Rapid Z

3. Twelve Hours and Counting

There were 20 inmates and a guard named Clyde left in the dining area. Among them, eight prisoners, including Jalen, were still in handcuffs. The key Clyde had couldn't be used, which frustrated Jalen.

Last night, Jalen hadn't seen clearly who put the handcuffs on him. Now, he had no idea where that guard was. Was he really dead, or maybe he managed to escape?

With his hands in handcuffs, Jalen couldn't move freely.

Jalen approached the window with iron grills. He had walked back and forth countless times. This time, his gaze focused on the prison yard.

It was eerily quiet outside.

"What should we do?" Chip suddenly appeared beside Jalen.

They had been in the dining area for over 12 hours, but there were no signs of a rescue team.

None of the prisoners dared to open the door. Outside, growls and screams could still be heard. If they wanted to evacuate, Jalen had no idea where to go.

Bankcrook Prison was vast.

"It seems like we have to wait," replied Jalen.

If something happened in Bankcrook, the central government would surely know. They might come with a rescue team soon.

However, Jalen needed to figure out how long it would take.

Using a helicopter would take three hours, based on his own experience. Meanwhile, he had yet to learn how long they could hold out.

If what Rat had said was accurate and the people outside had turned into living dead, Jalen couldn't fathom what they should do.

As in the myths, it would spread quickly. If more than 2500 people were infected, regardless of the cause, it would be a horrifying terror.

"There's a communication tower over there," Jalen pointed with his chin. "Where is it?"

"Oh, that? In Complex 2, buildings E, F, G, H. We are in complex 1, buildings A, B, C, and D," Chip replied.

"Straightforward naming," commented Jalen.

Chip looked puzzled. "What would you name them then?"

Jalen glanced at the figure beside him. "I don't know, maybe Kappa, Omega, something like that."

"This is a prison, man, not a sorority."

A small chuckle escaped Jalen. It was a dry joke that amused him, at least for the past three days. It made Jalen feel a little better.

"Why are you asking about the tower?" inquired Chip.

"Because there must be a communication centre. We can ask for help," Jalen replied.

"Hey, Jail... all the exits are controlled by automatic doors. Even if the power is out, it still shut."

Jalen suddenly grew curious. He approached Clyde, thinking he might know something. Yes, he must know something.

Clyde became alert when Jalen approached, covering his face with his arms.

"I-I didn't do anything," the young man stammered in fear.

Jalen squatted beside Clyde. There was an unpleasant odour in the air – the smell of dried urine.

"Listen, there's something I want to ask, and you have to answer honestly," said Jalen.

"Ab-about what?"

"Where is the control room for the automatic doors in this building? Do you know?"

Clyde lowered his arms. "Yes, I know."

"I need to go to complex 2, find the communication centre, and ask for help."

"But, you can't go there. To complex 2, I mean."

One of Jalen's eyebrows raised. "Why not?"

"The way to complex two has two gates. One controlled from here, and the other in complex 2."

'Thud'

Jalen hit the floor in frustration. It made Clyde jump in surprise.

"Oh God! Why is it so difficult!" Jalen exclaimed.

"There's a communication room in this building," continued Clyde. His trembling hand pointed downward. "On the first floor."

"Can we communicate with the people in the centre?"

Clyde shook his head. "Only with complex 2."

"Okay." Jalen stood up.

Then Jalen resumed pacing, thinking of ways for them to get out of there. Not from the main door of the dining area – it certainly wasn't safe. He didn't want to take the risk.

Jalen's eyes caught the counter usually used to place food. Due to the many prisoners, the kitchen was separated from the dining area. Then, it was distributed.

Through where?

Why hadn't he thought of that before?

Jalen quickly approached the wall opposite the counter. The walls were lined with aluminium. There were partitions made just for design purposes.

Jalen pressed the edges of each partition, hoping to find something.

'Clack'

The sound of a partition opening was heard. Apparently, it was a connecting door.

Jalen's eyes widened in disbelief.

The other prisoners rushed inside, their voices buzzing like a swarm of bees. Chip immediately pressed his finger against his lips, signalling them to be quiet.

"How did you know there was a room there?" Chip asked.

Jalen shook his head. "I didn't. Just following my instincts."

Jalen's fingers slowly opened the door, peeking cautiously into the room on the other side. It turned out to be the kitchen.

Apparently, no one was there.

Jalen jumped into the kitchen and walked carefully past the lined-up cabinets. He pulled a chair to hold the kitchen door handle.

Jalen raised both hands, signalling that the room was safe.

The inmates rushed inside and started searching the entire kitchen.

Their main goal was to fill their stomachs. They grabbed pudding drinks from the fridge.

Some other prisoners searched for weapons to defend themselves – knives, pans, anything they could use.

"No!" a shout came from the dining area.

Everyone froze because his voice could attract danger from outside.

Jalen rushed to the connecting door, seeing the big guy pressing a gun against Clyde's head. Jalen didn't know that the weapon was in the hands of this stubborn prisoner.

Jalen jumped through the connecting door, running silently, and then he tackled the big guy's body. They rolled on the floor, struggling with each other.

A powerful punch landed on Jalen's face.

'Smack!'

Jalen retaliated with both hands.

'Thwack!'

However, the big guy kept raining Jalen with punches. Jalen had to defend himself using both arms.

'Click'

The sound of a gun c*****g could be heard.

The big guy froze as the gun's muzzle pressed against his temple.

Clyde, with trembling hands, aimed the gun at him.

"Stop, or I'll blow your head off!"