"Hahaha, there's no controlling those kids." Captain Kane said.
"I'm not surprised Zhaire took such actions, but I wouldn't expect Violet to follow behind him." Rodney stated.
"Those two seem rather fond of each other hey."
"We should've kept an eye on that kid." Captain Wilson muttered. "Now what? We don't have the time to deal with this kid's family issues."
"We have the time." Rodney stated. "We left the city a few days earlier than scheduled so we have time. According to this letter Zhaire left, he believes they can return within half a day. I rather lose half a day of time, than enter the most dangerous stretch of out journey without two captains, one of which being our lead medic."
"This is annoying." Wilson said.
"For now let's do a roll call. Let's figure out who all went with them."
"Hmm, the wind seems to be picking up out there." Kane said looking out of the window. "I hope they stay safe out there."
.....
"The wind's definitely picking up." Zhaire stated.
"Maybe a storm is approaching." Lici suggested.
"In any case we need to move as quickly as possible." Zhaire replied. "I left a note explaining things the best I could, but I don't want to keep them waiting for too long."
"And you're positive they're gonna wait for us to return?" I questioned.
"They have to, I mean, I brought the map with me." Zhaire said with a grin.
"Alright then, let's move." I said while also grinning with him.
We started to lightly up the road, but we only could've moved so fast because we were in the pitch black of night. Nothing but the moon to light our path and we decided that only one person would use their flashlight at a time.
Swooooooo
"Wait is that-"
"The whistling." I said cutting Lici off.
"How far would you estimate it to be?" Violet asked.
"I don't think it's close." Nico stated.
"Yeah, I think it's kind of far away." I added.
"Alright let's pick up the pace just a bit." Zhaire stated. "Since we really don't know anything about that thing let's just focus on opening the distance between us."
We all started to jog a bit faster and I think if we can keep this up we'll really be back in a few hours. Everyone here is fitted for this much physical work as well. Everyone except Khiara... I wonder of she'll be able to keep up. After fifteen minutes of nonstop jogging, the 'demon's' whistling was no longer being heard by any of us. However Khiara was visibly approaching her limit soon enough.
"We can slow down for now." I stated while relaxing into a walking pace. "We can move a bit faster in this group but Khiara still doesn't have the endurance to keep up with us for a long time."
"Sorry guys." Khiara said catching her breathe.
"It's alright, we wouldn't want anyone to get separated right now." Violet said.
"I smell salt water." Nico stated.
"I smell it too." Lici said.
"We must be getting close to the shoreline already." Said Zhaire.
"Benji said there's a canal system somewhere around here." Nico stated.
"Maybe we could find that and then follow the shoreline until we reach the outpost." Zhaire suggested. "This map is pretty outdated when it comes to the geography of this area."
"What's changed?" Lici asked.
"The entire Florida peninsula is underwater." Zhaire responded.
"That's a pretty big change." Lj said.
"Yeah."
"Nico, you remember how Benji said to get to the canals?" I asked.
"Of course comrade."
"Alright then take point. Let's pick up the pace again."
We jogged on for another ten minutes before having to move off-road into a wetland area. It was impossible to jog through this area, as a matter of fact it was challenging to even walk here. Our feet sank into the ground after every step we took, and the thigh high grass made it difficult to see where we were going. We decided that two people should now have their flashlight on at a time. We made that decision but fireflies were also illuminating the area around us. Little orbs of light danced around us as we made our way through the swampy wetland.
"This is my swamp." Zhaire stated in a deep voice. "No? Nothing?"
"I get the reference." Violet said covering her smile.
"That was referencing something?" Lici asked.
"It's actually kinda sad that you all grew up without the internet." Zhaire replied.
"You guys see a silhouette up ahead?" Lj says readying his bow.
"I see it." Nico stated.
We all stopped and acknowledged the approaching shadow.
"There's no way a person is out here alone." I said drawing an arrow.
"Help! Please!"
"What." I said lowering my bow.
"I'm not infected, please help me."
The silhouette of the person had their hands in the air and when they finally reached the range of the flashlight, we saw a man coming towards us. He wore glasses and a gray t-shirt which was both muddy and bloody. He also had blood and dirt on his face and hands.
"What are you doing out here? Zhaire questioned.
"Well you see-"
Before he barely got into his sentence, it appeared that he got pulled under the cover of the grass.
"AAAAAAAAAARRRGHHHHHH!!! Wait! No waiaaaaghhh!!"
We all took a step back as we tried to figure out what just happened. He disappeared into the swamp, but his screams flooded the entire area.
"Over there. Another shadow." Lj stated.
His flashlight revealed that this time it was an infected before us.
"There's one over there too." Khiara pointed out.
"Two shadows are closing in on our back left." Nico said turning to face them.
"They're all infected." I stated. "We need to get out of this grass."
"Everyone, on my word we make a run for it to my right. Khiara and Violet stay close to someone else."
In the blink of an eye one of the infected got pulled below, the same way that guy did. Something is down there...
"MOVE!" Zhaire shouted.
On his command we all ran to get away from our current situation. Nico still got a shot off but I couldn't see if he made contact with anything in this darkness. Honestly it would be better to use my blade in this situation since I wouldn't notice anything until it's directly in front of me. It felt as if the ground was attempting to swallow my foot with every step I took, which made running insanely hard. Everyone after a few seconds basically disappeared from my sight except for Lici and Violet who were using their flashlights. They gave me some sense of direction of where I was going, but they don't even know where they're going. Suddenly I then felt a tug on the back of my shirt.
