Streetlights were set up everywhere to make sure that the place was fully illuminated at night. It was what allowed those who took shelter in ATU to stay safe after sunset. Still, the survivors made sure to barricade the windows of their home with whatever materials they had on hand. They did not want to risk the chance of letting any infected in.
As such, security at the entrance was especially enforced. It was wide to allow many students to pass through and there was an iron gate made of black, vertical bars that would slide in place to block entry when needed. However, it wasn’t safe enough for the survivors. So, a yellow school bus reinforced using sheets of metal was parked there.
“Are you really going?” [Jessica]
Jessica worriedly asked Ryner at the entrance.
“The pay is good and it’ll earn some trust from the group.” [Ryner]
“But…” [Jessica]
“We already checked yesterday to see if anyone here would stir up trouble. Also, Terry said he’ll keep an eye out, so it’ll be fine.” [Ryner]
“… Right.” [Jessica]
Sensing that their conversation was over, Terry walked over to the two. Besides them, there were also Maggie, Madeline and a few other survivors who were stationed at the gate.
“The place the team is at can’t be reached by a bike or any vehicle, so you’ll have to leg it. Are you ready?” [Terry]
“Yeah. If speed’s the essence, then I’ll be traveling light. Thanks for the new clothes, by the way.” [Ryner]
“Uh, sure…” [Terry]
Ryner said to an awkward Terry as he checked his backpack one last time. He had received a set of clean clothes for the mission and was wearing a blue T-shirt, black shorts and running shoes. On his right thigh was a brown holster for a magnum revolver, the new gun that was promised. It had a metallic white body, a black grip and the cylinder could chamber six rounds.
Moreover, strapped around his hips was a black fanny pack with the bag hanging on his left and crammed full of bullets. Also, attached to his left forearm was a black, homemade knife sheath that he had crafted earlier in the day. Stored inside was the butterfly knife that Carmelita had angrily given him. He was geared up for a fight. But, it wasn’t the reason why Terry or everyone else present were giving him strange looks.
“…” [Terry]
“What?” [Ryner]
“Uhh, yeah, sorry, it’s nothing.” [Terry]
Multiple crisscrossing scars were visible on his exposed limbs, which annoyed him somewhat. It also caused people to view him differently, Jessica included. However, given the warm weather and how he would be running a long distance, he ignored it.
“I already informed the team that you’ll be coming to help them, Ryner. Stay in contact with your phone.” [Terry]
“Got it.” [Ryner]
Ryner turned on his black, rectangular smartphone that had a touchscreen, making sure that it worked before stuffing it in a pouch attached to the left strap of his backpack.
“You’ll look after Jessica so no one bothers her?” [Ryner]
“Of course. I won’t say anything bad about Rowan out of respect for his skills and, mostly Carmelita, but people like him have already been kicked out.” [Terry]
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The large man nodded to his question. He had heard from Omari what happened to Ryner and Jessica at the Caravans and was firmly on their side.
“Then, I’m off.” [Ryner]
“Good luck.” [Terry]
Terry signaled his people guarding the entrance. They confirmed that there was no zombie in the vicinity. The driver inside the bus started the engine and moved a meter forward, creating a narrow passage for a person to go through. Ryner quickly used it to exit the campus and sprinted away.
“Whoa.” [Survivor]
“That’s fast!” [Survivor]
Some of the survivors exclaimed, surprised when they saw him run like the wind.
“Damn, he’s as fast as a leopard. Looks like you made the right choice, Terry.” [Maggie]
“Of course he did, Mag.” [Madeline]
“Could you girls stop buttering me up? I’m not a professional wrestler anymore, so you don’t need to keep acting like my fans.” [Terry]
“No way! We’ll always be your fans!” [Maggie]
“The Terror of Terran knows no end!” [Madeline]
As Terry and the twins exchanged banter, Jessica prayed silently for Ryner’s safety and vowed to become stronger before his return.
