IV - Our People
Lori closed the driver's side window and pressed her foot against the gas pedal. The wheels moved slowly ahead as Lincoln pressed his thumb against the play button on the cassette recorder while holding the walkie-talkie close to it. The tape was labeled 'I (2/03/88)'.
"Hello, people. I'm Tim Crowley and I'm 18 years old. I'm entering the University of Michigan College of Engineering. You know— gotta stay close to home right? Speaking of which— I didn't live in Ann Arbor my whole life. I was born and raised in Detroit, and a lotta stuff happened there. My dad, who I barely knew anything about, was killed there. So you know... it wasn't easy for my mom. It was hard. She had a hard time raising me alone since there was not a lot of money to go around. I think I'm getting a little off-topic. Okay, maybe too off-topic. Here's what I wanted to relay to you guys! I grew up researching the government and news, and I became very interested in conspiracy theories. Shocker, right? This inspired me to chase an honest career, engineering. To go further into detail…"
Five minutes passed, with Tim's voice filling the empty void of silence in the van. Lori looked at her rearview mirror and only saw two waking pairs of eyes— Bobby and Luan. Everyone else was asleep. Darcy napped on Bobby's ribcage. Lynn and Francisco snored on each other's shoulders. Lincoln's face lay against the van window. Ronnie Anne also slept on Bobby's ribcage, but on the opposite side of where Darcy slept. Clyde slept well, with his head lying on the headrest of his seat. Leni and Lily were sucking their thumbs while asleep. Sam snored, while Luna slept on her lap. Lana and Lola's heads were set together, both napping like cats after a long day of licking themselves. Lisa slept peacefully, next to Darcy, and next to her was Lucy, who Lori wasn't even sure was sleeping.
Luan placed her hands on Benny's lap and looked at his lips, which appeared so naked. She looked at his eyes, which were closed, and exhaled through her nose as her hands turned red. She wrapped her left arm back around Benny's shoulders and leaned close to his right cheek, pressing her lips against it. After a soft smooch, she slowly moved away, a soft pink blush appearing in her cheeks. Benny then slowly opened his eyes.
"What was that for?" Benny whispered, smiling softly.
"It… it was for saving my life. You know, a little thank-you," whispered back Luan. "I-I didn't mean to w-wake you up."
"No problem," whispered Benny, blushing softly. "And don't worry about it. I... I was glad I woke up. I felt it. It was nice."
Benny brought Luan's head close to his chest and fell back to sleep. Luan's heart was beating very rapidly as she closed her eyes, falling asleep. Lori looked at them through the mirror and smiled softly before looking at Bobby, who was shaking. Her smile faded as she quickly wiped a tear away from her eyes.
Inside Chaz's car, Tabby slept with her against the car window, snoring along with the low hum of the car engine. Rusty, Rocky, and Liam slept on each other's shoulders while Zach stayed awake, holding the walkie-talkie while listening to Tim's voice.
Lori drove with her hands gripped on the steering wheel, maneuvering the van slowly around the cars, avoiding scraping the metal bodies.
Her maneuvering went on for an hour, even taking many turns away from her hometown before finally passing by a sign saying, 'Welcome to Royal Woods.'
She looked ahead in the road, passing by downtown, finding cars in the middle of the road, some with burn marks, others with broken windows, and most with open doors that revealed blood in the seats. Some cars were crashed into stores and buildings. The roof of the gas station at Flip's Food and Fuel lay on the ground, collapsed with burn marks and rubble.
Waste from toppled trash cans rolled around the streets, polluting the town like never before. Abandoned police cars blocked certain roads. Yellow tape waved around a telephone pole. Windows were either shattered or boarded up.
Lori turned her car to the left of the intersection, driving in Franklin Avenue. She passed by a few rotting stragglers— their attention being diverted towards the van. One rotter raised its right arm, waving around its half-ripped right wrist, which limped and rotated around like a fish hook.
The wheels in Vanzilla slowed as it approached the driveway of the Loud house before coming to a full stop. Lori moved the gear selector back and set it on park. She turned her head towards the window on the passenger seat, seeing Chaz park by the sidewalk in front of Mr. Grouse's house. She slowly opened the door as Bobby moved Darcy's head off his lap with ease. He hovered over Ronnie Anne and lifted himself towards the doors as he proceeded to exit the van. Lori grabbed her golf club and her AK-47 before slowly closing the door. She then walked around the van, meeting Bobby in the back of the van.
Suddenly, Lori turned around as she heard growling in the distance, finding rotters walking unevenly towards the group. She placed the strap of the AK-47 around her shoulder and across her chest, leaving it hanging on her back— and felt a certain shield placed around her because of the gun despite it having no ammo.
Carol drove the car next to the curb before hitting a trash can which rolled ahead and bumped the rear end of Chaz's car. She shook her head and sighed as she stepped outside, feeling the brisk air rubbing against her arms. Then, she felt her shoes step on something sticky, so she set her eyes on the sidewalk. She gasped as she quickly flinched back, moving her shoes away from the puddle of brain matter that she stepped on. Her eyes looked around the sidewalk, the street, and the lawn, finding dead corpses lying around with their skulls not intact. Her eyes then caught Lori approaching a couple rotters.
"Lori...?" she muttered out.
Lori spun her golf club before getting a good grip on the golf club. The club pointed upwards and behind her as she assumed a proper stance. She did not budge as the rotter with the broken wrist walked closer and closer.
"B-Babe..." mumbled Bobby, taking out his Luger pistol.
Lori then swung down, thrusting the club downwards before it moved up, smashing the rotter's jaw against the base of its skull, destroying everything in between. All the bodily functions of the rotter ceased, causing the empty shell of an infected and dead person to drop down to the ground like a ragdoll.
She then swung the golf club down at another rotter, smashing in its skull, popping out its golden eyes as its bioluminescent fluids flowed out of the eye socket.
"Wow," mouthed Carol.
Lori swung her club at another rotter. Then, another. And another.
Suddenly, a low rumbling noise could be heard coming from Huntingon Oaks, west of Royal Woods. Lori dropped her golf club and pulled her strap as she tried reaching for her rifle.
The noise grew louder and louder as Lori realized it was coming from the blades of a helicopter tearing through the sky. She then walked back to the van as she pointed her assault rifle at it while Bobby grew alamed and nervous, taking cover behind the right side of the van. Carol jumped inside the van and lowered herself down from the windows.
