Well this chapter actually didn't take me as long as I thought it might. I'll admit I haven't actually had a set and solid plan for what's to happen in the lead up to the No Mercy campaign I only have vague plans for how I want them to meet the other survivors and when that will happen and possible ideas for events that may happen between those points. So yeah, if anything seems sort of unfocused or odd i apologise in advance its just the result of how my mind is working these parts. Anyway I hope to have the next chapter done by next week but only time will tell if I'll actually manage that or not. Hope you all enjoy this chapter and if you've got any comments don't be afraid to leave a review and let me know. Also I'd like to thank those that reviewed my last chapter, they made my day and helped keep me focused on working on this chapter.
Chapter 2
Fairfield, Connecticut, USA
3 days after first infection
11am
"So much for taking it in turns," Zoey sighed as she awoke to find sunlight streaming in the window.
"One night only," Cass replied tiredly, "After what you went through, you needed the rest."
"And what if you'd fallen asleep?" Zoey asked, worriedly, "Was it really worth the risk?"
"I'm a master at pulling all nighters," Cass yawned, "I'll just need to take a nap in a couple of hours is all." Zoey shook her head. She knew it was futile to continue stressing about it. Cass was right, she had been emotionally and mentally exhausted yesterday and probably would have been still if Cass had woken her during the night.
"Anything happen while I was out of it?" she asked, sitting up and stretching.
"I finished my book," Cass shrugged, "It's been really quiet all night, creepily quiet even."
"Well that at least means they haven't found us yet," Zoey muttered, "Though it may also mean..."
"Let's not think about that," Cass cut in, "There will be others out there somewhere laying low just like us." Zoey hesitated then nodded with a sigh, she hoped Cass was right. The two sat there in silence, each letting their thoughts wander to their own individual worries. For Cass, this was the safety of her brother. She just couldn't help but think that this was all contained to just Fairfield, it had to be more widespread than that and thus Ryan could be caught up in it all too. For Zoey, it was all about what might happen to them next, where they were to go from here and if life would ever be the same or if this was the beginning of the end for mankind. After a while the sound of growling stomachs interrupted the silence.
"I'll make us something to eat," Cass said, getting to her feet, "Not sure how much I have in though, we may have to risk going out there for supplies at some point...most likely fairly soon."
"How soon is fairly soon?" Zoey asked apprehensively as she watched Cass make her way to the kitchen. Cass disappeared into the room without a reply.
"There's less here than I thought," she eventually replied with worry, "We may have to go out tomorrow."
"Great," Zoey sighed, "What;s available anyway?"
"Noodles," came the reply, "And more noodles."
"Diet of a true student," Zoey laughed, getting up to join Cass in the kitchen, "Let me give you a hand preparing our exquisite feast."
8pm
"Keep trying Zoey there has to be some channel that's still working," Cass grumbled with impatience as she herself messed with the radio, desperately searching for a signal, any signal that would prove things were still okay out there somewhere. They had expected things to be out locally but the complete absence of transmissions was disturbing news for them as it meant things were a lot worse than they'd came to convince themselves it was.
"I am trying Cass," Zoey snapped in reply, starting to cave under the feeling of utter hopelessness that was occupying her mind, "But there's nothing. Nothing local, nothing national, nothing anywhere."
"There has to be something," Cass replied, not wanting to give up, "There just has to be dammit! Things can't be that bad...they're not allowed to be that bad." Zoey tore her gaze away from the small television set to look at Cass. She sighed and placed a hand on her shoulder. She knew stressing out about this wasn't a good idea, even if this whole situation did terrify her. It would only drag Cass down and she wanted to avoid that. Cass had never truly gotten over the death of her parents and had been forced to seek the help of a psychiatrist many times, even now she was on medication for it. Before this however, Zoey had noticed Cass had seemed to be gradually improving and she didn't want that to be reversed.
"I'm sorry Cass," she muttered, "You're right, I'm just letting this get to me because I'm scared, there's bound to be another reason for it."
"Try checking if the internet is still up," Cass replied, trying to hide her own distress behind a tone of indifference, "If that's down we have problems." Zoey nodded and headed into Cass' bedroom to collect the laptop. Cass continued to focus on the radio, trying to use it to distract herself from the despair that was slowly creeping into her mind. After all she had to learn to deal with it, if things were as bad as they were beginning to seem then it would be like this a lot more, she wouldn't be able to rely on her meds once they ran out.
"Cass, snap out of it!" Zoey's voice rang through her ears, forcing her back to the real world, "Go back a little, you just picked something up there!" Cass fumbled with the radio, backtracking until she found what Zoey had been on about. There was a lot of interference but that was definitely a news report.
