21 Days

VII: City's Remains

     Jay stepped on the gas after making sure that everyone is inside the car. The wheels made a screeching noise as the engine fired up and Jay didn’t hesitate going on max speed in attempt to leave the area as quick as possible as more zombies have now gathered to the parking area of the school.

                It was really nerve wracking. Although Jay is good with cars and has the experience in driving, during that situation, he felt scared than the usual. He’s always been confident and fearless but things have changed.

                His priority is to leave the area and not let these things block their way. Their masses could destroy the car windows and force themselves inside, that means getting devoured—all of them.

                “Watch out!” Jean yelled as he pointed out the zombies that were blocking the way. Jean was grabbing on the handle attached on the roof of the car as the ride was bumpy because of those beings jumping on their way and end up getting run over by the car.  

                “Wear your seatbelts.” Jay said, his jaw clenched as he maneuvered the car difficultly.

                Jay kept avoiding and accidentally hitting some of the zombies that would approach them. The others felt like they were watching a movie wherein they dictate what the main character should do and in that situation, Jay was the main character.

                “Don’t hit them anymore! It’ll destroy the car.” Jean yelled.

                “No! Hit them. It’s better that way. Send them flying!” said Ethan.

                “No. Just stop. It’s disgusting how you seem like enjoying the feeling of running over a person.” Jake said nervously.

                “JUST SHUT UP!” Jay yelled angrily.

                And everyone quieted down.

                All the time, Sunny was quiet. He still refuses to believe that Leo was gone and that it was Jean who killed him. Was that the proper word to be used? Killed? But Leo was already dead even before Jean ended him. Sunny’s eyes found Jean who was seated on the passenger’s seat. He looked scared and was tightly gripping on his seat belt.

                They made it outside after a few more hurdles. It’s a good thing that the back gate was already opened; perhaps it was left open because some of people have already escaped through there before considering that there were other vehicles blocking the front gate.

                Jay managed to heave a sigh of relief as they made their escape out of the school’s premises. There was glee obvious on his face and he was proud that because of him, everyone was alive. He took the straight route that leads to the city, his shoulders finally relaxed and he would just pass by the creature whenever it approached them. It was the convenience of having a car. He thought.

                As they arrived at the main city, they saw how New York City has fallen down.             

“Damn. The town’s dead.” Jay commented as they drove pass by the city.

                There were burning cars and trucks that have crushed onto each other, there were burnt buildings and slanted posts as well. Also, there was nothing but echoing silence coating the air. There were screams and cries of plea coming from afar but seeing the situation and how most of the road was blocked by vehicles, they won’t be able to do anything?

                Everyone was silent as their eyes wandered around curiously.  After leaving the school, they can’t believe that they’ll get to see what’s left of the once beautiful city because of the apocalypse. If such a bright and lively place ended up like that, what of them? It caused a depressing atmosphere for most and no one attempted to break the deafening silence.

In the middle of calm, one by one, their phones started ringing. It finally caught reception yet they were welcomed by the deafening sound of the emergency alarm and message notifications that kept on appearing. It was series of missed calls that just got through, from their families and relatives who attempted to contact them the moment the turmoil erupted. As they saw the messages, they can’t help but worry and attempted to return the call back that now that only leads to voice message.

                Except for Jay, everyone was focused on their phone. He was nibbling the back of his forefinger as he kept driving slowly in the ruined city of New York. Just then, he noticed that the gas was running out and that there was no accessible gasoline station in the city, at least a safe one. He thought of using maps to find the location of the available gas station but inside his pocket, there was no phone.

                “Shit.” He cursed under his breath. He seems to have lost it. “I lost mine.”

                He sighed, slightly annoyed by what just happened.

                “We can head west.” Jake said from the back. “There were remote areas there that are possibly not accessible to these zombies.”

                “We’re going to run out of gas if we chose that remote road.” Jay said upon checking what Jake was referring to.

                “That exit is just a few kilometers from here. We’ll manage. There’s also a convenience store in the landmark. Let’s go there.” Ethan said.  

                “I’m already going hungry.” Jean said as he held his stomach that was making funny sounds.

                “Shut it or I’ll push you out.” Jay threatened and Jean gave him a dirty glare.

                Driving Northwest brought them to a remote road where there was a small gas station and a convenience store. Since it was far from the city, there were less of those things lurking but Ethan warned everyone to stay alert because they were still not sure what would happen next. They have to stay vigilant in the middle of an unpredictable place.

                Carrying their weapons, they hopped out of the car except for Sunny who still felt a little depressed and weakened due to hunger. He was just inside the car as Jay loaded the car’s gas and waited for the others to come back. The wind blowing on his face was fresh and feels like too clean and relaxing.

