying attention to their host.
"As I said, I'm Mr. Sloat and I'll be your guide today as we go through everything the Excelsior has to offer." Sloat beamed at them, his perfect orthodontistry on full display as he started into his pitch. "The excelsior is an exclusive private resort catering to you, our guests. We're currently in Titan, or tower A, which is our…"
"Right, right, thats great, but where is our breakfast? I don't know about this lot, but I could kill for a bloody Mary." Euro dude interrupted.
 "Ahh…mr…kellen, yes? Breakfast is on its way, I assure you. As are any other refreshments you may require, no murder necessary!" Sloat let the interruption roll right off him. Alex had to give him credit as the group around him, including Mr kellen, chuckled along with his shtick. Alex let his attention wander as Sloat carried on his spiel and Sam sat at rapt attention. Alex was pretty sure Sam had already plotted out every minute of their vacation and likely knew as much as their host at this point, but he let Sam enjoy it. This was how Sam relaxed, Alex knew. Looking around, Alex had to admit it was an impressive resort. Brand new construction, state of the art facilities, and the whole island had been painstakingly shaped, landscaped, and polished to provide endless entertainment for the well to do who vacationed here. And, best of all, no children. The island had a strict 18 and older guest policy. That had been the decider, the idea of a week by the pool without screaming kids or frazzled parents intruding on their peace. The tour group broke up after the tour and Alex was very ready to grab lunch, the breakfast service having been nice but a bit light. Sam kissed him before splitting off, wanting to quickly visit the little pharmacy in tower c's lobby before meeting back up at the poolside cafe. Alex smiled as he watched Sam walk away.
"Fucking fags…" Texas businessman was standing nearby, the contempt on his face plain and projected.
"Don't know why they let sinners like yo.." He never got to finish, as he suddenly double over clutching his thigh. Mr kellen stood just beside him, cigarette between his fingers. Alex could see a neat little burn on Texas' expensive slacks.
"Do you know…?!" Texas stammered.
 "Who you are? Fuck'nah, mate. But dunno need to to spot a fucking twat. Fuck off already, eh?"