Operation PHOENIX

Dead End

We started walking towards the nearest town, which was about 17 miles from ours. We had packed a bag full of biscuits and chips, the ones we took from the supermarket. We had the weapons ready and we moved briskly, still in the battle formation.

Now that I had absorbed the situation thoroughly, I didn't feel suffocated by the sight of the corpses around. All this had somehow triggered something in me. I didn't flinch anymore, when I thought of my mother. I was finally able to lock away all that pain in a corner of my mind. Now I was trying to figure out, how I was even in my senses. I was never a brave person before. I never had the courage to face anyone. I was always bullied by others and I could never do anything about it. But now, all of a suddden, I had this confidence in me.

I felt something touch my left arm. I turned in reflex with the Katana out of its sheath. I stopped in my tracks as I realized it was Serena who had just stumbled on a rock. I sheathed my blade and helped her up. She mumbled an apology. I realized that even though she whispered it, I heard it loud and clear. I observed the surroundings. We were surrounded by woods on both sides and the road ahead took a sharp left. But it was eerily silent. Although the whole town was silent, but this was a sinister silence. I asked the girls to be careful and move with tranquility.

I hid behind a tree and observed the road ahead. The scene that awaited around the turn was horrifying. There were about 20 of those 'things' standing on the road. They were just standing there, unperturbed. They all looked in one direction. I followed their line of sight and understood the whole scenario. Their was a truck that had blasted on the road. It was one of the trucks that brought gasoline supplies to our town. That truck might have made a huge  explosion with a boom audible for at least 3 miles.

This explains why we encountered just 2 zombies till now. All the others were here because of the detonation. But this decreases our chances of getting out of here alive. It was difficult fighting off one of those zombies, but to get past 20 of them, that was impossible if I was alone.

But we were short of options at this point. The town was situated in the middle of mountains. The only way out of the city was this road. We could try to go through the woods, but the forest is filled with predators.

It was getting dark. I went back to the girls and explained the situation to them. Serena was aghast after knowing our position. Kiara was surprisingly calm. We were all silent for some time, figuring out a way out of town to safety. "I think we should get back to a house and stay the night there," suggested Kiara. We all agreed and started walking back.

After walking for a mile, we were back where we started, at the arms store. We wanted a shelter for the night and we were surrounded with empty houses. Not exactly empty......there were the corpses. And there could also be one of those zombies.

It turned out that Serena lived just half a mile down the street. We decided to spend the night there.

Once we were inside and safe, I switched off my vigilance mode. I slumped on the couch like a dead body. I never realized I was so tired. Each muscle in my body ached. It was just the first day and I was already so spent. How will I survive in the days to come? How will we survive? The day was hardly eventful, still it drained me completely. I will have to work on my endurance.

The whole day was running through my mind. Each scenario, each details. My eyes drooped and sleep surrounded me. Never realized when I dozed off.

Sorry for the delay!