...sudden wave of violent crimes in Fairfield, Connecticut just days after initial reports of a new illness dubbed 'Green Flu', rumoured to be a mutated strain of the rabies virus. The number of casualties is still unknown as the city has been completely locked down by the military under orders from the President himself. CEDA are also said to be on the scene, working with the military in order to investigate whether or not green Flu is in fact tied in with this epidemic of aggressive behaviour. Upon trying to question CEDA officials earlier today, our reporters were quickly escorted off site by military personnel. We will however try to keep you updated as the story unfolds...
At that moment the transmission was lost to static once more and no amount of tinkering with the radio could recover it.
"Well at least we know its not all that bad," Zoey sighed in relief, "And if the military has already been called in it must mean they're getting ready to make a move."
"Yeah mostly likely they're going to move through the city and take out everyone they can find," Cass muttered bitterly, "I don't trust the army enough to think they won't shoot innocents like us."
"It's not just the military here though Cass," Zoey pointed out, "They've got CEDA there and the government seems to be heavily involved as well."
"Still don't trust them," Cass replied, trying and failing to stifle a yawn.
"Maybe you might feel differently once you've gotten some rest," Zoey argued, "You've been awake for over a full day now, you really need to get some rest."
"Yeah, guess you're right," Cass yawned again, "Wake me when you start getting tired and I'll take my turn at watch."
"Sure," Zoey replied, clearly planning to attempt to do the same that Cass had for her.
"I mean it Zoey," Cass warned, "I wake up to find sunlight coming through those windows you'll have hell to pay." She grinned cheekily, settling down onto the sofa. Zoey simply smiled and shook her head, unable to really get a reply in as Cass fell asleep the moment her eyes closed.
4 days after first infection
4pm
"That's it, we're completely out of food," Cass sighed as she set the bowls of noodles on the table, "We're going to have to go out there and try to find some supplies, preferably after we've eaten this then we don't have to wait until tomorrow. I ain't going out there when its dark." Zoey nodded.
"Might be a good idea," she agreed, "Besides I've been thinking...no offence Cass, but this place isn't exactly the safest place to stay. We should probably be on the lookout for a better place to lay low whilst we're out as well."
"None taken," Cass shrugged, "In fact I agree with you. If we were to get more than a few of them finding there way in here we'd be doomed, there's only the one way out. We need to find somewhere closer to ground level and with an alternative entrance, or rather exit, and if possible close to where we find supplies. The less distance we have to travel to get them the better."
"Less chances for something bad to happen," Zoey nodded, pulling her bowl towards her and picking up her fork, "That and it means we use less energy on travel so we'd be able to conserve more for any encounter that did occur." Cass nodded in agreement, already wolfing down her own meal. Zoey smiled, glad that she had not offended Cass and that she too thought of the apartment as an unsuitable place to stay during a potential zombie outbreak. Silence fell as they continued their meal. To an outsider it may seem like the two were finding this entire situation normal but underneath it all there was still a panic that threatened to overtake them at any time. Or at least that was the case for Zoey, for Cass it was less panic and more a sensation of futile despair. She forced herself to stay strong for Zoey but she was beginning to feel that things were just going to get worse and that the only reason they were alive and uninfected at that moment was entirely due to luck.
"You okay?" Zoey asked her worriedly as they finished eating.
"Fine," Cass lied, "Just tired. Do me a favour and check Ryan's room for backpacks please. We're gonna need them to carry stuff in. I'll see about finding what's best to take with us to use as a weapon." Zoey nodded and did so, sighing as she left, she could see straight through Cass' lie. The two had been friends long enough for Zoey to recognise the signs that Cass was having a particularly difficult day with her condition.
4 days after first infection
7:30pm
"Cass we've been out here for like three hours now," Zoey sighed, "It's going to get dark soon, we really need to start heading back. \we've got our supplies, we can search for a new place to stay tomorrow."
"I'm telling you I saw someone come down this way," Cass replied, "And if there's still someone who's uninfected around here it may mean there's somewhere safe to stay nearby."
"And what happens if they're infected?" Zoey argued, "We waste time and effort and run the risk of one of us getting injured or worse, infected or dead. Cass stopped in her tracks and stared at the ground.
"I know," she mumbled apologetically, "I realise this is a huge risk but in all fairness, so is going back to that apartment. We've been lucky so far but who's to say we won't get back to find it swarming with those things or that we won't be overrun with them during the middle of the night. If this was an infected individual then at least it's still only one, we can deal with that easily and that's why I feel its worth finding out." Zoey hesitated as Cass looked up at her, eyes full of sorrow and concern.
"I hate it when you're right," she finally groaned, giving in, "Let's get this done quickly though." Cass nodded and the two of them set off after the mysterious stranger again. It wasn't long before they found him though. As they rounded the corner onto the next street they came face to face with the barrel of a gun. They froze in fear, was this man seriously going to shoot them? After a few moments he lowered his gun and they both gave sighs of relief. The stranger was clearly a member of the police force as he was still wearing his uniform and they both recognised the pistol that had been aimed at them only moments ago to be one of standard police issue, exactly like the one that was currently nestled at the bottom of Zoey's backpack.
