At midnight

- It must be almost midnight, are you ready? We'll help you to get as cloese as possible, but the rest is up to you. - Getúlio said dropping the body of a walker in front of the others.

- We understand, thanks for everything. - André said holding a knife. - …I, I just… cut the belly?

- Yes, from the chest to the navel. Makes it easier to pick up the guts.

- My God, are we really going to do this? - Ana asked already feeling sick.

- For the plan to work, yes. - Murilo said taking off his sweatshirt and tying it around his waist. - André?

The oldest sighed again as he crouched beside the body and pulled up his shirt to reveal his pale gray chest. When he was young he had wanted to be a doctor, but he never had the stomach for it. Maybe if he had insisted it would have been easier. Or maybe he never would have gotten a job. He swallowed hard once more and, gripping the hilt of the knife, stabbed the man's chest.

—

The dry, tasteless sandwiches had been distributed an hour ago, but not for everyone.

- Why didn't they gave it to us? There's something wrong. - Everyone was worried, but Sasha was the first to get restless. - It was only in our cells that they didn't deliver it, that means they're going to do something with us, isn't it? What if- What if-

- Calm down Please. Even if they do I won't let anything happen to you, okay? - Igor said trying to calm her down.

- I don't wanna die! I don't-

- Sasha I know that-

- Where's your brother, huh?! You said he would definitely come to save us, didn't you?! Where is he then!

- Hey! None of this is Amanda's fault! You're not the only one scared!

Isabela couldn't stand it anymore. The situation was already bad, what was the use of making it worse? And still blame someone who was obviously not at fault?

- It's okay Isa, you can't blame her. - Amanda would be lie to herself if she said she wasn't scared. - And yes, I still believe that André will come.

- I also want to believe Amanda, but… - Danilo was also beginning to lose hope. - …it's hard to stay positive in this situation.

- I know it is, but-

This time the noise of the court door opening was like the crack of thunder, making the seven occupants of the cells freeze. Five soldiers walked with heavy steps towards their cell, one holding papers. One of the soldiers caught Amanda's attention, he was the same muscular, bearded soldier from before who couldn't hide a big repulsive smile. They stopped in front of their cells and opened them, everyone there already knew what was going to happen.

—

His stomach didn't stop turning. His hands were barely holding the bat from how bad they were shaking. He had to hold himself to not run. All he wanted to do was run.

André's eyes did not stop focusing on the smelly and broken bodies that were walking peacefully around him. That sickening smell stuck to his clothes and face and that damn grunting sound were now stuck in his mind. It was his choice to stay in the middle of the horde to check if the others ahead were okay.

Ana was the closest, if she took two normal steps he would be able to hold her hand. She looked like she needed someone by her side, since she was diagonally across, he could see some tears running down her face. If there's one thing that can scare you to the point of tears, it's horror movies. And it looked like they were in one.

Rodrigo was the exact opposite of her. He was too far away for him to see his face, but he noticed his hands reaching for the camera hanging around his neck a few times.

Guilherme was the one who moved the most, before he was on his right and now on his left, restless and turning his head in all directions. Like him, he also couldn't believe they were actually doing this.

Murilo was the furthest away from him, the brunette offered to go further and, with his metal bar, make noise to guide the dead. He was doing exactly what Getúlho had explained to him, staying close enough to the walkers to remain in disguise and moving slowly away to create noise and keep the group moving.

They were only two blocks away now, which is only halfway there, but in that situation it was like crossing all of São Paulo. But they were getting closer. Just a little longer, André thought. Just a little more.

—

- Where are you taking us?

- Be quiet and keep walking.

Amanda snorted and did as the man told. It was the only thing she could do with her hands tied and walking in line with others. None of them were spared, all the students and teachers were being taken to who-knows-where.

- Do you think now is the time for us to do something? - Danilo asked a brunette who was right behind him.

- With our hands tied and two armed guards? Only if you want to get shot.

- But there are seven of us, if we act together we can-

- We are still inside a huge building surrounded by many other soldiers Danilo. - Isa whispered to the friend who was behind her. - Moreover, some of us are not in the best mental state... for this. - She said referring to the two teachers, Kaique crying more than Elisa, and Sasha who barely walked.

Finally off the court, they went up a ramp in a zigzag shape, passed the first floor where many voices could be heard and they saw soldiers and men in lab coats. Reaching the second floor, the soldier stopped them.

- Be quiet and wait for the doctor to come. Souza, keep an eye on them. - The soldier who led them said for the one at the end of the line.

The floor they stopped at was well constructed and covered with matte plastic walls preventing them from seeing exactly what was going on there.

- Souza!

Everyone's attention turned to the approaching soldier. The muscular, bearded soldier from before.

- What is it Theo? Forgot something?

- Lieutenant asked to see this one. - He said pointing at Isa.

- Why?

- I don't know, his orders.

That look. The same look that made her feel disgusted was back. Isa feel the fear growing inside her.

- Okay, take her then.

The man grabbed the brunette's arm and started to pull her to the direction of the ramp that went up, Isa desperately cast a fearful look at her friend.

- Hey wait! Where are you taking her?! HEY! - Amanda yelled trying to go after them.

- Be quiet if you don't want to get shot! - The man named Souza said pushing Amanda with the barrel of the gun pointed directly at her chest.

Feeling the icy metal make contact her skin made Amanda immediately stopped and instinctively reach for the barrel to push the gun away. She managed to stop herself from completing the action since if she did, she could give the man another reason to shoot her.

- OK! Okay, calm down. - She said walking away with her tied hands raised and returning to Danilo's side. - I just want-

- I don't care what you want. Get back in line! - The soldier shouted forcing her back in her place.

Amanda looked at Danilo, silently asking what would they do now. The boy didn't have the answer, he returned a look as desperate as the girl's. They could do nothing but follow orders and hope that nothing bad happened to their friend.