NEUROCRISIS

Chapter 4: I Hate Being an Adult.

As Syazwan stood at the brink of despair, his trembling hand raised the gun to his own temple. The weight of the world pressed upon his head, and the thought of ending it all seemed like the best escape from the horrors that surrounds him. But just as he is prepared to pull the trigger, a vivid image of his fiancé flashed before his eyes.

Her warm smile and unwavering love flooded his mind, igniting a ray of hope within him. In that moment, he realized he couldn't let himself succumb to what he thought was his fate. He couldn't let his journey end here, not in the depths of despair. With a renewed determination, Syazwan swiftly changed his aim, redirecting the gun towards the closest Weeper that is right before his eyes.

"HOW CAN I EVER LET IT END LIKE THIS?!" he exclaimed, his voice filled with defiance and sheer resolve. The sound of the gunshot pierced the air as the bullet found its mark, striking down the Weeper with precise accuracy.

Even with ringing ears, Syazwan seized the moment and holstered the gun, breaking into a sprint, making a desperate dash for the main road. The hordes of weepers again pursued him relentlessly, their haunting cries reverberating through the night, filling the air. Fear coursed through his veins, but he refused to surrender to their relentless pursuit.

As Syazwan raced towards the main road, his heart thumping with each taken step, he caught sight of a passing worn-out pickup truck. It barreled through the cars left unattended, manoeuvring skillfully amidst the hordes of weepers. Hope surged within Syazwan as he realized salvation is still within reach.

"Get in! Hurry!" the driver, a young adult exclaimed, his voice trembling with anxiety. "The engine's attracting them!"

Syazwan wasted no time. He climbed into the truck, his heart filled with a mix of relief and uncertainty. As the boy revved the engine, Syazwan glanced back at the airport. His eyes widened in disbelief as he witnessed planes soaring overhead, dropping bombs that decimated the already devastated airport. The ground shook with each explosion, and billows of smoke and fire engulfed the once bustling terminals

"Well, this sight's familiar," Syazwan sighed, remembering the sight he saw when the research facility in Mount Kinabalu was decimated right in front of his eyes.

"We have to get out of here," the boy said, his voice quivering. "There's a sanctuary in Dengkil, not too far from here. It's your best shot at survival."

Syazwan's heart raced at the mention of the sanctuary. He understood the urgency and slowly nodded, his mind consumed by thoughts of his fiancé's safety. "I need to get to DU," he exclaimed, his voice filled with a blend of desperation and determination. "My fiancé must be waiting for me, and I must bring her to safety too. She's worried of me too, I bet."

As he spoke, Syazwan paused to catch his breath, his body still recovering from the relentless nightmare that had consumed him. In that moment, he noticed a change in the young adult. The once-anxious grip on the steering wheel loosened, and a subtle calmness washed over his eyes. Though fear still lingered in the depths of his gaze, the boy remained resolute, his focus unwavering.

Kai, sensing an opportunity, took a deep breath and extended his shaky hand towards Syazwan. "I'm Kai," he introduced himself, his voice carrying a tone of nervousness. "It's a messed-up world now, but there's no harm in getting to know each other, right? What's your name, old man?"

Syazwan returned the handshake, appreciating Kai's willingness to reach out. His weariness momentarily lifted as he acknowledged the importance of companionship in these dark times. "Good to meet you, Kai," Syazwan replied, his voice conveying gratitude. "My name is Syazwan." He continued, answering Kai's question.

Their shared introduction marked the beginning of a fragile alliance, a bond forged amidst the chaos. With strength in their unity, Syazwan and Kai set their sights on the path ahead, ready to face whatever challenges awaited them in their quest for survival and sanctuary.

As the worn-out pickup truck raced towards Dengkil, Syazwan and Kai found a brief respite from the chaos surrounding them. The sound of the engine roared in their ears, drowning out the haunting weeping of the Weepers that trailed behind, chasing after them.

