Conclusion imminent
Chapter 19: Halcyon Days
"Holy shit."
Francis stood still by the staircase. His gaze pranced across the upper floor hall way. Blood painted the walls red, dry and dripping all the same. Corpses, both turned and unturned, were splattered along the walking path. Grime and unmentionables hung from the ceiling, utterly unapologetic. The entire place reeked of death and decay, sickeningly so, even for someone who had carried his way across five states riddled with infection.
The biker flinched at the touch on his shoulder, only to realise it was Louise. His teammate was telling him to carry on, though it was easy to see the shock in both of their eyes. Nodding, as if to calm himself down, Francis proceeded deeper into the inside. There were five rooms, none of them sealed. A glance into each revealed nothing but the same story of death. No signs of movements, living or otherwise, was sighted on the second floor.
Zoey moved herself up as the scout for the upper most floor, as the rest made sure that they weren't missing anything. She saw nothing different, and was severely disheartened as a result. Not a single sound, as the whole group positioned themselves higher up. Everything was awfully eerie as one'd expect, only it brought nothing but chills to the already sullen atmosphere.
"The entire house is a graveyard." There was no room for anything but speculations. Most household appliances were ruined to the point of nigh unrecognisable. "There doesn't seem to be any supplies left either."
"This doesn't look like the work of a horde." Louise looked back with concerns. Most bodies spotted were killed with bullets, and very little indications of mutation were found on them. Some even have masks and other isolation tools, though those had proven to be only marginally effective in the past. "If I had to guess, I'd say this was a shelter that got robbed."
"Looks like it." Francis finished scouring the rest of the establishment. They were the only one here alive, and it didn't make them comfortable. North East shore wasn't a big area, and there was no guarantee that whatever was responsible for this massacre could not return. "We're moving?"
"This place doesn't seem bad for a fort, but it can't be compared to a boat."
With that, they had no choice but to leave. A decision was made to scatter and do reconnaissance, as there didn't seem to be too much resistance that would require a group firefight. Across the island, there were a number of other condos left in similar situations. It hinted at a systemic raid carried by intelligent people with heavy weaponry, a fact that they shuddered at. There was very little it terms of food they were able to gather, but Zoey was able to find a decent storage of fresh water. Time was flying by, and everyone was forced to regroup by the boat as the sky fell scarlet.
"Anything?" Asked Zoey.
"I found random candy bars here and there, but nothing for keeps." Louis proceeded to distribute his findings quickly. Regardless of how much something like this would be looked down upon in normal times, anything that supported useful calories were good enough. He then went up to the boat to do maintenance check.
"Yeah, I actually found a compound, with actual living people inside." This was important news, but whether good or bad has yet to be determined. "It's about 3 miles west. It looked military, but no bells or whistles or anything."
"It wouldn't be hard to imagine soldiers have wised up by this point." Zoey made a note of the place on her map. "They couldn't have been trumpeting victories if they managed to survive until now."
"Do you think they were responsible for the raids?" Asked Louise.
"They very well could have. I've long ran out of faith to put forward." Zoey's reply was no longer surprising. Such harsh and cold-blooded rationale towards strangers had been easy to spot within her speech for a long time now. "However, I suspect we might have to deal with them soon."
"It's logical to assume that they'd been hoarding most, if not all, the supplies from the vicinity." Louis climbed down onto the sand. "We cannot afford another day like this."
"I agree." Zoey could do nothing but let out a loud sigh. She resented having to do business with outsiders, but the survival of her group was at stake. There was no choice to be made, only preparations. "Earlier sightings have pretty much confirmed that we are the only ones around here with a working boat. They cannot get to us if we detach ourselves from shore." She grabbed her gun and went for the vessel. "Which means at least we can get a good night sleep before tomorrow."
Nothing else was said. The sailboat departed soon after, holding position atop the black sea water, as the day completely collapsed.
"Zoey?"
"Yes?"
The two girls were on watch for the night. Louis wanted to do it instead, but Zoey insisted that they had been the ones getting the most rest for a long time now. Thus, the guys had no choice but to go with that order. It didn't bother them too much once their aching backs felt the comfort of a futon after so long. Soon enough, they were sleeping like babies, leaving the other two on deck.
"Tomorrow's going to be dangerous, isn't it?" The Witch fidgeted in her seat, and it definitely wasn't because of how plastic it felt. Her concerns showed through quite clearly.
"Unfortunately." Zoey stared at the longing distance. There was no moon tonight, and the only light source available was their own. It certainly did not help the feeling of separation from the rest of the world. "I wish we could find peace at last, but only when it's too late."
"What was it like before?" Cindy looked at her with those endearing almond eyes, ready to pry out all secrets. Zoey had no choice but to crack a smile and answer.
