Undead Defenders

Chapter: 5 Sleepless Night

Zairo awoke from his long nap. He woke up due to a loud scream he heard. With a sleep training method he was able to keep consciousness while mid-sleep. This was a much needed skill to learn. Snoring or falling asleep without being able to react in the waking world is just asking to offer yourself to the dead. It was detriment to learn. Fortunately if you were in a group, you wouldn't have to worry. Nevertheless it is still a must have ability to learn, you must always look out for yourself. You never know when an ambush can happen to you even when you are in safe conditions.
Checking his phone Zairo looked onto social media again. Scrolling through he did not find much. The video of the three boys bullying the dying old man never had a specified date or time, only the original poster has the specifics.
With only wanting to spend a few minutes, Zairo did not want to waste any time. Currently it is 8 pm at night. When the dead start to attack, his second goal was to gather as much spices as possible. Good food is luxurious, and food that's tasteless is just meant to only fill the stomachs to prolong their lives. He remembered how miserable everyone was whenever they ate. At the very least they can preserve the culinary delights of enjoying meals. They will also need the spices to aid in future nutrient deficiencies.
Looking to the window Zairo saw that it seemed quiet. Gathering his belongings he leaves to the grocery store.
"Hey you kid!" he heard from down the hall. Approaching was one of his neighbors Doug. He was in his mid forties, Zairo does not know much about him other than his name.
"You heard that scream just now, too?" He asked Zairo.
"Nope..." Zairo begins heading downstairs.
"Hey wait! You going to the store? Mind if I come with you? I'm in need of a supply run too." He nods to Doug. "Great let me grab my wallet, you just wait for me."
" Sure..." Zairo begrudgingly said. Although it wouldn't waste his time, it would at least give him some time to relax and assess the noise that the neighbor heard. Going to his car, he made sure to check if his surrounding was clear. The parking lot was quite empty. There were barely any cars that could obstruct his view.
Doug came walking down the hall. "Sorry to keep you waiting. I noticed that you didn't come home with your car the other night. You got into a car accident?"
"No. I just needed to go to the mechanic to maintenance the car."
"Ah car problems I see, lets hop in. I will drop you off, you just meet back with me once your done. I will be waiting for you once I'm done buying my stuff." He says to Zairo as he drives to the streets.
"Whats your name anyway, unless you want me to keep calling ya kid." He questions Zairo.
"Zairo..." he didnt have any reason to conceal his name at the moment.
"Hm, odd name. Don't know what your parents were thinkin, but sure had some creativity I guess." He turns his car to the right curve.
"Alright, here we are. Feel free to take your time kid. Sorry I mean Zairo."
"Actually I wanted to take a stroll after shopping if that's okay with you?"
"Hm, you sure?" he looks at Zairo puzzled.
"Yeah, I'm sure." Zairo responded.
"Alright, but feel free to come back here if you change your mind. I usually eat a burger or two after ordering from Jacks in the box."
Giving a thumbs up Zairo went on his way. Thankfully Zairo had a lot of packing space. He only brought five quiver and a crossbow that folds. His Bat was concealed to his back, under his jacket. Buying some instant noodle packs, and filling up with spices that would last for decades.
Exiting the store he sips into the water bottle, to parch his dry lips. Zairo didn't know much about Doug, he wasn't sure about what his working life was. If fate brings him together with Doug again, Zairo would invite him with open arms.
His first goal is to scout the area, for a fact he knows that the town he is in is already affected. The only reason why there is no mass of chaos or people running is because it's in the middle of night. Right when everyone is shutting their eyes for the night. Those who are currently cruising the night, however are assumably screaming in terror right about now.
Turning to the left he saw Doug's car approaching, "Hey Kid! Zairo, get in I bought ya a burger. Keep me some company for the night." Poking his head out of the window.
Walking to the side Zairo gets in.
"Here! Also got ya a combo meal. Drinks on the cup holder. You like root beer?" Looking out into the nightly streets of the front window.
"Yeah, thanks..." unwrapping the burger Zairo bites into it.
"Sorry, been home all day for the past week. Ya know uh my son he's in the military. I remember when he was your age. He uh kinda reminds me of you."
"I see..."he responds while taking a bite from the burger.
"Anyway uh if he were here right now, I'd be doing this stuff with him. So humor me why don't ya. I'll take you to our spot on the cliff. Where you can see the town."
Arriving at the destination Doug stops near at the cliff on the spot that can oversee the window view.
"Done with your burger?" Looking at Zairo. Grabbing another from his bag he hands Zairo another one.
"Oh it's ok this is enough for me." Pushing it further to Zairo.
"Please I insist, imma just save it for tomorrow anyway. Good food should never be wasted. Besides it's only a couple bucks."
Grabbing it from Doug's hand, he just replies with a thanks.
"Don't mention it kid. I mean Zairo. Eh I'll just call ya Z. You cool with that?" He takes a bite from his burger.
Watching from the window you could see the town lights, varying in size and intensity.
"Ah ya know I used to do construction. You studying in architect or engineering?" He asked Zairo.
"No not really. I was actually majoring in Graphics Design." Zairo had lied, he did not remember his major or care to remember his old passion.
"Eh close enough."
"Why do you ask?" Zairo asked.
"Well I saw a couple nights ago that you were going back and forth from the apartment. Was wondering if you had to do some project or something."
"Something like that." He responded to Doug.
"Ah I was right. Anyway as I was saying, I remember back in the day when I used to do construction. Worked hard and earned good money." Reminiscing himself.
"Anyway not my business, just being nosy that's all."
Before taking a bite of his burger he comments to Zairo "I'll let you do your thing. Don't mind me, just finishing my dinner."
Zairo pulls out his phone to check for any media news.
Looking to the feeds he sees comments of people reacting to cries for help. Everyone thinking it to be a prank, or video edited. The same video Zairo had saw before regressed played exactly the same way. A group of young men, bullying a withered homeless man. Then a eerie moan in the process of the altercation.