Lori then saw the helicopter descend a few blocks away from her home, in the direction of Ketcham Park. Bobby then peeked from the edge of Vanzilla hearing the noise of the helicopter get softer, though the rotor blades were still loud.
"Bobby, did you see that?" exclaimed Lori.
"Babe... I think everyone awake saw that," said Bobby, walking towards Lori behind Vanzilla.
"It was a freakin' helicopter. In Ketcham Park? What the hell?"
"Yeah. What's a helicopter doing there? You don't think it belongs to… General Black?"
A 45-year-old man walked by the fence in the side of Mr. Grouse's yard. The man was as tall as Lynn Sr and he wore a navy blue t-shirt— which wrapped around his muscles— gray cargo pants, and black combat boots, which wrapped around the lowest part of his pants. His black shades reflected the the image of Lori and Bobby standing by the van. His black beard wrapped around his lips, jaw, and chin, while his exposed skin started to wrinkle. A pair of dog tags hung down from his neck. Sweat ran down from his short army-cut styled black hair, to his forehead— which bore a small horizontal scar on the left side— and down to his neck where a pair of dog tags wrapped around it. He grabbed his Beretta M9 pistol from the holster on his gray cargo pants and pointed it at the couple, also exposing his small black watch on his left wrist.
"Drop your weapons and put your hands up in the air!" he yelled, his deep voice spooking the couple.
The couple turned around, with Lori grabbing Bobby's right hand while pointing her AK-47 at the man. Bobby pointed his Luger pistol at the man as well, though his grip felt loose and shaky.
Chaz stepped out of the car, looking at the man from behind. He gasped slowly.
"What the–?"
Suddenly, he was kicked from behind the knee as his legs quickly folded back. He was then shoved to the ground before his face was pinned down.
"Ow! Hey! What gives?"
A 38-year old woman with blonde hair tied back in a ponytail held Chaz's face against the pavement. She wore a light brown safari vest over her white slim tank top, gray cargo shorts, and black combat boots. She was about Rita's height and was fit enough to snap Chaz's arms in less than two seconds. Her visor hat matched the color of her vest and gave her blue eyes some shade.
Carol lifted her head upwards and saw Lori and Bobby being held at gunpoint. She swallowed hard, feeling her heart beat faster and faster. Then, another man knocked on the window before opening it up. She gasped before the man grabbed her arms and pulled her out of the car.
"Hey! Let me go! Stop!" yelled Carol.
The man shoved her against Chunk's van while pinning her left arm behind her, making her yelp in fright and pain. With his free hand, he took out his Colt Python and aimed it behind her head.
"Ow! Lori! Help!"
The 42-year old man that kept Carol pinned against the black van had short textured blond hair. He wore a gray safari vest over his brown buttoned t-shirt. He wore green camouflage cargo pants and a green belt to hold it. Below his pants were brown combat boots. He was a little taller than Lynn Sr., and was as fit as the woman, though his muscles bulged a lot more.
"What'd I say? Drop your weapons… and put your hands up in the air!" yelled the 45-year old man, pointing his M9 at the young couple.
Lori turned her eyes towards Bobby in fear. Her pupils contracted as her breath got shakier by the second. Bobby gulped a large lump of nervous saliva, placed his pistol in the ground, and then raised his hands up, releasing his grip from Lori's hand.
"Your turn, sweetheart," said the man with the M9.
Lori set her assault rifle down on the road before raising her hands up. Her eyes did not move away from the man.
"Hope you don't mind me asking where you got those weapons," said the man, staring at Lori and Bobby's panicked expression.
Lori looked at Bobby, who was unable to utter a word out. Her knees felt weak. Her palms grew clammy. Her thoughts were racing.
"Well, are you going to tell me or what?" exclaimed the man.
"We– we got them... we got them from the city," said Lori, her voice sounding low.
"Where from the city?"
"A-A military station."
Lisa woke up and stretched her arms and legs, squinting her eyes before putting on her glasses. She took a glimpse of the activity going on outside the van and immediately opened up her eyes from her deep slumber and tapped on Benny's shoulder. Benny yawned and arose from his nap.
"Ugh. What is it, Lisa?"
"Look outside!" whispered back Lisa.
Benny rubbed his eyes and looked out the rear windows. He saw the man's back turned on them, along with a pistol aimed at Lori and Bobby. He then saw the woman pinning Chaz against the road and the other man pinning Carol against Chunk's van.
"Ohh… crap."
The kids inside Vanzilla all began to wake up slowly— stretching and yawning before rubbing their eyes. Benny reached for his sheath as some of the kids looked at the strangers outside the van. Luan— being one of those kids— felt dazed and wondered whether she was dreaming. She then turned towards Benny.
"What are you doing?" asked Luan.
"I'm going to make a scene," said Benny.
Benny unsheathed his katana and placed his hand on the door handle, pulling it while pushing the door. The door opened, though it made a creaking noise underwhelmed by the quiet town. His heart raced as he felt his chest getting hot. He crouched and snuck towards the back of the van. The faces of the three strangers were all facing away from Benny, all distracted with their own hostage.
As he moved closer and closer, he quickened his pace, raising his katana, getting close to the man before the stranger pulled out an M9 from his left holster, and turned his back against the lawn of the Loud residence. He backed away, aiming his right M9 at Lori and Bobby and his left M9 at Benny, who stopped in his tracks.
"Drop it," said the man. "Now."
Benny dropped his katana and scowled at the man. Lori grew even more anxious.
"No! Benny!" whispered Luan.
"What do you want from us?" asked Benny.
"Answers! I'm asking you kids a damn question! Where'd ya' really get those weapons?"
"We told you, a military station!" yelled Lori.
"A military station... in Detroit?"
"You don't believe us."
"Last thing I wanna do is trust a couple of strangers holding weapons they shouldn't be holding."
"We have a right to defend ourselves!" said Benny. "Not that it worked well for us... but still!"
David stared at the kids while moving his fingers around the trigger guard.
"I think these kids are alright," said the other man. "The radio message hasn't lied to us. Detroit was bombed. There were rogue soldiers— there had to be a military station in there."
"Plus, look inside the van, David," said the woman. "It's all kids inside. No adults. Matches what the man in the radio said."
