The Undying Epoch (Incomplete)

Chapter 19: Morals

The city stretched out before us, a haunting panorama of desolation. Behind the wheel of the scavenged car, the rhythmic hum of the engine was a stark contrast to the eerie silence that enveloped the abandoned streets. Occasional idle lerkers meandered, oblivious to our fleeting presence.

As we cruised through the cityscape, the twisted remnants of burned-out cars and the husks of once-bustling buildings told tales of chaos. The sun dipped below the horizon, casting elongated shadows that danced with the fading light. A distant helicopter sliced through the sky, its steady drone a fleeting echo of a world once filled with life.

"Where should we go?" Sally asked, her voice breaking the spell of the city's melancholy.

Blair, studying the map, hesitated before suggesting, "How about a stadium? They often have emergency facilities, and it might be a good place to find survivors."

The idea lingered in the air, accompanied by a palpable unease. The drive towards the stadium unfolded like a journey through an unexplored realm. Jet trails painted the sky, a reminder of a world beyond our reach, and the distant thuds of military helicopters only heightened our skepticism.

Hela, gazing out of the window, remarked, "I've read about stadiums being used as quarantine areas during crises. But can we trust any semblance of authority now?"

Blair nodded, "We've seen what the military did to civilians. Trusting them might be a risk."

Hyuni, still adjusting to the harsh reality, added, "I just hope there are no more surprises waiting for us. Like those strange lerkers or, you know, military firing squads."

The car rumbled along, weaving through the ghostly avenues, and the city's eerie nocturne painted a surreal backdrop. The stadium loomed ahead, its silhouette etched against the darkening sky.

As we approached, the vast expanse of the stadium held an air of both promise and uncertainty. The flickering lights from within created an illusion of life, a stark contrast to the deathly quiet streets outside.

"Alright, let's proceed with caution. We don't know what's waiting for us inside," I suggested, the weight of our collective uncertainty echoing in my words.

The journey to the stadium held the promise of answers and refuge, yet the specter of the unknown cast its long shadow over our quest for survival.

The car rolled toward the stadium, and as its structure came into view, a disheartening tableau unfolded. The once-grand entrance stood battered and desolate, smoke billowing like ominous tendrils from unseen embers. The flickering lights, once a beacon of hope, now painted a scene of haunting abandonment.

The stadium's surroundings were a grim canvas – deserted cars, scattered belongings, and ominous shadows punctuated by the occasional movement of lerkers. The air hung heavy with an unsettling stillness, shattered only by the distant moans of the infected and the creaking echoes of the wind.

A hush fell over the group as the car idled at the entrance, the gravity of the scene sinking in. Dead bodies, both civilian and military, lay strewn across the pavement. Some had turned, their now vacant eyes staring into the abyss.

"Looks like we're not the first ones here," Blair muttered, the realization of the stadium's fate settling in.

Hela, her gaze sweeping across the desolation, remarked with a sense of solemnity, "This wasn't just an evacuation. It's as if something went terribly wrong."

Sally, ever resilient, quipped, "Guess we're crashing a party that ended badly."

The decision hung in the air – whether to venture inside the stadium's forsaken walls or continue the search for a haven elsewhere. The group exchanged glances, silent deliberation etched on each face.

Hyuni, gripping her dagger, spoke softly, "Whatever happened, we need to be cautious. This place might hold answers or dangers we can't anticipate."

The car slowly moved forward, navigating the macabre threshold. The stadium, once a symbol of unity, now stood as a testament to the unraveling of civilization. The echoes of our footsteps reverberated through the hollow space, mingling with the distant sounds of the undead and the eerie whispers of the forsaken stadium.

As we delved deeper into the unknown, the stadium's secrets awaited – a cryptic enigma that would either seal our fate or illuminate the obscured path ahead.

The car's tires crunched over the debris-strewn pavement as we ventured deeper into the forsaken stadium, hoping to find a flicker of sanctuary amidst the shadows. Yet, our journey took a nightmarish turn as we witnessed a ghastly spectacle.

A few figures stumbled out of the stadium, desperation etched on their faces. Their eyes widened as they spotted our approaching vehicle. Panic consumed them, and they sprinted toward us, a plea for salvation echoing in their silent cries.

As the distance closed, it became apparent that their flight wasn't just from the stadium's haunting depths but from something far more sinister within. Their ragged breaths and fear-stricken expressions spoke of a horror that defied imagination.

Before we could offer aid, a chilling revelation unfolded. Behind the fleeing figures emerged a nightmare – a scene of anarchy and despair. Civilians, driven to madness, fired upon each other amidst the chaos. The once-clear line between the living and the infected blurred in the haze of desperation.

Sally's eyes widened in disbelief. "Are they shooting each other? What the hell is happening?"

Hyuni, gripping the door handle with white-knuckled tension, added, "This is worse than the infected. They've turned on each other."

The car accelerated, leaving the anguished cries and the sounds of gunfire behind. As we distanced ourselves from the stadium, a lingering question haunted our thoughts – what twisted reality had befallen those trapped within the concrete confines?

Turning back for a moment, we glimpsed lerkers drawn to the commotion, their relentless pursuit amplifying the pandemonium. The line between predator and prey blurred, mirroring the societal collapse that had plunged the world into madness.

Silence hung heavily in the car, each occupant grappling with the harsh reality witnessed. The once hopeful prospect of finding refuge in the stadium had morphed into a cautionary tale, a stark reminder that survival was no longer a battle against the infected alone.

The road ahead, veiled in uncertainty, beckoned us to navigate through the remnants of a world unhinged – a world where the living posed as much threat as the looming shadows of the infected. Our journey continued, driven by the need for answers, safety, and the elusive promise of a new dawn.