"Bill used to be the one with those kinds of wishes, not me." They had told Cindy about Bill before, but naturally he and the Witch never quite met. "I was so headstrong, ambitious. I wanted to fight, to rid the world of these monsters myself, or die trying."
"You don't anymore?"
"No, not anymore." Zoey held in her hand a pack of Marlboro cigarettes, Bill's favourite smoke. She never smoked, of course, being young and healthy yet, but she was starting to understand why others would. "That was barely two months ago. Now, I only want peace."
"What changed?" Cindy's attention was still fixated on her, instead of the object.
"I lost Bill." Zoey put away the pack, and turned her gaze towards her companion. She reached out, and gently held Cindy by her hands. "And I found you."
The sky besides them exploded into millions of sparks.
The two turned around hastily, only to find a number of discernible silhouettes on the beach, not too far from their position. It took them a few extra moments to realise the source of noise was combusting fireworks. They had been found.
"Cindy." Full attention. "Go wake Louis and Francis."
With a nod, the Witch disappeared below deck, leaving Zoey alone. She immediately took cover behind the railings. The only reason she was able to see anything on the beach at all was because of the explosions casting shadows on the shorelines. Now that it was petering out rapidly, her line of sight was significantly reduced. Inversely, she could not afford to shut down the light on her own boat, making it a beacon in the swallowing darkness.
It was still a mystery as to why someone would do such a thing. Even though the incident made everything rather loud and bright for a moment, her being on a boat in the middle of the sea meant that infected could not approach.
Then there were gun shots.
Though they weren't the most accurate, they were swift and ample enough to be putting the boat in an extremely vulnerable state. A quick look revealed that these were coming from a higher vantage point, mostly likely an old lighthouse of sort, and safe from the swarming horde below. At this point, everyone had already gather on deck, taking cover from the firing.
"What's going on Zoey?"
"We're being targeted. This boat isn't going to hold."
"Are you telling us to swim?"
"Yes, but…" At this moment, the enemy's plan was clear. The purpose of the fireworks was to draw the infected to the coastline, so that when the boat inevitably fall, its passenger would not be able to approach land through swimming or other means. "Zombies are on the beach right now, we can't just swim there."
"What do you suggest we do then?"
"Louise, crank the engine." There was one idea, and since time was running out, it was the only one. It was a very good thing that sailboats had been having engines for quite a few years, for it was a night without much wind.
"This thing won't hold on for long under this much assault." Regardless, Louis still sprinted to his post.
"We don't need it to. Head straight for the beach!"
"But didn't you say…"
"Ram it!"
Louis nodded, and steered the vessel towards land. Everyone else grabbed a weapon and retreated behind the sails to avoid fragments and scattershot. Full speed the ship went, straight against the line of fire.
"Jump!" Louis screamed, being the only one capable of seeing the way. The four were off and into the water with barely any room to spare, while the massive construction crashed and burnt, crushing untold amount of infected in its wake. The chaos it created only drove even more attention to the site, attracting all sorts of oppositions. Sounds of roaring engine could be heard in the dark, as the shooters retreated from their position. It didn't seem too terribly effective, as screams were heard from the distance. Some were definitely caught amongst the rampaging mass.
The group had no choice but to head to the cliff's edge. At the very least, their plan chased off the armed opponents, but they still had 'zombies' to deal with. They spotted a cave-in within the rocks, and regrouped there.
"What the hell was that?" Soaking wet, Francis had no choice but to leave his favourite jacket to dry, along with most of the rest of his clothes. It would not be quite appropriate within more secluded circles, but it had been a long time since they cared about mannerism. "Who were those people?"
"People from the compound, I bet." Louis chimed in. Being the one steering the boat in the line of fire was probably the craziest thing he'd ever done, and he knew very well how lucky he was to get out relatively unscathed. "They must've spotted our boat in the night and decided to take us out."
"Can't believe they just shoot at us randomly like that." Francis was clearly not going to be any less upset, explanation or otherwise. Joking around was one thing, but he was fully aware of how bleak their situation looked.
"It was anything but random." Zoey was already deep in thoughts, back against the edge of the cave's wall. "You guys weren't there, but those people took their damned research in how to deal with a situation like this."
"Well we're in a lot of trouble." Said Louis, his head submerged in the open wind. "We lost most of our leftover supplies and weapons with the ship. We won't survive like this out here."
"We won't survive at all unless we light a fire first." Francis grunted, and searched his pockets. "I got some matches. They're wet, but I can make them work."
"I'll go get some tinder. There're probably some dead grass in this cave." Louis headed to work immediately. "Cindy, see if you can find any logs."
Cindy nodded in acknowledgement, and left to carry out her orders. Zoey still sat there, lost in her own mind. Times were dire, and they seemed to have no direction other than carrying out the strategy derived before. Only this time, their leverage would be nigh none-existent, and there would be almost no chance to not have to resort to violence. Firm as she may be, Zoey still tried her best not to have to start shooting people who are alive. For a while now she had believed that she would do anything to protect her group, but doubted herself if that situation may come.
