Blood Moon. Age Of Survival

Chapter 6

The stronghold was more like a military camp than a hideout. They store a high-tech gun in a common room away from the survivors and it can only be opened by Vance. And a hall in which they all had their meal. And also a restroom that had a plate on its door signifying the gender of the user.  This place was a version I didn't expect, each survivor had their room, five people per room. I wasn't really into this, many men waited at the entrance with their guns ready and loaded.
I thought about Rose and Stephen, where are they?
I looked around the hall among other survivors as each of them stole a look at me.
" they are in the hospital lounge," a girl said as she appeared out of my back carrying a plate in her hand.
She looked wild. Her hair was long jet black hair tied in a ponytail. Her blue eyes were a version of what I called a beauty. I guess she seems more beautiful than Mira. But she wore a torn shirt and trousers which looked like she had fought her way out of zombies.
" ok, thank you," I said. Looking at her more seriously. I could notice a few scratches on her, which made her look fearless. She may be a soldier I thought." Anyway, they seemed fine since you protected them from the monster" she said looking at me.
I blush. " um oh yeah, I just have to do it, you know protecting my only blood left so I have to"
"Oh, you mean you are the only one left for them. ?" She asked.
"Yeah," I nodded. She looked at me pitifully.
" I am sorry, you have to go through all this"
" Thanks, it's just for the better"
She smiled. " I just hope you get over it soon everyone here, also lost someone every one of us is broken, shattered, and baffled. We gather here to support ourselves"
I felt so by her words. She is just pure.
" um gotta attend to other patients," she said and wandered off toward the end of the hall.
She is pretty. I admit.

" hey fool, " a soldier called." Vance expecting you in the common room"
I followed him inside, but I noticed the way he moved and silently looked at me. I knew what he was thinking that I might change any minute like I did to one of their comrades. I know they still hated me for that.
" hey "  A big fat man called as I entered the room. He was wearing a lethal jacket. His blonde hair was tied in a ponytail. I don't know who this man was, but from the look of everyone's eyes, I know that Vance wasn't the real leader he was just the vice leader. This man was the real stronghold leader.

"We have got a problem. We ran out of ammo and anyone can't go out there on their own, or they are gonna die. So we made a plan to send you instead." The big man said. He had a big scar on his face, which I knew it would be done by a zombie.
They just want to kill me but their rules made it difficult for them to, I know what they want, for me to go out there alone and bring back all they need. They want to turn me into their hound. Since I was like them thinking they couldn't do anything.
" that pays well for him" I could hear someone say from over the table. Even though he only whispered it to himself.
" are you in Jay" Vance's eyes looked with concern.
I nodded. If it is the only way to stay close to Stephen and Rose and keep them safe.
" yes I am in"

I dressed up for the hunt. Not that I was willing to go but I had to, I took a look in the mirror Vance gave me. My eyes had become bloody red and scary my face wasn't the same anymore either, now I looked like a zombie but just a little cuteness made me look a little different.
I came out of the room and walked towards the common room to meet Vance. The whispering voice made me stop it was coming from a sixty meter in the common room so I stopped to listen.
" the kid is just a small inexperienced zombie and you want to send him out there only to be devoured by the flesh-eating monster" Vance's voice came up.
A snort. " you didn't even think of Mr. Kimberley, he almost killed him if not because of Luke's intervention he would have killed him finally, and now he is in the room fighting for his life, who even knew he had turned him into a zombie as well" the leader's voice said.
I guess they are the only ones in the room.
" come on he isn't.." Vance tried to say.
" Have you forgotten what his mother did to you, what the country did to you and you still want to be protecting them from harm, what has gotten into you Vance you became soft"
I heard Vance sigh. " that was the country and his mom, not him he got a brother and a sister to protect "
" and we all got a family to return to in time or we also regret it"
I distracted myself from hearing more. My heart drums are beginning to hurt, is this what looks like to become a Zombie?
I walked on and entered the common room. Vance and Mike looked at me at the same time.
" I am ready," I said without looking at their face.
Mike nodded at Vance. " okay then check on your siblings before going it may be the last time you see them"
I nodded. And went out, not that I didn't hear all that they had said.
I went into the lounge area. Stephen was asleep on Rose's lap. Together they sat on a single-seater. The girls from that time sat beside them Patting roses hair.
I moved to them. Rose's eyes jerked up as she saw me.
"Brother" she called and made to stand up but I stopped her.
" sssh, don't let Stephen rest," I said.
" I .." she stopped when she saw my eyes. " what happened to your eyes, brother"
" I .." I tried to say. But she started crying.
" This isn't my brother, he isn't like this"
I moved back. " I am still Jay" she shook her head but I knew no matter how much or hard I tried she wasn't gonna believe me. So I gave up.
The girl stood up from the seat and consoled roses before walking to me.
"It's okay she is just scared I would take care of them, just make sure you return safely, ," she said.
I nodded." Thank you .." I stopped as I didn't know her name.
" Jessica, but Jess for short.".
" thank you, Jess, please look after them for me," I said.
" of course Jay," she said.
" you ready?" Vance said as he walked up to me.
"Yeah"
He placed a hand on my shoulder. " do not get hurt Jay, the runner in full are dangerous"
I nodded. " I would make sure I come back alive"
" Still the stronghold hates you, it may be some kind of trap watch out"

I understand what he is saying. I nodded the last time carried my backpack and headed out of the building. I don't know if I could come back alive or dead. And mostly what the runner holds in store for me.