Crimson Bonds: A tale of siblings amidst the apocalypse

Chapter 8: The preparation

"We will divide our groups: some stay here and help the villagers defend, and some go to strike the prison since almost everyone will come for us, we have to put an end for their tyranny once and for all. If we take their leader they will surely get disorganized." Ethan demonstrated the plan.

Mira nodded in agreement. "I'll stay to help nurse the wounded."

"Good. Taylor, how many guns did you bring with you from the shop?" Ethan asked.

"Not a lot since we were in a hurry. I brought as much as I could carry," Taylor replied.

"Stay here and see who is fit to carry them and distribute them," Ethan instructed.

"Mike, you know the village very well. Go and find the best place for barricades around the village and build them with the help of whoever you can find," Ethan directed, and Mike nodded in response.

"I want to help too. Is there something I can do?" John asked.

"Please keep lily and the children safe," Ethan replied, and John nodded in understanding.

Mira paused, realizing there was one person unaccounted for. "Wait, that only leaves you and Thomas," she said, turning to Ethan.

Ethan nodded. "Thomas, I know you hold a grudge against them, but we will be in the group that infiltrates the prison. Hold your grudge in yourself. Save it for the leader," Ethan said firmly.

Thomas nodded silently, his expression unreadable.

Mira voiced her concern. "Are you sure? I know you are good at sneaking, but taking Thomas with you... he will probably rampage there."

"No, on the contrary. Thomas wants revenge at any cost, so he will stick to plan until we reach the leader," Ethan replied confidently.

With their roles assigned, the group prepared to carry out their plan, each member understanding the gravity of the situation and the importance of their contributions to the success of their mission.

Lily watched Ethan from afar, her heart swelling with pride and admiration for her brother. "My brother is so amazing, you know. He is kind, strong, and reliable. He's changed so much too. He used to be a loner and self-dependent, and look how effortlessly he's blended in," Lily said to Ben as they observed Ethan putting the plan for the group into action.

Ben nodded in agreement. "Yes, I see how amazing he is. He saved me and my sister too from that apartment. He's like a hero."

A pang of emotion welled up within Lily as she spoke again. "Yet I always rely on his kindness. He always protects me and provides for me, but I'm just a liability for him. I really wish I could pay him back for everything he's done for me," Lily said, her voice trembling with emotion.

Ben reached out to comfort her, placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "Hey, don't say that. Your brother loves you more than anything, and he wouldn't have it any other way. You're not a liability; you're his sister, and that's the most important thing in the world to him," Ben said, offering words of reassurance and understanding.

As Lily wiped away her tears, she felt a sense of gratitude for Ben's comforting presence and for the brother who had always been her pillar of strength and support. Together, they watched Ethan with renewed determination, knowing that they would do whatever it takes to support him in his mission and repay his unwavering love and protection.

"Let's move to our position, Thomas. We will race to the prison with our motorbike," Ethan said, ready to embark.

Thomas nodded, his expression resolute as he prepared to accompany Ethan on their mission. "Got it," he replied tersely.

Before leaving, Ethan hugged Lily one last time, his embrace filled with a mix of love and determination. "Stay hidden in the basement with all the other children and stay safe," Ethan instructed, his voice filled with concern for her well-being.

Lily nodded, her eyes reflecting a mixture of worry and trust in her brother. "And you also stay safe, Ethan," she said softly, her voice tinged with a hint of longing for a peaceful resolution to their ordeal. Ethan looked back at john with pleading eyes "Keep her safe" Ethan said and John nodded.

With a final glance back at Lily, Ethan and Thomas set off on their mission, their minds focused on the task ahead and the hope of bringing an end to the chaos that had engulfed their lives.

As the raid commenced and the dust of their vehicles loomed in the distance, Ethan couldn't shake the feeling of unease in his gut. Leaving Lily behind in such a perilous situation was one of the hardest things he'd ever done, but he knew they had no choice but to press on. They had to put an end to the tyranny of the gang that had wreaked havoc on their lives.

Drawing closer to the city borders, they began to encounter more and more zombies, their undead presence a grim reminder of the world they now inhabited. "Didn't see these creatures in like ages that I forgot we are in an apocalypse" Thomas remarked, his voice tinged with apprehension.

"They will be our least problem compared to what we are gonna face," Ethan replied grimly, his eyes scanning their surroundings for any signs of danger.

Thomas's observation about the strangely deserted city didn't go unnoticed by Ethan. "Isn't this supposed to be a high-populated city? Then where is everyone? Not even corpses on the ground," Thomas stated, voicing the suspicions that had been gnawing at Ethan's mind.

A sense of dread settled over Ethan as he contemplated the implications of Thomas's words. "Wait, don't tell me..." Ethan began, his voice trailing off as a chilling realization dawned on him. "I hope this is not true," he continued, his voice barely above a whisper.

With a sense of urgency driving them forward, Ethan knew they had to finish their mission quickly and return to Lily's side.