A/N: I know this idea has been done before but I have wanted to do this for a while, and finally got my hands on a laptop to write it with. Oh and one final note, to all Americans reading this I am British so if some British spelling like Mum or words like mate are in here I'm sorry I will try my best , and the same goes for Franklin I will try and get the way he speaks right.
Vinewood hills Los Santos, San Andreas 05 June 2014. 10:15 am
The sun shone through Los Santos on a bright sunny Monday morning. However the city was not moving like it normally did, there were no traffic jams, cars had been left in the middle of the roads, planes didn't fly from the airport and there were no people walking the streets. The tennis courts were deserted and the beach was empty. It was like a ghost town, and something was very clearly wrong.
Unfortunately, this was all unknown to a young man currently lying in bed in a mansion in Vinewood Hills. The man's name was Franklin Clinton, a twenty five year old man, while most men his age in normal circumstances couldn't live in a house like that in their wildest dreams; Franklin was no normal twenty five year old. He was a millionaire and had more money than most people ever saw in their entire life.
Franklin had made most of this money through a big bank robbery the previous year, in the months before that he had met two former bank robbers, Michael De Santa and Trevor Philips. The three had made an admirable team and had gone on many missions and deals together eventually pulling off a big bank score with professionalism. While they no longer worked together they remained friends, Michael had retired, Trevor focused on his company TP industries and Franklin was an entrepreneur. After the bank score he had bought several companies the biggest of which was over an 80% share in the social media program life invader. He had nearly doubled his money from the bank score and as a result lived a life most people could only dream of.
Currently the young business man was lying in bed trying to ignore the sunlight streaming through the window pushing him to wake up, he could also here his phone going but had no idea where it was, he decided it was probably his friend Lamar probably drunk off his ass or high. Eventually the ringing stopped and he smiled, but just as he was about to snuggle back into bed it started ringing again. He sighed and threw the sheets away. He stood up and stretched, he decided due to the faintness of the ringing his phone must be upstairs. As he walked out of his bedroom he caught himself in a mirror and smiled, he was just over six feet and very muscular due to frequent gym training. He had cornrows and light stubble on his face. He smiled, shook his head and walked upstairs. As he went he thought about his plan for the day, a soak in the hot tub, a gym session a good run across the beach and then hit the bars with his friends, he smiled; he loved the life he had. However he knew deep down he was bored.
He walked onto his open plan upstairs and quickly found his phone lying on the counter next to the microwave, he checked the ID, he was surprised to see Lester on the screen. He had barely had contact with the man since the bank heist. Lester was a computer hacker who originally worked with Trevor and Michael, and when Franklin joined up with Michael he met Lester and the rest as they say was history. Lester was very clever and a very good hacker. He had been the brains behind the big score and every other mission Franklin, Michael and Trevor had performed. He could get cars, planes and crew members at the touch of a button; he could distract and get rid of cops if you needed it, he could lower even the strictest security system and had even managed to hack his way onto the Life invader database.
Franklin accepted the call and spoke: "Hey man wassup"?
To Franklins surprise Lester sounded angry, "Franklin where the hell have you been, this is the twelfth time I've called you, listen I need you to come over to Michael's, somethings happened and you are not safe, pack everything you want, clothes, belongings keepsakes whatever and all your guns and get to Michaels in an hour, oh and bring all your ammo".
Franklin was confused, "Lester, what's happening-;"
Lester cut him off, "No time to explain just grab all your stuff and get to Michaels, oh and bring all the food you can". The phone went dead in Franklin's ear.
Franklin put the phone down stunned, why did Lester sound so stressed, and why did he need to go over to Michaels with all his stuff? He knew there would be no point calling back, Lester wouldn't answer. Franklin sighed, should he listen? He had always trusted Lester before and he would now, but before packing he needed to get dressed.