The man looked through the windows in Vanzilla, seeing Leni, the tallest survivor inside the van, holding Lily, the smallest survivor inside the van. He then lowered his guns and placed them back inside their respective holster as he faced Lori.
"Y-You're not gonna rob us?" asked Lori.
"Rob you?" whispered the man. "Nah. Nah, I'm sorry about..."
The man faced Vanzilla.
"...about spookin' you kids."
Lori sighed a breath of relief, though her knees still felt shaky.
"That's right you should feel sorry!" exclaimed Lori. "I thought you were going to kill me! You shouldn't have done that!"
The man faced his two friends and gave them a slight nod. The woman released Chaz while the other man released Carol. He then faced Lori again, removing his shades.
"I'm sorry that you felt scared... but I ain't sorry about holding you at gunpoint. Can't be too safe these days."
"Do we look like a threat?" yelled Lori. "Freakin' idiot!"
"Hey, lady, why don't you relax?" said the blonde man.
"Relax? You know what my family and I just went through? We just went through hell!"
"I know," said the dark-haired man.
"No, you don't know!"
"Babe..." whispered Bobby.
"Look. We were just in Detroit. Yes, it was bombed. But not only that— people inside the 'safe-zone' were massacred by the soldiers! We were in a bunker all night and when we finally got out, we had to fight our way out of the city. Then we went back in to get supplies and weapons— weapons like the ones we're holding now! People we knew died! And when we finally think we're back home safe, you three assholes stop us and made me think that all this shit was gonna be for nothing! Fuck you!"
The man looked at his two friends, raising his eyebrows as he inhaled a large gulp of air. He then sighed and tapped his shades against his palm.
"Detroit... Detroit," he smiled. "Lemme' ask you something. You familiar with the name, Quentin Black?"
Lori's eyes widened as her breaths grew a bit more shaky.
"Quentin Black?" she said. "As in General Black? The murderous psychopath? That General Black?"
The man looked at the woman and the other man and nodded at them. He then walked towards Lori, Bobby, and Benny. Lori then gulped as she took a step back.
"W-Wait, you guys aren't Black's soldiers, right?"
"Once upon a time for Richard over there," said the man, picking up the AK-47 in the ground. "I never served him. And I'd never. You might all be children. But I wouldn't be surprised if he recruited some child soldiers to do his dirty work. He's classy like that."
The blonde man picked up the Luger while the woman picked up the katana.
"These weapons that you were holding. They're Black's. All three of them. World War Two relics. Still functional. Very reliable."
"Can we get our weapons back?" asked Benny.
"I can be sure you children won't kill me the moment I turn my ass around?"
Lori nodded.
"Sure," said the man. "You'll need 'em. Especially now, more than ever."
The man handed back the AK-47 to Lori. The blonde man handed the Luger back to Bobby while the woman held out the katana with the flat-edge of the blade across her palms. Benny grabbed the handle and saw his reflection on it before he looked upwards at the strangers in front of him.
"Who's in charge of this group?" asked the man.
Benny and Bobby looked at Lori, who took a few steps forward. The man turned towards Chaz, who nodded without hesitation. He then faced Carol.
"Her?" asked the man.
Carol gulped before nodding softly. David smiled before he faced Lori again.
"So it's you. What's your name?"
"Lori. Lori Loud. This guy here is my boyfriend, Bobby Santiago, and that boy is my sister's friend, Benny."
"I'm David. David Jones."
"Like the ghost pirate," said Benny.
"Davy Jones? Close enough."
The blonde woman spoke up.
"I'm Missy Bolts. Nice to meet you guys. This is my husband."
"I'm Richard Bolts. Pleased to meet you, Lori," said the blond man walking to Lori for a handshake.
Lori shook his hand slowly and looked at the three of them suspiciously. She then looked at her group inside Vanzilla and nodded.
"What does that mean?" asked Luan. "Does she trust them?"
Lisa nodded before whispering, "Affirmative."
The survivors inside Vanzilla slowly opened the doors and walked out of the van, twiddling with their fingers, rubbing their hands and arms, placing their hands inside their pockets.
"The heck's goin' on?" asked Liam. "I'm as lost as last year's Easter egg."
"I think she trusts these bandits," said Tabby.
"I don't think the bandits are bandits," said Rocky. "They're like us... survivors."
"What do we do now?" asked Zach.
"Everybody's gettin' outta their vehicles," said Rusty. "Maybe we should too. I say we should."
Liam placed his hands on a car door and opened it, slowly sliding himself out while holding Tabby's hands, pulling her out in a careful manner. Zach then soon followed, holding his walkie-talkie. Rocky quickly jumped out of the car while Rusty crouched under the car door before peeking out. He then stood his body outwards and backed up a little before closing the car door.
David looked at the children with his arms crossed and gave them a slight nod before facing Lori again.
"How did you guys know about General Black?" asked Lori.
"Exactly what I was gonna ask you," said David before he faced in the direction of Ketcham Park. "No time now, though. First thing first, go back to your shelter. Your safe space. Whatever you call this place."
"Home. This is my home."
"Right. Your home."
"Where are you guys heading?"
"Inside that house," said David, pointing at a familiar building.
"That belongs to my neighbor, Mr. Grouse."
"Don't know who that is. It was empty when we went inside. There were bullet holes and dried blood everywhere, though."
Lori looked at Lana, worry visible in her forehead. Lana looked at her and started tearing up.
"What about any pets?" asked Lori, facing David again.
"I saw many dead reptiles. There was a living dog named Charles, and I've been watching over it for a bit. But then a dead one scared it away. Don't know where it is now."
Lana wiped her tears and looked at the ground before closing her eyes. Lola rubbed her shoulders slowly and comforted her.
"What about a cat?" asked Lori, her voice showing hints of desperation.
"Didn't see one. Does this matter?"
"Yes, it's my cat. How did you not see a cat around here?"
"I just didn't. Shit, you know what actually matters the most now? We need to hide quickly, before they come. You're saying this house belonged to your neighbor?"
"Yes. Who are we hiding from? Rogue soldiers?"
"So you live..."
David pointed at the Loud residence, with Vanzilla parked in its driveway.
"...there? That messy house?"
"Yes, I live there. C'mon, tell me, is the rogues? Are we hiding from them?"
"Let's go inside, I'll answer all your questions."
