Flesh: Solomon Islands

The Last Boat

Anna looked at the horizon, hoping to see a sign of life. She and her four friends, David, John, Mary, and Peter, had been hiding in a hotel in Honiara for weeks, ever since the zombie outbreak had turned the capital of Solomon Islands into a nightmare. They had survived by scavenging food and water from nearby shops, barricading the doors and windows, and avoiding any contact with the undead. But they knew they couldn't stay there forever. They had heard rumors of a safe haven in the Autonomous Region of Bougainville, a neighboring island that had somehow managed to contain the infection. They had also heard that there was a boat leaving from the wharf at dawn, the last chance to escape the hellish island.

They had decided to take the risk and make their way to the wharf, hoping to find a spot on the boat. They had packed their backpacks with the essentials, grabbed some weapons, and left the hotel under the cover of darkness. They had to be careful, as the streets were crawling with zombies, attracted by any sound or movement. They had to fight their way through several groups of them, using knives, axes, and guns. They had lost some of their supplies and ammo, but they had made it to the wharf alive.

They saw the boat, a large fishing vessel, moored at the end of the pier. There were dozens of people waiting in line, hoping to board. They also saw armed guards, checking the passengers for any signs of infection. They joined the queue, hoping they wouldn't be too late. They watched as the guards scanned the people with a device, looking for a green light. If the light turned red, it meant the person was infected, and they were shot on the spot. Anna felt a chill run down her spine as she heard the gunshots and saw the bodies fall into the water. She prayed that none of them were infected, that they had not been bitten or scratched by the zombies.

They reached the front of the line, and one by one, they passed the test. The guard nodded and let them board the boat. They breathed a sigh of relief as they stepped onto the deck. They looked for a place to sit, and saw that the boat was crowded with people, some of them wounded, some of them crying, some of them silent. They found a spot near the railing, and sat down. They looked at each other, and smiled. They had made it. They were going to Bougainville.

The boat started to move, and they watched as the shore receded. They saw the city, burning and infested with zombies. They saw the hotel, where they had spent the last weeks. They saw the zombies, chasing after the boat, falling into the water. They felt a mix of emotions, sadness, anger, fear, but also hope. They hoped that Bougainville would be different, that they would find a new home, a new life. They hoped that they would survive.

They looked at the horizon, and saw the sun rising. They felt a warm light on their faces. They felt a new day begin. They felt alive.