The Wielder's Winter (The Manifests Series #1)

[14] Rescue Party

Zeke and Hangyeol immediately rushed through the groves of frozen and barren trees, trying to make their way to the aforementioned building---which is a history museum--- located near the entrance of the park. Only Hangyeol's flashlight lit up the path, and they aren't taking any chances of stopping until they get there.

They pass by an open court and encounter several snowmen. Hangyeol just shot them on their legs and feet to incapacitate them. They have no time to fight these monsters, especially now that the place is growing darker and darker by the minute.

They continued sprinting for several minutes, and soon, they finally made it to the side of the museum.

It was a horizontally long two-story building, and a few parts of the roof and the second floor have already collapsed. Some lights inside were still on, illuminating parts of the fallen building. Around it were parts of what used to be a barricade, as well as broken bottles of beer, broken guns, and destroyed cars, all buried in the snow.

Zeke and Hangyeol proceeded to enter the museum through a hole in the wall. They see nothing but even more destruction inside--- The floor was riddled with debris and broken artifacts, displays were beyond recognition, and most of the ceiling has caved in.

They continued to walk further into the museum, and soon, they see destroyed snowmen, a fallen Scraper, and several lifeless bodies of dead men among the piles of rubble.

Clearly, there was a struggle. And it turned real ugly.

Hangyeol shook his head and held his temples in dismay. "I knew we all wouldn't make it... I knew it. We didn't stand a chance. That idiot should've listened to me."

"What do you mean?" Zeke said.

Hangyeol let out an exasperated sigh.

"You see... This settlement is only two weeks old. People flocked here at this place to seek refuge because it's one of the few remaining buildings in this place that was nearly intact after the icy bombs dropped. It was the perfect place to establish a settlement--- the place was spacious enough to handle the survivors. We had barricades, food supplies, weapons... y'know. Post-apocalypse stuff. But we needed a leader."

"Mhm, go on," Zeke said.

"Someone who went by the name of Gimhae took that initiative, and lead this place, promising absolute safety for those residing here. It turned out pretty well... At least, for a week." Hangyeol said as he frowned.

"What happened, then?" Zeke asked.

"This Gimhae guy became lenient in protecting the place. Said this place was already okay without the barricades because, the fences around the park were still as sturdy as before, and how easy it is to blast the living hell out of these snowmen and giant snow things because we have guns, we have baseball bats, stuff like that."

Zeke just listened intently.

"And you know the worst part? Most of the people loved him. Because he reminds everyone of life before the apocalypse. Y'know, the feeling of comfort. The feeling of not needing to worry about anything. They went partying, reveling in looted resources... It was a messy sight."

"Did someone even raise their concerns about the safety in this area?" Zeke asked.

"Well, some survivors who didn't like to party and all--- including me, myself--- tried to tell him countless of times that we should be prepared, but he just shrugged it off. He kept saying he'll work around it, but he never got to. While he was slacking away, some of us tried to use the radio to tune in different frequencies, hoping that there is someone out there that can help us with the situation. Sadly, we didn't pick up anything... Until... y'know, this whole thing happened." Hangyeol looks down.