David began walking towards the Loud residence as Lori watched. She then jogged towards him.
"Wait, you can't just walk in there uninvited!" she exclaimed.
David walked up the stairs and onto the porch before he placed his hands on the doorknob. He jiggled it before walking towards a nearby window. Lincoln jogged and stopped next to Bobby as they watched Lori storm towards the porch.
"No sign of any roamers," said David, looking through the cracks in the boarded window.
"What did I say?" hissed Lori.
David raised his pistol and held it by its barrel, getting ready to swing it at the window. Lori then ran up to him and held his arm.
"Woah, woah! Stop! Don't break my window, you asshole! I got keys!"
"Open the door. We don't have much time."
"What's wrong with you? I didn't invite you! For all I know, you might rob us and kill us after!"
"Unnecessary. We need people to fight the rogues. We ain't them. We'd never stoop so low to kill people who pose no threat to us. If we wanted to, you'd all be dead by now."
"But—"
"You need us, Lori. Open the door. Isn't a lotta time before the rogues start inspecting the streets."
Lori looked back at Bobby, who nodded softly. She then sighed and took out her keys from her back pocket, placing them inside the doorknob.
"We're trusting them?" whispered Lynn, holding her backpack with her hands.
"Do we really have a choice?" Lincoln whispered back.
"We always do. Watch your back."
The door opened, revealing the board games that sat on the kitchen table, a deck of cards near the stairs, and a stack of books on the table next to the couch. David, Richard, and Missy walked inside and looked around as they stepped aside, letting Lori's group enter the house.
"Alright, guys, you can put all your backpacks in the kitchen," said Lori. "Come back quickly. No horsing around!"
"Who died and made you queen?" asked Lynn.
"Lynn, don't test me."
Lynn gulped as she glanced at David, who couldn't help but grin. She quickly turned around and hid her face as she walked towards the kitchen. Lori then grabbed Bobby's shoulder and leaned close to his ears.
"Can you watch Darcy?" she asked.
Bobby nodded. Lori kissed his cheek and watched him as he walked to the kitchen. David looked down at him.
"She's strict and responsible," he whispered.
"She gets it from her mother," said Bobby.
David smiled softly as Bobby walked into the kitchen. He stepped towards the couch and plopped himself down there. Richard and Missy also made themselves comfortable on the couch, watching as some of the children were returning from the kitchen.
"Many new faces. Can you introduce everyone?" asked Missy.
"Sure thing. This is my brother, Lincoln. These one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine girls are my sisters. The light blonde with the sunglasses is Leni."
Leni smiled and waved nervously.
"The one in purple is Luna."
She threw up the sign of the horns with her hands and grinned.
"The one with the braces and ponytail is Luan."
Unable to raise her hands, she simply decided to smile softly.
"The other one with the ponytail is Lynn."
She had her arms crossed and she winked.
"The one in all black is Lucy."
She kept her blank expression.
"The one twin with the overalls is Lana and the other look-a-like with the pink dress is Lola."
Both girls held each other's hand, while using their free hands to wave.
"The one with the glasses is Lisa."
Lisa shifted her glasses and crossed her arms.
"My baby sister which Leni is holding is Lily."
Lily babbled before sticking her thumb inside her mouth. Missy couldn't help but smile at Lily.
"As for the others… some are my brother's friends. The one with the glasses is Clyde. The boy with the orange bowl haircut is Liam. The other redhead is Rusty and his little brother Rocky. The girl with the purple streak on her hair that looks like Luna is Tabby. The girl wearing the purple sweater around her waist is my boyfriend's sister, Ronnie Anne."
Lori wrapped her arms around Leni's shoulder.
"Our friend is right there with the hat going backwards– Chaz. The girl with the blue streak on her hair is Luna's friend, Sam. This little cutie pie, is Darcy. And the other guy with the backwards hat is Lynn's friend, Francisco."
"And I'm Carol Pingrey. I know them."
"I wouldn't trust her around your husband, Missy," whispered Lori.
Missy raised an eyebrow. David peered through the crack in the boarded windows. He then walked back and sat on the side of the couch.
"Okay. What questions do you have for us?" asked David.
"Who are we hiding from?" asked Lori. "How do you know Quentin Black? What do you know about him? Why were all the adults killed?"
"Okay, okay. Slowly."
David took a deep breath as he looked at the children.
"We're hiding from General Black's soldiers. Huh, soldiers... I wouldn't even call them soldiers since they broke the very mission they were supposed to serve. How pathetic. They're rogues."
David then looked up at Lori.
"What was the next question?"
"How do you know General Black?"
"Everyone in the military heard about Black. He's seen as a goddamn hero by many!"
Lori gasped. David paused as he looked around, wondering why there were surprised faces.
"W-What?"
Missy leaned close to him.
"Watch your language," she whispered.
"Oh, my bad!" said David. "You kids heard no g-word."
"Just don't do it again," said Lori. "Continue."
"Anyways, I know a lot about Black. He's a psychopathic, evil mistake of a man. He'll kill anyone who stands in his way."
"Like Tim Crowley and his friend, Gerald Brooker."
"Yes, that crazy conspiracy theorist who— now that I think about it— is not such a nuthead after all. He died?"
"Yeah. We went to his room and found blood everywhere. I think he was killed along with his buddy. General Black called them "terrorists". But... they were just trying to get the truth out. And they got killed for it. Along with... all the adults that were in the safe-zone with us."
"In Detroit? Yeah, that was a big mistake."
Lori scoffed and looked at David in the eyes. He glared back.
"There was a plan leaked by Tim Crowley about bombs ready to drop in Detroit. He tried to free all of you, the best he could. But as you said... he was killed. However, you're wrong about one thing. He did not kill all the adults there."
"He didn't?" asked Lori.
"No."
"Where did the other adults go? Did he take them somewhere far away? China? New York? Moscow? Guantanamo Bay?"
"They're a few blocks away," said David. "In Ketcham Park."
Lori was dumbstruck.
"What?" she gasped. "Shut up. No way."
"It's true," said Richard. "Wonder where the chopper came from? Just a few blocks away."
"Really? That's where General Black took them? A few miles away from the safe-zone? Not very bright, is he?"
