12:05 am
Alex's heart began to race, worry and concern growing with every passing moment. He quickly got to his feet and made his way to the front of the bus, checking to see if she might have gone outside for some reason. Alex rounded the corner of the nearby building and saw her huddled on the ground. Her body was shaking, and her hands were trembling. A feeling of dread washed over him as he approached her, unsure of what to expect.
"Sara? What are you doing out here alone? It's cold and dangerous."
She was shocked to see him, and she stepped back, "Don't come any closer...please."
Alex stopped in his tracks, seeing the fear in her eyes. He could sense something was wrong, but he didn't know what it was.
"Sara, what's going on? Why don't you want me to come closer?" He asked, confused and concerned.
"Please...stay away from me," she tears up.
Sara, talk to me. You're scaring me. What is it? Did something happen?"
Alex looked at her with worry as he noticed her rolling up her sleeve. He had a gut feeling that something was seriously wrong.
"Sara, wait, what are you doing?"
For a moment, all Alex could do was stare in shock and horror. His mind struggled to process the sight before him. His girlfriend, the girl he loved, was bitten. The sight of the bite mark on her hand sent a wave of disbelief and fear through him. His world felt like it was crumbling around him.
"I'm a monster…" Sara said in fear.
Alex shook his head, tears welling in his eyes. The words hit him like a punch to the stomach. He couldn't believe she would call herself a monster. He took a step closer to her, his voice thick with emotion.
"No. You're not a monster. You're my girlfriend. Don't say that."
Alex saw her eyes turn grey, and he watched in horror as she twitched. He could see the infection taking over, changing her bit by bit. His heart raced and his stomach churned as he realized he was losing her. Unable to hold back his emotions, he blurted out,
"No, no, no. Please, fight it. You can't let it take you. I can't lose you."
"I…c-can't…" she responded in a shaky voice, "it…hurts."
Tears rolled down Alex's cheeks as he watched her struggle against the infection. It was heartbreaking to see her like this. Deep down, he knew there was nothing he could do to save her. He took another step closer, putting a hand on her cheek gently.
"We'll find a way to help you. I can't lose you. Sara…please."
"P-please...end...this...Alex," Sara said pleading softly."
The words stabbed into him like a knife. He couldn't believe what she was asking him to do. The thought of having to do that to someone, let alone the person he loved, seemed impossible.
"No...I can't. I...I can't do that to you. Please, just hold on. We'll find a way. There has to be something we can do." He said frantically.
He wanted to run, to distance himself, but he couldn't bring himself to do it. A part of him still believed he could reach her, save her somehow. So he stood there, his eyes full of tears and his heart heavy.
"Sara...please...don't do this...remember who you are...remember me..."
The sound of her growl sent a chilling shiver down his spine. He saw the infected girl before him, but in his heart, he still saw his girlfriend. His mind was torn between accepting the reality in front of him and holding onto the hope that there was still a part of her left.
Max's voice broke through the nightmarish moment, "Alex!"
Alex turned towards the sound. The sound of Max's voice provided a brief escape from the horror of the situation he was in, if only for a moment. His voice trembled, calling back to Max.
"Max? I'm here! It's Sara. She's...she's infected...and I...I can't..."
Max runs to him, "What happened to her?"
Alex's voice was filled with despair and pain as he spoke to Max.
"I don't know. I found her out here, and...she was infected. She...she asked me to...to end it. I couldn't... I can't.. she's...gone."
His voice cracked as he spoke, barely able to hold himself together as he was torn between shock, grief, and the reality of losing the love of his life. Max looked at Sara with sadness.
"I know it hurts buddy, but she's...she's gone now. If you leave her like this...she'll suffer more. Look...there are tears in her eyes..."
Alex's eyes widened as he looked more closely at Sara's face. Through the blank, lifeless eyes, he could see a reflection of tears. It was a stark reminder that somewhere deep down, her humanity was still fighting.
"I...I know. But I...I can't...I can't do it...I'm not strong enough..."
Max held Alex's shoulders and looked into his eyes sternly but with empathy.
"Listen to me. You have to make a choice even if it hurts. It's either you make her live and suffer more, potentially harming us, or you let her rest in peace. Your choice."
Alex met Max's gaze, the pain and turmoil within him reaching a breaking point. He knew he had to make a decision, as difficult and painful as it may be. Through tears and a broken voice, he spoke.
"I...I have to...let her rest in...in peace..."
Max nods, "Okay…I'll do it for you if you can't. Where is your shotgun?"
Alex hesitated for a moment, feeling a pang of guilt and sadness that it had come to this. He pointed towards a nearby bag, where he had put his shotgun.
"It's....it's over there....in the duffel bag..."
