At Brooklyn Bridge, David Dolan was leading his group that numbered about 25 people on foot to their newfound haven.
They were at the middle of the bridge, walking at a medium pace.
They were in the "adjustment period" and this also gave time for the enforcement of the punishment for people who failed to meet the phase requirements.
Their journey was extremely quiet. Not a single person made a sound.
The sight of the hideous creatures flying around made chills run down their spine but they believed in David wholeheartedly. They also didn't know why but for them he was like a large unbreakable wall made out of bedrock.
As they charged forward, they immediately came to a halt at the sight of a red-skinned, black armoured, two-horned, muscular creature that put its hand behind its back as it exuded an evil type of elegance.
Fear and terror filled the hearts of most of them, while others were despair.
David Dolan looked up to it as it floated past them like it didn't see them at all.
"Phew… There's no problem! Keep moving!" He said, and they obeyed.
After some time, they arrived at Brooklyn Bridge - City Hall Subway Station.
They went down but they found out it had already been locked from the inside.
David Dolan could only curse inwardly and look for another safe route to Worth Street Subway Station.
He led them to Canal Street, where they would use Canal Street Subway Station.
Although the journey to Worth Street was longer from that route, they had no other choice.
They walked the mile and finally started seeing signs of life up ahead. They were chairs in front of the tents that had light coming from within.
'As expected. He is wise.' David Dolan came to one of the tents and tried to open it.
Bang!
He sensed the shot and quickly bent down.
Zip!
He opened the tent, only to see a boy holding a minigun.
The boy gnashed his teeth and pointed his shaking hands at David Dolan in complete fear.
David just smiled and went inside the tent then slowly pressed the boy's hand down, then spoke, "Where is Damian Cross? He was expecting us."
"H-He went to meet a friend…" It was the first time Arthur spoke. Of course, David didn't know of this but Stephanie who was behind was shocked somewhat.
She didn't know him too well but she noticed the difference in his eyes. Just before, they lacked lustre and life as he just stared blankly into the air, but now, they held immense fear and horror like he had just seen the devil.
David Dolan walked out of the tent, "And? You mustn't need to be told what to do, must you?" He said to everyone, making them quickly disperse and set down their equipment.
Stephanie came up to her father, "Dad, is it really safe here with someone like Damian Cross?"
"Don't worry Steph. I'm here to make sure everyone is safe." David Dolan walked away to also go set down his stuff.
"Ok!" Stephanie stood there for a few seconds then went to help the other people.
Arthur was peeping from his tent, looking at David's back.
* * *
At Houston Street, inside of a particular gas station.
Rachael Benson explained everything to Damian, Mark and Frank.
She was a lawyer that wasn't doing so well financially. She was also a single mother and her financial status could barely help them get through.
Her apartment was a few blocks away. Her neighbours all came together to find a way to survive this so-called apocalypse together but one of them was weird.
His name was Ossen Palmer. He was a teenager about to become eighteen years old.
Rachael stated she always felt he was weird from the start. His parents were murdered just about a month ago when he went on a road trip with his friends to Houston, Texas about two days prior. But she remembers that on the night of the murder she went out to throw the trash and she saw him enter a very suspicious car.
She reported it to the police but they said their investigations don't point to him as a suspect. She had no choice but to believe them.
When they were having a group discussion on how they will share the labour, he only spoke once.
He said, "Let's not be foolish. We all know 'he' has come to reign on earth." She didn't take it as anything serious then.
After a few hours, when she spoke with some of the group members, she noticed most of them were acting very strangely.
Then just in the early hours of the morning, she overheard them say they need to sacrifice someone for reasons unknown to her, whose blood hasn't been tainted, a child. And she was the only one with a child.
She got wind of this and fled without even carrying anything.
"How despicable." Mark lampooned.
"...Frank, get some supplies for her and her daughter." Damian said after some thought.
"Ok." Frank followed duly.
Damian was happy inwardly as he thought, 'We haven't even started yet but business is finding its way to us.'
"We should be heading back soon after Frank is done." Mark said to Rachael.
"Sir?" The black-haired little girl with round eyes and a small face called for Damian's attention as she nudged his trouser.
He looked down and smiled softly.
"You look nice but you're extremely weird, but… b-but I like it!" Michelle said with glistening eyes.
The confusion was written all over Damian's face, "Huh? Um… thank you?"
"And don't forget," She said, "They're coming for you."
She giggled and ran to her mother who was with Frank.
"Ha, what was that all about?" Mark chuckled.
Damian didn't give him the luxury of an answer and just glanced at him.
'Kids are… too... too weird.' He went to find somewhere to sit and use his phone.
He managed to get 2 rings for killing that skinny demon.
…
After a few minutes, Mark came to meet Damian while carrying three bags. He held two –which were the ones the guns were kept in– and carried a large one on his back.
'This strength…' Damian stood up and they headed for the door.
"See you later Frank." Mark exited after Damian.
"Bye Mr Frank~," Michelle said as Rachael waved and held her daughter's hand.
"That Damian guy is cold." Frank said as he walked back to his counter.
"Let's move." Damian instructed.
Their destination was Spring Street Subway Station, then they went south to get to the abandoned Worth Street Subway Station.