Blood Moon. Age Of Survival

Chapter 7

The car dropped me off in front of the supermarket. It had been a week-long drive to get here, and I could feel some discomfort in my backside from sitting for so long. I slowly climbed out of the van, grateful to be able to stand again.

"Hey," the driver called out.

"Yeah," I turned to face him, expecting some harsh words, but instead, he just smiled and said, "Be careful, it may be your last day to see the sun."

I nodded. "Thanks, I'll remember your words."

The car engine roared back to life and zoomed down the road, leaving a trail of dust behind, soon disappearing.

I realized that I was supposed to ask how I would get back to the stronghold, but it was already late. I guess I'll have to find my way back.
I carefully made my way into the building, keeping my back against the wall. It was pitch black inside as if the power had been cut off. The silence was eerie; I strained my hearing, but all I could detect was the buzzing of flies above a bloodstain on the floor.

"They've been here," I thought, but I couldn't find any signs of their presence. Maybe they had left. Maybe it was safe.
The hallway was long and even darker than before, leading to a door with a large panel: the storage room. I pushed the door open and stepped inside.

The smell of blood hit me immediately, making me recoil. "What the heck?" I muttered, trying to suppress the knot in my stomach. I had to go in. I ventured further into the room, feeling around for the light switch, which turned out to be broken. Using my foot to search for any obstacles, I found nothing. Where could it be?

I moved around the room, hoping to stumble upon something, but all I encountered was darkness. This didn't seem right. According to the leader's instructions, there should have been food supplies here, and I should have tripped over something. But I didn't. Even with my enhanced night vision, I couldn't make out anything in the dark.

Something wasn't adding up. I made my way back to the door and accidentally kicked something, causing it to produce a metallic clang. I bent down to take a look at the metal, ...an underground door.
What is an underground door doing in a supermarket?..
A loud growl woke me out of my thoughts. Through the transparent glass at the main entrance, I saw a dark image glimmered.
I first thought it was my imagination but the growl came again and this time it rang in my ears.
A zombie.. how did they get here? .
There was none around when I had visited. Though I had been informed that it was full of runners I didn't see any when I first came in and now they are outside. Hundred of them at the door.
This is a trap. My mind chipped in, of course, I knew the stronghold had prepared this, and I was stupid to accept this offer since I had no choice.
Vance had told me and the soilder. I shouldn't have entered.
I wanted to fight them but I couldn't, they were runners, and hundreds of them against one nightstalker.
They would outmatched me. I have to find an escape route.
The underground door.
I bent down and traced my hand on the iron door. It could fit in my body.
Thank God.
I opened it but not without making a big clank sound. The transparent door flew open and the zombie came charging inside growling for blood.
A few flesh eater slowly walked at the back using their nose to sniff in the air and their eyes landed on me.
The runner. I thought. There are only three runners and a hundred mindless soldiers.
Angrily the blonde runner growled in my direction snarling at the same time.
The zombies turned towards me and charged for the storage room.
As the zombie closed in, I kept repeating in my mind, "Open the door, Jaden." I snapped out of my trance and forced the door open. It was dark inside, but I could see a faint trail leading to a ladder to climb down. I didn't know where it would lead, but I had a strange feeling it would be better than facing an army of zombies.

I quickly jumped on the ladder and started climbing down as fast as I could. The zombie forced itself into the room and started searching for me.

I kept climbing down, unsure of my destination. However, I was determined to stay safe. Suddenly, I heard a faint growl coming from upstairs. I looked up and saw a blonde runner climbing down the stairs after me.

Confused about how he found me, I remembered that runners are not mindless zombies like the others; they still have some humanity in them, although they are driven by evil instincts and cannot control their bloodlust.

"You can't go," the runner growled as he climbed the stairs faster. "I will eat you. I would."

I was surprised to hear the runner speak, but I increased my pace and continued down the stairs. It had been over two hours since I started descending, and I could feel every passing moment ticking away.
Where does this land? Where am I heading? And who would I also meet down there? A zombie or an escape route to somewhere or is the runner just making me climb down into their nest?
All these questions keep running through my head. But I didn't stop even if it all turned away I would not give up, not the time.  I have to stay alive to protect Stephen and Rose
I was too deep In thought that I didn't know when my feet touched something cold that sent a shiver through my spine.
Ground, I climbed down.  I looked around and saw many tunnels each leaving some dangerous scent.
The zombie had tricked me. I looked up the blonde runner also jumped down and charged at me.
I growl and charge, the blonde runner comes for my face giving it a deep scratch. Pain shot through my chin and I fell down bleeding.
" What the hell" I cursed as the runner charged again but I was quick, and  dodge his attack. He growls in frustration.

I grabbed his back and wrestled him down giving him a deep bite. I drew back my mouth dripping with blood.
It should be dead. I thought, but he stirred again and went back to his feet.
" Come through here"  a voice called from one of the tunnels.
I turned but I didn't see anyone.
" Over here" the voice called again and it was coming from the tunnels to my right. Without thinking I dashed for the entrance the runner running after me I dragged myself through the darkness until I felt someone grip my arm and drag me into something colder than I thought, it was like water but it was freezing and colder and I could feel myself freezing no passing out.
I couldn't breathe and I struggled with my lungs until I couldn't feel anything I felt my breathing stopped until I couldn't feel anything but the hand still dragged me on.

I opened my eyes, and the sun almost blinded my red view, I used my hand to shield my hand from the sun. I could feel a cold breeze sweep past my shoulder making my body cold again.
The scent around me made me anxious.
Zombies but I couldn't see them due to the sunlight.

" Hey here," someone said and handed me a Google. It had a red tinted glass and a rope that I could wear on my head. I felt good and I could see clearly, like it was designed only for a nightstalker
The breeze, the scent, the sunlight. It occurred to me that I was in a land.
But I could only pick up a zombie scent..
" Where am I ?" I ask.
" A camp, " the man's gruff voice said. " A zombie hideout"