Max stood between Alex and Sara, "Close your eyes, Alex."
Alex closed his eyes, tears streaming down his face. His heart ached as he prepared himself for what was about to happen. Pow! The gunshot echoed through the air, like a final, painful mark to the tragedy that had unfolded. Alex's body trembled as tears streamed down his face, his eyes still closed. His tears fell freely, a mix of grief and relief. He kept his eyes tightly shut, not wanting to look at the aftermath of what they had been forced to do. His voice spoke softly.
"Is...is it done? Is she...gone?"
Max didn't say a word and hugged Alex to comfort him as tears also fell from his own eyes. Alex clung to Max tightly, his body shaking with sobs. The weight of the decision they had made, and the love he had lost, seemed almost unbearable. His voice trembled as he spoke through his tears.
"Why? Why did this happen? Why...to her? She didn't deserve this."
Max said tearfully, "Don't worry, you have to stay strong and live for her."
Max took out a note from his pocket, "She wanted me to give this to you if she happened to turn out this way."
Alex's eyes widened in surprise. He reached out, taking the note with trembling fingers.
"She...she wrote something? For me?"
"Yes. Go somewhere quiet and read it while I take care of her corpse," Max responded.
He found a secluded spot nearby and sat down, holding the note in his trembling hands. He took a deep breath, trying to steady himself before opening it. As his eyes skimmed over the note, written in Sara's familiar handwriting, the tears welled up in his eyes once more. Each word sent a pang of pain through his chest, bringing back the memories of the girl he had lost, but also reminding him of the promise he had made to keep moving forward, no matter how hard the journey may be.
10:30 am
Alex sat beside Sara's grave, tears streaming down his face. He had spent the night crying, his heart heavy with grief over the loss of Sara. As the sun rose above the horizon, his friends gathered around him, offering what comfort they could. Max spoke solemnly, explaining what had happened the previous night and how they had been forced to make the devastating decision to end her life. The group stood silently as Alex wept, the weight of what had happened palpable in the air. Ella wrapped an arm around him, offering silent support.
The group of five, Alex,Ella, Max, Brian, and Jason, rode silently on the bus. The weight of their emotions is still heavy in the air. As they travelled towards the city, they scanned their surroundings for any potential shelter. The city lay ahead, but it was now a place of unknown danger and untold horrors. The future felt uncertain, but they pressed on, determined to find some measure of safety in this nightmare world.
Location 2: Twins' House
The bus pulled up in front of the house where the twins had once lived. The house stood before them, seemingly untouched by the outside world. Brian and Ella both looked at the place, a wave of memories crashing over them. The bus came to a stop, and the group cautiously exited the vehicle, their eyes scanning the surrounding area for any signs of danger. Brian held Ella's hand as they entered the house cautiously. There seems to be no one in the house. Brian ascended the stairs, leaving Jason and Ella alone in the living room. He stood next to Ella, his eyes constantly darting around the room, searching for any signs of danger. The silence in the house felt almost oppressive, and even the thought of what might be lurking in the darkness outside filled them both with unease. Outside of the house, Max and Alex had set off on their mission, desperately searching for any weapons that might help them survive in this perilous world. They searched through abandoned cars and buildings. Back inside the house, Brian came back downstairs with a piece of folded paper in his hand.
"I found this in Mom and Dad's room. It's...a note. I think it's for us."
They opened the note and read it.
"Dear our lovely twins, we are sure you must be terrified at how things have changed as we face this perilous time. We hope you two are safe and still together. We are at a shelter in Sailine City called 'Unit 8', please come to this location and you will find us. If you see soldiers from this unit, follow them."
As they read the note, a mixture of relief and hope washed over them. They knew their parents were alive and now had a tangible goal to work towards. The name of the shelter, "Unit 8" in Sailine City, provided a destination for their journey and a chance at a reunion with their family. However, there was still a sense of uncertainty as they looked at each other, wondering if they would be able to make the long and dangerous journey unscathed.
"Four miles...that's a long way to go. Especially with how dangerous things are now…" Jason said with uncertainty.
Max's voice pierced the heavy silence, cutting through the uncertainty of the moment, "Guys, did you find anything?"
Brian answered, "Yes, a note from my parents. We have to make our way to Sailine City and find this 'Unit 8'."
"Should we also look for your guys' families?" Ella asked.
Alex and Max looked at each other, their expressions reflective of the situation they were in. Alex spoke up.
"We don't have any communication from our families. We don't know if they're safe or...or if they're even alive."
Alex glanced at Jason, who was standing silently nearby. His expression was stoic, but a hint of sadness lingered in his eyes.
"Jason's family was also out of town when the outbreak started. He hasn't heard from them either."
