The Priceless Variable

New Encounters

Thomas, Newt, Frypan, and Mallory have been driving all night and into the next day to get to the Last City. Thomas and Frypan took turns driving, while Newt and Mallory sat in the backseat. They didn't talk much during the drive; they were either too tired or deep in their own thoughts.

They passed a billboard that said there was a mandatory infection checkpoint a few miles ahead. Frypan drove up to the entrance of a dark, creepy tunnel. All of them got out of the truck to see the potential danger that lays in front of them.

"You want us to go in there?" Mallory questioned.

Thomas was studying the map.

"I don't want to come across as too negative. But, if I was a Crank, that's exactly where I would be." Newt said.

"I don't think we have much of a choice." Thomas said.

They stared at the tunnel for a few minutes.

"Alright, I get shotgun." Newt said, then got back in the truck.

Thomas, Frypan, and Mallory exchanged looks and got back in as well. They made sure that all the doors were locked before driving into the tunnel. Frypan turned on the high-beam headlights and Newt rolled down a window to shine a flashlight around.

"Well, here we go." Frypan said.

"Just take it nice and slow." Newt said.

Frypan was carefully maneuvering around abandoned vehicles and scrap metal. He came to a halt because there was something in their way. It was none other than a Crank!

Newt, Frypan, and Mallory looked at Thomas for an answer.

"It's okay. It's just one. So, take it slow and go around him. We'll be fine." Thomas said.

"Take it slow, take it slow." Frypan said to himself.

Newt turned off the flashlight and rolled up his window.

Then, there was a woman by Thomas's window. She looked infected, but not past the Gone.

"Please, help me. Please." she begged.

Then, there was another Crank by Mallory's window. She tried to move away, closer to Thomas.

"Frypan, we gotta go!" Thomas said.

More Cranks were coming around the vehicle, trying to force their way in.

"Just floor it, Fry!" Mallory said.

"HOLD ON!" Frypan yelled, then slammed on the gas petal.

The Crank that was in front of the truck climbed up onto the hood and punched the windshield.

"Come on, Fry. Shake him!" Thomas said.

"I'm trying!" Frypan responded as he swerved the truck around to get the Crank off. He saw a long, metal beam to his left.

"Hang on!" Frypan said.

The Crank hit the beam and lost grip on the truck. They thought they were in the clear.

"Frypan, watch out!" Thomas said.

Too late.

He drove up on some pipes and barrels, which caused the truck to flip upside.

In this type of scenario, it's dangerous to be trapped inside a vehicle that's inhabited by bloodthirsty zombies that attack anything in sight. They had figure out how to get out of the truck and then out of the tunnel in one piece.

Thomas broke a window with his foot and crawled out. Frypan tried to open up one of the side doors, but it was stuck.

"Alright, guys, you gotta go around." Thomas said, then walked to the other side of the truck.