                Ethan, Jake and Jean headed inside the convenience store. The door chimed as they get in and Jean heaved a quiet gasp after getting startled. As they entered in, the smell of rotten food coated the air. It has been two weeks and the power has been cut off, maybe the reason why some of the food ended up just being rotten.  

                It was a pretty decent store with complete necessities inside. They had planned beforehand that Jean will be the one responsible for collecting drinking beverages; Ethan was responsible for checking out on the food and Jake, some other things that could be of use to them.

                Jake headed to the counter and was taken aback by the huge amount of dried blood coating the white tiles underneath the cash register. Having his bag with him, he started getting the available ointments that haven’t passed the expiration date as well as energy bars and mini chocolates that could help them later. As the other’s scavenged food inside, Jay and Sunny was being held at gun point by some people riding a military truck that stopped upon seeing them.

                These people looks like they were in the military and wasn’t at the same time.

                Sunny was forced out of the car and now both he and Jay were kneeling on the ground, guns pointed on their foreheads and their arms up in the air. A lady with a black bob cut was the one pointing the gun on both of their heads. She had a sharp pair of eyes and pale skin. She stood 5’7 tall but the two guys she’s with looked taller than her. One guy looked exactly like her except that it was a guy and has more shaper features than her. The last guy headed to the direction of the convenience store where the others were.

He put on his gas mask first then his mini gun and loaded it. He looked chic and confident as he walked by and he waited until one of those people from the inside come out. Jean came out first not expecting the surprise that would welcome them upon setting foot outside.

                The guy was quick on his reflexes and wrapped his arm on Jean’s neck causing some of the contents of the bag he was carrying to spill. A bottle of glassed juice fell and broke on the ground.

                “W…What’s the meaning of this? Who are you?” Jean asked nervously.

                Ethan and Jake saw all of it and were taken aback. Then, they saw how Sunny and Jay was being held hostage by these people wearing a military like outfit and having guns tightly gripped on their hands.

                “The two inside, get out or I’ll blow his head off.” Said the guy pointing the gun at Jean. Jean shrieked in fear and didn’t dare move.

                Surprisingly the guy suddenly changed the target where he was pointing the gun and started firing on the direction where there were bushes around. A zombie was seen walking on their direction and without doubt, the person fired two shots on its head causing the skull to break and the brain of the being spilled out on the ground as it fell backwards.

                “NOW!” yelled the man and Ethan and Jake flinched.

                They were told to set aside what they have collected and kneel with the others. The lady pulled out another gun while her twin does the same.

                “What the heck do you want from us?” Ethan hissed at the woman who was pointing a gun on him. She smirked and tilted her head slightly.

                “Want me to blow your head off?” she said with an unkind smile.  

                As they were being threatened by these three people, the last guy started checking on them.

                “A few grazes but no bite marks found.” He claimed.  

                “You sure?” The other guy asked.

                “Yeah.” He shrugged and put his guns on their specific holster that was tied on his waist.  

                Jean thought that it would be a good idea to attack him but the man have more mature reflexes than him and before he knew it, he was lying on the ground, catching his breath and doesn’t appear to understand how it happened.

                “We’re not going to harm you.” The woman said. “But if you’d do that then I’ll have no choice but to crush you.”

                As she said that, she also pulled away her guns and put them in their holster. She dragged Ethan’s collar so he stand up and did the same with Jay. The others followed and was confused by the turn of situation.  

                “Nicky, start the car.” She said and Nicky followed.

                “I’m Nina. And that guy is Seven.” She said pointing at the cold looking guy. “We’re sent out to find some supplies. Looks like you’ll provide more help if I keep everyone.”

                “How do we report this to the headquarters about them?” Seven frowned.

                “No need to report.” Nina said and they all headed towards the military truck.

--

                The five of them still cannot believe that they were being saved. They don’t understand the whole thing about the situation but what’s important was the fact that they were just saved and was heading to these people’s base. Jake was excited and nervous at the same time but he was not speaking anything about it.

                On the other hand, Jean sees Sunny’s dilemma and for once, he tried to reconcile with him.

                “I’m sorry.” Jean started  

                “It’s fine.” Sunny said in a low voice, wherein the two of them could only hear. Jean didn’t expect a reply from Sunny but surprisingly he did. “I am being selfish.”

                “No.. It’s not like that. I mean if..” Jean hesitated. “—if I was in your situation, I’d also feel down like this.”

                “You don’t need to comfort me. I’m fine.” Sunny forced a smile on his face. “I’m sorry for making you worry.”

                “No. It’s me who’s sorry.” Jean said eagerly.

                It was awkward but Jean was still grateful that they were once again back in talking terms. Since everyone was already hungry, Jake pulled out some of the energy bar he had kept inside his bag and distributed some so everyone would have the energy to respond to whatever those people would made them do.

                Do one knows yet what that organization or what was their purpose but to the five survivors who made it out alive by miracle, they were saviors.