Hi again, peeps. So.. yeah. Chapter 3. xD I apologize for the long waits, but that's just how I roll these days. I like to take my time when it comes to writing, and that, therefore, ensures that the quality of my work is superb. I sound too poetic. GOD DAMN IT!

Plus there's school. YAY. I'm nearly failing one of my classes, so I really need to get my shit together.. Thank God, I can drop it next year when I take IB..

Let's get this show on the road then, you cheeky bastards. Oh, and BTW, Ulysses is probably a common Mexican name, but I only remember it after reading Monument 14, I get mad every time I talk about this series. Nobody knows it, and it's super frustrating for me.

As always, enjoy! ;)


Mass puddles from last week's rain are scattered everywhere, the smell of filthy water hanging in the air adds to the sewage's stench, making me scrunch up my nose in disgust.

"Just play it cool," Tess tells us calmly before we make our way to the gates leading to Checkpoint South 5 with our fake ID's in hand. As we get closer to the gate, I can see how many are guarding the door itself; at least 5-6 men surround us, assault rifles locked and loaded in their grasp.

I maintain a poker face as I stand beside Tess to her right, Dad on her other side; we give Dad our ID's as we exchange looks with each other. The thing about the soldiers of USAF is that half the time they don't remember your names or what you look like either because of the number of people they see, meaning if we do get in any trouble with them, they'll have no proof because of our fake ID's.

I recognize the soldier in front of us as Jeff, one of the 2 soldiers that Logan spoke to just before Mark's death. The gear FEDRA's provided their soldier's is ridiculously advanced, making them quite well protected. The standard uniform of a ballistic vest over their navy blue button ups, as well as ballistic helmets to go with them is intriguing to look at to say the least, but I think they're meant to look intimidating. I just see them as kids in costumes who happen to have legal access to firearms and immense power over civilians.

"Let me see your ID's." A bored and tired tone in his voice seeps into the air, almost as if he's trying to tell us that we aren't worth his time, tempting me to challenge him with a look of clear and utter annoyance. "There you go." Dad says to him plainly as he gives him our false ID's.

He looks at us one by one, before asking Dad, "What's your business here?"

"Got the day off. Visiting a friend." I hold my breath and pray he doesn't notice.

He takes one last look at the ID's before handing them to Dad. "Alright, move on through."

"Thanks."

Dad walks ahead of us, Tess sandwiched in between Dad and I, when deafening occurs on one of the army trucks leaving the QZ, less than 10 meters away from us. We immediately duck down and look away from the flames. The smell of gasoline and smoke reaches me; I immediately shut my eyes and hold my breath. Some of the debris flies towards us in flames. My ears are ringing because of how near the explosion was, making me shake my head a little to try and stop it.

FEDRA always has their ways of covering shit up. Something like this can't just be wrapped up in a blanket and be pretended with. I'm pretty sure everyone saw it, if not, at least heard it.

Jeff drags the gate shut, pushing Dad away. "Oh shit. Get outta here. Go!" He yells to us urgently.

"Close it up!"

"Fireflies!"

"Fuckin' shoot 'em!"

"They're running! Call for backup!"

Shots are fired from all around on both ends, some random, some with precision. We remain crouched down as Tess taps my elbow, "Come on, let's get outta here."

I nod curtly at her in response as she turns around and takes off at a run. Dad and I sprint from behind her to avoid any more bullets being fired from the other side of the gate.

Of all days, the Fireflies decide to fight FEDRA head-on. THAT'S real convenient for us, ain't it? "Goddamn Fireflies." I mumble to myself as we slow down at the building Tess is waiting for us at. The loud monotone voice on the speaker returns, updating us with the current situation. "Attention. Checkpoint 5 is now closed until further notice. All civilians must clear the surrounding area immediately."

Dad closes the door behind us as we enter, I lean against the doorframe trying to catch my breath - my sketchbook still in hand - when I notice Dad's left arm is bleeding. Some of the debris must've had an impact on it.

"Fuck.. so much for the easy route." Tess says to us, her voice clearly annoyed with our current situation. I tap Dad's shoulder and point at his arm, which he brushes me off for. Tess takes out a set of bandages with alcohol applied in advance and hands it to him. "Patch yourself up, alright?"