On the comments you can see people posting related posts, saying to everyone that the post and everyone is real. A live streamer even showed everyone that the situation was dire. Screaming and running. "Oh shit, oh gawd. Oh shit this can't be real!"
The streamer had to hide in the bathroom stalls. After calming down he explained to everyone the events in the downtown plaza. He was strolling throughout the streets and coming from the window of some buildings. Everyone in the vicinity ran out. Some bleeding from the injury they succumbed or witnessed. Then the next shocking thing that happened next was those who had injuries started to injure others.
Everyone was screaming and yelling. "Thankfully I'm not alone. There are a few others holed up with me. Right now they are holding the handle to the door. So they don't come in." After hearing pleas to assist in holding the bar. Before the streamer shuts off his live stream he gave his location  for help from anyone listening.
Doug speaks aloud, "man how much did this kid spend on pulling this stunt. My god the money these people have to do all this stuff. Pretty cool."
Looking at Doug, Zairo just says to him. "I don't know the posts here and the rest are having similar cases."
Doug, "No offense Z, but if a zombie apocalypse  was possible. I don't see how in the long term we would die that easily. There is just no possible way that it could happen."
Sipping his drink before continuing, "besides even if it did happen, I'm sure we'd all kill them before it could spread."
How wrong he was, not even Zairo knew no matter how slow the infection happens. Just a couple infected can increase the body count drastically from healthy hosts to infected bodies.
"Alright let's hit the dump, I'mma call it a night. Thanks for spending time with me. Been a long time since I did this." Taking his last bite, he throws the wrapper to the ground.
"What? You aren't going to judge me for loitering are you?"
Shrugging Zairo did not say much.
"Good!" He drives off back down to the street.
Zairo had been thinking if Doug would be useful. Although Zairo could grab as many people as he want. There's a matter of transportation. Besides his car that was left behind. He would need to find a way to move about without wasting too much gas. Especially when it comes to finding people with professions.
Naturally any woman and child are always welcome.  Not to objectify the women, but they potentially can carry life. Any child can learn any new skills for surviving and learn a trade. It goes without saying that the more new generation we have the more man power we will obtain. In terms of number they are vital for this new world. If a woman has profession in a certain field, it would be a bonus. Of course it does not mean that men will be casted away. They are also vital. They have strength and there are just some professions that the males are majorly in need of.
Zairo can only hope it doesn't have to resort to excommunicating anyone. For the more numbers they had the more food they would need to produce for long term. Ideally Zairo wants to have as many able body to be of use. Even if they only have little value.
"Listen Doug, I've been thinking. You want to help me with my project?"
Doug looked at Zairo, "uh sure kid, not like I got stuff to do anyway. The morning cool with ya, it's getting late ya know?"
"Ok, thanks I appreciate it. I'll wake you up in the morning."
"Alright then. Sounds good."
Reaching back to the apartment complex Doug and Zairo went to their respective door. Making sure Doug closed his front door, Zairo went quickly down.
He knows that by now there are infected people roaming about. Before the morning hits he needs to gather people that could be used to fortify and produce food.
Zairo could also gather any books that can be useful since knowledge is power.
Looking back he spoke to himself "Doug should be safe for the time being." Zairo starts running to the nearest bike shop. These can be used to conserve stamina. Going to the window of a sporting goods. Zairo smashes onto the window. Eventually everybody will vandalize and steal for their needs. Cash would have little value, although can still be used for monetary transaction. Other than that they make good use for wiping oneself.
Zairo remembers how someone gave him foul cash, tossing it away after realizing that it was used as toilet paper. Needless to say it was not the last he saw of such insanitary means.
Finding a sturdy bike, he grabbed one with a flash light attachment to it. With the night being so dark, he needed to attach a flashlight to the front.
Exiting the building he starts moving to the sidewalk.  Majority of people currently awake are in the downtown area. The apartment was noted to be far from the downtown area. It would take Zairo sometime before he gets to the area. While the alarm plays made sure to make as much noise as possible. The earlier they wake the more prepared the people will be. Anyone who remains will be stuck in their buildings and starve in the long term with nowhere to go. Bonking his horn he made an echoing howl. With the sound being obnoxiously loud, Zairo could see all the house lights light up.

Before they could get see who it was, Zairo was already far into the distance looking like a blur. He knows that everyone will report the banging and honking. In order for them to be aware of the situation, he needed them to be aware of the Amber alert. Checking his phone, Zairo believes its almost time until the Amber Alarm rings.

"..." Zairo had to brake on the bicycle. The alarm is unusually late, Zairo knew that exactly at 12:23 am the Amber Alarm would notify the entire city he was in. Is this a time paradox? Did waking up the street, delay the message?

Checking the news, there was no coverage of an immediate martial law reported by the news anchor. This time checking on social media such as twitter, Zairo was able to confirm that at least the locals have been affected. Those roaming about outside right now that is. However,  Zairo can not waste any precious time going house to house prolong. He needs to acquire a bus, and gather fuel to transport the incoming survivors and supplies. Zairo understood that something must have happened to the operator. Before Martial Law can be announced the Amber Alert would need to be active. With nobody manning the station, the public wont know about the disaster that will be going on.

"Damn, I guess I will have to take a detour after all." Taking out his phone, he searched up the nearest police agency.

End