Ella nods in understanding, "Ok, let's go to the shelter then. Maybe you can contact them there."
Alex nodded in agreement, hope swelling within them as they clung to the possibility of finding their families at the shelter.
"Yeah, let's go. We can't afford to stay here any longer. Let's move out."
As everyone was gathering supplies, Ella approached her dresser, her eyes scanning the familiar items laid out on it. She then spotted a framed family photo, a representation of a happier time in their lives.
"Guys," she called out, "wait a second, I want to take this."
She held up the frame, showing the picture of her and Brian with their parents, smiling and carefree. It was a symbol of the family they had lost, and a memory worth holding onto. Jason rushed to help Ella with the items she had gathered, his hands carefully taking the supplies. He glanced at the picture she was holding and offered her a small, reassuring smile.
"It's good to have something to hold onto," he said gently, "A reminder of what we're fighting for," he said with a smile, and gave her a soft kiss, reassuringly.
As Jason and Ella climbed back onto the bus, their interaction was brief but filled with a sense of comfort and support. They both knew the dangers waiting for them outside, and in that moment, the simple gesture of a kiss gave them both a small sense of reassurance and strength. The group pressed on with their journey, their focus undeterred as they navigated the dangerous streets towards the city ahead. The hours passed slowly, the constant tension and uncertainty making it feel like time itself was standing still.
Location 3: Maple Drive
3:15 pm
As the group continued their journey, Max suddenly noticed movement on the road ahead. His eyes widened as he spotted a lone girl desperately trying to escape from a horde of zombies that were closing in on her. Fear and urgency filled Max's voice as he called out to the others.
"Guys, look! There's a girl up ahead, she's in danger!"
The others followed Max's gaze, their hearts sinking as they saw the girl facing the imminent threat. Her face was filled with terror as she scrambled to escape the approaching zombies, her movements desperate and frightened. She looked around their age. Her clothes were tattered, and her hair was in a messy bun. Alex looked at her through the window sympathetically, then spoke to the group.
"We can't just leave her there. But how are we going to get to her with that horde in the way?"
Brian spoke to Alex, "Use your shotgun and aim at the window of that house."
Alex's grip on his shotgun tightened, and he followed Brian's instructions without hesitation. He aimed the weapon at the window of a nearby house, his hands steady and focused. He shot at the window, and the shattering of the glass switched the focus of the zombies. They turned away from the girl and began to move in the direction of the noise. The frightened girl stood frozen in place, watching the zombies redirecting their attention. Max drove the bus closer to her, and the group scrambled to open the doors, preparing to bring her on board. Alex and Brian were quick to aid the girl, their hands reaching out to pull her aboard. The girl stumbled as she climbed in, her legs shaking from fear.
"Are you ok?" Brian asked.
The girl shivered, her eyes wide with terror. She was shaken from the close encounter with the zombies, and it took her a moment to find her voice.
"I-I think so... Thank you," she said, her voice quivering, "I didn't think I'd make it..."
"What's your name?" Ella asked.
"The girl hesitated for a moment before answering, her voice still carrying a hint of anxiousness.
"C-Claire. My name is...Claire."
"Ok, hello Claire. I'm Ella, this is my boyfriend, Jason, that's my twin brother Brian, and those two are Alex and Max." Ella looked at her warmly and asked, "Are you hungry?"
"Yes, I am...I haven't had anything to eat in days..."
"Here's a sandwich," Jason said, handing it to her.
Claire accepted the sandwich, her hands trembling slightly as she unwrapped it. She looked at the sandwich for a moment, her eyes filled with gratitude, and thanked them before taking a small bite.
As the bus continued on its way, the group engaged in conversation with Claire, seeking to learn more about her and her experiences since the outbreak. The tension in the air slowly began to ease as they shared stories and got to know each other better.
5:05 pm
As they approached the 2nd mile, it was getting late. The sky had started to turn a deep shade of indigo, signaling the approach of nightfall. The journey had been taxing on all of them, both physically and emotionally. As they reached the second-mile mark, the group was aware that they needed to find a place to rest for the night before continuing to the city.
The bus halted in front of a nearby shopping mall, its normally vibrant exterior now battered and ruined. The glass windows shattered, and the doors were forced open. The scene spoke of the chaos and violence that had gripped the world since the outbreak. The group looked at the mall, taking in the sight of the ransacked building and the ominous atmosphere that surrounded it.
"Let's go inside," Max said firmly as he took the lead.