As Dad wraps the bandage around his bleeding arm, I take a brief look at the inside of the building. The color scheme is dull, much like the other buildings in the city, and the paint is peeling off, leaving patches on the walls. An old dusty smell lingers in the air, making me cough a little.

When Dad finishes, Tess leads the way; this time, I remain in the back as Dad walks between us. Tess' voice echoes in the large building, especially since almost nobody's occupying it anymore. "They're gonna close all the checkpoints." Tess tells us flatly as I let out a groan. "We're gonna have to go around the outside?"

My eyebrows immediately perk up in curiosity. "Whoa whoa whoa, wait. Outside the wall?" I ask her, feigning my interest. Tess turns her head briefly towards me and says, with a smart tone in her voice, "Or we could just let Robert go.."

Dad scoffs and simply says, "Cute." I stifle a smirk, even though both of them have their backs turned to me. God, they need to get hooked up again already!

A dark skinned man in his early thirties approaches us after getting up from his metal stool. His old and faded Ray bans seem to be lacking in its old shine. I immediately recognize him because of his bald head and aviator jacket. Ulysses Gomez, he was in Logan's unit back in the day, he works with us now that he quit. I had a bit of trouble pronouncing his name when I first met him, but now his name pronunciation is as easy as drinking ice cold water on a hot day, not that there are any cold drinks these days. "Tess, you see that shit?" Gomez asks her as he joins us, walking beside her. He lost his Mexican accent long ago, his now American accent remains in his voice. "I was there." Tess replies flatly before continuing, "So, how's the east tunnel looking?"

"It's clear. I just used it. No patrols." He turns his head briefly at us in simple greeting, "Sup, Joel. Mel." Dad gives him a small nod as I give him a small wave, along with, "Yo."

"Where you off to?" Gomez asks Tess as he faces forward once again. "Gonna pay Robert a visit." Tess says matter-of-factly.

He lets out a small laugh before responding. "You too?"

"Who else is looking for him?" Took the words right out of my mouth there, Tess.

"Uh, Marlene." Dafuq? "She's been asking around, trying to find him." I walk a little faster in a steady stride and end up next to Dad, better for me so that I can hear clearer.

"Marlene? What do the Fireflies need with Robert?" I ask him. He shrugs and answers without turning around, "You think she'd tell me?"

"Well, what did you tell her?"

"The truth. I got no idea where he's hiding."

I can practically hear Tess smirking in front of me. "Good man. Hey, you stay out of trouble alright? Military's gonna be out in force soon."

"Yeah – see you around." He gives us a curt nod as he leans against the door on his left. We continue to walk deeper into the building in silence.

Tess breaks the silence by asking, "Marlene lookin' for Robert? What do you make of that?" I remain quiet since I don't want to answer a question I have no answers to. Damn, he's become quite the celebrity.

"I don't like it. We better find him before the Fireflies do."

We finally manage to reach our destination which is at the very far end of the building. The room is a welcome sight for me and my aching legs since I despise walking too much all at once. Despite its tattered state, I still enjoy hanging out in this fairly large room. I know we're only gonna be here for a couple of minutes, but still. "This is us." Tess announces as if welcoming us here for the first time.

The room is practically empty unless you count the two couches, abandoned fireplace, a few misshapen shelves with empty glass bottles on the very top, the old clock and dartboard. Old newspapers and empty alcohol bottles litter the floor. We find Don Abrams sitting on one of the old couches, wearing his faded blue button up shirt, slouching.

"Hey, guys. How's it going?" Don asks us politely.

"Shit's stirring up out there. How we lookin' over here?" Tess replies.

"Ah, it's been quiet. No signs of military or infected."

"That's what I like to hear." Tess says to him at least before going to the left side of the room. A medium sized shelf and a few bottles on top of it cover the way out, not as well as it should, but it's better than nothing. "Joel, gimme a hand with this." Dad obliges and helps her push it aside, a couple of bottles topple over but remain on the shelf.

"Y'all take it easy out there." Don calls out to us before we jump down into the underground.


I know.. This story is moving along rather sluggishly. But as they say, "Patience is a virtue." That, and I need to get my shit together for school. Oh whale.

Until next time, later! Have a good day! :)

-LGGH