"We shouldn't underestimate his intelligence," said David. "Everything he does is for a reason. If he moved them in there, there's gotta be a reason. Doesn't matter though. By tomorrow, his rogues will bury him in the ground— whatever rogues remain— after I give him what he deserves. I had the chance yesterday, but I fu... I screwed up."
"Nah, you didn't, David," said Richard. "You couldn't help that all those parents were there. You weren't gonna make 'em orphans, would ya?You couldn't risk them getting caught in the crossfire."
"Right. I guess you're right. I can't just kill General Black. I have to kill his men too."
"Wait, you're going after him alone?" asked Lori. "Do you want me to help?"
"Babe?" gasped Bobby. "Are you sure you want to help him? Seems really dangerous."
"Alone? Ha!" exclaimed David. "Nah. Nobody's doing anything alone. I got people willing to help me. There are citizens from Royal Woods, Huntington Oaks, Hazeltucky, Detroit— all willing to help me out. Not a lot of us, but enough to take down the soldiers. And I already have a plan."
"What's the plan?"
David brushed off Bobby's question.
"Hope you guys had a good rest. Because we're hitting them before the crack of dawn."
"Some of us didn't sleep since morning," said Lori.
"Then, you might want to get your rest. For those that wanna help, meet me by the treehouse in the block behind your house at about 5:30."
"That's the Yates' house."
"So, you know your neighbors. That's good. Anyways, meet me there. Remember... it's a fight to free the adults... including your parents."
Lori nodded.
"Do you guys have any weapons?" asked David.
"Yes, we brought lots of assault rifles, submachine guns, shotguns, handguns, and more," said Benny.
"Good. Very good. My militia is kinda short on guns. If you can bring the guns, that'll be very helpful."
"Got it."
"Ladies. Gentlemen. Get some sleep. You're gonna need it."
David stood up from the couch, which prompted Richard and Missy to do the same.
"Wait! One last thing," said Lori. "What if we decide not to fight?"
"Well, that'd be a shame. We kinda need the numbers," said David.
He walked out of the house, followed by Richard and Missy. The door was then closed by Missy's waving hand.
Lori walked towards the boarded windows and saw David, Richard, and Missy walk swiftly through the lawn and into the next house. She looked away from the windows and turned around, facing the group.
"Alright, who wants to go?" Lori asked.
No one stepped up or raised their hands. No one spoke up or said anything. The room was quiet.
"Come on, guys!" exclaimed Lori. "This is the one chance we have to save our parents! Think about the sacrifices they made for us! We won't make the same sacrifices for them? We gotta fight for our parents' freedom!"
"Sacrifices?" said Lucy. "Mom and Dad's sacrifices were losing sleep and working overtime for us. Not gunshot injuries and death."
"I agree with Lucy," said Lincoln. "There's no telling how this fight will turn out. But people will die. I mean, look at who you're fighting! Trained soldiers!"
"I know you love Mom and Dad," said Lola, "but don't tell me you're willing to get hurt over them."
Lori sighed and looked outside at the vehicles.
"Dude," said Luna. "Don't tell me you're actually considering this."
"No, it's all right," said Lori. "I think it's for the best. I don't want to put you guys in danger. I'll just go alone. Besides, Pop-Pops never taught you guys how to properly handle a gun."
"Can't be too hard," said Lynn.
"Stay."
Bobby placed his hands on Lori's shoulder.
"If you're fighting them, then I'm fighting them too," said Bobby. "Can't let you go out there by yourself."
"Bobby! No!" Ronnie Anne gasped.
"It's okay, Niní. What if it were our parents in the same situation? How would you feel then? I need to do this."
Ronnie Anne sighed and walked away, distancing herself from the group.
"I'm coming too," said Benny.
"Benny…" whispered Luan.
"It's all right. I'll be all right. I gotta avenge my father. Can't let those scumbags get away with it."
Luan nodded. Benny then faced Lori, who nodded back in approval.
"Looks like you got your fighters," said Rusty.
"Okay," said Lori. "The rest of you will stay here. Get some sleep. It's been a VERY long day. Bobby, Ronnie Anne, and Chaz will sleep in my room. Sam and Benny are sleeping in Luna and Luan's room. Francisco, Rusty, and Rocky are sleeping in Lucy and Lynn's room. Clyde, Liam, Tabby, and Zach are sleeping my parents' room. Darcy will sleep in Lisa and Lily's room. Carol, you're sleeping in Lola and Lana's room. More in Lana's side since there is more space there. Got it?"
Carol scratched her head and nodded. The group members went to the vehicles outside the house and quickly hauled their own backpacks and supplies back inside the house.
Rocky placed himself on the floor next to Lucy's coffin while adjusting the pillow below his head.
"Y'know..." sighed Rocky, "...this isn't quite what I had in mind when I wished for the dead to come back to life."
"Be careful what you wish for," said Rusty. "Told you plenty a'times not to wish for dead people to come back."
"I just wanted people to be happy again."
"Great," grumbled Lynn. "So you jinxed us all."
"You had good intentions, Rocky," said Lucy, "but you should know that the dead deserve to be at rest."
"I guess..." said Rocky. "Did I really jinx it?"
"Of course not," said Lucy. "Lynn's superstitions are a bunch of crap."
"You're a bunch of crap," said Lynn, flipping herself to the other side of the bed.
"Let's all..." said Rusty before yawning, "...go to sleep."
It was still very sunny outside, but they were beyond exhausted. No amount of sunlight was going to wake them up.
The alarms rang, showing three digits. It was 5:25 AM. A small sliver of light was visible from the barricaded windows.
"Please, come back, Lori," said Leni. "I need you here. It's okay if you can't rescue Mom and Dad."
"I will come back," said Lori. "I will bring back Mom and Dad."
"Please be safe, Benny," said Luan.
"There will be no mourning this morning," said Benny.
Luan smiled.
"That wasn't funny," she said.
"Don't worry, Luan. I'll be safe."
Luan wrapped her arms around Benny, giving him a hug. Benny then moved her back and placed his hands on her cheeks before leaning in for a kiss. He felt his lips lock against Luan's, causing both of them to blush. Then, they released each other's lips, before making eye contact.
"Hopefully that makes you feel better," said Benny.
"A lot," Luan giggled softly. "Good luck out there. I miss you already."
Benny nodded as he placed a small backpack over his shoulder. He stood next to Lori as they both watched Bobby and Ronnie Anne hugging each other.
