Bio Hazard

Stronghold

The back alleys were the only safety for Ruby, the shadows her only cover. Everywhere she went, she was followed by the sounds of soldiers talking to each other while patrolling. Each voice, each sentence, tested Ruby's will to remain hidden. The pacifist approach was starting to grow wearisome. She had lived as an absolute pacifist for over a year, sparing the lives of countless people that had annoyed her, that had hunted her.

As she moved silently through the alleys, cat-like, Ruby could tell the stronghold was close by. The sounds of guard footsteps were more common, the streets were cleaner, the smell of medicine was thick in the air. This was dangerous territory. The mere sight of Ruby's luminous irises would cause panic among the healthy ones. The guards would become more alert. The stronghold would be put into lock down. Ruby tried not to think of how she was planning on getting in and out of the stronghold undetected just yet.

After what seemed like hours, Ruby caught sight of a huge column of thick, red smoke rising up through the streets. The beacon. The scarlet smoke acted as a beacon to all the healthy people, promising aid to those that sought it. The corners of the stronghold were marked by the buildings, the streets leading into the four block area guarded by very heavily armed men. Bridges had been build, connecting the buildings in the stronghold, allowing the healthy civilians to walk around without worrying about the infection reaching them. Ruby paused halfway down an alleyway, crouching in the shroud of darkness, masked by the pungent odour of decay. She would need to plan very carefully.

Ruby ducked behind a large dumpster to peer underneath it at the street through the tiny slit. Doing this reminded her of how bright her eyes were. Looking down at the ground, Ruby could see the green glow on the slightly damp ground below them. They were green lens torches set into their head. It was a miracle that she hadn't been spotted. She hadn't been seen yet, except by that one soldier. No one had seen her...

Or so they thought...

"Oi," A voice hissed from behind Ruby, "Thought you could hide?"

Ruby froze, hoping she had imagined the voice. She knew they hadn't. Slowly, she turned over onto her back, to find out who she had been spotted by.

The first thing she saw was the barrel of a rifle protruding from a window. The cold metal was inches, mere centimetres from Ruby's face, once more the green glow reflecting from their eyes. With a racing heart rate, Ruby followed the barrel up to the furniture, focusing on the glossed wood. It was a primitive rifle, in comparison to technological advances, but any shot would be lethal at the range Ruby was away from the weapon. Ruby's eyes then slid further up to the sight, locking contact with the poisonous green eyes of the rifleman.

Realisation hit Ruby as the rifleman lowered the weapon. This man was infected. He withdrew the rifle and extended a skeletal hand,

"You're stupid, y'know?" He tutted, "Climb in here, quickly, before the next patrol!"

With slight hesitation, Ruby's hand met the rifleman's and they pulled themself up into the window, muttering under their breath,

"I hate you already," Ruby spat quietly, to which the rifleman chuckled.

"You're stupid, y'know?" He repeated, "Sneakin' around on the street... Just go and sit down, before you put yourself in more danger,"

Somewhat reluctantly, Ruby complied, walking away from the window and into the room, coming face to face with a fully set up base of operations. Knives and blades were dotted around, boxes of ammunition, even a couple of firearms were laying around. In a state of awe, Ruby went and sat down on an ancient, moth-eaten sofa and looked around.

The smell of dust overpowered the scent of medicine inside the converted apartment, complimented by the faint aroma of gunpowder and oil. The room was very dimly lit, with only a tiny lamp in one corner, casting long shadows across the floor and onto the slightly mouldy walls. From inside, voices could be heard, muffled by walls, leaving Ruby unable to tell if they were hostile or friendly.