The sun was up, the silence surrounded them, and Veronica and Aidan stood side by side alert without talking so as not to attract unwanted attention. She had her gun locked firmly in her hand just waiting for what came. Insisted that Aidan keep a gun too, but he was reluctant. They were walking for hours and the city looked dead. Even found a few monsters that didn't even approach the two.
They finally reached the shopping district and needed to be careful. This was the busiest place, so there should be several monsters in that area. – Stay behind me and do whatever you do, don't make any noise. – Veronica whispered to Aidan and passed him. Broken windows made every step dangerous, but the sun was causing an excessive heat that drove even the monsters away. Veronica wanted to take a powerful shower. However, she just ignored the sweat path running down her back.
There were no people on the street besides the corpses. And the buildings were providing shadows to prevent sunburn, but it was too late, the pain would come for sure. Everything was very calm, not that either of them wanted to deal with a monster at the moment. But it is always better to know the enemy's position than the other way around. Maybe it was the heat, or the sun, or the fact that it didn't look like a living soul had spent that place in hours.
They needed to stop for a while. – Let's go in there. – Aidan pointed to the city shopping center and slightly pulled Veronica. The mall looked like a desert or the end of an apocalypse. Many stores were robbed and dead people were scattered on the floor, victims of gunshots – probably policemen. "Dude, whoever caused this, the person will be hunted to death." Veronica thought. They remained silent until they entered the food court and sat at one of the tables. – Don't you think it's strange that we haven't seen a monster so far? – He asked while opening a sandwich from his backpack and a bottle of water.
- I was thinking about it, they must be sensitive to the sun… And it's very hot outside. – Veronica was still whispering. At the same time, drinking water as if her life depended on it. She was somewhat distracted, remembering when the two went to that same mall just to have fun. - I think we're close. There must be another 20 or 30 blocks from here, if we keep the pace, we get there in a reasonable time. – Aidan's sandwich smelled strongly of meat and was congesting his breath.
He took another bite and chewed, enjoying the brief pause. Didn't want to admit it, but walking all that way had caused calluses on his feet and a pain he would feel afterwards. – Yes, we will soon. Just rest a little. – Said more for him than for her.
The silence settled again, just hearing the sound of sips and chews. Aidan was almost done when Veronica noticed it out of the corner of her eye. – Do not move. – He froze and just waited for next directions. – There are three monsters standing there. When I said go, put everything in the backpack and run, okay? We are going to go past the cell phone store, run down the stairs and take off towards 3rd street. If we split up, you will meet me near the fire station at the end of the street. Do you understand? - She said everything while watching the movement of the monsters and slowly put things in her bag. He agreed. - Go! - She screamed when she saw them heading towards them.
In a quick motion, he put everything away while she fired, knocking down the three monsters, but the noise made many others appear. When he was ready, Aidan ran to the corner store she had mentioned dodging the infected people. Then turned around briefly to find Ronnie and she was surrounded. He couldn't go on, he needed to help her. Creating a distraction, Aidan started throwing things through the mall's glass causing a huge noise and making room for her to leave.
Taking advantage of the window, Veronica ran in the opposite direction to the monsters and Aidan followed. They had to take a different path than planned and needed to go down the escalators, but there were many and despite what anyone thinks: going down a stopped escalator is different from going down a normal staircase. The two were together by the door they had entered when two monsters grabbed Aidan from behind and pulled him. Without even hesitating, she took the gun and shot them both in the head perfectly. Veronica grabbed Aidan's hand and the two ran out the door and into the sun that awaited them.
They continued at high speed because several others appeared and there was not enough ammunition. Veronica was keeping count and there was just one more bullet before reloading. It needed to be "the bullet" for a moment of life and death.
They passed many well-known stores and she could have sworn there were normal people in some of them. But they couldn't stop and check. It had been a while since they were being followed and it bothered her. It wasn't the monsters; she was sure of that.
They used all the stamina they had to run ten blocks away from cars and fallen people. Their breathing started to fail and they had to stop. In the distance, she saw an alley that she knew to take on another street. It was narrow and passed unnoticed by someone with poor eyesight. Held Aidan tighter and they went inside.
As soon as the turn was made, the disgusting smell permeated their nostrils, but the alley was empty. Except by a rat or two, lots of overflowing garbage cans and a few abandoned cars. They crossed the alley, then she spun them both and leaned Aidan against the wall. Out of the corner of her eye, all the monsters had lost them.
They could breathe again. Veronica took a few seconds, before realizing how close they were to each other. A fact that Aidan had already noticed. He smiled at her and tried to compose himself. – Are you okay? – She asked when managed to get away.
