Element Z

Chapter 6: Sunset

My eyes opened slowly as I tried to make out where I was, but my vision was too blurry. After a few minutes I was able to see in front of me. Ethan was gathering the supplies from the plane at the shore, how did we get here? Last time we were in the plane was right before we were going to land on a field. "Zac-" Zach hugged me tightly almost like he hadn't seen me in years, I smiled softly as I hugged him back before standing up with his help. "Well I am going to be honest, I am not sure where to go from here. I doubt any of our phones work after being submerged in water, and it's not like we can get them fixed. On top of that the sun is getting ready to set so we might need to find a place to take shelter for the night." I looked around before looking back at Ethan. "Where's the dog?" Ethan picked up a duffle bag and put it over his shoulder that was carrying Blake, his little head sticking out. "Don't want him running off, honestly surprised he survived the plane crash with us."

We began walking carrying our supplies as we tried finding a place we could stay that wouldn't end up in us waking up to unwanted guests, but our luck wasn't going so well. "Careful, I see some infected up ahead." Staring them down as they dripped black liquids was unnerving, their decaying bodies and inhumane characteristics. A few more hours passed and it was around midnight when we noticed that they didn't seem to be as active, most of the infected we came across were lying on the ground. "Do you think they're dead?" I asked Zach as Ethan stopped us. "Probably, but can never be too safe." Ethan continued walking as he sighed looking at signs before crossing a street. "I think we are getting close to the executive bunker location, try to keep an eye out for an Element logo on any building."

"It's been a while since we saw an infected, do you think we've got out of the radius of infected people? It's too quiet and I don't like it." Zach asked Ethan as they made their way down an alley. "There's no telling, just worry about finding the building. The faster we find it, the faster we can go underground and be safe for the time being." Before we exited the alley a car zoomed past, once it was gone we finally came back onto the street and there it was. Element's executive office, and under it the executive bunker. We were finally going to get some answers and know what's been happening around the world. As we entered the building I noticed figures in the shadows. I clinged to Zach immediately as they swarmed us placing bags over our heads. "It's alright they're with me, they work for Element." Ethan said, but they kept the hoods over our heads as they took us.

One of the men spoke to Ethan as we went down countless stairs, down into the bunker. "Sir I understand they may have helped you escape or survive out there, but the one can't stay here long as he's not that high ranking." Ethan didn't respond as they took us further in before unmasking us and leaving. "What was that about?" I looked at Ethan who was in the corner of the room, something on his mind. "It's not important right now, I'll tell you later." Shortly after a guy in a suit walked into the room seeming delighted to see Ethan. "Ethan, why didn't you stay in the other bunker for that area?" Ethan walked over and shook the guy's hand. "They're going to nuke that city....you know that right?" The guy in a suit seemed to fall very silent like he knew something but wasn't sharing. "You knew they were going to, right?" The man sighed as he pulled Ethan out side the room.

"What do you think they are talking about, Zach?" I looked over and Zach seemed troubled at what was going on. "I think maybe things got worse, or something about you not being able to stay here. I don't know, the man didn't want both of us to know what he is telling Ethan though." During our conversation we heard Ethan scream out in anger "Fuck." before he came into the room getting his stuff. "What's wrong, Ethan?" Ethan sighed as he looked over at us. "Do you guys have your work ID's on you? I felt around my pockets before I realized I lost mine when the plane crashed. "I don't, I think I lost it when the plane crashed." Ethan looked over at Zach. "And you, do you have yours?" Zach hesitated for a second before shaking his head no. "Well we have to leave by sunrise because apparently the bunker ran into some oxygen problems and everyone is leaving tomorrow."

I looked up at the guy in a suit who was standing near the door in silence. "Wait what does that have to do with ID's?" Ethan walked towards me. "Don't bother with him, he doesn't care. But basically the bunker will be able to produce enough oxygen for the high ranking officials once us low ranking ones are out." I sat there in disbelief, first the government was bombing without realizing they would kill their own citizens in a poor effort to contain an outbreak and now this company was going to put some employees over the others because of their poor handling over bunker controls. So much anger filled me as I thought about the getting hired process and having to go in a day I wasn't supposed to. Before I could lay a hand on him, Zach pulled me along as we followed Ethan down the hallway and into the cabin area where we could stay the night.

After they fell asleep I sat on my bed hugging my knees as I got a flashback to the intern I saved, he was doing what I'm doing now. Was his action right, should I have conceded this right then? What's the point of fighting against this outbreak if it can't be stopped? I hugged my legs tighter, a tear running down my face as I felt Zach put his arm around me. "We're going to be okay, I'm sure Ethan will have a plan and I will protect you." Wiping my tears I looked up at Zach. "We don't have a car or a place to stay after tonight, where do we even go from here?" Zach patted my back as he stood up. "We can worry about that tomorrow, alright? Try to get some rest." I nodded, laying down as Zach went to his bed. After a few minutes I dozed off, falling into a deep slumber.

Zach roamed the hospital looking around for an escape path as people ran by him, some running in to look for loved ones and some running towards the exit. After a bit of exploring Zach made his way to the first floor and stared at the entrance as a horde of infected charged in tackling people and devouring them. His heart full with fear, he ran back upstairs until he reached the top floor. The sound of them making their way up behind him fueling his adrenaline, looking around frantically he ran into a closet and shut the door. Taking a moment to catch his breath their footsteps and growls came closer and closer, until they were right outside the door of the closet. Zach held his breath as they banged on the door, hoping they would go away but as the banging continued they eventually broke the door down and flooded the room.

Backing into the corner he kicked as the infected swarmed him dripping that black liquid as they started to grab him. "NO, DON'T DO THIS. DON'T EAT ME, PLEASE. JAKE WHERE ARE YOU?" Zach screamed out as the infected began devouring his body and he fell to the ground. Right then I woke with cold sweat all over me as I looked around frantically to see Ethan and Zach standing beside me. "Jake, what's wrong?" Zach asked, sparing no second I hugged him tightly as I started to calm myself down. "That dream, felt like it would never end. The infected...they killed you." Zach rubbed my back softly. "It's alright, it was only a dream. I'm here, and there are no infected here." As Zach finished his sentence an alarm started blaring as security guards ran down the hallway, passing the room.