This isn't listed in the categories but I think more people should probably give it a chance. It's inspired by the old radio dramas and is about a group of survivors trying to live in a world overrun by zombies. This started out as a recurring dream and I couldn't get it out of my head. The characters are mine and not from We're Alive. I hope you like it. All comments are welcome.

Chapter 15

I took his arm as we walked away from my room. I stole glances at him, at his dark jeans and grey shirt. I leaned closer to him and caught the light, musky scent of his cologne as he wrapped his arm around my waist. We stopped by the stairs that led down to the first floor and he leaned in to give me quick kiss on the lips. I looked up at him and bit my lip before returning the kiss and wrapping my arms around his neck. For a moment, everything felt as it once did. Nothing mattered except here and now.

I barely noticed the sounds of footsteps coming up the stairs beside us but I still reached for the gun that Aenne insisted that I leave behind. I backed away and turned to the group, recognizing them as the armed escorts that followed Roadie around. I waited for a moment for him to appear but they were alone.

"I'm sorry to interrupt your evening, ma'am," said the lead man who approached me. "But you've been recalled to the compound."

I looked at his vest to read the name stitched on it. I recognized the name from a few of the early reports from when Roadie started here and knew that they were very close. I had seen him around the compound but recalled he had been gone for the last few months and Roadie had been worried about him. Whatever his mission had been, it had called for him to go alone and maintain radio silence.

"What's going on, Sean?" I asked as Gabriel took my hand.

"I don't have that information, ma'am," Sean apologized and made room for the others to make their way past us. "I was only given orders to bring you in."

I could see that he wasn't going to budge and my heart sank. I squeezed his fingers as I turned to Gabriel, wishing this was some sort of prank. From the serious looks on the men's faces, I knew whatever it was, it couldn't be ignored.

"Go back with Aenne and wait for me," I said and forced a smile. "I'll be back as soon as I can." I leaned up on my tiptoes and kissed him lightly on the cheek before turning to the men.

We made our way down to a dark SUV and once inside, none of the men would look my way. I didn't recognize the driver or the man sitting in the passenger seat. I found a pack on the floor in front of me and opened it to find a spare gun and other items. I pulled the slide back and checked that the magazine was full before putting it back in the holster. It wasn't until we were pulling away that I noticed the buses that were fast approaching the training grounds. I turned in my seat and watched as lights started to flicker on in the various barracks and I began to wonder how serious things had gotten.

"Tell me what's going on, Sean!" I demanded as we sped away back towards the compound.

"I don't have that information," he repeated but I could see from his blank expression that he knew more than he was willing to share. I quickly pulled the gun from the pack, placing it firmly against his throat as I leaned towards him. I straddled his lap and grabbed the handle hanging besides the window as the driver slammed on the breaks.

"Let's try that again," I repeated myself as I cocked the hammer back and clicked the safety off the gun. "You're going to tell me what is going on. Why am I being recalled and why are you rounding up all the trainees? Where are they taking them?"

He leaned his head back and looked at me, trying to swallow.

"All I know is we've been given new orders," he said finally. "Some sort of massive rescue operation. They've recalled everyone from the field for it."

"What sort of massive rescue?" I asked as I moved the gun away and he reached up to rub his throat. "Who are we rescuing and why does it involve so many people?"

"That part I don't know, ma'am," he said and moved his head back when I turned to him. "But the orders came from higher up."

"There's no one left to give those kinds of orders," I said as I let go of the handle and moved back from him. As I moved back to my seat, the driver and the front passenger guard lowered their weapons when Sean waved them off. I looked down at the gun in my lap and placed it back in the bag before turning to Sean again. "When did you get back?"

"Earlier this evening, ma'am," he said and lightly coughed. "I was sent over soon after."

"Stop calling me ma'am!" I demanded. "Look, I know we haven't been properly introduced. Call me Mol."

"As you prefer," he said with a smug smile on his face and I looked at him from the corner of my eye. I wondered then what Roadie must have told him about me.

"It's been a while for you, hasn't it?" I laughed and he turned away.

"I…I'm not! I would never…" he started to say but I interrupted.

"I'm flattered but you might want to deal with that soon." I said as I patted his arm. "And if I have to do without then I can't see why you can't either."

I could see the driver's eyes in the rear view mirror as he tried to cover his laughter. Sean turned away from my uncomfortably and I turned to stare out the window. I had known trouble was brewing when Roadie started to keep things bottled up inside but I didn't know it would escalate to this. I worried what could have changed so quickly.

Whatever happened, I would have my answers as soon as I reached the compound, I thought as I sat back and crossed my arms over my stomach and tried not to think about the evening plans I had lost.