Only V

Chapter 9 - Night Parade

As the sun dipped lower in the horizon, casting long shadows across the campus, the atmosphere grew tense with impending danger. Avyan's frustration simmered as he realized the keys to their only means of escape were lost in the chaos of their frantic flight from the canteen. With dusk approaching and the undead awakening all around them, time was running out.

"We have to find those keys, no matter what," Avyan declared, his voice tinged with urgency.

Anirudh nodded grimly, his eyes scanning the ground around the cart. "We can't afford to be trapped here when night falls."

Akash winced as he applied pressure to his wound, the makeshift bandage doing little to stem the bleeding. "I'll help search, but we need to move fast."

The trio split up, combing through the area with a sense of desperation. Every rustle of leaves, every creak of a branch, sent shivers down their spines as they imagined the encroaching horde drawing closer. Anirudh's flashlight darted across the ground, illuminating discarded debris and fallen leaves, but there was no sign of the elusive keys.

The evening descended in a shroud of ominous silence, broken only by the distant moans of the undead. Avyan's frustration reached a boiling point as the search for the lost keys proved futile. With every passing minute, the shadows grew longer, and the darkness seemed to swallow their hopes of a safe return home.

"We have to move, now," Avyan's voice was firm, his eyes scanning their surroundings for any signs of impending danger.

Anirudh nodded in agreement, his grip tightening on his weapon. "Akash, can you walk?"

Akash winced as pain shot through his injured leg, but determination glinted in his eyes. "I'll manage, but we need to hurry."

The trio set out on foot, their progress slow and painstaking as they navigated through the treacherous terrain. Anirudh supported Akash, his own resolve unwavering despite the growing sense of dread that hung heavy in the air. The setting sun cast long shadows over the desolate landscape, painting the world in hues of crimson and gold. Exhausted and weary, Avyan, Anirudh, and Akash trudged through the abandoned streets, their footsteps echoing in the eerie silence. The weight of their ordeal hung heavy on their shoulders, each step a testament to their resilience.

"We won't make it back before dark," Akash's voice was laced with urgency, his gaze darting nervously towards the encroaching shadows.

Avyan's gaze swept the surroundings, a frown etched on his face. "We need to find shelter before nightfall. We won't survive another encounter in the open." As dusk settled over the landscape, the first signs of movement emerged from the shadows. Grotesque figures lurched forward, their decayed flesh illuminated by the fading light. The boys braced themselves, weapons at the ready, as the horde closed in around them.

Anirudh nodded, his eyes scanning the buildings for any signs of safety. "There," he pointed to a dilapidated warehouse up ahead. "It's our best chance."

They quickened their pace, the urgency palpable as the first stars began to twinkle in the darkening sky. With every passing minute, the shadows seemed to grow longer, ominous whispers of the night's impending dangers.

As they reached the warehouse, a sense of foreboding settled over them. The doors creaked open with a haunting echo, revealing a dimly lit interior filled with dust and debris. Avyan took the lead, his Glock at the ready as they cautiously entered the building, their senses on high alert.

The interior offered little solace, the air thick with the musty scent of neglect. The roof was open. Anirudh closed the door behind them, barricading it with whatever makeshift objects they could find. Akash slumped against a wall, his breaths laboured as he struggled to stay upright.