"Don't die," said Ronnie Anne. "Make sure you come back."
"Don't worry, I will come back. That's a promise. I love you," said Bobby.
"I love you too, Bobby."
Lori, Bobby, and Benny stepped outside the house, stepping into the darkness of the street, moving towards Chunk's van. Lincoln quickly closed the door while Luan and Ronnie Anne were looking through the barricaded windows.
Lori opened the back doors to Chunk's van. She stepped inside and pulled out one of the crates. Inside the crate were three bulletproof vests. They each wore them— though Benny's vest was a little too oversized for him. Benny stepped inside the van and looked into another crate.
"What kind of gun do you want, Bobby?" asked Benny.
"Something simple and easy to use. But powerful."
Benny grabbed an M16A4 and handed it to Bobby.
"It's burst," said Benny. "Pull the trigger once, and three bullets come out. You have to pull it again for it to fire more bullets. Got it?"
"Got it."
"Can I have some ammo?" asked Lori.
Benny nodded. He looked into another crate and grabbed some full AK magazines. He then handed them to Lori before grabbing an M4A1 for himself, along with extra magazines.
"You seem to know a lot about guns," said Bobby.
"Oh, no," said Benny. "It's just basic knowledge."
Lori nodded. She then walked away from the van, looking at the dark sky while Bobby and Benny followed her. She took a deep breath and looked at her house one last time before making a turn around her block.
"I think this is the place," whispered Lori.
Lori, Bobby, and Benny slowly walked along a driveway, moving towards the source of the light hidden away by the big house standing next to them. Then, they spotted a tree holding a miniature home with about thirty people standing underneath it, all gathered around a campfire. Suddenly, all eyes were set upon Lori, Bobby, and Benny.
"Uh, hi," said Lori.
"There you are, guys!" exclaimed Missy. "Is it only the three of you?"
"Yeah. Everyone else would have been a burden."
"That's a shame," said David, taking a sip of beer. "The hell am I sayin'? 'Course I understand. Can't have little kids running around going all gung-ho. But the three of you? Just the three of you can make a big contribution."
"Especially the Loud blonde," said Flip, revealing himself to Lori. "Her family's crazy— no doubt it rubbed off onto her."
"I can attest to that," said Mr. Yates. "We need the chaos and the energy though. Anything to end these rogues and their reign of terror."
"Anything at all," said Beatrix.
"Agreed," said Bumper Jr.
"Flip? Mr. Yates? Beatrix? Bumper Jr.?" gasped Lori. "You guys are going to help?"
"Oh, heavens no, my children won't help," said Mr. Yates. "At least not the kind of help that involves shooting soldiers with metallic weapons of war."
"What about your wife?"
Mr. Yates approached Lori. His face lacked the jolly smile that he usually carried in the days before the outbreak. It was replaced by a stern face which hid grief.
"Gone," said Mr. Yates. "The rogues took my wife and my two children— their mother and two siblings— away from us. I'm not gonna stand by and let them continue their acts of terror on other families. The duties of our soldiers are to defend this nation from enemies, whether domestic or foreign. But last night... they failed to uphold that duty... and used it as an advantage against us. They became the enemies that they were supposed to protect us from. So as my duty as a citizen in this country... I will do anything to protect the life and liberty of my fellow neighbors... so that the rogues won't take away from them what they took away from my children and I. Tonight, we'll stop them."
"Hear, hear," said Flip.
"You're a good person," said Bobby. "What happened to your family? If you don't mind me asking. It's just that I'm confused... I thought the rogue soldiers only killed anyone in Detroit... or anyone trying to enter."
"And anyone trying to enter included us," said Mr. Yates. "We were moments away from entering the safe-zone... mere moments. Then..."
The embers in the campfire floated around as the wood crackled.
"...they shot at us. Bullets whizzed by, aimed at us— hardworking, honest, innocent citizens— and they hit my wife. Belle. Beau. A bullet grazed Beatrix— and thank God, she is still standing with us. But the others didn't make it. The others... there were other families too."
"My dad is gonna murder those cold-hearted monsters," said Bumper Jr.
"Enough," said Mr. Yates. "Don't let your anger consume you. Keep the strong language inside a lid."
"Sorry, Dad," whispered Bumper Jr.
"It's alright, Junior. You're a strong boy. I know you have a lot of fight in you. But for today, you and your sister are staying home."
Mr. Yates then turned towards Lori.
"We're going to help your mother and father escape. Don't you worry too much, Lori."
Lori nodded and gulped as she looked around the campfire, finding everyone armed. David then tossed his plastic cup into a nearby trash can.
"Look around," said David. "Morale everywhere. Which is why we're going to run into the park and take back our loved ones. I got recent information. Under any circumstances, the soldiers— no... the rogues will try their hardest to keep the adults alive. They're important for something. Hell if I know. But the 'why' isn't important. Just knowing this helps us."
"What's the plan?" asked Lori.
"Brave young girl. Already want to get into the gritty details. Very well. Here's the plan..."
Small embers floated around a heap of gravel, which put out the campfire where it previously sat.
David was inside the treehouse with his M110 sniper rifle mounted on the open window. His eyes looked through the scope as he scouted around the park. The scope revealed the rogues coming out of their tents, along with the main target— General Black. The scope continued to follow General Black as he walked through the field— with many torches giving light to the field. He headed towards a cabin at the end of the field.
David turned on his walkie-talkie and placed it near his mouth with his left hand as his right hand remained on the trigger guard.
"I see Thunderbolt Ross."
Lori crouched behind a group of shrubs as she approached a tall tree. Behind her was Bobby, Benny, Mr. Yates, Flip, and ten other survivors. She then picked up her walkie-talkie.
"Who?" she asked.
"It's the general from The Incredible Hulk," said Benny.
"Thank you, Benny. Get it? 'Cause he looks like General Black, minus the 'stache? Whatever, I see General Black."
"Oh, wow," said Lori in a dry tone. "I didn't realize I was talking to a child."
"Missy won't be too happy to hear that."
"Not happy at all," said Missy through Richard's walkie-talkie.
"Voices down, everyone," said Richard. "My group and I are in position."
"So is ours," said Lori.
"I'm taking care of the two tangos by you, Lori," said David.
