Capsule Outbreak

18 Bonfire Night

Allie's POV

We are heading to Little Rock, Arkansas, for food supplies and containers of gas. Then, we're going all the way to Texas. It's a long journey. Louis and Maggie are sleeping with Charlie. Duke and I are still awake, worrying about Celestia and her mother, but we're hoping they escaped too. I suddenly turn on the radio in the car to hear the latest news.

"This is Mr. Dawson. How's your day going? Is it sweet or bloody? Just kidding! Here is the latest news. Mississippi is now zero human population; they all turned into zombies. The United States Army commemorates the sacrifices of the brave soldiers who died fighting the zombies. Special tribute to Master Sergeant James Woodfill, a strong soldier indeed. Salute! Moreover, the Safe Zone is still waiting for you here in Arizona."

While I'm driving, someone far behind us hits the side mirror, and it shatters. We're in shock, and Maggie and Charlie suddenly wake up. Louis looks at the shattered mirror and reminisces about his grandmother, his tears flowing. Duke and I get out of the car. I use my monocular to see what's happening far behind us, and there's a woman running towards us, chased by plenty of zombies.

"Help me, please help!" the woman shouted towards us.

Zombies are approaching her fast. Duke and I run towards her as she stumbles. Duke shoots the zombies coming near us. I help the woman stand up, and I guide her as we walk. Duke shoots some of them, but more are still approaching us. Then, Louis gets out of the car and shoots zombies coming too. We get inside the car immediately, and I drive. But the zombies don't give up; some jump onto the car roof, and some are behind our car, eager to eat us.

The woman we helped is so scared that she doesn't look at the zombies. Maggie covers Charlie's eyes as zombies are outside growling. I drive speedily; then zombies fall, and some are killed by the tires.

After some time, we park somewhere and find pieces of wood for the bonfire we will be making later. We give the woman food and water, then ask her questions.

"Who are you?" I asked.

"Akira, my name is Akira," she said while eating, her hands trembling, scared as she remembers what just happened.

"Why are zombies chasing you? There are so many of them," Duke asked.

"They are all from the Mississippi camp!" Akira softly said.

"What? But the news said there are no survivors in the camp. Just us, but we're not from Mississippi; we just passed by," I said.

"Well, if the news already informed that, then I'm the only one who survived from Mississippi," Akira realized.

"You're lucky, Akira, but do you know what really happened in the camp? I mean, there were many security and soldiers," Maggie asked, confused.

"Before it all happened, before the gas leaked, there was an old woman in the isolation room. I'm the one who distributed food and water to the people, even in shelter tents or isolation rooms, so soldiers let me come in. You know, the old woman seemed to have dementia, she kept saying repeatedly, 'Where is my mother, Gissele? Did you kill my mother?' While I was giving her food, she didn’t want to eat, she just sobbed there nonstop. The soldiers nearby were irritated by her noise.

The soldiers came in and ordered me to leave. But as I was leaving, a soldier unexpectedly brought in a zombie and fed it to the old woman. I was shocked at the time. I still can't forget how the old woman got scared and shouted for help, but the zombie bit her, and she turned. Some soldiers laughed at what they did, but karma is fast. As the soldiers who manipulated her were leaving, the old woman bit them nonstop until she was eating their organs. One soldier escaped but was already bitten. Scared, he didn't know what to do or where to go until he stumbled and his head bumped into the gas near the area, causing it to leak and suddenly explode!" Akira explained to us.

We can't believe that some soldiers manipulated Louis' grandmother so she turned into a zombie. Louis can't accept it and reminisces about what happened. Maggie approaches and comforts him.

After that, as nighttime approaches, we decide to make a bonfire using the pieces of wood we found earlier, and we sit around it, talking with each other.

"Do you want me to leave you tomorrow?" Akira softly asked.

"You can't just leave us; zombies are everywhere. If you agree, come with us to the Safe Zone!" I said, and she hugs me right away.

"What's your plan now?" Akira asked.

"We're going to Arkansas for food supplies and gas!" I informed her.

"Arkansas? I'm going there for my stepbrother Brent. The last time I contacted him was on New Year. We lost communication after that. I assure you, we have many food supplies there and gas you need. Could you help me?" Akira asked, needing our help.

"Of course, we will help you!" I responded.

Charlie looks sad while watching the bonfire. He still can't believe that Celestia is gone with her mother Bridget. He wants to see her again, reminiscing about their moments together.

"Can we meet Celestia again?" Charlie softly asked us, looking sad.

"I hope so, but don't worry, she's with her mother!" I softly said to him.

"I'm just wondering why they left without us. I miss her so much!" Charlie said sadly, hugging his sister right away.

As Charlie hugs her, Louis can't take his eyes off  Maggie, and Charlie notices it.

"Wait, Louis, why do you keep looking at my sister?" Charlie said, confused, and Louis looks away immediately.

"No, I'm not looking at her!" Louis denied, blushing.

"Louis, don't lie to me! Do you like my sister?" Charlie softly asked.

Then Louis looks into Maggie's eyes, deciding whether he would answer or not, and said, "Charlie, I love the way she is!"

"So, you love my sister. Maggie, I'm going to ask you, do you love him too?" Charlie asked, and Maggie looked awkward.

"Charlie, please stop, or I'm going to be mad!" Maggie softly said, kidding aside.

"Maggie, just get mad at me, but I want to know, not just me but also brother Duke, Allie, and you too, pretty Akira!" Charlie said.

"Okay, Louis is somewhat attractive to me. He's been with us since day one and..." Maggie said, but Charlie interrupts her.

"Just say it, Maggie, because I'm going to sleep now!" Charlie said, feeling sleepy.

"I love Louis too!" Maggie softly said, looking at Louis. He heard it and approaches her. Suddenly, they kiss again, but Charlie doesn't see it as he falls asleep on Maggie's lap.

We suddenly hear a zombie growling near us. But the zombie looks like it can't see anything, and it walks towards the bonfire, burning and dying. Then, we get back inside the car and rest.