He was under the adrenaline effect and his ears were throbbing loudly, so it took him a few seconds to recover. – Yes, I think so. And thank you. - He said it in a tired but sincere voice.
Veronica looked around and sat on the dirty floor, not caring. – For what? – She had a bad headache and could feel a vein in her skull pulsating.
- For saving my life. If it weren't for you, those two monsters would have killed me. – Aidan spoke as the most obvious thing he had ever said while sitting down next to her.
- In that case, thank you too. After all, it was you who distracted the others so I could get away. – They both looked like children in love. – Let's take a few minutes and then we'll continue. We are not that far, I think. – She said taking out her cell phone to check the distance. The battery was already half empty and there was no signal.
- Yes, we are close. The building is about twelve blocks in that direction. – He said pointing to the right. – Just a few more minutes, please. – She nodded. Her whole body ached and needed an urgent cold shower. But they were on a mission.
Everything calmed down as the two were watching the surroundings. After what felt like a long time, Veronica used all her will power and stood up awkwardly. Then, held out a hand to Aidan. – Come on, I think it's time. – They started their way again, the sun had already weakened and the heat had subsided, so there were more infected people running around the place.
When they arrived at the block next to the building, Veronica started to feel uneasy. – Why do I feel watched? – She whispered to Aidan. She squeezed the gun and turned around paranoid. Her sixth sense told her that there was someone there, perhaps even more than one. "If it were a monster, it would have attacked, right?"
Aidan was worried and took Veronica's arm. – I think you're not okay, Ronnie.
They kept walking while the PCASD building came into sight.
- Relax. We're close. – As soon as he said it, a loud noise exploded beside them and then another. Someone was shooting.
The two ran off while several more shots came. "Monsters don't shoot. Who's doing this?!" They hid behind a tree. – We can't stay here or they will kill us. Maybe not them, but the monsters that definitely heard this. - She said changing the ammunition.
- And what do you suggest? – He asked when the shots stopped. – Because there is no safe place nearby.
- We can run to the building ... But I think it would be better to solve this before, because we cannot arrive already attracting attention. – There was a small market nearby, they could get out from behind and arrive at the street of the building. Perhaps that was the best option. – I'll cover you while you run to that market. You get out the back and find your mom, okay?
Aidan was startled by the idea, so he grabbed her hand. – No way. We go together, that's the only way. - Out of the corner of her eye, Veronica saw several monsters appear. – Hey, look at me. It's all or nothing, we are a team and that's how we will survive.
- We don't have time for that Aidan! They are right there and what shot us should be close too. – She arranged the suitcase on her back. Aidan was not convinced, grabbed her hand and ran.
- So, shoot! - She managed to knock down two monsters while they bolted towards the market. They were deflecting as they could, but there were shots that weren't coming from her weapon.
Aidan kept running with her hand. In his mind, if he released it, he would lose her. She would run away… she would get caught... And any scenario that he could imagine would be hopeless and unforgivable.
As they walked through the door, they barricaded it with what they could find and still hold hands. - You should have gone without me. It's very dangerous and I need to know that when you have to, you will be able to do whatever it takes to save your life. – Veronica was angry, agitated and extremely pissed off.
Aidan was furious at what he had just heard. – Do you see this? – He raised their hands. – This will save my life! Us! Because nothing else matters! Any other scenario in which I survive and you do not, will also be the end of me! You said it yourself that we are stronger together. Then, never again suggest something so horrible. If we are going to do this and come out victorious, then we have to be together until the end. Do you understand me?
Veronica was speechless. The intensity with which he spoke was very strong. – Okay, but at least defend yourself better. Because if I'm the one with a gun, then I'm going to save you. If I have to choose between you and me, it will be you. Every time. – He took a deep breath trying to hold his emotions and pulled her to the market aisle, which had already been clearly robbed. He went for the kitchen equipment and took one of the available machetes. – It will do. – It wouldn't do, but it's a start. – Let's go now.
- You know, that was an exciting speech. – A voice said behind them. The two jumped around and Veronica pointed the gun at the source. A strong man with a shabby beard, in a red plaid shirt and jeans, stepped out from behind a bookshelf. – Hey, don't kill the messenger. I'm just here to help you.
- Who are you? - Veronica was ready to shoot. She stepped in front of Aidan and stood her ground.
The man just watched them. – You guys are very cute together. Has anyone told you that? – He raised his hands and grabbed her gun. Before Veronica could dodge, something hit the side of her head hard and she fell to the floor.
- Ronnie! – Aidan tried to hit the man with the machete, but when he leaned over, a gun was pressed against his temple and the lock removed.
- Do not move. Just do what I say and nothing will happen to her. – Someone with a thin voice said behind him. And the man picked Veronica up and carried her away. – Follow them.