The fire was lit without her realising.
"Zoey." Francis tapped her lightly on the shoulder, trying to get her attention. "Fire's up, you should dry yourself up."
"Right."
She complied with the request. They all hung their clothes close to the fire, and themselves within the proximity. Still, the night's cool air was messing with their body heat. Zoey, especially, was visibly shaking.
"Cindy, can you please come here?" The Witch, on the other hand, didn't seem to mind the atmosphere at all. Her body appeared extremely resistant to harsh environments. She approached Zoey as requested.
"You're cold." Cindy could feel it from the touch.
"Yeah…" Zoey didn't like saying it, but she wasn't in the best of shapes. "Can you please… hug me?"
The Witch did exactly that. She also knew that it was for the purpose of transferring heat, but enjoyed the moment regardless. Her embrace was wide and intimate, free of all worldly worries. She just wanted to be.
The night passed.
Morning dawned a worrying look, as time was pressing. Most of their belongings had adequately dried up overnight, but they weren't particularly healthy for it. However, it didn't change the fact that the day was going to be a long one, regardless of what will happen.
"Look." Zoey was not going to do a briefing. She had something else she wanted to state instead. "You all know that we're going to the compound today, seeing as that would be our best chance of staying alive. Those people are also very likely the same ones who attacked our boat last night."
"So a gunfight may be inevitable." Louis reaffirmed his suspicion.
"I don't know about you two, but I've never shot someone before." Zoey tightened her grip. "That time in the museum was damn close, but not a shot was fired by us."
"What are you saying?"
"I want to know that…" A moment of contemplation. "If, no, when it comes down to it, are you two ready to shoot someone else for the sake of the group?"
"Yes." Francis replied without a hesitation. It was expected.
"I… yes." Louis confirmed, though he clearly was uncomfortable with the thought. "I've already made peace with myself."
"Alright." Zoey nodded briefly. "Let's go."
The two men left first.
"Zoey…" Cindy grabbed the teenage girl by the arm. She was undoubtedly scared, or at the very least very unsure of herself. "What should I do?"
"I already told you to value people's lives, right?" The Witch nodded. "Well, in times like this, value yours above all else."
They left shortly after.
They avoided the beach area, instead found their ways to the abandoned port. There was no working aquatic vehicle, but it provided a good entrance to this half-deserted town. They had on them only three assault rifles and a couple of pistols, nowhere near enough to take on anything. Perhaps it was time to go back to the old days of safe room-by-safe room struggling. They did find useful items scattered about, but most didn't prove to be worth more than a hacksaw.
"Well, we're here." Francis stopped the group, as they stand across an open path. At the other end, stood a completely isolated diamond-shaped fort. Walls as tall as twenty metres covered the area like a ring of concrete, deterring all outside efforts. The inside of the compound could not be seen from the outside, only a large, solemn steel door guarding the space. At first glance, no one could be seen. However, further inspection revealed guards patrolling the vicinity at short intervals, hiding themselves from sight, presumably to avoid confrontations with the infected. The road leading to the gate was open and rocky. Unless one were to swim towards the docking bay, there would be no way to avoid coming out in the open.
"There doesn't seem to be any way to sneak in." Louis noted, readying his firearm.
"It is a military base." Zoey narrowed her eyes. It was indeed going to be a difficult effort to even get close, let alone anything else. There were very real risks of being shot on sight. "I don't think there's any other road but this one."
"What do we do?" Francis seemed eager on his feet. The tension was rising, since even though they knew they were still safe inside these bushes, it wouldn't stay that way for long.
"Walk in." Zoey's reply turned heads.
"What? Did you not remember how these people tried to kill us just last night?"
"Correction: they tried to kill the people in that boat." Zoey tucked the rifle behind her back. "No one saw us. For all they knew we died in that crash on the shore. I doubt they had time to come back and check, with all the zombies there."
"So you suggest we just… walk in?"
"No. You don't, I will." Zoey was dead serious, even though her teammates were already showing serious disagreement. "People are less likely to shoot an unarmed adolescent girl with her hands up. You three will be staying behind."
"Are you insane?" The plan did sound insane.
"Maybe, but it's the only plan we have, so I'm doing it." She readied herself mentally, and prepared to get out of hiding. "Prepare to cover me, but only if they started shooting."
"What'll happen once you got in, even if you did?"
"I'll improvise." There was no stopping her. However, the Witch's grasp on her hand did make her hesitate. "Cindy, I have to do this."
"I know…" Cindy appeared to be on the verge of tears. "Please come back."
"Wait for me. I will."
No more words. Zoey dropped the rifle, put her hands behind her head, and walked forward.