Lori peeked above the shrubs and found two rogues on the other side of the tree with their backs turned against them. Suddenly, blood spat out of a rogue's head as he quickly dropped down to the ground, causing Lori to flinch. The other rogue turned around in shock before being struck in the chest by a bullet too fast for Lori to see.
"Two tangos down. Lori, you're clear to move."
She gasped softly as she turned around, looking towards the direction of the treehouse. Bobby then placed his arms on her shoulder.
"You alright?" asked Bobby.
"Yeah. I'm fine," whispered Lori. "We have to move."
She then grabbed her walkie-talkie.
"I'm going radio-silent," she said.
"Copy that."
Her group moved closer to the field, moving away from the shrubs and hiding behind the cabin. There, Lori spotted the notorious general responsible for the deaths of more than a hundred people in Detroit. She grew an angry glare and felt tempted to fire at the general.
The crosshairs on the sniper scope were aimed at General Black's head. David took a deep breath as he prepared to pull back the trigger.
"Alright. Just one shot," whispered David. "Three… two… one…"
He pulled the trigger.
A few birds flew away from the tree where the treehouse sat. General Black turned his eyes towards the direction of the flying black spots in the sky, not realizing they were birds.
The bullet flew across the air, moving with the wind, before hitting its target. It blew out the general's left eye, causing him to stumble back onto the ground.
Lieutenant Lead, who was standing next to General Black, quickly knelt down, covering the general's body from the direction of the treehouse. Lori looked at the rogue soldiers, and lifted her gun, but she found herself unable to shoot.
"Shit! General! We're under attack!" yelled Lt. Lead.
Lieutenant Lead then grabbed the general and helped him up. David smiled as he watched the general being dragged away. However, his smile slowly faded as he saw General Black moving his lips and head around.
"Ahh, fuck…" whispered General Black. "My... my eye..."
"Did he live?" gasped David. "Fuckin' hell! Fuck me!"
Suddenly, the sound of bullets popping off reverberated across the sky. Bullets were fired upon the direction of the treehouse, striking the house, the driveway, the tree.
"Shit," grumbled David.
He abandoned his sniper rifle and climbed down from the treehouse. He quickly ran inside the house, using it as cover as the bullets began to hit the treehouse.
"Now!" yelled David through the walkie-talkie.
Richard revealed himself from a group of trees and pulled the pin of a grenade before tossing it near the tents. The rogue soldiers yelled and quickly moved away from the tents. The grenade then exploded, sending shrapnel everywhere near its blast radius, striking three unlucky rogue soldiers.
Mr. Yates leaped out of from behind the cabin, wielding an M4 carbine. He shot at the rogue soldiers, all quickly taking cover behind some trees, wooden benches, a water fountain.
The rogues were then taking fire from both Lori and Richard's group as they found themselves being pushed away from the cabin. Some of the rogues fired back at the survivors as others began to move away.
"They're getting away!" yelled Lori, turning on her walkie-talkie.
"Yeah, but these nearby rogues are being so annoying!" exclaimed Benny as he fired his M4A1. "They won't let us follow!"
A rogue hiding behind a wooden bench was shot in the head. Another was shot in the chest. One was shot multiple times in his throat, chest, and arms.
"Do not let General Black and his rogues escape!" yelled David into the walkie-talkie before dropping it.
Lori looked at the fleeing rogues. The trees were making it difficult for her eyes to follow them, as well as the increasing distance. She then spotted a barrel near the trees and aimed her rifle at it. She fired a burst of bullets at it, causing it to explode violently.
Fire caught on to the leaves and branches and grass. It then began to spread quickly as the rogues began repositioning themselves, firing at the sides of the cabin. Lori and the others were forced to stay behind cover in the back of the cabin as the rogues quickly stormed out of the front door of the cabin.
"We can't stay here," said Lori. "Move back to the shrubs!"
Lori and the other survivors moved towards the shrubs. The rogues fired at them, though they quickly made it behind cover. She then looked above the shrubs and continued firing at the rogues. However, she stopped firing as she saw a crowd of adults being moved out of the cabin.
"Stop shooting!" yelled Lori. "It's our people! They're being moved!"
Then, her eyes spotted two dirty and hungry-looking adults.
"Mom, Dad," whispered Lori.
"There's your mom and dad!" said Bobby.
"I know! Mom! Dad! We're getting you out of here!"
Rita turned around before a rogue forced her to look away. Lori gasped as she grabbed her walkie-talkie.
"Where are the rogues taking them, David? David...? Are you there?"
A group of rogues approached the group of shrubs, using the cabin as cover from Richard's group. Then, they raised their weapons.
"David!" yelled Lori.
"Loud, look out!" yelled Flip.
He jumped up and grabbed Lori as he shoved her away from the shrubs, causing her to move back into a group of trees. He then turned around and looked at the rogues before being shot in the chest.
"Flip!" yelled Benny.
"Retreat!" yelled Bobby.
Flip groaned as he took cover behind a lonely tree. The other survivors quickly moved back towards the group of trees, fleeing in chaos. One of the survivors was shot in the back. She fell down before being shot in the head. Another survivor ran towards a water fountain before being shot in the legs. He fell forward and dropped into the water fountain, where more bullets were fired. More survivors ran away, running past the bleeding fountain.
"Goddammit," groaned Flip. "Never thought ol' Flip had it in him. Dying protecting a Loud."
"I'm sorry, Flip," whispered Lori as she continued to back away from the shrubs.
Flip then struggled to walk away from the tree before the same rogue who shot him approached from behind. The rogue quickly placed his arms around his neck and shoved a knife behind his back. Flip yelled as the soldier dragged the knife upwards.
Lori's eyes widened as she attempted to cover her mouth. Bobby grabbed her arms and led her towards the park exit.
The rogue dropped Flip to the ground, panting as he raised his head. His eyes followed Lori like a hawk, though he sensed someone was watching him. He turned to his right and saw Richard aiming his Python at him. He attempted to raise his knife but was quickly shot in the neck.
Richard was then shot at by nearby rogues, forcing him to seek cover. He looked around, finding the bodies of his group members lying around the park, almost all with bullet holes in them. He then saw Missy hiding behind a water fountain and quickly ran towards her before the rogues could hit him.
"Hey, you good?" asked Richard as he took cover.
"Hey, honey," said Missy. "Yeah, I'm alright. Just looking for a way out of here..."