The others exchanged glances, unease and uncertainty in their expressions, but they nodded in agreement. The night was falling rapidly, and the mall, despite its ruined state, offered some shelter from whatever dangers might be lurking in the darkness. They slowly took their belongings, preparing to enter the shopping mall and make camp. The group moved cautiously through the mall, their footsteps echoing in the empty halls. They searched through the broken stores, rummaging through the debris in search of anything that might be of use. They split up to do a wider search. The place was a chaotic mess of toppled shelves, broken glass, and scattered merchandise. Despite the disarray, they managed to find some essentials - a few cans of food, some medical supplies, and even a couple of flashlights. It wasn't much, but it was enough to make the night slightly more bearable.
7:20 pm
Alex and Ella were currently asleep in a small antique shop, while Jason was awake, waiting for Max, Brian, and Claire. He suddenly heard Clarie scream in the distance, and the others woke up. Their hearts pounded in their chests as they rushed toward the source of the scream, desperately hoping that they would find Claire unharmed. The sight of Max and Claire frantically running down the corridor, followed closely by a horde of zombies, sent a chilling wave of panic through the group. Max's voice rang out, filled with warning and desperation, as he shouted for them to run.
"Run! Don't stop! Just run!"
Without wasting a moment, the group spun around and bolted in the opposite direction, hearts pounding in their chests. They ran as fast as their legs could carry them, the sounds of shuffling footsteps and growls growing louder as the horde of zombies closed in on them. Jason noticed that Ella was struggling to keep up, her pregnancy weighing her down and tiring her faster than the rest. Without a word, he quickly scooped her into his arms, putting her on his back and allowing her to rest her weight on him. The look in his eyes was a mix of determination and protectiveness as he continued to run. Brian, Alex, and Claire were still running, the pounding of their footsteps filling the air as they fled from the approaching horde. Claire, in her panicked state, suddenly realized that Max was no longer beside her. She looked around, her heart skipping a beat, as she tried to spot him amidst the chaos. The group halted their frantic sprint, the sudden stop jolting them in place. The sound of Claire's desperate call for Max filled the air, and the group exchanged glances at one another, a mixture of worry and confusion on their faces as they looked around the dark for Max.
They then heard Max's voice, "Go! I'll hold them off!"
The group exchanged worried glances as they heard his words, knowing that he was intending to buy them time by holding back the horde.
Jason shouted, "Max, no! You can't hold them off alone!"
"Go! Protect Ella and the others! I can handle myself!" Max exclaimed as he tried to fight the zombies.
The group looked at one another, a mixture of emotions written across their faces. The situation was dire, and the choice they had to make was tearing them apart. Jason's grip on Ella tightened, his protective instincts flaring up as he considered Max's words. Alex and Brian also looked conflicted, not wanting to leave Max behind but knowing they had to ensure the safety of the group.
"We can't just...leave Max alone...can we?" Claire said worriedly.
Brian's face was a mask of worry and thought as he wrestled with the decision. His eyes flicked from Max to the approaching horde, his mind searching for options. After a moment, he met Jason's gaze, his voice shaky but resolute.
"We... we don't have much of a choice. We have to get to safety... We can't risk everyone's lives trying to save him."
As the group rushed deeper into the mall, the sounds of Max's battle grew more distant. The silence that settled around them was filled with a mix of guilt and fear. The group huddled together, their eyes fixed on the entrance they had just come through. They stood there, the minutes passing by slowly, but there was no sign of Max. The silence that hung in the air was deafening, each second filled with a mixture of worry, hope, and an ever-growing sense of dread.
Jason looks at his watch, "It's been 15 minutes...and he still hasn't come out..."
Alex, who was silent for a while, turned to face the group. There was a mixture of determination and worry on his face. He spoke, his voice resolute.
"I'm going back for Max. I can't just leave him behind. He saved us. He held them off so we could escape. I have to try. He was...the one who helped me when Sara was infected...I can't just leave him."
Jason spoke, filled with concern and a hint of desperation, "Alex, it's too dangerous. You can't go back there alone."
Jason stood up and was about to go with Alex, but Ella grabbed his arm. He looked down, saw the worry in her eyes, and sighed. The determination to go save Max still burned within him, but the look in her eyes made him waver. He turned to Alex, who still looked uncertain, but his determination was clear.
"You don't have to wait on me. When I see Max, we'll all meet at the shelter, okay? Later," Alex said with a smile.
He took his duffel bag, with his shotgun and tools, and walked inside alone. He was determined to save Max.
The group watched as Alex walked away, their hearts heavy with concern but also hope. They knew Alex was capable, but the dangers he was about to face were unimaginable. After a moment, Claire broke the silence, her voice nervous yet hopeful.
"Let's just hope he can get Max back safely."
Their fatigue and the weight of the day's events were catching up to them. They found a nearby building that seemed relatively secure and set up camp for the night, their hearts filled with a mixture of hope and worry for Max and Alex.