Emerging from his closet dressed in a grey jacket black t-shirt, jeans and a backwards cap with a green F on it he pulled several large boxes and suitcases out. He started with his clothes, putting all he could in suitcases, then his stuff like toothpaste, toothbrush shaving foam, razor and shower gel. Then he put stuff like pictures and his weights in the boxes along with his chains and other accessories. Then he picked up a large bag normally used for footballs and walked out of his room and down the hall, he pulled a key from his pocked and opened the door at the end of the hallway.
Inside it was stuffed with guns; everything from pistols, to submachine guns, assault rifles to RPGS and shotguns. There was also a ton of explosives such as grenades and sticky bombs; quickly Franklin loaded everything into the bag, except for one pistol which he tucked into his jeans. He shut the bag dumped it back in his bedroom and went back with a box which he put all his ammo in and then dumped it back in his room, then grabbing more boxes (pausing quickly to put an earpiece in) he ran upstairs to grab food.
After grabbing everything from the cupboards and the fridge and putting it into the boxes he went to move back to his room, but saw something in the corner of his eye. He put the food down and turned around, there was nobody here except him, then he heard the sound of running across his balcony. Quick as a whip he pulled his pistol out of his jeans.
He held it out, looking for signs of life, then he heard a slight snarl, he turned around and realised It had come from the breakfast bar. Slowly he walked over to it, gun held at arm's length one finger on the trigger. His heart was pounding in his chest, even after pulling off the biggest bank score in history he still got nervous. Then he heard another snarl, and then he saw a hand on the edge of the counter!
Franklin pulled the trigger of his gun, the loud shot ringing in his ears slightly. Then as quick as he fired something leapt over the counter, it looked human but not entirely and it was flying straight at Franklin! He dived out of the way and the creature hit the wall. Franklin took aim but was too slow. The thing pulled itself up and was running on all fours at Franklin, and then before he knew it he was tackled to the floor.
Franklin struggled whatever the thing was it was very strong, it raised its hand perhaps to swipe at him, but just in time, Franklin got his legs under it and kicked it off him, he saw his gun a few feet away and picked it up and this time he was faster, while the creature got its balance back, Franklin fired three shots to its chest, the thing stumbled and Franklin calmly took aim at its head and fired. The shot was clinical right to the middle of the forehead the creature screamed and collapsed to the floor, dead.
Franklin stood for a while catching his breath, what the hell was that? He looked at the thing, maybe it was what Lester had called him about, where there more of those things? He shook his head, if he wanted answers he needed to get to Michael's he grabbed the box and took it to his bedroom, then he realised there was something he forgot.
He went back to the weapons room and walked right to the back, and there on the top shelf was the most expensive gun he owned, a solid gold mini-gun. He picked it up and slowly took it back to his room, then went back for the ammo and a few pieces of gear such as night vision goggles and scuba diving gear.
Franklin stood in his room and looked at his stuff packed up; he knew he wouldn't get much more in his buffalo muscle car so he knew this was what he had to take.
It took a long time to haul everything up to his car; he had had to put the seats forward to make room for it all and even then it only just about fit, then after whistling for Chop his dog and putting him in the front seat, he locked both the gate and the front door to his house, his bike was safely locked up in the garage. Franklin got in the driver's seat and pulled away, as he went to the end of the road, he thought about his original plan for the day and wished almost more than anything that it had been Lamar on the phone and not Lester.
It didn't take very long to get to Michaels but even in that short space of time,, Franklin had worked out something was very wrong, the usually bustling busy, packed streets of Los Santos were empty, cars were left on the side of the road and there were no planes screaming overhead, yes something was definitely wrong.
Franklin drove around the corner through the electric gate to Michael's mansion, and almost instantly spotted a big red truck in the driveway, next to Amanda's convertible and Tracey's Issi. That meant that Trevor was here, and Trevor did not get along well with Amanda, what the hell was Lester planning, all he Franklin knew was it must be serious if all three of them were here.
Franklin pulled up near the garage and saw the door open, and say the man himself, Trevor Phillips beckoning him into the Garage, where Michael's car was parked. Franklin pulled up next to it.
