Godead

LIX

The group continued through the streets, fighting off several zombies before reaching the slaughtered caravan. They searched through the bodies, disturbed by the dismembered state of their remains. After several minutes, Caroline shook her head.

"None of these are my father. Maybe he really is still alive!" she exclaimed.

"You said he worked at a science lab?" Claude asked.

"Yes. It's called Westview Research Facility. My father worked as a bioengineer there. Please! We have to go and see if he's still alive!" Caroline said.

"Hmph. We don't have to do anything! I'm callin' the shots around here!" Abby said, hands on her hips.

"Yeah! Both of us are! And besides, this is my town! I'm not leavin' for nothin'!" Debra added.

"But Caroline's right," Claude said. "If her father really is a scientist, perhaps he can provide some insight into what's happening. Plus, I'm rather curious as to why he calls the two of you 'vectors'."

"Hmm. Well, to be honest, I'm sort of wondering that, myself. Alright, then. I suppose I'll come along," Abby said.

"Have fun. I'm stayin' right here," Debra said.

"How far is this research facility, anyhow?" Jake asked.

"About thirty miles west of town. I know the way there. I've traveled there many times," Caroline replied. Claude gave a nod.

"Alright, then. We'll head on over there," he said, looking to Berkfield. "...I just hope Elsa's alright. Maybe we should stay awhile and look for her?"

"Don't worry. I can handle that. You all go ahead. I'll stay behind and keep an eye out for Elsa," Debra said. Claude hesitated.

"...Thanks. Just don't kill her if you find her, okay...?" the boy asked worriedly.

"I won't, handsome. Promise!" Debra replied cutely.

"Hey! Who you callin' handsome?!" Abby asked. Debra stuck out her tongue, soon taking off before flying the opposite direction toward the city.

"What about guns? These dead militiamen were all well armed," Hannah said. Claude briefly paused.

"Well, at first I was hesitant, but seeing how dangerous things have become, it's probably best if everyone had a gun," he said.

"Are you joking? You're actually gonna trust these morons with weapons?" Abby asked.

"They're not morons, Abby," Claude said, giving a warm smile. "...They're our new friends." Jake, Caroline, and Hannah briefly paused, taken aback by Claude's vote of confidence in them. "Go ahead. Arm yourselves, and then let's look for Doctor Reed."

The survivors all nodded, gathering firearms from the fallen caravan. Hannah grabbed a revolver as Jake and Caroline armed themselves with hunting rifles.

"You better not try anything funny with those! I've got my eye on you people! Anyone tries anything and I'll skin you alive!" Abby warned.

‭"‬It's alright,‭ ‬Abby.‭ ‬We can trust them,‭" ‬Claude replied.‭ As they were just about to leave, Reuben paused.

"I'll stay behind and look for Elsa, as well. I'm worried about her," the boy said.

"Reuben...," Claude replied, turning to him. "Are you sure?"

"Yes. She helped me return to my senses after my transformation," Reuben replied. As the young man left, Claude paused, worriedly watching him leave.

The remaining five then entered an old gray van,‭ ‬Caroline at the wheel as they made their way to Westview Research Facility.

Back up north, Blair and Amanda continued driving south. They'd already passed several states, and now found themselves in North Carolina. As they continued their trip, an old sedan lay stranded on the side of an urban street.

‭"‬Man,‭ ‬hell naw,‭" ‬Marcus said,‭ ‬staring down at the open hood of the car.

‭"‬I told you this raggedy old thang wouldn't hold up,‭" ‬Andre replied.

‭"‬F*ck you,‭ ‬nigga.‭ ‬It ain't raggedy.‭ ‬This was moms‭' ‬car,‭" ‬Marcus said.‭

As a pair of zombies approached,‭ ‬Andre stepped forward,‭ ‬holding his Beretta‭ ‬9mm sideways before popping two shots.‭ ‬As the zombies both dropped,‭ ‬he casually turned to Marcus.

‭"‬So what we gohn do,‭ ‬now‭?" ‬Andre asked.

‭"‬Whatchoo think,‭ ‬fool‭? ‬Keep a lookout for another ride,‭" ‬Marcus replied.

The two left the sedan at the side of the road, continuing their way through the ravaged streets. The city of Raleigh was in ruins, wrecked cars and debris strewn everywhere as charred buildings lined the streets. Marcus and Andre were in their mid twenties and had been friends since grade school, both having lived in Raleigh their entire lives. They'd managed to lay low for awhile, but when the town got too dangerous, they decided to make their escape.

The duo looked around for a suitable vehicle, finding most cars in a state of disrepair. As they continued down the sidewalk, they suddenly spotted a lone car off in the distance. They looked to each other, soon stepping out into the road.

"Hey!" Marcus shouted.

"Yo! Hold up!" Andre exclaimed, waving his hands. As the car steadily approached, Blair and Amanda looked to each other.

"What do you think?" Amanda asked.

"Looks like they're armed," Blair replied, warily slowing the vehicle down several yards away. "...Still, we can't just leave them here. This town's a deathtrap." As their gray four door came to a stop, Blair readied her Tec-9, opening the door before aiming it at the two from above the window. As Marcus and Andre realized she was armed, they cringed.

"Sh*t!" Andre said, stopping in his tracks.

"She got a piece!" Marcus exclaimed.

"Freeze! This is Officer Nightingale of the Fort Lauderdale Police Department! Drop your weapons and put you hands on your heads!" Blair said sternly.

"Damn! End o' the world, and cops still won't give a nigga a break!" Andre said.

"F*ck this sh*t. Run!" Marcus said, the two taking off before taking cover behind a nearby building.

"Hey! Stop!" Blair yelled.

"We ain't droppin' nothin'! Ya'll drop your guns!" Marcus hollered from out of sight.

"Damn!" Blair exclaimed.

"Don't worry. I'll handle this," Amanda replied, leaving the passenger side.

"Amanda! Be careful!" Blair said worriedly.

Amanda walked down the street, Blair watching from a distance as Amanda approached Marcus and Andre's position. As the two noticed her, they paused, suddenly raising eyebrows at her appearance.

"...What the f*ck?!" Andre said.

"Damn! That bitch look crazy!" Marcus added. "Stay back! Come any closer and we'll bust a cap in yo ass!"

Amanda paid them little heed, smirking as she walked ever closer. As Marcus and Andre looked on, they raised their weapons, suddenly opening fire. In an instant, Amanda raised her wings, shielding herself from the gunfire as bullets deflected and bounced off her skin. After several moments, Marcus and Andre's empty guns both clicked in vain.

"Damn!" Marcus said. Andre grimaced.

"Oh, lawd have mercy!" he hollered wildly. As Amanda drew near, the duo warily stepped back. As the two braced themselves, Amanda gave a smile.

"Relax. We mean you no harm," she said.