Zero Cell ✓

Chapter 6

The chilling night wind nipped Alex's face as he reached the outside. It felt colder than before, as if the temperature dropped drastically. In response, he tugged at his popped collar, keeping it close to his pale neck. Thankfully he brought the damn thing too. It was a bit costly, too; Zoey had mentioned that the quality fabric came from somewhere in Europe. However, Alex never really needed it as he lived in a much warmer California. He was definitely grateful now. However, despite all of that, the air itself was unnaturally dry. Cinder and ash wafted in the air, lingering on his clothes. He wondered how many fires had broken out and how much damage was done to the city. Was it salvageable? He didn't know.

A slight movement from the corner of his eyes caused tiny goosebumps on Alex's shoulders. Keaton inched toward Lyra, crouched behind a damaged midnight-blue sedan halfway on the sidewalk. She was looking onward, northbound, to where a small shopping center was. The street eventually ended there, and going south was also not really an option. As Alex followed slowly, his eyes wandered, ensuring those carriers were nowhere in sight.

So far, so good, he thought. But even so, his face slowly fell, and he grimaced. It was too weird. They're back outside, on what looks to be another main road, and... nothing? Not even that odd, shrieking creature was to be seen. But a strange feeling washed over him, like he was being watched.

Alex crouched beside Keaton, nearly close enough to feel his body heat. It practically radiated off of him, like an invisible gas cloud that stopped the temperature in its tracks. Alex curled lower lip, jealous; Eric could also do that with his much larger frame. He would often toy with the subject of cuddling, too. He shook his head, focusing away from those thoughts and toward Lyra, who'd been eyeing something off in the distance.

Keaton frowned slightly at her. "Why are we hi—"

"Look it," whispered Lyra, cutting him off. "Up there."

She had pointed her thin finger toward the rooftops in the far-left corner. Two humanoid-looking silhouettes stood by the edge. For a second, they appeared to be roughhousing. At least, that's what Alex assumed. However, his widened eyes could only take in so much. Whatever they were, they had vanished, jumping back onto the roof and out of sight.

"The fuck were those?" Keaton's deep voice burst.

Lyra flicked her eyes to Alex. "Whatever made those shrieks, I think that was them."

Oh no! Alex's heartbeat thumped loudly in his chest. He was sure anyone could hear it if it weren't for his uneven breathing.

"I can't tell where they're headed or what they're doing." Keaton glared and then cocked his head.

"Hopefully, they're going far, far away from us." Lyra stood up.

They were in a rut. With those things on the loose, they had to take extra caution. Did we let them out? Alex wasn't sure. But he knew he didn't want to mess with them, especially since there were two. Though he only heard one, assuming there weren't anymore was a mistake. Stay out of their way, and we'll be fine. He turned to the left, wondering if they could take an alternate path to the shelter. He then squinted and spotted several SWAT vehicles that completely blocked off the road going south. Jeez, we can't go anywhere.

"South is a no-go; the only way forward is north," whispered Alex.

"Fan-fucking-tastic," Keaton groaned as he stood up as well. "Oh, great, and look at that—dead bodies to fill a sea..."

Alex nearly jumped to his feet, glancing at what Keaton had said. He was right, and there were several corpses scattered throughout the road and adjacent shopping center. But that wasn't all. With the help of the street light, Alex could see golden glistening bullet casings everywhere. This place was a last stand. A slight chill ran up his spine as the faint scent of musky gunpowder cringed his nose. I hope whoever was here prior got to someplace safe.