He got out and Trevor clapped him on the back, it was then Franklin realised Trevor was holding an assault rifle, which he kept pointing at the door until it was firmly shut, then he turned to Franklin and spoke in a fairly quiet voice not the loud voice Franklin was used to. "Hey Franklin, glad you got here ok". Franklin nodded then Trevor shouted, "Chef, Ron come here and take Franklin's stuff to Jimmy's room".
The two men came into the Garage and opened the boot and let Chop out, then Trevor turned to Franklin, "Go through and speak to Mike we'll get all this you got a lot to catch up on". Franklin nodded and along with Chop walked through the small walkway and through to the De Santa household.
He walked in and looked round Michael was leaning against a counter in the kitchen, a glass of whiskey in his hand, Jimmy sat on the edge of the couch with his head in his hands, and the two women Amanda and Tracey sat on the other end both holding mugs and looking scared.
Chop immediately ran to the rug near the fire and curled up, Franklin walked up to Michael who smiled slightly when he saw Franklin, "Hey kid, you want a drink"?
Franklin was tempted by the bottle of scotch but more than that, he wanted to know what was going on. "Nah, but tell me man, what the hell's going on here".
Michael sighed, turned around and pointed to the table. "Talk to Lester he'll explain better than me".
Franklin nodded and walked towards the dining room at the back of the house, where for the first time he noticed Lester sitting at the table typing away, two monitors and a laptop spread out in front of him with about six different phones and a few big fat text books Franklin couldn't understand. Lester gestured for Franklin to sit down and as he pulled out a chair he noticed both back doors were boarded up.
Lester looked up and looked Franklin in the eye for about ten seconds. "So Franklin I'm guessing you want to know what all this is about"? Franklin nodded.
Lester sighed and took his glasses off before speaking, "Well we don't know what caused it or what they are we have ideas but nothing is confirmed, but overnight this city has become quite possibly the most dangerous place on the planet"!
Franklins jaw dropped, and Lester smiled slightly, "but how"?
Lester picked up one of his phones and showed him a picture, a picture of a creature that looked exactly like the one that had attacked Franklin that morning. "That Franklin, that. This city is overrun with them, attacks were reported last night and I got Trevor to fly over the city and the desert and send me the footage, and there are literally thousands of them so I got Trevor to do what you did and get over here and we spent all day getting up to speed on attacks. I haven't slept for nearly two nights but I've been trying to find out what they are but these things have completely cut us off, the airports down loads of people are dead and the internet is next to nothing. I only managed to call you this morning through the signal boost on my laptop". He paused then turned his laptop around and spoke, "here look at this it's the footage Trevor got last night".
Franklin pressed play and watched and his jaw nearly dropped off. Thousands literally thousands of the things everywhere, running across the desert, smashing through buildings in the city, taking down people and killing the cops and taking down tanks and helicopters.
Franklin turned away and Lester took the laptop back, "I haven't been able to study them thoroughly but based on their behaviour there are a few types, ones which can walk slowly and can hardly run and ones which have abilities far beyond a human, very strong fast climbing buildings and jumping massive heights".
Franklin nodded then spoke, "but Lester man, what the hell are they"?
There was the sound of glass being slammed down on wood, as Michael slammed a glass of scotch in front of Franklin, "You may need that".
Laster nodded, "Franklin based on their behaviour and the way they kill people, I can only assume they are Zombies".
Franklin's stomach dropped to the floor when he heard the last word, he looked at the drink in front of him and downed it and when Michael poured another he downed that one. Then Franklin spoke, "what the fuck man? How the hell that even happen"?
For the first time Lester didn't have an answer, "I don't know that yet Franklin its one of the things I'm trying to find out".
Franklin looked around and saw everyone was looking at him and had the same grim look on their face, even chop was sitting up attentive. Franklin looked at Lester, "is there a way we can stop it"?
Lester shrugged again, "If there is Franklin, it would be the hardest thing we have ever done, you saw how many there were, and especially with the provisions we have I just don't think it's possible".
Franklin nodded then spoke again "so I guess we are all sleeping here".
Michael nodded, "your sharing with Jimmy, there's an air mattress up there". Franklin nodded.
"Thanks man".
