H1Z1

Chapter 26 - Getting ready

The morning breeze struck upon an open window, its wind blowing up to my nerves, making me delighted to get up after a tiring incident last night. I still can't believe what had happened. I had struck a knife into his hand. I'm really not feeling well. But, of course, I have to cope with it, or it will consume me.

Anyways, here I am, waiting for Empress to wake up. She was badly hurt from yesterday's incident and left her unconscious. I am worried sick that she might not wake up anymore. Shush! Don't think like that, Chris! She's gonna wake up. You know that.

I really don't what to do. I promised Empress that I will guard her until she wakes up.

A moment later, I heard a knocking noise coming from the door.

I reached out for the handle to see who's knocking.

It was Eric.
"Hey, Chris.." Eric said, with a sad tone on his voice.

A sigh was released. "Hey, man. How's outside?" I asked him, like I was inside a bunker for a hundred years and a friend comes by from outside.

"It's fine, really. But we were worried about you since you shooed Saira and the others away." A sigh was released again. "Look, Empress' gonna wake up. I know it." He said with a confidence on his tone.

"I know, Eric. But now, I should guard her more. No more people can be trusted. Except you and me and the others." I stated.

"Yeah, but we need your help." There's a deep pitch in his tone.

"For what?" I was curious.

"A scout just reported in from the northern vantage point. He said that a horde is coming."

"A what? Wait, did the townsfolk do something about it?" A horde. It must've been the gunshot that was fired yesterday evening. It must've attracted them.

"They're barricading the front gates. They said that if we set traps, we might kill the horde."

"A horde means more than 5 or 6 or 7... But how many exactly? Did the scout said anything?"
Curiosity struck me.

"Dunno. He said a horde. Must be many. He's like scared or panicking when I overheard his voice on the radio." Eric replied, seemingly calm but I know deep inside he's panicking too.

"What's your plan then?" A voice came out of Eric's back. It was one of the refugees that lived here longer than us.

I just stared at her. After a brief pause, Eric finally said a word.

"For now, nothing. Who are you anyway?"

"Katarina." She then turned to look at me. "Remember?"

I remember her. She wears now a different outfit.

"Hmph." Only sounds my mouth released.

"How 'bout your plans, Katarina? Eric said, breaking our line of sight.

"Well, Janus said to divert them. Lead them to another path. But that is total bullsh*t. We fight. Violence solves everything."
She replied, with anger in his tone.

"Such a nice plan by... Anus? Janns? What was the name you mentioned?" Eric replied, mocking her.

"It's Janus, you imbecile!" Kat answered, annoyed and furious.

"Eric. Stop." I said to him then turned to the woman. "Well, we have to do something. We couldn't just stand here and be eaten. We can't lure them away. This town stands only in one road. Thus, the road is surrounded by thick forest. If someone tries to lure them away in the forest, he will be most likely to be killed and eaten alive."

"Then what do we do?" Eric replied, with his hands crossed.

"We need wood. A lot of it." I said, with a blinking bulb above my head.

"What for, exactly?" Katarina asked, confused.

"Barricading the entrance wouldn't be so bad. Right?" I gave them my suggestion. "And if there's extra, we can make wooden spears. We hide behind those logs of wood, and attack with spear to keep them at bay."

"Hmm. Not bad." Katarina seemed impressed. "But do we have time?" She added.

"A little time. But that should suffice. Get the townspeople. Tell them to get wood." I told Eric and Katarina.

The people here started getting wood once they heard about the horde. They have barricaded the entrance. They have readied themselves for a fight.

"We're ready." Eric said, Confidently.

"Oh. Heh." I smirked. "We're never ready."
I added.

Wooden spears, logs of defense. Everybody, in line of defense, was ready.

As we wait, the first walker appeared in the horizon...