Suddenly, the sound of helicopter blades caused Richard to look up. Lori shook her head softly as she watched a Chinook ascend into the air, carrying General Black and a group of captive adults. More helicopters began to ascend carrying even more adults and rogues, as they began to make their retreat. However, there were still some rogues that remained in the fiery ground, firing at the civilians trying to escape.
"We're trapped!" yelled Benny.
Lori panted as she stood behind a stack of logs along with Bobby, Benny, Mr. Yates, and a few other survivors. She turned to her left at the park entrance and noticed the rogues aiming their guns at it while bodies lay around.
"Over here!" yelled a male voice.
Lori turned to her left and saw Bumper Jr. and Beatrix crossing a bike trail on top of the hill next to a pond as they approached the survivors. Mr. Yates gasped as he lowered his gun.
"Junior! Beatrix!" he exclaimed. "What are you two doing here? It's dangerous!"
"We're helping you guys escape," panted Beatrix.
"Yeah, we brought ladders and placed them at the fences in end of the bike trail," said Bumper Jr. "You have to leave with us now! It's getting too crazy here!"
"Okay," said Mr. Yates. "Everyone follow my son."
Bumper Jr. ran across the bike trail with some of the civilians following him. He then ran into a hill before he looked back, finding his sister and his father in the same place where he left them. He faced the civilians, all tired and scared.
"Just follow the bike trail and leave," said Bumper Jr.
The civilians all nodded and ran away as Bumper Jr. ran back, sprinting as fast as he could.
Mr. Yates looked at Lori.
"Get my son out of here," he said. "No matter what happens, do not hesitate. Beatrix, go with her."
Lori nodded as she grabbed Beatrix's hand. Mr. Yates then stood up and fired his assault rifle at the rogues.
"Go! I got your—!"
A bullet struck his forehead. Lori and Beatrix flinched and stumbled against the logs as they watched Mr. Yates's body collapse, his lifeless eyes staring at the two of them.
A rogue wearing goggles removed the magazine from his smoking assault rifle. He then reloaded his gun and returned his sight at the logs, unable to see Lori and Beatrix.
Bumper Jr. slowed down to a halt as he looked at the sight ahead of him. His eyes squinted and his jaws opened as he screamed out for his father.
Lori looked at him before noticing a tall rogue walking up to him.
"Bumper!" she shouted.
The tall rogue grabbed the front collar of Bumper Jr.'s shirt and placed a knife against his throat. Lori raised her rifle and aimed at the rogue.
"G-Get this rogue off me!" cried out Bumper Jr.
Lori fired a shot onto the rogue, striking his shoulder. The rogue immediately flinched and cut Bumper's throat. Both of them fell down, though the rogue remained on the bike trail while Bumper rolled down the hill and splashed onto the pond.
Lori gasped as she lowered her rifle. She turned to her right and looked at Beatrix, finding her on her knees, sobbing.
"Oh, shit," whispered Lori. "We gotta go now, Beatrix!"
Beatrix remained kneeled. Lori gulped and looked at the bike trail. She then glanced at Beatrix once more, finding her grabbing her father's body.
"Just go..." sobbed Beatrix. "Go!"
Lori felt a tear growing in her eyes as she held her AK-47 tightly. Then, she sprinted ahead, running towards the bike trail, not slowing down even when she was close. Suddenly, she slid forward past the bike trail and down the hill, taking cover. She quickly turned around and lay on her stomach, looking back at the logs.
"Oh, no, no, no," she whispered.
The rogue with the goggles walked around the logs, finding Beatrix on the ground. Lori aimed her rifle at him, and clicked the trigger, but nothing came out of her gun.
"Fuck!" she gasped. "Let her live—"
The rogue with the goggles fired his rifle at Beatrix's chest, stiffening her body before she fell down. Lori panted as she ran to a nearby tree, holding back her tears. She removed the magazine in her AK-47 and replaced it with another. Then, in the corner of her eyes, she saw the rogue that cut Bumper Jr. struggling to crawl down the hill.
With fury glowing in her eyes, she quickly cocked her rifle and aimed it at the crawling rogue, firing a single shot onto his back. Blood squirted out his back before he stopped moving.
Lori was then met with gunfire from the rogue with the goggles. She remained behind the tree as she saw Benny running along the bottom of the hill next to the pond.
"I got you, Lori," panted Benny as he ran up the hill. "I'll cover you."
Benny reached the top of the hill and fired at the rogue with the goggles. The rogue quickly crouched and carefully aimed his assault rifle at Benny. He then fired his gun, striking Benny in the chest and causing him to stumble down.
"Benny!" yelled Lori.
Lori turned around and revealed herself. She faced the burning fire as the rogue removed his magazine. Lori aimed her rifle at the rogue, who quickly tried to stand up and take cover. However, she pressed the trigger, spraying out bullets at the direction of the rogue, until one bullet struck the rogue in between his goggles, killing him.
Lori slid down the hill and approached Benny who was on his knees, groaning.
"Are you okay?" Lori asked.
"Ouch, ouch," groaned Benny as he pulled the bullet out of his bulletproof vest. "Yeah. Owww… Lori. Do not tell Luan about this. She will freak!"
"Okay," panted Lori. "This whole place is burning. We have time to escape, but we gotta leave fast."
Lori then looked at the entrance, finding David running past the gates. He darted past burning bodies, some which began to rise up.
"Son of a bitch," whispered Lori.
"What?" panted Benny.
"We just lost some time."
David looked above. The helicopters were hovering high above the park. As the fire continued to spread, and with no signs of the rogues taking back the park, the helicopters began to leave— including the Chinook carrying General Black and the Loud parents away.
"No! No!" yelled David.
Lt. Lead looked down at the burning park. The sunrise was within sight.
"These fuckers are dead," said Lt. Lead. "I left some of our men behind to take care of them."
"Good… they'll burn for this. Even if they're any survivors left… they'll never find their parents again… not where we are going..." whispered General Black.
The general's speech slurred before he went unconscious. The lieutenant began to bark orders as the Chinook flew away towards the sunrise.
David fell to his knees. He looked around the burning park, finding himself alone. He blinked softly as he prepared to break down.
Then, he found a small map on the ground, sitting next to a box of ammunition crates. A spot in the map was circled on Maine, with bright red letters next to it, reading, 'HOULTON'.
End Credit Song
Baba O'Riley - The Who