As the night continued, Ronny and Sarah slept while Xavier continually cranked the radio to hear from Juneau. Everyone was anxious but none more so than Xavier as he did not sleep the rest of the night. As the sun began to rise in the east, Xavier knew it was almost time as he began to pack up their supplies and be ready for the helicopter to land. However, as he was packing, he heard the radio say, "Outpost Sector 3, do you read me? Over". Xavier quickly snatched the radio as he said, "I read you". The person said, "We've hovered over your outpost and have spotted too many zombies to make a safe landing. We're gonna have to land further away. We will be sending reinforcements to help aid your escape. Do your people have ammo"? Xavier said, "Not much. How many are out there"? The person said, "By my estimates at least fifty. We're seeing a clearing to the northeast. While we can't land we are sending you two men to help you from the inside". Xavier said, "How can they get to us if you can't land"? The person said, "We're right above the radio tower". Xavier quickly ran outside to see the giant helicopter hovering above him. He saw two men climbing out of the helicopter and onto the radio tower. Once they climbed down to Xavier, the helicopter flew northeast.
One of the two men said, "How many do you have"? Xavier said, "Three and a baby". The man said, "Alright sir. If we're gonna make it out of here, you and your people just need to stay calm and follow our directions. I'll let you debrief them. Come on out when you're ready".
As Xavier walked back to the outpost, he passed by Nick's grave. He couldn't believe that he was dead, however, he had to be focused as he walked inside. By now Sarah was awake as she said, "What's going on outside"? Xavier said, "Juneau has come, however, they said this outpost is surrounded by biters and so they had to land a bit away. But, they gave us some men and firepower to help us get to the helicopter". Sarah said, "When do we leave"? As soon as we're ready. They both looked to Ronny. Ronny's skin had turned slightly grey as he looked to them. Xavier said, "Ronny, they sent us help. We're gonna make it to Juneau". To Ronny's right was Sarah and to his left was Xavier. Sarah was holding Albee. Ronny tried to get up, however, he fell as he felt exhausted. A wave of heat hit him as he became lightheaded. Ronny said, "I don't think I can get up". So together, Xavier and Sarah helped him up. They threw his arm over Xavier's shoulder as they tried to walk, however, Ronny collapsed. Ronny saw someone else standing next to Xavier and Sarah, their face looked familiar. She smiled at Ronny as Ronny looked at her. Sarah and Xavier looked to Ronny as Ronny said, "Xavier, Sarah, take care of Albee for me. Please make sure he doesn't suffer the same fate as me". Sarah began to cry as they nodded their heads. Grace moved in between Xavier and Sarah as she offered a helping hand. Ronny said, "Grace. I love you". Xavier and Sarah were confused as they looked behind him but saw nothing. Grace said, "I love you too, Ronny". Suddenly, more people appeared behind Grace as she said, "We're all waiting for you, Ronny. We're ready for you". Behind her stood Shaun, Kyle, and Gavin, all with big happy smiles. Ronny tried to smile as he said, "I love you guys". By now Xavier was crying as well as he said, "We love you too, Ronny".
Grace offered Ronny her hand as he reached for it, however, as he did, his surroundings faded to blackness as Xavier and Sarah disappeared. Ronny and Grace's hands touched as Kyle, Shaun, and Gavin disappeared. And finally, Grace disappeared as Ronny accepted the darkness.
Xavier and Sarah were crying as they readied themselves to leave. Ronny closed his eyes as he took his final breath. Sarah held Albee tight as she walked outside. Xavier stood up as he aimed his gun at Ronny's head. It was something he knew he was going to have to do but hoped that he would never need to do. He took in a deep breath, closed his eyes, and pulled the trigger.
Once it was done, he couldn't look at him as he walked outside. He saw the two men and Sarah waiting for him. "Are we ready to go", one man asked. Xavier nodded his head as the man said, "Ok follow my lead, don't shoot until we shoot, got it "? As the four walked to the gate, Sarah and Xavier could see the many biters that were slowly making their way to the outpost. The two men cut open the fence as everyone prepared to face the biters. Off in the distance, they could see the helicopter waiting to land. The two men began to walk normally as Sarah and Xavier followed closely behind. As the first few biters wandered their way toward them, one of the men sliced through its head with a machete. Another one passed by as the other man stabbed its head. They were making great progress until a biter that appeared to pass by, suddenly jolted to one of the men as he fell to the ground. The other man tried to help him but it was too late, he was bitten. The other man shot him as well as the biter as he yelled for Sarah and Xavier to run. They did as they were told and ran for the helicopter. Xavier and Sarah shot any biter that was in their way as they approached the helicopter that was now beginning to land. Xavier turned around to see the other man was far behind him as he was being swarmed by the biters. Xavier stopped to try and help the man but it was too late as Sarah yelled at him to keep running.
As the two ran, the helicopter landed and someone from inside opened the side doors as he gave signals to hurry up. Sarah and Xavier ran as fast as they could. Once close enough, Sarah handed the person Albee first before she climbed in. Xavier climbed in shortly after as the helicopter took off. Xavier looked outside as he saw the outpost grow smaller the further they got into the sky. He breathed a sigh of relief as he knew everything would finally be ok. He looked at Sarah, who was holding Albee again, as they both were happy to finally be making it to Juneau but also devastated over the loss of Nick and Ronny. Tears ran down Sarah's face as she hugged Xavier and readied herself for a life without running, a life without pain, a life without loss. She was ready for a life in Juneau.
YOU ARE READING
A New Beginning
Fantasi"The group looked at Ronny in disbelief. Ronny's face was grim. Ronny looked at Xavier as he said, "Regardless of my health, you make sure Albee survives"." ---------------------------------------------------- The war is over, the dust has settled a...
