Planet Earth: Dead

Friends and Foes

I stay hidden in the shadows as I approach the crash site. Suddenly, gunfire filled the air, and I heard screams.

"DIE YOU BASTARDS!"

A strong and powerful voice yelled, followed by more gunfire.

"Hey man! I can't carry this alone you dumbass!!"

As I got closer, I noticed a man struggling to carry the package delivered by helicopter. He was then assisted by another man who walked alongside him.

The three men are armed. One is shooting zombies, while the other two are loading the package behind their truck. However, before they closed the back of their truck, I noticed that there were people inside. They are restrained by handcuffs and have their mouth muffled.

One of the hostages attempted to flee by slamming the door open. But as soon as she stepped outside, she tripped and fell to the ground.

"You're not going anywhere hotshot!"

One of the men who helped load the package behind the truck yelled as he raised his handgun and pointed it at the hostage.

"Going somewhere, hun?"

Said the man who was shooting at the zombies.

The hostage, a young lady, was terrified and helpless. As the two men approach her, the terror in her eyes becomes visible.

I took a stance and raised my sniper rifle, aiming at one of the kidnappers' heads. As I pulled the trigger, his head popped and blood splattered all over him.

"WHAT THE HELL?!"

The kidnapper, who was approaching the young lady, screamed, perplexed by what had occurred. I immediately targeted his head and shot him. His lifeless body falls to the ground, drenched in his own blood.

The last of the kidnappers fled in fear. But he didn't get very far before being tackled and bit on the neck by a zombie. His terrified screams filled the air as the zombie devoured him to death.

The young lady was taken aback by her confusion and fear. However, she immediately attempted to stand up and approach one of the nearby dead bodies in order to obtain the keys and free herself.

Unfortunately, more zombies began to appear out of nowhere as they approached the scene. The young lady retreated and returned to the truck, closing its doors with the other survivors.

The zombies swarmed the truck, slamming it with their hands.

The hostages may have information about the helicopter. If that's the case, they'll probably know where I can find the military base. But this isn't the place to discuss it. If I can get to the truck, I might be able to start it and drive away to a safer location.

I scanned the area and devised a plan. If I can blend in with the zombies once more, I'll be able to assassinate them quickly and quietly.

As I approached the truck, I stepped out of the shadows and drew my dagger, confident in my plan. Killing zombies silently who get in my way. It was a complete bloodbath as I hacked their heads and slashed their skulls.

Until I finally arrived at the truck and climbed into the driver's seat. I sighed. A zombie appeared out of nowhere. It sniffed the air before joining the other zombies slamming into the back of the truck.

The keys to the truck are still in the ignition. I start the engine and step on the gas without thinking about where I'm going. Driving away from the horde of zombies in the hope of finding a safer location.

Is there even a safer place?

I pulled over under a bridge after what seemed like an hour on the road.

I take a look around to see if there are any potential threats. Everything appears to be quiet at the moment. So I silently climbed the truck's roof, carefully approaching the back edge.

The back door of the truck slowly opens, and the young lady from earlier emerges, puzzledly looking around.

As I raised my sniper rifle towards her, I whispered.

"Don't move."

She looks at me, stunned. She takes a step back, raising her hand.

"Please don't hurt us.."

"I'm not here for trouble, unless you do anything stupid." I said.

The young lady is still stunned and appears to be loss for words.

"Tell the others to come out. I just want to talk."

I continued to point my sniper rifle at her.

"How can we assure you're not gonna hurt us if you're still pointing that thing to my face?" she asked.

"Well, if one of you comes out with a gun and attempts to shoot me, I'll make sure you die first." I said firmly.

With no other choice, she motions for the other survivors to come out.

The survivors slowly stepped out of the truck, their hands raised, unarmed. Fear pervades the air, and the expressions on their faces reveal terror.

Aside from the young lady, the group also includes an elderly couple, a man wearing glasses, and a woman with short blonde hair.

"What happened back there?" I asked.

As I lowered my gun, their expressions changed from fear to relief.

"Wait, you're the one who shot them.." the young lady said,

"I-I'm sorry.... My ex-boyfriend, Merlin, sent them to find me. We were living in a mall in Manila. I tried to escape from him, and these people joined me. But once we were on the road, his men chased and caught us. We tried to fight back, which is why they had us cuffed and gagged. We were about to go back when they saw the chopper and followed it." she continued.

She does not appear to be lying.

"Who shot the rocket then?" I asked.

"It's inside the truck with us; I'm not sure which of the three of them did it, but they left it there." she replied,

"And y-you.... Who are you? Why did you saved me? Saved us?"

The young lady and the others appear to be harmless. So I jumped down before speaking, but I was still on guard for what might happen.

"I'm looking for my sister." I said,

"I wonder if you know anything about the chopper and where it came from."

The old man takes a step forward and responds.

"I think I know where it came from...." he said,

"I used to work as a mechanic in the Philippine Air Force. I know all of the military bases have been overrun, but I know they have a secret base in the middle of the ocean, somewhere in the West Philippine Sea. It's a massive ship with a variety of planes and choppers. But I'm not sure because I really couldn't tell if it came from there. I already have poor vision. I didn't see the chopper clearly."

"It's very likely that there are survivors over there." I replied.

I think it'll take a while before I get to that ship.

"And where you guys supposed to be heading when you escaped?" I asked the young lady.

"I also have a sister, and we're on our way to her place in Quezon City; we communicate via walkie talkie. She lived in a well-boarded house our parents used to own; she got supplies and had kept herself safe." she replied.

I nod, as the tension in the air had already subsided.

"I see.. Well, I hope you arrive safely. I apologize if I startled you all. I should get going." I said as I began to walk away.

"Wait!" exclaimed the young lady.

I stopped.

"You said you're looking for your sister," the young lady explained, "and if you come with us and we arrive safely at my sister's house, we'll help you find yours."

"I can find her on my own," I said as I walked away.

"There's a better chance you'll find her faster if you're with us; two heads are better than one!" she said as she began to follow me.

I paused and turned around.

"You want me to drive you to your sister's house and then you'll help me?" I asked, despite my doubts about her true intentions.

"Yes, I promise. We just need you to... Protect us until we get there. Please, I couldn't protect them all alone. We were caught, and no one can defend themselves like you do," the young lady said, trying to persuade me to join them.

"Okay.... Here's the deal. If I help you get to your sister's house, you'll help me find my sister. If you break the deal, I'll probably have to kill all of you and steal your resources. Is it a deal?" I threatened them.

"O-okay, it's a deal," she sighed, "by the way, my name is Carmela."

"Rory," I replied.

We returned to the group after the deal was completed. After that, Carmela introduced me to the other survivors. Billy and Lily are the elderly couple, Jax, the guy with glasses, and Shelley, the woman with short blonde hair.

"Aren't you going to take off your mask?" Carmela asked, clearly intrigued by my face.

I gave her a cold stare.

"S-sorry," she said.

After that, everyone boarded the truck again. Carmela provided me with the precise location of our destination. Fortunately, I am familiar with the city. I stepped on the gas and drove away as zombies began to appear.

What a day.