In the midst of the journey, Syazwan's exhaustion caught up with him, and his eyelids grew heavy. Despite his best efforts to stay awake, fatigue overpowered him, and he began to drift into a restless sleep. Sensing Syazwan's weariness, Kai glanced at Syazwan with concern but decided to let him rest, understanding the toll the recent events had taken on him.

As they continued their trek towards Dengkil, Kai reached for a walkie-talkie, seeking contact with his comrades in the sanctuary. "I brought a new guy from ground zero, escorting him to the base," he transmitted. His intentions were met with a harsh response, filled with frustration and concern for their own sake.

"Are you out of your mind, Kai?! We're already struggling to feed ourselves, and now you bring in another mouth to feed?" the voice crackled through the walkie-talkie, reprimanding the young adult. Frustration evident on his face, Kai abruptly ended the communication, aware of the valid concerns raised.

"Man I hate being an adult," Kai muttered to himself.

Miles passed by as the truck neared the sanctuary in Dengkil. The air grew thick with anticipation, and the tension between the two men dissipated, replaced by a silent camaraderie forged through their trust in each other.

Finally, the pickup truck rolled into the outskirts of Taman Desa Dengkil, and Syazwan stirred awake, his mind still foggy from his interrupted slumber. As he blinked away the remnants of his sleepiness, he noticed the community he had heard about during his conversation with Kai earlier.

"We've arrived," Kai announced, a glimmer of pride in his voice. "Welcome to our sanctuary, Syazwan."

Syazwan's eyes widened with surprise. "You're a member of this community?" he asked, his curiosity mixed with a sense of relief.

Kai nodded, a mixture of satisfaction and apprehension on his face. "Yes, I am," He confirmed. "I've been a part of this community since before the infected starts roaming the streets. We've been working tirelessly to establish and fortify the community. We've built up sturdy walls to prevent the infected from infiltrating inside. We haven't really suffered any casualties since yesterday." Kai continued.

It now became clear to Syazwan the significance of Kai's presence because of his ability in driving the pickup truck efficiently and his knowledge of the town. He felt a renewed sense of gratitude towards this young fellow, recognising the role Kai had played in saving his life and guiding him to this place of safety.

As they ventured further into the heart of the community, Syazwan couldn't help but be in awe of the organized and self-sustaining nature of their refuge. People moved with purpose, engaged in various tasks that contributed to a semblance of normalcy amidst the chaotic world outside. They stood tall, defiant against the monsters that roams outside, holding onto their humanity and the remnants of their former lives.

However, as they walked among the community members, Syazwan sensed a shift in the atmosphere. Sharp gazes met his own, paired with skepticism and, in some cases, disdain. He couldn't shake the feeling of being an outsider, unwelcome within the very sanctuary he had sought.

With a sense of unease settling within him, Syazwan noticed Kai hastening away, his attention directed towards the man he had been speaking to over the radio. "Tend to yourself first, okay? I've gotta settle this," Kai hurriedly conveyed to Syazwan before leaving him to attend to his own matters.

Left to navigate this unfamiliar environment alone, Syazwan couldn't help but feel a bit of sadness and displacement. The stares and the apparent coldness from the community members reinforced his growing realization that he isn't accepted within their community. In that moment, the sanctuary that had once represented hope now appeared as a refuge that might not offer the solace and acceptance he yearns for.

Despite the disheartening treatment, Syazwan remained determined. He knew that within the boundaries of this community lay resources, knowledge, and a collective strength that could aid in their fight against the infected outside. With resilience in his heart and a flicker of hope in his eyes, he vowed to prove his worth and contribute to this society, for the sake of giving his fiancé a home in this new, suffering hellish reality.

As Syazwan stood there, contemplating his next move, a voice pierced through the air—a woman's voice that carried a mix of annoyance and a touch of admiration.

"And who are you supposed to be? The old man with the pretty machete."