Then Lester stood up and spoke, "So guys we are all here, we are safe for the moment, but I don't want to test that, one person will be on guard at night, food and provisions are limited so make the most of them and only use a gun if you really have to, from what I can tell these guys like noise".
Everyone nodded and Lester continued, "Just keep what you're doing, there is a way out of this guys we just have to stick together".
Everyone nodded and walked off, Lester sat down and continued typing away, Franklin moved into the kitchen to talk to Michael. "What do you think of all this dog, do you think Lester's right"?
Michael sighed and rubbed his eyes, "If it weren't for Lester's quick thinking we would all be dead or zombies by now, but personally I still think we are fucked".
Franklin nodded walked into the hall and reached for his phone, he looked through his contacts, Lamar, his aunt, Infurnus, Tanisha, Nikki, Urshula, Liz and all of his businesses. He didn't know if any of them were still alive, and he couldn't contact them.
Lester sat at his computer screen and rubbed tired eyes, he looked into the kitchen "Amanda, couldn't knock us up a pot of coffee could you, from what I remember you make the best Coffee". Amanda smiled and walked into the kitchen and busied herself with the coffee, then Lester looked at Trevor who was rotating a knife in his hand and called him over.
"Trevor could you go and do what you did last night and video the zombies from a helicopter, see how their behaviour changes during the day"?
Trevor nodded, "yup easy" then he looked at chef, "hey Chef come on were going out".
Chef got up from his chair picked up his assault rifle and carefully they took the cover of the front door and slowly and silently walked out to Trevor's truck and drove off to the air strip on the desert hoping the helicopter would be there.
Franklin quickly put the over back on the door and walked through to the lounge and sat next to Jimmy, who didn't look like he had moved since Franklin arrived. Franklin looked at him and spoke, "scared"?
Jimmy raised his head and spoke, "Dude I'm shitting myself, I mean all it takes is for one of those things to get through those boards and we could all die, Lester said we are safe but there's nowhere safe in this city".
Then a voice behind the two boys spoke, "I guess we will just have to be ready then". Franklin turned around and saw it was Jimmy's sister Tracey who spoke, she smiled, "Hi Franklin, not exactly great conditions to be seeing you huh?"
Franklin shook his head and smiled slightly, he didn't know Tracey as well as he knew Jimmy but he got the joke. The three spent the rest of the day talking, they spoke about sport, business, their childhoods and work, they just wanted something to take their mind off what was going on outside the houses walls. Trevor was out with Chef and Michael and Amanda spoke in the kitchen. Meanwhile Ron was a nervous wreck sitting at the end of the sofa muttering to himself.
De Santa house, Los Santos San Andreas 05 June 2014: evening
Trevor and Chef got back at around eight that night Trevor gave Lester to footage to analyse, Chef grabbed a sniper rifle and went out on watch while Trevor pretty much fell asleep on the sofa.
Dinner was pretty simple, cold cut meat with frozen peas and fries. Lester hardly touched his as he was watching nearly six hours of footage from the helicopter.
Thought the day Franklin and Tracey had been getting on really well, a quick friendship had formed between them and Franklin really liked her, they had a lot in common and had the same sense of humour. When Michael found a movie they could watch, Tracey was laying on her side her hair just tickling his nose, he could smell her shampoo and deodorant. He smiled and resisted the urge to hug her.
After the film everyone went to bed, even Lester who had been sat at the desk all day. Michael and Amanda had their normal room, as did Tracey. Franklin was sharing with Jimmy. Trevor, Chef and Ron had roll mats and were on the lounge floor, and Lester had the sofa bed the De Santa's had bought the year before.
It was around two in the morning when Chef came to Franklins door, "Hey Franklin you up for a watch its only six hours, I've had enough been there for ages" Franklin nodded and pulled on jeans, a t-shirt a coat and a hat and grabbed the silenced sniper off of chef and headed for the roof of the house. As he walked he was in deep thought. 24 hours ago he was a millionaire with a comfy life, now he was fighting for survival with his old friends. If had been a long day and Franklin couldn't see it getting much better.