"Ejay it's me, keep going." Khiara said.
"Good job keeping up."
"I felt something rub against my leg a while ago."
"No time to think about it, let's stay close to the others." I said grabbing her hand.
We ran for about another minute before one of the lights came to an abrupt stop. Directly after we heard something fell into water. It must of been something big because the splash was quite loud.
"Found the canal!" Nico yelled.
"Over here guys!" Violet exclaimed while waving her flashlight around.
Thankfully everyone made it safely back together at the edge of the canal system. Well, Nico got more up close and personal with the canal.
"Some help please." Nico said looking up to us.
"How were you even moving that fast in this environment?" Violet asked. "Gentlemen could you lend him a hand please."
"Throw your bag up." Lj said walking to the edge.
After Nico passed up his things to Lj, he walked back and stood watching.
"You two could fish him out right?" Lj asked looking at me and Zhaire.
"Yeah we got him." I replied.
We pulled him out and took a second to gather ourselves.
"There was something moving in the grass." Khiara stated.
"It had to be pretty big to pull down a whole man that quick." Zhaire added. "None of the infected seemed to follow us either."
"Whatever was in the grass probably got to 'em before they got to us." Lj suggested.
"Whatever it was let's just get some distance between us and it." I said. "If we follow the water up we should eventually reach the outpost right?"
"I think so." Zhaire said looking around.
"That doesn't sound very reassuring." Lici replied.
"First experiences mean more to some than others." Violet stated looking at Zhaire.
"What do you mean?" I asked.
"It's nothing." Zhaire quickly answered. "Let's go."
With no questions asked we proceeded to walk along the canals. While we were leaving I noticed something out of the corner of my eye which made me turn around.
"What is it Ejay?" Lici asked waiting on me.
"I thought I saw something move... never mind."
The wind's even stronger now than before. I have a bad feeling about something.
.....
Meanwhile in the town...
"Dameer, what's going on." Angie asked.
"They're trying to get a count on some missing people I heard."
"Who's missing?"
"I don't know for sure, but I haven't seen a few faces since this morning. Nico, Ejay, and Lici weren't in our room just now."
"Ejay?"
"We haven't seen Khiara and Lj either." Alyssa stated walking up to them. "They wouldn't just leave the town right, that doesn't make any sense."
"Captain Simmons isn't here either." Miguel stated. "I walked passed the Captain's room and noticed she and Captain Neely weren't in there."
"Something ain't right." Dameer exclaimed. "They know the dangers outside of town, especially at night, but they went out anyway."
"How do we know that they left the town?" Alyssa asked. "What if-"
"Attention everyone." Rodney exclaimed. "Due to some last minute circumstances, we will be staying in this town for another day. As you would know, we should have rendezvoused with another team here tonight. However as you could see that didn't happen. Because of this we've sent out a scouting team to investigate why they haven't shown up and to return by morning. That team consists of Captains Zhaire and Violet, searchers Lj, Lici and Ejay. Hunter Nico and chef Khiara. So don't worry about them, but believe in your squad mates that they'll be back in no time."
As Rodney stopped talking Angie pushed her way to the front of the crowd and followed behind him.
"Stop lying to us!" She yelled at him in an empty corridor.
"What's the problem Ms. Nash?" Rodney asked turning to her.
"How do you expect us to believe that. You woke us up in the middle of the night to do a roll call as if you didn't know who left the camp. If your intentions were to send them to search for the scientist why wasn't something said earlier about it and who you were choosing to send. They don't even have a complete team because they're isn't a guard with them. All of these holes in what you're saying, so how do you expect me to believe that."
"Angie calm down." Mali says as she and Dameer followed behind her.
"I understand your concern for your friends." Rodney replied. "But listen, this situation is out of my control now so all I can do is pray they return safely."
"Out of your con... you're supposed to be the leader!" Angie shouted.
"Hey, hey, Ang that's enough." Dameer says trying to restrain her.
"Did I catch you folks at a bad time?" Clayton asked.
After noticing Clayton and the other lady next to him, Angie finally calmed down.
"Oh no, what is it Clayton?" Rodney asked.
"Could I ask you something over here?"
Rodney walked with Clayton outside leaving Angie those in the hall.
"I'm skeptical about a lot of this too Ang, but you have to keep your cool." Dameer said.
"I wouldn't expect something like this to trigger you so much."
"He left me... when he promised he wouldn't." Angie said softly sliding against the wall.
"Ejay?" Mali asked.
The hallway became quiet as the intensifying wind blew through it.
...
"What did you want to ask me." Rodney asked.
"You people have doctors or nurses with you right?" Clayton asked.
"We have some medics yeah, however our lead medic isn't here right now."
"What do you mean they aren't here?" The other lady questioned.
"It's a long story, but do you guys need medical assistance?"
"My wife is about to have my baby Rodney." Clayton said. "I need your medics to help deliver the baby if they can."
Rodney looked at him with a shocked expression before looking back in the school.
"I don't know if any of our-"
AAAAAAAAAARRRGHHHHHH!!!
The three of them looked over to the house from which that scream just came from.
"That's her now!" Clayton said as he began to run over.
"Please bring anyone who could help." The lady said to Rodney.
Rodney stood there and watched them run back to the house.
"Violet where are you when we need you."