Ryner ran through the streets of the city. He ignored, sprinted pass or shoved aside any zombie he encountered. If there were too many in his way, he would either take a detour or run on top of cars. The undead could not keep up with him or even react in time. The only time he stopped was to look at the map on his smartphone or decide a new route.
“Ryner, right?” [Survivor]
“Yeah, it’s me. Can you talk?” [Ryner]
A woman’s voice could be heard coming from his phone. Since Terry had put him in contact with the team that he needed to rescue, he was calling them to check their current condition.
“Yeah, we’re good here.” [Survivor]
“Still haven’t moved from your last position?” [Ryner]
“Haven’t. We’ve hunkered down in a house on M7 Prototype Street. Things are alright for now. I’ll tell you if we need to bug out.” [Survivor]
“Okay, I’m on my way.” [Ryner]
Ryner talked to the woman as he navigated the streets of Alpha Prototype. It was then that he saw something ahead of him that made him slow down.
“Hey, there’s a tank in the middle of the road.” [Ryner]
He said, surprised.
“Probably what’s left of when the army passed through that route. You can find some military grade supplies if you search their convoys, but don’t you DARE do it now. One of us is injured and the other’s in bad shape. Get to us quickly or I’ll haunt you when I die.” [Survivor]
She kindly explained, though the last part sounded rather threatening.
“I won’t, just…” [Ryner]
“What?” [Survivor]
“Is it normal that the tank is beat up?” [Ryner]
Ryner asked. When he got closer, he saw that the military vehicle was completely broken. The thick plating was dented at several places, the caterpillar tracks were busted and the cannon was twisted and utterly bent. Moreover, there were claw marks that had managed to tear through the armor. A copious amount of dried blood was left on the olive green paint. It wasn’t hard to imagine that the passengers did not make it.
“Zombies can’t do this kind of damage. Not even that Reaper Zombie I saw.” [Ryner]
Ryner remarked. Some of the dents appeared as if they were made by a huge fist.
“Eeek!” [Survivor]
“Shh! It’s okay! Relax!” [Survivor]
He heard the voice of another, perhaps younger, woman in the background through his phone with his interlocutor calming her down.
“There are worse mutated types out there, but if I had to guess, what you’re seeing is probably the handiwork of the strongest mutations.” [Survivor]
“The strongest?” [Ryner]
“Yeah… Nightmare Zombies.” [Survivor]
She uttered, actually sounding scared.
“Bastards are the reason why no one goes out after sunset, and why the army that came to help got decimated. Without them around, this whole mess we’re in would have been mopped up already.” [Survivor]
She said somberly.
“But of course, our soldiers turned some parts of my city into a warzone, got wiped out and left me stranded here. Now, my life is relying on a single newcomer because Terry judged it better than sending a whole team.” [Survivor]
She complained in a sarcastic tone.
“Not my fault. He thought I was your best bet. I just accepted for the free smartphone and gun. Oh, and the ammo.” [Ryner]
“Lucky me. Just… Help us get back home. Please.” [Survivor]
“Got it. I’ll be there before the end of the day.” [Ryner]
She pleaded tiredly, almost helplessly, to which Ryner answered confidently. He then spent several hours running down the streets, avoiding infected and climbing over blockades of piled up vehicles that looked like a massive car accident happened and clogged up the road.
And like so…
“Phew, I’m here!” [Ryner]
“That was fast!” [Survivor]
He arrived at his destination, sweaty and out of breath.
“It took us more than a day to get here!” [Survivor]
“Did you run all the way without a break?” [Ryner]
“… Good point. Get in.” [Survivor]
Although there were no zombies in sight, talking while standing in front of the door was a bad idea. As such, though somewhat skeptical, the survivor whom Ryner had been talking to on the phone, a black-haired woman, ushered him inside the house.
“Thanks for coming… And welcome to Psycho territory.” [Survivor]
Item of interest
Fanny pack:
- A small bag with straps that can be attached around the waist.
- Has several pouches to store items within hand’s reach, like bullets.
- The origin of the name is rather interesting.