"I thought someone was following me," he said, "You girls are damn lucky I stop to check my targets, what you even doing out here anyway?"
"Looking for supplies," Zoey responded warily, "And a safer place to lay low."
"So I guess you heard the same rumour I did then?" he smiled, relaxing, "About these supposed 'safe houses' CEDA's apparently been organising for those that have escaped the infection."
"Actually we hadn't heard about that," Cass blinked, seeming surprised, "They planning an evacuation or something?"
"Hell if I know," he scoffed, "They could be rounding us all up to conduct tests on us or some shit. All I know is they're supposed to be the safest places in the city."
"Where's the nearest one?" Cass enquired with an air of urgency about her.
"Meant to be one just a few streets from here," the man replied, "You may as well just follow me seeing as we're all headed that way."
"Thank you," Zoey smiled before Cass could say anything, "We appreciate your help."
"Don't mention it," he nodded, "Come on this way." He turned away from them and began to walk away, Zoey following almost immediately. Cass hesitated for a moment longer. She didn't trust this man, he just didn't feel right for a cop and Zoey should have picked up on that. Then again considering what had happened to her father, maybe Zoey didn't care and saw this as some sort of way of connecting with her deceased father once again. Cass frowned and followed after them, one hand in the pocket of her dark jeans, her fingers clenched tightly around the handle of the knife she had selected as her weapon for this outing. If he acted up she would be ready for it. She wouldn't let anything happen to either of them. Not now. Not ever.
"Your friend seems very distrusting," the man mentioned to Zoey.
"She's had a hard life," Zoey replied sadly, "And with everything that's happened lately I'm worried her mental condition may worsen with all the stress."
"Poor kid," he sighed, shaking his head, "Hopefully that stress will be lifted somewhat when we reach this place, won't have to worry about everything." Zoey nodded, glancing back at Cass. She couldn't understand it, why had Cass' behaviour changed so suddenly? There was no reason for them not to trust this man, he was a police officer and he was escorting them to safety. Perhaps all this had been having more of an effect on her than Zoey had previously thought, she'd have to have a talk with her later and find out.
"Well, this should be the place," the man's voice burst through her thoughts, "Red door, just like the rumours said." Zoey stared at the door. It didn't seem like much but then again that may have been the point, make it easily recognisable for those who are searching for it but not so much that it attracts unwanted attention.
"Do we knock or just go right in?" Cass asked roughly, appearing by Zoey's side.
"I guess we probably oughta knock so that they know we ain't infected or a threat," the male answered, raising his hand and rapping his knuckles upon the metal door. A full minute went by before a slot on the door slid open and someone peered out of it at them.
"Hey there," the policeman greeted, "I heard this was meant to be some sort of save haven from the infection and the infected, mind letting myself and these two girls in? It'll be dark out soon and I don't fancy having to try defending myself in that." No reply came, the person on the other side of the door just continued to stare at them as if judging them.
"We're not infected," Zoey spoke up, "If we were we wouldn't be here."
"Alright, you can come in," a strict feminine voice replied, "But you better not cause any trouble, we're running out of room in here as it is and tempers are wearing thin."
"We promise you we won't be any trouble at all," Zoey nodded, her voice full of sincerity. The slot in the door slid closed and there was the sound of locks opening before the door creaked open.
"Inside, quickly," the female ordered. They nodded and hurried inside, the door shut and locked immediately behind them.
"The girls stay down at that end," the female informed them, pointing to the other end of the room, "There should be a bed or two spare, you sir should go up those stairs and enter the room on the left, that is where the males sleep. There is only one bathroom I'm afraid, located up stairs and straight down the hallway, I warn you know everybody only gets five minutes at any one time. This area we're standing in now is our temporary communal eating area. Teams of five are sent out each day to secure supplies, please add your names to the bottom of the rota located on that table there. If you have any questions or problems please come and find me. Now I must excuse myself, good night." And with that she stormed off up the stairs and turned right. Cass and Zoey moved over to the rota and signed their names at the bottom of the list before making their way to the end of the room.
"I'm hating this already," Cass grumbled.
"Yeah it seems overcrowded," Zoey agreed, "It's safe though and that's what's important for now, we can always keep an eye out for some place better when it's our turn to scavenge." Cass nodded and dumped her backpack at the foot of an unoccupied 'bed' which turned out to be nothing more than a mattress on the floor with a blanket and a seemingly lumpy pillow. Zoey deposited her backpack beside the next one and sat down.
"Fit for a king," she joked.
"Better than nothing," Cass shrugged, flopping down onto hers, "Though I'll agree the sofa was a hell of a lot better. Well, I'm exhausted so I'm going to try and get some sleep, night Zoey."
"Night Cass," Zoey sighed, laying back and closing her eyes.