Zombie survivor

[42] End of the line

The roar of engines grew deafening as the raider cars closed in, the armored vehicles flanking both sides of the bus, trying to box it in. Ms. Heather gripped the steering wheel, her face tense as she swerved, desperately trying to shake them off. The raiders' laughter and wild whoops echoed across the desert, fueled by the thrill of the chase.

Morgan, on her motorcycle, kept weaving beside the bus, firing her pistol with one hand while holding onto the bike's handlebars with the other. Her face was set in a fierce scowl as she aimed at the lead raider's tires, hoping to slow them down.

"Come on," she muttered, firing another shot. The bullet ricocheted off the metal plating of the closest car, barely scratching the surface. The driver grinned, leaning out the window and waving a spiked bat as he revved closer, trying to force her off the road.

Inside the bus, Jean was watching the scene through the window, his eyes wide with a mix of awe and terror as he saw Morgan fighting back. "They're closing in on us," he said, his voice tight. "We need to fight back, or they're gonna pin us down."

Brittney clutched her Beretta, glancing nervously between Jean and the raiders. "You're serious? These are real people—we're actually gonna shoot at them?"

Jean nodded, his face grim. "Yeah, Britt. It's us or them. We don't have a choice."

Blake looked uneasy, holding his .22 with trembling hands. "But... but they're human. They're not zombies. Isn't there another way?"

Jordan scoffed, already cocking his revolver. "Another way? Dude, they're literally trying to kill us. Or worse. You think they're here to, like, have a polite chat?"

Evan leaned out the window, gripping his shotgun as he looked back at the raider car trailing them. "Blake, if you can't handle this, stay out of the way. But I'm not waiting around to see what these psychos want."

Jean gritted his teeth, his AK-47 held steady. "Look, if you don't wanna shoot, then don't. But don't try to stop us either. We're not getting out of this without a fight."

Blake hesitated, swallowing hard, but he finally gave a shaky nod, clutching his gun tightly as he looked out the window.

With everyone bracing themselves, Jean gave Ms. Heather a quick nod. "Keep the bus steady, Ms. Collins. We'll try to take out their tires or slow them down. Just keep us moving."

Ms. Heather nodded, her voice tense but determined. "Alright. Just... be careful, all of you."

As the raider cars closed in, Jean leaned out the window, taking aim at the lead car's front tire. He took a deep breath, steadying his hand before he squeezed the trigger. The gunshot rang out, the recoil jolting him as the bullet struck the tire, causing it to wobble slightly.

"Got one!" Jean shouted, his heart pounding as the car veered momentarily to the side before the driver corrected it.

Evan took his cue, leaning out and aiming his shotgun at the raiders on the left side. He fired, the blast sending a spray of buckshot into the front windshield of the car closest to them. The glass shattered, and the driver swerved, momentarily losing control as he wiped blood from his face.

"Hell yeah!" Evan shouted, grinning despite the fear in his eyes. "Take that, freaks!"

The raiders responded by leaning out of their cars, aiming makeshift weapons at the bus. One of them hurled a Molotov cocktail that shattered against the side, sending flames licking along the window frame. Brittney shrieked, ducking as the fire crackled dangerously close.

"Holy shit!" she yelled, trying to swat away the sparks. "These guys aren't messing around!"

Jordan aimed his revolver at the raider who'd thrown the Molotov, firing a shot that grazed the man's shoulder. The raider yelped, grabbing his wound as he ducked back into the car.