Flesh: Slovakia

Bratislava to Nove Mesto

Marek checked his laptop for the tenth time. He had been tracking the movements of the zombies and the military for the past few days, looking for a safe route out of Bratislava. He knew it was only a matter of time before the city was overrun by the undead or bombed by the government. He had to get out of there, and he had to convince his friends to join him.

He had already packed his backpack with his essentials: a laptop, a smartphone, a solar charger, a flashlight, a knife, a gun, some ammo, some food, some water, and some medicine. He also had a map of Slovakia and a compass. He had marked a destination on the map: Nove Mesto nad Vahom, a small town about 100 kilometers away. He had read online that there was a survivor community there, with a secure base and a radio station. He hoped they were still alive and willing to take in new people.

He sent a message to his friends, telling them to meet him at his apartment as soon as possible. He hoped they would listen to him and not think he was crazy. He knew they had their own reasons to stay in Bratislava, but he also knew they had no future there.

Zuzana was the first to arrive. She knocked on his door and he opened it quickly. She hugged him and he felt her warmth and her heartbeat. He wished he could stay like that forever, but he knew they had no time to waste.

"Are you ready to go?" he asked her.

She nodded. "I brought some supplies. I also told some of my colleagues at the hospital to join us. They are on their way."

Marek frowned. He didn't like the idea of bringing strangers along. He didn't know if he could trust them. But he also knew that Zuzana was a good person, and that she cared about helping others. He decided to let it go.

"Okay, fine. But we have to leave soon. The zombies are getting closer and the military is getting more aggressive. We have to get out of the city before it's too late."

He led her inside his apartment and showed her his backpack and his map. He explained his plan to her. She listened attentively and nodded.

"I agree with you, Marek. We have to leave. This city is doomed. But where are the others? Lukas, Eva, Peter? Have you contacted them?"

Marek nodded. "I sent them a message. They should be here soon. I hope."

He checked his phone. He had received a reply from Lukas. It read:

"Hey, Marek. I got your message. I'm on my way. I'm at the university right now. I found something interesting. You won't believe it. It's about the zombies. I'll tell you when I see you. See you soon."

Marek rolled his eyes. He knew Lukas was always looking for trouble. He was obsessed with the zombies and their origins. He had been sneaking around the city, taking pictures and videos of them, collecting samples and specimens, and doing experiments. He had even tried to communicate with them, to see if they had any intelligence or memory left. He was crazy, in Marek's opinion. But he was also his friend, and he cared about him.

He replied:

"Lukas, hurry up. This is not the time to play around. We have to leave the city. Now. It's not safe here. Trust me. Just get to my apartment as fast as you can. And don't do anything stupid."

He hoped Lukas would listen to him and not get himself killed.

He checked his phone again. He had received a reply from Eva. It read:

"Marek, I'm sorry, but I can't go with you. I have a duty to stay here and report the truth. The people need to know what's going on. The government is lying to us. They are hiding something. Something big. I have proof. I have evidence. I have a source. He's a scientist. He worked on the project that caused the outbreak. He knows everything. He's willing to talk. He's meeting me at the TV station. I have to go. I have to expose this. I have to save the world. Don't try to stop me. Good luck."

Marek sighed. He knew Eva was stubborn and ambitious. She was a journalist, and a good one. She had been investigating the outbreak since it began, trying to find out the truth behind it. She had been risking her life, going to dangerous places, talking to shady people, and confronting the authorities. She had been broadcasting her reports on the radio and the internet, hoping to reach as many people as possible. She had a lot of followers and fans, but also a lot of enemies and threats. She was brave, in Marek's opinion. But she was also foolish, and he feared for her.

He replied:

"Eva, please, don't do this. It's too dangerous. You don't know who you're dealing with. You don't know what they're capable of. They will kill you. They will silence you. They will cover this up. It's not worth it. Just come with us. We have a chance to survive. We have a place to go. We have a future. Don't throw it away. Don't be a hero. Just be a friend."

He hoped Eva would change her mind and not get herself killed.

He checked his phone again. He had received a reply from Peter. It read:

"Hi, Marek. I got your message. I'm sorry, but I can't go with you. I have a responsibility to stay here and protect my restaurant. It's my life's work. It's my dream. It's my legacy. I have a lot of loyal customers and friends who depend on me. They need my food. They need my support. They need my smile. I can't abandon them. I can't leave them behind. I have to stay here and fight. I have a plan. I have a weapon. I have a fire. I have a hope. Don't worry about me. I'll be fine."

Marek smiled. He knew Peter was kind and generous. He was a chef, and a great one. He owned a small restaurant in the Old Town, where he served delicious and affordable food to everyone. He had a lot of regulars and newcomers, who loved his dishes and his personality. He was always cheerful and friendly, even in the darkest times. He had also joined the local volunteer fire brigade, and had been helping to put out fires and rescue people. He was a hero, in Marek's opinion. But he was also naive, and he pitied him.

He replied:

"Peter, I understand. You have a good heart. You have a good soul. You have a good cause. But you also have a bad situation. You can't fight this alone. You can't win this alone. You can't survive this alone. You need help. You need backup. You need us. Just come with us. We have a way out. We have a safe route. We have a secure destination. Don't stay here. Don't be a martyr. Just be a friend."

He hoped Peter would see reason and not get himself killed.

He checked his phone again. He had no more messages. He looked at Zuzana. She looked at him. They both looked at the door. They both looked at the window. They both looked at the clock. They both looked at each other.

They both knew it was time to go.